WednesdayJournal_110117 by Wednesday Journal

W E D N E S D A Y

Community of Caring Special pullout section

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

November 1, 2017 Vol. 35, No. 11 ONE DOLLAR

@oakpark @wednesdayjournal

OP Township falsified Pace ridership by thousands Suburban bus system cuts ties and subsidy with Oak Park over fake riders By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

For many seniors and disabled people, Oak Park Township’s transportation system — which has historically been operated in partnership with the Pace suburban bus system — is a lifeline to the community. But an investigation by the Office of Executive Inspector General (OEIG) in 2016, revealed that Oak Park Township was inflating ridership for the program by hundreds of rides per week — about a third of the more than 40,400 rides it reported in 2016 — the second time the organization has been caught submitting fake numbers since 2012. The OEIG report released last year states, “Pace estimated that the township over-reported ridership from January 2013 through March 17, 2016, by ‘a minimum’ of 46,226 rides, noting that ‘the figures may be larger.’ “After correcting payment for actual ridership in January and February 2016 and withholding the March 2016 payment, Pace still overpaid the township about $131,890.” The investigation also showed that former Township Transportation Coordinator Jeremiah Mabon, who either was fired or quit the position last year — the township will not say which — not only falsified docuSee PACE on page 16

Superhero Shuffle

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Oak Park Avenue had more costumes per square foot than anywhere else in the village last Saturday morning during the annual Halloween Parade, followed by Hemingway Business District trick-or-treating. For more, see page 14 and oakpark.com.

D200 weighs community center funds By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

The Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 school board has narrowed in on three possible funding scenarios for a proposed community recreational center that is still light on details, such as where it would be located and how, specifically, it will be operated. Since at least May, talks between Dis-

trict 200 and the park districts of Oak Park and River Forest have been heating up regarding the prospect of a community recreational center that would feature an indoor swimming pool, among other amenities, to be used by residents in both villages. In May, the taxing bodies had settled on three possible but unidentified sites for the center, with costs ranging from $36 million to $38 million for one option,

from $41 million to $43 million for a second option and from $45 million to $47 million for a third option. During a District 200 school board meeting on Oct. 26, board members considered three different scenarios related to the proposed community center. One funding scenario contemplates District 200 not participating in the See COMMUNITY CENTER on page 13

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Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

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I N S I D E

R E P O R T

Lots of chatter at D97 Residents will have many chances to chime in on a range of topics related to Oak Park Elementary Schools District 97, starting with the district’s 5th Annual Legislator Discussion, which takes place this Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., at Julian Middle School Commons, 416 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Oak Park. The event is hosted by the district’s Committee for Legislative Action, Intervention and Monitoring (CLAIM) and the D97 Board of Education. Lawmakers scheduled to participate include state senators Don Harmon (39th) and Kimberly Lightford (4th), and state representatives La Shawn Ford (8th) and Camille Lilly (78th). They’ll be talking about a range of

H A U N T

T H E

R I N K

topics, including those related to state funding and equity. And on Nov. 8, Supt. Carol Kelley will host the first of three community coffees. “There will be no set agendas or presentations,” a district flyer promoting the event reads. The conversation “will be an opportunity to engage in an informal conversation about what is happening” in the district’s schools. The first coffee is Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 7 to 8 p.m., at Buzz Café, 905 S. Lombard Ave. in Oak Park. The other two will take place on Nov. 29 and Dec. 9. Visit the district’s website for more details.

Michael Romain

Spooky skate Brooke Griffin, above, helps her daughter, Madeline, 6, lace up her skates before joining the others who came to the Ridgeland Common ice rink in Oak Park on Oct. 27 for the park district’s Haunt the Rink event. For more photos, visit online at www.OakPark.com

Dribbling his way to fame

Photo provided by Nolan Adamsle

He dared to dream and then he became a part of history. After a delay earlier in October, Oak Park resident Nolan Adams successfully beat the Guinness World Record for running a mile while dribbling a basketball. The time to beat, which had not actually been attempted by anyone, was 8 minutes, but Adams completed the mile in 6 minutes 22 seconds. “Better than my 6:30 goal, but not quite the 6:00 ideal I had set,” Adams said in an email.

D97 approves $1.7M for summer work

During an Oct. 24 regular meeting, the Oak Park Elementary Schools District 97 Board of Education unanimously authorized up to $1.7 million worth of capital improvement work to take place in the summer of 2018.

The board approved proposals by architectural firm STR Partners and construction firm Bully & Andrews to complete the work, which will include improvements designed to enhance the safety of the school buildings. The 2018 summer work will occur at Irving, Whittier, Brooks, Julian and Hatch, and will include repairs to the roofs at Hatch and Whittier, and the dust collector system at Julian, among other upgrades.

Michael Romain

Correction The Oct. 25 article “Downtown parking cost increases could raise $1.1M” incorrectly states the village’s minimum proposal to raise $1.1 million. The minimum proposal reduces an hour and a half of free parking at two garages to a single hour for $338,654; increases the one-hour meter rate to $1 dollar for all metered parking for $329,184; extends all meters to 8 p.m. for $314,150; and increases the cost of parking permits for $106,170. Wednesday Journal regrets the arithmetic error.

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

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Nov. 1-8

BIG WEEK “Romeo & Juliet” Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3 and 4, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 5, 3 p.m., Dominican University: See Dominican’s Theatre Arts Lab Series exclusive adaptation of Shakespeare’s love story performed by an all-female cast. Also Nov. 10 through 12. $17. Tickets: events.dom. edu, 708-488-5000. 7900 W Division St., River Forest.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles Reception Saturday, Nov. 4,, 2 to 4 p.m., Art Gallery, Main Library: brary: Meet Oak Parker Tony Abboreno bboreno and view his collection created in tribute to American manufacturing through rough paintings of modes of transportation. rtation. Show runs Nov. 1 to 30. 8344 Lake St., Oak Park.

Oak Park Education Foundation Open House

Friday, Nov. 3, 7p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2:30 and 7p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 5, 2:30 p.m., Brooks Middle School: BRAVO presents Disney’s musical adventure with a cast and crew of more than 88 students, flying and puppetry. Also Nov. 10 and 11. $10; $8, students/seniors. Tickets: bravoperformingarts.org. Questions: 708-524-5621. 325 S. Kenilworth Ave., Oak Park.

Saturday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m., Symphony Center, and Monday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m., Wentz Concert Hall: This professional orchestra models and promotes diversity, inclusion and both racial and cultural equity in the arts. Hear Mozart’s Requiem with a 70-voice choir and the music of Mexican composers. Pre-show and during intermission, make crafts, visit a traditional altar and more. $20-$99; $10 students. Tickets: 312-284-1554, chicagosinfonietta.org. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Wentz, North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville.

Saturday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to noon, Julian Middle School: Families are invited to build robots, write poetry, create art and learn more about the prog pr programs ogra rams ms OOPEF PEFF br PE brin brings ings gs ttoo Di Dist District stririct ct 9977 sc scho schools. hool ols.s More: 708-524-3027, opef.org. 416 S. Ridgeland.

World Wa War I and America: Voi Voices of War MOMENTA Dance

“Little Mermaid Jr.”

Chicago Sinfonietta: Regresar/ Revisit: A Día de los Muertos Celebration

Fall Family Matinee – Saturday, Nov. 4, 3 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m.; Fall Evening Concert – Saturday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m., Academy of Movement and Music: The matinee, “I See America Dancing” tells American History through dancing and projections, spotlighting battles for human rights. At night, “Dances of War and Peace,” includes Lynchtown, a work made in response to the choreographer’s childhood experience. Both shows feature a piece adapted for a dancer in a wheelchair. Tickets at venue; wheelchair accessible. $20; $10, seniors; $5, students. Inquire: 708-848-2329. 605 Lake St. Oak Park.

Understanding the World of Islam: The Quran Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7 to 9 p.m., Veterans Room, Main Library: Gain deeper understanding and expand knowledge about Islam at this lecture series. This time, explore the Quran with Jessica Mutter, PhD candidate in Early Islamic History, University of Chicago. Bring your questions or email in advance: communications@oppl.org. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Saturday, Nov. 4, 2 to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 5, 3 to 5 p.m., Vet Veterans Room, Main Library: On Saturday, hear tod today’s veterans read as Vietn Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq and Afg Afghanistan veterans talk about their experiences. Held in collaboration with the Oak Park Vet Center. On Sunday, come for a Staged Reading: A Family During War. Listen to what Ernest Hemingway wrote during the early days of WWI based on “The Letters of Ernest Hemingway, Vol. 1, 1907–1922.” More: oppl.org/ww1. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

“John Vinci: Life and Landmarks” Thursday, Nov. 2, 7 to 8 p.m., Unity Temple: Author Robert Sharoff will interview John Vinci, architect and preservationist. Vinci’s work includes the restoration of historic structures (Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home and Studio, the Carson Pirie Scott Building), as well as original projects. Books available for purchase and a signing will follow the event. Free. Register: cal.flwright.org/programs/ adult/. 875 Lake St, Oak Park.

CALENDAR EVENTS ■ As you’ve likely noticed, our Calendar has changed to Big Week. Fewer items, higher profile. If you would like your event to be featured here, please send a photo and details by noon of the Wednesday before it needs to be published. We can’t publish everything, but we’ll do our best to feature the week’s highlights. Email calendar@wjinc.com.

Brad Colerick’s Wine and Song of South Pasadena Saturday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m., West Suburban Temple Har Zion: Stars in the Sky series presents Colerick’s original songs, keyboard-playing comedian Marty Axelrod, songwriter and comedian Cynthia Carle and other special guests. $25; $20, seniors/students. Tickets: 708-366-9000, wsthz. org. 1040 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest.

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

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ART BEAT

Casts that celebrate survival By MICHELLE DYBAL

stigma — women’s health.” Andi Cohen-Agrimonti went a different route when she was diagnosed with Stage 1 ike women everywhere, some are curvy breast cancer in 2001. Then a behavioral therand some are streamlined. They line up apist with Chicago Public Schools, she opted as if on parade, showing off their indi- for a double mastectomy and chose to not viduality, making statements, displaying have reconstructive surgery because of contheir different claims on magnificence, cerns over the health risks of breast reconshowing the mileage they rack up from expe- struction at the time, as well as the message it would send to her three pre-adolescent sons. riences lived with more still to come. Now age 65, Cohen-Agrimonti volunTo create this scene, gauze embedded with plaster was dipped in water, then carefully, teers at Hephzibah Children’s Association compassionately even, laid piece by piece, and Maryville Crisis Nursery, substitutes dripping across each woman’s upper front in her previous post at CPS, and babysits her grandchildren. For her, the exhibit has torso to capture her unique shape. Five of the resulting casts were then artistically brought up a lot of memories and led to intransformed to represent their individual sights about body image. “Part of my journeys with breast willingness to do cancer. this is that a for“Solidarity and mer colleague, Survivorship,” part facing mastecof a larger Oak Park tomy, wanted to Art League (OPAL) see my scar,” she exhibit, “We Are said. “The cast is Enough,” contains just beautiful. I these casts along feel very connectwith those of five ed to it. No one snowboard athletes will notice the and a photographer scar. What I love provided by Keep a is how, among Breast Foundation. the other casts, The casts are decoALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer it shows such rated by OPAL artcommunity — all ists, many touched by SOLIDARITY: Breast cancer survivors Andi these people facbreast cancer in some Cohen-Agrimonti, left, and Mary Anne Moing these chalway. The designs are hanraj behind their decorated breast casts at diverse, ranging from the Oak Park Art League on Chicago Avenue. lenges.” OPAL Execusmall tiles imprinted with the faces of female warriors that form tive Director Julie Carpenter matched up a type of armor, to soft horsehair with gold member artists with survivors. Carpenter conducted interviews with the survivors. leaf, to varying styles of paint and collage. One breast cancer survivor has a cast in Artists then used this information to transthe show and also made her own artistic form the casts. Jackie Lakely was paired contribution. Mary Anne Mohanraj is an with Cohen-Agrimonti and found it to be a English professor at the University of Il- very intimate experience. “Andi had a double mastectomy just like linois Chicago, an author and a new Oak Park Public Library trustee. In February my mother had back in the early 1980s,” 2015, she was diagnosed by mammogram at Lakely said. “It was entirely about honoring age 43 with Stage 2 breast cancer. Although her by painting and collaging the things that her prognosis was good, she underwent five bring her joy and to celebrate coming out on months of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy, the other side of all she endured in the years radiation and an additional year of follow- since her diagnosis.” Lakely hand-crafted leaves from crepe up infusions. During treatment, she missed little work, but ongoing fatigue from treat- paper, painted with watercolor and acrylic, ment negatively affected her early elemen- and used collage and image transfer to create a piece steeped in greenery, punctuated tary school-age children and her writing. “If you focus on what you lost, it’s not with a bicycle. In October, Mohanraj was given the green so helpful,” she said. “I do better when I’m communicating about it, especially to peo- light for yearly follow-up mammograms — normal protocol for healthy women. She ple who are going through it.” Pressed leaves and flowers, plus lines of her still has reconstructive surgery scheduled poetry (“Thunderstorms, yes, the drops ham- to even out her breast shape and size. Her mer against the windshield ...”) peek through “Cancer log” is part of her blog at maryannemohanraj.com. on a blue background covering her cast. The exhibit ends Friday, Nov. 3, and is part “I wrote poems during treatment, and gardening was a solace,” Mohanraj continued. of a larger effort, Art for Social Change. “The exhibit is important because it des- More: oakparkartleague.org, 708-386-9853. tigmatizes something that shouldn’t have OPAL is located at 720 Chicago Ave.

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A strong voice for good

dds and ends with some a bit odder than others: Sally Iberg’s retirement: Rev. Sally Iberg, pastor at Pilgrim Church the past seven years, will retire early in 2018. Surely it will be a loss for Pilgrim; a visionary church fares best when it has a visionary leader in the pulpit. But Iberg’s retirement, she’s 71, will be felt in the faith community well past the loving walls of the church on Lake Street. That’s because Iberg has worked consciously and boldly to connect congregations across Oak Park and River Forest by reinvigorating the Community of Congregations. This is a historic organization whose history is mainly written in ebbs and flows. When percolating, great things have happened. The Oak Park-River Forest Food Pantry was born out of the Community of Congregations. But it was at low ebb with a depleted membership and an uncertain purpose when Iberg and a handful of other religious leaders began to breathe life back into it a few years ago. And because the group was rebounding and reexamining its purposes, it was open to the essential and obvious choice of expanding the reach of this group across the boundary between Oak Park and Austin. It was two years ago in June, after the mass shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, that a group of West Side ministers gathered at New Mount Pilgrim Church on Washington Boulevard for a service to honor the nine faithful who had been murdered during a Bible study class in that historic church. It was the swell of Oak Parkers, led by Iberg, Rabbi Max Weiss and Rev. Alan Taylor, that surprised that summer day on the West Side. It was Iberg bringing the congregation to its feet with her condemnation of the Confederate flag flying over the South Carolina state capitol, who may have breached the suspicion and strong doubts that have kept faith leaders from bringing the heat and the love necessary to build a Greater West Side.

As she moves toward her February retirement, Sally Iberg is a person to celebrate and thank. Integration on purpose: Monday evening, the Oak Park Village Board took a hard look at the budget being proposed for 2018 and, by consensus view, deemed the $5 million hike in spending to be too rich by at least $2 million. The board told Village Manager Cara Pavlicek to find those savings and to come back with recommendations for cuts. Part of the Monday meeting were the annual presentations from the so-called “partner” agencies. These are the mixed lineage, public-private bodies that work on behalf of issues important to the village but operate outside of village government’s full control. By a good margin, the Housing Center is the largest recipient of village funds in this group. And that led some of the newer trustees to question the full funding. That’s fine. Questioning funding is among the things we elect people to do. My worry though is when Trustee Dan Moroney questions the Housing Center’s belief that it remains essential to Oak Park’s continued housing integration. I don’t pretend to be certain of many things. But I am certain that racial integration, accomplished in an urban setting, in a community largely surrounded by segregation, a village split evenly between apartments and single-family homes and maintained over several decades, is not accidental. Certainly, it does not sustain itself because of unfettered real estate market forces. Oak Park has been successful because 50 years ago it boldly chose integration, it pioneered initiatives to foster integration, and without consciously continuing that effort, continued integration is not assured. Look at the Housing Center’s funding, examine the programs, but be exceptionally cautious in questioning the underlying need for conscious action to sustain integration and equity.

DAN HALEY

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Wednesday Journal is published weekly by Wednesday Journal, Inc. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, Illinois (USPS No. 0010-138). In-county subscription rate is $32 per year, $57 for two years. Annual out-of-county rate is $40. © 2017 Wednesday Journal, Inc.

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Oak Park weighs overnight parking changes

Public meeting slated for Nov. 9 at Brooks Middle School By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

Changes to Oak Park’s overnight parking regulations may be on the way, and the village is encouraging residents to provide their input at a meeting set for Nov. 9. The Oak Park Transportation Commission has been studying possible changes to parking in the village with transportation consultant Dixon Resources Unlimited and is considering easing restrictions for overnight parking for those with permits and overnight passes. Under the current system, those with an overnight parking pass – the village allows up to 10 a month – can park anywhere, except for areas designated for those with parking permits. A new system being considered by the Transportation Commission would allow residents with passes to park in permit zones and vice versa. “The proposal is you can have a parking pass or a parking permit [and] you can park anywhere within the geographical area on

odd days on the odd side of the street and on even days on the even side of the street,” said Tammie Grossman, director of development customer services. The proposed boundaries for a possible pilot program are Oak Park Avenue, Harlem Avenue, South Boulevard and Harrison Street, but those boundaries could change as a result of the Nov. 9 meeting. John Youkhana, division manager of Oak Park Parking and Mobility Services, said in a telephone interview that the pilot program is still just a proposal, and transportation planners are hoping for a good turnout at the Nov. 9 meeting, which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, 325 S. Kenilworth Ave. Following the meeting, the Transportation Commission will deliberate on feedback from the community and make a recommendation to the Oak Park Board of Trustees. The village is encouraging everyone to attend the meeting, because if the pilot program is approved by the Oak Park Board of Trustees next year and is successful, it could expand to other parts of the village. Other proposed changes in parking also will be discussed at the meeting, including “on-street daytime parking restrictions, commuter parking, employee and customer parking, meters and lots, off-street permit lot parking, and snow, leaf and street clean-

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

THEY’VE GOT A TICKET TO PARK: Vehicles decorated by the village of Oak Park on South Boulevard near Euclid. ing restrictions,” according to the meeting announcement from the village of Oak Park. Proposed changes discussed at the meet-

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North Ave. luxury apartment proposal nixed

Chicago alderman pulls support for the proposal after community backlash By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

Chicago Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) will not be supporting the proposed luxury apartment development at 6600-6700 W. North Avenue. The alderman announced his decision on Oct. 25, after multiple public meetings. Ahead of the alderman’s decision, a number of residents expressed opposition to the project, arguing that it was too dense for Galewood. They also expressed concern about traffic, as well as the fact that renters would be less invested in the community than homeowners. Meanwhile, Taliaferro and Lee Owens, president of the North Avenue Business Association, argued that denser developments would bring more customers to Galewood businesses, many of which have been struggling to earn profit. The said that, despite those arguments, the 29th Ward North Avenue Business Development Committee voted against the proposed development, which spelled its doom after community members were also vocally against it. While the ultimate sign-off on developments belongs to the Chicago City Council, the body of aldermen typically defers to the wishes of the alderman in whose ward a particular development is being proposed. The proposal came from Albany Park-

based Noah Properties, which wanted to build luxury apartments on the land that includes a former U.S. Bank branch building, the bank’s parking lot and the parking lot used by the Redeemer Church of Chicago. The complex would comprise 80 two-bedroom units, most of which would be leased for $1,800 a month. Ten percent of the units would be made affordable. Depending on whether tenants must pay utilities, “affordable” rents for such apartments can range between $934 and $1,067. The project would require a zoning change and since zoning changes don’t traditionally get approved without the local alderman’s support, the proposal went to Taliaferro. He, in turn, asked the North Avenue Business Development Committee to vet it. Four public meetings were held in September and October. During a meeting on Oct. 10, the issue of Noah Properties’ donation to Taliaferro’s 2015 election came up. An analysis of state election records shows that Noah Prosperities donated $1,000 to Taliaferro. Records also show that the company has also made donations over $1,000 to at least two other Chicago aldermen since 2013. A search of city legislative records maintained by the Office of Chicago City Clerk reveals several instances where the City Council approved zoning changes and exemptions from zoning requirements for properties owned by Noah Properties, some of which were in wards whose aldermen took the company’s donations. Some zoning changes took place in wards whose aldermen did not take in campaign contributions from Noah Properties, which did not respond to requests for comment regard-

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

BANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: Chicago Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) has pulled his support for a mixed-use development at 6600-6700 W. North Avenue, which is currently occupied by a shuttered bank and adjacent parking lot. ing the Galewood project and the donations. On Oct. 25, Taliaferro posted a statement that appeared on the ward website, in his ward newsletter and on various social media accounts. In it, he emphasized that he and the committee took the feedback they received into account. “First, let me thank everyone who came out to our community meetings, sent emails, called my office and posted via social media,” he wrote. “Trust me that all comments were considered in the final vote re-

garding the proposed project. […] Having your voices heard has been my commitment to you. I will continue to ensure that we will not stray from this process.” Between public feedback and the committee vote, the course of action was clear, he said. “After multiple community meetings, the Committee vote, and listening to the residents of Galewood, I will not support the proposed project,” Taliaferro wrote. CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com

Oak Park village board looks for budget cuts

Trustees to scrutinize $450,000 request for Oak Park Housing Center By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

The Oak Park Board of Trustees took a closer look at the proposed budget for 2018 and directed Village Manager Cara Pavlicek to find $2 million in cuts to reduce the proposed increase of $5.4 million in new spending. Trustees in the meeting of the board’s Finance Committee also heard proposals from so-called partner agencies that regularly receive funding from the village. Those partner agency requests include $450,000 from the Oak Park Regional Housing Center; $35,000 from the Oak Park Housing Authority; $35,000 from the Oak Park Residence Corporation; $212,500 from Visit Oak Park; and $100,000 from the Oak ParkRiver Forest Chamber of Commerce.

Trustee Dan Moroney said the projected 19 percent increase in the village’s portion of the property tax burden — which accounts for 15 percent of the entire tax bill across all taxing bodies — is “jaw-dropping.” Trustee Deno Andrews added that the increasing property tax burden is unsustainable. “At some point where do we say, ‘It’s just too much’?” he asked. Trustee Jim Taglia suggested agreeing on a number to reduce the budget and let village staff find the cuts. But Trustee Simone Boutet said, “I don’t feel comfortable telling the [village] manager, ‘Cut where you feel like,’” she said. Boutet suggested the board commit the next few meetings to “dive more into” the budget to see if it fits the goals of the community, such as establishing a green fleet of municipal vehicles and providing affordable housing to residents. She was not comfortable voting on the budget because of some items, including funding for the Madison Street “road diet”

proposal. The proposal would bend a portion of Madison Street near the intersection of Oak Park Avenue to make way for a large mixedused development and reduce the number of lanes on a portion of the street. “I’m not comfortable with the road diet,” she said. “We haven’t heard any information on the Madison Street proposal since I was elected.” Board members also heard proposals from the various partner agencies, but the largest ask, from the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, received the most scrutiny. The Housing Center was launched in 1972 to promote integration in Oak Park. The housing center encourages prospective new residents to view and consider apartments in areas of town that do not necessarily reflect their demographic. Rob Breymaier, executive director of the housing center, said the gap between what the housing center spends on advertising and promotion is growing when compared to new luxury developments like the Emer-

son Apartments in downtown Oak Park. “Over the 12-month period ending June 30, 2017, the housing center served 2,646 households looking to move to Oak Park. Of those households, 687 moved to Oak Park and 470, a rate of 68%, of those moves either sustained or improved the integration of the village,” Breymaier wrote in his request to the village. The number of people served has dropped by about 25 percent over the last year, though, which Breymaier said was a trend he’s been hearing from a lot of property owners. Moroney said he supports the work the center does in encouraging integration but added that he “doesn’t appreciate the verbiage” in their literature that says the community would segregate without them. “It doesn’t give enough credit to the work that’s been done in the past,” Moroney said. Trustees agreed to take a closer look at the housing center’s funding request at a later meeting and look for possible efficiencies. CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

After initial no vote, D200 board renews health insurance By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

During a special meeting on Oct. 31, the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 school board unanimously voted to renew medical and dental plans that cover over 500 employees after previously voting 4-3 against renewal at an Oct. 26 regular meeting. Tuesday’s vote, which happened one day before the start of the Nov. 1 open enrollment period, included a series of changes to the original plan for renewal that had come before the board on Oct. 31. Among those changes was the implementation of a minimum fund balance for the district’s total medical expenditures. During last Thursday’s regular meeting, all board members expressed serious concerns about the recent increase in the cost of funding insurance premiums, but not all members were willing to potentially disrupt the open enrollment process for employees by voting against renewal. Members Jackie Moore, Sara Dixon Spivy and Jennifer Cassell all voted for the renewal despite their concerns about insurance costs. Board members Fred Arkin, Matt Baron, Tom Cofsky and Craig Iseli voted against the renewing the plans. Gallagher Benefits Services Inc., the third-party firm that administers the dis-

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Cofsky said that he doesn’t think that the amount the district is spending on health insurance costs “is good for our students and I don’t think it’s good for our taxpayers.” Yefsky said that the district’s increasing claims are largely due to the fact that the district’s employee population has experienced more births over the last year and sickness among older employees. She said that some other, comparable school districts with lower insurance costs singled out by Cofsky (they weren’t named during the board discussion) did not support retirees as D200 does. Brenda Horton, the district’s human resources director, said that the Insurance Committee explored some measures that would potentially reduce costs, such as implementing preventative and wellness programs. But those gradual steps didn’t seem to make a deep enough dent in the cost curve, said Iseli. As part of Tuesday’s vote for renewal, the Insurance Committee agreed to “discuss ways in which costs can be contained by adding wellness incentives and other recommendations by Gallagher to drive costs down,” according to an Oct. 31 Insurance Committee memo. In addition, the vote entailed the district setting a combined fund reserve for the roughly $9 million in total projected health insurance costs of $1,796,741.

River Forest, IL 60305

they were dismayed by the district’s high insurance costs relative to other school districts and the seeming inability of administration officials to get a handle on them. Cofsky, who pulled the proposal to renew the plans from a list of other items that were to be voted on all at once in a consent agenda, had a range of concerns with the renewal. “Regardless of whether I’m in support or not of this I think this item should not be on the consent agenda, because of the magnitude,” he said. “This is the single largest annual expense that this board approves every year.” According to district officials, the total projected costs for all of the district’s health insurance plans through Dec. 31, 2018 is $9,027,745. “In prior years, I’ve asked questions about the competitive assessment of our plans despite being shunned by committee members,” Cofsky said, adding that his own analysis showed that the district might be paying more in insurance costs than it needs to be paying. Cofsky singled out a PPO family plan, which has 120 participants, as a plan that is “very close to the Cadillac tax,” or a tax paid on plans that exceed $10,200 in premiums for each individual and $27,500 for families. “Our [family] plan is in the $26,500 range,” Cofsky said. “I’m not concerned personally that the tax will even go into place, but the fact that we’re up against it tells me something.”

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trict’s claims in exchange for a monthly fee, had initially projected a 7.4 percent increase in premiums, or around $584,000. Lisa Yefsky, a Gallagher representative, said that after changes were made to the plans by the Insurance Committee, which included requiring employees to pay more money for emergency room services and picking up twice the copay for specialist visits, projected costs increased by only 5.8 percent. District 200 funds its own health plans, which it pays Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to administer, and directly pays for claims and administrative fees. Employees pay a portion of the cost of premiums, along with other out-of-pocket expenses. The Insurance Committee is responsible for reviewing proposed plan renewals and making recommendations to the school board. According to Tod Altenburg, the district’s chief financial officer, the committee, which is represented by all of the employee groups at the high school, “gives careful consideration to all parties when developing their recommendations.” Altenburg added that the committee makes decisions based on industry norms and the insurance practices of similar school districts. The committee also reviews data showing how claims are utilized to determine how plan changes affect employees, he added. Some board members, however, said that

November 3-5 & 10-12 Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. // Sunday 3:00 p.m. Lund Auditorium // Tickets $17 By William Shakespeare Adapted by Krista Hansen featuring an all-female cast

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The Montagues and Capulets have been feuding for lifetimes, when one glorious night, love connects the two households. Allies and enemies are forged, plans are put into action, and the heartbreaking demise of a young couple creates a new day for the future of their families.

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Pilgrim’s pastor cites progress Rev. Sally Iberg, 71, plans to retire next year

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Rev. Sally Iberg, pastor of Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St. in Oak Park, is retiring. She made the announcement in a letter to her congregants late last month. After retirement, the Evanston resident plans to do some traveling and visiting relatives with her husband, Jim, who is a deacon at the church. Church officials said it could take up to 18 months to find a permanent replacement. Iberg’s last day is Feb. 4, 2018, but some of her congregants will need every bit of time between now and her last sermon to say goodbye. Josephine Simmons, Pilgrim’s moderator (a position similar to a lead administrator or manager), said, “I began to interact with her as more than just a member about two years ago,” she said in a recent phone interview. “In January, I accepted the call to become moderator, which led me to work with her frequently. As a matter of fact, we made a pact to meet at least once a month, just the two of us, and that’s when I really got to know her not only as my pastor but as a person.” For parishioner Susan Sporte, who has attended Pilgrim for 15 years, Iberg was a welcome source of stability when she started pastoring at

the 143-year-old church in August 2010. “During that time, the church was going through some upheaval,” Sporte recalled. “We had lost a longtime pastor, who moved to Great Britain, and there was a period of short-term leadership. The church was looking for someone who’d be around and carry out some of the things we believe in.” Iberg said protocol in the United Church of Christ denomination, calls for pastors who are seeking churches and churches who are seeking pastors to write profiles. “Pilgrim’s profile went on for pages and pages because it’s a very active faith community,” Iberg recalled during an interview Monday. The church, she added, has a long history of diversity and openness. People of all cultures, ethnicities, gender persuasions and sexual orientations are welcome, but the church’s engagement in Oak Park and the wider community had waned somewhat, she said. Notably, the church’s association with the Community of Congregations, an interfaith organization made up of religious bodies in the western suburbs and Chicago’s West Side, had weakened. “What got buried in one of the paragraphs of Pilgrim’s profile was that the church

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS: Senior Pastor Rev. Sally Iberg announced her retirement last week. would like to be more active in the Community of Congregations,” Iberg said. “That wasn’t at the top of my list when I started but eventually I checked it out.” Iberg would eventually host a Community of Congregations Thanksgiving service at Pilgrim in 2012 and served as president of the organization for two years. When the mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina occurred in 2015, Iberg was part of a group of Oak Park area pastors and Com-

munity of Congregations members who decided to work on mending the divide between Oak Park and Austin. “I couldn’t have done a fraction of what I’ve been able to do in the wider community if Pilgrim didn’t have my back, and the church couldn’t have done a fraction of what it has been able to do if the community didn’t have its back,” she said. CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Getting Down To Business

with the Oak Park - River Forest Chamber of Commerce October 30th, 2017

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

By CATHY YEN, Executive Director

oliday Decor. It has been one of our most straightforward yet challenging projects this year. You’ll know in a month if we succeeded. Most retailers count on the holiday season for up to 30% of their annual sales. The number is higher for small boutiques. To attract customers, shop owners rely on their own marketing, local holiday events, and a festive atmosphere in their commercial districts. Twinkling lights, holiday signage, decorations - these all create a sense of excitement that draw customers. But who puts up the decorations? Who pays for them? Ever wonder why some districts have decorations and some don’t? As always, it is a question of resources: money

and time. Most communities look to the businesses to fund the decor. Oak Park is no different. When you think about a mall or even a strip mall, the property manager typically takes care of the decorations. The cost is reflected in the rent - but it is not something a shop owner needs to consider. On a typical Main Street USA, sometimes (rarely) the local government pays for them but more often the merchant association pays using contributions or dues from the merchants. For example, Downtown Oak Park, the merchant association / SSA funded by a property tax assessment manages the gorgeous decorations in the Lake - Harlem - Marion district. The smaller Oak Park districts, however, struggle. The “process” of collecting money, purchasing displays and hanging decorations is often left to three or four dedicated volunteer business owners passing the hat among neighboring businesses. Hemingway and Pleasant districts have managed this

yeoman’s effort in years past. The manpower and funding has alluded most other commercial neighborhoods. This year, we are trying something new. The Chamber, with a generous grant from the Village of Oak Park, will facilitate a single-sourced holiday decor program for seven of the small, pedestrian friendly districts, concentrating on the ornamental lamp posts. To make it work, we’ll be looking for businesses throughout town to sponsor individual lamp posts, each adorned with garland, lights, ribbon and decorative signage recognizing the sponsor. For more information, or to sponsor a holiday lamp post, visit oprfchamber.org/decor.

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

SEABURY

Vintage but modern from page 19 recreational and character-building opportunities for city children.”

1912 style, 2017 amenities As befitting a young executive, the Seabury home was built with an abundance of wood and art glass, multiple bathrooms, a billiards room and separate spaces for the live-in servants who would have kept the household running. The first floor library boasts original built-in cabinetry, a beamed ceiling and diamond-paned windows. In the formal living room, more diamond-paned windows and a limestone mantle are original to the home. The dining room retains the original wainscoting. A striking, intricately-paneled stair leads up from the entry foyer to the second and third floors, with a balcony on the second floor landing that looks over the lot. For those who would have helped the Seabury family with the day-today tasks of keeping a house, the home boasted plenty of space. The sizeable butler’s pantry includes the original cast-iron plate warmer concealed in the cabinets.

A room that today serves as a breakfast room, is marked as the “maids’ sitting room” on the original blueprints of the home. The rear of the house was the servants’ domain when the home was first conceived, and the rear staircase offers access from the maids’ sitting room up to the upper floors of the home. On the second story, a master suite includes multiple rooms. In the main master bedroom, a fireplace centers the seating area, and a linen closet and large closet offer plenty of storage in the main room. Two smaller closets, marked “hat closets” on the original blueprints, illustrate the fashions of the time. What was a separate sleeping porch is now a sitting room. The master bath includes the original bathtub that has been re-glazed, and new, period appropriate sink and toilet. Tony Iwersen notes that while the original tile and bathtubs were maintained throughout all of the houses five bathrooms, all of the plumbing throughout the house has been updated to copper lines, and the toilets and sinks are new. The second floor includes three more bedrooms, many with original built-in cabinetry, a shared hall bathroom, and a second floor laundry room and bathroom combination. According to Kathy Iwersen, the third floor was originally all servants’ quarters. The original staff

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Photos courtesy of ©VHT STUDIOS

OLD SCHOOL, UPDATED: The home retains many of its original features, including the dining room wainscoting (upper left), the fireplace and leaded windows in the living room and master bedroom (above and lower right) and original tile and bathroom fixtures (lower left). The third-floor bedrooms are where servants lived and the hallway (left) still has the servants’ house phone. The library (bottom center) retains original built-in shelving.

phone still hangs in the hallway, and there are four bedrooms and two full bathrooms. The fourth bedroom is marked on the original blueprints as the “trunk room,” a reminder that the original owners would have had the means to travel extensively. In the basement, an art deco fireplace warms the room once used as a billiards room. The original

laundry area still includes an original servants’ phone, three original laundry sinks and a wringer, as well as updated laundry facilities. While Downton Abbey might have boasted untold acres of land, befitting English royalty, here in the western suburbs, property is measured in blocks. As one of only three homes on the east side of the 400 block of North Euclid Avenue,

the home sits on a 200-foot lot with a circular driveway and expansive yard. The current owners, only the second owners of the home, are ready to move on, and the Iwersens think that the home’s historic charm, completely updated systems and unmatched location will draw the next generation of caretakers to the house.

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Generations of Excellence since 1958

708.771.8040 • 7375 W. North Ave., River Forest Donna Barnhisel 7375 West North AvenueJoe Cibula Peter Birmingham Don Citrano Dan Bogojevich Julie Cliggett Illinois 60305 Anne Brennan Alisa Coghill Karen Byrne JoLyn Crawford 708.771.8040 Kevin Calkins Andy Gagliardo Maria Cullerton

MANAGING BROKER/OWNERS River Forest,

Tom Carraher Pat Cesario

Tom Poulos

630 S MAPLE • OAK PARK OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

Karen Doty Julie Downey

Kurt Fielder Yvonne Fiszer-Steele Ramona Fox Chris Garvey Lisa Grimes Dan Halperin Sharon Halperin Aubrey Jacknow

Greg Jaroszewski Vee Jaroszewski Joanne Kelly Michael Kinnare Sherree Krisco Jack Lattner Susan Maienza Vince McFadden

Charlotte Messina David Miller Kathleen Minaghan Colleen Navigato Rosa Pitassi Sue Ponzio-Pappas Katie Possley Michael Roche

Jenny Ruland Laurel Saltzman Laurie Shapiro Tom Sullivan Debbie Watts George Wohlford Nancy Wohlford

638 N KENILWORTH • OAK PARK OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

1410 CLINTON • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

749 JACKSON • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

UNPRECEDENTED ESTATE in the Frank Lloyd Wright Historical district of Oak Park! This meticulously renovated 5 BR, 5 full / 2 half bath property offers exquisite details and refined finishes that boast timeless materials and over the top custom millwork. This is a showcase home! .................................................................$1,875,000

SPECTACULAR RENOVATION of a 4 BR, 4-1/2 BA home with an open flow feeling and generous room sizes. Kitchen is a chef’s dream, and has cathedral ceilings. Finished basement includes a rec room, playroom and bonus room. Sits on oversized lot, with a two car garage. ........................................................................... $1,169,000

RARE BRICK BURMA HOME with original coved moldings, leaded glass windows and wood floors accent well-built house. Enjoy sunroom view of park. 3-bdrm, 2-1/2 bath with large bonus room on 2nd fl, den on 1st fl. Authentic tile roof on house and twocar brick garage. .....................................................................$689,000

NE W LISTI NG! BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED four BR, 2-1/2 BA move in condition home! Custom kitchen, family room, high ceilings with crown molding in every room. Wide planked hardwood floors. Many custom built-ins. Second floor laundry, 2 Car garage plus 2 additional outside spaces. .......................................................................$724,500

1519 FRANKLIN • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

OPEN HOUSE • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2017 OAK PARK

1017 BELOIT • FOREST PARK OPEN SUNDAY 11-12:30

419 S RIDGELAND • OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

VINTAGE BRICK TWO FLAT on large lot with third floor addition. Front and rear deck on second floor; balcony on third. Third floor features wood floors and front rear staircases, wood-burning fireplace, master bedroom suite, and third bath. Parking for four cars. .......................................$429,999

New Construction Luxury Condominiums in the Village of River Forest

2 Units SOLD!

The Avalon The corner of Bonnie Brae & Thomas

THIS HOUSE HAS IT ALL! A red brick colonial situated on a great block with great bones, stunning backyard, attached garage, great basement. A few personal touches and this one is a winner. House is ready to be occupied! Enjoy the upcoming season in your new home. ......................................................................................$520,000

RIVER FOREST HOMES

BURMA BUILT BUHRKE HOUSE combines Tudor revival & chateau style architecture elements. Gorgeous décor and impeccable attention to detail and care found in house and landscaped grounds, extends to fabulous in ground pool and patios. Perfect for entertaining...............................................$2,449,000 SPECTACULARLY UPDATED American Federalist Home. Tremendously restored and improved by the designer/owner. Benefits include 5 BRs, 4 full + 2 half baths, Gourmet Kitchen, Library/Office and private Family Room with large-scale windows overlooking backyard. ........................................$1,895,000 LEGENDARY 1883 ITALIANATE VILLA on Keystone available for the first time in 37 years! A one of a kind house with 7BRs, 3BAs, new hardwood floors, custom stain glass windows, eat-in kitchen. Meticulously preserved original features. AND unparalleled 2014 Guest House! ................................... $1,779,000 PREPARE TO BE IMPRESSED with this STUNNING 5 bedroom brick home that was renovated from top to bottom in 2010. This home offers endless amounts of quality upgrades. Exceptional lower level like none you have ever seen. New 2 level brick and stucco heated garage...............................$1,550,000 A REAL STUNNER! This 4BR, 4 full, 1 half BA home was completely gutted and rehabbed in 2010. First floor features a much sought after open floor plan and chef’s kitchen. Bedrooms feature full walk in closets. Fabulous basement has an addl BR, full high end bath and rec room.................................. $1,275,000 GEORGOUS FRENCH NORMANDY with 5 bedrooms, 5 full & 5 half baths sits on a 75 foot corner lot. Gleaming hardwood floors and fireplace in LR, simply stunning eat-in kitchen with adjoining family room. Lower level rec room with gas fireplace. Beautifully landscaped grounds ..................... $949,000

15 Luxury Units* | All Three Bedroom Units

For Information please contact Andy Gagliardo • 708-771-8040 ELEGANT, GRACIOUS HOME with 4 BRs, 2-1/2 BAs offers a large formal LR w/gas fireplace, spacious DR, hardwood floors, beautiful molding, family room, eat-in kitchen, finished lower level and whole house generator. Outside includes back deck & 3 car garage. ...........................................................$835,000 VERY UNIQUE PRAIRIE HOME sits on a beautiful corner lot. The home suggestive of Tallmadge & Watson has a dramatic family room that opens to the kitchen. Expansive LR with fireplace. Basement has 2nd half bath, and storage. Nice size yard with private brick patio & XL 2 car garage.......................$629,000 CHARMING, SPACIOUS QUEEN ANNE BUNGALOW in pristine condition. Art glass windows, French doors, wood trim, hardwood floors. Granite kitchen, breakfast nook. Family room and 1st floor bedroom. 3 bedrooms on 2nd floor. Finished basement, enclosed porch, 2 car garage..................$619,900 BEAUTIFUL 3 LEVEL SINGLE FAMILY offers 3800+ sq/ft of living! Open concept on first floor. Second floor features four spacious bedrooms & a sunroom overlooking backyard. Third floor has great room w/separate guest BR and workout room. Finished basement....................................................$600,000 LOVELY, WELL CARED FOR VICTORIAN offers three bedrooms, 1-1/2 baths and classic Victorian details throughout. All brand new - wood floors, carpeting, kitchen appliances, quartz counter tops, sink & fixtures, and washing machine. The large, deep back yard is fully fenced. ................................$479,000

*All information in this ad is estimated and therefore subject to change.

OAK PARK HOMES TRULY CLASSIC OP RED BRICK COLONIAL with four or five bedrooms, depending on your needs, and four full and two half baths. Third floor features rec room, or bedroom, and full bath. There is a heated 2 car, with addl 2 tandem space, garage with fabulous coach house above. ................................ $1,750,000 LOVELY MEDITERRANEAN INFLUENCED HOME offers 4 BRs/2BAs, two story LR with WBFP, beamed ceiling, French doors and original 1920’s terra cotta tiled floor. New finished bsmt has 5th BR, family room, laundry room. The yard has patio and charming pergola. ......................................................$649,000 STUNNING VICTORIAN! Updated 3 bedroom, 3 bath home. Original details have been preserved, and well considered updates added to create an ideal blend of historical character and contemporary design. House sits on an extra large lot with professional landscaping. ................................................... $549,000 THREE CAR GARAGE PARKING a bonus in this three BR, two BA brick Georgian home. Many recent improvements to this well maintained, move-in condition home. Updated kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances. First FL fam rm with fireplace. Heating & Central air....................................................$485,000 INVITING TWO STORY three BR on a corner lot designed in 1921 by renowned architect Lyman Allison. This classic home has retained all of its original charm including natural woodwork and stained glass windows. The tranquil back yard provides a perfect place to relax................................$425,000

CHARMING THREE BEDROOM FARMHOUSE with updated kitchen, family room that overlooks fenced yard and in-ground pool with pool house. Partially finished basement with finished rec room, updated full bath, laundry room. One car garage, 3 exterior spots........................................................................................$329,000

FOREST PARK HOMES

METICUOLOUSLY MAINTAINED new construction with open floor plan features 10 foot ceilings, hardwood floors, and many custom details from crown molding to door handles. High end kitchen. Four generously sized bedrooms. Open basement ready to finish. Just move in!! .................... $474,000 FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY on a sixty foot corner lot. Built in 1869, features three BRs, 1-1/2 BA, hdwd flrs, loaded with potential! Great working space in the oak cab kit. Great yard space along with a nice sized back deck .....$274,900

ELMWOOD PARK HOMES

NICE GEORGIAN ON GREAT BLOCK. 3 BR + bonus rm and two full BAs. Great Master BR, walk in closet, sliding glass drs to private deck. Rear deck & landscaped yard w/exterior lighting. Side drive with iron gate. ........... $279,000

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES/2 FLATS

RIVER FOREST 3BR, 3BA. Extraordinary!............................................. $549,500 RIVER FOREST 3BR, 2BA. Large intimate yard.................................... $389,500 RIVER FOREST 2BR, 2BA. Three exposures. ........................................ $239,000 RIVER FOREST 2BR, 1-1/2 BA. Hardwood floors.................................$157,000 RIVER FOREST 1BR, 1BA 1st floor – NO STAIRS! .................................. $95,000 PRICE REDUCED RIVER FOREST 2BR, 1BA. ...................................$87,500 OAK PARK 2 Flat ....................................................................................... $549,900 OAK PARK 3BR, 2BA. Top floor unit. ...................................................... $185,000 OAK PARK 2BR, 1-1/2 BA. Generous closet space.................................$137,500 OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA. Nicely updated condo. .......................................... $70,000

For more listings & photos go to GagliardoRealty.com

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Serving Our Community For Over 70 Years

114 North Oak Park Avenue Oak Park, Illinois 60301

HOURS: MONDAYFRIDAY 9AM5PM SATURDAY 9AM4PM • SUNDAY CLOSED

OAK PARK. SUNNY, SPACIOUS open concept home, gas log frplc, 4 BRs, 2 & half BAs, finished basement, & many new updates. Close to everything. ...........$478,000

OAK PARK. CLASSIC UPDATED BUN GALOW! 4BRs, 2BAs, 3 levels of living space. Eat-in kitchen. 1st flr office or BR. Just move in! ........................................$509,000

708.524.1100

www.gloor.com

RIVER FOREST. TALLMADGE & WAT SON BEAUTY sits on a lush 80x218 lot. 4BRs, 3.1 BAs. 1st flr family rm. Newly refin’d flrs. MBR ste w/custom closet. More! ......................................................$1,240,000

OAK PARK. CONTEMPORARY 2 BR, 2 BA condo in the heart of Oak Park. Great building, lovely unit & unbeatable location. .........................................................$375,000

OPEN HOUSES • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2017 OAK PARK OPEN 122PM • 723 N. EAST AVE.

GREAT HOUSE! Charming & updated 4 BR, 2 ½ BA, 2-story on a lovely block! Hdwd flrs, family/sun rm. Frplc. C/A. Fenced yd. 2-car garage. ............................................................................................................................................................ $599,000

OPEN 122PM • 735 HOME

ELMWOOD PARK. NEW PRICE! GOR GEOUS & COMPLETELY updated 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo with parking. $139,000 OAK PARK SPECTACULAR RENOVATION of this classic OP home. Center of town on huge lot, boasts 7 BRs including coach house & 4.1 baths. ............................................................... $1,149,000 STUNNING 5 bedroom, 3.1 bath Victorian centrally located near Green line & Farmer’s Market on a wide lot with a 2-car garage. ........$945,000 STATELY 5BR COLONIAL offers high-end finishes & modern updates. Chef’s kitchen. 2 full BAs, powder rm 1st flr, ½ BA in bsmt. Family rm. Backyard oasis. .......................................$874,000 SUNNY 4BR HOME on corner lot. Refin’d hdwd flrs. 2.1 BAs. Newer kitchen & SS applncs. 1st flr family rm. Too much to mention! ......... $675,000 WELCOME HOME! 4BR, 2.1BA with all the living space you desire. Huge kitchen/family room with all the bells & whistles. ..........................$670,000 STOP & TAKE A LOOK at this stunning 4 BR, 2.1 BA, new kitchen w/granite & SS applncs, DR, LR, family room, finished basement, deck & patio. ................................................................. $639,900 THIS BEAUTY AWAITS you finishing touches, all the rest has been done. 4BRs, 2BAs. 3BRs on 2nd flr. MBR ste on 3rd. Htd garage. .....$525,000 AMERICAN 4SQ with an open front porch on a large lot! 4 BRs, 2 BAs. Remodeled kitchen. Recreation rm. C/A. Great house! ..........$455,000 RICH IN CHARACTER & comforts for today’s lifestyle. Sun-drenched rms. Stunning kitchen. Brazilian Cherry wd flrs. 3 BRs, 2 updated BAs. ..................................................................$449,900 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

CHARMING, UPDATED 2STORY stucco w/lovely nat’l wdwk, hdwd flrs, blt-ins & 2 frplcs. 3BRs, 2.1BAs, updated kitchen. Fin’d LL, C/A & more! Fab location ........................................................................................................... $575,000

OPEN 13PM • 921 S. HUMPHREY

DELIGHTFUL 3BR, 1½BA, American 4-Square, winning mix of modern improvements & classic details. Stylish kitchen & BAs, rec rm, fenced landscaped yd. ......................................................................................................................... $345,000

RIVER FOREST

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OAK PARK CONDOS/TOWNHOUSES

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How communities help

F O R E S T PA R K

JOURNAL REVIEW W E D N E S D A Y

Life after a suicide

Little Food Pantries

Jobs for ex-felons

Finding support is key PAGE 6

Feeding the neighbors PAGE 10

Improving lives PAGE 12

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November 1, 2017

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OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST

Community Foundation Your GivinG Can Have BiG impaCt Since 2002, the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation has distributed over $26,000,000 to local, regional and national nonprofit organizations. Here are ways for you to get involved and be part of this impact. Create a fund: donor-advised - you recommend charitable beneficiaries locally or anywhere in the USA annually - you select charities that will receive annual contributions from your fund scholarship - you select a purpose and the Foundation connects with the recipients designated

add to an existinG fund: such as the Fund for Now, the Fund for Forever,

the Fund for.......visit www.oprfcf.org for the many funds that welcome your gift. Donate to the Fund for Now

Connect with

Kristin Carlson Vogen or Rhea Yap

Donate to the Fund for Forever

708-848-1560 kcvogen@oprfcf.org | ryap@oprfcf.org 1049 Lake Street, Suite 204, Oak Park or visit us at: www oprfcf.org facebook.com/OPRFCF

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation has partially underwritten the Season of Giving in support of nonprofit organizations serving Oak Park and River Forest.

November 1, 2017

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Power of Collective Giving

ne raindrop, autumn leaf, snowflake may be beautiful, solitary, or unique. When many of each assemble together in one spot, we can witness full rain barrels ready for use when it stops raining, a leaf pile ready for jumping and laughter, and a big, bold snowman created by a neighborhood of children. All are examples of the power of a collective. When each of us contributes our time or treasure to the mission of a nonprofit organization that is good. When ALL of us contribute, that is power. Giving collectively makes significant change. As you read each of the following stories, think about the mission of each organization. Hear the story of impact. Each story may focus on one individual or small group, but represents many who benefit in the same way. The impact cannot be made by one donor or volunteer alone. It takes all of us – collectively – to bring power and action to the mission of the organizations. Participate in the Season of Giving and be part of the power of collective giving.

Inside This year we focus on three compelling issues. ■

SUICIDE/MENTAL HEALTH Coe family, page 4 Chief Anthony Ambrose, page 5 North Riverside survivor, page 6 Thrive & NAMI, page 7

KRISTIN C. VOGEN

■

FOOD INSECURITY Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry, page 8 The Surplus Project, page 9 Little Food Pantry, page 10 PCC Wellness, page 11 ■

Kristin Carlson Vogen President & CEO Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

RECIDIVISM Hiring Programs, page 12 West Side Health Authority, page 13 Prevail Employment Readiness program, page 14

Staff

Editor Lacey Sikora Photographer Alexa Rogals Editorial Design Manager Claire Innes Editorial Designers Javier Govea, Jacquinete Baldwin IT and Digital Developer Mike Risher Advertising Production Manager Philip Soell Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead Advertising Designers Mark Moroney, Debbie Becker Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Display Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck, Joe Chomiczewski Media Coordinator Kristen Benford Media Assistant Megan Dickel Inside Sales Representative Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Distribution Coordinator Caleb Thusat Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak Business Manager Joyce Minich ON THE COVER: Lucy Flores, Community Outreach Health Education Manager, talks about the different vegetables available on Sept. 28, at the PCC Wellness Austin Farm in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. | Photo by Alexa Rogals

eorge’s

Restaurant & Pancake House Your Community Restaurant

145 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302

Ph: 708.848.4949 Cell: 847.708.1727

November 1, 2017

Community of Caring | Suicide/Mental Health

OAKPARK.COM | FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM

‘Modeling forward movement’ for oneself and a family

LOSS begins holding support meetings in River Forest

River Forest’s Coe family two years out from son’s death By Lacey Sikora

Kristen notes that it was incredibly beneficial to have friends and family alongside them who did not try to repair the unrepairable. Calling or Marc and Kristen Coe of River Forest, the outpouring of love and kindness humbling, the suicide of their son Hunter in 2015 she says “It takes a unique soul to be able to sit was an entry into a club they had never with someone else’s sadness and not be comanticipated joining. At 24, Hunter had pelled to try to fix it.” graduated from college, was engaged to be For Kristen, it also helped to attend Loving married and happily employed. Kristen recalls, Outreach to Survivors of Suicide “This was not on our radar screen (LOSS) meetings. Now holding for him. Not to be trite, but he had monthly support groups in River the world before him. It was quite Forest, the group offers meetings unexpected.” for adults and teens as well as Other family members had individual counseling for those struggled with depression, so Kristouched by suicide. Kristen says ten says they had a fluency with one of the keys to support is recthe language of mental illness, but ognizing that everyone’s journey compares their fluency to learning with suicide is different. French in the classroom and then “Individuals who have lost a actually being in France and having loved one to suicide need to be Kristen Coe to order a meal. “Death by suicide patient with themselves and allow is so jarring on so many levels. Fluhealing methods to take whatever ency doesn’t mitigate how jarring form they need to take.” that experience is for survivors of the loss.” For Marc and Kristen, one of the ways to Over the past two years, the Coes have sought work through their grief was to honor Hunter’s out a variety of methods of dealing with their memory, and they reached out to the Oak Park grief. Coe credits therapy for the family, which River Forest Community Foundation for guidincludes Hunter’s three siblings, and long walks ance. Remembering what she calls Hunter’s with her husband, as well as the presence of huge personality, and his ability to engage family and friends, with helping them on their others with his quick wit and kind heart, they journey. sought a productive way to stake a place for his legacy. On what would have been Hunter’s 25th birthday, they founded Be the Boat (www. betheboat.org.) Inspired by a prayer of St. John of the Cross read at Hunter’s memorial service in their family room, Be the Boat not only ties in the idea of suffering and love, but the family’s love of boating. With a handmade canoe hanging from the family room ceiling and a kayak crafted by Hunter on display in the house, boating has a special significance to the Coe family. Hunter taught swim lessons and was a

“It takes a unique soul to be able to sit with someone else’s sadness and not be compelled to try to fix it.”

Providing our tenants with the highest value in housing and facilities.

Kristen and Marc Coe

PROVIDED

life guard, and the Coes decided that providing swim lessons to at-risk children would be a fitting legacy for Hunter’s memory. Kristen says of the effort, “I don’t expect this will be seed money for an Olympic swimmer, but the idea that a light bulb could go off and this confidence could be parlayed into other experiences – we’re trying to seed positive life experiences for others, which is a lovely legacy for Hunter.” Kristen says that their family will always be irrevocably changed by what happened, but recognizes how important it is for her and Marc to help her children continue to live. “It’s important to Hunter’s siblings and to Marc and me to model forward movement and find joy where possible. We are absorbing our love for Hunter and his death into a narrative that allows our children to find joy and move ahead. They have long lives ahead of them.” Today, she hopes that sharing their story will help those facing grief as well as young adults facing challenges. She keeps in her heart the lovable young boy who set off a fire alarm at Logan Airport as a toddler and kept her on her toes the rest of his life. She says that shortly before his death, he ripped a page out of a magazine with the quote, “If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” She says, “It’s a great takeaway. He loved passionately. We still have maraschino cherries and truffle oil in our kitchen because he loved them.”

LOSS, Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide, has recently begun holding meetings in River Forest. There is a monthly support group for adults who have lost a loved one to suicide. There is also a new support group focused just on teens who have faced such a loss. The adult meeting is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the third Monday of the month and is held at the River Forest Community Center, 8020 Madison St., River Forest. The teen group meets on the third Thursday of the month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is also held at the River Forest Community Center. Rev. Charles Rubey, a Catholic priest who founded LOSS 40 years ago, will offer a Mass of Remembrance for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. That will be on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. at Ascension Church in Oak Park. LOSS is a program long sponsored by Catholic Charities. These events are free and non-denominational. There is no religious component discussed and all are welcome.

Giving back matters. That’s why OakParkApartments.com is a proud supporter of many local organizations, events and agencies.

Greenplan Management, Inc. • 41 Chicago Ave. • (708) 386-RENT

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November 1, 2017

Community of Caring | Suicide/Mental Health

Oak Park’s police chief talks about son’s suicide A leader in mental health training for police, Ambrose stunned by death

By Lacey Sikora

ony Ambrose, Oak Park’s police chief, was no stranger to mental health crises when tragedy struck his own family. Thirteen years ago, when he was a commander on the force, he was one of the first two police officers in the state to attend a Crisis Intervention Training class. He brought what he learned in the week-long training course back to the force, where it became an important tool in helping officers deal with families in crisis due to mental illness or suicide. When his teenage son died by suicide while in high school, Ambrose says he never saw it coming. “I’ve been involved with mental illness education years before my son, and people always say to look for signs. I’ve attended numerous classes, and I never saw it coming.” Noting his son’s ready smile for everyone he met, and the hours they spent together every week driving to and from school and hockey practices, Ambrose says, “You always go through the stages of what did I miss? What were the signs? I couldn’t think of any.”

and has grown more comfortable sharing After the loss of his son, Ambrose his son’s story. He’s spoken at MacNeal turned to counseling and regular church Hospital and the Nineteenth Century attendance to try to find some comfort. Club about his experience He also says that as tough and about the need to seek as it is to admit it, he came out professional help. He to the realization that anythinks that people can find body who commits suicide comfort in talking to somehas some form of mental one who understands what illness. they are going through, When Kimberly Knake, but many also need to be executive director of Metro reminded that it’s alright to Suburban NAMI (National reach out. Alliance of Mental Illness), “People have to underasked Ambrose to speak stand, this is very trauabout his personal experimatic. You need people to ence, he wasn’t sure if the talk to. Somebody who is timing was right. “I always trained and can offer you a thought that I wouldn’t talk different outlet can make a about it until I retired. I Tony Ambrose difference.” decided that I would do it. Ambrose remembers Your life changes forever his son Anthony lovingly, when this happens, but to calling him a polite young me, there’s no other option man who never caused any problems. “He but to help make sure that other people touched a lot of lives, and I truly believe don’t get put in the same position I’m in.” he did his job here. I feel his mission was Today, Ambrose serves on the board of to touch a lot of people. He accomplished Oak Park-based West Suburban NAMI that, and he’s gone.” and Oak Park’s Thrive Counseling Center

“People have to understand, this is very traumatic. You need people to talk to. Somebody who is trained and can offer you a different outlet can make a difference.”

Tony Ambrose

Serving our Community Senator

Don Harmon President Pro Tempore 6941-B W. NorthSenator Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 Senator Proud to Serve Senator (708) 848-2002 Don Harmon Don Don Harmon President Pro Tempore President ProPro Tempore President Tempore 6933 W. North Ave. 6933 W. North Ave. 6933 W. North Ave. Oak Park, IL OakOak Park, IL 60302 60302 Park, IL 60302 (708) 848-2002 (708) 848-2002 (708) 848-2002 329 Capitol Building 329329 Capitol Building Capitol Building Springfield, IL Springfield, IL 62706 62706 Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-8176 (217) 782-8176 (217) 782-8176 www.donharmon.org www.donharmon.org www.donharmon.org

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Representative Representative Representative Representative

Camille Lilly Camille Lilly Camille Lilly Camille Lilly 5755 W.Division Division St.St. 5755 W. St. 5755 W. Division Chicago, 60651 Chicago, ILIL60651 Chicago, IL 60651 (773) 473-7300 (773) 473-7300 (773) 473-7300 282-S Stratton 282-S Stratton 282-S Stratton Office Building Office Building Office Building Springfield, 62706 Springfield, ILIL62706 Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-6400 (217) 782-6400 (217) 782-6400

www.donharmon.org | harmon@senatedem.illlinois.gov dharmon@senatedem.ilga.gov dharmon@senatedem.ilga.gov dharmon@senatedem.ilga.gov

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November 1, 2017

Community of Caring | Suicide/Mental Health

OAKPARK.COM | FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM

What’s ahead when a parent dies by suicide? Finding targeted support is key says one daughter

By Lacey Sikora

or Mary Stimming of North Riverside, her mother’s suicide at age 57 in 1990 came as a surprise in spite of her mother’s diagnosis as bi-polar with psychotic features. Her mother, who worked as a nurse, had been diagnosed just a few years earlier with mental illness. Stimming recalls her mother “had a very graceful way of carrying herself. She was endlessly patient, nurturing, caring and unflappable. The irony was, that among friends and family, she gave such a sense that everything would be alright.” Stimming was 26 at the time and had three younger siblings when her mother died by suicide. She and her sister Maureen later co-authored a book, Before Their Time, Adult Children’s Experience of Parental Suicide. Stimming has been active in the group Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) and also serves on the board of West Suburban NAMI. Stimming got involved with LOSS immediately after the death of her mother. She recalls that she was a Sunday school

amid the agony.” teacher at her church Stimming found the in Hyde Park, and her group instrumental in mother died on a Sunday. her recovery. One of the When she went to the founders, Therese Gump church to unlock the door coined the motto, “joy for classes and try to find will return.” Stimming someone to fill in for her, says she found that to be her pastor put in her true, “but the sense of touch with Rev. Charles guilt and responsibility Rubey, one of the foundis really hard to shake. ers of LOSS. Talking to others really LOSS was founded in helps to normalize it, 1979 by Rubey and three and you get over your couples who lost children sense of impotence.” to suicide. These couples Today, Stimming is found that general a staunch advocate bereavement groups did for those dealing with not address what they Anne Shields Stimming mental illness and for were going through. removing the stigma Stimming found comfort associated with mental illness. She says in being in support groups with others who that mental illness runs in her family. “We had lost a family member to suicide. have a family vulnerability. It is like heart “Seeing people further in the process, disease. You need to take care of yourself made me ask, ‘Could I be there someday?’ if you have it in your family. Your odds of They had that lightness, that joy that was suicide go dramatically up if you have a gone for me. Not short-changing what you parent who committed suicide. You need went through, but realizing there’s grace

family and friends who can say to you that you need to seek professional help.” Noting that today’s health care environment makes finding mental health care challenging, Stimming says that NAMI is instrumental at the national and state level with working with connecting people to help. Statistics show that suicide rates are rising among the middle-aged, and Stimming cites easy access to guns as part of the problem. “Fifty percent of suicides in America are by gun. In Britain, the majority of suicides used to be by gas from an oven until they changed the toxicity of gas used in homes. The suicide rate plummeted. Suicide is an impulsive act. The best description I’ve heard is that it’s like a glass that is so full of water that it’s convex, and you add one more drop of water, and it just spills over.” Today, she says that everyone knows someone living with mental illness, and she hopes that people will be able to realize that recovery is possible. “Hope is real. All kinds of people are living with mental illness. We need to get rid of the stigma.”

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November 1, 2017

Community of Caring | Suicide/Mental Health

Oak Park police lead way as mental health allies Innovative ID program underway at Brooks Middle School

By Lacey Sikora

he statistics are sobering. According to Kimberly Knake, West Suburban NAMI’s executive director, one quarter of the population will have a mental health condition in their lifetime and one in 10 young people aged 13 to 24 will start to experience symptoms of mental illness, but they will only receive a diagnosis six to eight years after the onset of symptoms. Of those diagnosed, only 50 percent receive treatment. As the first responders in the community, police officers are often the first touch points for people with mental illness. Knake cites Crisis Intervention Team or CIT as one of the important training tools for police officers in Illinois. The collaboration between law enforcement and mental health professionals focuses on treatment versus arrest and incarceration. The 40-hour training class prepares police officers to become crisis intervention officers. Knake stresses that NAMI’s programs are free for police departments and residents and says that mental health training not only keeps officers safe but is a public health issue. NAMI works with the Oak Park, Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments on CIT training and also offers

two other tiers of year. A lot of the time, we mental health training. encounter someone and Mental Health First Aid have two choices: arrest is an eight-hour prothe person or let them go. gram for first respondNeither is a good choice ers and lay people, and for someone with mental NAMI can also come in illness. We can call Thrive, to police departments and they can help that to provide three-hour person.” Tony Ambrose training programs on Ambrose says he mana variety of mental dates that all officers treat health topics, such as people with dignity and working with families in crisis or involunrespect. “I don’t tell them to treat people how tary commitment forms. you want to be treated. I tell them: treat them Knake says that Oak Park has one of the how you want your parents to be treated.” highest concentrations of CIT-trained offices As a result of the department’s emphasis in the western suburbs, if not the state. on mental health awareness, officers are “Oak Park has always been a champion of finding new ways to reach out to the commuthe training. Chief (Anthony) Ambrose, and nity. School Resource Officer Kevin Collins before him Chief (Rick) Tanskley, they take works in Oak Park’s Brooks Middle School mental health very seriously.” and has collaborated with the special educaAmbrose says that NAMI has been instrution teachers in the junior high school. mental in providing training to his officers, He says, “We thought it was a good idea and says that 40 officers on the 100-plus for the students to talk to an officer, and let roster are currently state certified and that them know a police officer can help them if his goal is to have every officer trained and they’re ever in trouble. They learned they certified. He says that Thrive Counseling can always go to an officer for help. We’ve brought in numerous officers and even Center in Oak Park is also an important showed them police cars, so they know it’s piece of the puzzle. Ambrose serves on the safe to approach us.” boards of both organizations. Noting that students with diabetes or a nut “We partner with Thrive 24/7, 365 days a

“I don’t tell them to treat people how you want to be treated. I tell them: treat them how you want your parents to be treated.”

allergy might wear a medic alert bracelet, Collins came up with the idea of a green silicone bracelet for students with mental health issues. “We wanted a way to get kids in crisis reunited quickly with their families, but we didn’t want to stigmatize the kids. Everyone from teachers to families to police officers can wear the green bracelets, but if you’re a participant in the program with a mental illness, there is a little metal plate in your bracelet with an ID number in it. Only the watch commander can access the name and contact information associated with each ID.” Collins says within each ID there is a place for emergency contact information as well as likes and dislikes that could help officers de-escalate a specific situation. Funded with grants from the Community Health Board of Oak Park Township, Collins says the bracelets are also helpful for older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The program began in March of this year and is already spreading to other communities and states. For Collins, the benefits are two-fold, “There is the safety component of helping people in the community get the help they need if there’s ever an issue, and they also help with mental health awareness, not only for the police department but for the community as well.”

Resources American Association of Suicidology Website: www.suicidology.org Phone: (202) 237-2280 American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide Website: www.afsp.org Phone: (212) 363-3500 L.O.S.S. (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide) Website: www.catholiccharities.net/loss Phone: (312) 655-7283 NAMI Metro Suburban Website: www.namimetsub.org Phone: (708) 524-2582 National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Website: www.nami.org Phone: (703) 524-7600 SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) Website: www.save.org Phone: (952) 946-7998 Suicide Prevention Resource Center Website: www.sprc.org Phone: (877) 438-7772 Bibliography/Reading: www.suicidology.org/resources/recommended-reading Riveredge Hospital Website: www.riveredgehospital.com Phone: (708) 771-7000 Thrive Counseling Center Website: www.thrivecc.org Phone: (708) 383-7500 The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Provides access to trained telephone counselors, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741

November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM

Community of Caring | Food Security

Close to home, food insecurity a true problem

Nearly 15 percent of Oak Parkers need food support

By Lacey Sikora

t’s easy to think of hunger as an issue that doesn’t affect the relatively affluent communities in the near west suburbs, but Michele Zurakowski, executive director of the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry, says hunger is an issue right here in our neighborhoods. “It really does exist here in much larger proportions than people know. The most current reported data, which is for 2016, shows that in Oak Park, over 7,000 individuals are considered food insecure. That’s a 14 percent rate. Even in River Forest, that rate is 5 percent. Hunger is one of those

things that you just don’t recognize just by looking at someone.” While there is state-sponsored support in the form of programs like SNAP, Zurakowski says it doesn’t reach everybody in need. “For instance, SNAP benefits are available to most people except able-bodied adults without dependents. If you are in that category, you can only get SNAP if you work 20 hours a week. It can be hard in this environment for everyone to get those hours.” At the food pantry, the most visible program is the pantry itself. People can “shop” the pantry once a month and receive between 60 and 70 pounds of food, which averages 54 meals. For Shirley McNutt, an Oak Park resident, the pantry helps fill a gap. “I sometimes fall short with groceries, and I use the pantry to make ends meet. They have a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, milk and eggs. I like that it also assists with classes. I went to a nutrition class at Pete’s Fresh Market with a dietician. She showed me the authenticity of food -- how you have to read the labels to know what’s in the food.” Zurakowski says that education is another part of the mission of the pantry that

Alexa Rogals/Staff Photographer

Dietitian Bri Kellogg (above) hands out turkey pumpkin chili and talks with attendees on Oct. 11, during a nutrition education program at the Oak Park and River Forest Food Pantry at First United Church on Lake Street in Oak Park. (Left)Volunteer Claudia Stepkowski, of Franklin Park, makes turkey pumpkin chili. for children who qualify for people might not know about. free lunches during the school “We have a Nutrition Educayear. The pantry also partners tion program run by dietitians with Oak Park and River Forest and volunteers to teach clients Townships to provide groceries basic nutrition through discusto Meals on Wheels participants, sions and cooking demos. Our who only receive five meals per Cooking Matters class is about week from Meals on Wheels and in-depth budgeting and analysis often need more assistance. of food. We just got a grant from McNutt says she doesn’t Walmart to support these two Michele Zurakowski always need to go to the food programs.” pantry, but there are many The food pantry also helps to months when it is necessary. fill in gaps for at-risk popula“I feel grateful to have the food tions. During the summer, the pantry. Plenty of people in Oak Park use pantry collaborates with Oak Park and River Forest High School and the Oak Park the service. I might not see them, and they Education Foundation to provide lunches might not see me, but we all benefit.”

“Hunger is one of those things that you just don’t recognize just by looking at someone.”

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Community of Caring | Food Security

Salvaging food and, better yet, making connections Surplus Project, a Big Idea that keeps growing

By Lacey Sikora

“It felt like a good fit. First, it’s a charitable project. It is good for our adolescents and young adults to have a community project to be a part of. Also, it teaches empathy and greater values.” Frank says that in November 2016, Riveredge began working exclusively with providing meals to Oak Park’s Mills Park Tower, a senior apartment high rise, and recently added Austin-based New Moms to the mix. His group works with the cafeteria staff to package and transport the food, but

n 2016, the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry won the inaugural Big Idea contest, an innovation of the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation. The food pantry’s transformative idea was the Surplus Project, which aimed to connect local institutions with excess prepared food at the end of each day with local charities in need of meals. The $50,000 grant was used to expand the program which repackages food from local businesses and schools and redistributes it to non-profits. Lauren Draftz, the nutrition program assistant, says the program is designed to tackle food insecurity and food waste simultaneously. Currently, the program has five donors: Riveredge Hospital, Rush Oak Park Hospital, Dominican University, Oak Park and River Forest High School and Loretto Hospital. Non-profit recipients include Mills Park Tower, New Moms, West Cook YMCA and Youth Outreach Services, an after-school program in Austin. The Surplus Project began in 2015, and provided FILE 2015 about 2,000 meals its first year. Draftz says in the last John McKillop E.R manager helps in the efforts with The fiscal year, the program Surplus Project at Rush Oak Park Hospital. Nurses and rescued 12,700 meals and other employees at Rush Oak Park Hospital helped package diverted 14,000 pounds extra food that is left over from the cafeteria of the hospital of waste from landfills. All meals are repackaged in 2015. They partnered up with Oak Park River Forest following the health and Food Pantry in order to give the food out to those in need. safety guidelines set by the Oak Park health department. the relationship has grown beyond just the For a small fee of $60 per month, per site, food. donor institutions can re-package food in “The community interaction has been new containers with labelled ingredients. great. Our guys are starting a game night Draftz says the only cost is packaging and with the residents of Mills Tower.” that the Food Pantry supplies each of their Frank says that his residential group donors with the containers for the first year. include young men ages 16 to 21 and that Donors report positively about the effects all come from backgrounds of trauma and of the program on their own bottom lines, abuse and have made mistakes themselves. she says. “They tell us they’ve become “We are a temporary home for these men aware of the sheer amount of waste, and for one to one-and-a-half years. Some of they can tailor what they order based on them are on parole or wards of the state. It’s what they’ve learned.” really empowering because these are kids For Riveredge partnering with the Surwho are often the recipients of charity, but plus Project has had positive results. Ben to get to be the givers and not the takers is Frank, residential services director, says, really good for them.”

November 1, 2017

Community of Caring | Food Security

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From abundance, Little Food Pantries feed neighbors Brookfield and Riverside lead way in micro food initiative

By Lacey Sikora

nspired by the Little Free Library movement which saw small libraries popping up on lawns throughout the suburbs, local charitable organizations are now creating Little Food Pantries that operate under a similar premise: if you have extra, leave it behind; if you are in need, take something for free. On the 3400 block of Grand Boulevard, the Brookfield-Riverside Rotary Club opened a little food pantry in April. Rev. Karl Sokol of Compassionate UMC, who is also a Rotary member, tends the pantry. He says the project came out of a desire to look at needs in the community differently. “Instead of talking about food insecurity, why don’t we focus on food abundance? We can make better use of our little plots of yard to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. We can target food scarcity by giving extras to our friends and neighbors.” Sokol’s high school friend, Oak Brook resident Bill Steinhauer, donated his services to build a sturdy wooden cabinet on top of a four-by-four post. He then coated it with

Photos by Alexa Rogals/Staff Photographer

Canned foods and non perishable items are seen on Oct. 9, at the Little Free Food Pantry in Brookfield. marine varnish to protect it from the elelicable and very low maintenance. ments and added a sliding bolt closure. Another little food pantry popped up in At first, Sokol wasn’t sure what the August at Riverside Presbyterian Church at response to the pantry would be. “We 116 Barrypoint Road. Located in a well-lit started with a little trepidation. Someone area outside of the office of the church, the might use it or abuse it, but it’s been a pantry offers free food and personal care nice, steady flow of users.” items 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The little pantry is used for canned Tara Gregus, a church member, brought goods and non-perishable items, and the idea to the Mission Committee, and the Sokol says fresh fruits and vegetables are group embraced it as part of their larger often left underneath the pantry itself. mission to address issues of hunger. The Karl Sokol Located next to the community garden, group regularly gathers supplies for area which has about 40 members, Sokol says shelters and food pantries throughout that the pantry has benefitted from robust the Chicago area and provides and serves community support. meals at the Boulevard in Chicago. People donate and take canned pet food as well as human Those interested in donating can bring items to the food, he says. On the Brookfield Connections Facebook church office or simply put smaller items in the pantry page, he sees people post about buying something for the itself. Suggested items include travel size shampoo, body pantry, so he knows there is community interest in keeping wash, soap, individually wrapped toilet tissue, feminine the pantry supplied. hygiene products, baby food, granola bars, and canned What he likes best about the project is that it’s easily repfoods with pop lids.

Providing our tenants with the highest value in housing and facilities.

“We can make better use of our little plots of yard to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. We can target food scarcity by giving extras to our friends and neighbors.”

Giving back matters. That’s why OakParkApartments.com is a proud supporter of many local organizations, events and agencies.

Greenplan Management, Inc. • 41 Chicago Ave. • (708) 386-RENT

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Community of Caring | Food Security

November 1, 2017

An urban vegetable garden flowers in Austin PCC teams with Botanic Garden, community to grow fresh produce

By Lacey Sikora

n Austin, a garden and a farm stand are providing more than just fruits and vegetables to a community in need. Across the street from the PCC Austin Family Health Center, the PCC Austin Farm Stand partners with the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest program, and maintains an urban garden which grows produce for the farm stand. Lucy Flores is the community outreach manager at PCC Austin Family Health Center. She says the programs were much needed in the neighborhood. “According to the USDA, the Austin community is a food dessert with a scarcity of access to fresh fruits and vegetables.” Several years ago, PCC Austin thought about the best way to utilize an adjacent empty city lot and joined forces with the Chicago Botanic Garden to found a growing space. For Flores, it was an appropriate tie in to PCC’s mission of wellness.

Photos by Alexa Rogals/Staff Photographer

Lucy Flores, Community Outreach Health Education Manager, walks between beds of vegetables on Sept. 28, at the PCC Wellness Austin Farm in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. “It’s hard to get to the store to get fresh veg“We wanted to extend our message beyond etables. I love to go and buy corn, green beans, the four walls of our clinic. PCC Wellness is green tomatoes, okra and squash. I wash and a federally qualified health center and our freeze it too because in the winter I won’t have mission is to provide quality medical and those fresh vegetables.” behavioral health service to low-income, She says that one attraction is the quality of under-resourced and under-served communithe produce she finds. “To me, there’s a differties. We have on-site WIC services for new ence. You can really smell the vegetables and moms and infants, and in-house dental care fruit. A peach smells like a peach should smell. also. Nutrition is a part of all of this.” It looks better than what is at the store and cost The farm stand is located at 330 N. Lotus better too.” Ave. and in 2017 was open Tuesdays between Young also says that the sense of comJune 6 and Oct. 31 from 12 to 5 p.m. and one munity keeps her coming back. “At the farm Saturday a month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. stand, I strike up a conversation and meet On top of providing access to affordable, people. We talk about recipes and what we local and organically-grown produce, the Lucy Flores cook. Sometimes I try something that is new farm stand also serves as a model of urban to me, like kale or Swiss chard. I talk to just agriculture and engages the comabout everybody there. Every time I go, I munity in volunteer farming and educational workshops. learn something different. There are all kinds of different Flores notes that many customers of the farm people there.” stand are PCC patients and residents of the neighborhood. She also says that this year, they are seeing a lot more seniors shopping at the farm stand. “For us, this is great. Sometimes we overlook OPRF Food Pantry that demographic. Seniors also really need access Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry is located in the lower level of to fresh food. Throughout your life cycle you First United Church of Oak Park benefit from good nutrition. Plus, seniors are getWebsite: www.oprffoodpantry.org ting out to the farm stand and socializing, which Address: 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301 is good for them. From a community standpoint, Phone: (708) 386-1324 research shows that the presence of positive Urban Gardening- PCC Wellness Austin Farm Stand activity deters negative activity, so there are a lot Website: www.pccwellness.org/produce-marketof benefits to having the farm stand here.” Address: 330 N. Lotus Avenue, Chicago, IL 60644 Dorothy Young is a patient and neighbor of the Phone: Lucy Flores at (773) 413-1240 clinic who started shopping there this summer Email: LFlores@pccwellness.org and says that once she saw what they offered, she made sure to go every Tuesday.

“From a community standpoint, research shows that the presence of positive activity deters negative activity, so there are a lot of benefits to having the farm stand here.”

Resources Food Insecurity

November 1, 2017

Community of Caring | Recidivism

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Breaking the barrier to first jobs for ex-felons Matching willing employers with prepared employees

By Lacey Sikora

hen Deno Andrews first opened Felony Franks in Chicago, he already knew that ex-offenders could make great employees. Growing up, he saw how hard former prisoners worked in his family’s restaurant supply company. After Felony Frank’s moved to Oak Park in 2016, Andrews remained committed to his idea of employing ex-offenders at his restaurant, but the Oak Park native envisioned something bigger. In February 2017, he won a $50,000 grant through the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation’s Big Idea contest. He has put that money to work through his website: www.therescuefoundation.org. Calling the website the first phase of his business plan, Andrews is creating a site that matches job candidates with potential employers. For Andrews the challenge for ex-offenders begins at the start of their job search. “Even employers who say they don’t have a box on the application about prior felonies are wasting applicants’ time if they still do background checks.” For someone recently out of prison, he says, money and time are in short supply, and both are needed to travel on public transportation to entry-level jobs. If businesses accept applications from anyone but later require background checks, most ex-offenders don’t make it to a second interview. Andrews’ website removes that uncer-

Photos by Alexa Rogals/Staff Photographer

Tana Edmonson rings up a customer on Oct. 4, at Felony Franks on North Avenue in Oak Park. (Below) Crew member Marquis Burnett, cuts fresh potatoes at Felony Franks. tainty from the calculation. “Our candidates know that any interview we send them on, the business has agreed to hire ex-offenders.” Tana Edmonson, a Felony Franks employee, connected with the restaurant at a job resource center at Triton College. She says, “I had gotten hired in different jobs,

Through a questionnaire for both emFelony Franks and is expanding to commuployer and potential employee, the Rescue nity centers on the West Side. He will also Foundation aims to surface any potential offer training to employers. “I’ll go in and issues prior to matching a candidate with a lecture about the challenges for a business potential job. Part of the process is vetting that they might not have considered.” the ex-offender’s crime to determine if the For example, most businesses pay embusiness is an appropriate fit. Another big ployees every two weeks. That new hire issue? Timing. might not have enough money “One of the biggest for a bus card to get to work barriers for getting before the first pay check a job is availability,” comes in. Just offering a bus says Andrews. “So card can make a new hire many of our candimore reliable. dates are single parAt the end of the day, ents and might have Andrews thinks his projrestrictions on days ect has far more long-term or shifts that they can implications than just helping work.” ex-offenders get their first The website also coventry level job. “We’re teachDeno Andrews ers an individual’s pering networking. One half of sonal situation with a our employees have pivoted list of questions that to better jobs because they Andrews says help learned how to network here. employers get a bigger picture of It’s about radical transformations. We’re the situation. From home security improving the lives of the ex-offenders with to financial security to child care and meaningful, good work. The secondary addictions, the questionnaire is aimed at benefit is their offspring. They have a role assessing whether an applicant is ready for model at home and learn a work ethic. We the job market and what type of job might could interrupt the cycle of incarceration. be the best fit. That’s my motivation: the ripple effect.” On the employer side, Andrews reaches Other area businesses that employ exout and spend two hours a day, four days a offenders include Robinson’s Ribs in Oak week talking with local businesses about Park, Uncle Remus Chicken, and Ben’s Ribs hiring ex-offenders. He offers classes at in Austin.

“It’s about radical transformations. We’re improving the lives of the ex-offenders with meaningful, good work.”

but when they found out I was a felon, they wouldn’t hire me.” Since she began at Felony Franks three years ago, she has a rented an apartment and is able to visit her family in Indiana on a regular basis. Andrews hopes that the website will more easily connect candidates like Edmonson with businesses looking to hire.

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November 1, 2017

Community of Caring | Recidivism

‘The outer and the inner man and woman’ WHA re-entry program takes holistic approach

By Lacey Sikora

ing in many cases. We offer on-site anger management counseling, mental health care, he Westside Health Authority was domestic violence therapy and help with founded in 1988 and one of its substance abuse.” original divisions was the Workforce WHA also offers cognitive behavioral therRe-entry program. Through six locaapy. Ehmen says this is important because tions, WHA provides on-site services while programs eventually end, movements for ex-offenders looking for work. Roger do not. He cites the need for a short term Ehmen, WHA’s director for and long term approach, this program, says that the providing an example of a program is in-depth and participant who might curemphasizes, “We address rently be labelled as a gang the outer and inner man banger but wants to make and woman.” that long term transition to The external issues might a family man. start with the most basic of According to Ehmen, needs. Many ex-offenders WHA’s approach is working. need food, identification, “Our recidivism rate has clothing, or help with enrollbeen under 10 percent for ing in food stamp programs four years. For Cook County or the Affordable Care Act. Jail, that recidivism rate Roger Ehmen For most, finding a job is a is 62.7 percent. Because we goal that requires not only address the inner and the those basics, but job training outer, our rate is lower.” and placement. External As the federally-funded, official re-entry care might also include dental and eye care. center for the City of Chicago, WHA’s WorkJust as important Ehmen stresses is the force Re-entry program is able to provide internal work. “They also need counsela wide-range of services to participants. Knowing that no agency can provide all needed services, it partners with 65 other agencies on the West Side. Even prior to offenders being released, WHA works with correctional centers, going into the centers three times a month for pre-release orientations to help offenders begin to recognize what their needs will be once

“We offer on-site anger management counseling, mental health care, domestic violence therapy and help with substance abuse.”

Photos by Alexa Rogals/Staff Photographer

Charles Page, of Chicago, takes a test on Oct. 12, at the West Side Health Authority on Division Street in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. (Below) Case Manger Tonya Grisby, left, goes over paperwork with Sterlin Payne. they are released. After prison, ex-offenders face a variety of barriers from lack of a high school diploma to inability to pay for public transportation. WHA partners with Malcolm X College to conduct on-site, no-cost GED classes. Because transportation costs are a major barrier to ex-offenders seeking help, WHA offers a case-management on wheels, with an outreach coordinator travelling to transitional houses. On Dec. 1, the program will open a transitional residence of its own. For those convicted of low-level crimes, the home will offer 90 days of transition and access to all of WHA’s services. WHA works with over 200

employers on job placement, often offering on-site interviews. Through other programming, such as WHA’s housing program, ex-offenders are considered part of the solution. WHA works with banks on foreclosed homes, hiring ex-offenders to rehab the homes, a program that has widespread benefits according to Ehmen. “We’re taking blighted properties, making them over, giving felons construction skills and helping someone who couldn’t normally afford a home. It’s increasing homeownership in our community, and as a result, more employers are returning to our community.”

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November 1, 2017

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Community of Caring | Recidivism

Job search has special challenges for ex-felons, homeless Housing Forward taps expert volunteers to help

By Lacey Sikora

A big topic is resumes. Volunteers can help edit resumes if participants already have t Housing Forward, the Prevail proone in place, or they can help clients create a gram offers employment readiness resume. Tucker notes that for many clients, programs for ex-offendthis step involves giving them ers, those touched by the skills to create their own rehomelessness and others sumes, from computer knowledge who need help entering the to how to write up experiences. workforce. Romiesha Tucker, Volunteers help clients conduct Prevail’s program manager, says job searches and also prepare for one of the first steps is pairing them for interviews via mock participants with skills-based interviews and working on phone volunteers. interview skills. While Housing “We have former recruiters, Forward does not provide job teachers, human resource people, placement, Tucker says they take and former hiring managers. If steps to help clients make good ROMIESHA TUCKER a participant is on probation or contacts. Prevail’s program manager has any convictions, we have a “We establish relationships lawyer they can work with. The with employers who are willing first meeting is just a getting to know you to work with our clientele, whether they are meeting, getting to know your story. At the older applicants, homeless or ex-offenders. second meeting we go over goals, and then We might work with Felony Franks or we go from there.” Christy Webber of Webber Landscaping.

Photos submitted by Romiesha Tucker

Let us know we’ll hold your paper!

“We establish relationships with employers who are willing to work with our clientele, whether they are older applicants, homeless or ex-offenders. Romiesha Tucker

Christy is great because she understands the background of drug abusers. She started her own business and hires year-round workers. This is great because our clients don’t need temporary jobs. They need sustainability going forward, a way to pay the rent.” In addition to the skills-based volunteer hours which are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Housing Forward offers a computer lab and the aid of an AmeriCorps volunteer who can help walk-ins with jobrelated computer work. Tucker emphasizes, “It’s a job to find a job. We encourage a person to submit at least 10 applications a day.” For a more intense program, Housing Forward offers its Career Passport Program, which runs four days a week, five hours a day for five weeks. Aimed at clients who have been in one of Housing Forward’s shelters, it is an intensive way to address barriers that homeless people have in finding employment. Through all of its employment readiness programs, Housing Forward integrates with other programming in the office because the clients who seek help finding a job often need assistance in other areas. The Emergency Assistance Program helps clients who need help with getting an ID, face eviction

or need bill payment plans. The Homeless Prevention Hotline also overlaps with job readiness because employment is a key to sustainability. Housing Forward also works to provide referrals to NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) or rehabilitation services for clients who have mental or physical health issues that need to be resolved.

Resources Workforce Re-Entry Westside Health Authority Website: www.healthauthority.org/initiatives/ employment-services/ Address: 5417 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60651 Phone: (773) 378-1878 The Rescue Foundation Website: www.therescuefoundation.org Housing Forward Employment Readiness Program Website: www.housingforward.org Phone: (708) 338-1724 (888) 338-1744 (toll free)

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November 1, 2017

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Does Your Business Support Local Giving? Be a Sponsor of

d by the OakOAK Park-River Forest Community Foundation PARK-RIVER FOREST Community Foundation

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connect giving to impact!

before anything else, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all human rethink your bias at lovehasnolabels.com

November 1, 2017

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OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST

Community Foundation

Community Giving Guide

d by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

The Most Wonderful Guide of The Year!

eason of Giving is a campaign organized by Wednesday Journal and the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation to encourage local charitable giving during the holiday season. It has long

been recognized that when we shop local, our money recirculates through the local economy reaping dividends for the entire community. The same is true for charitable giving. When you donate to local nonprofits, your money goes to work in your own

neighborhood. Your donations feed local families, offer safety and learning to local children, and enrich the beauty and art that surrounds us all. Over the coming weeks, we hope that you will take a moment to look over the listings in this Giving Guide. Find

e connect giving to impact! Animal Care League

Animal Care League offers a safe haven for pets in need. Founded in 1973, Animal Care League takes a proactive approach to animal care and adoption as well as preventative measures to help reduce the number of homeless animals in our communities. With over 1000 pets coming to our doors each year, Animal Care League counts on supporters to ensure that we can provide what is needed from routine vaccinations to life saving surgery. Make a difference in the life of a homeless animal by visiting www.animalcareleague. org where you can sign up to volunteer, make a donation, view our adoptable pets, and learn about upcoming events.

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation We connect donors to impact. Your gift to the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation can benefit one or many organizations locally, regionally or nationally. We accept all sizes of gifts -- gifts of cash, appreciated stock, real estate and through bequests. We work with you to match your philanthropic interests with needs. We manage scholarships for students and provide enrichment grants for young people. We provide grants to local nonprofit organizations, present Impact Excellence seminars for them and manage many of their funds. We connect our community for collective impact. For more about what we do, please visit us at: www.oprfcf.org, on Facebook and Twitter: @oprfcf. 708-848-1560 1049 Lake Street, Suite 204 Oak Park, IL 60301 Donate online at: https://goo.gl/MeQaon

The Collaboration for Early Childhood

The Collaboration for Early Childhood is your resource for early childhood information in Oak Park and River Forest. We provide the connections vital to every child’s opportunity for success in learning and in life. We work with more than 60 organizations so that parents and their children receive critical information and support services, children are screened for developmental delays, teachers in child care centers, preschools and family child care homes provide high quality programs and our most vulnerable children and their families experience a strong web of support. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit us at collab4kids.org or follow us on Facebook.

Concordia University Chicago Founded in 1864, Concordia University Chicago is a comprehensive liberal arts-based Christian university in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, Concordia-Chicago offers more than 100 areas of study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success. Concordia-Chicago equips men and women to serve and lead with integrity, creativity, competence and compassion in a diverse, interconnected and increasingly urbanized church and world. More than 5,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at Concordia-Chicago, located in River Forest.

Oak Park Festival Theatre Since 1975 Oak Park Festival Theatre, the Midwest’s oldest professional outdoor classical theatre, has brought the magic of dramatic masterpieces to generations of our neigh-

bors. Whether performing under the stars in beautiful Austin Gardens as we do each summer or at any of the many local venues where we partner with local philanthropic agencies (such as Housing Forward, Oak Park Housing Authority or Nineteenth Century Charitable Association), Festival Theatre breaths fresh air into timeless texts for Oak Park and beyond. With ticket prices kept friendly for every budget and free admission for all under 13, we rely on the generosity of our audiences to continue our dynamic community dialogue. Donations can be made on-line at oakparkfestival.com or mailed to us: Oak Park Festival Theatre, P.O. Box 4114, Oak Park, IL 60303.

Hephzibah

Hephzibah Children’s Association was founded in 1897. We serve more than 1,000 children and families each year through innovative, community-based programs. Hephzibah provides a Group Home for children who have been taken from their families due to profound abuse or neglect. Our skilled staff recruits and trains foster parents, and offers ongoing support to help all family members navigate challenges. Our after-school Day Care operates on a sliding scale to serve working parents in Oak Park, with programs based at each elementary school. To make a real difference in the lives of children and families, please donate today at hephzibahhome.org.

Housing Forward The mission of Housing Forward is to transition people from housing crisis to housing stability. By emphasizing prevention, supportive services, employment readiness and supportive housing, we are able to offer a comprehensive, long-term solution that moves clients into housing quickly and keeps them there.

an organization that resonates with you. Check out their website. Consider making a donation or volunteering. Spread the word. Don’t just shop local—give Local.

This housing-first approach to homelessness is more efficient, more fiscally responsible and less traumatic to clients who are typically facing extraordinary hardship. It is also beneficial to the communities being served who do not have to bear the costs of homelessness in the form of expanded social services, health care and public safety costs. We offer an attractive return on your investment — measured in terms of human lives and futures. To donate, please visit housingforward. org/give, or contact Janet Gow, Director of Development & Communications, at 708.338.1724 ext. 262.

L’Arche Chicago L’Arche Chicago is a community where people with intellectual disabilities live together with direct support professionals, in homes, as family. We strive to merge quality care and mutual relationships, building a community where everyone has a genuine place of belonging. L’Arche seeks to be a sign of hope, revealing the truth that all people, including those with intellectual disabilities, have gifts to share. Your contributions enable each core member (person with intellectual disability) to live an independent, full life in our vibrant homes of love and compassion in the OPRF area. To donate or get involved, visit LArcheChicago.org/OPRF

Nineteenth Century Charitable Association The Nineteenth Century Club was established in 1891 and the spirit of the founders continues today in the work of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association through community outreach grants, scholarships, and public programming in five areas: music, art, literature, science, and social sciences. The NCCA is the owner of 178 Forest Avenue, commonly referred to as the Nineteenth Century Club. Our charitable and cultural activities

November 1, 2017

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This Community Giving Guide of local nonprofits will run weekly through December. If you would like information on how to list your organization, email Marc Stopeck at marc@oakpark.com. are supported by our members, volunteers, donors, and by the events held at the Club. Programs are open to all and we welcome men and women of all ages to join. If you would like information about volunteering, joining or donating, please call us at 708-386-2729 email to info@nineteenthcentury.org.

The Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF) Strong schools are at the heart of a strong community. Established in 1989, OPEF is a privately funded, nonprofit organization that brings artists, architects, scientists, and technology experts into K-8th grade classrooms at every District 97 school. Our professional partners share their passion for learning while conducting free, hands-on residencies with more than 4,200 students annually. OPEF also runs BASE Camp, exceptional summer enrichment. Learn more, volunteer or donate at opef.org. 260 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302 Contact: Tracy Dell’Angela Barber, Executive Director tdellangelabarber@opef.org. 708-524-3023

Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society/ IWS Children’s Clinic Heartfelt Healthcare is a home for the holidays. Everyone wants to be home for the holidays. Family, friends, food and laughter. Comforting, familiar and happy. The warm, welcoming embrace of the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society’s Children’s Clinic is a home of a different kind. We care for children from families that could not find help anywhere else. Children who are living in poverty and have faced difficult circumstances. We provide medical, dental and behavioral services right here from our cozy building on Lake Street. We even help with nutrition, pet therapy, health education and literacy support. We call it Heartfelt Healthcare. Please give generously this Holiday – from your home to theirs. Please call (708)4068661 or visit www.oprfiws.org.

Oak Park Public Library Support literacy, learning, and community connection When you give locally, you can choose to share a gift that nurtures ideas and spreads knowledge in and around Oak Park. You can support the freedom to read, to learn, and to grow. Loyalty to your local public library helps a 113-year-old institution, dedicated to literacy and community connection,

continue to be free and accessible to all. To learn more about how you can make a difference and keep Oak Park’s center of information, local history, and civic engagement strong, contact Executive Director David J. Seleb (d.seleb@ oppl.org, 708.697.6911) or Deputy Director Jim Madigan (jmadigan@oppl. org,708.697.6909).

Oak Park Regional Housing Center The Housing Center promotes and sustains the racial integration of Oak Park. We help over 3,500 households and 250 landlords annually. The Housing Center provides the foundation for equity and inclusion in Oak Park. Your gift helps keep Oak Park’s promise of diversity that we all cherish. To donate visit: oprhc.org/donate or make checks payable to OPRHC, 1041 South Boulevard, Oak Park, IL 60302

Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry $1 = 3 meals, is an equation only you can make possible. With your help, Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry has been reducing local hunger for nearly 40 years. Your support means we are able to meet the needs of nearly 16,000 families struggling with hunger each year. It means we can provide over 50 pounds of nutritious food plus access to vital programs and services to help people stretch limited food budgets in healthy ways. It means that even a little goes a long way: every $1 donated can feed a neighbor for an entire day. To make a donation, visit oprffoodpantry. org or send checks payable to OPRF Food Pantry to Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301.

PACTT Learning Center At PACTT Learning Center, we believe that the road to a higher quality of life is paved with a quality of opportunity. Providing our participants with access to employment and recreation in the community is critical to ensuring the success of the people we serve. Through person-centered programs that emphasize access, choice and the dignity of risk, PACTT provides a safe environment for participants to experience a personal freedom grounded in human rights. PACTT programs include a therapeutic day school, residential services for children & adults, a transition program for older teens and vocational training/job placement for adults. To learn more about PACTT or make a donation, go to www.pactt.org or call 773338-9102 ext. 2424

Pillars

Bono Network the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundatio Coordinated byPro

Pillars is the largest nonprofit provider of mental health and social services in the western and southwestern suburbs. The agency serves 10,000 people each year through direct client services, including Mental Health, Addictions, Domestic & Sexual Violence, Child & Family Services, and Community Housing. Untreated mental illness and addiction can lead to hospitalization, encounters with law enforcement, violence, and even early death. Pillars’ programs empower people to break out of those cycles and lead healthy, productive, independent lives—which ultimately saves the community money. Stand together as Pillars, with us. Donate online or pledge a monthly gift today at www.pillarscommunity.org/donate.

Access to justice should not depend upon one’s income. During this time of need, there are not enough lawyers to help people with human rights needs. These include safety from an abuser, adequate housing, and the ability to get a job. Pro Bono Network, a locally-grown and new kind of organization, has brought over 200 attorneys to pro bono work by making legal representation practical. As a result over 1000 clients have received legal aid services which often encompass human rights. Learn more at pro-bono-network.org. Donating will make a difference!

We connect giving to impact!

Ping! PING! provides the opportunity to experience the many benefits of a music education to students in need in our community. Each year PING! loans musical instruments to students in need in Oak Park River Forest school districts 90, 97, and 200 so that they can participate in the band and orchestra programs at school. PING! also provides music enrichment through workshops for 4th and 5th graders; mentoring, scholarships for summer music camp, and field trips for middle schoolers; and private music lessons for high school students. PING! is a volunteer-run organization that depends on the community for donated instruments, volunteer help, and financial contributions to maintain our instrument inventory and programs. For more information or to make a donation, go to pingoprf.org. If you have an instrument to donate, send us an email at pingoprf@ gmail.com.

Pleasant Home Pleasant Home Foundation, a non-profit organization, restores and preserves our National Historic Landmark house museum while offering a wide variety of educational opportunities, cultural programming and free community events. Financial support is crucial to sustain Pleasant Home as an important resource for tourism and as a center for the community. 217 Home Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302 pleasanthome.org, hruehlemay@pleasanthome.org, 708-383-2654

The River Forest Library Foundation “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people,” said Andrew Carnegie. That’s why he funded thousands of public libraries a century ago to help people help themselves through self-directed learning. Today, the River Forest Public Library (RFPL) carries on that core mission by providing not just books and periodicals but also a wide array of digital resources (onsite and remotely), interactive programs, and other transformative learning opportunities. Honor a family member, a cherished teacher or mentor, a dear friend, or your own love of lifelong learning by giving to the RFPL Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, at 735 Lathrop Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305 or rfplfoundation.org/donate. Your gift will inspire others and transform the lives of so many in our community.

Sarah’s Inn

Since 1981, Sarah’s Inn has worked to improve the lives of those impacted by domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence for future generations. Our Intervention Program provides bi-lingual services for families affected by domestic violence in order to safely navigate crisis, effectively process trauma and ensure self-sufficiency. Our Training and Education Program creates a network of skilled bystanders to appropriately intervene as first responders and community advocates. Our Together Strong Project was created to prevent relationship violence by teaching youth about the impact of their choices, giving them the tools to lead healthy lives, and empowering them to make a difference in their community. To donate, visit donatenow.networkforgood. org/sarahsinn, or make a tax-deductible donation through postal mail by sending a check to: Sarah’s Inn, PO Box 1159, Oak Park, IL 60304

November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM

OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST

Community Foundation

ated by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest

Hope, resilience and recovery form the heart of our programs and services. Last year we provided critical services to approximately 2,000 friends, neighbors and family members including…

We connect giving to impact! Each year The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest receives support from loyal patrons and generous friends. Ticket sales provide less than half the funds needed for the Symphony’s performances. Your gift keeps this award-winning orchestra going strong, allowing us to keep our ticket prices low and provide free tickets to students through college to our concerts held at Dominican University. This year we celebrate our 85th Anniversary and your help is needed to ensure our future. We will reward donations of $100 (or more!) with a complementary ticket to our February 12 BEETHOVEN’s 9th concert or a free CD of our April Symphony Center concert. Make your end-of-year tax-deductible donation at symphonyoprf.com, or: P.O. Box 3564, Oak Park, IL 60303-3564.

Thrive Counseling Center Thrive Counseling Center (formerly Family Services of Oak Park) has provided community mental health services for 118 years. Located in the heart of Oak Park, our mission is to build healthy minds, families and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being.

• counseling for youth and adults • psychiatric care and medication management • 24/7 crisis intervention • in-home counseling for older adults • case management and supportive housing • psycho-social recovery day program • stress reduction courses

To learn more or donate, please visit thrivecc.org. or call 708-383-7500, ext. 316. Follow us on Facebook!

UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago UCP Seguin believes that all people, regardless of ability, deserve to achieve their potential, advance their independence and act as full members of the community. So we stop at nothing to provide life skills training, assistive technology, meaningful employment and a place to call home for people with disabilities, as well as specialized foster care for children. Our goal: life without limits for people with disabilities. Make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Donate online at ucpseguin. org send gifts to UCP Seguin, 332 Harrison Street, Oak Park IL 60304

West Cook YMCA It’s our passion at the West Cook YMCA that financial need should never stand in the way of anyone who wants to achieve vitality and improve their well-being. YMCA scholarships cover everything from memberships and class fees to after-school programs and summer day camps for children. Community support makes it possible for us to provide more than $120,000 in scholarships to local residents for Y programs and memberships each year. Your holiday donation will help even more neighbors receive the gift of healthy living. To donate, visit WestCookYMCA.org/donate or send your check to West Cook YMCA, 255 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302,

708-383-5200

Wonder Works Children’s Museum Creative and imaginative play are vital to a healthy child and Wonder Works Children’s Museum provides countless opportunities for both, giving children a safe space to explore. Wonder Works is committed to providing an environment where early learning flourishes through thoughtfully designed “experience zones” and educational programming.

SHE SNORES MORE EVERY MORNING MY THAN I DO, BUT I STILL HUMAN SHAVES OFFMY EVERY MORNING LOVE MYHE’S HUMAN. HISHUMAN FACE FUR, SHAVES OFF

FUNNY LIKE FUR, THAT.HE’S HIS— BANDIT FACE adopted 11-26-09 —TUCKFUNNY LIKE THAT. adopted 05-04-11 —TUCK adopted 05-04-11

Rachel Rettberg CEO Wonder Works Children’s Museum 6445 W North Ave, Oak Park IL 60302 773.636.7971 rrettberg@wonder-works.org wonder-works.org www.facebook.com/wonderworkschildrensmusem

Youth Outreach Services (YOS) Aa non-profit organization that helps atrisk youth in the Chicago area reach their potential. For almost 60 years, we’ve focused on caring for teens that face challenges at home, in school and in the community. YOS believes all youth are capable of excellence. Our job is to provide the support they need to meet challenges head on, discover their strengths and make healthy choices. We provide comprehensive services from our four service areas depending on each client’s needs: Counseling, Prevention, Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice with programs in schools, client’s homes and our offices. To make a donation, volunteer, or get more information, go to yos.org or call 773-7777112x7270

November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM

For 21 years Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest has supported the nonprofit community and the causes they serve, whether it’s social services, the arts or education. Community Bank has a strong connection to each organization, which is a mutual passion for serving the community.

1001 LAKE STREET • OAK PARK • 708-660-1000 | 7751 LAKE STREET • RIVER FOREST • 708-366-4700 810 SOUTH OAK PARK AVENUE • OAK PARK • 708-919-6200

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Talk to your neighbors, then talk to

Terry!

See why State Farm® insures more drivers than GEICO and Progessive combined. Great service, plus (708) 383-3163 discounts of up to 40 percent.*

Terry Lemley State Farm Agent

Terry and his staff are licensed and together have over 75 years of State Farm experience.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7.

g! istin L w Ne

Call Laura!

ed! duc e R e Pric

Call Dave!

701 Gunderson • Oak Park • $679,000 Completely rehabbed 2 flat! GORGEOUS & very spacious 2 flat with two 3BR units has been completely rehabbed in '15 with new kitchens, baths and individual HVAC units. Enjoy individual Central Air, In-Unit Laundry and garage parking! Attic space and partially finished basement are usable by the tenants for add. storage. Walk to top-rated schools, library, parks, CTA trains, shopping and more!

514 N Marion St., Oak Park 4 BR, 3.5 BA • $749,000 THIS IS THE ONE! Updated in 2013 after a '04 gut rehab. Lovely OP Victorian on huge lot just 3 blocks to Downtown OP, CTA Green Line & Metra. Open granite & SS kitchen. 1st flr laundry rm + 3 season screened-in porch! Master suite w/soaking tub & sep shower. 2 full BAs on the 2nd flr! 2.5 car garage.

701 Columbian Ave., Oak Park • 5 BR, 3.5 BA • $1,199,000 GRAND ESTATE Section home designed by Charles E. White, on 125 x 132 corner lot! Vintage detailing and open concept home, perfect for entertaining. Features: updated BAs, beautiful master suite, huge porch, hot tub, 2-car gar, attached green house. 2nd flr has a master suite plus a library and two additional BRs. 3rd flr is fully finished with a large BR, full BA and family room. Professionally landscaped grounds. Custom kitchen has stainless and Call Laura! built-in appls.

310 Gale, River Forest • $1,599,000 6 BR, 6.5 BA • 3 Car Heated Garage

191 N. Marion, Oak Park, IL 60301 • Fax (708) 383-2107 Email: terry@terrylemley.net www.terrylemley.net • www.statefarm.com *Discounts vary by states. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company; State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL

g n i c u d o r Int

CALEDONIA

SENIOR LIVING & MEMORY CARE

A NEW CHAPTER • SAME QUALITY SENIOR CARE SINCE 1900

Open House Celebration!

Wednesday, November 15 • 4 – 7 p.m. The Scottish Home and the Caledonian House have a long and respected tradition of caring for seniors of all heritages. See how our welcoming spirit, dignified care and inspiring lifestyle make this a place for everyone, where friends become family.

Call Laura!

David Gullo, Managing Broker

708.567.1375

GulloAssociates@gmail.com

Laura Maychruk 708.205.7044

LMaychruk@comcast.net

Built in '07! 6,000 sf home with everything. Set in the middle of a charming block, steps from METRA, CTA, parks, and RF schools! Big rooms throughout, Large kitchen, w/ attached family rm, 1st flr master suite, 2nd flr GIANT master suite w/ double closets and balcony! Full, finished basement and 3rd flr. Huge backyard!

W W W. G U L LO R E A L E S TAT E . CO M

Margaret Jones 708.804.0368 Mark Finger 708.990.8115

905 South Lombard Ste. 2 Oak Park, IL 60304

NEW PRICE REDUCTION

JUST LISTED

1142 FRANKLIN AVE, RIVER FOREST $1,445,000 :: 4 bed :: 4.5 bath

420 N EUCLID AVE, OAK PARK $1,585,000 :: 8 bed :: 4 full & 2 half baths

Custom modern 6000 sq. ft. home. Dramatic design and unique detailing throughout.

Magnificent estate in the historic district of Oak Park. Recently renovated – Beautiful!

NEW PRICE REDUCTION

312 S KENILWORTH, OAK PARK $500,000 :: 6 bed :: 2 bath

131 GALE AVE, RIVER FOREST $834,000 :: 4 bed :: 2.5 bath

1700 78TH CT, ELMWOOD PARK $368,500 :: 3 bed :: 1.5 bath

Updated Victorian - renovated kitchen & master bath - huge park-like yard walk to train.

Renovated 3 bed with first floor family room & finished basement. Great location.

To RSVP by Monday, November 13, call 708-813-2346 or register at

CaledoniaSeniorLiving.org

Brick 2-flat located in central Oak Park Three bedrooms per unit. Great location walk to all transportation.

KATHY & TONY IWERSEN 708.772.8040 708.772.8041 tonyiwersen@atproperties.com

2800 Des Plaines Avenue • North Riverside

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

3rd Annual Women in Leadership Conference

INNOVATE, INTEGRATE, MOTIVATE! Thank You to Our Sponsors!

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL MEDIA

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

3rd Annual Women in Leadership Conference Riveredge Hospital and Wednesday Journal partnered on the 3rd Annual Women in Leadership Conference on October 25, 2017. Cofounded by Carey Carlock, CEO of Riveredge Hospital and Dawn Ferencak, Associate Publisher of Wednesday Journal Publications, the event was held at Riveredge Hospital with a theme of Innovate, Integrate, Motivate! Keynote speakers were Sandy Marsico, founder and CEO of Sandstorm, a digital marketing agency, and Molly Rudberg, owner of Molly Rudberg, LLC, a life coaching firm for high performing business owners and leaders, and co-author of “From the Yoga Mat to the Corner Office - A Mindful Approach to Business

Senator Don Harmon, Loretto Hospital, Walgreens, Forest Agency,

Success”.

MXOtech, Mathnasium, Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest, COSTCO of North Riverside, Children’s Dentistry, CYCLEBAR, HIT IT!

A panel discussion, moderated by Doris Davenport, the host of

Fitness®, and The Barre Code®.

The Doris Davenport Show “All Local All the Time”, included Carey Carlock, Dr. Carol Y. Collum, entrepreneur, community educator,

Committee members included Jacquinete Baldwin, Kristen Benford,

author, mentor, and business consultant, Eileen Hattan Lynch, District

Karen Burmeister, Carey E. Carlock, Megan Dickel, Dawn Ferencak,

Director and Chief of Staff to Illinois State Senator Don Harmon,

Eileen Hattan Lynch, Allison Ray, and Tandra Rutledge. For more

and Joanna Sobran, President and CEO of MXOtech, a technology

information about the annual Women in Leadership Conference,

company serving as an outsourced IT department for small to mid-

contact Megan Dickel at megan@oakpark.com.

size businesses. Visit oakpark.com/wilc2017 to view more photos from the event. Generous sponsors included Watson Chiropractic, Currie Motors,

Photos courtesy of Sebastián Hidalgo

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Miss a week…

Sunday, November 5, 2017 ADDRESS

REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

TIME

3828 Clinton Ave, Berwyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re/Max In The Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$185,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 4004 Clinton Ave, Stickney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re/Max In The Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$315,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1:30 1017 Beloit Ave, Forest Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$329,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12:30 921 S. Humphrey Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloor Realty Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$345,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

1933 N. Newland Ave, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re/Max In The Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$349,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 5421 Fair Elms Ave, Western Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re/Max In The Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$439,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 225 N. Kenilworth Ave. UNIT E, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$474,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 1116 S. Grove Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$474,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 210 N. Taylor Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$499,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 1519 Franklin Ave, River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$520,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 327 N. Taylor Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$525,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 735 Home Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloor Realty Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$575,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 723 N. East Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloor Realty Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$599,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1:30 630 S. Maple Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$724,500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1230 N. Grove Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beyond Properties Realty Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$769,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1 734 Linden Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$949,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:30-4 1410 Clinton Pl, River Foresrt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,169,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 306 Gale Ave, River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . United Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,387,500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-3 638 N. Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,875,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

CONDOS

If you don’t have a subscription JOURNAL to Wednesday Oak Park police to car anti-overdosrye Journal, drug you’re missing a lot. Each week Wednesday Journal covers local news, local people, local sports and the local ads you want to see. Village hall, police, OPRF, the elementary schools, business, religion, we have Oak Park and River Forest covered. So why are you waiting— subscribe today! Three easy ways to subscribe: 1) call (708) 524-8300 2) visit OakPark.com/subscribe 3) mail in the form below. *Sign up today to receive Breaking News email updates! W E D N E S D A Y

June 1, 2016

Vol. 34, No. 42 ONE DOLLAR

of Oak Park

and River Fores t

ADDRESS

REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

TIME

140 Marengo Ave. UNIT 504, Forest Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$177,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2

ADDRESS

REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

TIME

7836 Madison Ave. UNIT 21A, River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$549,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 11-1 7836 Madidon Ave. UNIT 21A, River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$549,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1 101 N. Euclid Ave. UNIT 2, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$649,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2

@O @OakPark

Special pullout

Oak Park Fire Depart administers Narcan ment already roughly once a week By TIMOTHY

INKLEBARGER

Staff Reporter

A day of remem

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section

Oak Park police with an anti-opioi officers will soon be equipped can, confirmed d overdose drug known as Tony Ambrose. Oak Park Deputy NarParticipants Police Chief A state law wave at the that went crowd during dates that into effect WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff the annual Memorial in January all Illinois Photographer mancarrying police departme Day Parade the drug in nts begin in River Forest an effort from heroin on May 30. and opioid-bas to prevent overdoses For more photos, Ambrose ed prescripti said in a on drugs. page 10. telephone OPPD is working interview that the ment to receive with the Oak Park Fire training and Narcan program. grant fundingDepartfor the Oak Park Deputy Fire in a telephone By TOM HOLMES Chief Peter to sunset, Pilafas said interview Contributing paramedi every day that fire Reporter cs have been for four weeks. Nausheen departme can for some trained to nt sounds very Syed Mohuddin administe ator, to develop on Yom much like r NarKippur or times a monthtime and used it an a (a.k.a. Mohi) Jew patience, and his wife a Christian average of to perfect in Ahmed Lent when she Nausheen one’s character. gratitude and four Pilafas applied 2014 and 2015. during describes keeping the Akhter will a Muslim When fasting, what Muslims on May 20 month of begin are striving for during is supposed will cover for the 5. The River Ramadan 100 percent behavior, to be on their Ramadan “What people on June Forest residents avoid anger, program, . of the costs grant, which may ing without and it etc. Many bad language, best for the OPPD food or drink, will fast, go- “is that the purposenot know,” she said, people give He said now was approved three example up bad habits,lies, of Ramadan from sunrise bring you days police and will attend closer spiritually fire departme later. is to spection smoking. It is for a training nt officials to your Creand self-reflec a time of introofficers on seminar to instruct how tion on how police Earlier this to administer the to betdrug. See RAMADA year, Oak Park Township N on page 12 SuperviSee NARCAN on page 13

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TOWNHOMES

miss a lot.

Visa/MC/Discover # _____________ ____________________________ Exp Date _____________________ Signature_____________________ ____________________________ Mail to: Circulation Dept. 141 S. Oak Park, IL 60302. Offer valid for new subscribers in Cook County only.

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

In The Village, Realtors®

Mike Becker

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

THIS WEEK’S FEATURED PROPERTIES 5421 FAIR ELMS AVE OPEN SUN 1-3 PM

1933 N NEWLAND AVE OPEN SUN 2-4 PM

4004 CLINTON AVE OPEN SUN 12-1:30 PM

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Western Springs • $439,000 3BR, 1.1BA Call Steve x121

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Stickney • $315,000 5BR, 3BA Call Kerry x139

Berwyn • $185,000 3BR, 1BA Call Steve x121 Kris Sagan

Tom Byrne

Kelly Gisburne

Harry Walsh, Managing Broker

Oak Park • $549,000 3BR, 2.1BA Call Elissa x192

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Oak Park • $509,000 3BR, 2.1BA Call Mike x120

Riverside • $480,000 4BR, 2BA Call Laurie x186

Haydee Rosa

Home of The Week Laurie Christofano

Linda Rooney

Oak Park • $399,000 3BR, 1BA Call Roz x112

Berwyn • $349,000 4BR, 2.1BA Call Joe x117

Kerry Delaney

Marion Digre

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1126 Woodbine Ave Oak Park • $629,500 • 4BR, 2.1BA

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Dan Linzing

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Jane McClelland

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Steve Nasralla

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Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Two Top Realtors

One Unbeatable Team Patti Sprafka Wagner

Zak Knebel

Top 3 in sales for the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors, 2016. Selected as a “5-Star Agent” for the last 7 years by Chicago Magazine.

708.218.8102 pswagner@live.com

Negotiate to your advantage with your Oak Park-River Forest Real Estate Advocates.

708.383.8700

1011 South Boulevard Oak Park, Il 60302

Top 5 in sales for the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors, 2016. Selected as a “5 Star Agent” by Chicago Magazine.

773.290.9293 zakknebel@gmail.com

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Your local Real Estate Professionals Since 1933.

938 Monroe Ave, River Forest

$1,040,000

Spectacular 5 bed, 4.1 bath brick Burma-Style home is exquisitely appointed by an award-winning renovation team and features the finest craftsmanship of a brick wood-burn fireplace, Cook’s kitchen, spacious family area and master suite with lush master bath. Zoned HVAC, new garage and much more!

Steve Scheuring - ID# 09777056 CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

Oak Park

$1,499,900

EE Roberts, 4+1 bed, 4.1 bath, Prairie elements, many original architectural details, well appointed kitchen and approx 2,000 sqft on lower level. Patricia McGowan - ID# 09654108

River Forest

Oak Park

$609,900

Oak Park

$450,000

$549,000

3 bed, 3.1 bath SOHO Townhome built in ‘14 with slate tile entryway, spacious LR, gas fireplace, hdwd flrs, bright kitchen with glass cabinet doors and master suite. Leigh Ann Hughes - ID# 09781450

NEW LISTING

Oak Park

$895,000

3 BR, 2.2 BA Burma checks all the boxes! Middle of the block, close to everything, surrounded by wonderful neighbors and flanked by mature trees on all sides. Kara Keller - ID# 09773099

NEW LISTING

Classic OP Character and Style in this Craftsman Influenced 3 BR, 2 BA Bungalow. Stained glass windows, fireplace, beamed ceiling, open kitchen and MUCH MORE! Mary Carlin - ID# 09730526

Oak Park

$429,900

NEW LISTING

$244,000

Rarely available 2 BR corner unit in historically significant E.E. Roberts building. Newer kitchen, hdwd flrs, leaded glass windows, decorative fireplace and private covered balcony. Liz O’Connell, James Gillespie – ID # 09779261

OPEN HOUSE • SUN. 2:30-4pm 734 LINDEN AVE

Oak Park

Chicago

$949,000

Restoration of this 4 bedroom, 2.1 BA architecturally significant home! Details remain with all of the modern updates for by the most discriminating buyer. Ann Keeney & Lois Bonaccorsi - ID# 09750505

$239,900

4 BR, 2 BA beauty features master loft suite with sitting area, custom walk in extended closet, home office space, whirlpool tubs in both baths and much more!! Yarnell Green - ID# 09775018

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

Oak Park

$539,000

One of a kind Hulbert built 4 BR, 1.1 BA with gas fireplace, formal DR, French doors, walk up attic, remodeled kit, many replaced windows and more! Ann Keeney - ID# 09501906

Chicago

$390,000

2 Unit building, separate furnace and A/C, newer roof, windows, new carpet in top flr (wd flrs under all carpeting), 2.5 car gar and full walk out basement. Jennifer Hurley– ID# 09787680

NEW LISTING

Oak Park

$179,800

2 BR, condo in building converted in ‘05. Updated kitchen, hdwd flrs, good closet space, custom window treatments, in-unit laundry! Catherine Simon-Vorbornik - ID# 09787333

$884,000

In the heart of OP’s Estate Section this updated 5 BR, 3.5 BA features a library, high-end kitchen and newly renovated spa like master suite and upper level suite. Bill Geldes - ID# 09574819

OPEN HOUSE • SUN. 12:30-2pm 815 S KENILWORTH

NEW LISTING

Catherine Simon-Vobornik - ID# 09779230

Oak Park

$735,000

Beautiful 5 bed, 2.1 bath home features enclose front porch, grand staircase, great flow and open space, fireplace, upscale eat-in kitchen opens to huge deck, great third level that would make a royal master suite with large walk-in closet and zoned dual SpaePac A/C.

NEW PRICE

Amazing space in this 3 bed, 2.1 bath corner unit town home. Well appointed kitchen, built in 7.5 ft buffet, master suite with vaulted ceilings, rec rm and gar pkg. Patricia McGowan – ID# 09776820

4 BR, 2 BA Farmhouse, arched doorways throughout, built-in china cabinet, new master BR addition, new zoned C/A and GFA heat, large deck, and 2-car garage.

730 Fair Oaks Ave, Oak Park

1129 Columbian Ave, Oak Park

NEW PRICE

Oak Park

Kara Keller - ID# 09778579 CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

Oak Park

$499,000

Oak Park

NEW LISTING

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4 BR, 3 BA, open floor plan, hdwd flrs, upgraded kit, attached garage, a 3 season room overlooks the expansive deck and pool and dual zone HVAC system. Roman Lewis – ID# 09775572

Oak Park

$299,900

NEW PRICE

$115,000

Well maintained 2 bed, 1.5 bath condo with balcony. Ample closet space and **Brand New** HVAC system! Building offers laundry room, storage and parking. Close to everything! Shan Phillips - ID# 09779711

Oak Park

NEW PRICE

River Forest

$619,900

4 BR, 2 BA Queen Anne designed by H.G. Fiddelke, features original leaded stained glass and doors, beamed ceiling, veranda, and much many more beautiful details. Kim Henry - ID# 09711713

NEW PRICE

Forest Park

$455,000

Updated 3+1BR (bsmnt), 4 BA home with custom kitchen, adjoining family room, wood burning fireplace, coffered ceiling and master suite with steam shower. Catherine Simon-Vobornik - ID# 09783865

NEW PRICE

Great 4 BR starter! Roof-’15, CAC-’14, H2O heater-2016, newer 2.5 car garage, vinyl siding-(age unknown) and some replacement windows. Being sold AS-IS. Patricia McGowan - ID# 09786902

NEW LISTING

Forest Park

$499,000

Classic 3 BR, 1.1 BA stucco Colonial with fine vintage features of coved ceilings, wood burning fireplace, Newer kitchen, updated bathrooms and family room. Lynn Scheir & Ann Ferri - ID# 09749376

NEW LISTING

Downers Grove

$679,900

3000+ square ft, 3 BR, 2.1 BA end unit townhome with huge living spaces, fantastic kitchen, rooftop deck, master suite and large lower level with family rm Bethanny Alexander - ID# 09701468

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

4 BR, 2 BA on corner lot. Spacious floor plan with 2 sunrooms, family rm, master with walk in closet, partially finished basement, paver patio with pergola and play area. Leigh Ann Hughes - ID# 09784398

$599,000

Classic 4 bed, 2.1 bath brick colonial features hardwood floors, large eat-in kitchen with stand-alone island, wood burning fireplace, family room, 2 large storage areas and laundry room. The backyard is fenced in and humongous! NEW tear off roof in 2017! NEW boiler in 2016!

Lisa Andreoli, Meredith Conn - ID# 09771327

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

NEW PRICE

FEATURED LISTING

Forest Park

$287,000

Spacious 2 bed, 2.1 bath townhome with open floor plan, 10 ft ceilings, wood burning fireplace, family room, private balcony and 2 car attached garage. Saretta Joyner – ID# 09655037

NEW LISTING

$112,000

One BR unit with open layout in perfect location! Plumbing, electrical all updated, kitchen/bath redone. Storage space, coin laundry and coveted parking space. Kara Keller– ID# 09709980

Call us today to use the Local knowledge and skill of our agents paired with the broad reach and power of Baird & Warner. 1037 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park IL | 708.697.5900 | BAIRDWARNER.COM

Des Plaines

$99,500

Bright and adorable 2 BR conversion, updated bath and eat-in kitchen, balcony, master BR with two walk-in closets and laundry and additional storage building. Swati Saxena– ID# 09788357

VIEWPOINTS

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Email Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor, ktrainor@wjinc.com

C O N S C I O U S

Housing for elder ‘orphans’

I am alone with my dog and don’t know where to turn. I fear becoming homeless, and I am scared to death. An elder orphan

n “elder orphan” has no adult children, spouse or companion to rely on for company, assistance or input. About 29 percent (13.3 million) of non-institutionalized older persons live alone. The majority of those are women (9.2 million vs. 4.1 million men). Because of their solitary existence, elder orphans are even more invisible than familyconnected olders. Invisibility is a hallmark of our culture — out of sight, out of mind for those who are “different.” Ashton Applewhite has commented that all prejudice relies on “othering,” i.e. seeing a group of people as other than ourselves. I’ve started looking at olders who have difficulty walking as if they were me. No, I don’t have any problem walking or working out or mowing my lawn, but neither did that really hunched over guy using a cane, or that lady in a kerchief slowly pushing a walker in front of her in the grocery store, until whatever happened to them happened. I can envision myself as them. Inevitably, some change will happen to me sometime, and it just might turn me into that slow, really hunched over guy with a cane. This understanding is humbling and it has helped me develop empathy. I can see myself as that guy, and I can also see a younger version of him — I can see him as he graduated high school or held his newborn or dug in his garden. He wasn’t always this way that has caused his invisibility. None of us are. Life is change.

MARC BLESOFF

See BLESOFF on page 36

#MeToo, plus 55 Mary Kay O’Grady p. 35

Transcendent moments, right here in Oak Park

A G I N G

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

solve an intractable problem, or resolve an was among the fortunate audience that filled Unity Temple last Saturday night impasse in a relationship, or achieve as a for “The Best of Unity Temple Choir.” team what no one person alone could achieve, Looking around this revered building and we feel the power of community at its best, listening to this stunning performance, I a transcendent spiritual experience. At such was aware of being surrounded by the best times, we find ourselves without words. We of the best of human achievement. turn to the poets, the artists, the musicians. Later at home, catching up with last week’s Years ago, I came across these words of Wednesday Journal, I read Ken Trainor’s beautiful esDaniel Barenboim that express so eloquently the elevatsay on an afternoon walk that led him to listen in on a ing and civilizing power of music: practice session of the OPRF Huskies Marching Band. “If you wish to learn to live in a democratic society, He describes this unexpected moment of experiencing then you would do well to play in an orchestra. For when transcendence: you do, you know when “Here they were, to lead and when to folgathered in commulow. You leave space for nion, with one anothers and at the same other and their music, time you have no inhibitalented and funtions about claiming a loving simultaneously, place for yourself. practicing for God “And despite this, or knows what. Their maybe precisely belast home game? Some cause of it, music is the national competition? best means of escape … It’s not about the from the problems of competitions and the human existence.” halftime shows. … It’s Think about the numabout one moment of ber of people, the numtranscendence, when PROVIDED ber of hours, the level it’s all working and of talent and degree of Last Saturday’s Best of Unity Temple Concert they’re loving it. This devotion that it takes to was the pure thing itself.” produce a Unity Temple Choir, or the music programs in Study of evolution and history has led me to think of our schools, or Handel Week at Grace Episcopal Church, Homo sapiens as a transcendental species. We have a or the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest. great gift: the capacity to transcend fear, adversity, sufferI mention these because I have had personal experiing, and loss by coming together in community, putting ence of enjoying and being enthralled by them. I know differences aside, joining collective intelligence and colthere are many others. If our music is one measure of lective passion in pursuit of a common cause. Each time our strength as a community, we can rest assured that we we set a mission, in our personal lives and as a society, are on solid ground. each time we overcome obstacles and our own limitaStephanie Ferrara is a therapist and a resident of Oak Park. tions, each time we reach a new level of knowledge, or

STEPHANIE FERRARA One View

Traditional New Orleans

Po’ Boys

$10 Wednesday’s in November

7353 W. Madison, Forest Park

V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

O U R

V I E W S

Leave free parking alone

lot of change is underway in downtown Oak Park. Two new high-rises constructed over the past 18 months. Two more on the way. New retail such as Target and restaurants such as Cooper’s Hawk just getting launched. And in that process, the last of the major surface parking lots in downtown has been built over with a series of new indoor garages being added. All of which suggests to us that this is not the time to monkey around with the parking perks that shoppers have come to expect in a time of parking change they’re not wild about. The research says that, given their druthers, most people would prefer to find a parking spot at the curb or in a surface lot, that many shoppers are wary of garages, even the new ones which are better lit, climate controlled and not quite so tight on the curves. That makes first-hour-free a good gambit to get drivers to sample a garage and free-all-Sunday a welcome reason to come downtown. Trustees should leave those parking regs alone for now. Sure, there is money being left on the table. But with added property taxes from the high-rises, added sales taxes coming from the new retail, and hopefully increased occupancy rates in the garages, downtown will be pulling its weight. Add in the ongoing rate adjustments, certain to be approved for permit and commuter parking in the new year, and there is no need to get greedy. Finally, we’d note that we are just over a year away from the wholesale rebuilding of Lake Street from Harlem to Euclid. This essential infrastructure project — rebuilding not repaving, sidewalks, pipes, street — is going to spread over two years, likely 2019 and 2020. Anxious business owners will want more free parking, not less, for that disruption.

We were wrong on Austin Pantry Several weeks ago on this page, we took the side of the owners of Austin Pantry. That was the longtime convenience store on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Austin Boulevard. It had been temporarily shut down by Oak Park’s village government after police arrested the long-employed manager of the store on charges he was selling heroin out the front door. After a private hearing — more on that soon — Village Manager Cara Pavlicek made the closure permanent. And last week after the shop’s owners appealed that ruling to an ad hoc hearing body made up of three village trustees, the original decision was affirmed. Austin Pantry is closed for good. Based on our further reporting and the testimony delivered publicly by business and residential neighbors last week, our original editorial was premature. The evidence is clear that this store had become an active nuisance of the sort we can never tolerate in Oak Park: an ongoing assemblage of young men loitering in front of the store and likely selling drugs themselves, plus repeated calls to the Oak Park police. Good for residents for going on the record with the Journal with their strong concerns and for turning out in public to testify. We acknowledge that the Journal’s initial editorial position was hasty. However, we don’t understand why the initial hearing before the village manager was entirely behind closed doors. This was not a personnel issue, no property was changing hands, no lawsuits were pending. So why a need to keep the public and the press out? Even last week, while the testimony was in public, the deliberations of the three trustees were private. Again, why?

Short-sighted on North Ave.

Last week we wrote about the future of North Avenue. The two-mile stretch will never again be all retail and offices, we said. Mixing in new residential is essential and we cited a proposal for an upscale 80-unit apartment complex on an expansive site in Galewood. This week, caving to citizen pressure, Ald. Chris Taliaferro said he would turn down the project. This is a mistake, based on unfounded fears from residents. And it sends a bad signal to prospective investors about this sad sack of a street.

@ @OakParkSports

The turning-inward time of year

two-block stretch of Oak Park Avenue has been closed off for the annual Halloween Parade on this last Saturday of October. Parents and kids march north to Lake Street under the train viaduct, costumed, bags in hand for the trick-or-treating to come. One twosome, a princess and a witch (which pretty much covers their gender’s parameters) break into a rendition of “Jingle Bells,” supplying their own words. Mom says, “Oh no, we’re not doing that yet.” But soon enough. We’re heading into the home stretch of the year and the weather makes that indisputably clear — blustery and raw, temps hanging by their fingertips to the 40s, ragged-edged cloud banks rolling overhead, searching for patches of blue to blot out where the overcast has briefly thinned. But the gamers on the ground are undeterred. Star Wars storm troopers and bishops and wizards and whatnot. And those are just the parents. The kids are furred and whiskered and Harry Pottered and Luke Skywalkered. One girl is a taco. Another is either a warlock or a Supreme Court justice. No Trumps in evidence. This is, after all, a family event. Continuing on, changes in the leafy canopy become more evident. Brighter colors are finally beginning to dominate, though not so brilliant as in years past, at least not yet. Perhaps that is global warming’s doing (or undoing). The tall prairie garden on the grounds of Cheney Mansion has been cleared, but the sweet residual cinnamon after-scent lingers. Further along, the weather is not exactly conducive to a comfortable savoring of the last Farmers Market of this year. A few hearty souls huddle with coffee and donuts at the tables, but the informal collection of musicians has called it a season. The vendors, however, have braved the elements and the waning harvest and are here manning and womanning their tables and tents, seeing the growing season to its October denouement. Friends, who probably met here all summer long, cluster for a photo on this final go-round. Pilgrim Congregational Church, which has hosted and person-powered this community-building ministry for more than a generation, is selling the year’s final donuts and coffee under the tent, where a rotating roster of good causes and organizations raised funds each week for the benefit of sweettooths and the detriment of waistlines. The vendors’ wares, meanwhile, have been narrowed, mostly to apples and root vegeta-

bles, pumpkins and squash and peppers. Cold hands count out the change and bag the produce. “Barry’s Berries,” repeats one patient vendor to a customer who isn’t catching the pun. “B-A-RR-Y-S B-E-R-R-I-E-S.” Customers and sellers exchange fond farewells. “See you next year.” The guy at the bread tent replies, “If God’s willing and the creek don’t rise.” And if the bread does rise. Bears fans banter with the Packers fan in the corner who sells Indian corn and has dared to wear his team’s logo on his sweatshirt. “It’s the only team worth rooting for,” he says with a mischievous grin. Bears boosters are in no position to rebut. The sky begins to spritz and he notes that in the wee hours this morning as he drove past O’Hare, he spotted a few flakes. It won’t be long. At the tables along Lake Street, a political partisan waves a handout at passersby. “We need to get rid of this regime,” he says. “Trump’s got his finger on the nukes.” At a separate table nearby, the Democratic Party of Oak Park offers signature petitions on clipboards for an array of candidates trying to get on the ballot. As I put cream in my coffee, a friend sidles up and says, “The jet stream has buckled, and we’re on the wrong side of it.” A woman on my right says, “It’s perfect weather for a finale.” For finality anyway. The warm Saturdays of summer are already a fading memory. Since late May, this has been a place where you pick up flowers and fixings and farm stocks. It’s also where you pick up where you left off with the lives of people you may not have seen all winter. Farmers Market crowns the “coming out” portion of the year here in the upper Midwest. Farmers raise their crops and we raise our kids, some of whom are running back and forth on the soccer field across the street. We trade pleasantries and tips and updates and how-are-yous and revel in the abundance and relax in the cool of the first mornings of our weekends. But November is now upon us and with it the turning inward that begins, appropriately, on the Day of the Dead. The farmers let their fields rest and find other ways to occupy their time. Soon the sandhill cranes will fly over, heading south for a warmer winter than we can offer. I purchase a few last edible-looking tomatoes and a couple of deep red peppers and call it a season. “Have a good winter,” says the seller, chipper to the very end. A good winter. There’s a concept.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S D O O P E R ’ S

M E M O R I E S

Dissent punctuated my childhood

hen I was a young guy, I had disagreements with my family members over a number of things, but as I look back, none of those disagreements were

major. I did not like eating either rhubarb or stewed corn, so even under family pressure to eat these items, I never put them on my plate, so in the eyes of the adults, I was neglecting to eat foods that were “good for me.” My mother believed I could learn to play the piano, but after two lessons, I told her I didn’t have the talent to play and that I wanted to quit. She gave me a lecture about commitment and said I would continue the lessons until I could play fairly well. After the fourth lesson, the teacher told my mother that I was musically handicapped, and that to continue the lessons would be a waste of time and money. This was also the story when I took art lessons. I told my mother that I had no artistic ability, but once again I heard the commitment speech. After the fifth lesson, however, the teacher agreed with me and I dropped the class. When I was in seventh grade, I thought I should be able to stay up until 11 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights, but I lost this argument and didn’t bring it up again until I was a freshman in high school. At that point, my mother agreed and even let me stay up until midnight on Fridays. I thought I was being shorted on my allowance when I was in sixth grade. I received 50 cents per week, and I told the family that every kid I knew received at least a dollar.

This, of course, was a lie, and my family knew it. I lost again. When I turned 12, I cited the fact that it would now cost 50 cents admission to the Lake Theatre, and I wouldn’t be able to buy popcorn because I received fifty cents allowance. This plea fell on deaf ears. In fact, I was told I shouldn’t go to the movies every weekend but instead I should save my money. It wasn’t until I was 15 that my allowance was raised to $2 per week with the understanding that I would have an extra chore to do from time to time. I was really happy when I turned 16 and got a part-time job that paid $20 per week. My family didn’t like some of my friends, so we squabbled over that topic too. They said Charlie was a sneak, Richie was loony, and Eric was mean (true). Actually, I didn’t like a few of their friends, either, but I kept quiet about that. The last item of dissent dealt with clothing. There was a dress code at the high school, and if I remember correctly, it stated that the boys were to wear chino pants, belts, shirts with collars and no gym shoes. My mother thought this rule was wonderful, and I didn’t argue, but then my grandmother said I should wear a necktie to school every day. This idea was dropped, but I did wear black (spitshined) shoes with black laces and black socks every school day. I survived, of course, and when I graduated from high school, I was accepted as a responsible member of the household and was treated as an adult.

JOHN

STANGER

#MeToo, plus 55

riting this is like peeling back a can of sardines. You risk getting cut, sometimes just give up, and often just pry it up as far as possible and rip out the contents. At least I do. After it happened to me, I didn’t tell anybody because I assumed it was all my fault and I felt like such a fool. I thought I had put it out of my mind, but with the Weinstein disclosures, I experienced several days of minor PTSD. I couldn’t put my head on my pillow without replaying it and this happened more than 55 years ago! I was 20 or 21 and an undergrad at the University of Illinois. My roommate was having an affair with a professor. He had a friend in town visiting and they asked me to join the three of them for dinner. I knew the man was married. I think I thought that it was sophisticated to have dinner with a married man. The man was in his 30s, nice looking, I think, but I don’t remember his face. He was dressed like a businessman. I can’t remember much about the dinner, but my roommate went home with her boyfriend and the man said he’d take me back to the dorm. Instead he drove me to his motel. He asked me to come in and talk for a while. Why did I do this? My guess is that I had an

internal “hook” — not a part in a movie, but perhaps he told me I was bright and interesting. Anyway we talked awhile and then he stood up with his back to me and literally dropped his pants. I was dumbfounded. He turned around, fully engaged, and was on me. I can’t bring myself to use the “r” word in relation to myself, but I’m sure he did not succeed. The thing is, I can’t remember what I did to stop him, except saying “no” over and over, and I can’t remember how I got back to the dorm. I do remember that he asked me to look at pictures of his kids. I didn’t tell my roommate because I thought she’d make fun of me, and I didn’t tell anybody else until a few weeks ago. Why now? Two reasons: One, things are finally changing for women, and men are being forced to be accountable for their actions. Of course this man is probably dead or a great-grandfather. Two, a lot of men are not changing. And women are still being hurt by their own “hooks.” Sure, it’s fun to be invited to a fraternity party, but please, please, please, don’t get drunk and go upstairs to a bedroom. It’s still too dangerous.

MARY KAY O’GRADY

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak Staff Reporters Michael Romain, Timothy Inklebarger Viewpoints Ken Trainor Sports/Staff reporter Marty Farmer Columnists Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, John Hubbuch, May Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West, Michelle Mbekeani-Wiley, Rebecca West, Doris Davenport Staff Photographer Alexa Rogals Editorial Design Manager Claire Innes Editorial Designers Jacquinete Baldwin, Javier Govea Business Manager Joyce Minich IT Manager/Web Developer Mike Risher Director Social Media Strategy & Communications Jackie McGoey Advertising Production Manager Philip Soell Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead Advertising Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck, Joe Chomiczewski Media Coordinator Kristen Benford Inside Sales Representative Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Distribution Coordinator Caleb Thusat Comptroller Edward Panschar Credit Manager Laurie Myers Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

About Viewpoints Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government, schools, businesses and culture of Oak Park and River Forest. As we share the consensus of Wednesday Journal’s editorial board on local matters, we hope our voice will help focus your thinking and, when need be, fire you to action. In a healthy conversation about community concerns, your voice is also vital. We welcome your views, on any topic of community interest, as essays and as letters to the editor. Noted here are our stipulations for filing. Please understand our verification process and circumstances that would lead us not to print a letter or essay. We will call to check that what we received with your signature is something you sent. If we can’t make that verification, we will not print what was sent. When, in addition to opinion, a letter or essay includes information presented as fact, we will check the reference. If we cannot confirm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay. If you have questions, call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 708-613-3310 or email him at ktrainor@wjinc.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR ■ 250-word limit ■ Must include first and last names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY ■ 500-word limit ■ One-sentence footnote about yourself, your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left

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

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

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Take real action to reduce gun violence

read Dr. John Barrett’s opinion column, “Do not stand idly by,” [Viewpoints, Oct. 11] with great interest. Surely he knew, as a trauma surgeon, that when an emergency trauma patient presented himself, the first thing to do is to determine the scope of the problem, then determine the best outcome and the route to get there. His column failed to identify who creates the gun violence problem, which is the core issue, and what path can be taken to minimize the carnage. The path of passive resistance that he advocates fails to isolate the violent felons and paints all gun owners as the problem. The truth of the matter is that both sides want the exact same end result, the virtual elimination of firearms violence. Our differences come from the fact that the gun rights proponents speak from firsthand experience and the responsibilities group argue from what they feel would solve the problem so long as their resolution only inconveniences others. With his suggestion, “become more educated,” Dr. Barrett asks several questions that he assumes to be rhetorical. His assumed answers are either ignorant of the facts or intentionally skewed to try to prove a point. I do know what my Second Amendment rights are and I believe his group is trying to “infringe”

V I E W P O I N T S

those rights. I am also very aware of my responsibilities as a gun owner. Shooting sports are very dangerous and we take safety very seriously. We also participate in one of the most stringently regulated activities in the U.S. There are several classes of citizens who have, in fact, forfeited their rights to own guns. There are several classes of firearms that only military can possess. Before questioning firearms dealers, perhaps you should look up the costs and responsibilities of a Federal Firearms License; you might be shocked. I explain mass murderers to my children as mentally ill people who only rarely commit murder. Sad, but a fact of life. I find it much harder to explain abortion since those individuals most often take a human life for convenience. I see little real result from Dr. Barrett’s plan of “action” and I offer my “tough love” approach: First, we must understand that 60 percentplus of firearms deaths in the U.S. result from suicide and that is more a medical problem and should be left to the doctors. The next group includes justified death, due to law enforcement exercising their sworn duty, and

also accidental deaths. Our attention is drawn to that last group of thugs, drug-related gang activity and all of those other “outside of civil society” actions by people who refuse to live peacefully in our community. How do we resolve that? Here are some ideas that can be executed at the local level: 1. A commitment by the local community to have zero tolerance for firearms-related felonies. Recruit a group of retired lawyers to go to court and plead the town’s case for no bail, no reduction in charges and maximum penalties when convicted. 2. The local newspaper would report any judge who let a thug off easy. It could be reported as a court report to the community. 3. That same newspaper could print a preelection scorecard that voters could take to the polls to influence their support for judges’ retention. This would strike terror in the hearts of judges who always seem to take the easy way out. 4. Lighting a candle on a church lawn is OK, but spending that same time in a community center mentoring a child to stay in school, not to get pregnant, and finding a life’s

RAY

SIMPSON One View

work is far more satisfying. You could put a face and name to your effort and that could be a life’s joy for both of you. You can make a difference! 5. If you are looking to explore organizations, might I suggest you seek ones that are less rabid and myopic than those suggested by Dr. Barrett. As a counterpoint you might take a look at the NRA-ILA and get some idea of what their legal and moral positions are and why. You might discover that they are not the green-eyed monsters as portrayed in Wednesday Journal. 6. Let your local police know that you are willing to support their effort, help out with information programs and are willing to blow the whistle if they go rogue. They are our employees, after all! All of this could make a difference in weeks rather than the years required to change federal laws or decades to attempt to alter the Constitution. The laws we need exist; any new law would probably be just as toothless as the existing ignored statutes. All of these discussions address the issue of “how” people commit violence and totally ignore the “why.” That might be a good starting point! Ray Simpson has been an Oak Park resident for 51 years.

Responsible actions can reduce gun violence

believe we are all in agreement that the level of gun violence in the U.S. is both horrifying and unacceptable. We have all read the numbers of those shot and injured and we have all heard the cliches: ■ Let’s not talk about actions to reduce gun violence now after a mass shooting; now is the time for mourning. ■ The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. ■ No point in supporting universal background checks because it won’t stop the “bad guys” from getting guns. ■ Ban bump stocks, limit the number of bullets per magazine or ban armor piercing bullets? No way! That is the beginning of the slippery slope that leads to the government coming to take your guns. Do we really believe that the government

will come and get our guns, or is it more likely that this message is promoted by those who make a huge profit marketing and selling guns, bullets, magazines, bump stocks, and other gunrelated merchandise? The cold medication Sudafed is highly controlled because in large quantities it can be used to make methamphetamine. Sudafed is kept in a locked cabinet; you need to show a photo ID to buy it; there is a limit on how much one person can buy each month and the retailers are required to keep personal information about the buyers for a minimum of two years. Are bullets and guns as closely regulated? Not even close. If more guns meant more safety, then the

U.S. would have the lowest number of gun deaths. Does it? No, so I would like to suggest some doable actions that have the possibility of actually reducing gun violence. Will they eliminate all gun violence? No, but let’s not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. If these actions save hundreds … 100 … 50 … 10 … or even one life, then I believe they are worth doing. Do-able actions: 1. Take action to support the Gun Dealers Licensing Act by: volunteering to make calls to people in other districts asking them to call their representatives and urge them to vote Yes on SB1657: The Gun Dealers Licensing Act. To learn how, contact haismanbob@

gmail.com. 2. Support safe storage of guns in the home. There are storage units that open with a fingerprint. 3. Support the sale of smart guns that can only be fired by the owner’s fingerprint. Yes, they are available and yes, they do work. 4. Join the Be Smart campaign sponsored by Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety and learn simple rules for gun safety in the home. Are you willing to take action? Make an intention … chose an action … set a time and just do it. If not now, then when? If not you, then who? Joyce Champelli, a member of Gun Responsibility Advocates, has been an Oak Park resident for over 50 years.

BLESOFF

we should be ashamed. “Creating and Recreating Home: Options for Aging in Community” is a forum scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., in the Veterans Room of the Oak Park Public Library. A project of Arbor West Neighbors (AWN), this half-day event will feature two panels and a keynote speaker. “We wanted to focus on the advocacy plank in our mission statement,” said Susan Stahl, an AWN board member, as we spoke on the phone last month. “Affordable housing,” she said, “is a rapidly growing problem for people over 50 who live

in the Oak Park/Austin/River Forest/Forest Park area.” The forum begins with a presentation about “Setting the Context for Creative Housing Alternatives,” by Charlie Hoch, UIC urban planning professor emeritus and author of Under One Roof: Issues and Innovations in Shared Housing. The first panel of the morning, titled “Living in Alternative Housing - Voices of Residents,” will feature olders who currently live in alternative housing. Panel #2, “Community Leaders and Professionals on Housing Alternatives,” will be composed of profession-

als in the field of designed housing as well as a representative from the village of Oak Park. Admission is free, but space is limited. Please contact Arbor West Neighbors to RSVP: ArborWestNeighbors@gmail.com, or call 708-613-0152. I hope to see you there! Marc Blesoff is a former Oak Park village trustee, co-founder of the Windmills softball organization, co-creator of Sunday Night Dinner, a retired criminal defense attorney, and a novice beekeeper. He currently facilitates Conscious Aging Workshops and Wise Aging Workshops in the Chicago area.

Recreating ‘home’ from page 33 The inevitable physical changes will happen. Relationships will morph. And perhaps the homes where we raised our families will become too big for us, or our taxes will become unaffordable, or our abilities to maintain upkeep of the house we own will diminish. That doesn’t mean we did anything wrong or

JOYCE

CHAMPELLI One View

V I E W P O I N T S

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The origins of ‘white skin privilege’

n America, the topic of race is the ultimate “wedge” issue. Any discussion of race is bound to create controversy. While we grapple with it daily, it is curious that few, if any, understand the pseudo-science that underpins the concept of race. Racial grouping is not a biological construct. It is a social-political concept designed to justify the treatment of one group as superior to another group of humans. How else could so-called civilized people enslave and treat other humans as animals or chattel property? To treat another human being as a “thing” to be despised and exploited requires that the “thing” never be accorded the status of human being. Africans, stolen and purchased from their villages, were deemed to be sub-human, without souls. Ironically, it was the people trafficking in this dastardly business of slavery who were the ones without “souls.” Sadly, even the religious leaders of the time were both complicit and supportive of this “peculiar institution.” It didn’t help that the enslaved people looked different: Their skin tone was darker and they spoke in strange tongues. The enslavement or re-capture of Africans in America was made possible, in large part, because of the color of the slaves’ skin. Native Americans and poor whites, while initially subjected to slavery or indentured servant status, were difficult to keep in bondage. The Native American, as with many Africans, stubbornly refused to accept this fate — sometimes choosing death over enslavement. The white European often escaped and blended into larger society under cover of “white skin.” The use of skin color as an escape advantage was, weirdly, the beginning of “white skin privileges” in America. But having “black skin” in America was the modern-day equivalent of wearing a GPS ankle monitor. Like today’s ankle monitor, black skin was a homing device to keep track of slaves with the audacity to contemplate a run for freedom. Because of their skin color, freed slaves living in Northern states had to prove that they were “legally free.” Often, slave hunters ignored the proof and kidnapped free blacks to sell them back into slavery. Returning to

slavery was the nightmare that haunted free blacks. Slavery was neither genteel nor romantic. The idealized plantation with the columned front porch of the mansion was a concentration camp. Housing for the slave prisoners were small tight quarters with rock hard sleeping accommodations. Slave prisoners were forbidden to learn to read or write. And any white person conspiring to teach a slave prisoner to become literate faced sentences ranging from fines to prison time. Beating a slave prisoner to the point of disfigurement or death for “crimes” ranging from moving too slow or rolling their eyes the wrong way was commonplace. The beating or shooting death of a slave was neither investigated nor discouraged. Clearly, during over 250 years of slavery, black lives did not matter. Poor whites, whose living conditions were horrendous, could only thank God that at least they weren’t black. Being poor and living in wretched conditions for the white tenant farmer was still better than being black. Even after slavery legally ended, a bundle of Jim Crow laws further enshrined the principle of “white skin privileges.” Black men were often incarcerated for vagrancy because they did not have a certain prescribed amount of money in their possession. Once arrested (there was no due process), they were sent to jails and made part of work gangs that local sheriffs leased out to local white businesses at minimal costs. Today we are grappling with the aftershocks of an inhumane system of dehumanization, exploitation, and discrimination. Successful blacks today are akin to the “free blacks” of yesteryear. The burden of proof that they are different from their inner-city brothers and sisters lies with them. White skin privilege is so embedded in our society and culture that the beneficiaries of these opportunities honestly are not aware that a significant part of their lifestyle is at the expense of others. “Fish,” as they say, “are last to be aware of the presence of water” — until they find themselves gasping for oxygen on land. Kwame Salter is an Oak Park resident and an occasional columnist for Wednesday Journal.

KWAME SALTER

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

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Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

A moving tribute to the marching band

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So glad you happened by

I am the director of bands at OPRF. I wanted to send you a personal note of thanks for your very thoughtful and heartfelt piece in last week’s Wednesday Journal [An audience of one in the late afternoon, Ken Trainor, Viewpoints, Oct. 25]. I was completely moved by your column. It reminded me of why we do this. These days it is tough to find good things to talk about, but you hit the nail on the head. We don’t do this for competitions and for halftime shows; we do it because we want to be part of something greater than ourselves. These students, specifically those in the marching band, have a passion for music like no other. You may have heard this, but before every show I shout, “Make me move!” Well, you have done that and more. And to respond to your ending — “Thanks, I needed that” — it was our pleasure.

I’ve been giving clarinet and saxophone lessons here in the Oak Park area for the last 30 years. I started teaching when there was no marching band at OPRF — when a former teacher retired, they brought someone on to resurrect it. Over the last almost 20 years the band has grown from 30 members to almost 130 now. Anthony Svejda, Patrick Pearson and Drew Frederickson are a wonderful team of educators and leaders who are currently running the group. Your article about them in the Journal [An audience of one in the late afternoon, Ken Trainor, Viewpoints, Oct. 25] brought me to tears. You got it. You got why the band exists — what it means to the kids; how the community they create being together a solid week before school starts, then every day after school during the marching band season, is crucial to their high school experience. I’m so glad you happened upon their rehearsal and picked up on all the things you wrote about. Oak Park is rich with the arts. I hope and pray and hope some more that that will never, ever change. And marching band is most definitely a part of that. Thank you,

Director of Bands, OPRF High School

Oak Park

Anthony Svejda

Linda Van Dyke

Racism isn’t the central issue

I’ve read a lot a lot about Anthony Clark lately in Wednesday Journal, the Oak Leaves, and the Chicago Sun-Times but not one word regarding his teaching at Oak Park and River Forest High School (a subject that would interest me). If his main reading is something called “social media,” shouldn’t the “Freedom of the Press” group be concentrating more on the

public interest? The OPRF school board is not the only board often wanting more money from us, and racism doesn’t seem to be the central feature of this story. Permitting distraction to overcome concentration is closer and isn’t appealing in either schools or newspapers.

Discouraged by possible parking fee changes

my downtown errands, or even lunch, can be completed within the free time, so I just head right into a garage, freeing up a street space for others. If I have to pay for the first hour in the garage, I’m either going to look for a closer and quicker meter space or just go to another town, such as River Forest Town Center with its free parking. I also think the garages should be free if you enter after 6 p.m., as is done in some suburbs to match the meters and outdoor lot. That would considerably reduce traffic when commuters are home. There are suburbs that have free parking all the time in the downtown areas to encourage business and gain tax revenues. I am discouraged enough about going to Downtown Oak Park with all the new density. Don’t discourage me further.

I don’t think the current suggestions to eliminate free parking in the village garages is the right way to raise more revenue. I would rather see the hourly rate in the garages raised by 50 cents or even a dollar if more revenue is needed. Let’s face it. The glut of high-rise buildings is going to create traffic nightmares downtown. The goal should be to get cars off the streets, instead of going round and round looking for meters, and into the garages instead. Unless I’m going to a movie, most of

Gary Barnes Oak Park

Joyce Porter Oak Park

Wednesday Journal

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n the wake of the Harvey Weinstein horror, I sent the following article to all the people on my email contact list. I wrote, “You are all good people on this list. All of us have been taught stereotypes about others that we need to unlearn. I continue to unlearn things I’ve been taught about race, gender, religion, disability, etc. I’m hoping this article from The Guardian will help all of us explore how we think about women. “If you find yourself reacting against an item, please don’t let it cause you to dismiss the whole issue. Focus on the gist of the piece and let the rest go. I just ask you to take the list to heart and do what you can to help.” Here’s the link to the Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/oct/16/a-simple-list-of-thingsmen-can-do-to-change-our-work-and-lifeculture. I later read Mary Schmich’s article in the Chicago Tribune. See http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ columnists/schmich/ct-met-sexual-harassment-mary-schmich-20171026-story.html. Basically, she says if you wouldn’t do it to a man, don’t do it to a woman. Don’t grope, give a back rub, call someone pet names, demand sex, etc.

V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

How to treat women better The Guardian list: Over the last week, there’s been a lot of talk about how women are treated in the workplace — and elsewhere. TV writer Nicole Silverberg argues that if men want to step up, they can. Nicole Silverberg is a TV writer and editor at Reductress. Hey men, what are you planning to do better? Because you need to do better. Here are ideas on how you should treat women better: ■ Talk to your friend who is “kind of a creep” at work. ■ Don’t talk over women. ■ If you are asked to be on a panel/ team and see that it’s all men, say something. Maybe even refuse the spot! ■ When you see another guy talk over a woman, say: “Hey, she was saying something.” ■ Don’t call women “crazy” in a professional setting. ■ Don’t use your “feminism” as a way to get women to trust you. Show us in your day-to-day life, not in your selfcongratulatory social media. ■ Don’t touch women you don’t know, and honestly, ask yourself why you feel

SUE PIHA

One View

the need to touch women in general. ■ Do you feel that any woman on earth owes you something? She doesn’t. Even if you’re like, “Hm, but what about basic respect?” ask yourself if you’ve shown her

the same. ■ If a woman says no to a date, don’t ask her again. ■ If a woman has not given an enthusiastic “yes” to sex, back the hell off. ■ If a woman is really drunk, she cannot consent to you and she also cannot consent to your buddy who seems to be trying something. Your buddy is your responsibility, so say something and intervene. ■ If you do the right thing, don’t expect praise or payment or a pat on the back or even a “thank you from that woman.” Congratulations, you were baseline decent. ■ Involve women in your creative projects, then let them have equal part in them. ■ Don’t make misogynistic jokes. ■ Don’t expect women to be “nice” or “cute” and don’t get upset when they aren’t those things.

■ Don’t make assumptions about a woman’s intelligence, capabilities or desires based on how she dresses. ■ Pay women as much as you pay men. ■ If a woman tells you that you [screwed] up, and you feel like [crap], don’t put it on that woman to make you feel better. Apologize without qualification and then go away. ■ Don’t punish women for witnessing your vulnerability. ■ Don’t get defensive when you get called out. ■ Don’t need to literally witness a man being horrible in order to believe that he’s horrible. Trust and believe women. ■ Don’t use your power to get women’s attention/company/sex/etc. ■ Be aware of your inherent power in situations and use it to protect women, especially via talking to other men. ■ Stop thinking that because you’re also marginalized or a survivor that you cannot inflict pain or oppress women. ■ If women’s pain makes you feel pain, don’t prize your pain above hers or make that pain her problem. ■ Don’t read a list like this and think that most of these don’t apply to you. Susan Piha is a resident of Oak Park.

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

O B I T U A R I E S

Celebrating a life lived long and well

ichard “Dick” Brennan was the second of four children born to Irish immigrants, Edmund and Agnes Brennan. Shortly after his birth, on Sept. 2, 1930, Edmund attempted to organize transit workers in Chicago. For his efforts, he and his family were deported to England. So Dick Brennan grew up in London during the blitz. He spent many nights in bomb shelters, as his family struggled for survival. Growing up in wartime England made Brennan a frugal person throughout his life, though he was generous with family and friends. After he graduated high school from St. James in London in 1947, his family returned to Chicago. Brennan was always good with numbers and worked as a bookkeeper while taking business courses at DePaul University. For the 21-year-old, 1951 proved to be RICHARD BRENNAN a watershed year. He met the love of his life, Honor Petrie, of Forest Park, at a South Side dance. He was also drafted into the U.S. Army and served an 18-month tour of duty as a leadership instructor at Camp Gordon, Georgia. Following his honorable discharge, Brennan drove a Pepsi truck while earning a degree in International Relations at the University of Chicago. After Dick and Honor wed, their first apartment was at Elgin & Jackson in Forest Park. It featured a Murphy bed that folded into the wall. They later moved to a tiny onebedroom on the South Side, where four of their six boys were born. In 1959, the family bought their first house, a Victorian at Erie & Humphrey in Oak Park. They paid $20,000 for the spacious home, which featured a wraparound porch. In 1960, Brennan became the credit manager at Mercy Hospital. Five years later, he took the same position at Grant Hospital.

By 1964, there were six boys and a daughter, Cathy, living in the house. The family took annual camping trips, starting with a trip to the Montreal Expo in 1967. Their adventures included enduring gale force winds at Cape Hatteras. The parents planted a kid at each corner to keep their tent upright. Back home, Dick rose early to drive his sons to hockey practice. Rich, Danny and Sean excelled, while Tim, Chris and Pat pursued other sports. He also drove Cathy to Irish dance practice; she danced competitively until she was 19. Dick and Honor celebrated their Irish roots by singing with the Heritage Singers at the Irish American Heritage Center. In October 1976, the family moved to River Forest. Brennan had been promoted to administrative assistant at Grant Hospital, on his way to becoming president. Though he never struggled with alcoholism, he had great compassion for people with drinking problems. He pioneered a successful program for alcoholics, which included in-patient, out-patient and follow-up care. Brennan also befriended future Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and directed Grant Hospital to treat indigent patients from Cabrini-Green. Away from work, Brennan focused on family and friends. He especially loved cooking for family feasts and was forever asking guests, “Are you staying for dinner?” He was known for treating everyone with respect and prided himself on knowing people’s names. At a wedding rehearsal dinner, he graciously spoke with everyone there, though he was meeting most for the first time. After he retired from Grant Hospital in 1991, Dick and Honor took trips to Europe and Asia. At home, he busied himself with his garden and making home repairs. He remained in good health until 2013 and died on Oct. 14, 2017. After the funeral Mass, his family celebrated his life at Jimmy’s Place on Madison Street in Forest Park, where they passed around the microphone, telling story after story about the incomparable Dick Brennan.

JOHN RICE

He was known

for treating everyone with respect and prided himself on knowing people’s names.

Growing community.

Lynn A. Marti, 93 Oak Park resident, veteran

Lynn A. Marti, 93, of Oak Park, died on Oct. 30, 2017. Born on April 20, 1924, Lynn was the husband of the late Patricia A. (nee Tull;); the father of Chris (Linda) and Bruce Marti; grandfather of Adam (Katie), Katelyn (Eric) Mucha, Nathan, Taylor, Melissa, Mackenzie and Michael; great-grandfather of Weston; brother of the late Dale, the late Ray (the late Bertie), and the late Jo Ann (Paul) Francis; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 2 from 9 to 11 a.m., at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St. in Oak Park, followed by a Military Committal Service at 2:30 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. The family appreciates memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association. Additional information is available at www.drechslerbrownwilliams.com or 708-383-3191.

Phyllis Raad, 90

Former Oak Park schools executive secretary Phyllis E. Raad, 90, of Northlake, a former longtime resident of Oak Park, died on Oct. 25, 2017. Born on Feb. 6, 1927 in Farmington, Michigan, she was raised in Detroit and came to live in Chicago in the 1940s. She graduated from Moody Bible Institute. As an executive secretary, she worked in the Oak Park Public School system for over 27 years. On May 31, 1947, she married Clifford, in a double ceremony at Judson Baptist Church along with her sister, Dorothy and her husband. The event received national attention. As a faithful Sunday school teacher, she served a combined total of more than 40 years at Judson Baptist Church and Calvary Memorial Church, both of Oak Park. Phyllis Raad is survived by Clifford R. Raad, her husband of 70 years; her sons, Richard (Christina) and Gary E. (Rhonda); her grandchildren, Timothy (Brandie) Raad, Amy Raad, Karen (Benjamin) Nelson, Shaun (Amanda), Gary S. (Jamie) Raad, and Lucas Raad; her great-grandchildren, Destiny, Dylan, Katherine, Chloe, Ayden, Grace, Judah, Ethan, Jaxon, Annabella, and Noah; and her nephew, John (Mary) Raad. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Dorothy and Paul. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. service at Calvary Memorial Church, 931 Lake St., Oak Park 60301. Private burial will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to Calvary Memorial Church are appreciated by the family. Arrangements were handled by Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, Wheaton.

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Religion Guide Methodist

Check First.

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

First Congregational Church of Maywood

400 N. Fifth Avenue (1 block north of Lake St.) Come join us for Sunday Morning Worship at 11 am Pastor Elliot Wimbush will be preaching the message. Refreshments and fellowship follow the service. 708-344-6150 firstchurchofmaywood.org When you're looking for a place to worship the Lord, Check First.

You’re Invited to A Church for All Nations A Church Without Walls SERVICE LOCATION Forest Park Plaza 7600 W. Roosevelt Road Forest Park, IL 60130

William S. Winston Pastor (708) 697-5000 Sunday Service 7AM, 9AM & 11:15AM

LIVE Webcast - 11:15AM Service Believer’s Walk of Faith Broadcast Schedule (Times in Central Standard Time) Television DAYSTAR (M-F)

3:30-4:00pm

Nationwide

WJYS-TV (M-F)

6:30-7:00am

Chicago, IL.

WCIU-TV (Sun.)

10:30-11:00am

Chicago, IL.

Word Network

10:30-11:00am

Nationwide

(M-F)

www.livingwd.org www.billwinston.org

“Here is where you belong!” Engage Christian Church Engaging God, His Family, and His Mission 1000 S. Elgin Ave. Forest Park, IL (In First United Church) To stay connected visit our website and join us on social media www.engagecc.org Facebook: @EngageCC Twitter: @engagecchurch Instagram: @engccchurch

West Suburban Temple Har Zion

1040 N. Harlem Avenue River Forest Meet our Rabbi, Adir Glick Pray, learn, and celebrate with our caring, progressive, egalitarian community. Interfaith families are welcome. Accredited Early Childhood Program Religious School for K thru 12 Daily Morning Minyan Weekly Shabbat Services Friday 6:30pm & Saturday 10:00am Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 708.366.9000 www.wsthz.org

324 N. Oak Park Avenue 708-383-4983 www.firstUMCoakpark.org Sunday School for all Ages, 9am Sunday Worship, 10am Children’s Chapel during Worship Rev. Katherine Thomas Paisley, Pastor Professionally Staffed Nursery Fellowship Time after Worship Presbyterian

Fair Oaks

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Lutheran—ELCA

United Lutheran Church

409 Greenfield Street (at Ridgeland Avenue) Oak Park Holy Communion with nursery care and children’s chapel each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. www.unitedlutheranchurch.org

708/386-1576

Lutheran-Independent

Grace Lutheran Church

7300 W. Division, River Forest David R. Lyle, Senior Pastor David W. Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Lauren Dow Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Sunday Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Ed. 9:45 a.m. Childcare Available

744 Fair Oaks Ave. Oak Park 386-4920 Sunday Schedule Christian Education for All Ages 9:00am Worship Service 10:00am

Child care available 9-11am

fairoakspres.org OAK PARK MEETING OF FRIENDS (Quakers) Meeting For Worship Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Park Art League 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park Please call 708-445-8201 www.oakparkfriends.org

Roman Catholic

Ascension Catholic Church

Grace Lutheran School

Preschool - 8th Grade Bill Koehne, Principal 366-6900, graceriverforest.org Lutheran-Missouri Synod

Christ Lutheran Church

607 Harvard Street (at East Av.) Oak Park, Illinois Rev. Robert M. Niehus, Pastor Sunday Bible Class: 9:15 am Sunday School: 9:10 Sunday Worship Services: 8:00 and 10:30 am Church Office: 708/386-3306 www.christlutheranoakpark.org Lutheran-Missouri Synod

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church

305 Circle Ave, Forest Park Sunday Worship 8:30am & 11:00am Adult Bible Class & Sunday School 10:00am Wheelchair Access to Sanctuary Leonard Payton, Pastor Roney Riley, Assistant Pastor 708-366-3226 www.stjohnforestpark.org

808 S. East Ave. 708/848-2703 www.ascensionoakpark.com Worship: Saturday Mass 5:00 pm Sunday Masses 7:30, 9:00, 11 am, 5:00 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation 4 pm Saturday Taize Prayer 7:30 pm First Fridays Feb.– Dec. & Jan. 1

Rev. James Hurlbert, Pastor

Roman Catholic

St. Edmund Catholic Church

188 South Oak Park Ave. Saturday Mass: 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses: 9:00 & 11:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m. Weekday Mass: 8:30 a.m. M–F Holy Day Masses: As Announced Reconciliation: Saturday 4:15 p.m. Parish Office: 708-848-4417 School Phone: 708-386-5131

Roman Catholic

St. Bernardine Catholic Church Harrison & Elgin, Forest Park

CELEBRATING OUR 107TH YEAR! Sat. Masses: 8:30am & 5:00pm SUNDAY MASSES: 8:00am & 10:30am 10:30 Mass-Daycare for all ages CCD Sun. 9am-10:15am Reconciliation: Sat. 9am & 4pm Weekday Masses: Monday–Friday 6:30am Church Office: 708-366-0839 CCD: 708-366-3553 www.stbern.com Pastor: Fr. Stanislaw Kuca

St. Giles Family Mass Community

We welcome all to attend Sunday Mass at 10 a.m. on the St. Giles Parish campus on the second floor of the school gym, the southernmost building in the school complex at 1034 North Linden Avenue. Established in 1970, we are a laybased community within St. Giles Roman Catholic Parish. Our Mass is family-friendly. We encourage liturgically active toddlers. Children from 3 to 13 and young adults play meaningful parts in each Sunday liturgy. Together with the parish, we offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based religious education program for children in grades K-8. For more information, go to http://www.stgilesparish.org/ family-mass-community or call Bob Wielgos at 708-288-2196.

Traditional Catholic

The Traditional Catholic Latin Mass

Our Lady Immaculate Church 410 Washington Blvd Oak Park. 708-524-2408 Mass Times: Sat. 8:00am Sun. 7:30 & 10:00am Operated by Society of St. Pius X. Confessions 1 hr. before each mass

Third Unitarian Church 10AM Sunday Forum Summer Schedule at

thirdunitarianchurch.org (773) 626-9385

301 N. Mayfield, Chicago, near Austin and Lake Unity

To place a listing in the Religion Guide, call Mary Ellen: 708/613-3342

UNITY CHURCH OF OAK PARK 405 North Euclid Ave.

You have limitless potential. Sunday Services 9 am & 11 am Youth Education 11 am 708-848-0960 — unityoakpark.org

Upcoming Religious Holidays

Nov

1 All Saints Day

Christian

Samhain Beltane Wicca/Pagan 2 All Souls Day Catholic Christian

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM New local ads this week

YOUR WEEKLY AD

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

WEDNESDAY

Classified

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

Deadline is Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion. The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

Place your ad online anytime at: www.OakPark.com/Classified/

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM HELP WANTED AFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE Hephzibah Children’s Association after school day care, at the OP schools. Openings in our program for the 2017-18 school year. Provide care and supervision of 5–11-yearold children. Days and hours are Mon-Fri 2:30–6:00 PM, and Wed 1:30–6:00 PM. Includes planning and supervising arts and crafts, activities, group games, helping with homework and indoor/outdoor play. 6 semester hrs in education, rec, or related college course. Experience working with children preferred. Email: mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org EOE Application Developer sought by Cars.com in Chicago, IL. Partic in dsgn sesn w/ IT Arch & Dvlp leads. Aply @ www.jobpostingtoday.com # 16533. BAKED GOODS SALESPERSON Chicago-based specialty wholesale baked goods manufacturer seeks individual with marketing and food sales experience. Proven sales record with food service distributors, specialty food distributors, and supermarket chains required. Basic computer knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office is a must. Ideal job candidate will have the choice to become a full-time employee or work as a consultant. Please send resumé and cover letter to info@americanlifebaking.com. ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER PART-TIME Part-time Electrician’s Helper. Must have own transportation and some tools. Call 708-738-3848. GENERAL LABORER/ SHOP HELP Forest Park sharpening company seeks General Laborer/Shop Help. Must be able to lift 70 lb and have valid driver’s license. Apply in person at 1233 Circle Avve, or send resume to berniessaw@aol.com. GENERAL OFFICE CLERK PART TIME Broadview, IL 60155 USA We are seeking a quick learning part-time office clerk with flexible hours to join our team. Qualified candidates should be comfortable doing all of the following: - using a computer (Microsoft, Outlook, etc.) -copying & scanning -filing -emailing - answering and making phone calls Candidates should send their resume to: jobs@nationalforwarding.com for consideration.

You have jobs. We have readers! Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified. Call 708-524-8300.

HELP WANTED

LOCAL FLYER DELIVERY

Help wanted for local flyer delivery. $10/hr. Oak Park, River Forest, Hillside, Bellwood, Broadview, Maywood. Must pass simple background check. Call or text Pete: 708-386-7383. INCOME TAX PREPARER Income tax preparer for small accounting firm during tax season (Feb 15 to Apr 15). Experience preferred. Call 708-488-1800. OFFICE ASST Forest Park sharpening company seeks Full Time Office Assistant to support Office Manager in variety of day to day tasks. Must have good communications skills, knowledge of computer and QuickBooks software. Bilingual a plus. Duties incl: Answer phones; Customer Svc; Daily Invoicing; A/P & A/R; Handle mail; Order Supplies. Send resume to berniessaw@aol.com

HELP WANTED PERSONAL TRAINER! Seeking Certified Personal Trainer to work part-time at private studio in Oak Park. Looking for someone who will fit in with our gym culture. We meet our clients where they are, give them individualized attention, but also a lot of autonomy. Part-time position with room to grow for right candidate. Learn from and work with industry leader! Job includes managing the floor, keep the gym running smoothly. Please send your resume along with a cover letter to jamiemariemadison@gmail.com. No phone calls, please. For more info: www.oakpark.com/Classified/Ads/ 8040/ Check us out on Facebook www.facebook.com/coachingbyg/ PT DRIVER FOREST PARK Looking for part time part’s driver/ receiving clerk. Must be drug free & have vaild IL DL. Must be able to lift 75lbs. 9:00 am til 3pm. $12/HR. Do not come to office or call. Email resume: HR@sievertelectric.com

Wednesday Classified 3 great papers, 6 communities To place your ad, call: 708/613-3333

Adjudicator Services THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK IS SEEKING A CONTRACTUAL ADJUDICATOR (Administrative Law Judge) Hourly Rate: $76.52 It is anticipated there will be approximately 2 - 4 days of hearings per month and approximately 6.5 hours per day. Working for the Village under an Agreement for Contractual Services, the Adjudicator: • Serves as a hearing officer for the Adjudication Department • Hears testimony and accepts evidence that is relevant to the existence of code violations. • Administers oaths and affirmations to witnesses • Issues a determination of liability or non-liability for a Village of Oak Park code violation based on evidence presented at the hearing and the record. • Imposes penalties and fines consistent with applicable Code provisions upon finding a defendant liable for a violation. • Adheres to policies, procedures and legislation set forth in the Village Code. • Regulates the course of the hearing in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated or adopted by the Adjudication Department. • Issues subpoenas when appropriate. • Obeys and enforces all policies, laws, rules, and regulations in a fair and impartial manner.

SUBURBAN REAL ESTATE

SUBURBAN RENTALS

NEW CONCEPT FOR MAYWOOD

FOREST PARK 3BR Vintage, large, sunny 3BR apartment available. Newly refinished hardwood floors. Air conditioned. Dishwasher. Laundry in bldg. Garage Parking available. 2 blks to Blue line, 3 blks to Madison St. downtown. $1600 util. incl. Call 312802-8291.

OAK PARK 2BED, BEAUTY 1161 S OAK PARK AVE This bright, airy apart is located in a well maintained four unit building in Oak Park. Located first floor walk up, it has: hardwood floors, ceiling fans brand new cabinets, dishwasher, microwave, c/a, new GFA—high efficiency, newer windows, gr8 closet space, huge storage space in basement, gr8 neighbors. Laundry on site. 2 space tandem parking $75. Rent $1330 month, deposit $1330. No more than 30% of income toward rent. Tony 773-718-1338

In this quiet residential neighborhood

902 S. 3RD AVENUE (2 blks W of 1st Ave & 1 blk N of Madison)

Reserve your own affordable 2 or 3 BR condo unit of 1000+ sq ft of living space being built on this historic site. You’ll benefit from a unique 12-year tax freeze and lower monthly living expenses from energy saving systems/appliances, and you can help design your own individual unit. Plans also include building 5 new townhomes onsite. For details Call 708-383-9223.

SUBURBAN RENTALS

The Village of Oak Park is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce

OAK PARK FOREST PARK Studio, 1, and 2 BDRM. Heated. Dining room. Parking available. Walk to El. $625-$1250.

www.oakrent.com

BERWYN 32ND & OAK PARK AVE 5 ROOMS 2BR APT

Heat & Water. All Appliances. Parking. Laundry Facility. Freshly painted. Close to train, bus, & hospital. No pets. $975/month. 1 year lease. 1 month security. Broker

708-435-1244

BROOKFIELD 2 BR HOUSE 2BR house in excellent condition in Hollywood area of Brookfield. Great school systems. Walk to shopping & train. Avail. immed. No pets. Credit Report req’d. $1800. Call 708-805-2064.

OAK PARK BEAUTIFUL 3BR APT Well lit apartment, with hardwood floors. 3 bedrooms with ad on for office and one bath. Located on the second floor, it is walking distance from Lincoln School, CTA blue line, and bus stop. 10 mi to downtown Chicago via 290. Fenced in yard and garage parking incl. Safe, quiet, family- friendly neighborhood. Coin operated laundry in building. Rent $1750/month including utilities except electricity. No pets. One month security deposit required. Available Oct 23rd . Contact (708) 829-5089

SELLING YOUR HOME BY OWNER? Call Us For Advertising Rates! 708/613-3333

REAL ESTATE WANTED HAS YOUR HOME BECOME A BURDEN?

Repairs, Taxes?? At a need to sell, we buy houses to fix up for rental or resale, especially houses that need major work on them! “So, if your house has become a problem we might become the solution!”

The Village provides the Adjudicator: • With copies of, or full access to, all pertinent Village and department policies, rules and regulations. • Reasonable access to all pertinent documents and records for use in rendering decisions. • Appropriate facilities to conduct hearings including security, and administrative support to facilitate the efficient conduct of such hearings. • Training to serve as an administrative adjudicator for the Village. Application and Selection Method Qualified applicants are invited to submit a cover letter, detailed resume, verification of law degree, a copy of license to practice law in the State of Illinois for not less than three years, proof of any prior formal training to serve as an administrative adjudicator, and the contact information of three professional, work-related references, not later than 5:00pm on November 10, 2017 to: Robert H. Anderson, Director of Adjudication, Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302;randerson@oak-park.us or by fax 708-358-5120. Applicants can visit the Village website athttp://www. oak-park.us/your-government/budget-purchasing/requests-proposals to obtain additional information. Selected applicants will participate in a structured interview. Applicants selected for appointment must pass a precontractual criminal background investigation (which may include fingerprinting) and reference checks.

MAYWOOD APARTMENT FOR RENT Two bedroom apartment near schools, churches, parks and public transportation. Available November 1 2017, $900 p/month. Tenant pays own utilities. $900.00 security deposit, credit check required. Phone Don @ 1-312-320-4737

We Pay Cash, No Commissions

VICTORIAN GENERAL CONTRACTORS 708-484-8676 OPOP

RIVER FOREST 2BR & 1BR Hardwood floors throughout. Spacious walk-in closets. Storage. Parking. Laundry in building. Heat incl. Call 708-657-4226. RIVERSIDE 2BR 1BA APT Apt For Rent–2 Bd/1 bath Riverside-Quiet bldg. Great for single or senior. Recently renovated, hardwood floors, and new tile kitchen. Off street parking for 1 car. Heat included. Laundry on site Credit, background check and Security deposit required. 773-383-7332

RIVERSIDE

Vicinity 29th St & Harlem Deluxe 5 rm, 2BR apt. incl. appliances, heat, parking, laundry, etc. Hardwood floors. $975. No Pets. 1 month security dep. 1 year lease. Credit check, etc. Close to shop, transport & train. Nice area. Broker.

708-435-1244

CITY RENTALS CHICAGO 2BR 2BR apt., 1st floor. Hardwood floors, stove, refrigerator. Walk-in foyer, formal LR & DR, pantry in kitchen, enclosed back porch. Permitted parking zone. Btwn Washington & Lake. Close to Green Line, Blue Line, Pace. $1050/mo. heat incl. No smoking. Call 773.626.4762 early am & until 9pm or 708.606.9207.

ROOMS FOR RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro. Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up. 773-637-5957 Large Sunny Room with fridge & microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $101.00 week & up. New Mgmt. 773-378-8888 Rake in some extra cash with a fall garage sale. Call to advertise: 773/626-6332

SUBURBAN RENTALS

M&M property management, inc.

708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Contact us for a complete list of available rentals throughout Oak Park and Forest Park.

Apartment listings updated daily at:

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue. Or call us toll free at 1-888-328-8457 for an appointment.

classifieds@OakPark.com | classifieds@RiverForest.com

OPOP

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED CHURCH FOR RENT OAK PARK CLASSIC CHURCH FOR RENT

Includes Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Kitchen, Midweek Service/ Bible Study, Office Options. 708-8468-9776

SPACE FOR RENT 4807 SQ FT In beautiful neighborhood in Oak Park. Varied uses possible for any kind of not-for-profit. Offices, community center, school, day care, etc. Private Cell: 708-846-9776

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT OAK PARK Office Suites 2 to 4 rooms

RIVER FOREST 2 Offices 1000 to 1100 sq. ft.

Strand & Browne 708/488-0011

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

PETS While youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re away, your pets are okay . . . at home

cat calls

Oak Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Original Pet Care Service â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Since 1986

Daily dog exercising Complete pet care in your home )PVTF TJUUJOH t 1MBOU DBSF Bonded References

524-1030

Lost & Found and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified.To place your ad, call 708613-3342

CEMENT

(708) 613-3333 â&#x20AC;˘ FAX: (708) 467-9066 â&#x20AC;˘ E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

GARAGE/YARD SALES Forest Park

GARAGE SALE 1010 THOMAS OFF HARVARD ST SAT 11/4 9AM-4PM SUN 11/5 11AM-PM

Pewter small figurines, Collection of pewter airplanes, Art, classic vinyl LPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, fans, 3 sets black metal bunk beds, fishing gear, garden, hardware, office, lots of home goods, CDs, DVDs, books, clothes, ladies 6-16, shoes, menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s L/XL, diabetic socks, linens, pillows, glassware, jewelry, Xmas, so much more! Oak Park

N OAK PARK ESTATE SALE 819 FOREST FRI 11/3 & SAT 11/4 9AM TO 2PM

EVERYTHING MUST GO!!! You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss this Estate Sale. The house is full of furniture, shelves, drapes, books, clothes, tools. Home goods galore!! Lots of fun treasures for everyone. Large collection of DVDs and CDs. You name it, we have it!

AUTOS FOR SALE 2017 VW PASSAT 2017 VW Passat. Very low mileage, like new. $32,000. Call John at 708-524-9720.

CLEANING Pamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A+ Cleaning Service

Fall is here! Time to make a change? Take a moment to preview our detailed cleaning. For a free estimate please call 708-937-9110

ELECTRICAL

FOUR SEASONS ELECTRIC

Cool your Rooms with Ceiling Fans! Installing Ceiling Fans Rewiring Old Houses Service Upgrades

Reasonable Pricing & Free Estimates

â&#x20AC;˘ No Job Too Big or Too Small â&#x20AC;˘ Lic * Bonded * Ins * 24 hrs

708-445-0447

CEMENT

MAGANA

C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N â&#x20AC;&#x153;QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATIONâ&#x20AC;? ESTABLISHED IN 1987

COMMERCIAL Â&#x2DC; INDUSTRIAL Â&#x2DC; RESIDENTIAL

708.442.7720 '5,9(:$<6 Â&#x2021; )281'$7,216 Â&#x2021; 3$7,26 67(36 Â&#x2021; &85% *877(56 Â&#x2021; 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* Â&#x2021; 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7( FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

ELECTRICAL

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PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE Chertkow and Chertkow (22019) Attorneys for Petitioner 1525 East 53rd Street Chicago, Illinois 60615 STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division. In re the marriage of Jose Calle, Petitioner and Martina Calle, Respondent, Case No. 2017D-008695. The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before November 17, 2017, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition. DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal 10/18, 10/25, 11/1/2017

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PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,â&#x20AC;? as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: D17152474 on October 19, 2017. Under the Assumed Business Name of THE OAK PARK HANDYMAN SERVICES with the business located at: 1015 S. KENILWORTH AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: AARON JOHNSON 1015 S. KENILWORTH AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304. Published in Wednesday Journal 11/1, 11/8, 11/15/2017

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LAW OFFICE OF LINDA EPSTEIN Attorney for Petitioner 722 W. Diversey Parkway Ste. 101B Chicago, IL 60614 STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK, ssCircuit Court of Cook County, County Department Domestic Relations Division In re the Marriage of Cheryl Simmons, Petitioner, and Davariol Taylor, Respondent. No. 17 D 008178 The requisite affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, FAYYAZ MUHAMMAD MALIK, Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief: and that said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before December 1, 2017, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage Entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition. DOROTHY BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal 10/25, 11/1, 11/8/2017.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING Request of bids for the roofing improvements at Pleasant Home Mansion.

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Public Hearing Park District of Oak Park November 2, 2017, 7:30 p.m.

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 Pleasant Home Roofing at 217 S. Home Ave. in Oak Park. The project consists of the removal of existing roofing, installation of clay tile roofing, flat seam metal roofing, single ply roofing, , structural repairs, built-in gutter replacement, fiberglass ornament, downspouts, storm-sewer repair, plaster patching, painting, and electrical heat tracing of gutters and downspouts. The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 2:00 p.m. (Central time) on Thursday, November 30th, 2017, at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois. The bidding documents and requirements will be available on the Park District’s website as of 2:00 pm Wednesday, November 1st, 2017. A non-mandatory pre-bid walk-thru is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7th at 9:00 a.m. (Central time) at 217 South Home Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. Bid bonds will be required by bidding contractors. Copies of the bidding specifications are available via the Park District of Oak Park website at: http://www.pdop.org/bids-and-rfps/ 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 2017. The Park District of Oak Park encourages minority and women owned business firms to submit bids for this project. Park District of Oak Park By: Sandy Lentz, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal 11/1/2017

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2017 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 2017 Property Tax Levy on November 2, 2017, 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 Sandy Lentz Secretary, Board of Commissioners Park District of Oak Park Published in Wednesday Journal 11/1/2017

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: D17152368 on October 10, 2017. Under the Assumed Business Name of TWO GIRLS AND A BUCKET with the business located at: 1190 S KENILWORTH, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CASHMERE WIGGINS 1190 S KENILWORTH OAK PARK, IL 60304 Published in Wednesday Journal 10/18, 10/25, 11/1/2017

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: D17152450 on October 18, 2017. Under the Assumed Business Name of MARENGO PUBLISHING with the business located at: 1332 MARENGO AVE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: DAVID HUDSON 1332 MARENGO AVE FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Published in Forest Park Review 10/25, 11/1, 11/8/2017

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LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2018 TENTATIVE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS A public hearing of the President and Board of Trustees (“Board”) of the Village of Oak Park, Cook County, Illinois, will take place on Monday, November 20, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, regarding the Village of Oak Park tentative annual budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2018, at which time interested persons will be heard. The tentative annual budget is available for public inspection prior to the public hearing at the Office of the Village Clerk, Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, during regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The hearing may be continued by the Board to another date at the public hearing by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof. The tentative annual budget may be revised and adopted by the Board without further notice or hearing. Published in Wednesday Journal 11/1/2017

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (‘’FANNIE MAE’’), A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Plaintiff, -v.H E AT H E R JOHNSON, BENEFICIAL ILLINOIS I, INC. AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BENEFICIAL ILLINOIS INC., DELL FINANCIAL SERVICES L.L.C., UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 17 CH 2438 1161 S RIDGELAND AVE Oak Park, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 28, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 30, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1161 S RIDGELAND AVE, Oak Park, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-18-429-0200000 Vol. 145. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $326,963.83. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance 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, contact Plaintiff’s attorney: JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 541-9710 Please refer to file number 16-4404. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 541-9710 E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 16-4404 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 17 CH 2438 TJSC#: 37-8250 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. I3061949

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 or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-16-08460. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-16-08460 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 16 CH 010047 TJSC#: 37-7977 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. I3062798

Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 15, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 11 RANDOLPH STREET UNIT #6A, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-317-0241016. The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance 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 or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-16-05071. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION CIT BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.KIMBERLY HART A/K/A KIMBERLY CHRISTINE HART, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA– DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, JEFFERY ALAN ROBERTSON, GREGORY WAYNE ROBERTSON, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ALICE E. ROBERTSON, THOMAS P. QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR ALICE E. ROBERTSON (DECEASED) Defendants 16 CH 010047 1104 S. SCOVILLE AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 21, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 27, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1104 S. SCOVILLE AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-18-419-0020000. 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 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. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Plaintiff, -v.REBECCA MURRAY, DEREK MURRAY, THE 148-150 NORTH AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, LVNV FUNDING LLC Defendants 16 CH 006281 11 RANDOLPH STREET UNIT #6A OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 28, 2016, an agent for The Judicial

Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

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In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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. 14-16-05071 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 16 CH 006281 TJSC#: 37-9238 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. I3064800

fer, 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 or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-14-23968. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-14-23968 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 15 CH 000773 TJSC#: 37-8315 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. I3064440

of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 18, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 14, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1643 N. 44TH AVENUE, STONE PARK, IL 60165 Property Index No. 15-05-205-0080000. The real estate is improved with a multi-family 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 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 or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-13-10882. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-13-10882 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 13 CH 007064 TJSC#: 37-9205 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. I3064765

UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, JORIE WRIGHT, LOYCE WRIGHT, JR, ROBIN S. WRIGHT, WILLIAM BUTCHER, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DECEASED MORTGAGOR, BERNADETTE WRIGHT A/K/A BERNADETTE A. WRIGHT, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF BERNADETTE WRIGHT A/K/A BERNADETTE A. WRIGHT, IF ANY Defendants 15 CH 4983 930 MARIK DRIVE BELLWOOD, IL 60104 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 29, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 30, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 930 MARIK DRIVE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104 Property Index No. 15-16-109-0980000. The real estate is improved with a single family home, no garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance 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: Visit our website at service.atty-pierce.com. between the hours of 3 and 5pm. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 416-5500. Please refer to file number 10431. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 416-5500 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 10431 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 15 CH 4983 TJSC#: 37-7970 I3061921

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF STANWICH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST A Plaintiff, -v.GILBERT CLAUDIO, GINA L. CLAUDIO, CITIZENS BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Defendants 15 CH 000773 1426 PARK AVENUE RIVER FOREST, IL 60305 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 31, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 4, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1426 PARK AVENUE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305 Property Index No. 15-01-103-041. The real estate is improved with a single family 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 in certified funds/or wire trans-

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER OF U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ND Plaintiff, -v.JOSE MONTANO, BEATRIZ MONTANO, TARGET NATIONAL BANK F/K/A RETAILERS NATIONAL BANK, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR WILLMINGTON FINANCE, INC. Defendants 13 CH 007064 1643 N. 44TH AVENUE STONE PARK, IL 60165 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment

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OPRF overwhelmed by Marist in 8A playoffs Despite early post-season exit, Huskies are optimistic about next season

BY MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

In recent years, the Illinois High School Association’s Class 8A football state playoffs have served as the equivalent of World Cup Soccer’s “Group of Death.” There are so many good teams in the class, and lower-seeded squads winning on the road in the first round has been common. So when Oak Park and River Forest faced highly-regarded Marist Friday in Chicago, the Huskies went in feeling confident that playing in a rigorous conference such as the West Suburban Silver would be good preparation. But Marist, with Big Ten recruits like tight end T.J. Ivy and defensive ends Gavin McCabe and Elijah Teague, proved why it’s considered a top contender for the 8A title. The Redhawks used a 31-point outburst in the second quarter to overwhelm OPRF 44-0. “They are a really good football team,” OPRF coach John Hoerster said about Marist. “They are very well-coached and have some standout players. They’re disciplined in all three phases.” On the opening possession of the game, Marist went on a 12-play, 66-yard scoring drive. The Redhawks went 4-for-4 on third down during the drive, which ended with Delonte Harrell’s 2-yard touchdown run. Thomas Gillen added the extra point to give the Redhawks a 7-0 lead at the 7:08 mark of the opening quarter. The Huskies’ initial drive turned out to be their best of the night. OPRF (5-5) started on its 30-yard line and advanced to

Photo by Victor Guarino

OPRF’s John Mitchell (#11) excelled on defense for the Huskies this season. the Marist 34, with senior quarterback Brian May’s (returning from an injury) 29-yard completion to Craig Shelton being the biggest play. However, the drive stalled and the Huskies would punt. The Redhawks’ next drive went 92 yards on 8 plays, with the last play being a 51-yard touchdown pass from Michael Markett to Ivy (Indiana recruit). Gillen’s PAT boosted

Marist’s lead to 14-0 at the 10:45 mark of the second quarter. Gillen booted a 21-yard field goal to up the lead to 17-0 with 7:01 left in the first half. The Redhawks put the game away with three more touchdowns in the final seven minutes of the first half After the game, there were many tears on the faces of OPRF senior players, as this could have been their final organized football game. “I just love those guys,” Hoerster said about the OPRF seniors. “That last game is always the hardest thing about football. They’re a good group.” Many seniors put in admirable efforts at OPRF. Left tackle Phil Saleh is committed to Fordham and was a beast on both lines. Running back Terrance Roundy had a good season and should draw some college looks soon. May, Fred Brandstrader, and John Mitchell all displayed grit, character, and determination all season. And Kevin Gilbert came on strong towards the end of the season with inspired play at linebacker. Looking ahead, there are several returnees for 2018. Quarterback Toby Kunkel (who went in after May reinjured himself), running back Keith Robinson, and wide receivers Brown and Craig Shelton will lead the offense next season. Cedric Cheatham, Izaiah Ruffin, and Aidan Shea are top returners on defense. “We have to continue to grow,” Hoerster said. “Hopefully, the returning players will learn lessons from this season and build on it, while also appreciating the time they have together.”

Friars fall to Wheaton North in 7A playoffs Fenwick earns six wins and a share of CCL Green title BY MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

After last season’s controversial loss against Plainfield North unfairly ended the Fenwick High School football team’s run in the Class 7A semifinals, the returning Friars made it a goal to finish the job and win an IHSA state title for the graduating seniors. And while this year’s team had an up-and-down regular season, the Friars entered this year’s postseason feeling confident. After all, Fenwick won its two previous games coupled with the momentum of earning a share of the Chicago Catholic League Green Division championship with Montini. All those good feelings were doused just 15 seconds into the start of Fenwick’s first-round 7A game at Wheaton North on Saturday, Oct. 28. The Falcons’ Christian Halstead returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to put the Friars in a hole they never recovered from as Wheaton North prevailed 35-7. Fenwick coach Gene Nudo felt the reasons for the loss were obvious. “Any time you start a game with a kickoff return that goes for a touchdown against you, it’s tough to overcome,” Nudo said. “The kickoff return was a big play, a long touchdown run against us was a big play, and the touchdown on an interception return against us was a big play. We also had the ball twice in the (Wheaton North) red zone and didn’t come

up with any points.” The Fenwick players echoed Nudo’s assessment of the game. “Wheaton North is a great team,” senior wide receiver Michael O’Laughlin said. “We just didn’t come out strong and they took advantage. The defense and offense fought their hearts out, but things just didn’t work out in our favor.” After Halstead’s TD return and Trenton Hegranes’ PAT gave Wheaton North a 7-0 lead, the Friars went on a promising march that covered 64 yards in 13 plays while using up over eight minutes. The drive stalled on a 4th-and-goal from the Wheaton North 2-yard line when quarterback Danny Cronin’s pass into the end zone fell incomplete and resulted in a turnover on downs. The Falcons’ first drive was very impressive, going 98 yards in nine plays, all runs by running back Sam Singleton (including a 64-yard burst from the Falcons’ 9). His 2-yard touchdown run gave the Falcons a 14-0 lead with 10:47 left in the first half. The deficit worsened for Fenwick on its next drive when Cronin tossed an interception to Jackson Gray that was returned 28 yards for a touchdown. Hegranes’ PAT made it 210. On the Friars’ next possession, Cronin connected with O’Laughlin three times for 44 yards on a 7-play, 78-yard march capped by Cronin’s 8-yard TD run. Brian Dowd’s PAT cut the deficit to 21-7 with 6:06 to go before halftime. The Falcons (8-2) tacked on two touchdowns to put the

File Photo

Fenwick quarterback Danny Cronin (#10) led the Friars to six wins and a share of the CCL Green title in 2017. game out of reach at 35-7. Statistically, Cronin completed 9 of 21 passes for 152 yards and Ivery rushed for 87 yards on 23 carries. O’Laughlin had six catches for 115 yards. Lorenzano Blakeney led Fenwick defensively with 5.5 tackles and Michael Leopold contributed 3.5 tackles. Nudo praised the Friars (6-4) for their accomplishments this fall. “It was a great season,” he said. “Nobody thought our kids would win the conference. I’m very proud of them.”

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Wednesday Journal, November 1, 2017

PLANEK

Friars’ leader from page 48 advanced to the Timothy Christian Sectional. Fenwick takes on top sectional seed Resurrection, while Trinity and Montini square off in the other semifinal. “We’re looking forward to playing Res again. We’re a different team now compared to the first time we played them this season,” Planek said. “I know we aren’t going out without a fight.” Fenwick opened the Class 3A playoffs by winning its own regional. After dispatching Lake View 25-9, 25-12 in the semifinals, the Friars outlasted Timothy Christian 2729, 25-19, 25-21 in the championship match. “We tinkered with some different lineups and have had some injuries come our way,” Planek said. “We have nine seniors who provide leadership. The younger kids have great enthusiasm and our energy is strong. I think we have the right girls in the lineup and the most selfless girls on the bench. Everybody wants to succeed together.” As a sophomore in 2015, Planek helped the Friars’ make a run all the way to the supersectionals. That group, which also had nine seniors, produced the best postseason result in program history. “There are some similarities between the teams,” Planek said. “Both teams succeeded with great outside hitting and defense. I think this year’s team can make the same run or even go further.” “I’m super-excited about attending Penn,” Planek said. “I set my sights on an Ivy League school during my freshman year at Fenwick. Everything fell in line with recruiting. I just loved Penn when I visited the school. It felt like a great place for me.” Of course, Oak Park and Fenwick will always be her roots. “I love Oak Park and I’ve known that I wanted to go to Fenwick my whole life,” she said. “These past four years have been wonderful. Everybody at Fenwick is so supportive and they truly want to see you have success.”

Planek also shares a close relationship with Fenwick head coach Kathleen O’Laughlin. “I’ve been on her team for four years now, so we have definitely gotten to know each other,” Planek said. “She trusts me to make good decisions on the court. I try to lead the team the way she wants me to, based on her feedback.”

Whenever Planek’s volleyball career ends, more athletic challenges await. She’s a member of the Fenwick basketball team. Next year, she will attend Penn and play volleyball for the Quakers. With a 4.6 grade point average, 1420 SAT and 31 ACT scores, she is also ready for the academic rigors of an upper-echelon university.

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Fenwick takes a break between matches and cheer each other on. (Left) Fenwick’s Margaret Planek (12), left, and Monsea Macias (4) block a spiked ball. Planek is soaking up her final season with Fenwick volleyball in particular. “Playing in the regional final was a great experience,” she said. “All the seniors are focused on playing in the moment and enjoying every point together.”

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SPORTS

OPRF overwhelmed by Marist in 8A playoffs 46

Friars fall to Wheaton North in 7A playoffs 46

Planek inspires Friars to reach higher level

Senior setter/hitter does it all on volleyball court with her versatility By MARTY FARMER

and now Lewis University. Her siblings, Elizabeth, Mary Kate, John and Tom played a variety of sports at Fenwick. Tom is a n today’s world of intense scouting and 6-foot-7 senior on the Providence College recruiting, a talented athlete is typically basketball team. “I would go to my sisters’ practices and “discovered” at an early age. my brothers’ games,” Margaret recalled. In the case of Fenwick senior star “We all compete against each other and try volleyball player Margaret Planek, a to make each other better.” social media campaign, athletic combine, A similar dynamic currently or sabermetrics were not exists for the Fenwick girls volinvolved. And thank god, the leyball team. ostentatious LaVar Ball-like After an erratic regular season, athletic promotion of sons and the senior-laden Friars have hit daughters wasn’t en vogue yet. their stride in the playoffs. Not In fact, Planek’s endorsesurprisingly, Planek has been a ment came from a fellow key contributor during the Fri10-year-old. Ah yes, the good ars’ late-season surge. old-fashioned eyeball test. Through 33 games this season, “I knew Margaret was great the Chicago Catholic League since the first practice we had White Division player of the year together in fourth grade,” said has 263 kills, 203 digs and 29 asMillie Sheean, who attended sists. She’s primarily a setter and Ascension with Planek. “She MILLIE SHEEAN hitter but can affect matches in was the only girl who could Fenwick senior many ways. successfully attack at the age “Margaret is an extremely of 10.” versatile player,” Fenwick senior The close friends are FenMcKenzie Moorman said. “She wick teammates now. can play almost any position on the court Planek is a beneficiary of good athletic very well. She always makes huge momengenes, too. Her mom and dad, Mary and tum-changing plays for us in big matches.” John, played volleyball and baseball, reSpeaking of big matches, the Friars have spectively, at the Illinois Institute of Technology. John also worked for over 30 years See PLANEK on page 47 as an athletic director at Loyola University

Sports Editor

“I knew Margaret was great since the first practice we had together in fourth grade.”

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Fenwick’s Margaret Planek (12) spikes the ball on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017, during an IHSA 3A regional championship volleyball game against Timothy Christian at Fenwick High School in Oak Park.

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