Wednesday Journal 102622

of Oak Park and River Forest

School security pact in the works

Agreement involves districts 200, 97 and village government

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The intersection of school safety and equity concerns around policing are front and center as public school districts in Oak Park and the village’s police force work toward an intergover nmental agreement that would codify protocols and interactions between the three agencies.

The Village of Oak Park is in discussions with Oak Park Elementary School District 97 and Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 to do just that. Through an intergovernmental ag reement, the three entities plan to implement a school security program that would not see the return of school resource officers within the schools but would involve police interacting with students under certain circumstances.

To do so without causing undue harm and stress to Black and Brown students, who often feel wary in the presence of police, the three taxing bodies have committed to using a racial equity lens in development of the IGA.

The ag reement is a two-fold initiative to ensure safety within the two districts’ schools while “explicitly disrupting the school to prison pipeline,” according to a Sept. 30 memo from Village Manager Kevin Jackson, D97 Superintendent Ushma Shah and D200 Superintendent Greg Johnson to the two school boards and the village board. It is meant to establish clear channels of communication between schools and law enforcement.

An empowering history of residential segregation

Growing up in Maywood, I would often hear stories told by older relatives about what many of the suburb’s old-timers recall as its halcyon days, ironically enough. After all, it was due, in par t, to racist and anti-Semitic housing codes within mortgages, called restrictive covenants, which ke pt Black and Jewish families confined to a “colored neighborhood” in the village that spanned east from 10th to 14th avenues and north from Madison Street to St. Charles Road

Despite its history of segregation, Maywood has been home to generations of prominent Blacks — from NBA player and coach Doc Rivers to Sheila Johnson, the cofounder of BET, and the famed chemist Percy Julian (before he moved to Oak Park).

ROMAIN

“We could leave our doors open and get on the AuroraElgin train on 11th Avenue and nobody would do anything,” the late Northica Stone, the founder of the West Town Museum of Cultural History in Maywood, reminisced several years ago. “You could leave your clothes on the line and nobody would take them.”

My great-great grandparents, Charles and Novella Linyard, spawned one of the many “old time” Maywood families that traces its roots to that “colored neighborhood.” And I can recall my great-grandmother, the suburb’s first Black female village clerk, telling me stories of those segregated yet, in many ways, splendid days of camaraderie, community, communion and connection. That’s true enough, but the revelry also worked to blunt the insidious nature of the racial segregation that proliferated across the country during that time and that is partially responsible for so much suffering today. And it also obscures the property covenant’s blatant white supremacist foundation.

One reason for the obfuscation may be the sophisticated explanations that whites used to justify the documents.

According to historian Wendy Plotkin, the Federation of Neighborhood Associations, an organization dedicated to creating and maintaining these covenants, punched back against claims that the covenants were the result of a conspiracy by whites to keep Blacks hemmed in and quarantined in inner-city ghettos and suburban “colored neighborhoods.”

“It is a bald insult to depict as ‘conspirators’ the thousands of Chicagoans who have entered into purely personal legal contracts in order to preserve their homes or to protect their investments,” the Federation members said in the 1940s.

“Race restrictive covenants do not segregate negroes. They segregate whites. These covenants do not connote prejudice,” they argued. “They have been signed by persons in industrial and professional life whose activities provide employment to thousands of negroes.”

The Federation, by the way, was “an umbrella organization whose executive committee included representatives of the Community Protective Club of

Maywood.”

The following passage, pulled directly from a standard form restrictive covenant drafted for the Chicago Real Estate Board in 1927, reveals the truth buried by the Federation’s complicated obfuscation.

“The restriction that no part of said premises shall in any manner be used or occupied directly or indirectly by any negro or negroes, provided that this restriction shall not prevent the occupation, during the period of their employment, of janitors’ or chauffeurs’ quarters in the basement or in a barn rage in the rear, or of servants’ quarters chauffeurs or house servants, respectively, actually employed as such for service in and about the premises by the rightful owner or occupant of said premises.

“The restriction that no part of said premises shall be sold, given, conveyed or leased to any negro or negroes, and no permission or license to use or occupy any part thereof shall be given to any negro except house servants or janitors or chauffeurs employed thereon as aforesaid.”

The very language of these racist covenants tells us what they were really about. If the covenants were merely designed to “segregate whites,” they wouldn’t exempt Blacks from living with whites as janitors or chauffeurs or servants. In other words, Blacks and whites could live together, so long as Blacks were ke pt servile and inferior to whites.

‘Unvarnished Housing’

I got a fresh perspective on this history after visiting Naper Settlement earlier this month. Now through Oct. 28, the outdoor history museum at 523 S. Webster in Naperville will host the onsite companion exhibit to “Unvarnished: Housing Discrimination in the Nor ther n and Wester n United States.”

The free online exhibit, which you can visit at: unvarnishedhistory.org, examines the history of residential segregation in America by spotlighting six communities from California to Connecticut and placing them within a national context. One of those communities is Oak Park Naper Settlement is also hosting Deed Scrubbing Workshops through Oct. 27. Unbeknownst to many homeowners, racially restrictive language from decades ago still exists in many mortgage deeds. Effective Jan. 1, a new state law in Illinois allows homeowners to remove

those racially or religiously restrictive covenants from their property deeds for a small fee, Naper Settlement reminds us.

Frank Lipo, executive director of the Historical Society of Oak Park-River Forest, and Sarah Doherty, an Oak Park resident and North Park University history professor who is also a Historical Society board member, spent the last four years working with their colleagues in other states to develop the “Unvarnished” website and associated professional development initiatives.

On Nov. 2, 7 p.m., at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Historical Society re presentatives will host a panel discussion about “Unvarnished” with their colleagues from

In addition, I urge you to visit “Open House: The Le gacy of Fair Housing,” the ongoing exhibit at the Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St. before it closes in mid2023. Lipo said a traveling version, currently in the works, will succeed the per manent exhibition. Within the “Open House” exhibition, you’ ll find the stories of Mt. Car mel Baptist Church and Lewis Pope — anchors of local Black history in Oak Park and River Forest.

PROVIDED

Mt. Car mel was the cor nerstone of Oak Park’s Black community in the early 20th century until it was tor n down in the 1930s to make way for economic development.

“I talked to several people who live in Maywood now, who say their grandfather and great-uncle came from that Mt. Carmel community to Maywood,” Lipo told me in a 2018 interview.

On Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m., 1100 Westgate in Oak Park, community members will dedicate a commemorative plaque marking the location of the church.

Pope was an Oak Park and River Forest High School football player who, in 1937, was prevented by Jim Crow laws from traveling with his team to play an exhibition game in Miami, Florida. Whites in the village were mostly mum but Percy Julian, then living in Maywood, wrote a letter to the local newspaper here that blasted racism and prejudice in Oak Park

On Nov. 6, 2 p.m., at OPRF High School, 201 Scoville Ave., there will be a free dramatic reading of the Oak Park playwright Kevin Bry’s “The Ebony Streak,” which recalls the Pope story. This fall marks the 85th anniversary of the tragic episode.

This is dark and depressing history, but Lipo, Doherty and their fellow “Unvarnished” organizers have keenly shown us that this history can also be empowering, that we can use the past to inform our efforts to shape a better present.

CONTAC T: michael@oakpark.com

A team photo from OPRF’s 1938 Tabula yearbook that shows Lewis Pope and his teammates.

BIG WEEK

Oc tober 26-November 2

Día de Muer tos (Day of the Dead)

Originating in Mexico, this impor tant celebration is rooted in indigenous practices existing long before Spanish settlers arrived. Typically celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, ofrendas (o are built to honor, celebrate, and remember the dearly depar

Through Monday, Oct. 31, you are invited to share an image of your loved ones who have passed away to be included in the community ofrenda, in the Main Librar y idea box. T o ering will be built and on display at each Oak Park Public Librar y location through Friday, Nov. 4. Submit your photos at oppl.org/share

Horror, Halloween & Holly wood

Monday, Oc t. 31, 1:15 p.m., Nineteenth Centur y Charitable Organization

Author and local theater critic Doug Deuchler will examine 1930s horror movies. Despite the fac t that these lms came out in the middle of the Great Depression, or genre transformed Universal Pictures into a major enter tainment . Several in uential stars of the time, like Boris Karlo and Bela ugosi, will be up for discussion. The program will be presented in the secondoom, as well as livestreamed on Zoom. Free, but a voluntar y suggested donation of $15 is requested for non-members. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park

Day of the Dead Performance by the Omeyocan Dance Company

Sunday, Oc t. 30, 3:30-4:15 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

Celebrate Day of the Dead with a special performance of the Battle Dance by the Omeyocan Dance Company and face painting. Weather permitting, this per formance will take place on the plaza outside the Main Librar y; other wise it will be held in the Main Librar y Veterans Room. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Listing your event

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

■ Send details to Wednesday Jour nal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302

■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

FitzGerald’s Fright Nights!

Hotel Transylvania/ Ghostbusters

Friday, Oc t. 28, 7 p.m., FitzGerald’s A horror movie double feature in Ber w yn? And there’s not even a cameo appearance from Svengoolie (the horror T V show host that made Ber w yn famous)?

Despite that glaring absence, this nighttime movie showing is not to be missed. Ex tra points for being shown outside on FitzGerald’s patio. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Ber w yn.

Captain Louie Jr.

Friday, Oc t. 28, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oc t. 29, 3 p.m.; Saturday, Oc t. 29, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Oc t. 30, 3 p.m., Ovation Academy

This Halloween musical touches on friendship and fun during the trick- or-treating season, and is based on Ezra Jack Keats’ novel The Trip. In the spirit of the season, audience members are encouraged to wear costumes. The 50-minute show is performed by a rotating cast of kids age 6-10, with the “Trick Cast” appearing on Friday and Sunday, and the “Treat Cast” doing the honors on Saturday. $8 for children, $10 for adults, 126 N. Oak Park, Suite 2, Oak Park.

Hephzibah Halloween Fun Run/Walk

Sunday, Oc t. 30, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m., Constitution Park

Hephzibah Oak Park Auxiliar y is hosting the rst ever Halloween Fun Run/Walk, which will wind through the neighborhoods surrounding Constitution Park in River Forest for 1.5 miles. Costumes are encouraged, and ever y registrant will receive a goody bag This event will happen rain or shine and is a wonder ful way to join the community in suppor ting one of Oak Park ’s oldest social ser vice agencies. 7715 Green eld St., River Forest

Monster Mash Dance Part y

Monday, Oc t. 31, 10-11 a.m., Oak Park Public Librar y Kids and caregivers - wear your favorite costume, bring some dancing shoes, and be prepared ock your socks o . The Mash also requires The Mask for par tygoers 2 years old and up. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

Election Day is November 8, need information?

Check these non-partisan Voter Guides:

Illinois Voter Guide

• Powered by the League of Women Voters of Illinois, activated by you! Use the guide to see your complete ballot and to learn about the candidates.

WTTW: Video Voter Guide

• Produced with the support of League of Women Voters of Cook County including videos and information about federal, state and county candidates. wttw.com/elections/voters-guide/2022-general

Vote for Judges

• Information on judges from 13 bar associations, local media outlets, and endorsements from local media outlets. Vote For Judges.org

Trick or treat time!

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

For children, the success of Halloween can be measured in the quantity of candy collected in their pillowcases. Older children may plan their trick-or-treating ahead of the holiday, strategizing which blocks to hit first, identifying the houses that hand out full-sized candy bars and coordinating meetup points with friends. Younger children may be content with being wheeled around their neighborhood in a wagon pulled by their parents.

What is important for trick-or-treaters and their chaperones is when to trick or treat. Both River Forest and Oak Park have designated hours for trick-or-treating each year, which are not always the same. This year, the neighboring villages differ from each other by one hour. River Forest trickor-treaters can start ringing doorbells at 3 p.m. but must stop by 7 p.m. Oak Park trickor-treaters can continue soliciting for candy until 8 p.m. yet they cannot begin trick or treating until 4 p.m.

Keep All Hallows Eve is more about the treats than the trickery by being mindful of those hours, but mindfulness can extend beyond the hands on a clock. Not every child participates in Halloween the same way.

While it is traditional for kids to don the duds of their favorite cartoon princesses or superheroes, not every child is comfortable with that. Kids with sensory sensitivities may not feel comfortable in costumes or face paint but would still like to trickor-treat

Re gardless of whether your child dresses up, take a picture of them before trickor-treating. The photo graph will be a keepsake to be enjoyed for years to come. It could also come in handy should a child get lost.

Parents of nonverbal children may consider making a sign to explain that they are, in fact, trick-or-treating but may not be capable of speaking those words out loud. Autism Speaks has signs available for printing on its website.

Being scared can be fun; being traumatized is not. Halloween decorations, some of which emit spooky noises, are pretend. Sometimes children need to be reminded of that.

Adults have a lot to think about when it comes to Halloween safety, but the holiday should be fun for them too. Kids: remember to share that hard-earned candy with your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers – any of the adults that love you. They deserve a special treat too!

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

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

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

safe & smart choice.

A

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

99% OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

e bonds of basketball

How a men’s weekly pick-up game became a community

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The thump of a ball meeting polished wooden floor, the squeak of athletic shoes and the strident ring of buzzers can be heard from the River Forest Community Center each Tuesday night as men of all ages come to gether to play basketball. The weekly g ame has resulted in decades-long friendships that go beyond the confines of the cour t.

“It’s a brotherhood,” said Kevin Trim, a long-time player on the Tuesday team. Between 15 to 18 men show up every Tuesday, ranging in age from their 40s to 60s They star t playing basketball at about 7:30 p.m. After a few hours, the group heads over to O’Sullivan’s in Forest Park for beers They stay there until after midnight talking about life.

“Amazingly enough 95% of the conversation is our families, our kids as they were growing up, suggestions for raising them and dif ferent things everybody’s going through,” said Preston Jones Jr.

The men take basketball seriously too. Not just shooting hoops, actual g ames are played with four 20-minute quarters. Sweat can be seen dripping from players’ faces, red from the physical exertion. They play hard.

And they play in style Ian Friedman, who be g an playing with the Tuesday team in 1999, is in charge of ordering the “Tuesday night swag.” The word “TUESDAY” is visible on the back of the jerseys the men wear, marking them as players on the infor mal team. The dif ferent colored jerseys also serve to dif ferentiate who is playing whom

Trash talk is common among the group

but make no mistake – this is a gentlemen’s g ame Disputes between players, should any occur, are settled on the cour t. Conflict does not follow the Tuesday team to O’Sullivan’s, where the players quench their thirst with post-g ame beers.

“You hear some cursing, you know, but afterwards we go and have a beer and we’re best friends,” said Jones

In fact, the Tuesday team for med out of founding member Reese Hutchinson’s desire to play basketball without arguments derailing the g ame. Hutchinson has been a par t of the Tuesday team since 1979.

“It actually all star ted because I lived on the South Side and I was looking for a place to play where they weren’ t arguing all the

time,” Hutchinson said.

Playing basketball in parks, according to Hutchinson, always ends in arguments, so he told his brother, who lived in Oak Park, he was looking for somewhere else to play Hutchinson’s brother told a couple friends, who in tur n told a couple more friends. “And after a while, we had a little group,” Hutchinson said.

The Tuesday team refers to themselves as the “You Paid Your Money League.” To be a part of the league, you have to belong to the community center, which charges for membership. The league’s name was born out of an in-g ame aside between Hutchinson and Neil Johnson, who at the time had just be gun playing on Tuesdays

“I was passing it around everywhere. Reese comes up and says, ‘Hey, you signed up for this league, right? You paid your money? Then shoot the ball,’” Johnson recalled.

Everyone who plays ends up with a nickname. Hutchinson’s, of course, is the godfather Trim, who has been playing on Tuesdays for 26 years, is known as the mayor.

“Because I owe everybody money,” Trim said. “I’m kidding!”

The nickname Michael McDonald was given to a player who bears a resemblance to the Steely Dan musician. There is also a Doc and a Grumpy, neither of which are references to Snow Whit e.

“Left Hand Tony because he was lefthanded. Robo guard because he had braces

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

TUESDAY NIGHT B-BALL: Players during the Tuesday Night basketball pick-up game at the River Forest Recreation Center on Madison Street in River Forest

“It ac tually all star ted because I lived on the South Side and I was looking for a place to play where they weren’t arguing all the time.”

REESE HUTCHINSON Founding member

Scenes from Tuesday Night B-ball.

on both knees,” Hutchinson said, pointing out dif ferent players on the cour t. “Liquor Store because he works as an IT professional for Binny’s [Beverage De pot].”

The lineup of re gular players has shifted over the years. People have moved. Injuries have caused others to hang up their jerseys, but new players are also brought into the fold. Those new players become inte gral par ts of the group’s dynamics, keeping the tradition of the Tuesday team alive. And it will always be the Tuesday team.

“The running joke is that I’ve been trying

to convince these guys to switch the day to Thursday for 20 years,” said Tuesday team member Brad Wolter. “Tuesdays are the worst day of the week, but I come out here for these guys.”

The friendship is at the heart of the Tuesday team. Players socialize outside of basketball, getting to know each other’s families, even going on camping trips together. They even have their own fantasy football league, which is also called the “You Paid Your Money League.” On draft night, the men get together for tacos in one of their

backyards and pick their players.

About seven years ago, after one of the re gular players died of Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the group all got together to walk in the ALS Walk for Life in their friend’s honor

During the height of COVID-19 lockdown, the team had a weekly Zoom call on Tuesdays.

“We have a text thread called the ‘Tuesday Night QuaranTEAM,’” Smith said.

Smith and Hutchinson don’t play as much as they used to The two are 62 and

68, respectively. They call themselves semiretired from the game, but they’re still active in the team.

After lockdown ended and gyms reopened, Hutchinson found his knees were failing. Injuries have slowed others down too Tuesday team members have had tor n Achilles tendons, even hips re placed over the years. Wolter, however, has a plan in place for the team’s future.

“We’re going to keep playing this until we all get hurt,” he said. “And then we’re going to play golf.”

PHOTO S BY ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Pace proposes pulling plug on suspende d suburban routes

Budget would mak transfers free, allow accept CTA passes

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Pace suburban bus agenc finally pull the plug on 69 been indefinitely suspended since May 2020, including several routes that ser wester n suburbs

This is part of Pace’s proposed 2023 budget, which was previewed during the Sept. 21 meeting of the Pace Board of Directors and officially released on Oct. 19. The budget also calls for making pandemic-era service reductions that haven’t already been reversed permanent, and leaves the fate of venue express buses, such as the Route 779 express bus that used to run between Hillside and Wrigley Field during the Cubs games and all three Brookfield Zoo summer express

buses, in limbo.

The budget also calls for eliminating the $0.30 transfer fee, allowing riders to use the currently CTA-only 1-Day and 3-Day passes on Pace buses, and lowering the price of CTA/Pace 7-Day pass from $25 to $20.

Pace Board of Directors is expected to adopt the budget on Nov. 6. In the meantime, the transit agency is holding a series of public hearings to collect resident input. Th e Chicago public hearing will be held vir tually on Oct. 25 at 5 p.m., and the in-person Cook

hearing will be held at on Oct. Mohr Community

suspended 75 routes and service on 25 more in order to free outes and allow more he transit agency has outes to service the schedule cuts, but emained in limbo and until the Sept. declined to comment

outes include routes oute 320 provided direct service between the Forest Park Blue Line CTA terminal and Maywood District circuit courthouse, 1500 Maybrook Dr., in Maywood

During rush hour, the route continued east on Madison Street between Des Plaines Avenue and Austin Boulevard, filling in the service gap on the stretch of Madison Street that goes through Oak Park

Riders who wish to get to the circuit court can currently take Pace bus routes 303, 310 and 317 as far as 1st Avenue, but they must walk the rest of the way. While Route 318

follows the same path as Route 320 did during rush hour as far east as Harlem Avenue, there is no other service on the Oak Park portion.

Route 327 provided the rush hour service between Forest Park terminal and the industrial businesses along Industrial Drive. Pace bus routes 301, 305 and 308 can get riders as far as Roosevelt Road, but they’d need to walk the rest of the way.

Route 757 is among the majority of suburbto-suburb commuter express services that were suspended during the pandemic. This particular route picked up passengers in the morning at the Green Line Harlem/ Lake terminal and the Forest Park terminal, took I-290 expressway to reach Bensenville, and dropped off passengers at of fice towers, shopping centers and other destinations in northwest suburban Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights and Schaumburg. Route 757 took five trips each way, with the trip taking between 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic conditions

Any rider wishing to make the same trip today needs to make at least three transfers between Pace buses, CTA buses and el trains.

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

OPRF board frustrated at costs of delayed classroom upgrades

Board also critical of confusing pricing information

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Two years ago, leaders at Oak Park and River Forest High School decided to defer the renovation of 20 classrooms to trim costs on the nearly $33.6 million Project 1 renovations upg rades to the Scoville enue campus That has tur out to be, as the saying goes penny-wise and pound-foolish, as the cost to renovate the classrooms has now increased by $858,878 or 45 percent. Meanwhile, 45 classrooms have ready been renovated as part Project 1.

The newly calculated cost to renovate the 20 classrooms is $2,778,222. The original estimate was $1,482,253 but that initial estimate did not include $465,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment that are included in the latest estimate. Some $90,000, or five percent of the increased cost, is due to scope changes that include $60,000 for standardized inter net cabling, $18,000 for doors, and $12,000 more due to the use of luxury vinyl tile flooring instead of car pet.

But the bulk of the cost increase is because of rapid inflation over the past two years. The school board is expected to vote to approve the renovation of the 20 classrooms, to be done next summer, at its Oct. 27 board meeting.

The updated cost was presented to the school board at its Oct. 13 Committee of the Whole meeting and school board members were not happy about the big cost increase.

“I think we can lear n from this because in the original Project 1 plan I think we were talking about well under $2 million,” said school board member Fred Arkin.

Board president Tom Cofsky was also not happy that the initial presentation to the school board at the Oct. 13 meeting did not make clear that the $465,000 cost for furniture, fixtures and equipment was not initially included in the original cost making it dif ficult to figure out how much the cost of the project has increased “I’m frustrated with just the communication and presentation of this information,” Cofsky said. “To try to even figure out apples to apples, what we started with and what we were bid. It’s my expectation that you would try to anticipate the general questions of the board and I see it more of trying to figure out and ask questions, oh this one includes furniture and this one doesn’t include furniture. We are being asked to make infor med decisions and the information that we receive, from my perspective, is not information upon which we can make infor med decisions without having to go in and ask a whole bunch of questions to get answers. It’s like pulling teeth, so I’m frustrated with that.”

Superintendent Greg Johnson asked Cofsky if he was just frustrated with the increased cost of renovating the 20 classrooms or if he was frustrated with the quality of the information presented to him.

Cofsky made clear that he was frustrated with the last second change in the material presented to board members.

“The information we received was not clear,” Cofsky reiterated Johnson made clear that he got the message

“Point is made and point is understood,” Johnson responded.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

that we

from my perspective, is not information upon which we can make informed decisions.”

TO M COFSKY Board president

Abu-Taleb, Hatch resign from West Sub governing board

Frustration over surprise bankruptcy declaration

By DAN HALE Y Editor and Publisher

Two members of the local governing board at West Suburban Medical Center have resigned their posts following the Oct. 2 bankruptc ration Pipeline Health.

Anan for Oak chair member wh mix members pital tors

time.

Abu-Taleb said, “I resigned the day of the bankruptcy.” He expressed frustration that the local board was not consulted on the decision to take the California-based seven-hospital group into bankruptcy.

“If I can’t help, I don’t want to hur t,” said Abu-Taleb “But I don’t think I can make a dif ference” now at West Sub

ABU-TALEB MARSHALL HATC H

Re Mount Pilg on nation was confir med by Abu-Taleb and by Jane Brust, spokesperson for Pipeline. Hatch was not available for comment at press

He expressed suppor t for the staf f at the hospital. “The peoho work there about the hosand their pa,” he said. document attached to its bankdeclaration, Pipeline made that deepenfinancial losses two Chicagohospitals — Sub and Weiss ove the chain had been neof West Sub ral months with a newly created venture called Resilience Health.

When a $92 million sale did not close by Aug. 30, Pipeline moved toward declaring

bankruptc

Brust, the Pipeline spokesperson, said in an email that ne gotiations with Resilience continue She declined to comment on possible discussions with other potential buyers.

Brust thanked both Abu-Taleb and Hatch. “We appreciate the service of these two very well-respected community leaders and their track record of support for West Suburban.”

new board chair appointed during November.

Also on the governing board were community re presentatives Mor ris Reed from the Westside Health Authority and Rev. Stanley Ste phens of the West Side Pastors Coalition for AIDS and Inner City Health. There are five board members with ties to West Sub, including CEO Barbara Mar tin and four current or for mer leaders of the medical staf f.

River Forest approves village-wide tra c study

Unanimous vote by board of trustees

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

In an ef fort to avoid continuing to apply Band-Aids to address traf fic issues in the village, the River Forest Village Board voted, Oct. 24, to conduct a village-wide traffic study.

The five trustees present voted unanimously to hire Thomas Engineering Group LLC of Oak Park to conduct the study for $98,644. Bob O’Connell did not attend.

Of ficials hope the village-wide traf fic study, which has been in the works since April, will eliminate the need for the piecemeal solutions to issues raised by residents in the past year, an approach that Village Clerk Jonathan Keller compared to the

Whack-A-Mole car nival g ame at a previous meeting.

The village-wide traf fic study will not include the nor theast cor ner of the village, which was the subject of a se parate study commissioned in January, with recommendations presented at the Oct. 10 board meeting.

“The purpose of the study is to provide a comprehensive review of traf fic patter ns/ volumes/speeds throughout the village in an ef fort to identify and implement necessary improvements in a manner that minimizes or completely avoids unintended consequences,” Jeff Loster, director of public works and development services, said in a memo to Brian Mur phy, village administrator.

He noted that, although Thomas Engineering has not perfor med this type of work in River Forest previously, the fir m has provided construction engineering

services for the village “over the past few years” and “has always perfor med well.”

Thomas Engineering has done similar work for the Illinois De par tment of Transpor tation (IDOT), Kane County Division of Transportation, the city of West Chicago and the village of Oak Park. Loster said multiple references were checked and “all provided positive feedback.”

Expected to take 10 months, the project will be complete in September 2023 if work be gins in November

According to Thomas Engineering, one of the fir m’s first ste ps will be to draft a village-wide survey to obtain resident feedback on the areas being studied and to gain a better understanding of residents’ experiences from both a pedestrian and driver perspective. The survey will gather resident input on various traf fic-related issues throughout the village It will provide residents the oppor tunity to identify

their areas of concer n as well as their prefer red methods/options to address those issues Potential items for input will include speeding, cut-through, traf fic control, traffic calming, traf fic safety, pedestrian/bike safety, bike lanes and parking.

As originally submitted, the cost of the proposal was approximately $150,000. In ne gotiations between village staf f and Thomas Engineering staf f, both parties worked to get the total project cost under $100,000, which is to be funded through the general fund and the two tax increment financing (TIF) district funds

Loster said items removed from the scope of work include the investigation of a jurisdictional transfer of a portion of Thatcher Avenue from IDOT to the village and an inventory of all signage and pavement striping throughout the village Restoring those items would cost an additional $14,527 and $14,742, respectively, he added.

West Suburban Medical Center

ANAN

Hephzibah at 125 years

Hephzibah is celebrating its anniversary with a series of stories about the children and families whose lives were transformed by our programs and services, as well as some of the “Hephzibah Heroes” who help make our mission possible.

This month, we’re featuring for mer Executive Director Mary Anne Brown, who led Hephzibah Children’s Association with vision and creativity for more than 40 years, from 1976 until her retirement in 2017.

Fueled by her passion for helping

trailblazer helped transform He phzibah from a small day care center with an annual budget of $100,000 into a nationally reco gnized child welfare agency with a comprehensive ar ray of services and a $9 million annual budget.

In this article, Brown reflects on the changing needs of children and families during her four-decade tenure—and shares some of the ways that Hephzibah’s passionately committed staff and board met those needs with the support of a caring ommunity.

atch for more 125th-anni versary stories in the months to come. We hope you find them as inspiring as we do!

A Champion for Children and Families

In 1976, Mary Anne Brown followed her heart to Hephzibah Home and began a 41-year jour ney that would bring hope and healing to thousands of children and their families.

When Brown—an Oak Park wife and mother with a master’s degree in child behavior and development—left her previous post as director of the South Austin Community Day Care Center to lead Hephzibah into its next chapter, society was going through some seismic shifts.

“Hephzibah was at a crossroads,” she recalls. “More women were entering the workforce— and the need for quality, affordable day care had surpassed the need for a children’s home. Two years before I ar rived, Hephzibah had suspended its residential program for the first time since the agency’s founding in 1897 to redirect its resources to day care for working parents.”

During her first year on the job, Brown did a lot of listening. What she heard was that there was a pressing need for more before- and after-school day care programming—as well as a full-day summer camp—to provide recreation and enrichment for Oak Park elementary schoolers while their parents were at work.

“At the time, our program was tiny,” Brown notes. “We were serving 20 children on the first floor of Hephzibah Home. The need for nurturing, enriching day care far exceeded our available space—and our waiting list was growing longer by the day.”

Constrained by the program’s meager budget, Brown began searching for creative solutions.

“We approached the Oak Park school district with a proposal to provide day care on site at the village’s elementary schools. The district gave us

See MARY ANNE on pa ge 12

MARY ANNE BROWN

Former Hephzibah executive direc tor

PROVIDED

Mary Anne Brown and children from the Hephzibah a er-school daycare program posing for the annual agency holiday card.

MARY ANNE

from page 11

the go-ahead, and we piloted our schoolbased day care program at Oak Park’s Lincoln and Mann elementary schools in 1976. We continued to roll out additional sites until we were providing day care on a sliding scale for more than 600 children annually at every elementary school in Oak Park and one summer camp location.”

This alliance between Hephzibah and District 97 was the first of many fruitful partnerships that would be forged over the next four decades to help children thrive and families flourish. But Brown soon realized that Hephzibah’s founding mission to care for society’s most vulnerable children could not be accomplished with day care alone.

issues such as unemployment, housing insecurity, chronic health problems, substance abuse or domestic violence, we realized that some children needed foster care,” Brown explains “But, at the time, children at risk of harm from neglect or abuse were transported out of our community to a centralized Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) intake center and placed in foster homes throughout the Chicago area.”

That troubled Brown, who hoped to minimize the disruptions in the lives of these children by keeping them in the Oak Park/River Forest community

Picture originally published in Wednesday Journal announcing Mary Anne Brown as new director of Hephzibah.

“There were day care kids who needed help, and their families needed help,” she states. “So we began to work with the social workers at the police department to provide emergency services for day care families in crisis.”

That infor mal arrangement with the Oak Park police set the stage for Hephzibah’s Day Care Social Services Program, which continues to enhance the lives of hundreds of day care families each year with crisis intervention services and referrals for medical and mental health services, housing, vocational support and legal assistance, as well as direct assistance such as bus passes, grocery store gift certificates, clothing, school supplies and other family needs.

Community-based foster care was a relatively new concept in Illinois at the time. But Brown firmly believed that children were better of f in the familiar environs of their own neighborhoods, where they could attend their own schools and maintain relationships with their teachers, neighbors and friends. So she began to lay the groundwork for a community-based foster care program.

It was an ambitious goal. But, where some people saw obstacles, Brown saw opportunities. In 1980, Hephzibah launched one of the first community-based foster care programs in Illinois to keep children close to home while protecting them from neglect and abuse

MARY ANNE BROWN

Retired executive direc tor

It also paved the way for Hephzibah Foster Care.

“As we became more involved with day care families that were struggling with

Soon, a new need emerged as the first cases of what would later become known as AIDS were re ported in the U.S. From the onset of the epidemic through 1994, an estimated 14,920 HIV-infected infants were born in the U.S. (“Pediatric HIV/AIDS in the United States,” https://www pedaids.org/pediatric-hiv-aids-united-states/) —and Hephzibah pivoted to meet an unprecedented need.

“In the early 1980s, DCFS contacted us

PROVIDED

Brown and sta member Jean Clements sor ting through holiday donations in the early 1980’s at Hephzibah Home.

PROVIDED

Brown and former Oak Park Village President, Anan Abu-Taleb, at Hephzipaloozah - a street festival in Oak Park in 2017 organized by Hephzibah to honor Brown as she retired.

“There were daycare kids who needed help, and their families needed help.”

about HIV-positive babies in need of foster care for reasons unrelated to their HIV status,” recalls Hephzibah Foster Care Specialist Davida Williams, who retired in 2013.

After visiting the quarantined babies—who were being housed in an isolation unit at a DCFS children’s shelter and closely monitored by three Chicago children’s hospitals— Williams conferred with Brown and Hephzibah’s board of directors. Their response was unanimous and unequivocal: “These babies were vulnerable and needed the care of loving families. Hephzibah would meet that

took to help these babies because none of us could stand the thought of these tiny humans being housed in a secluded isolation ward,” says Williams. “We began reaching out to our foster families to see if they were willing to care for HIV-positive infants. A handful of these families instantly said, ‘We’re in.’ These were mostly older parents who were willing to take the risk because they had already raised their children and had empty nests.”

With half a dozen Hephzibah foster families on board, Williams met with DCFS to work out the details.

“I remember sitting around

education. So we worked with the medical experts from DCFS and Cook County Hospital to educate our foster families about caring for these infants.”

According to Williams, Hephzibah’s foster families were prepared to love and nurture the HIV-positive babies to their dying days. But then a surprising thing happened

“The majority of these foster babies— who tested HIV-positive at birth because they still had their mothers’ antibodies in their systems—seroconverted to HIVnegative status during their first year of life,” she recalls. “We then developed permanency plans for the babies, who were eventually reunited with family members or placed in loving adoptive homes.”

“Hephzibah was one of two agencies in the state of Illinois that stepped forward without hesitation to care for these HIV-positive babies,” notes Brown today. “Thanks to the courage and dedication of Davida Williams and some truly amazing foster parents who took on the risks and unknowns of caring for these children, many are now healthy adults living productive and happy lives.”

The launch of Hephzibah’s foster care program sparked a period of unprecedented growth as the organization expanded its mission to include a full complement of child welfare services

Over the next two decades, Hephzibah

opened one of the state’s only diagnostic treatment centers to assess the physical, emotional and psychological needs of neglected and abused children; established a residential treatment program to provide long-ter m, therapeutic interventions for children who had been severely traumatized by chronic abuse or neglect, failed adoptions or abandonment; launched an adoption program to provide safe and loving forever homes for children who could not return home to their biological families; and introduced a comprehensive array of services for families in crisis

Yet, as Hephzibah continued to serve more children in substitute care, Brown noticed a disturbing trend. Many of the children at Hephzibah Home—and in group and foster homes across the nation—were lagging far behind their peers academically due to the many disruptions in their lives.

Brown believed that education was the ticket to a successful and fulfilling life, so she recruited some of the community’s most accomplished educators to serve on an Academic Advisory Board in 1999. Together they began brainstor ming about ways to help close the achievement gap. That same year, they piloted a Summer Reading Academy in partnership with Dominican University to boost the children’s reading and literacy skills.

PROVIDED

Brown and a young visitor at an ag ency holiday party for foster families. PROVIDED

Brown and Peter Bear form the Peninsula Chicago Hotel visiting the children at Hephzibah Home with Halloween treats.

“

We were prepared to do whatever it took to help these babies...”

DAVIDA WILLIAMS

Retired foster care specialist

MAKE A GIFT

For 125 years, Hephzibah Children’s Association has helped children thrive and families ourish. Your donation today will make a di erence in a child’s life and allow us to continue to help children heal and families succeed. Please give a gift at www. hephzibahhome.org/donate-now/

MARY ANNE

from page 13

In the years that followed, Hephzibah launched an After-School Academy powered by an all-volunteer force of Homework Helpers to provide afterschool tutoring for the children living at Hephzibah Home; recruited local artists to open doors to dance, painting, music and other artistic pursuits through the Colorful Days Arts Academy; and introduced One Book, One Hephzibah—a 12-week summer prog ram designed to take the solitary struggle out of reading and make it fun by engaging the children in group activities and field trips related to each week’s featured book.

In 2003, Brow tackled another troubling issue: At the time, 75 percent of all children in substitute care separated from their siblings in different group or foster homes. It was often the final—and most devastating blow for children who were already g rieving the loss of their homes, schools and communities.

therapists and child care workers—who were out on the front lines every day and often the first to perceive a need came up with the ideas for many of Hephzibah’s most innovative programs,” Brown stresses. “We were able to pivot quickly to put their ideas into action because our board was infor med and responsive—and our staf f members were always willing to say, ‘Okay, we can try that.’”

Growth takes commitment, which Brown and her staf f had in spades. But it also takes resources—and this was where Brown’s gift for spreading the word about Hephzibah’s mission came in

“We had a collective vision of what children and families needed to be successful,” she says. “Whenever we communicated those needs to our friends and supporters, they responded with extraordinary generosity to make our mission possible.”

PROVIDED Brown and Juanita, an adopted child ser ved by Hephzibah.

To help mend these broken bonds, Brown and her team piloted Camp HepSIBah—a summer camp experience for children se parated in the child welfare system. Nearly every summer since then—with a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic—sibling groups have reconnected at a r ustic woodland camp to share childhood adventures and form deep emotional bonds that will support and sustain them throughout their lives.

Hephzibah pioneered many other innovative programs during Brown’s tenure. But she is quick to point out that none of these programs would exist without the input, creativity and flexibility of Hephzibah’s staf f and board of directors.

“Our program directors, social workers,

Although Brown is now five years into retirement, people still seek her out to share their “Hephzibah stories.” Some recall how grateful they were as young, cash-strapped parents to have access to nur turing, af fordable day care. Others remember the hope and help that Hephzibah gave them when their families were in crisis. And then there are the children who found a safe haven and a place to heal at He phzibah Home—all grown up now—with smiles on their faces and gratitude in their hear ts.

For Brown, the feeling is mutual.

“I can’t imagine my life without the children and families I grew to know and love during my 41 years as executive director—and the incredible community that was always there to support our ef forts,” she muses today. “Whenever there was a need, people came together and we found a way to meet it.”

Article statistics sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

SCHOOL SECURIT Y 3-way safety arrangement

from page 1

Key parts of the IGA include the two districts providing the police chief with a list of administrators and their phone numbers, as well as a list that identifies particular types of instances in which particular administrators should be contacted.

The police chief will then provide the two districts with the names and titles of primary contacts, as well as two back-up contacts, responsible for implementing the IGA on the police department’s behalf

The police chief will also select at least one representative from the department’s threat assessment team to serve on each of the district’s threat assessment teams, as stipulated by the state’s School Safety Drill Act

The IGA is a collaborative effort by Jackson, Shah and Johnson and is being referred to as “Oak Park’s tri-agency effort to balance community calls for school safety and racial equity.” The school security program extends from kindergarteners to high school seniors. The three top administrative officials declined to be interviewed until further details of the IGA are ironed out and presented to their respective boards.

“There is a need to restore relationships between our agencies,” the memo reads. “We believe this can be accomplished by evolving our notion of what it means to work together to ensure safety and racial equity at the same time.”

Jackson, Shah and Johnson presented the draft IGA to each of the three taxing bodies’ governing boards. The first was at D97 on Oct. 11. The D200 school board had their turn two days later and the village board on Oct. 17. Interim Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson also attended the meetings. The village’s chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, Danielle Walker, who assisted in developing the IGA was not present at the meetings.

As it was presented to the village board, much of the agreement was based on procedures already in use between the three taxing bodies. The agreement, according to the village manager, serves to flesh out those procedures and codify them. The formation of a parent-teacher advisory committee is expected to help inform how the IGA takes shape

None of the elected boards were outright critical or against putting in place such a security agreement, but the two school district boards had more feedback to share, given their direct responsibility to students. The resounding response given by each was widely the same: Clarity is needed. Clarity over pro-

cedures, data collection, training and even terminology used in the IGA, including what constitutes weapons and criminal acts

Noting that the school resource officer program was terminated, D200 board members shared concerns at their initial meeting about the return of police officers to OPRF and how police would interact with students. Those views were echoed by D97 board members, who believed officers should take into consideration the age of the children during interactions with them – a 17-year-old would respond differently to an officer than a 7-year-old

As the IGA currently stands, officers have the authority to conduct searches of students and their property when there is reasonable ground that conducting such a search would produce evidence of lawbreaking. This search does not have to be conducted in the presence of a parent or guardian, just in the presence of a school administrator or adult witness and by a certified employee or officer of the same sex as the student.

While “reasonable efforts” must also be made to have a parent or guardian present while a student is questioned by police, officers can still question a student in the absence of a parent or guardian. A school social worker, guidance counselor, school psychologist or school nurse would sit in on the questioning in lieu of a parent.

These two parts of the IGA were scrutinized by the school districts as well, with D200 board members noting that students of color tend to be the subject of more searches than their white counterparts, while D97 board member Holly Spurlock felt uncomfortable with student questioning going forward without a parent present. It was also requested that civil rights and disability rights experts weigh in on the agreement.

Spurlock, who is also a lawyer, shared her trepidation over police keeping records from elementary school children that could be subject to subpoena requests in the future and potentially used against them. D97 board member Nancy Ross Dribin likewise wanted a set standard for reporting, so that report style and quality would not vary from school to school, thereby limiting confusion.

While River Forest gover nment is not a part of the agreement, a portion of D200 students live in that village. As a courtesy to their parents, it was requested that the River Forest village board be made aware of the potential IGA.

Clarification on the many points raised by the two districts must come quickly, as the IGA is set to return to D97 Nov. 15, to D200 Nov. 17 and finally to the village board Nov. 21. All three boards are set to vote on the approval of the IGA on those dates

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Starship, a sandwich classic, turns 45

Celebrating an out-of-this-world, sub-slinging par tnership

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Since 1977, Starship Restaurant and Catering, 7618 Madison St. in Forest Park, has fed Chicago’s unending need for sandwiches. Now, 45 years later, Paul McKenna and Henry Laskowski, co-owners of Starship, are poised to celebrate a milestone anniversary on Nov. 4.

“We’ re just two hardworking guys trying to make a great sandwich at a reasonable price,” said McKenna.

The business par tners met as young teens when worked as stock boys at Elliot’s Dairy in Harwood Heights They instantaneously worked well to gether and for med a fast friendship that stood the test of time. In 1977, the best friends were whipping up sandwiches in a Forest Park apar tment when they noticed a “for rent” sign in the front window of the business across the street.

Before long the sub sandwich loving duo had signed on the dotted line and committed to pay $350 per month in rent for their soon-to-be sandwich shop Thanks to deep sea Naval ships, other notable sub shops in the 70’s were looking underwater to drive their concepts, but the business par tners “went up into space” and Starship Restaurant was born The duo each put up $3,500 to kick of f the endeavor and had absolutely no restaurant experience. They each took home just $50 per week in the first six months Starship was open for business

“We were always making sandwiches and I would joke that we should sell them,” said Laskowski. “I just never thought we’d be here 45 years later.”

“Yeah, I gave myself five years tops,” said McKenna

with a hear ty laugh. “We borrowed slicer and rented an ice maker. painted a mural on the wall and hung macrame from the front wind was like a community barn-raising ing this place.”

Throughout the 45 years, the been loyal to crafting a core menu cold sandwiches including the Starship, La Nasa, Crazy Club and est Pork of ferings. The central sand are suppor ted by a and evolving ar ray of salads and entrée specials day Starship has a rotating ray of 150 soups, but this soup obsession star ted in 1977 when the weather on their opening day was so cold that Mc Kenna wor ried no one would want to eat a cold sandwich. He decided they should compensate by of fering chili. French Onion joined chili on the menu shor tly after and Laskowski, who oversees soup production, expanded varieties steadily over the next 45 years. Borscht and Lobster Bisque are 2022 additions to the Starship soup re per tory and 80 varieties are available in the grab and go fridges every day. The business is

evenly split between restaurant customers and catering orders Starship is no stranger to large scale catered events, corporate picnics and school lunch programs. The shop’s catering ar m star ted in 1985 when the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl and sales of par ty subs skyrocketed

Thanks to a unique combination of consistency and a willingness to adapt, Starship’s profits have always made a steady climb with a few notable exptions. Starship saw a dip in business in 2001 following the Se pt. 11 attacks, in 2008 after the housing market collapsed, and again in 2020 result of the global Covid pandemic. McKenna is clear, wever, that 2021 was Starship’s best year ever and 2022 is on track to be even stronger.

“We’ve built our business the belief that our customer’s best interest is our best interest,” said McKenna. “We treat our customers right and we treat our employees right.”

That simple philosophy has paid of f. According to conservative calculations,

over the 45 years Starship has been in business they have sold approximately 3,931,200 cups of soup and 11,466,000 sandwiches. Laskowski and McKenna are proud to say six employees on their team have been with them for more than 30 years.

McKenna had a hip re placement, Laskowski is always putting on his glasses and both are admittedly a little hard of hearing, but the par tners are clear the trust they have built between them is exactly the same as it was when they opened the doors to Starship 45 years ago.

“I still think it’s weird that we have customers that get of f an airplane and come straight here for a Starship,” said Laskowski. “It makes me proud that we’ve built this all on trust and it has become both a sandwich and a destination.”

“I am most proud of the last sandwich I made,” said McKenna. “I love making someone’s day. I do that one sandwich at a time, day in and day out.”

Though the duo is looking to retire their goal is to find a buyer who can help Starship remain strong, vibrant and healthy for years to come In the meantime, McKenna and Laskowski are inviting the public to celebrate their 45th anniversary on Friday, Nov. 4. They will have free cake for the first 250 customers and give aways throughout the day.

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

STARSHIP ENTERPRISE: Co-owners Henr y Laskowski, le , and Paul McKenna in a galaxy not so far away.

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Space walker, at Starship on Madison Street in Forest Park.

Took a while, but Kribi Co ee opens in Oak Park

South Blvd. location second spot for Forest Park entrepreneur

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

After being plagued by construction delays, Kribi Coffee’s highly anticipated Oak Park location is now open to the public. It is inside Cross Function F lexible Workspace at the Boulevard Arcade building, 1033 South Blvd. It took more than a year to get Kribi’s Oak Park shop up and running and owner Jacques Shalo is transparent about the toll the extended timeline took on both

business and his own mental health.

“Do you know where I was when we opened Oak Pa rk?” asked Shalo with a just a hint of a laugh. “I was sleeping. I was there until 1 a.m. the day before making sure we were as close to done as we could be I went home and slept for the first time in I don’t know how long. It was a sound sleep that felt like a deep sigh of relief.”

The yearlong runway to opening day was “mind-boggling” according to Shalo who could not get his contractor to see the

job through to completion on a reasonable timeline. As the project dragged on Shalo be gan calculating the financial impact of the delays When he realized his exposure was closing in on $200,000, he drew the line and the individual disappeared altogether In response to the frustrating situation, he c alled upon p eople he knew to g et the project across the finish line. He looked to Fo rest Pa rk businesses, Tim S tefl In c., and Kinetic E lectricity to steward the shop to completion.

ANNUAL TREASURER’S REPORT

Village Of River Forest • Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2022

“The Vi llage of Oak Pa rk knew about our bad situation and we re also really helpful,” said S halo “They helped expedite i nspections and gave us ve ry clear i nstructions.”

S halo is thrilled with the p ositive response to the shop opening and looks forward to welcoming c ommuters i nto the shop. K ribi’s Cross Function location is cu rrently open to the public from 8 a.m. to 2 p. m. daily. Re g ular hour s, 6 a.m. to 6 p. m. are scheduled to be gin Oct. 31.

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16805.63, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency: 917145.80, Illinois EPA: 5000.00, Illinois ePAY: 46874.42, Illinois Fraternal

Order of Police Labor Council: 14448.00, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund: 415736.78, Integrity Environmental Services Inc: 27165.00, Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative: 1399140.00, Interiors for Business Inc: 4113.19, International Union of Operating Engineers: 14615.02, International Union of Operating Engineers: 2808.00, Interstate Power Systems Inc: 13244.10, Jenn Sales Corp: 7080.42, Jensen/Green Way Energy

LLC, Paul: 24827.80, JG Uniforms Inc: 5838.45, Kelty Lawn Care: 10133.00, Kelty, John & Susan: 7500.00, Klein Thorpe and Jenkins Ltd: 263172.22, KLOA Inc: 23114.53, Kopelow, Murray: 7500.00, Krusinski, Scott: 2500.00, L.A. Court Reporters LLC: 12167.61, Lamm, Thomas: 7500.00, Lertsburapa, Keith: 7256.00, Leyden Lawn Sprinklers Inc: 5182.90, LoPresti, James: 7500.00, LRS Holdings LLC: 1088785.15, Lucchesi, Emilie: 4000.00, Lupiani, Daniel: 7500.00, Lyons & Pinner Electric Companies: 89580.23, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center: 6908.26, Marani, Dennis: 3665.00, McCann Industries Inc: 15468.70, Menards: 3809.44, MGP Inc: 39680.42, Midwest Operating EngPension Trust Fund: 22032.00, Minuteman Security Technologies Inc: 4821.65, MOE Funds: 193596.00, Morrison Associates Ltd: 4225.00, Municipal Services Associates Inc: 10262.50, Municipal Systems LLC: 10450.00, MWM Consulting Group Inc: 4000.00, National Engravers Inc: 2582.31, Neiberg, Robert Sloan & Maureen: 5000.00, NG Plumbing Inc: 51000.00, Nicor Gas Company: 2562.73, Norrington, Jane: 4000.00, Oak Park River Forest: 10750.00, Oak Park Township: 3500.00, O’Casek, Thomas: 4825.00, Ocasio, Eve: 7550.00, O’Connell, Michael: 7500.00, O’Herron Co. Inc, Ray: 50347.85, O’Rourke, Betsy: 4000.00, Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete Inc: 3184.28, P: 6199.62, Paramedic Billing Services Inc: 6745.91, Paris, James: 4000.00, Patten Industries Inc: 8257.28, Pete’s Automotive Service Inc: 52434.52, Pizzo & Associates Ltd: 6991.25, Quinn, Thomas: 7500.00, Radarsign LLC: 6770.60, Regal Business Machines Inc: 4232.02, Resource Management Associates Inc: 29323.05, Response Graphics & Embroidery LLC: 15762.88, River Forest Public Library: 45190.27, Roche, Dot Lambshead: 3000.00, Ruggiero, Kiley: 4000.00, Safespeed: 6104.31, Samore, Eric: 7500.00, SBRK Finance Holdings Inc: 35350.97, Schroeder Asphalt Services Inc: 67438.17, Sebis Direct (Postage): 7440.27, Shaker Recruitment Marketing: 5195.46, SHI International Corp: 10096.60, Siemens Industry Inc: 699739.40, Silvestri, John: 4000.00, Smith, Adam: 3640.00, Smith, David: 2500.00, South West Industries Inc: 2723.00, Standard Equipment Company: 7255.89, State Disbursement Unit: 10428.00, State Treasurer: 345491.54, Sterling Codifiers Inc: 3598.00, Sternberg Lanterns Inc: 8856.00, Stoker, Michael: 4000.00, Strada Construction Company: 72326.98, Stryker Sales LLC: 2859.15, Subsurface Solutions: 6653.92, Suburban General Construction Inc: 44957.43, Suburban Laboratories Inc: 2776.60, Superior Road Striping Inc: 135138.15, Swanson Jr, Alfred M: 4106.00, Tabet, Patricia: 2625.00, TAPCO: 16916.38, Third Millennium: 15336.48, Thomas, Marsha: 2500.00, Thomson Reuters-West: 3025.20, TKB Associates Inc: 5239.00, Tower Enterprises Inc: 14310.88, Treasurer, State Of Illinois: 8427.06, True North Consultants Inc: 4419.00, U.S. Conference of Mayors, The: 3984.00, U.S. Geological Survey: 5500.00, Unique Products & Service Corp: 5226.74, United States Treasury: 1489756.54, US Gas: 2514.02, USABlueBook: 3555.96, V3 Companies, Ltd: 136769.44, Verizon Wireless: 7396.67, Vicarious Productions Inc: 48749.00, Village of Forest Park: 3741.00, Village of Romeoville Fire Academy: 2550.00, Walnut Creek Nursery Inc: 7225.00, Warehouse Direct Inc: 5370.58, Watersmart Software Inc: 20797.20, West Central Municipal Conference: 20453.40, West Cook County Solid Waste Agency: 4900.00, West Suburban Consolidated: 204153.30, West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force: 2750.00, Wigit’s Truck Center: 13906.83, Wojack, Kimberly J.: 3857.96, Yard Crew, The:

15074.98, Zarate, Frank: 4000.00, VENDORS PAID

UNDER $2,500: 236689.58, TOTAL: 15872501.81

POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS PENSION FUND VENDOR PAYMENTS

AndCo: 37477.50, Cook Castle: 10460.00, First Midwest Bank: 5891.91, Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P.: 29438.74, Glenview Police Pension Fund: 327720.14, Illinois Department of Insurance: 7687.05, IRS: 557942.58, Karlson Garza, LLC: 4818.75, Lauterbach & Amen: 61045.00, Segall Bryant & Hamill: 7514.84, Warrenville Police Pension Fund: 30844.34; Wells Fargo: 6375.00; Winfield Police Pension Fund: 43822.40, VENDORS PAID UNDER $2,500: 6708.85, TOTAL: 1137747.10

VILLAGE PAYROLL

Under 25,000: Buckner, Camargo, Carroll, Casarez, Decosola H, Goetz, Ildefonso, Kwan, Lenz, Liebig, Molina, Pisciotto, Raymond, Spears, Walsh; 25,00049,999.99: Bebora, Bus, Caballero, Dosen, Franco, Gaertner K, Gaertner T,Gonzalez, Kane, Montiel, Morris, Nortier, Schrader; 50,000-74,999.99; Anderson, Bajak, Balaguer, Bowman, Catalano, Ercoli, Fields, Holguin, Janopoulos, Kasprzyk, Murphy, Palm, Petrillo, Puljic, Sabia; 75,000-99,999.99: Basa, Bohlmann, Bradley, Buchholz, Cepak, Colon, Cortes, Decosola M, Drake, Kryder, McKenna, Niemann, Pape, Petrulis, Phyfer, Pusavc, Radatz, Raddatz, Rouse, Schwarz, Seablom, Skoczek, Sousanes, Thomasino, Wiley, Zermeno; 100,000.00-124,999.99: Bencik, Boyd, Boyer, Casey, Cassidy, Doran, Finfrock, Fischer, Heneghan, Howe A, Krall, Viera, Zipperich; 125,000.00 and over: Bochenek, Carter, Czernik, Fries, Greenwood, Grill, Howe E, Humphreys, Labriola, Landini, Loster, McAdams, Murillo, O’Shea, Ransom, Scheiner, Smith, Swierczynski, Tagle.

POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS PENSION FUND PAYROLLS

Under 25,000: Bauer, Daudelin, Marrocco, Petrulis, Strauch; 25,000-49,999: Anstrand, Barth, Fahy, Fields, Hlavaty, Law D, Neault, O’Brien, O’Loughlin, Schejbal, Shustar R; 50,000-74,999: Bernahl, Blasco, Diebold, Galassi, Gerard P, Katsantones, Lahey, Law M, Lombardi, Newberry, Novak, Rausch P, Schauer, Smith, Victor M, Warnock, Weiglein; 75,000-99,999: Barstatis, Bentel L, Bentel R, Blesy, Bohlmann, Carroll, Daugherty, Dhooghe, Ford, Gray, Linden, Maher, Nortier, Powell, Rann, Riley L, Rose, Samuel, Sullivan, Telkamp, Victor R, Vondracek, Zawacki; 100,000-124,999: Finnegan, Higgins, Jandrisits, Lidinsky, Ludvik, Nummer, Rutz, Schoff, Stamm,

OPRF ends ag football debut with tight loss to Proviso East

First season shows real promise, says coach

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The first girls flag football season ever at Oak Park and River Forest High School ended Friday evening with the Huskies falling just shor t of advancing to the conference championship g ame after losing a semifinal g ame 14-8 to Proviso East in a g ame played on the Lake Street Field before a crowd of less than 100 people

OPRF finished the season with a 4-3 record, two nar row losses to Proviso East and one loss to eventual champion Willowbrook which walloped Proviso East 32-0 later Friday evening to win the West Suburban Conference title

Proviso East scored first in the semifinal taking a 6-0 lead before the Huskies struck back. OPRF quar terback Cydney MacDonald rolled left and hit speedy receiver San-

with a pass and Shotwell, who is kno Speed to her teammates and coaches raced all the Pirates to the end zone

The Huskies scored a two-point co sion to take an 8-6 lead.

But Proviso East scored what prov be the g ame winning touchdown on a pass from Kaylin Gar rett to Peace Thomp son with 8:34 left in the first half

Neither team could score in the second half The Huskies were driving on their nal possession but Tyler Brock was stopped about 20 yards shor t of the goal line catching a MacDonald pass as time ran

“I am kind of sad but it was just a lear ning lesson just to go a little bit harder for next year,” said Shotwell, a senior, after the g ame.

Shotwell played both ways for much of the g ame against Proviso East matching up on defense against Proviso East star Maritza Saenz.

“Once I got to playing both sides of the ball for the rest of the g ame, she ally touch nothing for the rest of unless it was a handof f and she

IRREFUTABLE EVIDENCE: Huskies battled Prov iso East High School on Oct. 21 during the inaugural season of girls ag football.

Before this fall, Shotwell, who plays basketball as well as running track, had ne ver played football except for tossing around a football with her three older brothers.

But she enjoyed the g ame and would like to continue playing in colle if she

fun,” Shotwell said. “It was a lot of great moments and it was like a lot of great life lesson moments, be a team, be a leader and really communicate with the other kids.

After the g ame OPRF head coach Tank Cor alread thinking about next

APRIL ALONZO/Contributor

PHOTO BY MARK REGAN APRIL ALONZO/Contributor

Two armed robberies in Oak Park within 5 minutes

Two people were ar med at gunpoint within five minutes of each other in Oak Park on the after noon of Oct. 18. The first victim was a Chicago resident, who was in a parking lot in the 800 block of Madison Street at 1:35 p.m. when he was approached and ordered down on the ground by two men, one of whom pointed a silver handgun at the victim. The two of fenders took cash from the victim’s pockets before fleeing in a dark gray Dodge sedan with tinted windows and no license plates.

Five minutes later in the 200 block of South Grove Avenue, a man hopped out of a gray sedan and grabbed a Berwyn resident by the shoulder while she was out walking The man pointed a black gun at her and demanded her phone and purse, while another man pointed a black gun at her from the backseat. Her purse was later found discarded in the block where she was robbed

Burglar y

■ A black Glock 43 handgun was taken from the center console of a 2018 Hyundai Elantra after the offender broke the rear driv-

er’s side window between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Oct. 21 in the 400 block of Lake Street. The vehicle was also ransacked, and the steering column peeled. The estimated loss is $450.

■ Someone broke into a home with an unlocked back door and ransacked the residence, taking two jewelry cases, a women’s gold brooch and an antique men’s analog watch, between 5:15 p.m. and 6 p.m., Oct. 21 in the 1100 block of South Harvey Avenue. The estimated loss is $1,500.

■ A gray Apple iPad Pro 11 with an attached keyboard and an iPad pencil were taken from an unlocked 2013 Fiat parked in the 1100 block of North East Avenue between 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. The estimated loss is $1,300.

Motor vehicle theft

■ A 2020 Kia Sportage was taken from a front driveway in the 700 block of South Grove Avenue between 5:50 p.m. and 8:23 p.m., Oct. 21.

■ A 2021 Kia Soul was taken between 1 p.m. and 6:09 p.m., Oct. 22 from the 1100 block of South Lyman Avenue. The estimated loss is $20,000.

■ A 2017 Kia Sportage was taken between

10:30 p.m., Oct. 21 and 7:15 p.m., Oct. 22 from the 1000 block of North Austin Boulevard.

■ A 2017 Kia Sportage was taken between 8:30 p.m., Oct. 22 and 9:56 a.m., Oct. 23 from the first block of Superior Street.

■ A 2018 Hyundai Elantra parked in the 200 block of South Maple Avenue was taken between 10:30 p.m., Oct. 22 and 6:40 p.m., Oct. 23.

■ A 2017 Hyundai Tucson parked in the 1100 block of Euclid Avenue was taken between 8:30 p.m., Oct. 19 and 7:10 a.m., Oct. 20.

■ A 2018 Chrysler Pacifica parked in the 400 block of North Kenilworth Avenue was taken between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Oct. 20.

■ A 2013 Hyundai Sonata parked in the 400 block of South Elmwood Avenue was removed between 8 a.m., Oct. 19 and 7:08 p.m., Oct. 20. The vehicle was later found with a broken window and peeled steering column in the 300 block of South Harvey Avenue

Theft

■ Two skeleton Halloween decorations were taken from a front yard in the 1000 block of South Elmwood Avenue between 3:30 p.m., Oct. 16 and 8:30 a.m., Oct. 17. The

2022 Fall leaf collection set to begin...

The annual fall leaf collection program is scheduled for Oct. 31 – Dec. 9 with six pickups planned for each section of the Village. Residents should rake leaves into the street at least 18 inches from the curb the day before the scheduled pickup dates indicated on the map. Leaves raked into the street will be pushed into piles by Public Works crews during the night to reduce impact on traffic and parked cars. Leaves will be collected the following day. Residents who miss a scheduled pickup date should keep their leaves on the parkway until the night before the next scheduled pickup. Sweepers will be scheduled to run at the end of the collection program to clean up residue. Cooperation is essential to the success of this operation, so please follow these simple rules:

• Consider composting or using the leaves as garden mulch as an alternative to raking.

• Rake leaves out the day before the scheduled pickup date.

• Leaves only -- do not add brush, grass clippings or yard waste.

• Do not park on or near a pile of leaves, which can hinder leaf removal operations. Heat from a car also could ignite the leaves.

• Rake leaves onto side streets whenever possible. Try to avoid major thoroughfares where piles of leaves might create traffic hazards.

• Do not rake leaves into or close to cul de sacs or traffic diverters. The equipment needs room to operate.

• Do not rake leaves into or close to bus shelters or bicycle racks.

• Keep catch basins clear of raked leaves to avoid flooding.

• Inform landscape services of the leaf collection schedule.

• Obey all parking restrictions. Regulations will be strictly enforced.

• Dampen piles after raking to avoid leaves being blown by the wind.

• Drive carefully. Leaves are slippery when wet and large piles may hinder visibility.

• Drive cautiously – crews will create safe work zones and close intersections for a few minutes while removing large leaf piles.

For more information call 358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us

estimated loss is $135.

■ The catalytic conver ter was cut from a 2018 Hyundai Tucson parked in the 700 block of Washington Boulevard between 11:30 p.m., Oct. 21 and 8 a.m., Oct. 22.

Recovered stolen vehicle

The 2017 Hyundai Tucson re por ted stolen Oct. 20 from the 1100 block of Nor th Euclid Avenue was recovered by Chicago police in the 900 block of Nor th Long Avenue in Chicago at 10:52 p.m., Oct. 21.

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports, Oct. 18-24, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

2022 FALL LEAF COLLECTION

Food Writer

Photo worthy meals at Gringo and Blondie

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

Taking inspiration from Mexican street food, Gringo and Blondie, 7514 W. North Ave. is a standout in Elmwood Park because the masterminds behind the family-owned restaurant prioritize the details in every dish. Diners should expect well-balanced flavors and textural interest to star in every item on the menu.

Elements like ruffly slaws, sliced chilies and magenta hued pickled onions elevate the offerings in this diminutive North Avenue spot and leave guests craving more.

The Restaurant Row standout, brought to life by Massa Café Italiano owner, Angelo Lollino and his wife and business partner Giovanna Lollino, offers a confi-

Scan

e Blondie Burrito from Gringo and Blondie, Elmwood Park

Carne Asada Tampiqueña from Gringo and Blondie comes with a side of warm tortillas. e colorful o ering is the Elmwood Park taqueria’s take on one of the most recognizable dishes in Mexican cuisine.

Cemita Milanesa: Gringo and Blondie’s Cemita Milanesa features crispy breaded chicken cutlet on a fresh sesame seed roll, avocado spread, chipotle cream, sliced tomato, pickled onion and Oaxacan cheese.

Burrito Bowl: A vegetarian burrito bowl is a colorful option for veggie diners at Gringo and Blondie.

Namesake tacos: e Gringo features tender slow roasted barbacoa beef, pickled onion, cilantro, and cotija cheese.

Ravioli

Penne Alla Spizzico

Mussels Marinara

Pastas

Served with a side salad, bread & butter

mushrooms, pancetta, & peas in our light cream sauce $14.49

dent array of colorful Mexicaninspired dishes. Recent menu standouts included the Blondie Burrito, Carne Asada Tampiqueña, Baja Pescado Tacos and Pozole Roja.

plum tomatoes, fresh garlic, & parsley in extra virgin olive oilserved over linguine $17.99

Artichoke & Shrimp Angel Hair

special pesto sauce $15.99

Spinach Manicotti

Stuffed with a 4-cheese spinach blend in our tomato cream sauce $13.49

Penne Alla Vodka

tomato vodka cream sauce $13.49

Vegetables with Angel Hair

Artichoke hearts, mushrooms, broccoli, onions, roasted red peppers, & fresh garlic in our homemade marinara sauce $13.49

Gnocchi Alla Spizzico

dumplings, shrimp, black olives, & tomatoes in our special pesto cream sauce $15.99

Mostaccioli with Sundried Tomatoes

Andchopped marinated grilled chicken breast in our special pesto sauce $15.49

Linguine with Calamari

homemade marinara sauce $16.99

Gnocchi

dumplings in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $12.49

Fettuccine Alfredo

homemade cheese sauce made fresh to order $14.49

The Blondie Burrito, a vegetarian delight, is thoughtfully griddled on the exterior and brimming with portobello mushrooms, red peppers, poblano peppers, epazote and both queso fresco and cotija cheeses. The dinner-entrée sized, Carne Asada Tampiqueña offers a diversity of textures and flavors with a convenient DIY element. Expect chargrilled skirt steak and a cheese enchilada to meet Mexican rice, refried beans, warm corn tortillas and a blistered jalapeno in the popular dish.

Linguine Frutti Di Mare

Mussels, clams, squid, shrimp, fresh garlic, & parsley in our light plum tomato sauce $19.49

Rigatoni Primavera

broccoli & fresh garlic in extra virgin olive oil $13.49

Lasagna

Layeredwith4 Italian cheeses topped with mozzarella, baked in our homemade marinara or sauce $13.49

Homemade Stuffed Shells

Stuffed with a blend of 4 Italian cheeses in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $13.49

Aglio e Olio

garlic sautéed in extra virgin olive oil served over angel hair $12.49

or meat filled in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $13.49

Tortellini

or meat filled in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $13.49

Marinara

choice of mostaccioli, spaghetti, linguine, angel hair, rigatoni, or fettuccine in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $11.49

Parmigiano

Pozole perfection: Pozole rojo is among the most popular brunch o erings at Gringo and Blondie.

Even the Baja Pescado tacos benefit from the smart inclusion of Modelo beer in the batter used to fry a generous portion of cod to golden brown before being topped with a vinegar-forward Mexican slaw and jalapeno crema. Brunch lovers should venture to try the Pozole Rojo 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.

After several visits it is abundantly clear

choice of chicken, veal, or eggplant served over linguine topped with mozzarella, baked in homemade marinara or meat sauce $16.49

Baked Cheese Rigatoni

Ricotta & mozzarella, baked in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $14.49

Linguine Alla Vongole

Cheese Serves 2-3 $15.39 Medium 12” Cheese Serves 3-4 $19.09

Pastas

Served with a side salad, bread & butter

Penne Alla Spizzico

With mushrooms, pancetta, & peas in our light cream sauce $14.49

Mussels Marinara

With plum tomatoes, fresh garlic, & parsley in extra virgin olive oilserved over linguine $17.99

Artichoke & Shrimp Angel Hair

In our special pesto sauce $15.99

Spinach Manicotti

(3) Stuffed with a 4-cheese spinach blend in our tomato cream sauce $13.49

Penne Alla Vodka

In our tomato vodka cream sauce $13.49

Fresh Vegetables with Angel Hair

Artichoke hearts, mushrooms, broccoli, onions, roasted red peppers, & fresh garlic in our homemade marinara sauce $13.49

Dine-in

Large 14 Cheese Serves 4-5 $22.99 X-Large 16” Cheese Serves 5-6 $26.69

Ingredients

Anchovies, Artichoke Hearts, Bacon, Fresh Basil, Black Olives, CrumbledBlue Cheese, Bocconcini, Broccoli, Canadian Bacon, Capicola, Extra Cheese, Chorizo, Feta Cheese, Fresh Garlic, Hot Giardiniera, Green Olives, Green Pepper,Ground Beef, Jalapeño, Kalamata Olives, Mushroom, Onion, Pepperoni, Pineapple, Portobello Mushroom, Imported Provolone, Ricotta, Roasted Red Pepper, Sausage, Spinach, Sliced Tomato

Small +$1.59, Medium +$1.79 Large +$2.09 X-Large +$2.29, Family +$2.59 each Double Dough, Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast, Genoa Salami, Shrimp, & Sliced Italian Beef an additional charge

SpecialtyPizzas

Mouthwatering combos to entice any pizza enthusiast! Choose

the chefs at Gringo and Blondie take considerable pride in colorful presentations and won’t shy away from bold flavors. The menu, including both brunch and lunch offerings, demonstrates creative flair while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. Check out the timeless and photoworthy dishes waiting for you at Gringo and Blondie!

Gringo and Blondie is open Sunday through Thursday from 11a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11a.m. to 10 p.m. They also have a catering menu with options designed to feed as few as 12 guests and ways to build a menu for larger gatherings. Check out the menu at gringoandblondie.com.

Gnocchi Alla Spizzico

Potato dumplings, shrimp, black olives, & tomatoes in our special pesto cream sauce $15.99

our special pesto sauce $15.49

our homemade marinara or meat sauce $12.49

$14.49

our light plum tomato sauce $19.49

$13.49

Layeredwith4 Italian cheeses topped with mozzarella, baked in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $13.49

Homemade Stuffed Shells

(5) Stuffed with a blend of 4 Italian cheeses in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $13.49

Pasta Aglio e Olio

Fresh garlic sautéed in extra virgin olive oil served over angel hair $12.49

Check out our Spizzico menu & combine your orders

Pick Check &

Late tax bills result in higher mortgage payments for some Incorrect escrow estimates can result in excessive charges

Cook County’s second installment property tax bills will be about four months late this year. Instead of the typical lateJune mail date with an Aug. 1 due date, bills will likely be mailed at some time in November with a due date about 30 da later, at some time in December

The delay is the result of computer compatibility problems between the two county agencies that process tax appeals

Park Township Assessor

The late bills are having an unexpected impact on some Oak Park property owners who pay taxes through mortgage escrows. If those property owners were among the one in five homeowners who experienced double-digit annual tax increases as a result of the reassessment that

impacted Oak Park tax bills last ear, they may be experiencing excessive increases in their tax escrow payments this year

Monthly escrow payments are determined by dividing a property’s annual tax bill (the ombined total of first and second installments from the same ear) into 12 monthly payments

Put simply, a property with an annual bill of $12,000 should pay $1,000 per month into the escrow. But because second installment tax bills are late this year, mortgage companies do not yet know what this year’s annual tax bill is and thus do not have the information needed to set the correct payment.

Oak

How Mor tgage Escrows are Overestimated with Late Tax Bills

Assuming a 20% Tax Increase due to Reassessment

Post-Reassessment Year $6,600

55% of Reassessment Year Annual Bill

2nd Installment Tax Bill, Post-Reassessment Year $6,000 2nd bill, not yet issued, to be Annual Bill less 1st installment

Mortgage Company’s Overestimated Annual Tax Bill $13,100

Adds 1st installment paid in ‘22 to 2nd installment paid in ‘21

1st Installment Tax Bill, Post-Reassessment Year $6,600

55% of Reassessment Year Annual Bill

2nd Installment Tax Bill, Reassessment Year $6,500 Estimate is too high--’21 2nd installment is higher than ‘22

Notes:

1. In the above example, post reassessment taxes increased by 5% but the mortgage company estimated an increase of 9%.

2. The problem is that the mortgage company’s estimate paired the rst installment bill from ‘22 with the second installment bill from ‘21 without accounting for the fact that the ‘22 second installment bill, once issued, will be lower than the ‘21 bill.

3. In Cook County, the rst installment bill is 55% of the prior year’s annual tax bill, and the second installment bill is the current year’s Annual Bill less the rst installment. Under the math of the system, the second installment will always be higher than

the rst installment when annual tax bills increase by more than 10%, and the second installment will always be lower than the rst installment when annual bills increase by less than 10%.

4. A tax bill increase of 10% or more is usually the result of a reassessment, which happens once every three years. In the other two non reassessment years, tax increases are generally less than 5%, depending on the rate of in ation and other factors. Since Oak Park this year is paying taxes for a non reassessment year, the second installment bill will be lower than the rst bill for the vast majority of properties. But this is not re ected in most mortgage company estimates

from page 23

In the absence of this year’s second installment bill, mortgage companies have instead been using last year’s second installment bill when setting tax escrows and pairing it with this year’s first installment bill to estimate the annual tax bill.

But in C ook C ounty ’s tax system, estimating taxes by pairing bills from two different tax years often g enerates the wrong result. Fo r mortg age holders whose properties had big tax increases last year, the inco rrect estimates are resulting in escrow pay ments that are too high. (See char t at left)

Is there any way to convince a mortg age company to reduce an overestimated tax escrow? Over the years I have talked to many mortg age companies on behalf of taxpayers and offer three suggestions for communicating with them. Of these suggestions, I have found that a mortg age company is most likely to accept the first suggestion and least likely to acce pt the last.

1. When the second installment bill comes out, compare it with the projected bill on the Escrow Account Disclosure Statement sent by your mortg age company. If the actual bill is lower than the projected bill, ask the company to “reanalyze the escrow” in light of the lower bill. This should result in a lower tax escrow payment.

2. If your mortg age company is mistak-

enly estimating a large tax increase, it may also assume that you have a “shortage” in your escrow and ask you to pay it over a 12-month period. Upon request, however, many mortg age companies allow customers to pay escrow shortages over 24 months instead of 12.

If the request is granted, this will cut the shor tage portion of the escrow payment in half while doubling the time in which to pay it. If the mortg age company is overestimating the escrow, however, the shor tage should be reduced or eliminated in less than 24 months.

3. Ask the mortg age company to calculate your tax escrow by taking last year’s annual tax bill and increasing it by 5 percent. This will provide a more accurate estimate of this year’s annual taxes than most mortgage companies are providing. Unfor tunately, however, many mortg age companies insist on actual bills, not estimates, before changing their escrows.

Property taxes in Cook County are already pretty confusing and the relationship between late tax bills and mortg age escrows can create even more confusion. But taxpayers who experienced double-digit tax increases last year are understandably concerned this year about mortg age escrow payments that reflect additional large tax increases.

I hope this article sheds some light on why this is happening and provides taxpayers with strategies for talking to mortgage companies when their tax escrows are too high Taxpayers with more questions should feel free to call the Oak Park Township Assessor’s office for additional help.

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF ELECTION, SPECIMEN BALLOTS, REFERENDA/QUESTIONS OF PUBLIC POLICY & POLLING PLACES

Aviso oficial de elección, balota de muestra, referéndums/preguntas de política pública y lugares de votación

OFFICIAL NOTICE: IS HERBY GIVEN, by Karen

A. Yarbrough, Cook County Clerk

that the General Election will be held in Suburban Cook County on: que la elección general se llevará acabo en los suburbios de Cook County en:

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Martes, 8 de Noviembre 2022

The General Election will be held in election precincts under the jurisdiction of the Election Division of the Cook County Clerk's Office. La eleccion general tomara acabo en precintos de eleccion bajo la jurisdicción de la división de eleccion del Cook County Clerk's Office.

The Polls for said General Election will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Locations are subject to change as necessity requires. Las urnas para tal eleccion general estarán abiertas de las 6 a.m. hasta las 7 p.m. Localidades están sujetas a cambio por necesidad.

At the General Election the voters will vote on the following contests and referenda questions. Referenda/Questions of Public Policy will be voted upon in those precincts of Cook County under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Clerk in which a Unit of Local Government has requested the County Clerk’s Office to place said referenda/questions of public policy on the ballot. En la eleccion general los votantes votaran por los siguientes puestos y cuestiones de referendo Referendos/Cuestiones de Política Pública serán votadas en aquellos precintos de Cook County bajo la jurisdicción del Cook County Clerk en la cual una unidad de gobierno local le ha pedido a la oficina del County Clerk que provea dicho referendo/cuestión de política pública en la boleta.

TOWNSHIP OF OAK PARK

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF REFERENDA/ QUESTIONS OF PUBLIC POLICY

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF POLLING PLACES

The voting will be conducted at the following polling places for each of the aforesaid election precincts selected by the Cook County Clerk. Las votaciones tomaran lugar en cada de los antedichos precintos de elección seleccionados por el Cook County Clerk.

NOTE: The letter (N) fol ow ng the pol ing place address denotes that the pol ing place itse f is not accessib e to the handicapped athough other par ts of the faci ity may be accessible An exempt on has been granted by the State Board of E ections and signs are posted indicat ng f the who e bui ding is accessible or f there is a specia entrance

NOTA: La etra (N) después de la dirección de un ugar de votación nd ca que e lugar de votación en sí m smo no es acces ble para personas d scapacitadas, aunque otras par tes del edific o pueden ser acces bles La Junta Electoral de Estado ha concedido una exención y hay car te es pub icados que nd can si todo e edif cio es accesible o si hay una entrada espec al

Dated at Chicago, Illinois this 26th day of October 2022 Karen A. Yarbrough

Clerk

Fenwick Girls Te

Lily Brecknock is individual state champion

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Before last season, when they finished third in the Class 1A tournament, the Fenwick High School girls tennis team had never hoisted a state trophy.

With five players back, the Friars knew they were in position to at least match that feat, and maybe even go beyond.

Happily, it was the latter on Oct. 22 in Buffalo Grove as Fenwick claimed the Class 1A championship with 39 points, ten better than runner-up Chicago Latin.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Fenwick coach Gerard Sullivan. “I just feel relieved that the girls did what they were capable of. It’s a weight off our shoulders; we knew this was expected.”

Fenwick senior Maeve Paris couldn’t hide her glee.

“It’s crazy, I can’t believe it,” she said. “My brothers (Conor and Martin) won the state football championship last year, and I needed to get one for tennis. We were all very dedicated to winning this year.”

Sophomore Lily Brecknock made history by becoming the first player in program history to win an individual state championship as she defeated Brooklyn Siegel of Wolcott 6-2, 6-4 in the final. But she had to overcome some adversity in the previous two rounds to get there.

“Lily’s last three matches were really tough,” Sullivan said. “She had to dig herself out of a hole in her quarterfinal [she trailed 3-0 in the first set] and was down a set in the semifinal. That was new territory for Lily as she hadn’t had any close matches at all the last couple of months, so doing that with a lot of people around in her first [state] tournament was quite an achievement.”

Sophomore Megan Trifilio finished fourth in singles. She lost in the semifinals to Siegel 2-6, 5-7 and to Latin’s Nicole Kupczyk in the third-place match 5-7, 6-2, and 4-6.

The Friars also received valuable contributions from their doubles teams. After losing in the third round, Paris and sophomore Rachel Abraham ran off four consecutive victories in the consolation bracket and finished sixth. Sophomore Trinity Hardin and senior Kate Trifilio reached the quarterfinals before losing, then won a consolation match.

Fenwick picked up 15 points from doubles and Sullivan felt that was important in the outcome

“Everyone contributed,” he said. “Those back-draw matches from Maeve and Rachel sent a message that we were coming from all directions.”

Paris believed their close-knit chemistry played a large role in the team’s success

“We were all so supportive of each other,” she said. “Every

Fenwick girls tennis coach Gerard Sullivan (second from le ) poses with his players and assistant coaches as they hold the IHSA Class 1A championship trophy Oct. 22. e Friars won the rst state title in program history with 39 points and sophomore Lily Brecknock won the singles’ championship, becoming Fenwick’s rst player to achieve the feat.

single practice was hardworking — and competing against each other made us all so much better.”

The championship is especially sweet for Paris and Kate Trifilio, Fenwick’s two seniors. The last three years have presented challenges caused by the pandemic. More over, Paris missed most of last year due to injury but returned in time for the postseason, and her journey has been one of perseverance.

“Last year, I broke my arm the second day of practice,” she said. “It’s made me more driven to win. If COVID and my injury didn’t happen, I wouldn’t have been able to do as well as I did this year because I wouldn’t have had that determination. Winning the title is a fairy-tale ending.”

While Abraham, Hardin, and Megan Trifilio return next fall, Sullivan says Paris and Kate Trifilio will be missed because of the guidance they provided.

“Me gan, Rachel, and Trinity will be leading the way [next year],” he said. “They have big leadership shoes to fill, so they’re going to come in and try to be the leaders Kate and Maeve were. They were exemplary and the whole team looked up to them.”

The Friars will mo ve up to Class 2A for the next two seasons, which means they’ll be competing against more highcaliber schools. However, Sullivan is confident Fenwick can do well.

“We’ll be a strong team again next year,” he said. “Finishing in the top 15 or 20 would be a great accomplishment.”

OPRF doubles up

Oak Park and River Forest High School had a pair of doubles teams competing in the IHSA Class 2A state tournament Oct. 20-22.

The Huskies’ unit of Clara Ottati and Maya Schwartz won its opening-round match 3-6, 6-4, 12-10 over Lucy Nunez and Zoe Klicker of Prospect. After losing their second-round match to Shannon Stover and Abigail Gambia of Hinsdale Central, Ottati and Schwartz lost their first consolation match to Barrington’s Sakina Kanji and Emily Yang.

Martha Brennan and Maeve Marzec, OPRF’s other doubles qualifier, received a first-round forfeit victory, then lost to Bella Schoen and Valentina Bellagamba of Deerfield. In the consolation bracket, Brennan and Marzec defeated Sasha Neidigh and Josie Coan of York 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 and Sandburg’s Neela Browne and Tamryn Leonard 6-2, 6-1 before losing to Camille Dziewonska and Ellie Peskin of Glenbrook North.

The Huskies finished in a tie for 19th in the team standings with six points.

GERARD SULLIVAN/Contributor

Trick play stuns Fenwick in loss to St. Ignatius

Friars lead late, but the Wolfpack rallies

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Fenwick football team started its game, Oct. 21, at Triton Colle ge against St. Ignatius getting a three-and-out defensively and then scoring a touchdown on its first drive

The Friars led for the majority of the contest, but a trick play against them late was the difference as the Wolfpack rallied for a stunning 26-21 victory. The win gave St. Ignatius the Chicago Catholic League/ East Suburban Catholic Conference White Division championship.

“The team played their heart out,” said Fenwick coach Matt Battaglia. “[But] it’s a full-team loss. Special teams, offense, defense, all three units could’ve done one thing better to change the outcome.”

After forcing a punt on the game’s opening possession, Fenwick (5-4, 2-1 in CCL/ ESCC White) marched 82 yards on 13 plays

for the game’s first score. Sophomore Nate Marshall scored on a two-yard touchdown run, then added a two-point conversion run for a 8-0 Friars lead at the 5:34 mark of the opening quarter.

St. Ignatius (7-2, 3-0) responded with a nine-play, 60-yard drive, capped by Vinny Rugai’s 17-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. But the extra point was blocked, leaving the score 8-6.

Luke D’Alise’s 2-yard touchdown run with eight seconds left in the half gave Fenwick a big boost and a 15-6 halftime lead. But the Friars lost momentum starting the second half when they went three-and-out offensively. It took just two plays for Ignatius to draw closer as Rugai’s 41-yard dash set up Thomas Bloss’ 25-yard touchdown that made the score 15-13 at 9:24 of the third quar ter.

Tony Tirado intercepted E.J. Hosty (6-of18, 57 yards) on Fenwick’s next offensive play, and the Wolfpack was back in business at the Friars’ 45. But Will Gladden came up with a big play for Fenwick, picking of f Jake Petrow. The Friars then went nine plays and 54 yards for a touchdown, with D’Alise (27 carries, 165 yards, 2 TDs)

running in from four yards out. However, Luis Avalos missed the extra point, which would prove costly, leaving the score 21-13 with 58 seconds to go in the third.

St. Ignatius countered with a 12-play, 64yard drive that ended with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Petrow to Clement Carey. But the Wolfpack missed the two-point conversion to leave the score at 21-19 with 7:12 left.

After being forced to punt, Fenwick looked to be in position to put things away when a Rugai fumble was recovered by Elijah Romeus on his 48 with 4:48 left. But the Friars lost yardage on the subsequent possession and an 11-yard punt gave Ignatius excellent field position at the 50 with 3:32 left.

Rugai ran for 20 yards. Then on 3rd and 17 from the Fenwick 37, Petrow completed a short pass to Carey at the 28. Carey tossed backward to Bloss at the 30, and Bloss dashed to the house from there. The hookand-ladder stunned Fenwick fans and gave the Wolfpack a 26-21 lead with 1:19 left.

“That was a great play call,” Battaglia said.

The Friars had one final shot at a win and advanced to their 39 on two plays. But

after a pair of incompletions, Jalen Williams, their normally reliable wide receiver, dropped consecutive passes. The first might have gone for a score with 42 seconds left. The second, which would’ve been a first down after Hosty scrambled out of trouble on 4th and 10, came with :32 to go and resulted in a turnover on downs that sealed Fenwick’s fate

“There’s going to be a time where Jamal’s going to come down with that catch and we win the game,” Battaglia said. “We’ re going to keep his head up.”

In addition to his fumble recovery and four tackles on defense, Romeus had four receptions for 51 yards. D’Alise also had four tackles and Avion Brown three tackles.

With the re gular season over, Fenwick now turns its attention to the IHSA state playoffs. The Friars are seeded 15th in the Class 5A North Bracket and will meet #2 Morgan Park at Gately Stadium in Chicago, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.

“We played them last year and a lot of their kids have returned,” Battaglia said. “They’re going to be a tough opponent. We need to play a full game on all three levels.”

Newhart & Michellotti lead the way in cross country regional

Both earned top- ve all-regional honors

By BILL STONE

Contributing Reporter

Junior Michael Michelotti has helped raise expectations for this season’s Oak Park and River Forest High School’s boys cross country team.

The Huskies won the Class 3A Lyons Township Re gional Saturday for their first full-team re gional title since 2010, and fourth-place Michelotti joined senior race champion Liam Newhart in earning topfive, individual all-re gional honors.

Newhart (15:28.7 for 3.1 miles) won the 5K race by 13.5 seconds after being 12th at regionals last season. Michelotti (15:48.4) improved from 31st as a sophomore and last week’s all-conference sixth.

“It just shows where my training is and just gives me a lot of confidence going into

the sectionals race,” Michelotti said.

“There are some very good teams here. It means a lot to me to be able to place fourth. We’re really looking at position as much as we can these next two weeks, trying to stay together, as close as we can to give ourselves the best chance to podium [top three] at state.”

OPRF senior Nick Parrell (6th, 15:55.5 was 1.6 seconds from fifth, followed by senior Owen Augustine (14th, 16:29.4), junior Lewis O’Connor (18th, 16:35.9), sophomore Andrew Harmon (27th, 17:07.1) in his varsity debut and senior Roan Egan (32nd, 17:18.9).

“Those guys put the ef fort for th,” OPRF coach Chris Baldwin said. “They’re a resilient group of kids and just proud of the effort they put out there. They were running for each other, trying to bring home a regional championship.”

Newhart and Augustine did contribute to OPRF’s two-team re gional title in 2019 in which most assigned teams were side-

lined by a Chicago Pub lic Schools teachers strike.

The Huskies (43 points) edged out LTHS (48) and Downers Grove North (49) for Saturday’s victory after taking second at the West Suburban Conference Silver Meet to Hinsdale Central, which won its own regional Saturday.

The four teams reunite Saturday 10:30 a.m. at the Waubonsie Valley Sectional, the state’s toughest, but all are expected to be among the seven advancing teams. In the final re gular-season polls, the Huskies were ranked No. 3 in 3A by both ILXCTF. com and MileSplitIL.com.

Newhart, second to Hinsdale Central senior Dan Watcke at the Silver Meet, took charge after being among a huge pack of frontrunners in a pretty conservative 10:08 for two miles.

“It was a very relaxed pace and we all felt very comfortable. When I broke apar t, I knew that I was able to cover the move and then make my own, which was something

we talked about going into the race,” Newhart said.

“Our No. 4 and 5 [runners] stepped up big time. It wasn’t the prettiest race up front, but we took care of business. And that’s all today was about.”

The OPRF girls, ranked No. 19 by MileSplitIL, are expected to battle for the final two berths, 11:30 a.m., at Waubonsie Valley with No. 11/11 Batavia, No. 28/15 Glenbard West, and Hinsdale Central, No. 18 by MileSplitIL. The top 10 individuals not among the seven advancing teams also qualify for state.

The Huskies (114) were fourth Saturday, five points ahead of Glenbard West.

Junior Katie Stabb was sixth (18:43.1), 0.7 from all-re gional honors, followed by junior Lenny Sterritt (16th, 19:31.9), senior Avery Minnis (23rd, 20:00.4), junior Anne Lynch (34th, 20:53.3), sophomore Malie Cassel (35th, 20:53.5), senior Abby Lofgren (38th, 21:16.3) and sophomore Alana Gerona (40th, 21:29.6).

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call

Viewpoints editor

Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com

A preview of OPRF’s Project 2

This Thursday, Oct. 27, the District 200 Board of Education will hold its first discussion of the detailed schematic design and cost estimate for Imagine OPRF Project 2. This second phase of the high school’s long-term capital projects plan will rightfully generate a great deal of community discussion in the coming weeks, so I want to provide some background and context about the work we’re proposing, and the steps ahead.

Project 2 was originally the product of the Imagine OPRF Work Group, the force behind our master facilities planning process, begun in 2017. The core Imagine team comprised 30 community members and 10 employees, who conducted a year and a half of intensive research with hundreds of stakeholders.

This community-based process produced a multi-phase plan that upholds the three guiding principles of the Imagine OPRF Work Group: needs driven, student centered, and equity focused

This phase of their work is about replacing the physical education wing at the southeast cor ner of the building (the Lake and Scoville cor ner), which consists of lear ning spaces that were built in 1928 and 1957. Anyone with a 100-year-old home that’s never been updated can appreciate the three major problems that Project 2 is designed to solve: condition, capacity, and configuration.

The size and configuration of the gymnasiums, which were built when boys and girls weren’t allowed to take PE together, are in some cases so insufficient that we have students learning in hallways. There is no elevator in this wing of the building, and many of the spaces are inaccessible to anyone with mobility issues. Our locker rooms lack private changing spaces. Students of all genders identify this as a problem, and it’s a particular concer n for our gender-nonconfor ming students

Oak Park and River Forest High School has a long tradition of providing excellent education for the whole person; healthy students exercise their minds and their bodies. For that reason, we’ve engaged this work with the understanding that Project 2 spaces are first and foremost classrooms, where virtually all 3,400 students receive instruction every single day for four years of high school. Thursday is just the beginning of the Project 2 conversation. After this initial discussion, which will be primarily about the scope of the project, the board’s

See JOHNSON on pa ge 39

To pool or not to pool

A ban on gas-powered blowers is within reach

In April of this year, I wrote a letter to the editor about the noise and air pollution generated by gas-powered blowers and asked the community to work with me to get these machines banned in Oak Park and River Forest. Twenty people emailed me and joined a Zoom call to organize; a smaller but devoted subgroup came together to work on this issue over the summer.

As of now, we have a petition with over 850 signatures in support of a phased-in ban on gas-powered blowers. We’ve been told that the Oak Park village trustees will vote on this issue shortly — possibly as soon as November or December.

This is a progress report to the community about what we accomplished and a call to action: If you are in favor of a ban, please contact your village trustees and, please consider adding your name to the petition (contact information for both is at the end of this piece.)

Background

Early on, our group decided to focus our ef forts on Oak Park because it was further along in the process than River Forest and already had an ordinance on the books banning gas-powered blowers, based solely on noise. (This ordinance, for a variety of reasons, was not enforced.)

These are the steps we’ve taken:

■ We created an online petition calling for a phased-in ban, and from early June until Labor Day, we staffed a table outside the Oak Park Far mers Market to collect petition signatures and distribute lawn signs to raise awareness. As of now, we have over 850 signatures; the majority are from Oak Park residents

■ We attended several village trustee meetings where the issue was discussed, talked to individual trustees, and interviewed some key folks from the Park District of Oak Park who made the switch to electric leaf blowers a few years ago (they love them). We also spoke to leaders in local environmental groups and to local retailers that sell commercial-grade equipment to lawn service companies. Finally, we met with the owners of a couple of local lawn service companies to get their thoughts about switching from gas to electric.

■ We researched the communities of Evanston, Winnetka, and Wilmette to see how they structured their recent bans on g as-powered blowers and how they dealt with the sticky issues of implementation time frames, enforcement, and community outreach. In brief, we did our homework.

See GNABASIK on page 38

OUR VIEWS

Antidisestablishmentarians unite! Getting school safety right

Clarity is needed. That was the messa ge received from school board members at districts 97 and 200 following the presentation two weeks ago of a draft intergover nmental agreement between the schools and Oak Park’s village gover nment focused on school safety and security.

We agree clarity is needed. And it may take more than the three weeks remaining until final votes on the IGA are scheduled at each board table.

The issues are complex and charged, as the intersection of school safety and policing is fraught with concer ns over equity even as worries about mass school shootings are sickeningly immediate

All parties to this discussion seem fully vested in creating a pact that examines the complexities with mindfulness on equity. Elected and appointed leaders in all three agencies have strong equity and safety values.

It was only recently that our public school districts tur ned away from the police resource officer model which had Oak Park officers in the school buildings. Rebuilding a relationship, most certainly with a different model, is essential.

Attention to historic inequities in the race of students who may be searched or questioned are very real. The circumstances under which such searches and questioning may proceed are also vital. Taking the time to get this right, seeking expert advice as a D97 board member suggested, is also the right call.

We know though that, in addition to clarity, we also need urgency. It became clear, in our reporting on an arrest last spring of a student outside OPRF who had a handgun in his backpack, that there were foundational communication gaps between the high school and the police department. Though back-channel phone calls between mid-level acquaintances within the police department and the high school led to a quiet resolution of the situation, it was stunning to many that more explicit protocols were not in place.

Part of the draft IGA details exactly what names and phone numbers must be shared between the schools and the police department, and what specific situations would lead to specific levels of communication. Obviously, this level of detailed planning is critical and overdue.

We sense a sincere and good faith effort underway on every side of this triangle of responsibility. All of us will be watching the progress

Help on judicial ballot

Selecting judges to vote for is, for most of us, an invitation to feel inadequate as active citizens of Cook County. Very hard to know who these people are, what are their views on the role of judges within a system most of us have doubts about. Maybe we see passing references to endorsements by various local bar associations. And then most of us vote blindly or we skip voting for judges entirely. Doesn’t feel good.

So we’re proud this week to be partnering with Injustice Watch, an outstanding nonprofit newsroom, and including its 2022 judicial election guide in all of our print editions across the Greater West Side. That’s Wednesday Jour nal of Oak Park & River Forest, Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, and the Village Free Press which covers Proviso Township.

Here is a link to the digital version of the Injustice Watch guide: https://www.injusticewatch.org/interactives/judicial-electionguide/2022-general/en/

Two weeks till the midterm elections. Are you voting to uphold and defend our system of democratic government or are you voting to under mine and destroy it? Those are the only options.

If you’ re reading this, you are likely voting for the for mer. Which is ironic. Those of us who came of age during the 1960s and ’70s were characterized as “anti-establishment,” often for good reason (e.g. Watergate and authorities lying about the Vietnam War while 58,000-plus of our generation were butchered). Those who supported and defended that long ago status quo were the conservatives.

Now the script has flipped. The right is antiestablishment, attempting to undo a system of government they believe is beyond redemption. Democracy only works, they say, “if we win.”

These days, the center left, in alliance with progressives, are defending the institution. Still criticizing it, mind you, acutely aware of its flaws, always working to make it better, but still recognizing that government is necessary and that it works much better than the right gives it credit for — at least when people who believe in government are in charge.

We’ve evolved, in other words, from being antiestablishment to being antidisestablishmentarians

In school, we were taught the long est word in the English language was “antidisestablishmentarianism”. Twenty-eight letters, longer than the alphabet itself.

Being a word kid, I found that ter m quite interesting. You could break it down into manageable bits. Anti- (against), dis- (also against, an apparent double-ne gative), establishment- (a familiar enough word), and -arianism (one who is …). So the word means “one who is against disestablishing the establishment.”

Which is precisely where we many of us find ourselves as we prepare to vote

So, are you voting for the party that still fights for civil rights or the party that’s still fighting the Civil War? The party of voter empower ment or the party of voter suppression? The party of anti-racism or the party of pro-racism? The party of facing our past or the party of whitewashing our past? The party that got us past the pandemic or the party that made the pandemic far worse than it had to be? The party that strengthened the economy or the party that cratered it? The party that stands up to Putin or the party that sucks up to Putin? The party that lives by its values of helping those in need or the party that trashes Christian values in the name of Jesus Christ and Donald Trump? The party of Raphael War nock, Tim Ryan, John Fetter-

man, Stacey Abrams, and Beto O’Rourke or the party of sell-your-soul-for-power suck-ups like J.D. Vance, Herschel Walker, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito? The party of the United States of America or the party of the Divided States of Red vs. Blue? The party that talks about how much better things could be or the party that talks about how “terrible” everything is? The party of democracy or the party of autocracy? The party of election reform or the party of election denial? The party of inclusion or the party of exclusion?

The party seeking racial equity or the party preserving white supremacy?

The party of free and fair election or the party of insur rection? T he party of government function or the party of government dysfunction? The party seeking the truth or the party spreading the Big Lie? The party of common-sense gun re gulation to reduce gun violence or the pa rty of enabling mass murderers to annihilate our children? The party of respect for the living or the party of disrespect for the planet we live on? The party of re productive rights or the party of re productive coercion? The party of human rights or the party of mass incarceration? The party of the popular will or the party of minority rule? The party that plays by the rules or the party that thinks rules are for losers? The party of so far to go or the party of so far gone?

Government isn’t perfect, but it works a hell of a lot better than the extreme right seems to think. Do you have confidence in our federal gover nment? I don’t mean Cong ress. Almost no one has a high opinion of Cong ress (although I have a very high re gard for the cong resswomen and men who conducted the January 6 Commission hearings).

These days I find myself in the unpopular position of defending the establishment. As a recent Economist magazine column, “In praise of the deep state,” put it: “Despite common criticism, there is plenty of good news about American gover nment.”

There are roughly 1.9M federal civil servants — beyond each administration’s 4,000 political appointees. Those civil servants make gover nment work, usually quite well, sometimes in spite of who is president. It works best when we don’t elect disestablishmentarians like Donald Trump as chief executive and Republican extremists to the House and Senate

We should stop badmouthing gover nment and start finding the good in it — even as we keep striving to improve it. I call that “The New Citizenship.”

The first step is voting for the antidisestablishmentarian party and electing people who believe in government.

Vote Yes on the Workers’ Rights Amendment

As a proud Oak Parker, I know we need to do whatever we can to strengthen the economy for all of our residents. On Nov. 8, we have a chance to vote on a constitutional amendment that will put more money into the pockets of workers while also protecting worker safety across our state I am writing to urge neighbors to suppor t the Workers’ Rights Amendment, the very first item on the ballot.

The Workers’ Rights Amendment protects the rights of workers to join to gether and fight for higher wages, more safety protections and better working conditions on the job. Research shows that, on average, workers make $11,000 more each year in states with collective barg aining rights compared to anti-worker states

Right now, with costs going up across the board, we need action to put more money into the pockets of the middle class

The Workers’ Rights Amendment protects workers when they speak out about unsafe conditions on the job. It protects workers like those in food service or

construction who need the ability to speak out on the job about safety issues without fear of retaliation. Additionally, the Workers’ Rights Amendment will protect first responders as they fight for better safety protections and training on the job. Let’s keep them safe so they can keep all of us safe.

If the initiative passes, these rights will be codified in the state constitution, so no anti-worker politician can come along in the future and attack us without coming to us — the voters — first. We all know Illinois is a strong union state, but so was Wisconsin before Scott Walker was elected.

Our fundamental rights are under attack at every level. This is a chance to put workers’ rights in a lockbox, beyond the reach of any extremist politician.

Please join me in suppor ting the Workers’ Rights Amendment, and let’s give workers the protections they need and deserve.

Jay Rowell Oak Park

WEDNESD AY JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Michael Romain

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Publishing and Technology Manager Briana Higgins

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Staff Photographers Alex Rogals, Shanel Romain

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

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Big Week Editor James Porter

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

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

About Viewpoints

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

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

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

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■ One-sentence footnote about yourself, your connec tion to the topic

■ Signature details as at lef t

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

HOW TO REA CH US

ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-524-8300

EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com

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A one -year subscription costs $48 within Cook County and $60 outside of Cook County Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address correc tions to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2022 Growing Community Media, NFP.

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

I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for the Village of Oak Park for 2022 tax year will be held on November 7, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois.

Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Ms. Christina Waters, Village Clerk, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, telephone number (708) 358-5670.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2021 were $41,473,673.

The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2022 are $41,846,169. This represents a 0.90% increase from the previous year.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2021 were $4,285,013.

The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2022 are $4,399,535. This represents a 2.67% increase from the previous year.

IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2021 were $45,758,686.

The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2022 are $46,245,704. This represents a 1.06% increase from the previous year.

OPRF upgrades: much more than cosmetic

I attended a recent public tour of the OPRF High School Project 1 facility renovations. Dr. Julie Frey, division head of Mathematics, shared upgrades to the mathematics classrooms This part of Project 1 is a microcosm of outcomes we will experience from all phases of the community-involved Imagine Project, which established the timeline and scope for OPRF facility renovations

Dr. Frey expressed gratitude for how the evolution of the math wing — renovations based on research regarding the most effective approach to teaching and lear ning math — has directly impacted academic results.

The renovated rooms are bigger, allowing students to sit in groups. Research consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of students being in groups to talk about math, sharing questions and insights

The teacher is the facilitator, walking from group to group, asking deeper questions, answering student queries, and addressing misconceptions

Picture a 6-foot-tall senior with their body shoved in a desk, with a chair connected to it, trying to lear n Calculus. Now picture that same student in a detached rolling chair and separate desk, both adjustable, in a triad with peers muddling through complex equations together. Better yet, envision students writ-

ing on their desks, which double as whiteboards, allowing sharing of work among peers and enabling teachers to easily monitor and clarify

The walls are almost covered by whiteboards. Research shows students are better thinkers when on their feet working on vertical surfaces. Collaborative spaces with whiteboards in the wide hallways expand this “vertical small group” lear ning approach.

Brighter, more inviting rooms contribute to students’ ability to feel safe, how likely they are to engage, and how cooperative the behavior will be. When entering a new classroom, it becomes clear the teachers, architects, and other collaborators created welcoming spaces supporting safety, choice, engagement, collaboration, and risk-taking by students.

These upgrades are far more than “interior design” projects When you look below the surface of these aesthetically-improved spaces, you find upgrades rooted in maximizing the potential of our youth and improving educational outcomes

Renovating OPRF High School is not an optional project. These physical infrastructure improvements are, indeed, a requirement to equitably enhance learning for all students.

Alison Welch Oak Park

Social Security & COLAs

All seniors do not experience inflation the same way. For example, Social Security benefits cover about 90% of living costs in rural West Virginia; but only about 38% in San Francisco.

Housing costs are a major problem for seniors. Those who rent have much less control over their housing costs than do owners. To make matters worse, renters tend to rely more on Social Security because they tend to have lower incomes. On the other hand, while owners have more sway over housing expenses, increasing property taxes and utility costs are beyond their control.

Another issue is that retirees do not get the full benefits of a COLA (cost of living adjustment). This is because seniors are also enrolled in Medicare whose Part B (outpatient care) premiums are deducted from Social Security benefits. In the past 10 years there have been occasions when Part B premiums increased more than COLAs. Medicare Part D (prescription drugs) premiums are also de-

ducted from Social Security benefits.

However, there is some good news. Legislation has been passed which empowers Medicare to start negotiating with drug makers in 2026 on prices for the 10 most expensive drugs covered under Part D. Supposedly in subsequent years the list will expand to 20 drugs covered by Part D.

I say “supposedly” because there are politicians who currently are attacking the entire retirement system. For example, two Republican senators, i.e. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Rich Scott of Florida, have proposed that Social Security be eliminated as a federal entitlement program, and instead should be approved annually by Congress

That would leave the possibility that future administrations would entirely eliminate the federal program. This possibility behooves retirees to stay abreast of all proposed changes to Social Security and act accordingly.

e impact of social distance

The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them. That’s the essence of inhumanity.

George Bernard Shaw

As I reflect on my life, I think about how I was systematically taught to accept being treated as a “minority.” Demo graphics notwithstanding, I wasn’t born to be assigned a station in life that would relegate me to second-class citizenship. I was born free. I still consider myself the equal of any other human being. Yet the society I was born into had pre-deter mined how I would be treated. To ensure that we, so-called minorities, understood our place in society, signage, laws, and customs were used to reinforce our minority status

Today, the racist signs are collectible relics. Yet the attitudes that created these signs are very much alive. My hue (skin color) in America is equivalent to the Star of David patches that the Nazis forced Jewish people to wear. Skin color is a shortcut to thinking for too many people. Darker skin color conjures in their mind images of inferiority, criminality, and immorality. Without ever speaking to or getting to know the minority person as an individual, too many of us accept stereotypes that have been carefully curated over hundreds of years.

Lack of social interaction leads to increased distance between minorities and non-minorities. As a result of socially encouraged social distance, knowledge of a minority person’s day-to-day life experiences is scant or non-existent. Unfortunately, what many non-minorities know about their minority fellow Americans comes from media stereotypes and bigoted narratives curated and handed down from generation to generation. Assertions about minorities include questioning their intelligence, work ethic, hygiene, and family dynamics. “Why get to know them?” is the prevailing attitude, when trusted family members, friends and media have already validated these bigoted beliefs as facts. Slights, verbal assaults, micro-aggres-

sions, and physical attacks are realities a minority person must deal with daily. And, if the minority person reacts, resists, or complains about being unfairly treated s/he is viewed as the agitator. This type of situation reminds me of a joke my father would tell us as children about growing up in the 1930s apartheid South. The joke went like this: “A Klansman with ill intent recklessly runs over a Black pedestrian and the victim is violently thrown through the windshield. The Sherif f arrives and tickets the Black man for breaking and entering.” As a young person, I got the punchline, but I didn’t understand that the joke was not a joke told for laughter — rather, it was a lesson in how a Black person is treated in our judicial system. Today, a Black person would have a hell of time using “Stand Your Ground” as a defense in reacting to verbal and physical attacks by a bigoted non-minority individual.

In summary, residential segregation leads to increased social distance between minorities and the majority population. We all tend to fear those situations and people that are unfamiliar to us. As one who has lived under the status of a minority, there are four things that irk me:

■ Being defined by others based on stereotypes

■ Being labeled in unsavory terms such as dumb, criminal or lazy

■ Being harassed for no other reason than my pigmentation

■ Being devalued and doubted without facts or personal knowledge

Social distance must be decreased if we are to really get to know each other. However, because of the systemic nature of racial discrimination, getting to kno w each other as fellow Americans is a major challenge.

I would suggest those Christians who belong to a church take the opportunity to get to know their minority parishioners. Unfortunately, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “the most se greg ated hour in America is on Sunday.”

Kwame Salter is a former Oak Park resident and a re gular contributor to Viewpoints

OBITUARIES

Lee Ward, 58

Attorney, animal rights, mental illness advocate

Lee Veronica Ward, 58, a resident of Oak Park, died on July 15, 2022, after a brave battle with breast cancer.

Washington June 14, 1964 Ward Greene and the late Charles Ward, she ttended Sherwood lementary School and Bay Port-Blue nt High School ong Island in rk She graduated with honors from Cornell University, earned her JD from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, and earned her master’s in Law from New York University. She was a member of the California and New York State bars.

A scholar at heart, she also excelled in many creative outlets, including sculpture, comedic writing and performing, as well as improv She was a vegan, a passionate advocate for animal rights, and was committed to eradicating the stigma attached to mental illness.

In 2013 she relocated from Long Island, New York to Oak Park where she was a member of Unity Temple Unitarian/Universalist Congregation.

Lee was the daughter of sister of Charlie (Alison) Moria of Oonagh and Tadhg Moria of Betty Anne Clayton and Moriarty, and the late Joseph Moria his wife Kristen; the cousin of Lisa (Spencer Macalaster, Brent (Antonia)

(Curt) Lockton, Joseph (Perrin) Moriarty, Meredith Sabye, Michael Moriarty, Anna Moriarty, Thomas Moriarty, Callie (Paul) Chess, and several nephews and nieces, as well as a friend to many.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the 19th Century Charitable Association in Oak Park on Saturday Nov. 5 from 12 to 4 p.m. The Celebration of Life program will run from noon to 12:45 p.m. A luncheon will follow the Celebration of Life. Please RSVP by Oct. 28 to Joan Greene at greeneward@yahoo.com if you plan to attend the luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to NAMI Metro Suburban, 814 Harrison St., Oak Park, IL 60304.

Jim LeFevre, 76

Oak Park resident

James R. LeFevre, 76, of Oak Park, died suddenly in his home on Oct. 20, 2022. Born on Sept. 5, 1946, his many friends brought great joy to his life whether on the golf course or vacationing. He will be greatly missed.

Jim is preceded in death by his loving wife and best friend, Lyn. He is survived by his son, Michael (Nicole) and daughter Kristi (KB); his granddaughters, Melanie and Brittany; his sister, Donna (Jerry) and their children Tami and Tim, along with their families. While he did not have a brother, Jim’s cousin Herm (Barb) was the next best thing. Dear to Jim were Lyn’s and brother, Tom,

sitation will be held on Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m. Peterson-Bassi Funeral Home, 6938 W. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Oct. 29 at St. Giles Church

Project 2 is not the only pool solution

With the District 200 administration set to release the construction cost of Project 2 at the school board meeting this Thursday, Oct. 27, it’s important to underscore that the proposal’s 40-yard x 25-yard pool (16-practice lanes and a six-foot-wide bulkhead) is not the only possible pool solution.

MONIC A SHEEHAN One View

Vote to re-elect Frerichs for state treasurer

There are two pragmatic pool solutions that D200 has never presented to the community: a one-pool option (20-yards x 25-yards) in the East Pool/South Gym and a year-round pool collaboration at Ridgeland Common. Unlike Project 2’s pool, neither pragmatic, cost-effective pool solution would require the expensive demolition and rebuild of the southeast cor ner of the school.

The 20-yard x 25-yard pool in the East Pool/South Gym was recommended in the Stantec Report, a year-long review of the school’s pools and their usage conducted by the world-renowned Stantec engineering company, released in 2013. It’s the only comprehensive, independent, professional review of the school’s pools. Stantec stated that OPRF’s 11 swim lanes are a luxury for a high school and that, “Typical modern high school aquatics programs are supported by one 8-lane, 25-yard pool.” OPRF’s self-imposed swim requirement is 12 weeks for all students, excessive compared to most other schools

The other and most pragmatic solution would be a D200 collaboration with the park district to create a year-round pool

GNABASIK

from page 33

We lear ned several key lessons:

■ There is broad and deep community suppor t for an ordinance to ban gas-powered blowers.

■ People want to see the ban implemented as soon as possible. The village has been talking about this issue for years and given the goals of the Oak Park Climate Action Plan, now is the time to act.

■ There is a significant subset of the community concer ned about equity that would like to see the village provide some type of

facility for the school and community’s use. Preliminary plans drawn up a few years ago estimated that a new 20-yard x 25-yard pool, along with two other pools at Ridgeland Common, would cost $14 million, $7 million per taxing body. In addition to its cost-effectiveness, this pool solution would result in the repurposing of both pools (three floors each) for other uses in the space-constrained school.

Here is a fact that D200 doesn’t publicize regarding the Imagine Group:

An unnecessary restriction was imposed that all Imagine proposals must lie within the footprint of the school’s campus, which prevented a pool collaboration at Ridgeland Common from being presented to the community as an option.

Over the years, why have the administration and school board not presented these cost-effective pool solutions to the community? It all comes down to their wants, not needs, and the wants of the small but clearly influential aquatic community

D200’s bond consultant presented in August a singular draft funding proposal for Project 2, created with input from the administration and designed specifically to bypass voters. With its construction costs about to be unveiled, it’s important to remind Superintendent Greg Johnson (gjohnson@oprfhs.org) and the school board (boe@oprfhs.org) that Project 2’s funding belongs on the ballot for all voters to decide. OPRF is our school, and it’s our money Monica Sheehan is an Oak Park resident

economic assistance to small lawn service companies to help them make the transition from gas to electric blowers.

■ There is a small subset of folks who would like to see more of their neighbors replace traditional grass lawns with no-mow or native-garden lawns or at least employ more sustainable lawn care practices to protect pollinators and reduce pollution.

Call to ac tion

The village recently hired a third-party consultancy, Metro Strategies Group, to help them work through the issues of phasing in a ban on gas-powered blowers. We’ve been told that village trustees will vote on this

I would like to endorse Michael Frerichs for state treasurer in his bid for re-election. Like many people I used to watch the newspaper notice for unclaimed property but never found any related to my late father and me. A friend suggested I try looking at the state treasurer’s website for unclaimed property that Mr. Frerichs established

Indeed, it tur ned out there was substantial unclaimed property from my late father’s estate, including life insurance and stock dividends and a smaller amount from insurance.

Although the process was cumbersome, when I contacted Don Har mon’s office, they contacted the state treasurer and an expediter was assigned to my claim. The expediter was able to use the application I submitted to find all of the info from public records that I needed to complete the claim, includ-

ing directions on how to get documents from a closed probate case from the clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court to complete the application. I was very impressed with how Mr Frerichs’ office handled my concer ns with transparency and commitment to assisting me as a taxpayer rather than the all-too-often ignoring and stonewalling. Mr Frerichs’ program for unclaimed assets allowed me to collect the dividends, proceeds from life insurance, and other funds that an insurance company attempted to hold back from me.

Mr Frerichs showed me that he stands for the financial interests and rights of Illinois taxpayers rather than the interests of big businesses, banks and insurance companies.

Frank Vozak Oak Park

Weak bodies, strong minds

Recently, I overheard a discussion between two men concer ning the upcoming election. Gentleman #1 said he was troubled deciding who to vote for. He said he favored Republican candidates because they seemed “strong and deter mined, like Trump.” Gentleman #2 did not state who he would vote for. He merely answered, “I’d rather have candidates who are physically weak and have strong minds, than those who have strong bodies and weak minds.”

I wholeheartedly agree with Gentleman #2. We need men and women of strong moral character who are intelligent and knowledgeable about democratic leadership and

issue shortly — possibly as soon as November or December. Given these developments, a show of support for banning these loud, polluting, bad-for-workers and bad-for-theenvironment machines is critical.

If you are in favor of a phased-in ban on gas-powered blowers, please contact the village trustees as soon as possible to express your support. Calls, emails, and letters can demonstrate broad and deep community support for such a ban.

■ The contact information for individual trustees is listed on the village website at https://www.oak-park.us/your-gover nment/ elected-officials. If you would rather contact the board of trustees as a group, please use

constitutional gover nment. We need leaders who care more for the United States of America than for their own personal power.

I am fed up with the lies Leadership motivated by greed and power-grabbing is antidemocracy I will not be intimidated by the hate and fear tactics of Trump and his followers

Wouldn’t it be a refreshing outcome of the 2022 midter m election if we were able to feel pride and respect for our elected of ficials? Let us make this happen by voting for people with strong minds.

Harriet Hausman Ri v er Forest

the following email address: board@oakpark.us.

■ In addition, you can still add your name to the online petition and also read more detailed information about the issue at www thepetitionsite.com. (Just search for Oak Park and River Forest in the upper-right cor ner and our petition will come up.)

Thank you to everyone who has already signed the petition. Now let’s make those phone calls, send those emails, sign the petition and get this done

Committee members: Matthew Gnabasik, Kristi Sloniger, Ellen Edwards, Elaine Johnson, Dan Cimaglio, Lucy Byrne, and Laura Stamp.

Changing lives through dance EL

Imet Pier re Lockett at a 4th of July party at Mimi Pritzker’s home. Although 70% of our friendship was spent either long distance or with me ill, he visited often. Pierre essentially said, “You need something to do. Why don’t you help with my new organization.” He encouraged me to channel my health crisis This is really his nature — push, motivate, and work with the underdog because that underdog was him.

At the Joffrey Ballet, as director of community engagement, he saw that some of the children selected from his dance program were being phased out because there was no space available for them to train. Wanting to provide a way for kids who were not top of the dance class to be able to participate in an enrichment program through dance, he created a program to include them and give them the same opportunities as the fortunate few. Helping them develop life discipline skills through dance was his goal at the Joffrey. He did this simultaneously while setting up a separate program so that no child was left behind, calling it Forward Momentum Chicago (FMC).

But this was not a surprise to anyone who knew him. As a professional dancer with Joffrey Ballet and the Dance Theatre of Harlem, he was a middle-class African-American kid from 1960s and ’70s Mobile, Alabama. Initially majoring in pharmacy at the University of Montevallo, he discovered dance was his true love, auditioned, and was accepted to a dance school

with no dance experience. His father, though concer ned about what his career path would look like, especially for a man of color constantly in a dance studio dominated by European silhouettes, decided to fully support him anyway. He cared so much about his opinion that, had his father told him not to pursue dance, he would not have done it. Respect for parents ran deep in his veins and he understood the importance of wisdom from elders. This became his motivation for fulfilling his dream and paying it forward. This is why he can relate to the students’ insecurities and frustrations on days they feel like quitting

Since 2015 FMC has seen a steady rise in services provided to the community’s children, providing one area in Englewood with an after-school program for more than 5,000 children annually over multiple communities in the Chicago Public School System. The mission is to inspire possibilities through dance education to schools and communities with limited arts access. While helping to change the trajectory of kids’ lives, he says he has lear ned from the children too. They perfor m citywide all the time (forwardmomentumchicago.org).

Pierre says he wants to be remembered as someone who changes lives.

EL Serumaga is a resident of Ri v er Forest and founder of ecovici.com.

Beware of towing in Downtown Oak Park

I live in the Emerson high-rise, just above the Old Navy, ATT, and Sweetgreen parking lot. Beware!

I watch people park there and go to Target, Chipotle, and stores other than those for this parking lot. There are three sets of signs designating which stores this parking lot is for. S&S towing has guys watching where

JOHNSON from page 33

next challenge is to deter mine a funding plan by May 2023. All funding options will be on the table as our team works with our board to deter mine how to meet these student needs while causing the least financial burden possible to taxpayers, one of our core responsibilities.

There’s no doubt that Project 2 comes with a large price tag at a time of significant challenges to the economy. The estimate we’re presenting on Thursday night is for $99.5 million, and that’s before potential add-ons will be considered. But the

Why do we love ‘strongmen’?

‘Acouple of images on Instagram can have a greater impact than any speech in this assembly.”

“A potentate with an anti-establishment streak …”

“[He] may re present the future, but he talks a lot about the past …”

“[He] came to re gard any investigation into his leadership as a personal attack.”

“[He] started building an alter native media landscape …”

“But voters want to see their man win because it means that they’re winning.”

Is there something familiar here? All of these quotes are from the New Yorker magazine, Sept.12, 2022, describing a president. But not the one you may be thinking of.

The person quoted and described here is Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador. The article is titled, “Strongman of the People.” What is familiar is the personality of the man, an autocrat or “strongman,” a giant ego. He holds the conviction that he is the only one who can solve El Salvador’s deep, persistent problems. Sounds even more like for mer president Trump, and not by accident. “Strongmen” are magnetic; we identify with them. There are at least eight dictatorships around the world; it is a quirk of human nature that people follow them.

We crave stability: predictability, calm, happy times, roots. Stability makes us feel comfortable, a status we prize. We want to know what to expect when we wake up in the mor ning.

We dislike change: deaths, jobs, family drama, failures. Change is uncomfortable. We will do almost anything to restore stability, including elect doubtful candidates to public office.

In fact, authoritarian leaders appeal to this need and exploit our discomfort, assuring us that they and they alone can resolve our issues

you go, and if it’s not one of these store, they tow your car in less than two minutes It is easy picking for them because people don’t see or read these signs. Thought you should know.

Rick Klaus Oak Park

needs of our facilities are sizable, and they aren’t going away.

Open session be gins in the Board Room at 7:30 p.m.

Bringing these lear ning spaces into alignment with the needs of this century’s students is long overdue. Students and teachers have been asked to keep doing their best in substandard facilities for decades. They, and our community, deserve highquality facilities that meet their needs and those of generations to come.

Dr. Greg Johnson is superintendent of Oak Park and Ri v er Forest High School District 200, as well as the parent of OPRF High School students in the classes of 2021 and 2023. For information about Project 2, please visit bit.ly/OPRFfacilities

This is an important election cycle. When times are really tough, as they are now, it is more difficult to reason our way to good election choices. We tend to act on emotion, but in this unprecedented time of compounding, global challenges — war, pandemic, climate crises, racism, gun violence, inflation — we need to be deliberate about who we vote for, and why. A “strongman” candidate may be easier to like than an expert or professional, but is that how to pick a candidate?

What is an autocrat? Authoritarian leadership, aka autocratic leadership, is a style in which an individual has total decision-making power and control over his subordinates.

Although the advantages sound tempting, by concentrating power and authority, autocracy disrupts democratic processes and institutions

Human Rights Watch says, “As people see that unaccountable rulers inevitably prioritize their own interests over the public’s, the popular demand for rights-respecting democracy often remains strong.”

The Atlantic says, “If the 20th century was the story of slow, uneven progress toward the victory of liberal democracy over other ideologies — communism, fascism, virulent nationalism — the 21st century is, so far, a story of the reverse.”

Voting for Trumpian candidates may scratch a collective itch, but what is comfortable is not always necessary or right or good for us.

Karen Muriello is a former assistant villa ge clerk for the villa ge of Oak Park

Growing Community Media

HELP WANTED

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

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

DEFINITION

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

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

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

Essential duties and responsibilities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

software and other forms of systems and data.

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

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

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties

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

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

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

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

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

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

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ability to:

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

- Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time

- Operating assigned equipment

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

- Working in and around computer equipped vehicles

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

- Making observations

- Communicating with others

- Reading and writing

- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

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

Experience and Training

Guidelines

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

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

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

YOGA SIX FITNESS SALES ASSOCIATE

exceed weekly and monthly sales goals established by the General Manager

ACCOUNT CLERK II

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Account Clerk II. This position performs a variety of accounting clerical duties involving financial record keeping and/or transactions including accounts payable and receivable and to provide a variety of accounting support to the Development Customer Services Department. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs. First review of applications November 4, 2022.

NURSERY SUPERVISOR AND CHILDCARE COORDINATOR

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a warm, welcoming and experienced Nursery Supervisor and Childcare Coordinator to work with the youngest among us on Sunday mornings in the nursery as well as coordinate babysitting for congregational events outside of Sunday mornings. This is one job with two different roles. As Nursery Supervisor, this person will provide a compassionate and consistent presence in caring for our babies and toddlers during the Sunday morning worship service times, supervise, train and schedule other nursery staff, maintain the nursery as a safe and clean environment, welcome and orient new families to the nursery, and build relationships with and communicate effectively with parents. The nursery hours are Sundays from 9:30–11:30am, and approximately one hour outside of Sunday morning worship service.

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

PART-TIME

ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER

Call contracter for more info. 708-738-3848

If you are passionate about health and fitness, enjoy connecting with people and thrive in an environment that encourages you to exceed personal and team goals - this is the role for you! Our ideal candidate brings at least a year of sales experience along with a good understanding of prospecting leads through telemarketing, phone sales, and member referrals. If you are interested in starting or growing your sales career in the dynamic fitness industry, apply today!

Fitness Sales Associate duties include working closely with current and potential customers to recommend classes and membership options based on their wellness goals, answer their questions about the studio and help resolve customer concerns.

The Fitness Sales Associate is responsible for appointment booking and ensuring first time visitors to studio have an overwhelmingly positive experience. The successful Sales associate will stay up-to-date with sales promotions, maintain the studio’s visual appearance in high standards, and strive to exceed individual and studio sales goals.

Responsibilities

-Customer experience: welcome visitors and members to the studio, answer phones and assist customers at the front desk with various administrative tasks. Handle member issues professionally and objectively, seeking to resolve them through exceptional customer service. Build productive trust relationships with customers.

-Sales: Support the sales process by contacting sales prospects via telephone and text messaging, setting up appointments, and reviewing membership options with new visitors to the studio. Assess customers needs and provide assistance and information on studio features, class offerings and membership options. Meet and

-Prospecting: support in and out of studio events to generate new sales prospects (health fairs, community events, marathons, etc.) Support studio marketing and social media activities.

-Member engagement: Conduct studio tours with new prospects to build rapport to facilitate sales; set new members up for success, support members with class selection and participate/lead member appreciation events

-Operations: Maintain a high degree of cleanliness and studio presentation for current and potential customers. Assist in maintaining a safe environment for all.

-Self Management: Assumes responsibility for developing selling skills, reviewing training materials and participating in staff meetings to support achievement of personal and studio goals. “Go the extra mile” to drive sales and deliver exceptional customer service

-Other duties as assigned

Skills

- Proven work experience as a Retail Sales associate, Sales representative or similar role (i.e. Orangetheory fitness, Gym or health club front desk, Gap, Victoria’s Secret)

-Basic understanding of sales principles and customer service practices

-Proficiency in English

-Excellent phone skills

-Solid communication and interpersonal skills

-A friendly and energetic personality with customer service focus

-Ability to perform under pressure and address complaints in a timely manner

-Availability to work flexible shifts

-BS degree in Marketing or related field would be a plus https://yogasixoakpark.applytojob. com/apply/8VFe6DzMAT/FitnessSales-Associate

Custom Frame Company

Software Engineer II sought by Coyote Logistics, LLC in Chicago, IL. Telecommuting is permitted. Apply at jobpostingtoday.com Ref# 37465.

PART-TIME ASSISTANT FACILITIES MANAGER

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

324 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

First United Methodist Church is seeking a part-time Assistant Facilities Manager to work the following hours:

- Sunday mornings 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

- Two Mondays per month from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM

- Every Wednesday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

The position will also cover additional hours for weekdays and occasional weekend hours as needed.

Responsibilities of this position include:

- Opening and closing procedures on Sunday mornings and at the end of other church or guest events.

- Locking and unlocking appropriate doors for each event

- Overseeing the loading and unloading of bulky items through church doors

- Setting up and breaking down tables

- Directing guests to legal parking options

- Providing security for church events

- Contacting emergency medical, police or fire personnel when required

- Ensuring snow removal contractors arrive in time to clean sidewalks, or removing snow on private sidewalks if needed

- Accessing items in storage as needed, such as power strips, proper tape

- Handling minor repairs and contacting the Facilities Manager, Trustees or directly calling contractors when necessary

- On occasion there is some cleaning required of spaces used

This individual must present himself/ herself to the public in a professional

Manufacturing

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

River Forest Public Schools

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

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

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

Responsibilities:

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

Qualifications:

One of the following licenses:

• Professional Educator License (PEL)

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

semesters hours of coursework)

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

• Educator License with Stipulations

• Paraprofessional License (Associate’s degree required)

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

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

HELP WANTED

manner as a representative of our church.

May fill in when needed for the Facilities Manager or the Custodian This position reports to the Facilities Manager, Trustees or the Pastor as needed. Must be willing to serve on rotation for emergency response from our Burglar system or the Fire Department.

Successful completion of background checks must be completed prior to work. Covid vaccinations are required.

Pay - $20 an hour. Resumes can be sent to LKMasters47@gmail.com.

GRANTS COORDINATOR

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

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.

MARKETPLACE

GARAGE SALE

Grandmothers clock, towels, hardware, fishing equipment, trolling motor, fans, home goods, frames, pictures, gardening, CDs, DVDs, antique cookbooks, books, small furniture, table/chairs, stools, boom boxes, mini-stepper, clothes Ladies 6-16 & Men’s L-XXL, boy christening outfit, macrame plant hangers, Xmas tree-houses-outdoor décor, so much more!

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE COORDINATOR

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

OFFICE/RETAIL FOR RENT

OFFICE/RETAIL FOR RENT

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St.

* 1116

FIREWOOD

708-38

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc. Collector James 630-201-8122

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board Of Education of the Oak Park and River Forest High School, Consolidated High School District 200, Cook County, Illinois, 201 North Scoville Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302, that the District will be applying for the following Application:

Waiver or Modification of the Illinois School Code Section 27-24 (105 ILCS 5/27- 24.3). We are re-applying for this waiver to allow 18 hours of practice driving in a simulator system in lieu of 3 hours of instruction in a dual controlled car. This request is based upon fulfilling the intent of the Driver Education Mandate in a safer, efficient and innovative way for our student drivers, as well as improving student performance.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a public hearing on said waiver application will be held within the Business Section of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education beginning approximately at 7:30 p.m. (immediately following the closed session) on Thursday, November 17, 2022 in the Board Room, Room 2163 at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, 2022

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: Y22009744 on October 12, 2022 Under the Assumed Business Name of INTENTIONALBREATH with the business located at: 1414 BONNIE BRAE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: MARY LISA WAHLFELDT1414 BONNIE BRAE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES

LAW OFFICES OF MALIKA T. ASSAR, P.C.

Attorney for Petitioner 420 West Huron Street, 1st Floor Chicago, IL 60654

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS)

COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations

PUBLIC NOTICES

Division.

In re the marriage of RAMIA SALEH KASSIM, Petitioner and MAHDI AHMED MOHAMMED GHALEB, Respondent, Case No. 2022D007467.

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 Appearance to said Petition and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before November 18, 2022, 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 Y. Martinez, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

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

In re the allocation of SHANNON JEAN FITCH, Petitioner and JOHN EASDALE BARCLAY, IV, Respondent, Case No. 2022D008089.

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 Temporary and Permanent Sole Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Child Support, and Contribution to Child-Related Expenses; 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, 2022, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Temporary and Permanent Sole Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Child Support, and Contribution to Child-Related Expenses entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

ELECTION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the legal voters, residents of the Township of Oak Park, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, that the General Election is scheduled for November 8, 2022. All voters who request a paper ballot, will receive or should have received two ballot cards (Card A & Card B). The local referenda questions will be on the

back of Card B after the Judicial Retention Candidates.

For all in-person voters, the touchscreen ballot is approximately 20+ pages and any local referenda questions will be at the end of the ballot after the Judicial Retention Candidates.

A specimen ballot is included with this notice on pages 26-29 .

DaToya Burtin-Cox Oak Park Township Clerk

Published in Wednesday Journal October 26, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Public Hearing Park District of Oak Park November 3, 2022, 7:30 p.m. 2022 Tax Levy

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of the Park District of Oak Park will conduct a public hearing concerning the adoption of the Park District’s 2022 Property Tax Levy on November 3, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hedges Administration Center, 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL, during the Board of Commissioners’ committee of the whole meeting.

By: Commissioner Chris Wollmuth Secretary, Board of Commissioners Park District of Oak Park

Published in Wednesday Journal October 26, 2022

Public Notice

ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING

Request of bids for the Park District of Oak Park 228-230 Lot Restoration, 228-230 Madison St., Oak Park.

Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302

The Park District of Oak Park will accept sealed bids for the 228-230 Madison Lot Restoration, 228-230 Madison St., Oak Park. The project consists of removal of sidewalk, asphalt, curb and gutter; grading, new driveway approach, paving, sidewalk, masonry, drainage, pavers, striping, bike racks and more.

The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 2:00 p.m. (Central time) on Friday, November 18th, at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, IL. The bidding documents and requirements will be available on the link below as of 5:00 pm Friday, October 28th, 2022. A non-mandatory pre-bid walk-thru is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8th at 9:00 a.m. at the 228-230 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302. Bid bonds will be required by bidding contractors. Copies of the bidding specifications are available via this link: https://rb.gy/ yoqnmo For additional information, contact Chris Lindgren at chris.lindgren@pdop.org or (708) 725-2050.

Only the bids prepared in compliance with the bidding documents will be considered. This project must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2022. The Park District of Oak Park strongly encourages minority and women owned business firms to submit bids for this project.

Park District of Oak Park

By: Chris Wollmuth, Secretary

Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal October 26, 2022

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: Y22009773 on October 20, 2022

Under the Assumed Business Name of INFINITE HEALING TINCTURES

AND CO. with the business located at: 7000 WEST FOREST PRESERVE DR. #1061, NORRIDGE, IL 60706. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: TENNILLE TENARD 1543 FRANKLIN AVE UNIT B RIVER FOREST, IL 60305, USA.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 26, November 2, 9, 2022

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: Y22009754 on October 18, 2022

Under the Assumed Business Name of WRAPTHATUP with the business located at: 4232 EDGEWATER AVENUE, HILLSIDE, IL 60162. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: STEEVE KIDD 4232 EDGEWATER AVENUE HILLSIDE, IL 60162, USA

Published in Wednesday Journal October 26, November 2, 9, 2022

Village of Oak Park

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD for the:

Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2021

CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT

Date of Publication: November 9, 2022

Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302, (708) 383-6400

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Notice is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park Program Year 2021 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) will be available for public review beginning Wednesday, November 9, 2022. The CAPER is the City’s annual CDBG report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It will reflect the Program Year 2021 results, which began October 1, 2021 and ended September 30, 2022.

The Village of Oak Park invites comments on the CAPER. The public comment period will begin November 9, 2022, and end

November 25, 2022 at 5:00pm

CST. The report will be available by visiting the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 and at: www.oak-park.us/ cdbg.

Written comments can be sent to the address to the attention of Development Customer Services, CDBG Department or may be emailed to grants@oak-park.us.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed. Any public comments will be submitted with the CAPER to the Village Board and HUD.

Published in Wednesday Journal, October 26, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors 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 Friday, November 11, 2022 for the following:

Village of Oak Park 2022 – 23 Calcium Chloride & Salt Brine Purchase Bid Number: 23-102

Bid 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 26, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors 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 9, 2021 for the following:

Village of Oak Park Stone & Sand Materials Bid Number: 23-103

Bid 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 26, 2022

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 equal opportunity basis.

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

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHAN-

CERY DIVISION

ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; Plaintiff,

vs. KATHRYN CASSIDY AKA KATHRYN J. CASIDY AKA

KATHRYN J. CASSIDY AKA KATIE

CASSIDY; KATHRYN

CASSIDY AKA KATHRYN J. CASIDY AKA KATHYRN J.

CASSIDY AKA KATHIE CASSIDY AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE KATIE CASSIDY LIVING TRUST DATED

SEPTEMBER 1, 2006, AS LIVING

TRUST; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; MAJESTIC CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; Defendants, 22 CH 1952

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described

mortgaged real estate:

Unit 428-2-E in the Majestic Condominiums as delineated on a survey of the following real estate:

P.I.N. 16-07-419-029-1011.

Commonly known as 428 South Euclid Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302.

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

(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 22-004739

F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

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

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.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

LARSENIA HORTON, NEIL SMITH, ASSURANCE RESTORATION & CONSTRUTION, INC., PRAIRIE HOUSES OWNERS ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 18 CH 12736

14 DIVISION STREET, # 14

OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 16, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 7, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 14 DIVISION STREET, # 14, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-05-127-0480000

The real estate is improved with a brown brick, three story townhouse, attached one car garage.

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

Starting

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

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

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

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

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

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC

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

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 20-04687IL_613739

Attorney ARDC No. 61256

Attorney Code. 61256

Case Number: 18 CH 12736 TJSC#: 42-1079

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 # 18 CH 12736 I3204167

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

Plaintiff, -v.-

HENRY K. CUSHING, MARY KAY O’GRADY, MARGUERITE HOLDING, THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK

Defendants 2022 CH 02884 115 S RIDGELAND AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

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

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

Property Index No. 16-07-405-0180000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

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

title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

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

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

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

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

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

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

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-02626

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

a New Business?

Case Number: 2022 CH 02884

TJSC#: 42-2725

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

Case # 2022 CH 02884

I3204837

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