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November 22, 2023 Vol. 44, No. 21

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Special section Page B1

Oak Park will spend $500K to support migrants through winter

Delivery specialists

The divisive vote was a compromise of an original proposal to spend $1 million through March

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff reporter

Oak Park decided to bolster its migrants’ assistance with $500,000 in unspent federal funds and by extending its emergency declaration for 60 days.

The original proposal before the board in the freewheeling meeting asked for $1 million through March to shelter migrants through the cold and wet winter months.

In a 4 to 3 vote, they approved a “friendly amendment”

Meet postal carrier Marzena Karkut and others who make house calls with our mail STORY BY JESSICA MACKINNON, PAGE 12 TODD BANNOR

See MIGRANTS on page 8

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

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Push for new reading curriculum comes to River Forest District 90 schools

D90 will host a Literacy Instruction Forum on Dec. 5

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

River Forest School District 90 has felt pressure from parents to review its current reading curriculum amid national outcry related to its continued use of the widely accepted — yet controversial — curriculum Units of Study.

The move comes as some parents are demanding a complete overhaul of the way the district teaches reading.

During the Oct. 16 board of education meeting, parent Allison Jack addressed the school board, saying she was dismayed the district was still using the controversial Units of Study curriculum. Jack said her youngest child, a fifth grader, received an external evaluation, which revealed their biggest area of challenge was decoding. Jack was frustrated, saying she felt compelled to speak up as the issue was once again impact-

ing her family.

“We are using a program that doesn’t use what science says helps kids to read,” Jack told the board, adding she does not understand why it wasn’t a “literate emergency.”

Her push comes amid a national pushback against Units of Study, a reading curriculum developed by Columbia University teaching professor Lucy Calkins, one that has been playing out for a few years. Calkins’ theory focuses on the idea that children are naturally curious and would use inquirybased methods to learn to read, which also brought forward the idea that when children are struggling to learn, too much focus on phonics is detrimental to their progress.

According to reporting by the New York Times and other outlets, the Columbia University professor was able to successfully teach her curriculum to future educators from the Columbia University’s Teachers College, as well as have it adopted by the New York City Department of Education, the largest public school district in the country, educating more than 1 million children, in the early 2000’s. This turned Calkins’ curriculum into a booming business, pro-

ducing two companies and on the claims and critics but providing training across the later changed her reading globe. Eventually, Units of program.

Study became the primary Throughout the current way for teachers and gradudiscussion, D90 has mainate schools of education to tained it has already been teach children to read across using a broad range of curthe nation. riculum to help students Since then, research has learn to read. shown the method doesn’t “I think that how people work. The “science of readhear about it in national meing,” or teaching children dia is different from how it STACEY WILLIAMS to read through phonics, a has been implemented over D90 board president sequenced introduction to the years in District 90,” said the sounds and letter comBoard of Education President binations used in the EngStacey Williams. “Units of lish language, is once again Study is just one part of how gaining traction. we provide reading instrucNew research, which included the use of tion to our students.”

MRI’s showcasing the parts of the brain that Stephanie Rath, director of communicawould be activated when reading. as well as tions and communication relations at D90, strong opposition from activist groups fo- said the district uses phonics, phonemic cused on equity -- showing that low-income awareness, word study/vocabulary and children were the most affected by the new grammar, handwriting and reading techcurriculum -- have raised questions on how niques such as read aloud, book clubs, and well Units of Study actually works. Accord- independent reading time. ing to reports, Calkins initially pushed back “That is the one thing that I think is sometimes misunderstood,” Williams said.

“How does D90 implement reading, but because there has been new learning in the area of how students are learning how to read, new data that has been available to teachers. … we have moved up what we would have traditionally done in terms of where it would fall in a cycle. We are undergoing that process right now, which is a pretty comprehensive process.”

Supt. Edward Condon said he believes the issue has increased awareness as parents know that reading is the “mother skill” that helps children be successful and the dips seen in reading during the COVID-19 pandemic have moved literacy issues to the forefront.

“We are lucky here in River Forest that we have the level of community engagement, not just on this issue but on many issues, that makes us better,” he said. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to have dialogue with families, community members and staff who have opinions and in many cases expatriates that can help guide how we move forward.”

“Units of Study is just one part of how we provide reading instruction to our students.”

RIVER FOREST DISTRICT 90 SCHOOLS

See READING on page 14

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Wednesday Journal, November 22 , 2023

Intro to GenderAffirming Care Tuesday, Nov. 28, 7-8:15 p.m., virtually through Oak Park Public Library Nikk Cochran will discuss the role of mental health in gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy, surgeries, and the challenges that transgender individuals face in accessing them. Register now at oppl.org/calendar.

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

BIG WEEK November 22 -29

Crafternoon, Grades K-4

Musical Performance by Noteworthy

Monday, Nov. 27, 4-4:45 p.m., River Forest Public Library Join us for our monthly crafting program for kids.

Advanced registration is required. For grades K-4. riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/month.

735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest.

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 6:30-7:15 p.m., Oak Park Public Library, Main Library The Oak Park and River Forest High School hosts an evening musical concert from their show choir, Noteworthy. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Jon Dee Graham Saturday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m., FitzGerald’s This is a rare small club appearance by this veteran singer-songwriter, who will be appearing in the club’s sidebar. $20. $25 day of show, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

Three Stories & Seven Lessons About Imagination, Community & Joy With Jason Patera Tuesday, Nov. 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Alcuin Montessori - Roosevelt Campus Jason Patera describes what a teen’s film can teach about achievement. For more information, contact Alex Valera at avalera@alcuin.org. 6942 W. Roosevelt Road, Oak Park.

Author Judith Valente Discusses Thomas Merton Sunday, Nov. 26, 2 p.m., Euclid United Methodist Church Thomas Merton was a monk, writer, theologian and activist who write 50 books, mostly on social justice. Judith Valente spoke with seven monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani who lived there during Merton’s time, and her talk will be based on those conversations. 405 S. Euclid Ave., Oak Park.

Passport to Cooking - Mini Quiche

Tuesday, Nov. 28, 4 - 5:30 p.m., Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio Young chefs, age 5-11, will learn the basics of cooking in this fun, creative class designed to encourage and engage kids while teaching skills that inspire a lifetime of joy in the kitchen. All classes are vegetarian and nut-free. Register: https://tinyurl.com/PassporttoBaking.

349 Ashland Ave., River Forest.

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

Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper.

■ Send details to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302 ■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

Monday Enrichment Program: Graffiti as an Art Form Monday, Nov. 27, 1:15 - 2:30 p.m., Nineteenth Century Charitable Association In-person and virtual, Dulce Maria Diaz will take us on a journey through Chicago style-writing graffiti art history, introducing us to the pioneers of the movement. She will explain why this art form has served as a healing tool in ways that no other form has been able. Registration required, visit https:// ncca.memberclicks.net. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

River Forest police put the ‘cycle’ in ‘recycle’ The department plans to donate 21 bicycles to a Chicago nonprofit

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

For the fourth year, the River Forest Police Department will donate bicycles that have accumulated in the storage cage over time. They plan to bring them to Working Bikes, a Chicago-based non-profit organization that ships bicycles to international bike projects; repairs and donates bicycles locally to individuals and families in Chicago; or fixes them up and sells them in the organization’s storefront.

The village board approved the donation last week in a 5-0 vote. Trustee Erika Bachner did not attend.

Police Chief Jim O’Shea said about 20 bicycles are cleared out of the storage cage each year.

Throughout the year, the police department obtains bicycles and related property that are lost, mislaid or abandoned and therefore have no evidentiary value, he explained in a memo to the village board. The department has no further use for these bicycles and the storage cage where the bicycles are kept is at capacity, he added.

O’Shea said bicycles will be donated in the spring. He said the police department learned about Working Bikes by word of mouth. Prior to the partnership with Working

Bikes, bicycles were donated to local organizations, such as Hepzibah Children’s Organization in Oak Park.

According to the Working Bikes website, the organization gives donated bicycles new life by redistributing them as tools of empowerment in local and global communities.

“Since its inception in 1999, the amazing community of Working Bikes volunteers, staff, partners and supporters have enabled new life for 100,000 bicycles across the globe and tens of thousands here in Chicago. Over 100,000 people have been empowered to access resources and opportunities that otherwise could have been out of reach – reducing waste, lessening pollution and improving health in the process. Working Bikes believes that bicycles are the most reliable, sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation option available and is working towards a world where everyone has access to bicycle transportation, whether in Africa or Chicago,” the website said.

In addition to bicycles, O’Shea said evidence and turned-in property are kept in the storage cage. He added that police officials attempt to contact the owner in the case of turned-in property. Evidence is destroyed once a case is disposed of or is past the statute of limitations.

River Forest approves 3% property tax levy increase

Village President Cathy Adduci noted the village is ‘in a good spot’ financially

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

River Forest trustees on Nov. 13 voted to accept the estimate of the 2023 corporate property tax levy of $9.3 million, an increase of 3 percent.

Officials are expected to formally approve the levy request at the Dec. 18 Village Board meeting.

The levy was adopted on a 5-0 vote without discussion. Trustee Erika Bachner did not attend.

The 2023 levy request of $9,354,865 is slightly higher than the 2022 extended levy of $9,078,681. Rosey McAdams, finance director, said holding the increase to 3 percent was “a conscious and

thoughtful decision.”

Illinois tax cap laws limit the tax levy increases for non-home rule municipalities such as River Forest to 5% or the level of the consumer price index, whichever is lower. For 2023, the CPI is 6.5 percent.

McAdams told officials that property taxes on new construction are not included in the valuation. That figure is estimated at $2 million as determined by building permits issued.

Village President Cathy Adduci thanked McAdams for “keeping the increase reasonable” and noted the village is “in a good spot” financially.

The village board also approved the annual tax levy for the River Forest Public Library, which falls under the auspices of the village but is governed separately.

The current fiscal year runs from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024. The taxes from the 2023 levy are collected in 2024.

Officials noted that the village portion of residents’ property tax bills is about 12%.

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

River Forest explores zoning changes

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EDC meetings. Residents expressed concern about the process and about potential impacts on traffic, parking, green space and privacy, he added.

He also assured officials that no changes to the planned development process or zoning board of appeals review processes are beBy ROBERT J. LIFKA ing proposed. Multi-family housing and any Contributing Reporter development over 20,000 square feet still will Changes to River Forest’s zoning code to be required to submit a planned development encourage commercial development in the application and be reviewed by the developNorth Avenue and Madison Street corridors ment review board, he added.

Although the target of the proposed changare moving from the economic development commission to the zoning board of appeals es is the C1 and C2 districts, Houseal Lavigne following action by the village board Monday. has drafted a new chapter in the zoning code At the village board meeting that night, that will apply to the C3 (Central Commertrustees supported a recommendation from cial) District and Office/Research/Industrial/Commercial (ORIC) District as well as to the EDC to forward to the ZBA the C1 and C2 districts. The code changes to the zoning code that now has separate chapters for were proposed by Houseal Lavieach zoning district, Walsh said gne Associates, a Chicago-based in the memo. The chapters are urban planning firm that conintertwined and refer to other ducted a study of the village’s chapters, he said, adding that the zoning code as it applies to comreason for the new chapter is to mercial districts. The vote was simplify with one chart that ap5-0. Trustee Erika Bachner did plies to the four commercial disnot attend. tricts. The C3 District is mainly Village Administrator Matt MATT WALSH between Lathrop and Park avWalsh explained that the study Village administrator enues and between Lake Street was commissioned in 2022 to and Central Avenue and the determine if any zoning amendORIC district is between Lathrop ments would better enable and and Harlem Avenue and between attract appropriate and appealLake and the Union Pacific Railing economic development. road tracks.

“The goal is to attract developIn response to expressions of concern ers,” he said. “We want to encourage commercial development in the C1 (North Av- by Brennan and Trustees Lisa Gillis and enue) and C2 (Madison Street) districts. We Ken Johnson about residents having the opportunity to provide input, Walsh said want to attract the best development.”

In general, the EDC’s recommendations the process will include a public hearing by included increasing building height to ac- the ZBA. Village staff members will submit commodate an additional story, increasing proposed language to the ZBA and initiate allowed residential densities and decreasing the public hearing process. The ZBA will parking requirements for residential uses, hold a public hearing regarding the proposal and then deliberate on the amendments.

Walsh said in a memo to the board.

In response to a question from Trustee Ka- Following deliberation and recommendatie Brennan, Trustee Bob O’Connell indicat- tion, the ZBA will vote to approve findings ed that he believes that existing regulations of fact at a subsequent ZBA meeting. After are preventing developers from exploring that vote, the village board will consider projects in River Forest. He said the proposed the recommendations and vote on a zoning changes will make it “more palatable” for de- ordinance, if so desired.

When Johnson asked about “getting the velopers. word out,” Walsh said staff members would Walsh explained that resident input on the proposed changes was obtained through a use the village newsletter and social media stakeholder meeting and the April and May to inform residents.

“We want to attract the best development.”

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Cindy Guerra was hired last summer

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School Director of Campus Safety Cindy Guerra is resigning after less than five months in the position.

Her resignation is effective Nov. 27. Guerra, a retired Chicago Police officer, was hired by OPRF in July.

Guerra did not immediately return a phone call from the Wednesday Journal seeking comment about why she resigned.

Principal Lydia Parker said that Guerra resigned for personal reasons.

“She definitely had some personal concerns that are separate from what’s in the building that she herself would have to comment on,” Parker said. “It didn’t have anything to do with the school.”

Parker added that she found Guerra to be a wonderful colleague to work with.

“It’s definitely going to be a loss to our building, in such a short time,” Parker said. “She had built some systems and

structures to make sure we had a great eye on safety in our building.”

Guerra appeared to be getting positive reviews for her job performance at OPRF. In October, OPRF Assistant Superintendent and Principal Lynda Parker told the school board that the school climate and safety had improved this year at OPRF. The school has hired more security guards this year.

There has not been a fight so far at the school.

Guerra spent the bulk of her career with the Chicago Police Department rising to the rank of lieutenant before retiring in 2021 after a 27-year career with the CPD. Last year, Guerra served as the Interim Chief of Police at Northeastern Illinois University.

At OPRF Guerra replaced Cherylynn Jones-McLeod, who held the position for one year before resigning last summer.

It’s not clear who will replace Guerra.

“The job has been posted and we’re searching for a replacement,” Sullivan said.

Visit oprfiws.org/holiday-housewalk

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR OAK PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 97, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy for Oak Park School District No. 97, Cook County, Illinois for 2023 will be held on December 12, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Meeting Room, 260 W. Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302.

Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Sheila Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, 260 W. Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois at (708) 5243133.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for the year 2022 were $89,666,871.

The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2023 are $94,150,000. This represents a 5.0% increase over the previous year’s extension.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service for 2022 were $4,338,259.

The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service for 2023 are $4,131,875.

IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2022 were $94,005,130.

The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2023 are $98,281,875.

This represents a 4.5% increase over the previous year’s total levy.

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MIGRANTS

A contentious vote from page 1

of funds from alternative sources may not be guaranteed. For example, she said, it’s not yet clear Cook County would reimburse them.

Because of this, she added, village officials recommended using ARPA funds to continue to assist migrants sheltering in Oak Park.

In the 6.5-hour meeting, which drew a large audience later in the night when the migrants issue appeared on the agenda, trustees split over the timeframe and the amount spent from the ARPA funds.

Wesley, a holdout, said he supported the idea of volunteers taking over the responsibility of helping migrants transition. He said the allocation of $1 million was an unsustainable solution, a statement that

to provide the emergency money through February 6, 2024.

Trustees Ravi Parakkat, Lucia Robinson and Cory Wesley dissented.

The proposal, which sparked controversy among trustees, comes on top of the $550,000 trustees approved last month to house migrants amid an October snowstorm. Officials at the time decided to temporarily shelter more than 160 asylumseeking migrants to address immediate needs in an emergency declaration effective through Dec. 4.

About 162 migrants in Oak Park are supported by the village and another roughly 80 more are supported by area churches. Since Nov. 7, about 50 individuals have been staying at West Cook YMCA. The Carleton Hotel is housing migrants in 13 rooms, officials reported.

The new allocation comes from unspent American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funding and not from local taxes. According to the Government Finance Officers Association, a Chicagobased public finance trade VILLAGE OF OAK PARK/SCREENSHOT association, the pandemicJose Leandro, 60, of Colombia, said he fl ed his country’s era ARPA municipal funds can be used in many ways, ‘terrorism’ and wants to live and work in Oak Park legally. including for infrastructure projects and other COVID– related expenditures. It cannot be used to prompted audience members to interrupt offset taxes or for pension funds. him to disagree with his stance. Scaman Village officials indicated the funds asked them to hold their comments. could be used for this effort. The $500,000 Wesley said this decision was an unprecfor the emergency situation does not in- edented move for the village government clude the long-term cost of aiding mi- and sets a precedent for the village. He said grants. It roughly maintains the current he believes the roughly $2,000 per month level of housing and supplemental servic- he calculated spent per migrant under the es, estimated at about $312,000 per month, original proposal is an inequitable expenthey said. diture for asylum seekers, in contrast with Deputy Village Manager Lisa Shelley the $500 to $1,000 with universal basic inexplained the village is scheduled to meet come programs the nation is experimentnext with Cook County, which has set ing with. aside millions of dollars for new arrivals.

“I wanted to draw the line between what The City of Chicago reported they have no we thought was an acceptable response in funds available for Oak Park. one case and what is an acceptable response Shelley acknowledged that because of in another,” he said. this, the village’s “investment” in migrant The meeting also drew unprecedented assistance could be at risk because the lack speakers. Two asylum-seekers spoke during

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM public comments to share their stories and ask the trustees for support.

One 60-year-old migrant, Jose Leandro, who said he fled Colombia to escape violence and terrorism, said he wants to live here legally, be a productive worker and take care of his family. He explained he wants a better life not only for himself but for others he knows are suffering.

Angel Suarez, a 21-year-old migrant with a 4-year-old daughter, echoed the man’s desire to work and help provide not only for his family but for the community.

Residents largely expressed their support for the additional spending. One local speaker said some migrants have traveled more than 3,000 miles to be here and urged the trustees to give continued aid to those asylum-seekers.

Another, however, questioned why the village considers migrant aid an all-ornothing endeavor. She encouraged them to consider additional options to help the asylum-seekers without taking away support from other communities.

“I’m concerned with the ‘we have to do it all or we cannot do it at all’ support with migrants,” she said.

Resident Tosha Cole agreed the allocation of $1 million would create infrastructure to help migrants, proving the community cares about one another and lives up to its values. She encouraged the trustees to face this issue head on.

“This has to be a collective effort,” she said.

Reverend Colin Knapp of Pilgrim Congregational Church and president of Community of Congregations, asked the board to create an independent task force of community experts dedicated to assisting migrants in the short and long term.

“It’s an opportunity to model a new way of community building that does not lay the responsibility solely on the village,” he said.

Resident Carollina Song said Oak Park couldn’t afford to play “icicle roulette” in a “rat-infested park” with migrants who suffered while using festering public toilets.

Others, however, added they were against the decision. One commenter asked in written statements about how this decision would affect the village’s general fund and worried about the attraction of additional migrants in the future. Another urged the board to vote against allocating funds because the migrants have not paid taxes to support the community.

“You need to prioritize the people who pay taxes in Oak Park,” they wrote.

Trustee Brian Straw said he considered every migrant a member of Oak Park and equally represented among established resi-

dents. He said the crisis response is necessary, and he expressed support for an independent task force to help asylum seekers.

“There is a right to freedom of movement in this country,” he said. “We don’t get to dictate where [the migrants] go.”

Trustee Susan Buchanan said she wanted quicker solutions, disagreeing with the emergency order implementation through March, and favored a transition plan for migrants only up to 60 days instead. She supported the $1 million allocation of funds, but said she believed volunteers can do more for asylum seekers directly than the village can.

“I don’t want to see our responsibility to the residents of Oak Park go unaddressed,” she said.

Village President Vicki Scaman said migrants might be temporarily housed by the village, but are not in the village’s care. She emphasized the migrants can make their own decisions and do not necessarily have to find permanent housing in Oak Park, but the village has a duty to help while the asylum seekers are here.

In Wednesday Journal opinion pieces, Parakkat and Robinson said they disagreed with the move. Parakkat expressed concerns that allocating this aid will harm migrants more than it will help them. Officials from the City of Chicago explained migrants who leave Chicago will lose their place on the waiting list for more permanent, stable housing.

“Our ability to provide jobs and independence is non-existent,” Parakkat said during the meeting. “Our ability to provide housing and stability seems like a stretch.”

Robinson echoed Parakkat’s concerns, stating that despite her empathy for the migrants due to her own family’s migration experience, she is concerned that these recent decisions fail to plan for long-term care.

Robinson said she believes reallocating the $1 million for migrant support will burden local taxpayers and the emergency declaration is not a sustainable plan long term.

“There are not unlimited resources financially, nor staff-wise,” she said during the meeting.

They maintained those positions at the board meeting.

The State of Illinois has offered $160 million to Chicago for migrant aid and support, an amount much greater than what Oak Park can offer. Asylum-seekers in Oak Park will not be eligible for any Chicago programs. If they returned to Chicago, assuming they met all other requirements, they would be placed at the end of the waiting list. Individuals with medical needs, however, may receive aid more quickly.

To My Dear Son Sandy Nov 25, 1948 I’ll not send you a card in the usual way On this very important special day For twenty five years ago at crack of dawn the lord blessed me – and you were born A quarter century has passed away And never once did I rue that day My blessing I give to you – and more My son – My Sandy – whom I adore Many happy birthdays – to you.

Lovingly Dad 25th Birthday Poem by Leonard Kirsch (1895 -1955) to his son, Sanford Kirsch (1923 – 2016).

Happy 100th Birthday – Dad! Lovingly, your son, Ken Kirsch

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Dominican University’s closure of Goedert Center leaves families scrambling

Parents say the school failed to be transparent about the closure

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Amid the national childcare shortage, Dominican University’s Rose K. Goedert Center for Early Childhood Education announced it was shutting its doors next summer, leaving close to 100 families scrambling to find childcare in what is already a nearly impossible market.

The announcement of the closing came by email to families Nov. 9 from Dominican University, saying that the center will be closing June 14.

According to Amy McFarlane, an Dominican adjunct professor whose two-year-old attends Goedert, the preschool now enrolls 90 students and has about 145 waitlisted.

“It is such a high-quality, accredited institution that I feel it meets the gap in the area for that,” McFarlane said. “And that gap is going to be felt.”

A 2022 report by the Illinois Child Care for All Coalition, which includes the Service Employees International Union, Healthcare Illinois, Chicago Teachers Union and other organizations found that from 2012 to 2019, state-licensed family child care capacity declined 20%, while the number of child care homes — those exempt from licensing — declined by 65%.

Nearly 58% of the state’s population lives in an area where there aren’t enough child care providers nearby. That had made child care more expensive and tougher to find, the report’s authors said.

Opened in 2005, the center had served the River Forest community out of the Priory Campus at the intersection of Division St. and Harlem Avenue, providing early childhood education for children ages two to five and offering a flexible schedule to meet parental needs.

In 2022, Dominican sold the Priory Campus to Fenwick High School, who beat out

Oak Park and River Forest High School, among others, for the multi-acre parcel.

In reports by Wednesday Journal, the 7.6acre lot had been appraised at $8 million, although Dominican Vice President of finance and administration Mark Titzer said the sale price would not be revealed for reasons of confidentiality. As part of the negotiations with Fenwick, the high school had agreed to an extended “rent-free” lease, allowing the center to remain at the location for up to five years. However, the private Catholic college prep school has exercised an initial exit clause, which was available after two years of purchase.

Representatives from Fenwick could not be reached for comment.

In an email addressed to a Goedert parent, Titzer said that while part of Dominican’s mission was to make education accessible, their priorities are focused on serving a growing undergraduate population and programs, facilities, and services to support them.

“The Goedert Center is not a service extensively utilized by our students as a childcare option or an active experiential learning opportunity,” Titzer said in the email.

Titzer also said only a few students enrolled their children or dependents at the Center in recent years, and with the discontinuation of the early childhood major, the need was declining.

“While the Center does employ student workers, it has not been a regular student teaching or clinical placement site aligned with the School of Education for many years,” Titzer said.

Parents disagreed. “We felt like we were in good hands,” said Jessica Brown, Goedert parent since 2018. “That the sale wasn’t going to disrupt the school in any way.”

Disrupt, however, it did.

“Fenwick has exercised that clause,” the email sent by Dominican said. “And as a result, the lease will be terminated in 2024 in accordance with the Agreement.”

According to Stephanie Kubas, executive director of marketing and communications at Dominican University, they were alerted in May 2023 that Fenwick intended

GOOGLE MAPS

Rose K. Goedert Center for Early Childhood Education to use the exit clause. Kubas said the university spent several months exploring the surrounding area — both on and off campus — in hopes of locating another location for the center but, “none were viable or sustainable.”

“We felt really disappointed and super frustrated that the Goedert Center could come to an end after decades of serving the community,” Brown said.

“We are providing notice to families now to allow them time to make alternative care arrangements,” Kubas said. “We remain focused on continuing to support the center until its closure next June.”

Goedert families, however, said they do not believe the University has been transparent and say the news should have been communicated back in May, as many are now left trying to both process the devastating news and find a new preschool at the same time.

“I had to make calls I wasn’t ready to make,” said a tearful Eden Himidian, a parent of two children, who, after spending two years on the waitlist, was ecstatic to enroll her children at Goedert.

Himidian said she was devastated and in denial, and thought something would be able to be done to save the school.

“It never crossed my mind that the support for the center itself was dissolving,” Himidian said. “That the people who make the center possible were giving up on it.”

Himidian was able to secure spots for her children in another preschool, but after hearing she took the last spots while other Goedert parents had to be added to the waitlist, she said her heart broke all over again after she realized the community from Goedert was now having to, in a sense, “compete” with each other for these sacred spots.

For student and single parent Chloe

Young, the center has been an instrumental part of her life, helping her to continue her education while providing her daughter with a quality preschool education.

With rising daycare and preschool costs, Goedert allowed her to use the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program without needing to make up the difference, which provided an additional relief in terms of finances.

“It is hard to find childcare but it is even harder using those CCAP government payments because most places only have a limited number of families, they will accept that use them,” Young said.

When she found out the center would be closing, Young said she was devastated but not surprised.

“It was very disappointing, of course, a lot of frustration and anger honestly,” Young said. “There has been a lot going on at the University the last couple years or so after new leadership took over.”

Young, who has served as a graduate assistance for the Center of Culture Liberation, said she also feels betrayed. The search for a new location should have been conducted by the University after the original sale to Fenwick, she said.

McFarlane said the messaging put out by the University does not represent what was communicated privately in emails to parents who had reached out.

“Where I keep getting stuck with Dominican is that you say you looked to find another building but then your messaging is that you didn’t want to support this partnership anymore,” McFarlane said. “The two things don’t go together for me.”

Goedert parents have banded together and are trying to find locations or other partnerships so that the center can remain open, McFarlane said.

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

11

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

They work in rain or snow, but do you know Oak Park’s postal carriers?

Dogs, cats and icy porches don’t stop these mail delivery folks

customers (maybe too much …), residents don’t often know much about their carriers.

So as letter- and package-season heats up, Wednesday Journal profiles several local carriers recommended by grateful customers.

By JESSICA MACKINNON

Mario Banks Sr. has been an Oak Park postal carrier for a year and a half, but has already made an impact on several of the residents living around Hatch School.

Banks enjoys connecting with kids. If he is ahead in his route, he’ll take the time to talk with them and hang with them. Banks has been married for 23 years and has two children of his own.

“One day I decided to join some kids in a game of baseball — to prove to them I still had it. We wagered a popsicle. I really enjoyed that lime popsicle …” he said.

Contributing Reporter

TODD BANNOR

Postal carrier Mario Banks delivers mail with a smile to Stacy Alexander.

With wicked weather — and the barrage of holiday cards and gifts — right around the corner, thoughts turn to those intrepid postal carriers who brave the snow, the rain, the heat and the gloom of night to deliver our mail. In fact, according to several local residents, nothing sways these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

While postal carriers know a lot about their

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

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13

Banks also said he enjoys the camaraderie of his coworkers, especially during the first couple hours of his shift, and tries to be a positive influence by spreading his cheerfulness and enthusiasm.

“The DNA of this occupation — serving people — more than makes up for the daily challenges. I made up my mind long ago that I wasn’t going to let any negative situations rob me of what God is building in my character. So, I try to show people genuine compassion and kindness. It tends to brighten their day,” Banks said.

And his customers return the kindness — often giving him bottles of water in the summer or leaving water in coolers on their porches. One resident even chased him down the street, barefooted, to give him some cold sparkling water.

He is an active member of Chicago Church of Christ Metro Ministry, which meets at United Lutheran Church, located on his route.

Keith Scott has been a postal worker for almost 29 years.

He grew up on Chicago’s west side and enlisted in the Army reserves after graduating from Westinghouse High School.

He worked at Spiegel, Inc., famous for its catalogs, until the company relocated to Ohio.

Scott joined the postal service to support his family and has come to appreciate the job because of its stability, benefits and opportunity to connect with people, including the kids on his route, many of whom he has seen grow up from kindergarten to college. He considers the free exercise a welcome bonus.

Like many postal carriers, he’s had run-ins with dogs — but his worst injury was a broken toe, incurred when he slipped on a porch step. The incident happened early in his shift, but he completed his route, then had to stay off his foot for six weeks.

Without a doubt, Scott’s favorite activity is spending time with his seven grandchildren — skating, going to the trampoline park and watching animated movies.

Marzena Karkut knew she wanted to be a postal worker since she was 6. She immigrated from Poland with her parents and younger brother in 1990, just as communism was loosening its grip on her home country. She has fond memories of the farm she grew up on.

“We didn’t have door-to-door mail delivery every day because the farms were far apart and separated by hills and forests. Most of the people got their mail once a week at the village grocery store. I remember the mail lady was very popular. She knew everyone, and everyone was happy to see her. It was very exciting to me,” Karkut said.

Her family settled in a Polish neighborhood in Chicago.

Karkut has been a postal worker for more than 20 years and loves the job—although the beginning was rocky. She started in winter and her hands were so cold that she got paper cuts. She claims she spent many days crying, but her coworkers, including Keith Scott, promised her it would get better.

“I’m so glad I stuck it out — because I love it now,” Karkut said.

Karkut did have an alarming experience a couple of weeks ago after a resident’s adult son physically threatened her because of her accent. But when her customers found out about the incident, they rallied around her.

“It made me feel so happy to feel that love,” she said.

TODD BANNOR

WHAT THEY CARRY: Al Robles on his route outside Careful Peach on North Boulevard.

Jim Bruno has been a postal carrier since 1982. Originally from Maywood — like his famous fellow carrier/musician John Prine — Bruno went to Proviso East High School before his family moved to the northwest side of Chicago. Instead of attending college, he pursued his interest in music, playing in several bands while working in the mailrooms of businesses in the city. Eventually, he decided that while being in the entertainment business was fun, it didn’t offer the stability or salary he desired.

“I thought the postal service would be an easy job what’s hard about putting mail in a box, right? I thought being outside talking to the squirrels and the birds would be peachy keen. I soon realized that it was the toughest job I’d ever done,” Bruno said.

Bruno once was seriously injured by a territorial dog. But an attack cat was even more disturbing.

“This cat was lying in wait for me, hiding under a car in the resident’s driveway. When I approached the house, he ran out and scratched up my leg and then hissed at me from the mailbox,” Bruno said.

In his spare time, Bruno enjoys enhancing his home with vintage furnishings and listening to an eclectic variety of music.

Al Robles has a coveted business route in the Hemingway District. He has been a postal worker since 1991. Oak Park was his last choice for assignment, after a mail mishap ironi-

cally took him out of the running for Maywood.

“I was scheduled for an interview with the Maywood post office, but I got the notification letter the day after I was supposed to show up — it was late because it had been forwarded from my former address,” he said.

Robles first worked out of south Oak Park. As vice president of Local Branch 608 and head steward at the main office on Lake Steet, he said he strives to recreate the camaraderie among coworkers, with barbecues and get-togethers at carriers’ homes.

Although he enjoys the relative freedom of his job, Robles said he regrets that the nature of the occupation has changed over the years, from a service model to a business model — with carriers expected to work faster and for longer hours.

When he was raising his children, his job usually ended by 3:30 p.m., which allowed him to be involved in their extracurricular activities, including coaching his son’s championshipwinning basketball team at St. Frances of Rome in Cicero.

Robles recalled an incident that changed the way he deals with postal carriers’ worst nightmare.

“I really love animals — but one day, a really aggressive dog charged me, so I had to spray him. I felt so bad for hurting him! After that, I threw away the spray and packed dog biscuits instead. I decided that dogs weren’t going to be my enemies, but my friends. The dogs know I’m coming now,” he said, laughing.

Outside work, Robles enjoys the peacefulness of fishing and is a devoted collector of vintage stereo systems.

14

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

READING

Expanding instruction from page 3 Amid the community’s push, D90 moved forward with its review of the reading curriculum, which was not due for another year or two, said Alison Hawley, assistant superintendent of instruction for District 90.

Behind the numbers Research shows that one-third of children in the United States do not have basic reading skills.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 68% of 4th graders in the U.S scored below proficient in reading in 2022 and a Gallup analysis of data from the U.S Department of Education showed that 130 million adults in the country have low literacy skills.

But in D90, students are performing very well compared to the rest of the state as seen in the 2023 Illinois Report Card.

Hawley said the district is currently performing well and they are “very pleased”

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM with the results from the Illinois Assessment of Readiness and in terms of growth, where any growth past 60% is considered excellent, the district was placed in the 79% percentile for growth.

When it comes to their individual performance, Hawley said the district has about 65% of students who are meeting or exceeding standards.

“It’s encouraging that we are in the top four percent of the state for literacy based on IAR however there is still work for us to do,” Hawley said. “So, we want to make sure we are serving all children well and part of receiving this data is to help us understand how we can do that.”

To help bridge gaps between reading performance in terms of equity, Condon said the district was committed to continuous review of their reading material to ensure students see themselves reflected in various ways including race, ethnicity, and family background amongst others.

“At the end of the day, our goal around equity in District 90 has been the same and that is that no individual characteristic will be a determinant of our student’s ability to achieve to their highest potential,” he said.

Earlier this year, board members Kristine Mackey, Eric Isenberg, and Joseph

Cortese ran for and won seats on the board on the platform of reviewing the reading curriculum.

In a previous interview with Wednesday Journal, Mackey said she was personally exposed to the reading homework her three grandchildren were bringing home and felt there was a strong need to improve. Mackey was not able to be reached for additional comment. Isenberg and Cortese directed all questions to Rath.

The first step taken by the district was to form the D90 Literacy Committee, which has been up and running since September of this year. The rest of the process is not as easy as switching out textbooks, but rather lengthy and complex, officials said.

“In order to stop using a curriculum, if that is what you decided, then you have to make sure you have something ready to go in its place,” Williams said. “That takes time.

You have to pick the best two you have and pilot them in the classroom.”

The committee is looking at research around the five different areas of foundational skills: phonics, fluency, comprehension, word study, and awareness. Hawley said all the research will be shared with the community after the findings are concluded, which should be around the end of December 2023.

“There is no one program or one approach that is going to universally work for all students to become proficient readers so it is important that we have a program that is flexible, that is responsive and that we have a resource that we can go to because not every resource works for every student,” Hawley said.

The Illinois State Board of Education also has been compiling a literacy framework for the state, which is due to be published no later than January 2024.

Williams said the way the district is undertaking this task is about as fast as it can be done, and if a new program is selected, it would not go into effect until early winter of 2025.

The district continues to promote its “multi-tier system of support,” which includes strong communication with teachers, as a way to help students who are struggling to read. That communication is vital, Condon said, as parents can provide more information to teachers about their child’s confidence in reading and demonstration of their skills, which can be vital.

D90 will be hosting a Literacy Instruction Forum on Tuesday, Dec. 5 in the multipurpose room at Roosevelt Middle School, Oak Avenue, at 7 p.m.

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

C R I M E

Carjacking fails, wallet stolen instead

Two men tried to carjack an Oak Park resident sitting in a car, Nov. 17, on the 100 block of Clinton. According to police, the two men approached the man, pointed a gun and ordered him out of the car. They were not able to take the car, but they left in a white vehicle with his wallet. The estimated loss is $1,000.

Car stolen, located damaged A 2020 Hyundai Tuscan was stolen from the 600 block of South Austin Nov. 19. It was found later on the 900 block of Lyman with damage to the rear passenger window and the steering column. The estimated loss is not yet known.

Robberies ■ A Bolingbrook resident was held up by two men, Nov. 17, on the 700 block of South Boulevard. The victim reported one man was armed with a gun and demanded that he turn over his belongings. They took his wallet and keys, then fled in a white SUV. The estimated loss is $70.

■ Two Oak Forest residents were robbed, Nov. 19, on the 100 block of Chicago Avenue when they were seated in their car. According to police, a man walked up to them and pulled out a gun, demanding their belongings. They turned over a wallet and cash.

The estimated loss is $600.

Car break-in The window of a 2018 Ford F250 was smashed, Nov. 17, on the 700 block of Fillmore. According to police, someone shattered the side window to get inside. They took two Ridgid crescent wrenches, a Williams 12-inch screwdriver, a Williams 8-inch screwdriver and other tools. The estimated loss is $1,020.79

Theft ■ Two

packages were stolen from the front porch on the first block of Le Moyne, Nov. 14. A surveillance camera caught a woman walking to the porch and picking up the packages. They contained men’s

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■ Video captured a woman, Nov. 12, stealing a purse off a counter of a business on the 1100 block of Lake. The purse and its contents, all left unattended, were valued at $570.

Warrant arrest A Franklin Park resident was arrested on the 200 block of Lake Street, Nov.12, for assault and for an outstanding warrant. He was wanted in Ogle County for driving under the influence.

Bike theft Someone took a bike from Wheel and Sprocket, Nov. 13, on the 1100 block of Westgate. According to Oak Park police, a man took a black Trek Wahoo 26-inch bike from the store and fled the scene. The bike was last seen in the area of Lake and Forest. The estimated loss is $560.

These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department reports, Nov. 13 – 21, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Wednesday Journal Staff

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We also need inspiring, funny, heartwarming and, at times, heartbreaking stories about our friends, neighbors and children. Perhaps now, more than ever.

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15

16

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS SUMMARY FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023

Copies of the detailed Annual Statement of Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023 will be available for public inspection in the school district/joint agreement administrative office by November 30, annually.

Individuals wanting to review this Annual Statement of Affairs should contact: Oak Park-& River Forest High SD 200 201 N Scoville Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302-2264 708-434-3278 Call to make an appointment School District/Joint Agreement Name Address Telephone Office Hours Also by January 15, annually the detailed Annual Statement of Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023, will be posted on the Illinois State Board of Education’s website@ www.isbe.net.

SUMMARY: The following is the Annual Statement of Affairs Summary that is required to be published by the school district/joint agreement for the past fiscal year.

Statement of Operations as of June 30, 2023 (50) (10) (20) (30) (40) (60) (70) Municipal Acct Operations & Educational Debt Service Capital Projects Retirement & Social Transportation Working Cash No Maintenance Security

3,082

1,075,931 0

0

0

0

715,063

3,020,327

4,292

0

0

Total Direct Receipts/Revenues

69,847,249

12,295,218

3,082

1,790,994

Total Direct Disbursements/Expenditures

69,162,597

6,450,892

0

2,146,714

Other Sources/Uses of Funds

(7,500,000)

(5,000,000)

0

0

0

12,500,000

Beginning Fund Balances without Student Activity Funds - July 1, 2022

45,682,988

5,116,841

224,097

4,490,447

1,720,662

0

0

0

0

0

Ending Fund Balances without Student Activity Funds - June 30, 2023

38,867,640

5,961,167

227,179

4,134,727

Ending Fund Balances (all sources) with Student Activity Funds - June 30, 2023

40,118,267

5,961,167

227,179

4,134,727

Local Sources

1000

59,787,754

12,290,926

Flow-Through Receipts/Revenues from One District to Another District

2000

0

0

State Sources

3000

7,039,168

Federal Sources

4000

Other Changes in Fund Balances

3,177,348

(80) Tort

(90) Fire Prevention & Safety

440,401

5,114,747

1,063,770

22,553

0

50,000

0

0

0

7,211

0

0

0

0

3,184,559

5,164,747

1,063,770

2,627,966

20,497,536

22,553

440,401

857,249

1,072,245

0

0

0

22,538,731

7,459,884

2,414,643

765,579

0

0

0

0

2,277,255

19,705,942

8,523,654

1,579,947

133,735

2,277,255

19,705,942

8,523,654

1,579,947

133,735

PAYMENTS OVER $2,500, EXCLUDING WAGES AND SALARIES OAK PARK RIVER FOREST HSD 200 06-016-2000-13 Person, Firm, or Aggregate Corporation Amount 1800TSHIRTS.COM $6,514.49 3D UNIVERSE, LLC $4,227.50 5 STAR STUDENTS $3,200.00 AA RENTAL $36,268.40 ABC CLIO $3,472.00 ABLE ACADEMY $29,912.88 ACACIA ACADEMY $38,438.76 ACCURATE BIOMETRICS $17,559.00 ACHIEVE3000 $9,605.00 ACTION TO HEALING $6,000.00 ACTIVE INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES $24,400.00 ADORAMA CAMERA $2,785.50 ADVISA $11,737.50 AFFILIATED STEAM $3,408.90 AGB INSTITUTE $12,000.00 AGON SWIM $2,749.89 AIR DESIGN SYSTEMS $5,055.00 AIRGAS USA $7,129.08 AIRPORT ELECTRIC $112,161.46 ALLIANCE LAUNDRY SYSTEMS DISTRIBUTI $2,570.40 ALLIANT INSURANCE SERVICES, INC $69,684.00 ALL-WAYS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, I $42,337.25 ALPHA BAKING CO $38,447.85 AMAZON.COM, INC. $279,462.75 AMBASSADOR ATHLETIC APPAREL $17,305.45 AMERICAN CUSTOM SILKSCREENING $3,517.00 AMERICAN ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION CO $58,600.73 AMIGOS LIBRARY SERVICES $5,007.44 AMPLIFIED IT, LLC $3,050.00 ANDERSON LOCK $26,668.04 ANDY FRAIN SERVICES $27,823.69 ANNA-LISA COX $8,176.46 ANNE LOKKEN $3,972.50 ANTHONY J SVEJDA $6,867.86 APPLE FINANCIAL SERVICES $51,659.91 APPLE STORE $53,963.00 APRIL BUILDING SERVICES, INC $96,183.00 AQUA PURE ENTERPRISES, INC. $6,049.87 ARAMARK $3,845.95 $54,065.00 ARBITER SPORTS ARCHER ELECTRIC SUPPLY $15,649.26 ARCHIVE SOCIAL $2,988.00 ASANA $15,400.80 ASCD $6,389.95 ASHLEY M RAYMOND $6,569.07 ATHLETICO $49,992.38 AUTHORS UNBOUND $4,000.00

AUTOMATED LOGIC CORPORATION $28,090.20 AVI SYSTEMS $61,193.93 B & F CONSTRUCTION CODE SERVICES $6,655.00 B&H PHOTO AND VIDEO $14,391.89 BAKER TILLY VIRCHOW KRAUSE, LLP $40,250.00 BARAK $19,010.50 BARNES & NOBLE $138,995.93 BARR MECHANICAL SALES $7,733.11 BERWYN GARAGE $32,476.96 BEYOND HUNGER- OP & RF FOOD PANTRY $6,430.00 BHFX $16,652.29 BIOZONE CORPORATION $3,287.01 BLACKOUTEZ.COM $7,069.76 BLICK ART MATERIALS $75,392.05 BLUE CHIP ATHLETIC $4,703.00 BMI SUPPLY $17,218.32 BMO HARRIS MASTERCARD $287,017.76 BOARD OF EDUCATION DIST #97 OPRF HI $447,310.00 BOATHOUSE SPORTS $4,812.92 BOB’S DAIRY SERVICE $12,319.58 BOOM ENTERTAINMENT $39,116.00 BOON HEALTH LLC $5,850.00 BOUNCE ATHLETICS, INC $5,270.45 BRACKER’S GOOD EARTH CLAYS,INC $8,308.25 BRAINPOP $3,515.00 BREAKOUT, INC. $3,789.00 BRENDA TRACY LLC $4,703.72 BREX SOLUTIONS, INC $117,769.50 BRIGHTLY $15,991.34 BSN SPORTS $117,083.79 C. ACITELLI HEATING & PIPING CONTRA $41,380.13 C. R. LEONARD $13,438.84 C.R. LEONARD $19,111.00 CALM.COM, INC $7,403.20 CAMP MANITOQUA MINISTRIES $16,137.50 CAN CAN CATER, LLC $2,695.00 CAPSTAN NETWORKS, LLC $76,022.37 CARDINAL COLOR GROUP $8,712.00 CARDIO PARTNERS $2,606.78 CAROLINA BIOLOGICAL SUPPLY $5,624.92 CARRIER COMMERCIAL SERVICES $7,500.00 CATILIZE HEALTH $154,223.36 CDW GOVERNMENT, INC. $1,506,443.50 CENGAGE LEARNING $56,599.94 CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES $14,050.00 CERAMIC SUPPLY CHICAGO $8,174.54 CHADDOCK $202,706.71 CHANDLER DECISION SERVICE, LLC $6,000.00 CHANGE ACADEMY AT LAKE OF THE OZARK $46,913.87

CHER-MAR MECHANICAL INSULATION $25,203.00 CHICAGO KILN SERVICES $2,528.75 CHICAGO TRIBUNE MEDIA GROUP $15,697.60 CHRISTOPHER BALDWIN $12,651.23 CINTAS CORPORATION #23K $9,880.47 CITADEL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT $2,593.44 CITRIX SYSTEMS, INC $4,400.00 CLASSIC SCREEN PRINTING/ENERGY TEES $7,239.00 CLASSLINK, INC $17,047.50 CMC NEPTUNE $2,675.00 COASTTEC LLC $18,952.27 CODE RED SECURITY, LLC $21,342.00 CODEHS INC $10,300.00 COEO SOLUTIONS $27,828.19 COLLEGE BOARD $180,256.00 COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD $9,405.00 COLLEY ELEVATOR CO $12,791.00 COMCAST $24,000.00 COMCAST CABLE $3,092.48 COMMANDSCOPE, LLC $6,800.00 COMPASS HEALTH CENTER OAKBROOK $6,330.00 CONCORD THEATRICALS $2,666.84 CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO $20,295.00 CONNECTIONS DAY SCHOOL SOUTH CAMPUS $83,053.24 CONSTELLATION ENERGY SERVICES $157,841.40 COOPERATIVE ASSN FOR SPECIAL ED $59,085.42 CORNELL UNIVERSITY $4,750.00 COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION LLC $5,592.00 COVE SCHOOL $127,118.08 CRISIS PREVENTION INSTITUTE $7,055.70 CROWN GYM MATS INC $7,250.00 CRX INTERNATIONAL $9,813.70 CULTURED IMPRESSIONS $6,112.00 CUM LAUDE SOCIETY $3,974.50 CUSTOM COMPUTER SPECIALISTS, LLC $16,606.00 DANIEL LEE MOORE $6,000.00 DAVIS BANCORP INCORPORATED $5,262.00 DAVIS TREE CARE $2,695.00 DBHMS $3,000.00 DCG ROOFING SOLUTIONS, INC $1,512,108.43 DECA INC $3,319.75 DECISIONED GROUP, INC $34,872.00 DECKER INC $5,994.89 DELTA DENTAL PLAN OF ILLINOIS $580,279.49 DELTAMATH SOLUTIONS INC. $3,060.00 DES PLAINES VALLEY REGION $49,101.00 DILIGENT CORPORATION $8,500.00 DIRECT ENERGY BUSINESS, LLC $344,856.75

DIRECT FITNESS SOLUTIONS $39,456.00 DISTRIBUTIVE EDUCATION CLUBS OF ILL $8,778.00 DIVE CINCINNATI, INC. $5,287.50 DIVERZIFY $3,544.00 DONICA J LUZWICK $2,818.75 DYNAMIC LYNKS, INC $22,475.00 E2 SERVICES $387,745.83 EASTER SEALS METROPOLITAN CHICAGO $218,803.13 EASTLAND SUITES HOTEL & CONFERENCE $3,588.88 EBSCO INFORMATION SERVICES $7,779.57 ECS MIDWEST $29,950.00 EDPUZZLE $2,565.00 ED-RED $5,350.00 EDUCATION ADVANCED, INC $30,000.00 EDWARD DON & CO $3,985.88 EHC INDUSTRIES, INC. $79,800.00 EILEEN M. BRANN $54,376.00 ELEVATE CHEER & TUMBLE, LLC $3,625.00 ELIM CHRISTIAN SERVICES $150,869.08 ELIZABETH J PEREZ $4,426.29 EMBASSY SUITES $8,319.70 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CORPORATION $443,738.30 EMPOWER HEALTH SERVICES $24,760.00 ENTERPRISE NETWORK SERVICES INC $4,760.00 ERSKINE REEVES BARBER ACADEMY $18,989.97 EXCEL EDGE $71,625.00 EXPLORE LEARNING, LLC $7,350.00 FAWN C JOYCE $3,392.60 FELICITY SCHOOLS LLC $45,844.68 FGM ARCHITECTS $2,480,209.40 FIELDTURF $5,500.00 FILTERBUY $19,168.56 FIRST STUDENT $1,458,533.88 FLAGHOUSE INC $16,180.04 FLINN SCIENTIFIC $10,432.52 FOLLETT CONTENT SOLUTIONS, LLC $35,633.86 FOREST PARK BAKERY $12,503.89 FORMAL FASHIONS INC $3,384.58 FORMATIVE $23,392.00 FORWARD SPACE $478,038.02 FRANCZEK RADELET $114,121.89 FRED J. MILLER, INC. $4,825.00 FREDERICK L. CHAMBERLAIN CENTER, IN $193,053.48 FREESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHIC SUPPLIES $5,288.43 FRONTLINE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC $34,046.18 GARVEY’S OFFICE PRODUCTS $46,356.00 GAYLE BRANKIN $10,750.00 GCG FINANCIAL, LLC $67,241.92

GET FRESH PRODUCE INCORPORATED $43,130.65 GIANT STEPS ILLINOIS, INC $71,068.23 GINGER BENCOLA $4,897.62 GIPPER MEDIA, INC $3,450.00 GLEN OAKS THERAPEUTIC DAY SCHOOL $112,852.52 GLENN STEARNS CHAPTER 13 TRUSTEE $20,415.00 GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR AFRICA $4,830.00 GLOBAL PRINTING & PACKAGING $24,081.80 GOLDSTAR LEARNING, INC. $20,837.12 GOLF TEAM PRODUCTS.COM $3,658.00 GOODHEART-WILCOX CO INC $55,301.13 GOPHER SPORT $19,233.05 GORDON FLESCH $145,665.04 GORDON FOOD SERVICE, INC $813,787.78 GRAINGER $64,509.33 GRAND GENEVA, LLC $6,000.00 GRAND SUBARU $18,029.26 GREAT LAKES COCA-COLA DISTRIBUTION, $110,557.05 GROVE SCHOOL, INC $138,564.49 GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA, NFP $5,010.00 GUARDIAN INNOVATIONS $4,634.80 HAZARD, YOUNG ATTEA & ASSOCIATES $15,000.00 HEALTHCARE SERVICE CORPORATION $8,429,223.74 HEALTHPRO REHABILITATION $58,815.67 HEARTLINE FITNESS - MIDWEST $4,685.96 HENRY SCHEIN $8,760.95 HIGH OCTANE STUDIO $3,000.00 HINSDALE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL $3,945.00 HOH WATER TECHNOLOGY, INC. $13,480.00 HOME DEPOT CREDIT SERVICES $19,309.70 HOUGHTON MIFFLIN $8,282.11 HOUSING FORWARD $4,830.00 HUDL $20,000.00 HUNT TECHNOLOGY MGMNT LTD $29,859.95 HYATT REGENCY CHICAGO $81,831.00 I.D.E.S. $3,563.27 IAASE $5,275.00 IDEAL CHARTER, LLC $107,672.20 IDENTISYS, INC $3,877.00 ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOAR $18,545.00 ILLINOIS COUNTIES RISK MANAGEMENT T $728,736.10 ILLINOIS DIGITAL EDUCATORS ALLIANCE $5,113.80 ILLINOIS PRINCIPALS ASSOC $2,784.00 ILLINOIS THEATRE ASSOCIATION $3,405.00 ILLINOIS WINDOW SHADE COMPANY $3,499.00 IMAGINE LEARNING $25,600.00 IMEA STATE OFFICE $2,676.00 IMPERIAL BAG & PAPER CO LLC $29,517.10

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

17

PAYMENTS OVER $2,500, EXCLUDING WAGES AND SALARIES (CONT’D) INDIAN BOUNDARY GOLF COURSE $9,298.40 INFINITE CONNECTIONS, INC $18,408.11 INFOBASE LEARNING $3,136.99 INNERSYNC $10,471.20 INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING GROUP $7,580.00 INSTRUCTURE, INC. $3,982.45 INTEGRATED SYSTEMS CORPORATION $13,992.00 INVESTED CONSULTANT FIRM $12,500.00 IT’S A SIGN $5,656.04 ITSAVVY LLC $7,830.00 IXL LEARNING $4,275.00 J W PEPPER & SON, INC. $4,093.68 J.C. LICHT, LLC $2,581.29 JAMES BORJA $2,649.11 JAMES P COUGHLIN $9,412.43 JASON FRIED $6,105.90 JEWISH CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES $26,438.06 JOHN HAYLEY’S UNBREAKABLE FITNESS $3,900.00 JOHNSON CONTROLS FIRE PROTECTION $2,843.20 JOSEPH ACADEMY $80,754.15 JOSTENS $35,784.60 JSN INDUSTRIES USA, INC $4,745.00 KELLY A COLLINS $3,038.22 KENDALL/HUNT PUBLISHING $8,053.30 KES PRO TECHS COMPANY $2,750.00 KEVIN T CAMPBELL $3,794.85 KEY WEST METAL INDUSTRIES INC $57,478.50 KIEFER $3,225.60 KINGS III $3,278.60 KNOWLEDGE MATTERS $2,800.00 KONE $6,438.07 KRISTI ST. MARTIN $5,000.00 KRISTIN WIRTZ $8,322.44 KUUMBA LYNX $3,000.00 LA GRANGE CRANE SERVICE $9,769.00 LAGOOZO VISUAL $55,339.75 LAKESHORE IT SOLUTIONS, INC. $6,558.63 LAKESHORE LEARNING MATERIALS $4,487.47 LAKEVIEW SPEECH CLINIC $13,038.00 LANGUAGE TESTING INTERNATIONAL, INC $3,765.00 LANSING SPORT SHOP $119,674.84 LEARN BY DOING, INC. $11,500.00 LEARN WELL $5,280.29 LEARNPLATFORM, INC. $33,309.33 LIMINEX, INC $8,943.06 LINKEDIN CORPORATION $13,325.00 LISA GARVIN, MSW $11,013.75 LISA LIBERTY $3,000.00 LISA WESTMAN CONSULTING, INC. $6,750.00 LYDIA GERZEL-SHORT $3,000.00 MAKEMUSIC, INC. $6,805.21 MAKERBOT INDUSTRIES LLC $5,560.05 MARCHESE & SONS INC. $58,000.00 MARILYN MARSHALL $7,357.50 MARYVILLE ACADEMY $197,615.28 MATTHEW T MCMURRAY $3,055.06

MAXIM STAFFING SOLUTIONS $21,789.62 MC ADAM LANDSCAPING, INC $40,464.00 MC SQUARED ENERGY SERVICES $153,038.26 MECK PRINT $68,331.80 MELODY BROWN $4,781.23 MENARD CONSULTING, INC $2,900.00 MENTA ACADEMY OAK PARK $245,320.79 MENTA ACADEMY-HILLSIDE $21,080.15 MENTA TECH ACADEMY $32,640.48 MEP, INC. $12,893.51 METLIFE $271,066.51 METROPOLITAN PREPARATORY $124,810.53 MIDWEST INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS $23,140.50 MINIPCR $6,084.00 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS $2,700.00 MPS $39,471.41 MS. ROBERTS ACADEMY $41,600.00 MSDSONLINE $3,760.00 MUSIC & ARTS CENTER $10,237.41 NATIONAL CHEERLEADING ASSOCIATION $3,999.00 NATIONAL LIFT TRUCK $7,975.00 NCS-PEARSON INC. $10,411.17 NEFF COMPANY $7,611.48 NETWORK TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS INC $116,568.03 NEW HORIZON CENTER FOR THE $86,521.88 NEW TRIER HIGH SCHOOL $2,625.00 NEWS2- YOU $2,770.08 NEWSELA $8,500.00 NEXTREQUEST, LLC $12,288.00 NG WEB SOLUTIONS, LLC $18,700.00 NICHOLAS MICHALEK $4,837.51 NOREDINK CORP $9,950.00 NSPRA/NATIONAL SCHOOL PUBLIC $20,019.06 NU -TECH ELECTRIC, INC $20,287.50 OAK BROOK SPORTS CORE $2,930.00 OAK PARK TWNSHP YOUTH SERVICES $45,084.00 OCONOMOWOC DEVELOPMENT TRAINING CEN $226,463.77 OMBUDSMAN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES $28,000.00 OPRFHS $224,242.56 OPRFHS FOOD SERVICE $32,605.25 ORGANIX RECYCLING $5,541.41 OSA INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS, LLC $3,587.61 OVERDRIVE, INC. $6,075.74 P.A. CRIMSON $14,191.60 P-20 NETWORK $6,750.00 PACIFIC EDUCATIONAL GROUP $4,313.75 PANORAMA EDUCATION, INC $19,250.00 PARISI SPEED SCHOOL CHICAGO $7,140.00 PARKLAND PREP ACADEMY, INC $32,484.52 PAUL D COLLINS $12,279.11 PAUL N WRIGHT $4,249.24 PDS, INC $52,200.00 PEKRON CONSULTING $25,874.00 PEPPER CONSTRUCTION $16,470,949.38

PERFECT CUT PRODUCTIONS $16,050.00 PERSPECTIVES $10,223.50 PETTY CASH, OPRFHSD #200 $14,430.76 PHILADELPHIA SECURITY PRODUCTS, INC $6,532.62 PILGRIM CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH $66,675.00 PIONEER ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENTAL $40,182.00 PIONEER MANUFACTURING COMPANY $2,565.31 PIPETTE.COM $3,022.51 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS $34,921.48 PMA FINANCIAL NETWORK, INC $3,138.78 POLAR $2,833.80 POSITIVE PROMOTIONS $4,448.28 POWERSCHOOL GROUP LLC $38,912.44 PRASINO ENGINEERING, LLC $13,000.00 PREMIER MECHANICAL, INC $25,190.00 PRESTO-X $14,660.51 PREVENTIVE HEALTH PARTNERS IL S.C. $6,496.00 PROGRESS SOFTWARE $44,954.88 PROJECT LEAD THE WAY, INC $15,425.00 PROQUEST $5,141.19 PROTOLIGHT, INC. $32,128.40 QUADIENT (FORMERLY NEONPOST) $7,446.77 QUADIENT LEASING USA, INC (MAILFIAN) $17,693.25 QUANTUM LEEP ACADEMY $15,058.50 R.A.D. SYSTEMS $3,643.00 RADWELL INTERNATIONAL INC $3,762.44 RAYNER & RINN-SCOTT, INC $9,723.21 RBS ACTIVE WEAR $5,413.72 REBEL ATHLETIC INC. $4,861.60 REMIND101 $11,458.00 RENAISSANCE LEARNING, INC $22,201.88 REVOLUTIONARY ED LLC $29,403.80 REVTRAK $132,370.63 RIDDELL/ALL AMERICAN $27,714.56 RIGHT DIRECTION CRISIS INTERVENTION $3,353.34 RIO GRANDE $12,450.09 RIPPLE LLC $3,075.00 ROBBINS SCHWARTZ NICHOLAS LIFTON $83,964.57 ROBOTICS EDUCATION & COMPETITION FO $2,945.00 RUSH NEUROBEHAVIORAL CENTER $10,200.00 SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY LLC $19,012.92 SCANTEX BUSINESS SYSTEMS $6,218.06 SCENARIO LEARNING LLC $7,135.60 SCHOOL HEALTH CORPORATION $6,970.89 SCHOOL SPECIALTY $4,836.04 SCHOOL TECH TEAM $8,100.00 SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATES, INC $21,257.85 SCHOOLINKS, INC $29,650.00 SCOPE SHOPPE INC $3,216.00 SCRIBLE, INC. $10,350.00 SEAL OF ILLINOIS $56,761.01

SECURATEX $66,434.64 SECURLY $22,888.58 SEPS, INC. $15,496.00 SERVICE SANITATION, INC. $17,278.41 SHABBY FLY $6,016.20 SHAR PRODUCTS COMPANY $2,538.61 SHC SERVICES INC $26,823.58 SHERMAN MECHANICAL, INC. $115,497.14 SHOOT-A-WAY, INC. $12,432.00 SIGN SOLUTIONS $8,844.00 SIGNCO $3,564.00 SITEIMPROVE, INC $10,256.09 SKYWARD $75,629.50 SOARING EAGLE ACADEMY, INC $138,962.09 SOCCER 2000 $9,338.25 SOIL AND MATERIAL CONSULTANTS, INC $6,605.00 SOLARWINDS $4,020.00 SONIA SHANKMAN ORTHOGENIC SCHOOL $551,373.74 SOUTH SIDE CONTROL SUPPLY CO $10,575.03 SOUTHEASTERN PERFORMANCE APPAREL $2,809.03 SOUTHWEST REGIONAL PUBLISHING $8,498.00 SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS $25,703.92 SPECIALIZED ED OF ILL INC (NEW HOPE) $181,170.48 SPHERO $3,127.10 SPIRIT PRODUCTS $20,093.65 SPORTS ATTACK $5,294.00 SPORTS CONNECTION GEAR $3,839.50 SPOTIFY USA INC $5,507.50 SPOTTER $6,299.50 STAPLES $27,034.40 STARSHIP $16,154.00 SUGAR CREEK GOLF COURSE $3,175.00 SWANK MOTION PICTURE, INC. $5,390.00 SWEETWATER $19,874.43 SYSCLOUD $18,400.00 TAMA LACROSSE $3,908.55 TEACHER’S DISCOVERY $4,159.91 TECH ELECTRONICS $3,612.00 TELCOM INNOVATIONS GROUP, LLC $19,740.14 TELECHECK $3,086.87 TENNIS AND FITNESS CENTRE $2,935.36 TEXTHELP, INC $10,866.82 THE CAMPHILL SCHOOL, INC $127,066.00 THE CORE PROJECT $3,300.00 THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF OAK PARK $8,500.00 THE LOCKER SHOP - UNIQUE APPAREL SO $2,906.00 THE NEW YORK TIMES $3,848.00 THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY $3,342.50 THE PREDICTIVE INDEX $11,200.00 THE ZERO CARD, INC. $3,730.46 THERAFIN $5,654.02 THERMFLO $6,180.00 THOMSON REUTERS $5,831.52

THREE POINTS CENTER NORTH CAROLINA $103,829.37 THRESHOLDS $37,782.76 TIMOTHY J HASSO $3,705.00 T-MOBILE $9,750.00 TOP NOTCH SILKSCREENING INC. $6,058.90 TOTEM LUMBER SUPPLY $8,073.77 TRI-ANGLE SCREEN PRINT $5,882.50 TRIMARK MARLINN $24,013.94 TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL $3,445.00 TRITON COLLEGE $8,021.00 TROPHIES BY GEORGE $3,377.35 TURNITIN $11,995.00 UCP SEQUIN / INFINITEC $2,938.10 ULINE $4,502.85 UNCHARTED LEARNING, NFP $5,000.00 UNFOLD THE SOUL, INC $9,500.00 UNIQUE PRODUCTS $142,385.62 UNITED RADIO COMM, INC. $17,063.65 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS $2,842.00 URBAN TRI GEAR $2,519.82 UW MADISON $15,000.00 VALOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC $149,209.00 VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES $11,056.20 VERIZON WIRELESS $24,022.04 VERNIER SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGY $34,588.79 VEX ROBOTICS $7,273.53 VIC’S DRUM SHOP $16,236.00 VILLA PARK OFFICE EQUIPMENT $6,655.98 VILLAGE OF OAK PARK $209,527.89 VISION SERVICE PLAN (IL) $31,815.50 VISTA HIGHER LEARNING $36,839.46 VISTAR OF ILLINOIS $24,168.91 VISUAL IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY, INC. $9,303.75 VOYA INSTITUTIONAL TRUST CO $12,711.32 WASTE MANAGEMENT $3,192.95 WASTE MANAGEMENT - METRO $48,879.77 WATERS EDGE GOLF CLUB $8,470.00 WAYSIDE PUBLISHING $17,216.21 WESLEY WOODS RETREAT CENTER $25,002.00 WEST 40 RSSP $6,013.77 WEST SUBURBAN CONFERENCE $7,500.00 WESTGATE FLOWERS $13,527.98 WESTMONT INTERIOR SUPPLY HOUSE $7,495.20 WEVIDEO USA $5,000.00 WILLIAM YOUNG $5,990.52 WOODMASTER TOOLS, INC $5,759.00 X-GRAIN SPORTSWEAR $5,748.00 YELLOW FOLDER LLC $4,992.00 YIPES! $8,418.00 ZAYO GROUP $25,801.08 ZEIGLER FORD NORTH RIVERSIDE $7,260.84 ZORO TOOLS $6,164.10 ZUM SERVICES, INC. $296,161.80

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS SUMMARY FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023 SALARY SCHEDULE OF GROSS PAYMENTS FOR CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL AND NON-CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL GROSS PAYMENT FOR CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL Salary Range: Less Than $25,000 Alexander, Nancy Lael,Allen, Ashlee,Anderson, Nicholas J,Anzaldi, Susan,Apostol, Emmanuel,Arvetis, Thomas,Bannon, Timothy,Barbian, Christopher D,Barnds, Rosemary,Boland, Harry,Bringley, Maria,Buzzard, Allyson,Campo, Fiona M,Casto, Trinity,Chen, Jenny Wan Shin,Coffie, Kennedy A,Coglianese, Steven J,Collins, Tracy L,Connell, Hannah C,Connelly, Liam Joseph,Costopoulos, John T,Cotiguala, James R,Cousin, Janice,Cousin, Johanna M,Davis, Willie,De La Cruz, Justin R,Dolan, Michael J,Dore, Paul,Dye, Jason Michael,Dykes, Louise,Edwards, Leslee,Faulkner, Lisa M,Fitzgibbons, Susan,Fluharty, Johsua Dean,Francois-Blue, Shalema,Funes, Juan Carlos,Glamoclija, Natasa,Gonzales, Marco A,Gonzalez, Isboset,Hamrick, Alyssa,Harmon, Barbara J,Houck, Sarah A,Hull, Alfrieda,Hunt, Henry,Iqbal, Kamran,Johnson, Susan,Kadlec, Christian,Kahn, Peter R,Kennedy, Teresa M,Kiefer, Elizabeth N,Kimmel, Carol,Kruszynska-Piper, Magdalena,Lessing, Avram,Lindholm, Blake R,Luchez, Sylvia Prokopowicz,Mackenzie, Nigel,Martin, Paul,Maxie, Tyler,Mccarthy, James,Mcginnis, Nancy P,Mcguire, Luke P,Mclaurin, Earliana,Muhammad, Nadiah Tahirah Harper,Mullins, Margaret M,Nu-Tall, Kimberly A,O’connor, Mollie,Ogundipe, Kathleen J,Oyler, Brian R,Pabellon, Meaghan,Parker,

Dana,Pena-Davis, Janet,Pensiero, Jaclyn Marie,Pontikes, Peter L,Prendergast, Michael,Raad, Jason R,Reed, Alden Scot,Regan, Christine,Reid, Rhonda M,Reilly, Megan Elyse,Rispin, Amber,Robinson, Minnie,Roche, Mark,Roundtree, Joan,Russ, Charles M,Ruzicka, Carole,Schultz, Jeffrey,Seelinger, Dustin Ryan,Shallenberger, Thomas M,Simatic, Charles M,Smith, Diane Lee,Smith, Scott Paul,Stenger, Julia M,Stevens, Jorie A,Stevens, Margaret,Stewart, Rosanne,Strader, Daniel Stulges,Tencate, Therese,Thewis-Chlipala, Leah,Topf, Patrick,Touchette, Melanie,True, Bryce,Turk, Laura,Vazquez, Jimmy,White, Drake Thorin,Wilson, Rockeya,Worl, Tammy Salary Range: $25,000 - $39,999 Arceo-Witzl, Ixtla R, Fumai, Adriana, Graham, Cecilia, Hameister, Gretchen C, Pollock, Kelly, Soo, Tiffany, Tellez, Carlos A Salary Range: $40,000 - $59,999 Blanco, Lauren, Detzner, Brendan, Leuschel-Perzov, Erin K, Mchugh, Dillon, Renteria, Erik, Thompson, Jaclyn, Tomkins, Angela R Salary Range: 60,000 - $89,999 Achurra, Francisco, Alvarado, Kara R, Alwawi, Wafaa A, Anderson, Ronald C, Buchanan, Erin M, Cairo, Jenna L, Caraballo Iii, Wilson, Cason Iii, George A, Castro, Diana O, Clark, Johanna, Culloton, Brendon M, Del Fiacco, Velia, Dubina,

Brian S, Evans, Ryan R, Farrow, Elizabeth, Fotzler, Kimberly L, Gallagher, Helen C, Graham, Omar, Gronli, Leena K, Hawkins, Angela K, Hawley, Kathleen A, Jaszka, Emily M, Levin, Adam, Leyva, Antonio F, Lombardi, Cristin S, Martinez, Brianna C, Moffett, Andre, Murphy, Hannah, Nixon, Keith A, Ovalle, Rex, Payne, Reginald G, Peake, Katelynn E, Pligge, James D, Prabhakar, Adith,Raad, Bradley, Richkus, Ellen A, Rogers, Nathaniel C, Romeo, Anthony J, Rooker, Olivia Angela, Ross, Rodney E, Silva, Alexandra M, Smithson, Janelle S, Springer, Bradley D, St. John, Benjamin W, Stallter, Brianna M, TarantinoSpoor, Carley, Villasenor, Kaley, Vishneski, Peter A, Ward, Julie A, Woulfe, Patrick R, Wray, John H, Yorty, Natalie, Zeidman, Maia D, Zhang, Michelle J Salary Range: $90,000 and over Achurra, Lauren, Ackerman, Craig, Ambrose, Brandi M, Applewhite, Latonya R, Arends, Lauren A, Avalos, Carmen, Bader, Adam, Baer, Brittany M, Baldwin, Christopher, Bayer, Michelle R, Bell, James E, Bellamy, Octavius T, Belpedio, Kristina M, Bencola, Ginger, Bernthal, David B, Beyers, Brian D, Biasiello, Toni, Bishop, Janel L, Bohne, Kara A, Booth, Christine N, Borja, James, Boyce, Liliana, Browder, Nicholas E, Brown, Andrew, Brown, Douglas E, Brown, Kiah J, Brueggemann, Louise, Burbano, Jaime M, Burns, Linda G, Byars, Michael B, Cahill, Meghan, Cain, Benjamin

J, Calcuttawala, Nabiha, Callaghan, Kevin A, Campbell, Kevin T, Campbell, Tia D, Cano, Paula, Carlson, Linda M, Carparelli, Annamaria, Carrow-Sever, Michelle M, Cartier, Kirsten A, Cermak, Lindsey M, Chichester, D James, Clark, Anthony V, Cohen, Daniel S, Coleman, Semaj, Collins, Kelly A, Collins, Mark S, Collins, Paul D, Colquhoun, Jeremiah D, Conrick, Teresa B, Conway, Joseph M, Conway, Lauren B, Corcoran, Daniel W, Coughlin, James P, Courtney, Ryan S, Cousin, Justin C, Curtis, Joseph D, Dalo, Nicholas J, Depasquale, Katie J, Diaz, Kelly M, Diverde, Marci L, Doherty, Bridget, Dorame, Michael A, Downs, Claire, Doyle, Kelly A, Dunson-Johnson, Betina, Ebsen, Nicole M, Eckart, Erika M, Ecker, Jonathan, Elderkin, Rachel Megibow, Espinosa, Jill, Farley, Elizabeth A, Faust, C Stan, Ferguson, Lauren, Fiorenza, Laurie M, Fredrickson, Andrew L, Frey, Julie L, Fried, Jason, Fuentes, Julie L, Gajda, Joyce L, Gamache, Andrea N, Ganschow, Daniel J, Gardner, Tamara Johnette, Geovanes, James J, Giovannetti, Louis F, Godinez, Melissa, Gonzalez, Manuel, Grady, Maureen E, Graham, Jane E, Grieve, Daniel A, Gunn, Regina, Hanson, Jacqueline, Hardin, Sheila M, Heidkamp, Bernard E, Heinemann, Jolene L, Hennings, Allison K, Herbst, Joseph M, Hill, Amy V, Hill, Douglas A, Himes, Khalida, Hobson, Darryl, Hoerster, John R, Holland, Claudia Marie Casteel, Honn, Kevin A, Hooper, Amber M, Hornik, Natalie, Howell, Jessica A, Hunter, Sarah Dove, Iliadhi,

18

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS SUMMARY FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023 SALARY SCHEDULE OF GROSS PAYMENTS FOR CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL AND NON-CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL || CONT’D

Alexis, Johnson, Gregory T, Johnson, Kristina M, Johnston, Christine, Joyce, Fawn C, Kaiser, Kelsey V, Kanwischer, Jennifer L, Kennedy, Meghan M, Kennedy, Thomas J, Kinnan, Glynis J, Kirby, Linsey M, Kirkpatrick, Matthew J, Kleinfeldt, Daniel A, Kostal, Joseph J, Kralik, Catherine A, Krefft, Lauren M, Kuenster, Wendy S, La Porte, Danielle L, Lam, Julie H, Lara, Susana, Ledbetter, Christian J, Lee, Brendan T, Lee, Jason B, Lesniak, John M, Limberg, Dana C, Lukic Cole, Daniela, Lundgren, Clyde O, Lynch, Heidi K, Madock, Katherine, Makely, Lisa, Maloney, Matthew W, Martin, Daniel R, Mazumdar, Rena N, Mccormack, Patrick S, Mcgee, Raquel B J, Mcgrail, Amy, Mcguire, Meredith, Mckittrick, Christina L, Mckittrick, Kevin M, Mclaughlin, Cameron E, Mcmurray, Matthew T, Medina, Esteban Z, Meglan, Christopher T, Mertz, Richard A, Messer, James D, Michalek, Nicholas, Miller, Maureen, Mondragon, Christine A, Morris, Jacquelyn, Mulvaney, Ryan, Murray Baielli, Scyla J, Myers, Allison S, Myland-Waseem, Sarah, Nash, Elizabeth Caliendo, Nelson, Faith M, Neuman, Andrea J, Nixen, Pete D, Novotny, Melinda P, Ojikutu, Carolyn T, O’keefe, Eleanor C, Oliver, Stephanie M, Ovalle, Ramon E, Pang, Lucas, Pappalardo, Mark N, Parenti, Joseph J, Parker, Lynda Joi, Pearson, Patrick A, Perez, Cynthia, Perez, Luis P, Peters, Jennifer F, Podolner, Aaron S, Ponce Jr, Ignacio, Potts, Robert M, Prebble, Matthew, Purvis, Derrick R, Quinn, Peter W, Rabichow, Keldra L, Radziszewski, Dariusz, Ramilo, Gisele P, Raven, Lavie, Raymond, Ashley M, Remack, Leigh M, Roberts, Lesley S, Rosas, Sarah E, Roth, Jenifer M, Ruzicka, Peter, Ryan, Joseph P, Sahagun, Claudia C, Sakellaris, Max A, Sanders, Roxana, Schmadeke, Yoko K, Schwartz, Steven M, Sherman, Thaddeus, Sieck, James C, Silver, Jonathan S, Singletary, Rahasad, Soffer, Michael B, Sponsler, Scott, Stanis, Amy M, Stephen, Michael, Stewart Day, Chonita, Stoeger, Mary, Stow, Kristen S, Svejda, Anthony J, Tarshish, Evan, Terretta, John V, Terretta, Julee M, Thompson, Marquita A, Torres, Jacqueline D, Torrez, Buster, Traphagen, Stephen, Tsilimigras, Kathy, Valenzuela, Patricia, Van Duinen, Tracy M, Venhorst, Ryan R, Wade Jr, Leandrew, Walquist, Stephanie, Walton-Scott, Alisa K, Wangelin, Beth Anne, Watson, Ellayne, Webster, James G, Weisman, Neal H, Weisman, Nimmi, White, Erica M, White, Valerie R, Williams, Carla C, Williams, Tyrone W, Wirtz, Kristin, Wolman, Daniel, Woytek, Patricia, Wright, Paul N, Young Jr, William C, Young, Laura K, Young, Mary B GROSS PAYMENT FOR NON-CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL Salary Range: Less Than $25,000 Abdur-Rafia, Norma, Agrela, Maria-Elena, Allen, Keven, Alvarado, Eduardo, Anderson, Brigid R, Ashish, Fnu, Askew, Jarelle M, Atwood, Beverly, Austin, Mehki, Avalos, Manuel, Bagos, Miroslava, Baron, Miles, Bejarano De Durazo, Nubia H, Bell-Bey, Ebony, Beltran, Marisol, Bernthal, Stephanie, Blausey, Sarah, Block, Yulia, Blonski, Joseph, Bolger, Camari, Bonds, Yolanda E, Bostic, Kamarie, Boultinghouse, Charlotte, Brantley, Renee M, Bray, Arney M, Brinkman, David,

Brooks, Zaire, Brown, Deziree Aleace, Burkes, Geraldine, Burnside, Drewandria, Cadwell, Roscoe, Caldwell, Sandra, Caldwell, Vernisa, Carmody, Michael M, Carter, Kejuan, Castro, Jonathan, Cavanaugh, Eamon, Chandler, Tikara S, Christopher, Sofia, Clark, Kelly, Clayton, Shantae E, Collins, Deloris A, Cooper, Millison A, Cooper, Vaughn, CorneliusBurke, Connor L, Cortez, Jared, Costigan, Joseph T, Cousin, Janice Aubrea, Cummings, Jonathan C, Davidson, Marcellus, Demeritte, Quentin, Dennehy, Ryan E, Dennehy, Timothy D, Dennis, Joseph G, Derks, Jackson, Dill, Willie, Dina, Michael, Dion, Alana B, Dolezal, Kenneth D, Doody, Roan, DruleyHerron, Katherine E, Duwal, Deborah Ann, Duwe, Samantha, Elmiger, Keaghan, Endres, William, Enyia, Mandy L, Ervin, Jaivah K, Escobedo, Eva M, Escontrias Munoz, Julian, Farmer, Daniel F, Farnham, Ryan A, Feilen, Wendy M, Ferguson, Amy, Ferguson, Dominique D, Figel, Meghan V, Figueroa, Javier, Flagg, Jack, Flax, Titiana S, Flynn, Sara E C, Foster, Lindsey, Fox, Elizabeth Kaufman, Friker, Lauren, Frisch, Alexandria P, Gaiter, Thyesha, Galloway, Kimberly N, Galluzzo, Fred A, Garcia, Diana, Garland, Reese, Gary Iii, Phillip, Gatewood, Ellen, Gatilao, Janina Nichole, Gatrell, Joseph, Gedvilas, Michael A, Giesenschlag, Rebecca, Goldstein, Alexander, Gonzalez Romero, Francisco Jose, Gray, Samuel, Greenberg, Micah, Greenberg, Seth, Greenstone, David, Gulseven, Cemil, Gurgas, Kanohi, Hale, Jordin, Hallman, Mark W, Hamilton, John, Harris, Andre J, Harris, Daniel, Harris, Hevannli, Hartman, Lena, Hasse, Steven M, Hauck, Alexander, Henderson, Mikala, Hinriksson, Charles L, Hoog, Amelia, Houston, Sheila, HsiehBailey, Jai, Ionut, Angela, Ivery, Paul, Jackson, Eric, Jackson, Latonia D, Jackson, Shaundrea L, Jacob, David Raja, Jamison Jr, Juan K, Johnson Jr, Reginald, Johnston, Matthew W, Jones, Antonio D, Jones, Dominica S, Joseph, Dawn C, Kalmerton, Gail A, Kang, George Shan Dyi, Kanga, Ethan, Karels Jr, Richard, Kearney, Maryah M, Keberlein, Sophia, Kelly Ristau, Nancy I, Kennedy, Frank J, Khaledan, Arman, Kibir, Isaiah, Kirsch, Jon, Kitch, Paul, Konopka, Ivanise C, Korn, Lexis, Kosterman, Adeline, Kruss, Dylan, Kudo, Matthew A, Kuehl, Connor, Lampley, Kevin, Larscheid, Judith, Lawny, Donna J, Lee, Lauren E, Leonard, Harold N, Linninger, Philip M, Loggins, Jaquan, Loving, Deborah L, Lubelchek, Bella, Luzwick, Donica J, Lyke, Peter, Lynch, Bridget, Magnuson, Ryan A, Majnarich, Melissa J, Mann, Lucy, Markey, Thomas R, Martinek, Sharon M, Martinez, Karime, Massmann, Ava, May, Jamie R, May, Raeah L, Mazza, Patrick, Mcnulty, Sara L, Mendoza, Veronica, Meza, Ani, Micek, Jacklyn K, Michaud, Daniel, Millan, Julian Jaime, Mirel, Barbara, Misiarz, Radoslaw, Montenegro, Ramon, Montoro, Patricia, Moore, Gregory L, Moore, Michelle, Moore, Shentail D, Morlidge, John B, Morrison, Wes, Mroczek, Joseph, Murillo, Adrian, Murphy, Rodney, Nelson, William, Nesbitt, Kendall D, Nguyen, Michelle, Nisbet, Benjamin, Nowak, Hailey, Oneal, Teshell, Ortiz, Abigail, Osborne, Veronica, Payne, Melanie, Peled, Ofra N, Perez, Elizabeth J, Perez, Joshua, Perryman, Shannon A, Persin, Megan E, Pitlik, Veronica, Pitts, Sharen, Plane, Jeffrey K, Porter, Arthur C, Porter, Justin T, Proskey, Calvin, Puri, Aasha, Rader-Carter,

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Geneva, Reed, Daniel, Reed, Kennedy, Reed, Sheila, Revsine, Caroline, Reyes, Abel, Rice, Kathleen, Rigden, Halle, Ristau, Meghan A, Robateau, Ansel, Rodriguez, Salvador G, Roe, Calvin, Rosemond, Carlton D, Ryan, Benjamin, Sadowski, Teslen, Salgado, Cindy A, Schaefer, Victoria, Schalich-Ayllon, Nelida, Shafiro, Benjamin, Shagam, Olivia Morgan, Shannon, Jack, Shed, Chiquita, Siegel, Lucelia, Sleets, Kaden, Smart, Jamil, Smith, Chloe, Smith, George, Smith, Michael, Smith, Taylor, Smith, Tresa, Socki, Martha E, Soto, Johnny J, Soto, Mitchell, Spinks, Jack, Stallings, Allen M, Suchomel, Ella, Sunardio, Angelina, Tessmann, Karla C, Thompson-Hill, Pamela, Thurman Jr, Michael C, Tikkanen, Josie, Trevino, Julia, Truty, Jason G, Underhill, Chena C, Ungaretti-Levy, Ella, Valle, Axel, Vargas, William, Vasquez, Jose, Vincent, Alexander, Vogel, Anna E, Volk, Margaret, Wagner, Sarah, Weismantle, Kirsten, Welin, Josephine, Welter, Lynette, Wendt, Bailey W, Werthmann, Katherine, Whitehead, Pamela A, Wigfield, Ada-Louise, Williams, Betty A, Willis, Dimitri, Wiltschek, Walter, Wojcik, Wojciech, Wolinski, Julianna, Wollen, Nora, Woodard, Zahria, Woodson, Katrina, Wright, Erin, Wright, Kristina L, York, Elizabeth Blair, Youngblood-Boone, Brittney, Zavala, Isabel, Zimmerman, Krista, Zurawski, Peter Salary Range: $25,000 - $39,999 Anaya, Francisco X, Avalos Zepeda, Denisse, Basso, Khalil, Beltran, Hugo, Berry, Noelle A, Brennock, Therese M, Buckles, Kimberly, Castro Arias, Luisa F, Celis, Jessica, Cheney, Patricia A, Chrisp Ii, Patrick A, Cintron, Michael, Cipparrone, Carolyn, Corbett, Laura, Dabney, Janae A, D’avella, Mary, Douglas, Michol, Ely, Starla D, Enciso, Linda E, Eskridge, Chadaryl, Flores De Alaniz, Martha E, Garcia, Leah E, Govea, Yesenia, Harmon, Ann T, Heezen, Nancy R, Herring, Wendy E, Herron, Ayana B, Hoover, Thomas W, Johnson Binion, Ilene, Johnson, Seneca N, Jones, Ashley E, Joy, Branden K, Keyes, Christine E, Kirksey, Loretta, Kramer, Michael, Linnear, Lamar, Lopez, Antonio D, Martinez, Jannis K, Mcdonald, Madeline R, Mcgoey, Jason J, Mcnichols, Shannon J, Moreland, Jenee A, O’banner, Daisha M, Perez-Feliz, Alexander, Portacio Ramos, Luz M, Price-Pigram, Colletta M, Redmond, Shdata J, Richardson, Josiah P, Rivera Alfaro, Hernan, Schaefer, April K, Sinclair, Renee S, Sliva, Debbie J, Talley, Ashley E, Taub, Jane P, Townsend, Adrian, Tsagaris, Georgia, Whitley, Cardell M, Winkler, Tammy J, Zepeda, Maria Salary Range: $40,000 - $59,999 Acharya, Kirti, Angelini, John A, Ariola, James, Baer, Joshua W, Blackshear, Carol Lynn, Bryant, Juanita, Burton, Brianna L, Cannon, Jana, Carrasco, Socorro M, Colas, Kiara J, Collins, Alethia, Considine, Martin J, Corner, Jean L, Digioia, Donna M, Dossey, Madeleigh D, Dumont, Lamar J, Elmiger, Julie A, Erickson, Mary Beth, Foley, Lori, Galvan, Julisa, Gaya, Evelyn R, Grbic, Zoran, Hernandez Terrazas, Daniel A, Hernandez, Mario A, Holloway, Brian K, Johnson, Laeontene, Kidd, Shorlanda D, Korab, Diane M, Kremidas-Lumbreraz, Patricia L, Latham, Michael A, Levison, Emily H, Lopez, Carmen M, Luckett, Tracie D, Lush, Lyneice M, Mahaffey Jr, Bobby D,

Malhiot, Bryce R, Mallon, Matthew J, Marcus, Karen, Maxwell, Elizabeth, May, Heidie M, Mazzuca, Margaret B, Mcgowan, Leila E, Mcgrone, Alyssa B, Mckenzie, Gwendolyn, Medrano, Gerardo A, Moore, Adekoyejo, Morales, Jesus Jr, Moreno, Naybeth, Nash, Phylicia D, Ochs, Jeffrey J, Ordman, Joseph J, Parker, Daniel L, Pruitt, Barbara D, Ramos, Marcelino N, Rodriguez, Angelica, Salgado Ruiz, Antonio, Scholtens, Christopher, Serrano Jr, Francisco, Shipley, Marsha S, Short, Richard J, Sutton, Barbara A, Taylor, Daniel L, Therriault, Barbara Anne, Trigueros, Judith, Tucker, Roberto F, Van Zant, Gabrielle A, Vandelft, Heather M, Weisenritter, Michael, Werbicki, Kamil, Wesson, Harley R, White, Tanya, Wise, Anna J, Wong, Cindy, Zielke, Mark H Salary Range: $60,000 and over Asbury, Kimberly A, Battaglia, Joseph A, Bell, Andrea, Bergmann, Jeff, Black, Bradley C, Brown, D’quan, Brown, Lonnie R, Brown, Melody J, Bryce, Amanda, Calderon Sr, Gustavo, Carlin, Leah R, Celis Jr, Humberto, Colletti, Ashley, Collins, Donal F, Collins, Robert C, Cordero, Elimelec, Davis, Donnell E, Delrio, Manuel, Dennehy, Timothy E, Diggs, Curtis A, Doble, Esteban, Donald, Kameron A, Evans, Lisa A, Farrar, William D, Gallion, Kimberly J, Gardner, Terrence Antonio, Garland, Tyrone, Gerald, Asad, Gerena, Marian, Granzyk, Lynn, Guillen, Hilda, Gust, Carolyn, Hackl, Eric C, Hagins, Antoinette J, Hasso, Timothy J, Hatchko, Jason, Hayes, Linda V, Hurt, Kyle P, Imhoff, Brian, Jackson, Izaza L, James, Gianna M, Johnson, Robert L, Jones-Mcleod, Cherylynn A, King, Lark W, Kogel, Daniel, Lama, Kenneth A, Lantz, Samantha T, Love - Raglin, Erica W, Lucas, Carin K, Mazzulla, Gabriela, Mcgoey, Jaclyn A, Mckee, Kristen K, Mckinnie, Kevin, Meraz, Olivia, Micek, Shane, Michaca Ruiz, Hector, Miller, Gregory A, Molette, Anissa, Olivera, Gabriela, Paul, Janie Denise, Phillips, Michael W, Piekarski, Micheline Bunzol, Poe, Patrick W, Porto, Jennifer B, Powell, Jeremy J, Preuss, Fred M, Raggs, Roy H, Rivera, Rachel D, Rubio, Martiniano, Sakellaris, Angie A, Salgado, Griselda, Sandoval, Janine M, Sanfilippo, Vincent P, Sidor, Cynthia A, Slifka Jr, George W, Smith, Apollo A, Smith, Charles A, Sorensen, Kevin T, Soto, Victor M, Stahl, Sean A, Stokes Ii, Eddie, Sullivan, Karin H, Szpisjak, Michael S, Tang Jr, Edward A, Thieme, Christopher T, Tisue, Heather E, Ury, Karen L, Vincent, Lisa M, Weiser, Jonathan R, Williams, Lee T, Word, Kevin L, Yarrington, Valda C, Zhang, Mi

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

19

Schoolhouse Kitchen leaves River Forest but is still on the rise

“It’s just how the cookie crumbles. I hadn’t planned on this at all,” owner Cheryl Knecht says Risé Sanders-Weir Contributing reporter

Cooking school Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio is enjoying a final season in its home at the River Forest Commercial Kitchen. Their lease is up in January, but they aren’t closing up shop.

When the school’s building went up for sale, owner Cheryl Knecht had to make a tough decision. She came to the realization that her plans and dreams didn’t fit with the pressures of owning real estate. Someone else purchased the building and they won’t be leasing to businesses like hers.

Though she is leaving the space, she is confident about her business’ future.

“It’s just how the cookie crumbles. I hadn’t planned on this at all,” Knecht said.

Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio recently

expanded, opening locations in Portage Park in January 2023 and in Wicker Park in June. All locations of Schoolhouse offer a variety of activities, including 4-day kids camps. Current ones include Bake Shop, which focuses on a different baked item each day: bread, cookies, pies, and cakes.

Students learn about measuring and mixing but it’s the things that don’t get communicated in a written recipe, like how pie dough should feel, that matter.

“It can be really frustrating, especially for a child if you don’t understand the mechanics of it, right? We’re there to show them that and kind of course correct as they’re handling their ingredients and to make sure that they’re going to be successful,” Knecht said.

Another camp is Passport for Cooking that features a different savory item from around the world. The goal is to encourage kids to try new flavors. By owning the process, Knecht said she believes children are more likely to take a risk.

“They’ve made it themselves. The mystery is taken out of the ingredients by handling them and tasting along the way.

And there’s the beautiful thing of peer pressure, which works in our favor. When one kid in the class is willing to take a bite, the rest of them usually will try it too.”

Schoolhouse also offers afterschool programs, in-school projects, field trips to their kitchens, and even Girl Scout cooking badge workshops.

Because of the varied nature of cooking, they can set up anywhere. They have even cooked on camp stoves in school gardens. Birthday parties at Schoolhouse have been a hit since they opened, Knecht said.

The original idea for PROVIDED BY SCHOOLHOUSE Schoolhouse Kitchen

PROVIDED BY SCHOOLHOUSE

came out of Knecht’s involvement with opening the Sugar Beet Food Co-op grocery store in Oak Park. Her devotion to highquality, locally sourced food combined with the social nature of cooking gave Knecht the idea for the school.

“It’s really difficult to get people to engage sometimes. Everyone is so distracted by phones and school, and work and all that stuff. And I really feel like maybe the last bastion of family time is cooking together and eating together. I’m just really passionate about making sure kids and their families value that.”

Schoolhouse is a safe place for exploring food says Knecht, “Yesterday I was teaching a group of students, and we had lots of extra cilantro leftover from our recipe.

And these little guys were pounding it in a mortar and pestle, just playing, seeing what it can do. I feel like it really builds confidence. It gives them creative license.”

When Schoolhouse wasn’t in session, Knecht had also been managing other tenants using the commercial kitchen space.

During her eight-year tenure, the kitchen served as an incubator for food business just getting off the ground and for local

producers who don’t want to invest in their own commercial kitchens.

“It’s a very expensive space to both build out and maintain. But the Schoolhouse, which is really my business doesn’t require all of that.” That was the principal reason she opted not to buy the building.

The River Forest Commercial Kitchen is not going to be available to those entrepreneurs either after January, but plans are afoot to recreate the space elsewhere.

One tenant intends to build a commercial kitchen to accommodate those who will be uprooted. More specific details will be forthcoming when the ink dries on a deal for a new location.

As for Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio, Knecht is already looking to return to a physical location in the immediate area.

“We’re just looking for the perfect spot. We absolutely love working in this community.

We have so many great connections here.”

In January, a celebration at the River Forest location will include an open house and party.

To find out more and connect with all the Schoolhouse offerings, go to iloveschoolhouse.com.

20

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Oak Park may increase fees for leaf collection, yard waste

Public Works Director Rob Sproule said tion instead. The price would be relatively 2022 and are expected to increase by anProposal sparks discussion of other 4.3% in 2024. Raising the refuse rates the safety issues are unrelated to the cur- the same through LRS, Sproule said, but by 4 percent will allow the Environmental rent ordinance, which only reflects the would require a renegotiation of the exleaf disposal safety Services Fund to cover all estimated 2024 LRS contract update that may determine isting contract. The earliest renegotiation

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Contributing Reporter

The Oak Park Village Board proposed at their meeting Monday night increasing fees charged for refuse, recycling and yardwaste collection and disposal. The new fees sparked a discussion among trustees about safety concerns during leaf disposal.

In addition to collection costs, the proposed new fees will cover collection and disposal costs, administration costs, leaf pickup, alley improvement and refuse sticker disposal costs. Lakeshore Recycling Services, or LRS, is currently responsible for collection and disposal services for owners of residential property containing 1-5 units. Next year is the second of a fiveyear contract with LRS, which ends March 31, 2027.

LRS’s collection and disposal service 2023 rates already increased by 5% from

costs in refuse, recycling and yard-waste collection and disposal.

Trustee Lucia Robinson said she estimates Oak Park currently pays roughly $30,000 per week for leaf collection during the 6-week program, a number that would go up, given the proposed fee increase.

She said she would like to decrease the number of weeks for leaf collection to pull back on increased rates and ensure the safety of residents.

A few weeks ago, a car caught fire on North Kenilworth Avenue after the owner parked it on top of a pile of leaves. The catalytic converter, which was still hot, set the dry leaves on fire. Robinson said she also recently read about two kids who were almost run over by a car while playing in a leaf pile.

“The village does a lot of marketing to try to get people to not pile leaves in the street,” Robinson said. “But that seems largely unsuccessful.”

the new rates and fees residents will pay to the village to support refuse services. The five-year contract would have to be renegotiated to reflect changes for safety.

“I don’t know if we are in a position right now to do that in this timeframe,” he said.

“We could engage next year in a discussion about that to prep for 2025.”

The leaf collection program was previously reduced from eight to the current six weeks, Sproule said, so another decrease would not necessarily result in a safer program. If time were reduced at the front end of leaf pickup, there would be substantial leaf pileup from previous weeks. If it were reduced at the end, leaves could be left in front of residences until snowplows start services.

“We would run into a lot of challenges if we were moving to an even shorter window operationally,” he said.

To address Robinson’s concerns, Sproule said the village would need to switch to having residents bag their leaves for collec-

would be in 2026, he said, for implementation in 2027.

Trustee Susan Buchanan said she would support a renegotiation of the contract, citing environmental considerations, such as encouraging residents to rake leaves into flower beds instead of piling them up for pickup. Trustee Brian Straw said he is interested in moving to a leaf bagging program for both environmental and safety reasons.

“The giant leaf piles that end up at the ends of blocks, particularly during morning commutes, create some safety issues and visibility issues,” Straw said. “We are creating massive visibility issues at intersections at a time when children are walking to school.”

Village President Vicki Scaman said the board will continue this discussion in 2024.

“There is still an opportunity to continue to grow our educational efforts and direct outreach around the issue,” Village Manager Kevin Jackson said.

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What to do when a house construction project is abandoned A case study demonstrates how to get help

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

The 1100 block of Highland Avenue in Oak Park has a long-standing problem. A 1960’s-era home on the block was abandoned mid-flip. A developer took off the top half of the house, and the parkway in front of the house was destroyed for rehab work that was never completed.

Vanessa Paszek, who lives on the block, said that shortly after a developer purchased the home in 2020, he demolished a large portion of the home and put fencing

Homes

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

21

LACEY SIKORA

1139 Highland Ave., Oak Park around the house. Then, she said, “We started to see stop work notices plastered on the house, and the work on the house stopped.”

She described a hole in the parkway in front of the house, “Originally, it was covered with cardboard. Then plywood. It disintegrated over the years. It wasn’t safe.

A child could have fallen down in the hole.” After neighbors complained to the village about the dangers it posed, village workers put out a caution sign and eventually repaired the hole this fall.

Audrey McClenton, who lives next door to the home, said: “There’s been no roof on the house for at least oneand-a-half years. Racoons are coming in and out. It’s like a nightmare. I can’t sell my house- who’s going to buy it

next to this?”

McClenton and other neighbors did some research into the home and discovered that the home is owned by a local developer who owns several Oak Park homes, some in similar states of disrepair.

It is owned by Foster Chambers, an independent contractor and real estate agent, who operates 52nd Ave LLC and Phoenix Realty LLC. Public records show that the 1,000-square-foot house was built in 1961. It sold in July 2020 for $185,000. Days later, it was relisted at $599,000. Public records reflect another sale in October 2020 for $185,000, this time to Chambers.

See ABANDONED on page 22

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

ABANDONED

Frustrated homeowners from page 21

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM the house and with other neighbors has begun to contact the village about the state of the house.

In September 2022, the village cited 52nd Ave LLC for violations of the property maintenance code and took legal action against the developer.

This fall, McClenton said that the village began to take steps to address the hazards, including repairing the parkway and boarding up the doors to the house, McClenton is unhappy with the lack of attention to the house. She said she wonders who is responsible for the state of the house, and said: “They need to tear it down.”

According to public records, Chambers, doing business as 52nd Ave LLC, received two federal PPP loans during the pandemic, one for $975,000 and one for $179,600. He also received a personal PPP loan for $20,208. The records show that the latter has been paid back either by Chambers or through forgiveness. It is not clear how any of the money was used.

Chambers could not be Resources available for help reached for comment.

His 52nd Ave also owns 841 The Chambers properties are N. Lombard in Oak Park. Purnot anomalies. Other owners chased for $150,000 in March have also left houses fall into of 2020, the house is also middisrepair. While McClenton, construction and was in forePaszek and their neighbors closure proceedings in 2022. have found the process in adThe house, with a proposed dressing the issues challenging, AUDREY MCCLENTON finished rehabilitation, is the village said there are reResident currently listed for sale for sources for residents who have $999,000. concerns about homes that may Cook County records show not safe. that several other area homes Dan Yopchick, chief comowned by Chambers or 52nd Ave LLC are munications officer for the village, said in foreclosure or have entered the tax sale that even in cases of foreclosure, the propprocess. The 1139 Highland property en- erty owner is still responsible for maintered the foreclosure process in April 2021, taining the home. If the bank holding the and McClenton said that through her work mortgage owns the home, Yopchick said, as a realtor, she is familiar with the foreclo- the bank is responsible for upkeep. sure process but is unsure why the process If neighbors are concerned about a has been so drawn out for this home. She property, Yopchick wrote in an email, “The has begun attending proceedings involving neighbors can report any property mainte-

“There’s so many different rumors. We just want it to be back to normal.”

ZILLOW.COM

Rendering of the 1139 Highland house as listed on Zillow.

REDFIN.COM

The 1139 Highland house when it sold in 2020.

nance complaint to the village through the village portal (https://villageview.oak-park. us/CityViewPortal) or an e-mail can be sent to propertyissues@oak-park.us. A Property Maintenance Inspector will investigate.”

Once notified of an issue, Yopchick said that the village will assign a property maintenance inspector to investigate the complaint. He added, “If there is a violation to the village Property Maintenance Code, the property owner will receive a violation notice letter explaining the nature of the complaint and what needs to be corrected and by what deadline.”

When a developer stops work on a house, Yopchick said that the village continues to

monitor the progress of construction projects through the inspection process. He said, “If progress is stopped over a period of time, the owner is notified that the permit is considered abandoned and needs to be renewed. If the permit is not renewed, the location is turned over to the Property Maintenance Inspector for inspection and follow-up.”

Although the neighbors have seen some positive steps, McClenton said she feels that the process has taken a toll on the neighborhood and left them with more questions than answers.

“There’s so many different rumors,” she said. “We just want it to be back to normal.”

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

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On Giving Tuesday, we will give you the news Car fire spurs fund for caretaker

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What next?

Anyone who isn’t confused really doesn’t understand the situation. …

Edward R. Murrow

F

irst, I will admit that I am confused. Hell, not only am I confused, but I’m also perplexed, befuddled, and frustrated. I sit, watch, and talk to myself while trying to process what’s happening to us as a human race.

Everywhere we see and experience anger, mistrust and meanness becoming normalized. Understandably, given the current situation, we are tense and cautious when we’re out and about during our daily chores. Looking over our shoulders has become a necessary reflex. We keep thinking, who out there is about to snap?

Even within our families we are easily agitated and stressed.

Our communities are hopelessly divided, and our country is rife with conspiracy theories and hatred toward the most vulnerable among us.

On a global level, we see the emergence of war as the preferred method of settling disputes or promoting rabid nationalism. This pivot to war over diplomacy is ironic because it feels like we are talking more, both in person and digitally. Yet the reality is that we are talking at each other and not to each other. Some believe that the upheavals in society, the environmental disasters and rise of tyrants and dictators are signs that “The End is Near!” Maybe these doomsday prophets are right — or not. Regardless, until the Archangel Gabriel blows his horn, we must motor on and seek to reverse this trend of callousness toward human life.

We have grown numb to the slaughter of millions of people. It’s like, “So what? At least I’m OK.” Still, each and every one of the millions being killed had a family and was loved/cherished by someone. These deaths should never be viewed as simply statistics. Nonetheless, we feel powerless to do anything to change the situation.

As extremists dominate the news, the middle ground keeps shrinking. Attempting to be reasonable is seen as a weakness. Yet it is the middle ground where we will find workable solutions. The issues confronting us are not as black and white as they are being portrayed. It is

KWAME SALTER

See KWAME SALTER on page 31

VIEWPOINTS

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Village trustees discuss meeting migrant needs 28-29

Facing the challenges, day by day

ast spring, volunteers started providing showers at St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church to newly arrived asylum seekers living at the District 15 Police Headquarters on Madison in Austin. We used unused space in the former rectory at the church. The water bill went from almost nothing to $4,000 a month.

The program expanded to meet the needs of our guests and now includes clothing and toiletry distribution, breakfast, a safe place for toddlers to play while their mothers take in other services.

And, more recently, doctors from Loyola and MacNeal hospitals. Many of the children arrive with chronic intestinal disorders. A lot of coughs and fevers. Lots of guests have unfilled prescriptions.

Then in the last two months, the whole thing went on steroids. What was 30-40 guests living in tents at District 15 became 100-250 guests visiting St. Catherine’s each program day. The water bill skyrocketed to over $10,000.

What was a nice local volunteer opportunity began to look more like a tech startup. We need capacity building. The logistical issues would be the envy of any business school case study.

And the needs continue to change. Because many guests transitioned from District 15 to the Oak Park YMCA or Carleton Hotel, they no longer need our showers.

And the weather keeps getting colder. We need more chaqueta. Jackets. Or better abrigos de invierno.

Winter coats! (small and medium/male and female). Zapates. Shoes. Not the ones big-footed Americans wear, but size 7 women. Size 8 and 9 men. All the small sizes!

Sweat suits (small and medium/male and female). Lots of underwear, especially toddler sizes.

And if you stimulate the supply of winter clothes, then cadres of volunteers are needed to process the clothes. This past Monday at St. Catherine’s over 40 volunteers processed 100 bags of donated clothing, including the very high-demand winter coats.

So my new mantra? Donating winter clothes is good; processing winter clothes is priceless. And some wellintentioned people are still donating Bermuda shorts, God bless them! By the way — true story — earlier today at St. Catherine’s, I spoke with a young smiling man in bright yellow Bermuda shorts. His only pants.

JACK CROWE

FILE

Winter coat distribution at St. Catherine-St. Lucy.

The temperature was 45 degrees. We set him up with long pants.

And if, in the beginning, the guests came from District 15, how about today?

We are seeing people from shelters around Chicago, including new arrivals to District 15. To get winter clothing, they are coming from shelters in Pilsen, Hyde Park, Rogers Park. Even O’Hare Airport, Terminal 1, United Airlines.

And you won’t believe this: we even had a few Guests See JACK CROWE on page 31

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

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V I E W S

Reading in River Forest

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iver Forest’s public elementary school district is wending its way through a thicket of upset and debate over its longtime reading curriculum. The high-performing school district is far from alone in absorbing pushback over its foundational “Units of Study” reading curriculum. That program, developed by Lucy Calkins, a professor out of Columbia University, swept the nation’s schools with an approach to teaching reading that was based on natural curiosity and, most particularly, not on phonics.

Recent research has called that approach into serious doubt with yet another educational pendulum swing back toward diphthongs and other sequencing of sounds and letters as part of a “science of reading” approach.

This debate has been percolating in River Forest for at least the past couple of years. It culminated last spring in the election of three new members to the District 90 school board who campaigned largely on the issue of the reading curriculum.

Board and administrative leaders have defended the district’s approach, saying they have long used a blend of teaching approaches in reading, based on the learning styles of specific children. At the same time, the district has accelerated a full-on review of its reading curriculum, tackling the topic with a Literacy Committee, formed in September. A full report from that group is expected before the end of this year.

Stacey Williams, school board president, cautions that significant changes in the reading curriculum will take time to decide, to test and to implement. But it seems clear change is coming.

As it has for well over a decade, the district has reiterated that notable changes in the reading curriculum will respect the district’s focus on equity and will ensure that any reading materials adopted by the district will reflect the diversity of its student body.

That’s important. As is the wider discussion on the reading curriculum.

Tough vote for migrants Oak Park’s village board took a necessary half-step Monday evening in support of its efforts to provide care for migrants who are now part of our community. It was a contentious 4-3 vote at the end of a very long meeting, and the decision represented compromise on both the dollars allocated and the length of an emergency declaration.

But the decision to spend $500,000 of the remaining pool of $1 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act was the right one.

With pride and purpose, Oak Park has stepped up to support a small handful of worthy people displaced from brutality in Central and South America. The reality is this care has been crafted on the run and without a full plan for either care or funding.

As both the state and the county have this week announced new pools of funds for migrant care, it is critical that a proportionate share comes to Oak Park. Villages like ours should be encouraged to take on some portion of care but it must come with funding.

Oak Park has bought a small block of time. Now it needs to press hard for significant help to make a real plan.

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What we’re about

hanksgiving is a set-aside, a time to appreciate the good in our lives.

Gratitude emerges naturally from appreciating, which is an underappreciated skill. The Thanksgiving holiday is intended as a moment to take stock of our lives and, as author Alex Haley once prescribed, “Find the good — and praise it.”

To that end, I offer the following, which came to me in the wee hours one night last week as I prepared for a talk about my book, Our Town Oak Park, a statement summarizing who we are and what Oak Park is about. I would be interested in hearing your version. Here goes:

community is the alchemy that takes place when we intentionally share our lives and entwine our loose ends.

Beginning 60 years ago, Oak Park deliberately, intentionally set out to build a stronger community, recognizing that re-segregation was a wave sweeping toward us from the city, created by fear and the unethical real estate practices of that era. We agreed that a strong community, reinforced by good government, was the best way to withstand the existential threat posed by white flight.

Instead of building walls to keep people out, we did the opposite. We became a welcoming community, one that practices fair housing and believes in “The Right of All People to Live Where They Choose.”

Fairness and openness served us well, but we also recognized that diversity is just the first step in the longer journey to full equality, otherwise known as equity. In the 1960s, we set the bar high, higher than most municipalities dared, and we will keep raising that bar until we make equality real for all Oak Parkers.

You can only improve what you love and we love this community. We are a proud, progressive enclave — in a practical more than political sense. We recommit to making progress because the work of equity is never finished.

We are an ever-changing, ever-evolving village. We do not aim for perfection, merely unrelenting improvement.

Each day we wake up in a new village, a place we have never been. Each day, some leave, some arrive, some return. The turnover is enlivening. As we are new every day, so we must think anew and act anew, as Abraham Lincoln said, once upon a crisis. We face new challenges, even as we honor the challenges we have faced. We are not cheerleaders or boosters. We are appreciators. Feeling proud of who we are and who we are becoming is what gives us the energy and the drive to move forward.

Together.

KEN

TRAINOR

Oak Park is a welcoming, diverse, eco-friendly, equityaspiring, ever-evolving community, located at the intersection of independence and interdependence, continuity and change. We are the Land of Hemingway and Wright, nestled within the wider Land, and Nation, of Lincoln.

Oak Park is unique in its particulars but universal in its relevance.

Anchored by aging trees that shelter our wide streets, but not our minds, we have invested much in our housing stock but also in our interpersonal infrastructure — block parties, Farmers Market, Day in Our Village, July 4th and Juneteenth parades, housewalks, the Lake Theatre, Thursday Night Out, Festival Theatre in the open air of Austin Gardens, and any other occasion that allows us to be visible to one another. It’s all about showing up, coming together, getting familiar.

Our municipal landscape is more conducive to walking than driving. With few fences, prominent front porches, alleys, parks, churches, libraries, and myriad coffeeshops in a multitude of neighborly business districts, we are built for community interaction, as we journey toward a more perfect union.

We are overseen and regulated by well-meaning amateurs, with the consent, more or less, of the highly opinionated governed.

Our past is inspirational, our future aspirational, and in the crucible/petri dish of the present we are congregational. We have come a long way and have a long way to go.

In our daily living, we are telling a story that never ends.

Oak Park is no utopia. We have quirks and shortcomings. Our unofficial motto is “One Tree, Many Nuts.” Our taxes are too high and parking is too scarce. We are selfcritical to a fault, but our imperfections do not prevent us from celebrating who we are, how we got here, and where we’re heading.

We got here by cultivating a healthy sense of interdependence. Community is our immunity — against corrosive, divisive polarization. Community is our superpower.

Community is more than living next to one another. It requires interaction, which leads to interconnection. True

I am thankful, this fourth Thursday of November, that Oak Parkers in the past didn’t settle for ordinary and haven’t settled into complacency. I’m thankful we’re facing new challenges — right now in fact, as we welcome asylum-seekers from other countries.

I’m proud to say I grew up here. When I lived elsewhere, I was proud to say I was from here. And when I returned, I felt even prouder of what Oak Parkers had done to make this ever-changing, ever-evolving village a better, stronger town.

None of this makes us “exceptional” or “superior.”

Just unusual.

My new book, ‘Our Town Oak Park – Walk with Me, in Search of True Community,’ finds the good and praises it. You can find it at Book Table, the Hemingway Birthplace Home, Oak Park River Forest History Museum, and, if you must, online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

V I E W P O I N T S

Calling for a ceasefire A letter read by Rev. Marti Scott of Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church of Oak Park at the recent Congressional District 7 Voters for a Ceasefire Rally, held in front of Danny Davis’ Chicago office on Nov. 9: ear Congressman Davis, You are an honorable man. You have preached and brought the Word to my congregation. You have stood firmly on issues that benefit the whole community. Therefore, I appeal to you on your proven record to do what is right for the people you represent. I demand that you do everything in your power to end all of the violent harm and military actions to both Palestinian and Israeli citizens. That can only be achieved by a ceasefire.

Over 49 years of ordained ministry, I have witnessed my own denomination, the United Methodist Church, pass resolution after resolution, calling for peace in the Middle East. The atrocities we have witnessed in the Middle East must end because such acts are an affront to our God, the God of Muslims, Christians and Jews, the God of peace.

Our Holy Scriptures chastise us for not living in peace with our neighbors. Isaiah cautioned against coveting and taking other people’s land: “Doom to those who acquire house after house, who annex field to field until there is no more space left and only you live in the land” (Isaiah, 5:8). Likewise Jesus commanded us to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew, 22:37-40).

These are the ways to peace. We bring doom on our communities if we do less. If we sing praises on the Sabbath, and then fire at one another, we are hypocrites.

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W E D N E S D A Y

This war was our doing, and we must bring this senseless and godless sin against one another to an end. It subverts justice. It subverts peace. It subverts the will of God. The late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. warned us that building and funding the military industrial complex would bring this nation to ruin. His dream gave courage to a swelling of voices that reversed our course in Vietnam. We’ve memorized his words. We now need to take them to heart and make his dreams our reality.

The billions of dollars this country has invested in foreign aid to arm Israel has not only destroyed innocent lives in Israel and Palestine, but has also brought death, disability, disenfranchisement, and poverty to Austin and every other U.S. city like it through funds diverted from them to war. The people of Oak Park and River Forest, many of whom have been spared the cost of diminished community programs and loss of sons and daughters, should also not put up with this U.S.-fed atrocity because our neighbors in Austin are suffering — and we dare not be religious bigots and hypocrites.

Sign on to the call for a ceasefire and save the people in both the Middle East and in your congressional district.

I appeal to you again, Congressman Davis, as a man of moral principles: You have proven to us that you can lead and govern to protect and care for your constituency.

Stop the human carnage, stand for a ceasefire.

Rev. Marti Scott is lead pastor of Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church in Oak Park.

REV. MARTI SCOTT One View

Don’t double the plastic bag fee without evidence

On Nov. 7, I took the opportunity to attend the Environment and Energy Commission (EEC) meeting to again pitch a recommendation that the village adopt a residential exterior lighting ordinance to curtail light trespass between neighbors.

The proposal was originally championed by Mrs. Bonita Robinson and her son, Vernon, because such ordinances have been adopted by other municipalities in Illinois, as well as endorsed by the Dark Skies International Association. Lighting is an environmental issue for people, flora and fauna, birds, bats, and bugs.

It was heartening to have the EEC include the lighting ordinance with their 2024 work plan.

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor Erika Hobbs Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Staff Reporter Amaris Rodriguez, Luzane Draughon Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Big Week Editor James Porter Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Special Projects Manager Susan Walker Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs Publisher Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

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

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

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

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR ■ 250-word limit

There was another matter that was confusing.

Members of the EEC discussed doubling the single-use plastic bag fee to fund the village’s sustainability initiatives. There was a claim that the current fee was “not changing the behavior” of shoppers without citing the metric for measuring the lack of effectiveness of the 10 cents per bag charged at the points of purchase — such as: Are shoppers using fewer plastic bags at local stores?

If that is truly the cause of the revenue reduction, then claim victory rather than doubling the bag fee to increase the sustainability fund.

Chris Donovan Oak Park

■ 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

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OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Figuring out support for migrant needs

s a first-time elected official, I have had a lot of “firsts” in the last 3 years. Many have been truly enjoyable — from the campaign platform that embodies my values to advocating for key programs at the board table, including affordability initiatives and elevating language access needs in our diverse community.

However, not all firsts have been positive.

Recently, I was publicly accused of making statements that are full of erroneous assumptions and misinformation about an issue that is probably one of the most important to me as a trustee and as a Latina — caring for the Venezuelan migrant families who were brought to our community a few weeks ago.

The claims made against me are intentionally vague, not supported by facts and completely without merit. My views and decisions at the board table are supported by information presented by the village manager and staff.

In an email dated Nov. 1, the village manager advised the board that community activists began moving migrant families to the Oak Park Police Station close to midnight on Oct. 31. This was done when village hall was closed, without coordination with the village and without a plan for their immediate or long-term care.

The board was later advised, in a memo dated Nov. 6, that migrants who were relocated to Oak Park lost their opportunity to gain housing through Chicago’s shelter and

welfare plan. This was highly concerning since Oak Park did not have shelter plans when the families were moved here. I was further concerned that plans for additional resources administered by Chicago will not include migrants relocated to Oak Park since Chicago’s resources are managed through a waiting list that relies on the census of migrants residing at Chicago police stations. The impact to families and individuals who are already highly vulnerable could be devastating as every missed opportunity might delay stable permanent housing, employment, and a chance to begin a new life.

It’s important to note that, prior to Nov. 1, the board unanimously approved $550,000 through a combination of grants and village funds to work with established community partners, coordinating services for transitional housing, food, wrap-around case management services, legal aid and crisis services to address the trauma and stress often experienced by migrants.

However, when community activists moved migrants to Oak Park without adequate notice or planning, these funds had to shift dramatically. The approved funds were reallocated to emergency services for the new arrivals. On Nov. 2, the village manager [Kevin Jackson] requested, and the board approved, an emergency disaster order to re-

assign staff duties and suspend standard purchasing requirements. In essence, moving migrants to Oak Park required the village to shift from a planned effort to crisis management.

As the expiration of the emergency order looms, the board will have to determine next steps. Figuring out responsible support should be centered on financial impact, long-term goals, and a commitment to helping migrants in Oak Park understand available resources.

As I write this, there is a proposal to the 2024 budget for over $1M in additional funds for migrant support through March 2024. This includes converting the last of our American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to lost revenue. In addition, several new staff positions will have to be funded. This proposal belies the affordability efforts I have promoted at the board table and puts an increased burden on Oak Park taxpayers who could benefit from ARPA funding through federally-approved programming. The budget proposal is partnered with an extension of the emergency disaster order.

The board has been challenged with the question, “What will the board do to continue to support migrant families and individuals?” I contend that the question should be, “What are the long-term goals of Oak Park support?” Stringing emergency or-

LUCIA ROBINSON One View

ders together does not create a responsible, sustainable plan.

Lastly, it is imperative that migrant individuals and families understand the realities of continued support in Oak Park and how that impacts access to opportunities through larger municipalities like Chicago, which has spent an estimated $65M on migrant support and has recently received an additional $160M from the state.

Further, the city has confirmed one of my earlier concerns, that migrants residing in Oak Park are not eligible for alloted Chicago resources.

While my personal desire to help migrant families starts with empathy and compassion based on my own family’s migration experience, I must also uphold my fiduciary duty as trustee and consider the needs of Oak Park residents who I am committed to serving.

As I consider all of the relevant information on this issue, I am reminded of a line from my campaign video: “There are no easy answers, only good decisions.” This line encapsulates my commitment to weighing compassion, budget realities, and the futures of our migrant neighbors and the Oak Park community at large.

I also encourage all members of the community to listen to the board meetings, contribute their input and help find responsible solutions.

Lucia Robinson is an Oak Park village trustee.

Three kinds of people on climate change

In my experience there tend to be three kinds of people: Climate-change warriors, non-believers or just plain indifferent, and well-meaning folks who care but don’t see what they personally can do about it.

Oh sure, the well-meaning folks may recycle and turn off lights when they leave a room. Some of them even have compost heaps in their backyards. But they don’t see what else they can do. They are willing, but need guidance.

Both Oak Park and River Forest have initiatives in place to address the alarming issues associated with climate change: Climate Ready Oak Park and the River Forest Sustainability Commission. This

morning on NPR I heard the weather statistic that October 2023 was the hottest October on record, period. The hottest October in the history of weather tracking has resulted in record breaking storms, hurricanes, cyclones all over the world.

When we replaced both HVAC systems at our house in Oak Park, only one of the three bids we got included heat pumps and that’s the one we went with. Not only was it the lowest bid, but it was the smartest choice. And we were rewarded with a significant drop in our electric bill.

(Previously we had zoned HVAC and one of the two furnaces was electric and a real power pig.) We moved to RF three years

ago and had the same system installed at our condo. Last winter the conventional electric furnace did not come on once. The heat pump supplied the heat exclusively.

Heat pumps, contrary to popular belief (on the part of many HVAC contractors) can be used in cold weather. Heck, they use them in Canada.

Then there’s our induction stove (our condo is all electric). I am a foodie who loves to cook and has sworn by gas stoves until now. Induction, unlike conventional electric stoves, works like a gas stove. You change the heat level via the knob and presto! Instantaneously the level of heat changes. And no dangerous flame. And no

“NOX.” My husband has asthma. Back at the house, seldom did his sense of smell work. We moved and he immediately noticed that “my nose works all the time.”

Imagine my surprise when I read about the problems gas heat and stoves causes for asthmatics! Why didn’t we know this before?

P.S. I found the late Harriet Hausman’s columns inspiring, just proving that at any age we can make a difference. I’m going to miss her columns. I figure if a 99-year-old lady can write a column, then anything is possible. What a loss!

Louise Mezzatesta River Forest

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

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False narratives about the local migrant crisis

he migrant crisis has been hard on everyone in our community. I acknowledge and appreciate the tireless contributions of community volunteers and village staff who have made a huge difference in our efforts to address this crisis.

However, a very small subset of people who made this a local emergency on Oct. 31 have taken to sharing inaccurate narratives in print and on social media. These individuals have made the situation worse, most of all for the migrant families. They have preyed on the misery of the migrant families and have torn our community apart with their irresponsible narratives.

Narrative 1: Permission was sought and received from the village to bring the migrant families to the Oak Park Police Station on Oct. 31.

This is absolutely false. There was no approval from, or coordination with, village staff. This is what prompted the declaration of the emergency, and we still do not have a plan.

The following is a quote from a village staff communication to the village board on Nov. 1: “I want to alert you that the Police Department received an inquiry from an unnamed individual around 10 p.m. about providing space for asylum seekers situated at the Chicago District 15 Police Station.

Shortly thereafter, after visiting the site, staff were alerted that activists would soon be transporting people from District 15 to our police station. Activists have been transporting people to our police station for

at least the last two hours.”

Narrative 2: The actions on Oct. 31 night were taken to protect lives.

It was a cold night. I wish no one would have to brave a frigid Chicago night without proper shelter. However, this narrative falls apart when you start to think of the space the migrant families were taken to for protection. The Oak Park Police Station lobby can barely hold 10 people, a fact that was clearly communicated to the volunteers.

What is worse is that this false narrative is being shared by individuals living in some of the largest houses in Oak Park that could easily accommodate 100+ people. If the intention was truly to save lives, then taking 100+ people to the Oak Park Police Station lobby is at best ill-conceived and reckless. Also, there were unhoused people that very same night in encampments in Columbus Park merely blocks away. They were left to fend for themselves.

Narrative 3: No harm was done to the migrants by moving them to Oak Park.

This move impeded the ability of migrant families to access services available in Chicago, not just in the short term but housing and job opportunities in the future. The possibility of this impact was not communicated to the migrant families.

In addition, the move did not consider the lack of service infrastructure in Oak Park to support this unplanned move in either

the short or long term.

Nov. 5 staff communication to the board: “We learned this past week that Chicago has a very specific sheltering and welfare plan in place to move people from the police stations into temporary shelter and along the housing continuing to more permanent, stable housing. This process is managed through a waiting list that corresponds with the census of people residing at the Chicago police stations. And, importantly, we also learned that migrants who leave Chicago, lose their place on the waiting list. So for now, until possibly otherwise through further advocacy, the migrants in our community have lost their place on the Chicago waiting list for housing. … In our staff analysis of the situation, it is critical that we advocate to reconnect the migrant population in our community with the resources available in Chicago and that we establish an ongoing relationship with Chicago and their system.”

Nov. 16 staff meeting with Chicago further confirms the preliminary assessment: “Chicago staff persons confirmed that asylum seekers residing in Oak Park are not eligible for any Chicago programming, including the newly announced federal work authorization pilot program which expedites the work authorization process, nor the newly announced partnership programs being funded by the state of Illinois who have of-

RAVI PARAKKAT One View

fered $160,000,000 in funding to help the city set up a centralized intake center, tent base camps for migrants, and case management and other services. It is possible that asylumseeking migrants who are currently in the village of Oak Park may have access to those services if they return to Chicago, and if they would otherwise be eligible; however, those returning would be required to get a new SR-number through 311 and would be placed in line behind those who are currently waiting in the police districts.”

Furthermore, the move did not consider the implications on the most vulnerable in Oak Park. The shortsighted and reckless actions of a few have forced us to declare an emergency, divert staff and resources from village operations, and thrust the responsibility of migrant care on all citizens of Oak Park (not just the financially able). It has also put us on a path to spending millions toward an unrestricted commitment with no plan or outcomes defined. Ours is a community with limited jobs and affordable housing options to assimilate the migrant families into a secure future. These irresponsible actions are now being justified with false narratives designed to take advantage of Oak Parkers’ big hearts.

We need to reject false narratives that divide us. We need a plan that acknowledges our realities. We need to come together to seek solutions that work for our community and for those who seek our help.

Ravi Parakkat is an Oak Park village trustee.

Fenwick’s breach of trust on Goedert Center

The abrupt decision by Fenwick High School to terminate the lease of the Rose K. Goedert Center for Early Childhood Education, just 18 months into a 5-year agreement, is a matter of deep concern and disappointment. This move, enabled by an unpublicized 2-year exit clause, is a betrayal of the commitment made to our community by both Fenwick and Dominican University.

This decision by Fenwick is not merely a contractual issue; it represents a significant shift in its community priorities, favoring short-term objectives over longterm educational integrity and communi-

ty welfare. The Goedert Center, more than a child-care facility, has been a foundation for early childhood education in our area and a training ground for future educators for 50 years. The loss of such an institution is a massive setback for our community’s commitment to nurturing young minds.

The premature closure of the Goedert Center is a reflection of a misplaced priority, one that puts immediate gains over the educational and developmental needs of our children. This action by Fenwick High School contradicts the spirit of their initial 5-year commitment and undermines

the trust placed in them by the community — not to mention leaving hundreds of families without child-care and preschool plans beyond June 2024. (This school runs on a continual waitlist, with the 2-year-old class for two years from now well on its way to being full.)

I urge the Fenwick board and the community to reconsider this decision. We must stand up for our community values and the future of our children. It’s imperative that we hold our institutions accountable and advocate for the continuity of the Goedert Center.

As a Dominican University alumna, par-

ent of a Goedert grad, and a community member, I call upon fellow alumni, parents, educators, and concerned citizens to voice their concerns. We must ensure that our community’s commitment to nurturing future generations remains steadfast.

Let’s come together to advocate for the Goedert Center and uphold the values of education that define us.

In caritas et veritas,

Laurie Christofano

Elmwood Park resident Oak Park employment

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

Want a distraction from the world? Get a puppy

B

ased on the number of conversation starters lost on me of late, I perceive that sad and terrible things are happening in the world in more prodigious numbers than one might hope. Possibly also more intensely.

Truthfully, I don’t know much in the way of details because I don’t watch that show, a policy I adopted some years ago when I left ABC News.

Quitting news does wonders for the mental health; as always, I would urge you all to give it a shot.

But I have been even more blissfully ignorant of current events than is my normal average goal these last couple of weeks because I have been tasked with the temporary care of a puppy.

A puppy, for those of you who have not experienced this pleasure firsthand yourselves, is a lot of work. Not in the way that cleaning out the basement or painting the garage is work, but in the way that spending the day with a 2-yearold is a lot of work. It’s knowledge work, not manual labor.

Also annoying: A puppy is a lot of work but comes with the reputation of a delightful time for all. A puppy is not a delightful time for all. A puppy is a delightful time for a puppy. Everyone else is going to spend a lot of time running, mostly either for paper towels or to try and prevent running for paper towels.

There is a great deal of instruction to be given, all of which will be ignored, which is profoundly vexing. If one is a kindergarten teacher by both training and temperament, and therefore used to being ignored when asking for simple commands like “Don’t eat that!” to be

ALAN

BROUILETTE

honored, you might be OK. Everyone else is going to be mad, and then feel bad about themselves for not enjoying the totality of the puppy experience.

Puppies are surprisingly voracious eaters. Not of their food — it is not surprising that they are voracious eaters of puppy chow, obviously — but of everything else. Sticks. Shoes. Table legs. Rocks. Bricks. Mulch. Mulch is irresistible! We go outside for a pee, and we come back in with empty bladder and a sneaked mouthful of mulch that will be chewed recreationally at leisure for the rest of the day.

This is my first significant exposure to a puppy after significant and longterm exposure to multiple toddlers.

There are numerous similarities, mostly unpleasant. You can tell when they are seemingly having fun, but it is because they are overtired and new skills erode when overtired. You can tell when the nips get a little more aggressive than playful — on purpose. You can tell when you are being given the “Who, me? What did I do?” look by a dog who knows damn well who you’re mad at and what they did. They gain manipulative skills quickly.

Puppies, like babies, have a reputation for cuteness. This reputation pulls off the rare exacta of being both deserved and misleading. Puppies are cute when sleeping, in still photos, and in occasional flashes between enthusiastically giving into destructive impulses. The rest of the time, cute is a defense mechanism. As many have observed before me, they are very lucky that they are cute.

Don’t even get me started on kittens.

Kittens suck.

You see what I mean about the shape the world is in? I just spent 600 words complaining about puppies, just to give you people a cheerful and welcome respite.

Alan Brouilette, a resident of Forest Park, writes a monthly column for the Forest Park Review, a Growing Community Media publication.

To r u n an obituar y

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OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Fake or real?

That was the question

just lost the final battle of a struggle that began 43 years ago. It’s about how we decorate for Christmas. For me, Christmas meant a fresh-cut pine, decorated with large bulbs, tinsel and frosted gingerbread men. My wife had a different vision of a Christmas tree: tiny lights, garland and no gingerbread men.

But regardless of how it was decorated, the tree had to be real. We started out buying Christmas trees from the lot that springs up each December next to Portillo’s. I admire this crew living in a trailer for weeks until their last tree is sold.

We have also visited tree farms to cut down our own.

Frostbite sets in as we trudge through the snow looking for the perfect tree. It has to have a straight trunk, no bare spots and a pointy top for placing the star. Once we saved money by cutting down a tree in my brother-in-law’s backyard. I was careful to avoid this activity, which involved my daughter lying in the snow and sawing away at the trunk.

After that, we bought trees from big-box stores. I didn’t care where we bought the tree, or how we decorated it. I was just happy to breathe that pure aroma of pine.

I also saw the tree as a huge humidifier. I may not know how to keep a house plant alive but I’m good at keeping a dead tree hydrated.

After we brought a tree home, my wife expertly hung the tiny lights, garland and sentimental ornaments. After the star was finally stuck on top, we celebrated with a cocoa party: candles, Christmas music and Frango mint hot chocolate.

This peaceful scene has been disturbed in recent years by rumblings about buying an artificial tree. It would save us money and be much less work. It would be

JOHN RICE

fully lighted and decorated and we could use it year after year.

This sounded practical but I stubbornly refused to consider a fake tree. Last year, our Christmas struggle finally reached a climax. When we couldn’t agree on fake, or real, we spent the first Christmas of our lives without a tree. This year, my wife forged ahead and bought a fake tree at a big-box store for $50.

If I had only done my homework, I could have prevented this purchase. According to The National Wildlife Foundation, real trees are better for the environment. That’s because the tree farms grow between 350-500 million trees but only harvest 30 million. The remaining trees create a forest habitat for wildlife. Plus, buying trees from neighborhood lots supports our local economy.

Meanwhile, 90% of the soulless sterile fake trees are manufactured in China.

They are made from metal and plastic and cannot be recycled. Real Christmas trees are easy to recycle. We simply place them on the parkway and Public Works picks them up and uses their wood chipper to turn them into mulch.

Real trees do have some drawbacks, though. They aren’t as sturdy as fake trees. It’s disheartening to wake up and find the Christmas tree on the floor. The lights and ornaments are in disarray and there is water everywhere. Real trees are also fire hazards and many rental properties don’t permit them.

But they are part of a hallowed tradition that dates back to 1419 in Germany.

They give us a chance to express our primitive instincts. What could be more medieval than placing a dead tree in our living rooms?

And what could be more savage than snatching a gingerbread man from a branch anytime we’re hungry for a snack?

Guess I have to get used to being “civilized.”

John Rice grew up in Oak Park, lives in Forest Park, and writes a weekly column for our sister publication, the Forest Park Review.

Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/524-0447 before Monday at noon.

Please include a photo if possible.

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

KWAME SALTER

Restoring common decency from page 25 the grey area between the black and white where solutions are to be found. Everyday people still have the power to reverse this trend of man’s inhumanity to man.

To accept the world as it is does nothing but guarantee that nothing will change.

So exactly what is it that we, the people, can do? Well, first we can seek to be as informed as humanly possible — with a caveat. As Denzel Washington points out, “If you don’t follow the media, you will be uniformed. And if you casually follow only certain media you will be misinformed.” Too many of us get our news/ information from media like Fox and CNN who don’t give a damn about the impact of their twisted reporting.

We’ve become too lazy to develop our own point of view on issues. We let the smirking and grinning talking heads chew our mind food and spit it into our brains.

What we’ve discovered lately is that these so-called newscasters have only one thing that motivates them — it’s the money.

They don’t give a rat’s tush about media integrity. What do they say in the news station backrooms? “If it bleeds, it leads.”

So every morning when we turn on our TV or phone we are inundated with bad news. We start our day already depressed.

We’ve become addicted to bad news. We are becoming walking zombies.

Good news is embargoed. Bad news gets the eyeballs that these news outlets use to get more eyeballs. Eyeballs on their channel improves their ratings and their profits.

JACK CROWE

Focus on helping from page 25 from Indiana. They are not just from Venezuela but also, in smaller numbers, from Ecuador, Colombia, and Guatemala.

Volunteers invariably ask: “Why isn’t (fill in the blank) doing more to solve this problem?” From federal to state to local politicians (even though Oak Park elected officials and village staff have been ex-

To combat this drift into zombie land, I would suggest the following: 1. Think for yourself. Don’t let anyone walk through your mind with dirty shoes on, as Gandhi would say.

2. Become more tolerant of people with a different point of view. Listen to them and maybe agree to disagree instead of demonizing them.

3. Avoid cults of personalities. Just because someone says one thing that we might agree with does not make them the second coming of the Savior.

4. Combat and challenge negativism with an unrelenting positive attitude.

5. Always remember, as the late Senator Patrick Moynihan said, “We are all entitled to our own opinions, but not to our own facts.” Facts are politically neutral.

Facts have no agenda other than to prove or disprove an assumption.

6. Recognize, as Stevie Wonder sings, “True Love asks for nothing. Her acceptance is the way we pay.” Push love on every human being you meet. Your love might not be accepted, but it will never be forgotten.

7. Finally, realize that evil is not an abstraction, it is real. There are evil people out there. And, while attaining dominance at times, evil never triumphs over good in the long run.

In summary, we have the power to restore common decency to its rightful place as the starting point of any interaction with others. As Evelyn Beatrice Hall said in interpreting the French philosopher Voltaire, “I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

I would hasten to add: as long as what you’re saying does not endanger innocent lives.

emplary in responding). They ask, “Why aren’t Catholic and other churches in Chicagoland doing more?” And sometimes they want to talk about the politics of immigration.

I wave them all off. I say that’s above my pay grade. Waiting for Elvis to arrive in the building is futile. No deus ex machina.

Only us.

If an 18-month-old arrives at St. Catherine-St. Lucy in Crocs and a tee shirt and the forecast is 20 degrees, we put a coat on her. And boots. And gloves. And a hat.

That’s what proximity does. That’s where we are at.

Ken Trainor’s “Our Town Oak Park – Walk with Me, in Search of True Community”…

Reasons ‘Our Town Oak Park’ makes a good holiday gift for your grown children: • They can relive May Madness, Erik’s Deli, Magic Tree Bookstore, playing lob ball in the park, the July 4th parade and fireworks, OPRF graduations, the Lake Theatre, Thursday Night Out, Maze Library, Hole in the Wall ice cream, trick-or-treating on Halloween, Farmers Market and A Day in Our Village • They’ll like it so much, they might move back • If they don’t move back, at least they won’t forget where they came from • If they can’t come in for Christmas, it’s easy to wrap and mail Our Town Oak Park – Walk with Me, in Search of True Community is for anyone who lives in Oak Park, formerly lived in Oak Park, is about to move to Oak Park, is curious about Oak Park, or might live in Oak Park in the future.

In other words, pretty much everyone. You can find it at Book Table, the OPRF History Museum, the Hemingway Birthplace Home, and, if you must, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Great Holiday gift for the “Oak Park fan” in your life!

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O B I T U A R I E S

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

Susan Shimon, 64 Worked in psychosocial rehab services at Thresholds

Susan Mary Shimon, 64, returned to the universe on Oct. 31, 2023. In her life, she served every moment that she could and taught others to love one another in an active and compassionate way. Through her decades of work in psychosocial rehabilitation services at Thresholds and on various boards of directors, including those combatting housing insecurity, her work impacted thousands of people.

We remember Susan not only as a servant to the people most in need, but as a beloved and dedicated friend, partner, sister, daughter and aunt. She was a world traveler, an advice-giver, a bird-counter, a music-listener, a moon-watcher, a believer in yoga, and a lover of the lake.

Susan is survived by her parents, Wencel James and Sandra McMahon Shimon; her sisters, Kristen Mary and Sandra Louise Shimon; her brothers-in-law Andrew James Dellamaria and Christian Robert

Smith; her best friend and life partner, Dennis Hills Cooper; her nephew, Archibald Standish Dellamaria, whom she loved better than anyone; and friends from all parts of her lived experience, from childhood to work to yoga to travel.

To honor Susan’s memory, her family held a wake at Peterson-Bassi Funeral Home, 6938 W. North Ave. in Chicago on Nov. 3, and a funeral mass at Ascension Church, 808 S. East Ave. in Oak Park on Nov. 4. An additional celebration of her life will be held in the future.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Thresholds to support the work to which Susan dedicated her life, thresholds.org or 4101 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60613.

Carol Siegel, 74

Teacher, reader and traveler Carol Siegel, 74, of River Forest, died on Nov. 11, 2023 of a sudden stroke. Born on April 16, 1949 in Dolton, Illinois, she attended Northern Illinois University where she met her husband, Marty,

and they settled in the Oak Park area in the early ’70s.

She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher, who loved to read and was talented at languages and spoke fluent French. She spent decades working in Chicago public schools, teaching reading, and also spent many years tutoring and teaching French.

She loved traveling, especially to Door County Wisconsin and Kauai Hawaii. A devoted grandmother, she gave selflessly of herself to her family.

Carol is survived by her husband, Marty; her daughter, Amy; and her grandson Grayson.

A memorial celebration will be held at a future date.

If you would like to honor Carol’s memory, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friends of Peninsula State Park, https://peninsulastatepark.org/donate.

Barbara Berry, 91 Member of Judson and Calvary churches

Barbara Berry (nee Hofert), 91, died peacefully in Champaign, Illinois on Nov. 1, 2023. Born in Oak Park on June 10, 1932, she was a longtime resident of the village until moving to Mahomet, Illinois to be near to her daughter, Karen Thomas. With

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— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM help from her daughter, she was able to live her final years enjoying nature, her daughter’s various pets, and the quiet life of the rural area. She also enjoyed keeping up with the Oak Park news by reading Wednesday Journal, which she received weekly, and looked forward to the weekly recipes that were written by the Amish woman in the Champaign newspaper. She loved to watch Cubs games.

While living in Oak Park, she and her husband, Robert Berry, were active in the church communities of both Judson Baptist and Calvary church. They attended Sunday school classes, and social activities with other seniors.

In recent days, she was encouraged in her Christian walk while listening to Charles Stanley and other Christian programs on the television when she was unable to attend weekly services at church.

Her faith remained strong throughout her life, even during the time when she was challenged with health issues.

She will be remembered by many as a loyal friend with a caring spirit. She will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Barbara was the mother of Kathy (Peter) Gaeding, Jim (Kathy) Schlueter, Karen (Dan) Thomas, David (Denise) Schlueter, and Laurie (Gregg) Roberti. She enjoyed keeping in contact with her 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who are scattered across the country.

Burial took place on Nov. 6, 2023.

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS SUMMARY FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023 Copies of the detailed Annual Statement of Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023 will be available for public inspection in the school district/joint agreement administrative office by November 30, annually.

Individuals wanting to review this Annual Statement of Affairs should contact: Oak Park Elementary School District 97 School District/Joint Agreement Name

260 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302 Address

708.524.3000 Telephone

8:00 - 4:30 Office Hours

Also by January 15, annually the detailed Annual Statement of Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023, will be posted on the Illinois State Board of Education’s website@ www.isbe.net.

SUMMARY: The following is the Annual Statement of Affairs Summary that is required to be published by the school district/joint agreement for the past fiscal year.

Statement of Operations as of June 31, 2023 Operations & Maintenance

Educational Local Sources

1000

Flow-Through Receipts/Revenues from One District to Another District 2000

77,495,058

Debt Services

8,888,501

Municipal Retirement/ Social Security

Transportation

Capital Projects

4,243,457

3,223,775

1,883,739

0

0

Working Cash

46,085

Fire Prevention & Safety

Tort

69,910

2,183

1,879

0

0

State Sources

3000

8,006,927

5,345,342

0

2,530,962

0

0

0

0

0

Federal Sources

4000

6,234,303

762,032

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

69,910

2,183

1,879

Total Direct Receipts/Revenues

91,736,288

14,995,875

4,243,457

5,754,737

1,883,739

46,085

Total Direct Disbursements/Expenditures

89,258,735

9,189,479

4,900,407

5,434,863

3,002,900

8,549,287

Other Sources/Uses of Funds

(424,636)

(2,700,000)

424,636

0

0

8,000,000

Beginning Fund Balances without Student Activity Funds - July 1, 2021

20,580,585

3,823,323

4,660,004

1,923,237

1,675,317

0

0

0

0

0

Ending Fund Balances without Student Activity Funds - June 30, 2022

22,633,502

6,929,719

4,427,690

2,243,111

Ending Fund Balances (all sources) with Student Activity Funds - June 30, 2023

23,275,066

6,929,719

4,427,690

2,243,111

Other Changes in Fund Balances

0

0

(1,500,000)

(3,800,000)

0

737,956

2,871,679

3,896,462

120,238

0

0

0

0

556,156

234,754

1,441,589

98,645

122,117

556,156

234,754

1,441,589

98,645

122,117

SALARY SCHEDULE OF GROSS PAYMENTS FOR CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL AND NON-CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL GROSS PAYMENT FOR CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL

Province, Linda M ,Pryor, Ayhesha J, Puckett, Paris, Puntillo, Megan, Qing, Colleen M, Rafiei, Damon C ,Rath, Roxanne, Salary Range: Less Than $25,000 Ray, Tiffany ,Richardson, Tiesha, Riordan, Maeve, Rist, Abernethy, Samantha, Acuna, Veronica, Agha, Fatima, Bradley, Robert, Lori, Roberts, Jessica, Robinson, Deborah, Aguilar, Evelyn, Aguirre, Hector A, Alexander, Jolynn Robinson, Taniya L ,Robinson, Tennena M, Robinson, Tiffany, L, Allen, Roderick J ,Askew, Jarelle, Ates, Shadeane L, Rodriguez, Luis A., Rosito, Amanda ,Ross, Shannon ,Rowe, Avila, Stephanie, Backeberg, Briquelle I, Baiardo, Beth, Ruth A, Ruotsi, Kathryn, Rzucidlo, Beata, Saia, Bonnie Lynn, Baker-Mills, Shetrice, Barnes, Elizabeth, Battle, Tkeyah, Sandoval, Karen N, Scaro, Tyler J, Schroeder, Jodie, Sell, Battles, Youvette, Beauprez, Lynne R ,Benjamin, Terese Catalina, Semonian, Brian, Shah, Lorie, Sisk, Donna K, Sisk, S, Berg, Carolyn, Best, Laura B, Bishop, Marc, Bochner, Kathryn, Slater, Jalen T ,Smith, DaJanel, Snydacker, Cynthia, Michael, Brown, Latasha R, Brown, Teresa, Bulls, Jennifer Sordilla, Linda, Spring, Paula Tousignant ,Stackhouse, A ,Bunch, Janice R, Burger, Jacqueline, Burns, Ruth, Byrne, Valencia, Sterrett, Emily, Stevens, Leslie, Stewart, Curtis Lucienne, Caldwell, Angela,Calloway, Lawrence, Campbell, J, Stewart, Dorothy L, Stewart, Roseanne, Stokes, Megan, Betty J, Carter, Lashondra L, Cascio, Amy, Casho, Gloria Svehla, Teri, Tamondong, Deborah, Tedesso, Anthony E, Catrambone, Evaleen, Catrambone, Lavin, Chaidez, J ,Tejam, Naddie May, Tencate, Emma, Thomas, Gloria D Consuelo, Charkow, Sophia, Christian, Ruby, Ciosek, Mark, ,Thornton, Miavria, Tillman, James E, Topps, Lorraine, True, Coaker, Lloyd, Cofield, Antoinette, Cole, Toyya, Coleman, Bryce, Tucker, Lashonda, Turek, John, Turnbull, Amanda Evelyn J, Colucci, Philip R, Conley, Denise, Conner, Sharon ,Turner, Carla A ,Turner, Saronda, Umunna, Ben-Paul, Vargas R, Covarrubias, Teegan M, Craig, Ashley, Cribbs, Keisha Gonzalez, Karla, Vitale, Deborah M,Wallner, Jacqueline, N, Daly, Jessica, Damian, Geralyn A, Daun, Gina, Del Valle, Ward, Jada T ,Waterman, Griffin E, Weber, Jeffry J, Weber, Kayla N, Denis, Kevin J, Dixon, Jenyra, Donald, Brenda J Sandra J, Weber, Shailee, Weigel, Donna, Wells, Raquel F, ,Doss-Kuk, Lauren K ,Driscoll, Christine, Dunn, Diane, Dunn, White, Angela R ,Wilkerson, Raven, Williams, Cheryl, Williams, Jeanette D, Durham, Alexandra, Eaton, Fallon, Edwards, Jennifer B ,Williams, Patricia, Williams, Philip S, Williamson, Ryan J ,Ellison, Ansantheca, Endres, Anne M, Enloe, Sarah Melony, Wilson, Edwin, Wilson, Yolanda R, Wood, Pinyala, M, Enos, Barbara, Ester, Jennifer, Falbo, Patrick, Fernandez, Woodberry, Cynthia D ,Woods, Maryann, Woods, Pamela, Jasslin, Forestal, Kathryn, Fox Dever, Candice M, Freeman, Word, Felicia, York, Alyssa,Yu, Sara, Zielinski, Christine Florine, Frey, Claudia D, Frost, Gail, Fuentes, Gabriela, Fuller, Donna, Fussichen, Anne, Garcia, Karina, Garcia, Valeria, Salary Range: $25,000 - $39,999 Gilbert, Morgan, Godek, Diane M, Goldberg, Joseph A, Grgic, Carter, Sheila Y, Dupuis, Samantha, Hill, Laura, Khan, Daniel R, Griffith, Rachel, Grillo, Natalie M, Hanson, Theresa, Fauzia, O’Donnell, Kimberly C, Rodriguez Bazzi, Natalia Harris, Dejon, Healy, Spirit J, Herlehy, Mary, Hernandez, Schwabenbauer, Briana Alejandro, Hernandez, Luis A, Hervatin, Katya, Higgs, Larry J, Hildebrand, Katharine A, Hobbs, Mildred, Holmes, Avery, Salary Range: $40,000 - $59,999 Acosta, Theoni, Arevalo, Cynthia,Barlich, Laura,Bland, Holmes, Joanne, Holmes, Kennyetta, Horner, Stephanie A ,Horton, Deidra R, Hurlburt, Teddy, Hurst, Latrina M, Husband, Antoine M, Branch, Rebekah D, Brinkman, Catherine, Cafi, Kywanni, Husbands, Addie, Inksetter, Julia D, Irons, Jonetta S, Edita, Callan, James, Carlson, Christine A Chambers, Iversen, Ingrid L, Jenkins, Tiffany, Jennings, Regina, Johnson, Megan, Clark, Laura, Davis, Arianna, Duffy Govea, Kaitlyn, Edwards, Sara,Galindo, Bianca C Husbands, Nakia, Dominique, Jolicouer, Claire, Jones, Alice, Jones, Diamond T, Jones, Esther, Jones, Jabari T, Jones, Venus R, Jones- Kalember, Anna, Kerr, Nia, Locke, Lakesha, McMahon, Thomas, Gloria J, Jordan, Jeanette, Judon, Gina D ,Kane, Hannah, Miller, Judith, Missman, Anna, Montroy, Mary Laurie A, Keefe, Saosophy, Kokoszka, Martin R, Kolevski, Kate, OHeron, Carrie, Pezanoski, Cathie A Seatter, Kaelie Bojan, Kowalczyk, Patricia, Kubista, Alicia, Lauritsen, Gianna, M, Shea, Lisa R Sorg, Stacy, Sutschek, Taylor A, Szymczak, Levin, Cindy L, Lewis, Shelly, Lewis, Yolanda , Liebman, Cameron, Termini, Sarah, Tracy, Samantha Stewart, Turner, Gale, Little, Raina A, Lococo, Frank S, Lofton, Alverdis, Nicole, Wakely, Anne,White, Victorya,Whitehead, Georgia, Lofton, Katherine, Logerquist, Kristin, Lonzo, Lavonia, Aguirre, Arselia, Allen, Veronica D, Ames, Darron, Aviles, Dana, Bacalzo, Derek, Bailey, Desiree B, Banks-Holmes, Lopez, Aura, Loud, Janice, Lubinus, Mary, Lucas, Micaela A ,Lyman, Sophia, Lyon, Vanesa P, Madison, Omar H, Madock, Angela R, Barrientos, Randy, Bell, Alexandria, Bell, April, Berry, Korea, Boone, Howard, Bowman, Larrissa, Butler, Richard E, Magura, Loriann, Marban, Noe, Marin-Levy, Alma T, Martin, Paul Elliot, Mason, Dontacia, Maughn, Andene, Earl, Carmack, Brenda, Carter, Vashti, Cecil, Melissa, Maxfield, Sarah, Mccauley, Justin S, Mcchristion, Tayna, Clago, Jacob, Claire, Michael T, Cook, Christopher O, McClellan, Brittney, McCollough, Laura A, McCreary, Kelly, Cooper, Linda, Cooper, Maya R, Curington, Dwayne McDonnell, Anne K, McFarlin, Suzanne, Mcfee, Dominique C, C, Duhem, Meribeth M, Eble, Julie A, Fiorito, Carlo J, McGee, Daniel, McGowan, Magali B, McGowan-Burns, Molly, Frazier, Nichole, Friley, Jeanette, Garcia, Rodolfo Jr, Gray, McGrone, Ashley, McKinney, Debra, McMullen, Adrienne, Robert, Hansen, Bruce, Harlan, Anna, Hernandez, Angel, Melesio, Michael, Michels, Lisa, Miller, Olivia, Mims, Candi, Hernandez, Bryan, Hernandez, Mateo, Hoak, Grace N, Husbands, Jennifer, Johannesson, Lucille, Johnson, Miranda, Gabriela, Missman, Samuel T, Moczarney, Cynthia L, Moore, Michelle A, Morrison, Robert, Muhammad, Nadiah, Lakresha, Jones, Brandi D,Jones, Marie, Kaplan, Jessica, Murphy, Kristine, Nanney, Luke B, Nelson, Valerie, Nikola- Keller, Edward, King, Janet, Krikau, Lori, Kvam, Karen, Lisa, Larissa, Noble, Biename, Nowinski, Alissa K, Nu-Tall, Latimer, Autesha, Lealiou, Madelyn, Lee, Tamiko M, Kimberly, Ollison, Shequita D, Olson, James A, Onuorah, Liddell, Chante J, Mack, Amanda, Mandeville, William K, Christian, Patino Builes, Maryann, Paul, Libbey A, Pawlicki, Marcinowski, Karol S, Marshall, Cory A, McGee, Anitra, Michael, Peek, Dawn L ,Peery, Frederick, Poplett, James, McGrew, Jamarius, Miller, Venus, Monarrez, Manuel, Potterveld, Elizabeth I ,Powers, Ivone, Priceman, Kathleen, Munoz, Kassandra E,Murry, Samonica, Nichols, Yulonda,

Nwoko, Mercy, Orlin, Randi M, Perkins, Jamari, Plummer, Samara M, Powell, Otis, Reckamp, Matthew, Roskopf, Lee Ann C, Smith, Tywone, Spilotros, Santino, Tran, Jason, Vercnocke, Susanne, Washington, Markist L, Washington, Patricia, Wilberg, Matthew, Woods, Deanna Salary Range: 60,000 - $89,999 Abbott, Susan, Ablan, Megan Adduci, Sarah N, Adelman, Jonathan B, Advani, Shilpa P, Aguirre, Lidys Y, Andersen, Mark, Anderson, Elisa B, Armstrong, Rhapsody A, Awe, Elena, Bagley, John M, Banks, Tyler, Barker, Ruth, Barone, Melissa, Baylian, Jessica L, Beck, John, Belmont, Kathleen E, Berenson White, Yael S, Bigeck, Ryan R, Blackman, Francis, Blecha, Joel, Blum, Alexis L, Bolis, Michelle J, Bowman, Taylor, Breit, Robert C, Brinson, Shehara, Brown, Dana, Brown, Rachel, Brummell, Lee, Bultas, Christina A, Campo, Fiona, Carbray, Caroline, Carr, Anna, Cataldo, Angela, Chiappetta, Anneliese, Chinski, Nicole, Chu, Elizabeth Kim, Clark, Natalie K, Cole, Anthony, Colucci, John P, Colucci, Michael P, Connell, Hannah C, Conroy, Aisling N, Conroy, Shannon, Contraveos, Agnese, Cordero, Alina E, Cortez, Xelina, Cousin, Johanna, Dabney, Veronica, Dagli, Ilyas, Daniel, Matthew N, Datz, Madison A, Davis, Andrew, Davis, Clare, Deaton, Patrick, Deegan, Benjamin J, Degante, Angelica, Donovan, Georgia, Downs, Matthew, Dungca, Diane I, Duran Cid del Prado, Anna M, Ebert, Quinn Nicole, Edwards, Leslee K, Eubeler, Meghan, Ezawa Mrakovich, Bethany M,Ferguson, Kelly,FernandezPellon, Suzanne A,Fillyaw, Shanita,Fishman-Strait, Samuel,Fleming, Kasey,Floyd, Colleen,Foronda, Cecilia,Fowlkes, Krystal M,Freeman, Megan A,Freeman, Sarah E,Gallais, Nicole C,Gallup, Hannah,Gawne, Heidi C,Gearhart, Michelle,Gehrke, Jeffrey,Giorango, Lauren,Golemes, Lindsay K,Gonzalez, Christina,Goulding, Stephanie,Graber, Mary C,Grant, Nicole E,Gray, Julia,Grogan, Marjorie,Guerrier, Anne Marie,Hall, Carley E,Hanna, Lisa,Harris, Gina,Harvey, Lawrence,Heide, Lindsay,Heide, Nora,Heidloff, Savannah L,Herron, Katie,Hiatt, Clare,Hill, Elizabeth Mae,Hoak, Rosa,Hoerner, Riley,Holmes, Gerald L,Hoskins, Steven,Hosler, Chelsea R,Hwang, Jordan,Jaramillo, Aaron,Jirka, Heidi Marie,Jones, Jennifer M,Jones, Kimberly G,Kadlec, Christian R,Kearns, Colleen,Keuler, Kathryn R,Kiefer, Elizabeth,Kiferbaum, Rachel S,Kilrea, Timothy B,Kiska, Lindsey M,Konovsky, Betsy,Kramer, Sally E,Kula, McKenzie E,Kula, Taylor,Kurilko, Catherine A,Lagioia, Vito A,Law, Tyronda L,Lee, Miles C,Leiby, Casey,Logan, Jennifer,Lopez, Brent,Luhrs, Meagan R,Lukehart, Jason,Maggio, Sabrina K,Malina, Victoria A,Mandelbaum, Sabrina G,Masters, Molly J,McKinney, Wesley,Meehan, Erin E,Meilinger, Rebecca J,Mellman, Sarah,Meredith, Catherine G,Merriweather, George T,Milliern, Jennifer,Mohammad, Marta,Moody, Kiera C,Moss, Charlee,Munoz, Karla L,Murphy, Amanda,Narvaez, Carissa,Niedospial, Laurel A,Niewald, Elizabeth A,Nikolakakis, Caroline A,Ninan, Jincy,Nowaczyk, Steven R,O’Brien, John P,Orrico, Jennifer A,Pabellon, Meaghan E,Park, Hallie,Park, Shirley,Pastuovic, Jacqueline,Patino, Margaret,Perkins, Steven D,Perry, Courtney M,Planek, Anne M,Plumley, Sada J,PowellStewart, Keisha M,Quinones, Nelida,Raad, Jason,Raad, Kelly A,Ranney, Shabaaz R,Rhoades, Jennifer S,Richards, Jennifer H,Ricker, George,Rodriguez, Juan,Rodriguez, Tasia,Rojas, Lauren Kate, Russ, Jennifer, Rutsch, Natalie

E, Ryan, Alyssa R,Ryan, Sean,Saliny, Shannon, Sassetti, Robert F, Sbarboro, Francesca, Scanlon, Luke, Schmidt, Joshua, Schmitt, Margo L, Schrag, Allison, Schubow, Veronica S, Schulte, Patrick E, Scott, Dominique, Sefcik, Brooke A, Siddiqi, Lamia F, Simatic, Charles M, Small, Stephanie D,Smith, Esther, Smith, Stephanie S, Sorensen, Michael, Spillane, Karri L, Stenger, Julia, Stigger, Nichelle, Stringham, Nefret H, Suerth, Stephanie, Swistowicz, Phillip, Tacchi, Amber, Taino, Meghan J, Talarico, Mark,Tatro, Hannah,Taylor, Bianca, Tencate, Therese, Thomas, Erika T, Thomas, Gretchen, Torres, Rebecca, Tsaganos, Georgia, Turner, Katelyn, Tyler, Courtney M, Tysse, Kate M, Utter, Rory K, Valle, Kelly M, Vella, Megan, Villa, John, Von Bokern, Mandra, Wawzenek, David C, Weber, Rachel, Weck, Madonna N, Wehman, Christine S, Weigel, Theresa, Wetzel, Christine E, Wheatley, Rachel A, Williams, Mohogany Q, Williams, Nina, Wilson, Megan, Winchell, Jamie L, Winkelhake, Hilary Ann, Wittenborn, Michael, Woodson, Erin P, Youman, Lisa M ,Zand, Noah, Zaragoza, Silvia, Zarosl, Jennifer L, Zubinski, Peter J Salary Range: $90,000 and over Alejos, Katy J, Alheim, Mary E, Ali, Hussain, Anderson, Michelle, Andries, Paula, Apostol, Emmanuel, Arensdorff, Michael, Ashford, Kristine, Bachmann, Eric, Bagri, Juliana, Baker, Amy, Baker, Caroline, Baker, Seth, Baldassarre, Jennifer R, Banks, Renita, Barnard, James, Bauman, Natalie, Bautista, Adam P, Beader, Kimberly, Bell-Bey, Kila, Berger, Colleen M, Berger, Kevin E, Berkeley, Rachel-Lee K, Berman, Abigayle B, Borah, Cynthia, Boudreau, Hannah C, Boyle, Malachy J, Brazen, Donna J, Brooks, Clare, Brown, Kina L, Brown, Lauren S, Browning, Jennifer, Bruno, Molly, Buckley, Jennifer A, Budde, Leslie, Bulger, Mark J, Burries, Catina, Byrnes, Julie, Cahill, Mary M, Cairns, Katherine, Campbell, Natalie, Capuder, April, Carr, Chemaine L, Carrillo, Fernando, Casanovas, Joseph, Casselle, Rahwa, Chase Vivas, Elizabeth, Childress, Erica, Childress, Marvin, Chinn, Amy, Christian, Jeremy, Chrystall, Linda, Ciosek, Anne, Circo, Carla J, Clark, Nicole, Coglianese, Steven, Colella, Jessica A, Collins, Monica, Colmenero, Maria Elvira, Conley, Laurie Ann, Conway, Elizabeth A, Corcoran, Ellen, Costanzo, Danielle N, Court, Adrienne Lynn, Creehan, Emilie, Cruz, Michael Christian, Darley, Anne E, Dean, Katherine, Decancq, Nicole M, Degman, Kiera, Delia, Caroline, DeSanto, Jordan, Dinatale, Jacqueline, Dolan, Emilie C, Dolan, Michael James, Dombek, Jill, Domecq, Juan, Dorka, Meghan J, Doyle, Carolyn, Dunn, Julieann, Egner, Katherine K, Eichstaedt, Douglas, Featherstone, Jeffrey R, Feierberg, Patricia, Fenske, Emily F, Fenske, Jessie, Flynn, Nora Katherine, Fogg, Karen E, Foleno, Karen, Fourman, Grace, Fox, Kaitlyn E, Friel, Juliette, Friesen, Judy, Gaffney, Pam A, Garcia, Felicia, Gates, Ryan, Germanier, Janette M, Gibson, Shantorria, Gillespie, Michael, Glover-Rogers, Donna, Gonsur, Steve R, Goodman, Megan C, Gordon, Ryan T, Grimaldi, Hilary K, Groben, Patricia L, Guarino, Nancy, Gunnell, Sharon L, Hamm, Tracy J, Hancock, Joshua, Haro, Sari, Harrington, Christiana, Harris, Faith M, Hart, Deanna, Haus, Darren, Hausfeld, Mark, Hayward, James M, Hoehne, Nancy R, Hoover, Stephanie, Hoskins, Monique, Hughes, Paula R, Ivey, Marion, Jacoby, Rocio R, Jamrosz, Christine M, Janu-Chossek, Lori, Jaros, Jennifer A, Jaskiewicz-Garcia,

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

continued from previous page Salary Range: $90,000 and over

Margaret, Jefferson, Amy R, Jenkins, Alicia, Jensen, Bess A, Jerkatis, Aaron, Johnson Thompson, Arnetta, Johnson, Evette F, Kamm, Carrie, Kanavos, Stacey, Kannan, Ashley A, Kanwischer, Thomas, Karia, Anjali Asokan, Kaunelis, Lauren, Kelly, Kathleen H, Kelly, Mary E, Kemper, Susan, Keto, Erica, Kibblesmith, Rachel E, King, Julianne, Kinnaman, Anna P, Klein, Stacie, Klette, Katharine, Knox, Catherine M, Kontos, Elena, Koransky, Tamara, Kraft, Darren, L’heureux, Jean M, Lacey, Beth, Lahucik, Ann M, Lawrence, Tawanda, Leban, Todd, Lee, William, Lofton, Eboney L, Louthan, Sarah, Love, Angelica, Lyles, Sherita, Mabry, Amber Dawn, Maciak, Matthew, Madsen, Susan M, Maher, Jacqueline P, Manns, Yolanda, Manuel, Melissa, Mariani, Amy D, Marinelarena, Liza, Martin, Angela B, Martinez, Blanca Noemi, McCauley, John, McComb-Williams, Chasity, McDaniels, Danielle, McDonald, Timothy, McDowell, John W, McGlynn, William J, McKeand, Lauren M, McKinney, Carin C, Meglan, Laura, Meierhoff, Molly Anne, Meisinger, Rebecca, Mendez, Sarah D, Middleton, Donna, Milburn, Jessica, Miller, Karolyn, Missman, Jeffrey, Moore, Sarah D, Morrell, Jason, Mulsoff, Beth, Mura, Susan M, Murawski, Nathan, Murray, Kristiana C, Naber, Scott, Nagano, Virginia, Narvaez, Delfidio J, Nelson, Allison, Nelson, Jennifer, Nelson, Sondra, Neubert, Ulrike, Noonan, Katie M, O’Keefe, Kathleen M, Olsen, Jennifer J, Olson, Lauren E, Olson, Steven, Otten, Deanna, Packer, Paul E, Pacyna, Jill, Parkinson, Betsy, Parr, Noelle J, Pasquinelli Cardelli, Roxane Marie, Patterson, Elisabeth, Pearson, Lisa, Pelling, Lori E, Pepp, Rebecca, Perez, Becky, Peronto, Aniela, Perros, Sarah, Peterson, Jamie A, Pettenuzzo, Marissa Grace, Pines, Nicole L, Podlasek, Eric, Polega, Shannon E, Poleski, Margaret, Polley, Martha B, Pros, Christopher R, Pruitt, Cristina Eve, Pryor, Nicole L, Quickery, Katherine, Raia, Jennifer, Rajashekar, Veena, Rapoport, Carolyn, Reeves, Laura A, Rehfield, Marianne E, Reising, Thomas, Rigali, Megan B, Righeimer, Andrew, Robertson, Stacey, Robey, Seth, Robinson, Patrick C, Robinzine, Lauren M, Rocco, Thomas, Rollo, Richard H, Roman, Edgar, Romine, Corynne, Rosenblum, Gabrielle, Roskos, Meagan K, Rudin, Lisa, Ruff, Michaela, RuizHaneberg, Maria, Ruzicka-Stout, Monica T, Ryan, Sideeka, Sakellaris, Kara, Sakellaris, Nicholas J, Saliny, Lauren, Santos, Bessie, Scahill, Rebecca Marie, Scaro, Leanne, Schrems, Sheila Vietzen, Seymour, Andrew, Shah, Ushma, Shannon, Ericka, Sheth, Jane Sabatino, Shinners, Brian K, Sigunick, Julie, Simmons, Kendra L, Smith, Elyse, Smith, Lindsay, Southward, Courtney, Stamp, Laura K, Starks, Felicia, Stewart, Megan, Suedbeck, Michele M, Sullivan, Cheryl C, Sundquist, Kristen E, Swanson, Mary, Tague, Emily, Tangorra, Michael, Thomas, Stephanie G, Tomalis, Deborah L, Trathen, Kathryn S, Tresselt, Susan, Trout, Lauren B, Tucker, Miranda, Turi, Stella, Vietzen, Elizabeth, Villasin, Katherine, Vincenti, Lawrence, Vogt, Amy, Walsh, Susan, Walsh, Timothy, Weiss, Leslie E, Welchko, Christina R, White, Veronica, Wilhite, Jill, Williams, David, Williams, Emile, Williams, Jillian, Williams, Rasheedah, Williams, Sarah C, Wilson, Cynthia, Winchell, Ryan, Winfield, Porsche, Withers, Richard, Witz, Jeanne, Wiza, Noah P, Woods, Emily J, Yocius, Mary E, Youngberg, Michael, Youngberg, Rachel D, Zander, James, Zelaya, Christine GROSS PAYMENT FOR NON-CERTIFIED PERSONNEL Salary Range: Less Than $25,000 Abernethy, Samantha, Acuna, Veronica, Agha, Fatima, Aguilar, Evelyn, Aguirre, Hector A , Alexander, Jolynn L , Allen, Roderick J , Askew, Jarelle, Ates, Shadeane L , Avila, Stephanie, Backeberg, Briquelle I , Baiardo, Beth, Baker-Mills, Shetrice, Barnes, Elizabeth, Battle, Tkeyah, Battles, Youvette, Beauprez, Lynne R , Benjamin, Terese S , Berg, Carolyn, Best, Laura B , Bishop, Marc, Bochner, Michael, Brown, Latasha R , Brown, Teresa, Bulls, Jennifer A , Bunch, Janice R , Burger, Jacqueline, Burns, Ruth, Byrne, Lucienne, Caldwell, Angela, Calloway, Lawrence, Campbell, Betty J , Carter, Lashondra L , Cascio, Amy, Casho, Gloria E , Catrambone, Evaleen, Catrambone, Lavin, Chaidez, Consuelo, Charkow, Sophia, Christian, Ruby, Ciosek, Mark, Coaker, Lloyd, Cofield, Antoinette, Cole, Toyya, Coleman, Evelyn J , Colucci, Philip R , Conley, Denise, Conner, Sharon R , Covarrubias, Teegan M , Craig, Ashley, Cribbs, Keisha N , Daly, Jessica, Damian, Geralyn A , Daun, Gina, Del Valle, Kayla N , Denis, Kevin J , Dixon, Jenyra, Donald, Brenda J , Doss-Kuk, Lauren K , Driscoll, Christine, Dunn, Diane, Dunn, Jeanette D , Durham, Alexandra, Eaton, Fallon, Edwards, Ryan J , Ellison, Ansantheca, Endres, Anne M , Enloe, Sarah M , Enos, Barbara, Ester, Jennifer, Falbo, Patrick, Fernandez, Jasslin, Forestal, Kathryn, Fox Dever, Candice M , Freeman, Florine, Frey, Claudia D , Frost, Gail, Fuentes, Gabriela, Fuller, Donna, Fussichen, Anne, Garcia, Karina, Garcia, Valeria, Gilbert, Morgan, Godek, Diane M , Goldberg, Joseph A , Grgic, Daniel R , Griffith, Rachel, Grillo, Natalie M , Hanson, Theresa, Harris, Dejon, Healy, Spirit J , Herlehy, Mary, Hernandez, Alejandro, Hernandez, Luis A , Hervatin, Katya, Higgs, Larry J , Hildebrand, Katharine A , Hobbs, Mildred, Holmes, Avery, Holmes, Joanne, Holmes, Kennyetta, Horner, Stephanie A , Horton, Deidra R , Hurlburt, Teddy, Hurst, Latrina M , Husband, Kywanni, Husbands, Addie,

Inksetter, Julia D , Irons, Jonetta S , Iversen, Ingrid L , Jenkins, Tiffany, Jennings, Regina, Johnson, Dominique, Jolicouer, Claire, Jones, Alice, Jones, Diamond T , Jones, Esther, Jones, Jabari T , Jones, Venus R , Jones-Thomas, Gloria J , Jordan, Jeanette, Judon, Gina D , Kane, Laurie A , Keefe, Saosophy, Kokoszka, Martin R , Kolevski, Bojan, Kowalczyk, Patricia, Kubista, Alicia, Lauritsen, Gianna, Levin, Cindy L , Lewis, Shelly, Lewis, Yolanda, Liebman, Gale, Little, Raina A , Lococo, Frank S , Lofton, Alverdis, Lofton, Katherine, Logerquist, Kristin, Lonzo, Lavonia, Lopez, Aura, Loud, Janice, Lubinus, Mary, Lucas, Micaela A , Lyman, Sophia, Lyon, Vanesa P , Madison, Omar H , Madock, Richard E , Magura, Loriann, Marban, Noe, Marin-Levy, Alma T , Martin, Paul Elliot , Mason, Dontacia, Maughn, Andene, Maxfield, Sarah, Mccauley, Justin S , Mcchristion, Tayna, McClellan, Brittney, McCollough, Laura A , McCreary, Kelly, McDonnell, Anne K , McFarlin, Suzanne, Mcfee, Dominique C , McGee, Daniel, McGowan, Magali B , McGowan-Burns, Molly, McGrone, Ashley, McKinney, Debra, McMullen, Adrienne, Melesio, Michael, Michels, Lisa, Miller, Olivia, Mims, Candi, Miranda, Gabriela, Missman, Samuel T , Moczarney, Cynthia L , Moore, Michelle A , Morrison, Robert, Muhammad, Nadiah, Murphy, Kristine, Nanney, Luke B , Nelson, Valerie, Nikola-Lisa, Larissa, Noble, Biename, Nowinski, Alissa K , Nu-Tall, Kimberly, Ollison, Shequita D , Olson, James A , Onuorah, Christian, Patino Builes, Maryann, Paul, Libbey A , Pawlicki, Michael, Peek, Dawn L , Peery, Frederick, Poplett, James, Potterveld, Elizabeth I , Powers, Ivone, Priceman, Kathleen, Province, Linda M , Pryor, Ayhesha J , Puckett, Paris, Puntillo, Megan, Qing, Colleen M , Rafiei, Damon C , Rath, Roxanne, Ray, Tiffany, Richardson, Tiesha, Riordan, Maeve, Rist, Bradley, Robert, Lori, Roberts, Jessica, Robinson, Deborah, Robinson, Taniya L , Robinson, Tennena M , Robinson, Tiffany, Rodriguez, Luis A. , Rosito, Amanda, Ross, Shannon, Rowe, Ruth A , Ruotsi, Kathryn, Rzucidlo, Beata, Saia, Bonnie Lynn , Sandoval, Karen N , Scaro, Tyler J , Schroeder, Jodie, Sell, Catalina, Semonian, Brian, Shah, Lorie, Sisk, Donna K , Sisk, Kathryn, Slater, Jalen T , Smith, DaJanel, Snydacker, Cynthia, Sordilla, Linda, Spring, Paula Tousignant , Stackhouse, Valencia, Sterrett, Emily, Stevens, Leslie, Stewart, Curtis J , Stewart, Dorothy L , Stewart, Roseanne, Stokes, Megan, Svehla, Teri, Tamondong, Deborah, Tedesso, Anthony J , Tejam, Naddie May, Tencate, Emma, Thomas, Gloria D , Thornton, Miavria, Tillman, James E , Topps, Lorraine, True, Bryce, Tucker, Lashonda, Turek, John, Turnbull, Amanda, Turner, Carla A , Turner, Saronda, Umunna, Ben-Paul, Vargas Gonzalez, Karla, Vitale, Deborah M , Wallner, Jacqueline, Ward, Jada T , Waterman, Griffin E , Weber, Jeffry J , Weber, Sandra J , Weber, Shailee, Weigel, Donna, Wells, Raquel F , White, Angela R , Wilkerson, Raven, Williams, Cheryl, Williams, Jennifer B , Williams, Patricia, Williams, Philip S , Williamson, Melony, Wilson, Edwin, Wilson, Yolanda R , Wood, Pinyala, Woodberry, Cynthia D , Woods, Maryann, Woods, Pamela, Word, Felicia, York, Alyssa, Yu, Sara, Zielinski, Christine Salary Range: $25,000 - $39,999 Abuhadid, Julie A, Aguirre, Victor, Alejos, Darren, Alejos, Desi, Allen, Siatta, Allgood, Kimberley, Alvarado, Evelyn, Ancieta, Victor F, Anderson, Deja P, Anderson, Essence, Andrade, Pedro V, Antonacci, Penelope, Azuma, Suzanne, Bandara, Buddhini, Banks, Tyra, Bannon, Eleanor, Barney, Kristen M, Bassett-Dilley, Mariannell E, Bell, Cheaney, Berryhill, Kendra M, Blackney, Sabrina, Blanchard, Tanaya D, Brooker, Sarah, Brophy, Niamh C, Brown, Kristina, Burger, Barbara T, Chalmers, Kedrick C, Chamblis, Jeanette, Charles, Marcus, Colbert, Minerva, Cordoba Casas, Azahara M, Cowart, Jeff, Craig, Lucas J, Cross, Tanisha, Cuplinskas, Asta K, Daniels, LaDonna, Davis, Olga, Davis, Tracy, Egeberg, Nenita, Eraci-Sullivan, Mary Pat, Ficca, Connor, Fields, Jade, Fleischman, Nina, Flemming, Ashley R, Foote, Robert M, Fountain, Erin, Fountain, Miles A, Frazier, Antoinette, Freiburg, Michele E, Friel, Kelsey L, Fromm, Maribeth, Fuenmayor, Elizabeth, Fuller, Connor, Fuller, Sarah, Gallagher, Emily, Galvan, Isaac, Garcia, Mercedes, Gardea, Ariel, Gary, Alexander T, Gibson, Sparkle N, Gillard, Conar J, Godwin, Melissa L, Gomez, Patricia G, Hampton, Candice, Hanson, Kerry, Harris, Yolanda, Hasso, Crystal, Haussmann, Sharon, Hawk, Amy, Heflin, Margaret J, Henry, Cassandra M, Hernandez, Noreen, Howard, Robert W, Howe, Misty M, Hurtado, Scarlett S, Hykes, Algerita, Ivery, Jordan, Ivy, Michelle, Jackson, Samyra, Jackson, Stacey, Johnson, Alayna M, Johnson, Danetria A, Johnson, Richard E, Jones, Brittany, Knox, Christine A, Leahy, Erin, Lee, Jabriah L, Lemus, Emilio, Leonard, Andrew B, Lewis, Imani, Lindsey, Ashley, Martinez, Brenda A, McCarthy, Mary, McDermott, Jennifer A, McDonald, Maureen, McNamee, Steven, Mctizic, Juahana, Medina, Gabriela N, Melickian, Benjamin C, Mendez, Nicole C, Meza, Cristina, Mobley, Bronwyn L, Moczarney, Natalie, Moore, Coretta, Murray, Bernard, Myles, Shawntale, Obidi, Siania, Orr, Ramona E, Ortiz, Maribel, Parker, Joyce K, Petrosino, Maribeth, Pohlman, Lenora K, Posey, Jemise, Potempa, Jessica, Powell, Shanta M, Preston, Donald, Pride, Neelam, Primak, Sherri L, Pusateri, DeBorah L, Raad, Mary V, Redmond, Bridget, Rennick, Rebecca, Rice, Luchina, Rios, David J, Roberson, Sonjee, Robert, Soundara, Sakamoto, Molly,

Salazar, Ashley E, Salinas, Alejandra, Sanders, Leshonda D, Sappington, Anise, Schoedel, Thomas H, Schulz, Tammy J, Scianna, Julie, Scott, Juanita, Serjanaj, Redjana, Sikora Richardson, Nickoll, Skocen, Vera, Smith, Mary, Smith, Monica, Sotelo, Magdalena, Space, Phyllis D, Stanton, Barbara, Stebbing, Kottie, Suhs, Todd, Swiontoniowski, Andrew, Thigpen, Tanya, Thomas, Darryl E, Trbonja, Hata, Tyner, Jennifer A, VanDerhei, Diane, Vercnocke, Kayleigh, Villasin, Rene A, Waddell, Lurene B, Walker, Lakeitha, Watt, Alexia, Weible, Raymond, Welch, Ebony A, Wells, David, Williams, Russell, Woods, Tamel, Zinger, Noah J Salary Range: $40,000 - $59,999 Aguirre, Arselia, Allen, Veronica D, Ames, Darron, Aviles, Dana, Bacalzo, Derek, Bailey, Desiree B, Banks-Holmes, Angela R, Barrientos, Randy, Bell, Alexandria, Bell, April,Berry, Korea, Boone, Howard, Bowman, Larrissa, Butler, Earl, Carmack, Brenda, Carter, Vashti, Cecil, Melissa, Clago, Jacob, Claire, Michael T, Cook, Christopher O, Cooper, Linda, Cooper, Maya R, Curington, Dwayne C, Duhem, Meribeth M, Eble, Julie A, Fiorito, Carlo J, Frazier, Nichole, Friley, Jeanette, Garcia, Rodolfo Jr, Gray, Robert, Hansen, Bruce, Harlan, Anna, Hernandez, Angel, Hernandez, Bryan, Hernandez, Mateo, Hoak, Grace N , Husbands, Jennifer, Johannesson, Lucille, Johnson, Lakresha, Jones, Brandi D, Jones, Marie, Kaplan, Jessica, Keller, Edward, King, Janet, Krikau, Lori, Kvam, Karen, Latimer, Autesha, Lealiou, Madelyn, Lee, Tamiko M , Liddell, Chante J, Mack, Amanda, Mandeville, William K, Marcinowski, Karol S, Marshall, Cory A, McGee, Anitra, McGrew, Jamarius, Miller, Venus, Monarrez, Manuel, Munoz, Kassandra E, Murry, Samonica, Nichols, Yulonda, Nwoko, Mercy, Orlin, Randi M, Perkins, Jamari, Plummer, Samara M, Powell, Otis, Reckamp, Matthew, Roskopf, Lee Ann C, Smith, Tywone, Spilotros, Santino, Tran, Jason, Vercnocke, Susanne, Washington, Markist L, Washington, Patricia, Wilberg, Matthew, Woods, Deanna Salary Range: $60,000 and over Bald, Rebecca, Banks, Angel, Billups, Swanson L, Boose, Lonya, Brackett, William, Burch, Brandon S, Calvin, Anne E, Chaidez, Clemente, Champ, LaToya, Colaner, Anna C, Crocilla Jr, James Joseph, Davis, John, Delgado, Mayra, Deloera, Salvador, Dipaolo, Frank C, Dortch, Gilbert, Dove, Marjory, Duda, Paul, Duran, Daniel, Edwards, Tulicia L, Ellis, Carla Denise, Eubanks, Darryl A, Ferguson, John, Francis, Christopher, Fried, Rebeka, Garcia, Rodolfo Sr, Hackett, James J, Hairston, Bruce J, Hernandez, Eduardo, Hernandez, Felix, Hill, David L, Howard, Bernard, Ibanez, Sandy, Jackson, Echelon L, Johnson, Etta, Johnson, Michael, Kane, Charles, Kasper, Anthony, Keane, Jeanne, King, Patrick D, Kostoff, Christopher Warren, Landfair, Gina R, Larocca, Daniel T, Lenzo, Sheri C, Lottie, Michelle N, Lowry, Joanne, Martin, Alice, Martinez, Eduardo, McKay, Samuel G, Morgan, Catherine M, Murphy, Matthew, O’Malley, Margaret M, Ordaz, Rosa, Paolinelli, Gina, Perez, Martha, Plaza, David, Reardon, Keith, Reed, Tiphany N, Reynolds, Tina, Schwab, Susan, Siegfried, Amanda, Tabar, Aurore M, Taylor, Debra, Taylor, Rodney, Tomczynski, Adam L, White, David PAYMENTS OVER $2,500, EXCLUDING WAGES AND SALARIES A T & T_9 $26,601.15, ACACIA ACADEMY-THE ACHIEVEMENT CNTRS.INC $10,064.40, ACCURATE OFFICE SUPPLY $14,722.16, Achieve3000 $7,450.00, ACTION FENCE CONTRACTORS, INC. $42,495.00, ADAFRUIT INDUSTRIES, LLC $9,975.00, Adam Browne $2,500.00, Adlai E. Stevenson High School $6,547,431.94, AFFILIATED CUSTOMER SERVICE, INC. $66,611.16, AGILE SPORTS TECHNOLOGIES $8,000.00, AH TECHNOLOGY, INC. $62,252.50, AIR CLEANING SPECIALISTS $15,629.50, Air Comfort, LLC $60,754.93, ALARM DETECTION SYSTEMS INC. $30,927.90, ALEN $3,364.20, ALLYSSA O’DONNELL $2,600.00, AMALGAMATED BANK OF CHICAGO $4,087,275.00, AMAZON.COM SERVICES, INC $224,831.35, AMERICAN OUTLETS, INC. $2,862.86, AMPLIFY EDUCATION $241,614.80, AN EXECUTIVE DECISION $22,918.12, ANAYA AND SONS FENCE CO $11,850.00, Anchor Mechanical $448,200.00, Ancieta, Victor F $3,840.00, ANDERSON LOCK $3,037.75, ANDERSON PEST SOLUTIONS $12,918.96, Andy Frain Services, Inc. $374,453.68, ANN & ROBERT H. LURIE CHILDREN’S HOSPITA $4,215.00, ANTARCTIC MECHANICAL SERVICE, INC $26,656.95, APPLE COMPUTER INC $751,389.00, APPLE FINANCIAL SERVICES $185,485.96, ARES SPORTSWEAR $2,664.45, ARGUMENT DRIVEN INQUIRY LLC $14,821.47, Ariana sugay $2,613.00, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY $4,100.00, ARLINGTON GLASS & MIRROR $29,440.00, ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER RMS, INC. $10,000.00, Ashton Gallagher $10,000.00, Association for Facilities Engineering $11,175.00, ASSURED HEALTHCARE STAFFING $28,562.18, AT&T Mobility II LLC $5,812.65, AT&T Southwestern Bell Telephone Company $8,651.37, AURELIO CONSTRUCTION CO. $303,690.00, AUSTIN MUSIC CENTER $8,127.65, B.C. BODYCRAFT INC. $4,905.65, BAKER TILLY US, LLP $71,000.00, BalfourCommemorative Brands $17,646.45, Bassett-Dilley, Mariannell E $3,546.80, BATTERIES PLUS, LLC $9,027.88, BEC EQUIPMENT LLC $246,222.40, BEC SERVICE LLC $5,600.00, BENJAMIN BONICK $2,653.00,

BEVERLY ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC $54,198.84, BHFX DIGITAL IMAGING $3,102.00, BLICK ART MATERIALS $28,418.97, Blue Chip Athletic $3,119.01, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF IL $489,024.11, BMO MASTERCARD MC CORP CLIENTS PAYMENT C $471,539.39, BOARD OF EDUCATION DIST #97 $513,090.00, BOB ROGERS TRAVEL $8,133.34, BOB’S DAIRY SERVICE $123,230.45, BRAINPOP, LLC $10,554.63, Breathe For Change, Inc. $3,580.00, Brecht’’s Database Solutions, Inc. $28,830.00, BREEZIN THRU, INC. $4,901.51, Brickworks Supply LLC $6,499.46, BRIGHT ARROW TECHNOLOGIES, INC. $7,655.85, Brightly $17,350.10, BRITTEN SCHOOL $62,600.68, BULK BOOK STORE $63,745.71, BULLEY & ANDREWS $6,756,624.48, BUREAU OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, I $15,025.00, BURGESS CAMERON $4,425.00, BUSINESSSOLVER.COM, INC. $4,516.23, Camp Tecumseh YMCA $2,840.00, CANDOR HEALTH EDUCATION $21,553.00, CANON BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC. $96,569.27, CANON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. $82,470.00, CARDINAL COLOR GROUP $8,108.00, Carl Mankert dba Chicago Kiln Service $6,818.50, CAROLINA BIOLOGICAL SUPPLY CO $15,868.70, CARON RACHEL $2,800.00, Casimer Badynee $5,576.50, CAST, INC. $112,646.00, CDW CORPORATION $144,455.25, CENGAGE LEARNING, INC. $9,506.21, Center for Comprehensive Neurobehavioral $4,200.00, CENTRAL RESTAURANT PRODUCTS $4,143.50, CERAMIC SUPPLY CHICAGO, INC $4,177.00, Chaddock Attachment and Trauma Services $2,900.00, CHANGE ACADEMY LAKE OF THE OZARKS $98,574.23, CHERYL HARDING $45,568.23, CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA $2,872.00, Children’s Plus Inc $7,739.85, CHILD’S VOICE SCHOOL $57,596.12, Christine Zelaya $7,609.12, CINTAS CORPORATION $56,017.28, Citibank NA $3,902.00, CLARE WOODS ACADEMY $69,409.00, Clean Harbors Environmental Services $2,646.63, CLIC-ISDLAF PLUS $357,272.91, COMCAST BUSINESS $48,675.99, COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN $3,694.00, COMPASS HEALTH CENTER CHICAGO, LLC $7,857.50, COMPASS HEALTH OAKBROOK $9,695.00, Connect Academy $7,737.89, CONSOLIDATED FLOORING $16,141.58, CONSTELLATION NEWENERGY GAS DIVISION, LL $510,057.30, COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIAL E $201,723.66, COVE REMEDIATION $46,324.00, COVE SCHOOL $126,575.74, COVENANT HARBOR $23,933.20, Creative Culture Consulting, LLC $14,187.33, CRISIS PREVENTION INSTITUTE $18,069.75, CROWN CASTLE INC $9,685.82, CURRICULUM ASSOCIATES, LLC $36,386.50, CZUBA RACHEL $5,275.00, D.J. SWEENEY ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING, INC $175,904.00, DARQUE SYDE OF D’LYTE PRODUCTIONS, INC. $2,500.00, DAVIS KEITH $3,370.00, DAVIS TREE CARE & LANDSCAPING, INC. $8,200.00, DE LAGE LANDEN PUBLIC FINANCE $42,139.57, DE PAUL UNIVERSITY $114,402.96, DELTA EDUCATION INC $9,350.16, DEMCO, INC. $5,525.39, DESMOND FLYNN $4,794.25, DIANA CASTRO $6,990.00, DIDAX, INC. $2,768.35, DISCOUNT SCHOOL SUPPLY $6,369.33, DOMINICK SIGISMONDI $4,454.00, DOOR SYSTEMS $6,174.83, DREAMBOX LEARNING $5,488.00, DREISILKER ELECTRIC MOTORS INC $7,739.40, DUNES LEARNING CENTER $4,856.00, Dynamic Lynks, Inc $11,955.00, EARTHWISE ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. $25,105.48, ED-RED $3,350.00, EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT COOPERATIVE $11,492,825.37, EI US, LLC $3,900.67, ELANOR HUBER $3,651.00, Elizabeth Hercher $4,800.00, Ella UngarettiLevy $2,700.00, EMBASSY SUITES GALLERIA $18,515.20, EMMA SCULLES $7,600.00, Emma Tencate $4,800.00, ENCHANTED CASTLE $4,272.69, ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, INC. $3,150.00, ENOME, INC. $28,221.00, ESGI $22,260.00, Esperanza Community Services $73,710.00, EVERYDAY SPEECH LLC $2,783.90, EXPLORE LEARNING $10,585.00, FE MORAN, INC. $215,857.00, FOCUS ON KIDS TOO, INC. $7,000.00, FOLDING PARTITION SERVICES $23,636.50, FOLLETT SCHOOL SOLUTIONS, INC. $37,128.46, FORWARD SPACE, LLC $7,353.66, FOXHIRE, LLC $81,498.28, Francis Blackman $2,950.00, Frank Blackman $4,050.00, FRANK COONEY CO. INC $33,577.89, FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT TRUST $3,180.00, FRANK MARGOT $8,545.00, FRANKLIN COVEY $4,602.75, FREDRIKSEN FIRE EQUIPMENT $8,217.85, FRONTLINE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC $65,098.08, Full Source, LLC $2,985.00, GARAVENTA USA, INC. $4,427.99, GARVEY’S OFFICE SUPPLY $9,865.29, GATEWAY EDUCATION HOLDINGS, LLC $246,851.00, GEHRING KRISTIN $8,136.90, GEOCON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC $7,374.00, GIANT STEPS $77,448.00, GOPHER $10,984.02, GRAINGER $53,694.64, GREAT MINDS $4,014.84, GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA $4,569.00, GUIDING LIGHT ACADEMY $43,578.61, HAND LLC $9,999.00, Hand2Mind $3,611.60, HAPARA, INC. $9,405.00, Hausken, Mary $3,500.00, Hedstrom Language Resources $4,000.00, Heggerty $16,879.96, HEINEMANN $24,222.15, HEINLEIN SUPPLY CO $4,104.00, HEPHZIBAH $50,000.00, HERFF JONES, LLC $8,249.04, Holtz Educational Center $5,969.88, HOME DEPOT CREDIT SERVICES $29,656.84, HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT PUBLISHING CO $48,597.57, HYDE PARK DAY SCHOOL $182,963.45, I A S B $29,710.00, IAASE $3,550.00, IASA $3,199.00, IASSW $3,000.00,

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PAYMENTS OVER $2,500, | EXCLUDING WAGES AND SALARIES IDESIGN SOLUTIONS $108,103.84, ILLINOIS DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY $21,745.87, ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT FUND $10,977.05, ILLINOIS PRINCIPALS ASSOC. $4,674.75, ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION_864 $14,990.00, ILLINOIS STATE POLICE BUREAU OF IDENTIFI $43,976.25, Illinois Ultimate $5,100.00, Illuminate $19,525.00, Incident IQ $18,598.65, INFINITE CONNECTIONS, INC. $21,500.00, INNERSYNC STUDIO, LTD. $11,068.00, INSTRUCTURE, INC. $69,685.64, INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE ORGANIZATION $20,100.00, INTERPRENET, LTD. $7,084.16, INTERVIEWSTREAM $9,380.00, INTL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK $67,154.09, Isabella Noe $4,370.00, ISDLAF- School Employees Loss Fund $308,458.00, J W PEPPER & SON, INC. $7,765.74, J.T. KATRAKIS & ASSOCIATES, INC $7,900.00, JACOB & HEFNER ASSOCIATES $64,527.15, JAMF SOFTWARE, LLC $43,090.00, JCFS CHICAGO $16,586.90, JEANINE SCHULTZ SCHOOL $96,426.64, Jeremy Ramey $10,565.00, JJ SUPERIOR METAL $6,634.15, Jose M. Torres Group, LLC $10,000.00, JOSEPH ACADEMY MELROSE PARK $3,272.16, Joseph Dennis $4,400.00, JOSHUA PRISCHING $8,113.00, Juan Carlos Funes $10,535.00, JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD $2,510.02, JUNIOR THEATER GROUP $24,000.00, K12 INSIGHT LLC $10,506.00, KAGAN & GAINES MUSIC COMPANY $5,876.89, Katherine Whitley $3,000.00, Keely Umstot $16,132.00, Kevin W. Hay $4,100.00, KIRTLEY TECHNOLOGY CORP $3,850.00, K-LOG $11,535.72, KOMPAN, INC. $3,182.79, LAKESHORE CURRICULUM MATERIALS $8,250.65, Lakeshore Learning $8,339.57, Lakeshore Recycling System $53,786.64, Lakeside Consultants $5,425.00, LAKEVIEW BUS LINE $4,453,921.24, Language Dynamics Group LLC $3,922.86, LAUREATE DAY SCHOOL $5,825.20, LEARNING A-Z $2,998.91, LEARNING WITHOUT TEARS $26,969.75, LEARNPLATFORM, INC $9,676.81, LEO GONZALEZ $5,500.00, LEXIA LEARNING SYSTEMS $48,000.00, LOWE’S $3,876.72, M & K QUALITY TRUCK SALES $9,408.76, MACKIN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES $4,731.88, MAHONEY’S GRADUATION SERVICES $6,837.50, MARY BACA $16,200.00, Mary Trahey $2,740.05, Math Teachers Press, Inc $5,995.00, MAXIM STAFFING SOLUTIONS $130,584.95, MBA Marcia Brenner Associates $11,520.00, MBS IDENTIFICATION, INC. $3,040.00, MCGRAW HILL LLC $3,606.97, McMaster-Carr Supply Company $3,924.79, MealTime

$5,924.81, MECK PRINT $8,660.75, Megan Ablan $6,723.49, Meghan Fitzpatric $4,200.00, MENARDS $7,903.17, MENDOZA ASSOCIATES, LTD $6,615.00, MENTA ACADEMY HILLSIDE $19,171.06, METROPOLITAN PREPATORY SCHOOLS $163,536.25, MICHAEL REX BOOTH $18,589.91, Michael Wordly $4,700.00, MICHAELS UNIFORM COMPANY $13,854.18, MID AMERICAN ENERGY $828,507.52, MIDWEST COMPUTER PRODUCTS, INC. $45,514.25, MITCHELL SEROTA & ASSOCIATES $6,500.00, MOBYMAX $10,635.00, Mote Technologies $3,840.00, MULTI-HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. $5,551.25, MURNANE PAPER CO $28,852.00, MUSIC & ARTS $11,869.22, MUSIC SALES DIGITAL SERVICE $6,184.51, Nasco Education $5,421.40, NATIONAL BOARD RESOURCE CTR AT IL STATE $6,765.00, NATIONAL PRODUCTS & FACILITY SERVICES $37,510.00, NEARPOD $4,650.00, Nefret H Stringham $2,983.12, NEW HORIZON CENTER $61,096.92, NEWS-2-YOU $8,724.13, NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY BURSAR $5,048.16, NORTHWEST EVALUATION ASSOC. $76,465.00, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY % MASTER/ SCIENCE $3,400.00, NSBA $4,165.00, NSN EMPLOYER SERVICES, INC. $2,906.28, NUTOYS LEISURE PRODUCTS $11,151.69, Nygel Deville Robinson $3,000.00, OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP $23,715.00, OAK PARK BANQUETS INC. $6,571.00, OAKBROOK MECHANICAL SERVICES $285,533.40, OFFICE DEPOT $9,822.02, OLSSON ROOFING CO., INC. $21,127.75, Omega Sign & Lighting, Inc. $2,930.00, ONSHAPE $3,000.00, OPRF HIGH SCHOOL $62,708.90, OPRF HIGH SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE $587,158.33, OTIS Elevator Company $7,745.02, Pacific Northwest Publishing Inc. $10,500.00, Panorama Education $14,650.00, PARK DISTRICT OF OAK PARK $66,128.36, PARKLAND PREPARATORY ACADEMY $228,517.65, PEARSON $39,483.84, PENTEGRA SYSTEMS, LLC $20,050.71, PERFECT CUT PRODUCTIONS,LLC $8,075.00, PLS 3rd Leaning $2,695.00, POBLOCKI SIGN COMPANY, LLC $32,335.00, Polega, Shannon E $3,210.00, PORTER PIPE & SUPPLY $26,115.29, POWERSCHOOL GROUP, LLC $43,879.33, PRECISION CONTROL SYSTEMS INC. $9,146.57, PRESTIGE DISTRIBUTION, INC $3,500.00, PROCARE THERAPY $5,310.00, PROJECT LEAD THE WAY, INC. $4,340.00, QUADIENT FINANCE USA, INC. $9,227.43, QUADIENT LEASING USA, INC $15,358.08, Quadient, Inc. $2,730.59, QUALITY LIFT TRUCK SERVICE, INC. $3,725.56, QUILL

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36

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

SPORTS OPRF boys hoops gets off to fast start Young Huskies prevail over Lake Park in opener, Johnson scores 31

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Senior guard Max Johnson poured in 31 points to lead the Oak Park and River Forest High School boys basketball team to a season-opening 70-62 victory over Lake Park on Nov. 20 at the Wheaton Academy Thanksgiving Tournament.

Junior center Alex Vincent scored 12 and grabbed 12 rebounds, junior forward Alex Gossett had 11 points, junior forward Justin Bowen scored 9, and senior guard Joe Halper had 7 for the Huskies.

“We played better defense in the second half, carried by Max Johnson,” said OPRF coach Phil Gary. “Our four main guys showed their experience down the stretch.”

It was a good start for OPRF as it seeks to bounce back from a difficult 202223 season that saw the Huskies finish 9-19, including 3-9 in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division. Gary is optimistic about a turnaround this year.

“There are some things we need to get better at,” he said, “but the guys are working pretty hard. Defense has been our

main focus; if you can defend teams, you’ll always be in the game.”

Bowen and Johnson (14 points per game each last year), Gossett (8 ppg, 8 rebounds per game), and Vincent (9 ppg, 7 rpg) are not just returning starters, they’re also the only returnees. But Gary sees that as a positive.

“Anytime you have four of your main guys returning, that’s always helpful,” he said. “Offensive transition is a strength, but rebounding is a concern, and we can get better at flying around on defense.”

Another area where OPRF needs to improve is closing out tight games. Last season, nine of the Huskies’ losses came by fewer than five points, including six by three or less.

“Finishing games is a big priority,” Gary said. “Being a young team last year, we found out valuing the possession early in games matters. Not turning the ball over is key this season.”

OPRF’s top newcomers are Halper; sophomore guard Jerome Delaney; junior center Andre Stanton; and junior guards Dom Hale and Andrew Zhou.

“They’re getting better,” Gary said. “Andre is looking all of 6-10 and can fill in for [Vincent] when he’s tired. He’s coming along.”

The annual crosstown showdown with Fenwick in the Chicago Elite Classic at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Credit

STEVE JOHNSTON

OPRF’s Max Johnson (34) runs a drill during practice on Nov. 14.

One Arena on Dec. 1, along with the Pontiac Holiday Invitational, Dec. 27-29, are the highlights of OPRF’s schedule, which also includes non-conference games with north suburban powers Glenbrook South and New Trier.

Usually, the WSC Silver is wide open.

However, Downers Grove North, which finished fourth in the IHSA Class 4A tournament, is this year’s clear favorite.

“Everyone’s going to be gunning for them,” Gary said.

Gary, now in his fourth year, feels this season has the potential to be his best.

“My staff has a full two years under me and have helped set the foundation,” he said. “This year, we want to show improvement all around. We’re ahead of schedule right now in practice, looking to get better each day.”

The Huskies face DeKalb on Nov. 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the next round at Wheaton Academy, and conclude the tournament with games Nov. 24 and 25.

OPRF, Fenwick wrestling grapple with high hopes

By LAUREN RECCHIA Contributing Reporter

The OPRF and Fenwick wrestling teams are ready to make some noise in their respective conferences in the 2023-24 season.

For the Huskies (2-4 in the West Suburban conference last season), they will be re-

turning 10 wrestlers to their varsity team, including state qualifier from last season sophomore Zev Koransky (126 lb. weight class). Among the other returning grapplers are Senior Ruben Acevedo (113 lb./120 lb.), sophomore Aiden John Noyes (132 lb.), junior Joe Knackstedt (138 lb.), sophomore David Ogunsanya (150 lb.), seniors Isaac

Davies and Emmett Baker (165 lb.), junior Hugh Vanek (175 lb.), and juniors CJ Robinson and Eric Harris (215/285 lb.).

“We feel very confident about the team we have this year,” said Huskies head coach Paul Collins. “We have a lot of returning starters from a team that finished as an IHSA Regional Runner-up. We have a

great core of senior leaders fortified by talented and hard-working underclassman.

It will be great to get into the competition season to see where everyone is; the goal is to have everyone prepared for the IHSA Regionals in February.”

Freshman MJ Rundell (106 lb.), junior Gabe Rojas (113/120 lb.), sophomore Jeremi-

S P O R T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

37

New Fenwick boys basketball coach eager to begin Former girls assistant hopes to keep building momentum from last year

By MELVIN TATE Fenwick High School boys basketball finished 21-13 last season. They won an IHSA Class 3A regional for the second consecutive year, and dropped a close sectional final to St. Ignatius, which finished fourth in the state.

But the Friars suffered several unexpected setbacks during the offseason as head coach Tony Young stepped down and four players transferred out.

New head coach David Fergerson, who served as an assistant for last year’s girls team coached by his wife Lenae, wants to keep Fenwick’s momentum going forward.

“I honestly feel that people are overlooking us,” he said. “They look at the guys we lost, but I feel I have a good core returning.

Even though we lost Darshan [Thomas] (transferred to Marist), JT [Pettigrew] (Bolingbrook), and DJ [Porter] (Romeoville), their departures opened up opportunities for our returning guys. They’re hungry and ready to play, and I feel we’re going to be really good.”

Fenwick started the season on a high note, Nov. 20, with a 65-60 victory over Neuqua Valley in the Hoops 4 Healing Tournament at Oswego. Junior guard Ty Macariola had a team-high 19 points for the Friars.

Junior forward Nate Marshall, one of the state’s top football prospects, and junior guard Dominick Ducree each had 10 points, and junior Jimmy O’Brien added eight points.

“It was a nerve-wracking win,” Fergerson said. “The guys came through with some big plays at the end.”

Ducree, Marshall (All-Chicago Catholic

League Honorable Mention) and junior guard Kam Hogan are returning starters from last season, while Macariola and junior guard Caleb Burgins were significant contributors off the bench. Juniors Makai Mandley, Deonte Meeks, and Jack O’Leary also return.

Besides O’Brien, newcomers include freshmen Jake Thies and Jimmy Watts, sophomore Tommy Thies, juniors Frankie

Hosty and Timmy Woods, and senior Marek Hill.

“We’re just trying to stack good days together,” Fergerson said. “We’re still trying to learn each other, but things are going OK.” He likes the way the Friars have practiced and feels as if they’ve bought into him. Effort, he says, is a major tenet of his coaching philosophy.

“You have to be able to play hard,” he said.

“If you can do that, you should be fine.”

As is customary, the schedule does Fenwick no favors. The annual crosstown showdown with OPRF, Dec. 1, at Credit One Union Arena on the University of Illinois Chicago campus is always fiercely contested.

“We’re looking forward to that game,” Fergerson said. “The guys are going to be excited to play in a big-time college atmosphere.”

Fergerson also looks forward to the Friars’ first-ever appearance in the prestigious Jack Tosh Holiday Classic at York, Dec. 26-30.

“That tournament has some really good teams,” he said. “It’s going to be fun.”

The Catholic League is generally considered one of the area’s best conferences, and Fergerson appreciates that competition as well.

“There’s plenty of high-level basketball with good teams and good coaches,” he said. “I’m really excited and honored to be the coach at Fenwick. Traditionally, it’s been a good program, and to be here with this group of guys is a good situation for me.”

Fergerson believes it’s important for Fenwick to build upon the foundation Young developed. If the Friars keep stacking good days and continue to jell, he said, the record will take care of itself.

“We want to play a good brand of basketball and peak at the right time, which is the postseason,” Fergerson said. “I think we’re going to be solid.”

After facing Oswego Nov. 21 (after deadline), Fenwick will play Rockford Guilford on Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. and conclude the Hoops 4 tournament on Nov. 24.

ah Hernandez (144 lb.), and junior Ben Martin (190 lb.) will be joining the varsity team this year on their journey to win the always competitive West Suburban Conference “We are looking to compete for a conference and IHSA Regional championship,” Collins said. “I like the way our lineup is shaping up and the wrestlers are pushing themselves and each other each day.”

For the Friars, they will be coming off a seventh-place finish in the Chicago Catho-

lic League in Varsity last season, while the Frosh/Soph level finished second. They will be returning 10 Varsity members, including state qualifier from last season, junior Aiden Burns (157/165 lb.). Junior CJ Brown (120 lb), junior Max Kenny (144 lb.), junior Eiam Staples (150 lb.) and senior Luke Dalise (190 lb.) will also be helping the Friars along the way as they aim to win the Chicago Catholic League.

“There’s a lot of excitement with this

team,” said Friars head coach Seth Gamino. “The Fenwick wrestling program has made some great strides, and the team is ready to show it on the mat. Myself, all my great coaches and the team are excited.”

The Friars will be kicking off their season this weekend at the Brighton tournament. Some other key meets for them will be the Morton Holiday Classic, the CPS vs.

Catholic Schools Meet, and the two-day CCL Mega Quads.

“The team’s goal is simple,” Gamino said.

“Get better each day and go forward in a positive direction. The team has a shot at winning a team regional, something that we haven’t done since 2005. But that is a while away. We work hard and get better each day.

And have fun while doing it. Lots of fun.”

The Huskies and Friars will square off for the Village Cup, which was brought back last season after over a decade, on Jan. 13.

Contributing Reporter

CAROL DUNNING

Caleb Burgins (#4 in white) dribbles upcourt as teammate Ty Macariola (#21 in black) defends during Fenwick’s Midnight Madness event on Nov. 9. Both are among eight returnees for the Friars.

38 Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023 Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

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Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023 39

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There are other legal requirements.

You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.

Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin

PUBLIC NOTICES más advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte. ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

CASE NUMBER: (Número del Caso): 23VECV00177 The name ad address of the court is: (El nombre y direccion de la corte es): Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles, Northwest District Van Nuys Courthouse 6230 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91401 The name, address and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney or plaintiff without an attorney is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telfono del abogado el demandante, o demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Keith M. Davidson, Esq. (SBN212216) Tel: (323)658-5444 KMD Law 2629 Townsgate Road, Suite 205 Westlake Village, CA 91361 Date (Fecha): 3/20/2023 Clerk (Secretario): David W. Slayton, Executive Officer/ Clerk of Court

By Deputy (Adjunto): A. Salcdeo Published in Forest Park Review November 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for:

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for:

2024 REBUILD Illinois Street Improvement Program

Lemoyne Street Water Main Loop Installation (Various Locations)

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

In re the marriage of MARIA CONCEPCION MUNOZ, Petitioner and AGUSTIN CHINO PEREZ, Respondent, Case No. 2023D003396.

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 December 18, 2023, 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 November 15, 22, 29, 2023

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: Y23011198 on November 16, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of FULWELL 18 CONSULTING with the business located at: PO BOX 265 BROOKFIELD, IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JOHN MILLER, 3415 ARDEN AVENUE BROOKFIELD, IL 60513, USA.

This project includes the replacement of curb and gutter, sidewalk and driveway aprons, hot-mix asphalt surface removal, frame/lid adjustment, resurfacing, and other associated work.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at: Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: HMA Paving The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids.

Published in Wednesday Journal November 22, 2023

This project consists of the following major work items: installation of 900 feet of 8” ductile iron water main, valves, combination sewer open cut repair, drainage structures, temporary pavement & sidewalk rehabilitation and related items in the Village of River Forest. The work will be installed with open cut methods and directional drilling as Alternate Bid #1.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at: Village Hall, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time.

Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids.

Published in Wednesday Journal November 22, 2023

Published in RBLandmark November 22, 29, December 6, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY Request of BILLY MICHAEL SMITH Case Number 2023 CONC001645 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: BILLLY MICHAEL SMITH to the new name of: CASEY WILLIAM STEWART III The court date will be held: On January 25, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom.

Zoom Meeting ID: 91404109299 Passcode: 407193 Published in Wednesday Journal November 15, 22, 29, 2023

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice:

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF HENRYK KWEC, DECEASED, UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS AND LIENHOLDERS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF HENRYK KWEC, DECEASED, UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS AND LIENHOLDERS AGAINST THE UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF HENRYK KWEC, DECEASED, EWA GEBICKA, 640-44 LAKE STREET CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, DAMON RITENHOUSE, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF HENRYK KWEC, DECEASED Defendants 22 CH 11586 644 LAKE ST., APT. 1C OAK PARK, IL 60301 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 20, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 21, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: PARCEL 1: UNIT 1, ‘’C’’ IN THE 64044 LAKE STREET CONDOMINIUM AS DELINEATED ON A SURVEY OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE: LOT 11 IN C B SCOVILLE’S SUBDIVISION OF LOT 22, IN J W SCOVILLE’S SUBDIVISION OF THE WEST ¬Ω OF THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN WHICH SURVEY IS ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT ‘’A’’ TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM RECORDED AS DOCUMENT 25033782 TOGETHER WITH ITS UNDIVIDED PERCENTAGE INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS IN COOK COUNTY ILLINOIS. PARCEL 2: THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF PARKING SPACE NO. 5 A LIMITED COMMON ELEMENT AS DELINEATED ON THE SURVEY ATTACHED TO THE DECLARATION RECORDED AS DOCUMENT 25033782 IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Commonly known as 644 LAKE ST., APT. 1C, OAK PARK, IL 60301 Property Index No. 16-07-219-0281001 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $91,216.20.

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. 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 HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 601 E. William St., DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 4221719. Please refer to file number 1660117.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC 601 E. William St. DECATUR IL, 62523 217-422-1719 Fax #: 217-422-1754 E-Mail: CookPleadings@hsbattys. com Attorney File No. 1660117 Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 22 CH 11586 TJSC#: 43-3730 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 22 CH 11586 I3232820

40

Wednesday Journal, November 22, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

bairdwarner.com

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1114 Columbian Ave Oak Park | $899,000

Catherine Simon-Vobornik

809 Beloit Ave Forest Park | $780,000 Roman Lewis

529 S Harvey Ave Oak Park | $699,000 Michelle Galindo

810 N Oak Park Ave Oak Park | $575,000 Steve Scheuring

605 Home Ave Oak Park | $575,000 Bobbi Eastman

913 Wenonah Ave Oak Park | $540,000 Steve Scheuring

506 Forest Ave Oak Park | $525,000 Ann Kenney

Elmwood Park | $480,000

7815 W Westwood Dr

Cathy Yanda

255 South Blvd #4 Oak Park | $464,900 Patricia McGowan

1140 Highland Ave Oak Park | $459,000 Ann Keeney

175 W Burlington St Riverside | $439,000 Edwin Wald

513 Home Ave Oak Park | $399,900 Lindsey Collier

3813 Maple Ave Berwyn | $395,000 The Dita Group

631 N Laramie Ave Chicago | $370,000 Steve Green

5428 W Jackson Blvd Chicago | $355,000 Porchia Cooper

1707 N Lorel Ave Chicago | $300,000 Curtis Johnson

315 Wisconsin Ave 3S Oak Park | $289,900

5522 W Potomac Ave Chicago | $210,000 Tonette Scott

420 Home Ave 204N Oak Park | $200,000 Anne Schaeffer

802 N 3rd Ave Maywood | $195,000 Vicki Haas

Catherine Simon-Vobornik

Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest | 1037 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 | 708.697.5900 | oakpark.bairdwarner.com Source: BrokerMetrics® LLC, 1/1/2019 - 12/ 31/2019Detached and Attached only. Chicagoland PMSA

A Special Advertising Section

2023

Season of

Giving Your Local Guide to a Better World presented by

OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST

Community Foundation

OAK PARK

AUSTIN

RIVER FOREST

FOREST PARK

RIVERSIDE

NORTH RIVERSIDE

BROOKFIELD

B2 November 22, 2023

Season of Giving presented by

Special Advertising Section

Special Advertising Section

November 22, 2023 B3

Season of Giving presented by

Nonprofits and rapid response

I

n recent years as we begin work on our Season of Giving project it becomes clear that there are new or evolving storylines which demand our focus, as they have demanded the focus and the action of the nonprofits which are at the heart of this annual Growing Community Media project.

In the recent past our coverage has focused on issues of racial equity as the nation had what was naively billed as a “racial reckoning” following the murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis. Yes, eyes were opened some as it relates to race and public safety, equity and inequity.

After that many of our Season of Giving stories revolved around nonprofits working to pivot as COVID-19 had such massive impact on every life, every battle between safety and normalcy.

This year we are still reporting on the work of nonprofits to find their way back from COVID. But the story of this moment, and it turns up in three of our stories in this special

section, is about the care for migrants arriving in waves on the West Side of Chicago and now into the near west suburbs.

One story is about a nonprofit in Belmont Cragin which has spent more than a century welcoming and acclimating immigrant to our city. Two other stories reflect on the broader efforts by the West Cook YMCA and Housing Forward to grow their mission but also include the instant pivoting they are doing to help these new migrants from South America.

The challenges shift. The impulse to help, to welcome, to solve remains constant among the nonprofits which this section celebrates.

Thanks as always for the partnership of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation in this endeavor. And this year our thanks, too, for the sponsorship support of Byline Bank and the West Cook YMCA.

Dan Haley

Inside

Contributing Reporters Erez Ben-Akiva, Hector Cervantes, Lee Edwards, Jack Helbig, Tom Holmes

■

Nonprofit leaders Page B4 ■

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Onward Neighborhood House Page B7 ■

Arts groups Page B8 ■

YMCA Page B12 ■

Housing Forward Page B14 ■

Animal Care League Page B34

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Editor Erika Hobbs Publisher Dan Haley Special Projects Manager Susan Walker HOW TO REACH US 141 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Pak, IL 60302 Phone 708-524-8300 www.oakpark.com © 2023 Growing Community Media NFP.

Publisher Sponsored Content

L

Who helps the helpers?

ook for the helpers. That’s a line one often hears in times of emergency. It’s a reminder that in times of trouble, there are those who step in to help, in ways large and small. It’s also a reminder that the ones providing the most relief may not be doing it under a spotlight. They’re often working behind the scenes to make the world a better place.

Some organizations in the Season of Giving guide may be familiar, but don’t let familiarity fool you. These are all new organizations — because the challenges they are trying to address in the community are constantly changing, and they have to evolve in kind in order to provide the help that is needed today.

They need your support to continue to do this important work.

By TONY MARTINEZ, JR. President and CEO, Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is doing things differently, too. We are trying to be more effective and strategic in terms of how we grow and how we provide resources to organizations in the

West Cook region. One way is by relaunching Impact Excellence, our capacity building program for local nonprofits. The program offers guidance in mission development, human resources, infrastructure and other areas key to the growth and function of an organization.

We need to cultivate relationships with neighbors from different backgrounds and come together to help one another.

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation • 708-848-1560 • oprfcf.org

The problems we face can be solved if we work together as a community. We need to cultivate relationships with neighbors from different backgrounds and come together to help one another.

And we need to look for the helpers — and help them, too.

B4 November 22, 2023

Special Advertising Section

Season of Giving presented by

New nonprofit leaders face issues, opportunities Blending learning and making change is complicated

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

We reached out to three nonprofit leaders in new roles to talk about how they made their entry into important nonprofits.

V

L’ARCHE

icki Watts is new to her position as the development director for a nonprofit called L’Arche. Its Forest Park headquarters is located at the corner of Madison and Marengo.

She describes herself as “a 45-year-old who is an old school scrappy fundraiser.”

When she stepped into that role a few months ago big things were happening. For example, L’Arche, Forest Park, was wrapping up a $2 million capital campaign to build a fourth house for its clients in Oak Park.

L’Arche homes are “dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs and support networks where people who have intellectual disabilities and people without intellectual disabilities live muVICKI WATTS tual relationships and share the daily life, building community together.”

With construction of the additional home well underway on East Avenue in Oak Park, Watts said, “It’s an incredibly exciting time.

We’ll be in a position to welcome four new core members and our staff will grow, as will our financial needs.

Then there are the everyday expenses of maintaining the other homes. One of the nonprofit’s homes in Forest Park had galvanized pipes that needed to be replaced, and the organization was able to complete the costly project thanks in part to funds raised at their annual dinner event.

Regarding what lies ahead in terms of challenges, she said, “With three (soon to be four) homes and vehicles, there is always something that is reaching the end of its lifespan – and, just as it is for our personal homes, it’s

important to make sure the washer/dryer is working. My goal is to help grow our endowment fund so we have the needed resources for on-going maintenance needs.

As a licensed service provider, the Forest Park branch of L’Arche receives funding from the State of Illinois through Medicaid, but the quality of services they provide costs more than that amount by over $300,000 a year. Watts’ challenge is to raise that money.

Founded in 1964, L’Arche is a nonprofit organization now located in 38 countries which, according to one of its websites, For the 12 years before coming to L’Arche Watts worked in the area of corporate/foundation relations “learning the ropes of all areas of fundraising.” She said her work with people with disabilities has taught her to be patient, to not take things personally and to see things from different perspectives.”

She said she came to L’Arche because of its holistic approach in which “core members,” persons with intellectual disabilities, live in the same home with their assistants who do not have intellectual disabilities.

“My whole life has been shaped by the experience of volunteering and then working with people who have developmental disabilities. It’s an incredible opportunity for the community to take the time to learn about L’Arche, meet our core members, and see how their lives can be changed for the better.”

PROGRESS CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING Erin Hostetter started her job as program director at the Progress Center for Independent Living (PCIL) on July 17. Right from the beginning it has been a roller coaster ride.

On a positive note, the center had momentum. “Many things set in place by my predecessor, Gary Arnold, are going well,” she said. “The thing I am most proud of is the deep level of genuine care and empathy all staff have for the community and for each other. It’s so easy to come into work.”

Part of the work done by the center’s staff is advocacy. “One of the challenges I had to deal with right away,” she said, “is the Humanize Long Term Care bill we are advocat-

COURTESY OF HTTPS://WWW.LARCHECHICAGO.ORG

L’Arche ing for regarding nursing homes and their reputation for mistreating the patients in their care.

“We’re fighting for the patients’ right to advocate for themselves without retaliation, which is unfortunately rampant in many nursing homes across the United States.

We’re talking physical and mental trauma to these patients, just for trying to speak up for themselves. There are many other items on our agenda, but this is one example of the work we are doing.”

The ups and downs on her roller coaster ride have been due to personal concerns as well as work related challenges.

The week before starting,” she said, “I was in Texas finishing cancer treatments, packing up my apartment and driving a U-Haul for the first time.

“Moving cross-country is terrifying, but I am so glad I did. A new city clear across the nation and starting fresh at the center is different from the last one I worked at and has been a wonderful experience. I genuinely enjoy the challenges, the faces, and the opportunities afforded to me.”

NINETEENTH CENTURY CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION Ray Ward became the executive director of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association 11 months ago – Jan. 4 to be exact.

On that first day he said he was “eager yet a bit nervous.”

“You never fully know the environment,” he said, “until you’re actually in it. Being not only the first man but also the first person of color to hold this position (in the 132-year his-

tory of the association), I didn’t quite know how I would be received by the members or how the staff would interact.”

He was relieved to discover that “while there will always be challenges, I am happy to say that 98% of everyone has been absolutely great to me.”

He had to hit the ground running. “Our biggest challenge in 2023,” he said, “was the remodeling of our full-service kitchen.”

In addition to managing that construction, he had to work with the association’s full-time staff including a chef, sales manager, and a part-time event manager to coordinate activities at the landmark facility on Forest Avenue in Oak Park.

“Since the kitchen was down for 2 months,” he said, “that set us back but due to the diligence of our staff, we are looking better than ever.”

RAY WARD “As a director,” he said, “there is an immediacy of needing to know how everything properly functions and who are my ‘go-to’ people. I tried to get acclimated as quickly as possible with the vital functions and the most effective ways to communicate and continue to move the association forward.

Along with those challenges, Ward embraced an opportunity when the association started live Zooming and recording their popular programs which they put on their website.

“We anticipate more opportunities than challenges going forward,” he said.

Special Advertising Section

November 22, 2023 B5

Season of Giving presented by Sponsored Content

A

Byline Bank fosters growth and unity in our communities

s a financial institution, Byline Bank is well-versed in the art of investing. But as a community bank, Byline understands that its role extends beyond just accepting investments; it also actively invests back into its community.

In the last year, Byline Bank donated over $60,000 to local non-profit organizations in Oak Park and River Forest, gave over $30,000 in grants, and over $1.1 million in community development loans. In addition, Byline employees volunteered over 400 hours with Oak Park and River Forest organizations (and 1,200 in the greater Chicago region).

“Our involvement in the community is organically driven,” said Susie Goldschmidt, Byline’s Oak Park and River Forest market president. “We’re here. We get to know local organizations who are on the ground and problem-solving, and we get to know local people who ask us to get engaged — we try to answer those calls.”

In answering the call, Byline has helped advance a number of Oak Park and River Forest initiatives including those related to animal welfare; the

arts; diversity, equity and inclusion; education; financial literacy; food security; mental health; and family support. Some highlights include: The arts. Byline sponsors Music & Potlucks, the Oak Park Festival Theatre, the Oak Park Art League, the Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest, Heritage Chorale, the Michael Teolis Singers, and One Voice for Arts. These sponsorships enhance access to locally driven entertainment and provide the community with an opportunity to come together and unite behind its shared love of the arts.

Diversity, equity and inclusion. Byline supports organizations such as the Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Association, Oak Leyden, Opportunity Knocks, Place to Belong, Thrive Counseling Center, AgeOptions and the West Suburban Special Recreation Association. These efforts

contribute to fostering a more inclusive and equitable community — a place where success is attainable for all.

Food security. Byline Bank is deeply committed to Beyond Hunger, a charitable organization dedicated to combating hunger through various programs and services. Byline provides essential community development grants for operational needs and sponsors the nonprofit’s annual fall benefit concerts. Goldschmidt also sits on the Beyond Hunger board of directors. In addition, Byline is a sponsor of the Suburban Unity Alliance community fridge in Oak Park, which is located at the Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church.

Byline’s community involvement is not limited to traditional philanthropy within nonprofits.

“We of course give where there’s a pressing need,” Goldschmidt said, “but we find it’s meaningful to invest in the economic ecosystem and the community as a whole.” For example, during lunch meetings at its Oak Park and River Forest branches, Byline arranges

for catering from nearby eateries — a small yet meaningful way of supporting the local economy, says Goldschmidt.

Consistent with its status as the top Small Business Administration lender in Illinois, Byline advocates for local businesses as a member of the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce and a sponsor of Takeout 25. Goldschmidt also serves as president of Downtown Oak Park and as a member of the Village of Oak Park Business Association Council. In addition, Byline has a presence at most Oak Park and River Forest community events, including the Memorial Day and Juneteenth parades, Oaktoberfest and Thursday Night Out. “We want Oak Park and River Forest to thrive,” says Goldschmidt. “Well-functioning charities, well-supported businesses and a tight-knit community equates to more opportunities for our customers, their families and our employees who live and work here. We’re giving back and pitching in because it’s what neighbors do.” ©2023 Byline Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

ABOVE: Susie Goldschmidt (left), Byline’s Oak Park River Forest market president, and Denise Warren, Byline’s Oak Park branch manager, delivered gifts for the Hispanic Business Network’s annual toy drive benefiting children in Chicago Public Schools.

BELOW: Members of Byline’s Oak Park and River Forest branches — along with their families — marched in the River Forest Memorial Day Parade.

ABOVE: Susie Goldschmidt joined Marianne Birko, executive director of the West Suburban Special Recreation Association and regional politicians at the WSSRA Derby Gala.

From left to right: Angelo “Skip” Saviano, village president of Elmwood Park; Kim Goldschmidt, financial advisor at Equitable Advisors; Arlene Jezierny, mayor of Harwood Heights; Susie Goldschmidt; Vicki Scaman, village president of Oak Park; Cathy Adduci, village president of River Forest; Don Harmon, Illinois state senator; and Birko.

ABOVE: Teri Miller (from left), director of development at Beyond Hunger; Byline’s Goldschmidt; and Lauren Brightmore, development and events coordinator at Beyond Hunger, staff a booth at Thursday Night Out in Downtown Oak Park.

Byline Bank • 708- 660-1000 • bylinebank.com

B6 November 22, 2023

Special Advertising Section

Season of Giving presented by Sponsored Content

A

A fresh start for Mittens courtesy of Animal Care League first uncertain days at the clinic, it became clear that the shelter’s medical staff would be able to get him back to his old self, four paws and all.

nimal Care League helps local homeless animals find brighter futures, no matter their situation. Each year, more than 1,300 animals from local communities and beyond come through the doors of the Oak Park shelter, and many of them, like Mittens the cat, need urgent medical attention.

Animals like Mittens depend on Animal Care League to help them overcome their circumstances and live the lives they deserve. But ACL couldn’t do that alone. Being there for animals in need is a team effort — with foster families like the one which will soon be Mittens’ forever family, with local police, with volunteers, and of course with its generous supporters. Every animal deserves a second chance like the one Mittens got. As ACL expands its reach, support from the community will allow the organization to continue doing more for the animals who depend on it for shelter, care, and comfort.

In early September, Mittens was found by Oak Park Animal Control in a difficult position: multiple rubber bands had been stretched tightly around each of his front paws, digging in and cutting off his circulation. Although saving his paws was far from a sure thing when he first arrived at ACL’s clinic, Mittens was a trooper. He met his challenge with love and happiness, and soon enough, there was good news. After those

• COUNSELING • AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING • WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT • VIOLENCE PREVENTION • COMMUNITY OUTREACH

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ND A I F M HELP THE

Home for the Holidays

AZARIAH

LIL’ DEBBIE

Azariah’s favorite thing to do is stretch out in the sun and relax! She would love a quiet, sunny home where she can take lots of great naps.

Lil Debbie is a big fan of treats, which makes sense since she’s named after one! She loves zooming around the yard, or cuddling on the couch.

683 days in the shelter

Each year over 1300 cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals come through our doors looking for a second chance. You can make a difference in the life of a homeless animal. Please consider adopting a pet this holiday season or support our work by making a donation.

1011 Garfield St | Oak Park, IL 60304 | 708.848.8155

231 days at the shelter

Donations work to help cats like Azariah and dogs like Lil’ Debbie get the second chances they deserve.

VISIT US AT animalcareleague.org

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Welcoming immigrants for a century prepares nonprofit for new arrivals today

Onward Neighborhood House is celebrating 129 years of service to migrants

By HECTOR CERVANTES

A

Contributing Writer

s the holidays are approaching and colder weather has arrived, Onward Neighborhood House is one of many Greater West Side nonprofits helping out with the influx of refugees Chicago is seeing.

Onward Neighborhood House is a nonprofit organization located on Diversey Avenue in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood of Chicago.

The mission of this organization is to open doors to improve lives and uplift communities through educational, economic and support services.

Emilio Araujo is the head of development classes are offered. and communications at Onward NeighborOther resources the organization offers hood House and has been in his role for six are citizenship classes, a healthcare clinic months. Araujo is in charge of community called Community Health and a food pantry. fundraising, creating and maintaining ex“Over the years when immigrants have ternal partnerships and building relation- come, we find resources where they are ships with other organizations and people needed and we are able to grow. We do the across the city. basic steps of people who When asked how this need food and medical sermission is focusing on spevices and understanding cific efforts to help the curhow the laws and asylum rent migrant challenges process works,” Araujo in Chicago, Araujo looked said. to the history of Onward Araujo says there is a lot of activity going on Neighborhood House. since this organization is “In 1893 Onward Neighresponding directly to the borhood House was foundinflux of immigrants. ed as a community service EMILIO ARAUJO The organization is organization where we Onward Neighborhood House served immigrants and working on bringing refuhonored and supported gees basic household items new immigrants and found and hygiene products. As their new place in Chicathe holiday season is comgo,” Araujo said. ing up, Araujo urges the The nonprofit provides community to donate. its clients and refugees with many differ“We also know people have a wish list ent resources. In the education sector, early so providing something that they want. It childhood education opportunities are pro- might be their first winter here and giving vided as well as childcare and tutoring. them a jacket or new toy is a major step in For adults ESL, computer classes and GED recognizing humanity and dignity to wel-

“A major step in recognizing humanity and dignity to welcome them into the city.”

come them into the city. Those kinds of gifts for the holiday are things that we do,” Araujo said.

Araujo says Onward Neighborhood House listens to people and recognizes the circumstances that the refugees are facing.

“Texas is not listening to them as a person when they send them on the bus to Chicago. We have compassion for the refugees,” Araujo said.

When asked how the community is reacting and responding to how Onward Neighborhood House is helping out the refugees, Araujo says there has been a lot of support in the community.

“I think on the news we see a lot of people that are anti the new immigrants.

Thankfully we have had a lot of great support. People who we have no previous connection to are making donations and people are researching and looking for a way to support people and we have been seeing wonderful support from our elected officials, community members and people across the city to make a positive impact.

We have been really blessed,” says Araujo.

A compelling story Araujo likes to share with how immigrants can make a difference in Chicago started 10 years ago.

Araujo says the organization saw some-

one come to Chicago more than 10 years as an immigrant who attended Onward Neighborhood House’s free computer class.

He enjoyed the computer class and while he was working at Pizza Hut, he would deliver the flyers to the organization’s computer class.

“He later moved on to attending college and he is now completing a masters in cybersecurity from being a computer expert and he teaches a computer class now with our organization,” says Araujo.

Araujo says the story makes clear that Chicago has welcomed immigrants for a long time and with this current influx of refugees Chicago is experiencing the organization is able to handle this influx.

Araujo and the staff at Onward Neighborhood House are working on a new building for the organization since they are seeing more demand for their services.

The Reva and David Logan Foundation granted Onward Neighborhood House a 21,000 square foot building on North Central Avenue in June 2022, just two blocks from its Belmont Cragin facilities.

The new space is in line with the foundation’s campaign to increase access to essential goods and services in underserved communities.

This space will not only allow the organization to expand its food pantry but will also provide additional space for the organization’s welcoming center for immigrants and refugees, their health care clinic, a multipurpose community center space and additional community programming.

When Lyle Allen, a program officer at the Logan Foundation, came to one of the organization’s Thursday food distributions, he noticed the pantry’s size limits, but he also saw the potential that appropriate capacity could bring to our participants.

“We currently have three buildings on the 5400 block of Diversey. We will expand in the Belmont Cragin community and we will start renovations in the community.

It will be a community center for the Belmont Cragin community,” Araujo said.

According to Araujo, Onward Neighborhood House is running out of space at its current location.

B8 November 22, 2023

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Arts groups slowly rebuild attendance in wake of pandemic Evolving strategies to bring fans back to live performances

Shakespeare shows have been performed every summer since.

“We’ve been growing quite a lot, and this past summer, we had by far our biggest audiences,” Corley said.

Oak Park Festival Theatre, meanwhile, has rebuilt attendance at performances,

By EREZ BEN-AKIVA though they too have not seen pre-2020 numContributing Reporter bers, according to managing director Tom Arvetis. The organization endured not only or Beth Hoover, general manager of the Symphony of Oak Park and River the pandemic but a fire that destroyed the Forest, the beginning of COVID was theater’s office in November 2021.

“We’re just not seeing audiences return terrifying.

But the symphony, founded in 1931, at the level that they were at 2019,” Arvetis managed to stay afloat. A series of online said. “We’re still a far cry from that.”

Nevertheless, this past summer’s outperformances produced in partnership with the Park District of Oak Park salvaged 2020. door production of “A Midsummer Night’s By 2021, the orchestra was again playing in- Dream” led to a “banner year” for the theater, said Arvetis. door concerts.

Programming for “We got through World Oak Park Festival TheWar II, and we got through atre moreover has been this,” Hoover said. shaped by the changing Attendance at symphodesires of audiences, ny performances has not which generally now have returned to pre-pandemic less appetite for artistic levels though, according risk, Arvetis said. to Hoover.

The theater has thus The Symphony of Oak honed in on outdoor sumPark and River Forest is RICHARD CORLEY mer performances as its not alone in that regard Forest Park Theatre flagship experience. among local music, theater “That’s the thing that we and arts groups. For some want to promote for our organizations in the area, audience and to enhance attendance at events or membership numbers have yet to reach lev- that experience as much as we possibly els seen before the pandemic. Other groups can,” Arvetis said.

The Symphony of Oak Park and River however have seen growth since 2020.

Forest Park Theatre, for its part, grew out Forest is also turning toward different of ideas born during the pandemic, said programming as it builds back attendance – like an upcoming holiday concert and in Richard Corley, producing artistic director.

Corley said he perceived a need for people 2024, a William Grant Still symphony and to come together to see live theater and feel Lincoln Portrait by Aaron Copland – hopsafe doing so. The theater’s first major pro- ing to “get more people to start coming to duction was Shakespeare’s “As You Like concerts because you have to start appealing It,” performed outdoors for free during the to new people,” Hoover said.

“You always want a packed house, but summer of 2021. It “really came from the idea of getting people back in front of per- I want it uncomfortably packed,” Hoover formed work,” Corley said. Free outdoor said with a laugh.

F

“The work is certainly challenging, and I think it all depends upon partnerships. And nobody can do this alone.”

FOREST PARK ARTS ALLIANCE

Stoop sessions in Forest Park.

Two arts organizations, Forest Park Arts Alliance and Oak Park Art League, have emerged from the pandemic on strong footing.

Forest Park Arts Alliance president Karen Rozmus said membership in the organization, incorporated in 2017, has grown from around 30 members to more than 100 in the last year and a half.

“Every year we grow a little bit,” Rozmus said.

Forest Park Arts Alliance organizes “Stoop Sessions,” concerts in which musicians perform on front porches and attendees enjoy the music from the lawn. And after COVID hit, the organization worked with the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce to display art in storefront windows.

More recently, the group decorated Constitution Court in fiber art, as part of its “Fiber Flash” event.

“We just want to do fun stuff,” Rozmus said. “We don’t need to make a lot of money.”

The arts group also underwent a recent rebrand in an effort to be thought of as a viable professional organization, according to Rozmus.

“I think we’re stronger than ever,” she said.

For Oak Park Art League, weathering the pandemic meant getting past the hesitancy to congregate in physical spaces, something fundamental to the organization and which COVID understandably disrupted.

Now, attendance numbers at events offered

by the organization have reached back to pre-COVID levels, according to executive director Brad Nugent.

“Because everyone has come out on the other side, really wanting the physical contact with folks again, we are definitely experiencing a resurgence of in-person participation,” Nugent said.

By the second half of 2022, there was a sense that Oak Park Art League found “solid ground again,” being financially solvent and able to maintain programming like classes and exhibitions, according to Nugent.

Membership in the organization has dipped, though some of it can be attributed to standard attrition.

“We’re just ebbing and flowing at just a little under pre-pandemic numbers, but we’re close to where we were,” Nugent said.

While local arts organizations have experienced challenges in rebuilding attendance at events, performances and programs, that the groups persisted through the pandemic – or even were born out of it as in the case of Forest Park Theatre – surely is significant in itself.

To Corley, for the arts to survive necessitates partnership with the community and a recognition of the importance of the arts.

“I wouldn’t be doing this if I weren’t hopeful,” he said. “But it is certainly challenging, and I think it all depends upon partnerships. And nobody can do this alone.”

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November 22, 2023 B9

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I

Kendall speaks and A House In Austin listens

n November 2022, Kendall and his father became part of A House In Austin’s Home Visiting program. He was referred to the organization by early intervention services.

At the start of the home visit sessions, Kendall was a 3-yearold who could only utter a couple of words, often needing repetition for clarity. Their family seldom ventured outside and, as a result, Kendall had limited social interaction.

During the most recent home visit, A House in Austin’s team encouraged Kendall’s father to engage in child-centered narrative play with him.

They’d been providing guidance on this approach for several weeks, aiming to stimulate Kendall’s imagination and language development.

During this playtime, Kendall began forming two- to three-word sentences, demonstrating a newfound ability for self-expression. It didn’t stop there. There was the moment when Kendall

astonished everyone by articulating an extraordinary six-word sentence!

A House In Austin, an organization dedicated to supporting families, played a crucial role in this journey.

Their commitment to providing resources and guidance for families facing similar challenges has been instrumental. The home visit leader and Kendall’s father couldn’t contain their celebration of this remarkable milestone. High-fives, smiles, and an outpouring of praise were showered upon both Kendall and his father. This reinforced the power of dedication and the incredible progress that can be achieved when working together to support families like Kendall’s.

As the holiday season draws near, please consider helping A House In Austin support families like Kendall’s. You can contribute by texting “AHIA” to 44-321 or visit www. ahouseinaustin.org.

A House in Austin • 773-896-3582 • ahouseinaustin.org

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B10 November 22, 2023

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120 YEARS SERVING OUR COMMUNITY WEST COOK YMCA

YESTERDAY. TODAY. TOMORROW.

Since December 31, 1902, the West Cook YMCA has been providing programs and services to address the needs of our community from serving as a refuge for young men, to physical education and housing, to providing childcare and teaching swim lessons, to becoming a leader in chronic disease prevention and addressing the Achievement Gap in our students.

When you give to the West Cook YMCA, you impact our community today and tomorrow.

100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to providing scholarships to children, adults, and seniors- your friends and neighborstransforming their lives through access to health screenings, chronic disease prevention programs, after-school programs, swim lessons, homeless prevention for residents, and Y memberships that can open the door to help each person become their best self.

PREVENT DROWNING

SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS

PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASES

GIVE TODAY IN HONOR OF 120 YEARS ONLINE: westcookymca.org/give MAIL: 255 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302

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November 22, 2023 B11

Season of Giving presented by

HOUSING PROVIDING A HOME SINCE THE 1950s

WELCOMED. SAFE. TOGETHER.

The West Cook joins the Village of Oak Park and other community organizations to provide temporary housing to migrant families.

PROVIDE HOUSING

Give today and support the Y in providing temporary housing for 60 children, adults, and seniors.

100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to providing housing, swim lessons, enrichment for youth, and connecting families to community resources for legal aid, medical and dental examinations, mental health services, vaccinations, and permanent housing.

As a community coming together, we can ensure all families are WELCOMED, SAFE, and a have a place to stay TOGETHER.

GIVE TODAY TO PROVIDE HOUSING ONLINE: westcookymca.org/give and choose “housing” under campaign

SUPPORT ALL FAMILIES

B12 November 22, 2023

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Why a newly reimagined YMCA?

an analog phone system to finally a digiJimenez refocuses West Cook from tal phone system. All of those upgrades were creating a dignified living experiYMCA beyond fitness into allenceabout for our residents.”

Another area that Jimenez has spearequity strategy headed is health equity, bringing the YMCA’s myriad health programs to people who had trouble in the past getting full health care.

Contributing Reporter The specific areas the YMCA has been focusver the past 10 years, the West Cook ing on are diabetes, weight, hypertension, YMCA has been transformed from cancer, and mental health.

“We are approaching the health focus of a local fitness facility with a pool, treadmills, sports classes and a the YMCA with the idea that we’re not lookSingle Room Occupancy component ing for impacting a volume number of peointo a facility focused on health equity, ple,” said Jimenez, “but more the depth of social justice, and youth/education care, the impact per person. So I think in our culthat also has an onsite SRO and all of the ture, right, the idea of volume drives a lot of fitness-related activities and equipment it people’s interest.” Jimenez. He would rather make a difference in the lives of had before. a smaller group of individuals Those changes have been drivthan have a less profound effect en by Phillip Jimenez, CEO of on large numbers of people. the local YMCA. When Jimenez “We are really focused on findtook over the leadership of the ing the best way to impact them,” YMCA in May 2014, he had a viadding that he wants the YMCA sion for the future of the Y, and to follow an “evidence-based, noduring his tenure he has shown nonsense approach to really adthe drive and focus to see the vidressing” health issues. sion realized. That transformaThe newest health initiative tion was spurred in part by the PHILLIP JIMENEZ at the YMCA is the “Healthy proliferation of more modern Weight and Your Child Proand for profit fitness facilities and by the necessity of adapting programs gram.” This program is being relaunched this year in collaboration with Lurie Chiland purposes during and after COVID. From the start, Jimenez said he planned dren’s Hospital of Chicago and the Illinois to focus on four main areas: Improving the Health Public Institute.

Jimenez grew up in Forest Park not far Marion Street facility, the care of SRO residents, serving the broader community, and from West Cook YMCA, the son of a single creative new ways of dealing with the is- mom who had immigrated from Mexico in sues all nonprofits face (fundraising, build- the 1960s. Jimenez went to overnight camp ing maintenance, membership recruitment, at Camp Douglass/YMCA when he was a kid. The fact that his roots run deep in the leadership development).

Ten years on, Jimenez has made progress communities West Cook YMCA serves may in all of these areas, despite the inevitable explain why his vision for West Cook inpandemic interruptions, and continues to cludes not only Oak Park but also those vilmake improvements. Let’s begin with the lages west of the facility (River Forest, MaySRO units, spartan 10 by 10 rooms that the 50 wood, Melrose Park). residents call home. “Thanks to a grant from And also, why he insists on a community Loyola Medicine and also from the Village of integrated health approach. “Your quality of Oak Park, we are upgrading the facilities,” life and quality of health is dramatically imsaid Jimenez. “We upgraded the actual room pacted by the zip code that you live in,” said itself. We did new flooring, new painting, any Jimenez. “So our general approach is to emkind of wall or patch repairing, and all new phasize on those communities that are most features like lights and beds, shades. We went at risk for having gaps or, you know, in some

By JACK HELBIG

O

FILE

cases, complete blind spots regarding health.

And we wanted to make sure to, as best as we could, eliminate barriers to access.”

There are cracks that the current normal nine-to-five system doesn’t accommodate someone who has non-traditional working hours, or doesn’t live near a health care facility, or has a transportation barrier, or has childcare issues.

“So what the Y is trying to figure out is how we can meet the person where they’re at,” said Jimenez. “Do you prefer a 6 p.m. session? Do you prefer virtual versus inperson? Great. You need it to be close to where you reside? Great. Those kinds of things are the things that we sort of identify what might be the barriers to a person being successful or able to focus on their health risk. And we’re not saints and we’re not perfect, but we’re trying to reduce some of those barriers.”

Another initiative for the YMCA is their school partnership with Districts 89 (Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview) and 90 (River Forest). The program works year-round, with programs that run in the summertime and after-school during the school year. “If a child is participating in the YMCA program and getting enrichment and enhancements through the Y, that over time, we’re able to show that a Y kid has got a richer support system and perhaps there might be outcomes that you can draw from or infer from.”

“We also do third-party social-emotional evaluations to make sure we understand what needs students may have,” said Jimenez. “As we start to see the data come in, we can switch up the curriculum and that allows us to really focus in on what that child needs. So, an outcome that is most recent is this past summer, for the second year in a row, our participants at District 90, who normally you might see a traditional

learning slide of one to two months in the summer of a particular child. With this program, we were able to measure an increase of three months in math and literacy for our kids who participated in the Power Scholar Academy.” This partnership program has recently been extended from just first through fourth grade to a full K to 8 program.

The most recent initiative for the YMCA is providing temporary housing for asylum seekers. On Nov. 1 Oak Park’s village government reached out to the Y for housing options and the Y responded.

“Our staff and vendor partners really came through,” Jimenez says. “In four days, we remodeled roughly 50 rooms. And people were working nine days and we had vendors respond and work over the weekend in large shifts of four to five installers for flooring.”

The asylum seekers arrived at the YMCA on Nov. 9 – 58 individuals, men, women, and children. “They really tested our limits because we’ve never housed women and children,” said Jimenez. “Beyond Hunger has been providing us with food. We’ve bought [digital] translators for them [most of the asylum seekers were from Venezuela and spoke only Spanish] so that they can go out into the community and start exploring the Oak Park community, learning through the translator device that we purchased for them how to engage and do their own shopping. and we really want them to integrate as fully and as quickly as possible. We’re working for the village on educational opportunities for the children, and of course, immigration status and steps and social services that they may need.”

The West Cook YMCA of 2023 is truly much more than a local fitness facility with an SRO. It has become, under current leadership, a place for health equity, social justice, and youth/education care.

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L

Laquanda, pregnant and unhoused, embraced by Housing Forward

aquanda was four months pregnant with her first child when she and her boyfriend broke up. At the time, she was living with the boyfriend’s mother and was asked to leave.

She was unemployed and did not have family or friends to turn to for help. She began wandering the streets late last winter. Eventually, she began sleeping at the Maywood Police Department. Research estimates one-in-five women who are experiencing homelessness are pregnant at any given time, almost twice the rate of the general population.

Laquanda was connected to Housing Forward’s family support specialists, who focus on the unique needs of families with minor children. They immediately began working with Laquanda, focusing first on

housing. The specialist connected Laquanda to an apartment in Oak Park and financial support for rent assistance and a security deposit through the Village of Oak Park’s flexible housing pool of families and other sources.

She was also linked to a parenting program that will provide skill-building and support services throughout her daughter’s first three years. Housing Forward’s community health nurse began providing Laquanda with informational and physical support during pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postpartum period.

Laquanda welcomed her baby daughter into her new home on Oct. 15 and is looking forward to spending her first holiday season as a new mother.

“T

The Collaboration strengthens families like Colleen’s

and their communities, too. his group gave me a supportive Achievements from Parent community Leadership Training alumni during an especially have included advocating for challenging time. I needed and getting an IEP for a child, encouragement and securing a new job with a stable accountability and to know income, getting the whole family I wasn’t alone,” says Colleen, the extra support they need in the Oak Park mother of 5therapy, buying a house, and and 3-year old boys. paying off all credit cards. These achievements are game changers Raising a family is a journey, Colleen snuggling with her two boys for families. and finding space to think beyond the day-to-day isn’t always easy. That’s At the Collaboration for Early Childhood, we where Parent Leadership Training comes in. This know that parents and caregivers are a child’s is a free training for parents and caregivers of first and most important teacher. By empowering young children to organize, prioritize, and create families to advocate for their children and find an action plan to identify and then accomplish fellowship with others with shared experiences, their goals. we create communities where all children can thrive.

These can be life goals or goals for the community as a whole. Through this training, To learn more about how the Collaboration participants make a plan and discover a sense of for Early Childhood strengthens families, visit: direction all while cheering on others to become www.collab4kids.org. stronger advocates for themselves, their families,

Housing Forward • 708-338-1724 • housingforward.org

On #GivingTuesday and throughout the holiday season, invest in your community by helping neighbors in housing crisis.

Collaboration for Early Childhood • 708-613-6122 • collab4kids.org

Donate at housingforward.org/give Join our community of giving on Tuesday, November 28 through the end of the year.

“The peace we have inside us is now contagious.”

—Maurice, Interim Housing Program Participant

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B14 November 22, 2023

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Housing Forward’s bold future after 30 years of service West suburban non-profit Housing Forward continues its legacy of serving the unhoused

By LEE EDWARDS

I

Contributing Reporter

f 25 years of experience as the executive director of Housing Forward has taught Lynda Schueler anything it is that ending homelessness will cause your organization to evolve and requires widespread community-wide buy-in.

Since its inception in 1992, Housing Forward, which was formerly known as Tri-Village PADS, has provided temporary housing and related resources to hundreds of people residing in Oak Park, River Forest and Proviso Township, with the assistance of hundreds of volunteers over the years.

Housing Forward has grown immensely since its early days. Schueler said this year’s budget of $14.3 million is the organization’s largest.

She said 60 percent of their budget or $8 million is used on their rehousing initiatives.

Currently, 600 people volunteer with Housing Forward to support their interim housing and emergency shelter initiatives by providing on-site support and meal prep.

However, it was in 2009 that Housing Forward’s leadership decided to take the organization down the path it is currently on. Schueler said in that year a “pivotal” conversation was had among the organization’s board of directors during a strategic planning session that shifted the organization’s directive to focus more on finding interim and permanent solutions to homelessness rather than simply providing a place to sleep in a warm church hall.

To accomplish their goal, Housing Forward has taken a multifaceted approach.

For starters, Housing Forward has been using a “scatter site” housing model for more than 20 years where the organization partners with multiple private landlords to lease apartment units on behalf of clients. The organization agrees to pay the lease on a yearby-year basis, schedules home visits for their clients with their case workers, and more.

“I would say 92% of the people that we serve through that program are at least one year with us and generally renewed with us on an annual basis so they’re stable,” Schueler said. “We have clients that have been with us since 2006.”

Schueler said Housing Forward currently has access to 300 units of various types

FILE

Lynda Schueler, executive director of Housing Forward gives remarks at their new emergency shelter’s soft opening at St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church on Jan. 4, 2023. of housing through its scatter site housing initiative with more coming over the next three years.

“We are looking to expand on our scatter site model,” she said. “We have a pretty audacious goal. We want to expand that model by 250 units. We are underway in developing partnerships. We have 82 new units of housing that we will be bringing online next year.”

In addition to the scatter site housing options, Housing Forward broke ground last April on its own permanent housing facility, a 16-unit apartment project in Broadview along the Roosevelt Road corridor.

The handsome project is projected to be completed in the first half of 2024.

Schueler said she had several conversations with Broadview mayor Katrina Thompson about partnership opportunities prior to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 before they finally came to an agreement on the apartment construction project.

“Mayor Katrina Thompson was nothing less than welcoming to us. She understands the value of the work we are doing. She understands affordable housing and that it is not always about building luxury apartment units,” said Schueler. “She really understands the need to get people into stable

housing. She was very welcoming and that’s why we are developing in Broadview. She didn’t make it hard for us. Oftentimes there are communities that make it hard.”

Thompson said in a separate interview that Broadview has a “healthy” relationship with Housing Forward.

“It’s healthy because we are talking

about humanity and they are out there doing the work that caters to the human spirit, that gives people hope that they can live somewhere safe,” said Thompson.

Although Housing Forward has made an incalculable impact in the lives of many unhoused individuals and those who are at risk of being unhoused in the western suburbs, Schueler said a dearth of local affordable housing and systemic issues like racism and classism help exacerbate the issues unhoused individuals and people atrisk of being unhoused face.

“One of the major causes of homelessness beyond not having enough affordable housing is fractured and broken systems that exist between the public health system and the criminal justice system. Those are systems that have structures that don’t always interface with organizations like Housing Forward,” said Schueler.

“I would also say that the overlay of inequities in our system harkens back to days of redlining, segregating people into certain communities, and not having access to resources to help communities thrive,” said Schueler.

Individuals interested in volunteering with Housing Forward should visit their website, complete a volunteer application, and wait for contact with the organization’s volunteer manager.

Agency jumps in for migrants In examples of being nimble, Housing Forward has also responded to two developing housing needs in the communities.

The organization recently relaunched a 15-bed emergency overnight shelter.

This time it is housed every night in the former rectory at St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church, Austin and Washington boulevards in Oak Park.

And Housing Forward has leapt into providing a range of services to recent South American migrants now receiving temporary housing in Oak Park under the auspices of the village of Oak Park and with the assistance of many volunteers. The individuals and families are sheltered at both the West Cook YMCA and at the Carleton Hotel.

FILE

Former rectory at St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church

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Crystal broke cycle of abuse with Sarah’s Inn

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control. They worked together to create a physical and emotional safety plan.

Her advocate was also able to provide her with guidance and resources on how to advocate for herself at work, as the harassment was interfering with her ability to work.

rystal began working with a Sarah’s Inn advocate after experiencing physical, emotional, and verbal abuse from her boyfriend for over 6 years.

When she fled the relationship and tried to seek safety in a family member’s home, he continued to call and text her. When she would not respond to his messages, he began sharing private information with their friends and family. He would “love bomb” her by sending her gifts to the family member’s home and would enlist friends to do “wellness checks” on her.

With her Sarah’s Inn advocate, they began to talk through the cycle of violence. She learned how perpetrators of violence use power and

Crystal is now beginning to heal after years of abuse.

She has found support from her family and employer, which has allowed her to begin the next chapter of her life free from violence.

Sarah’s Inn has provided this help since 1980 and works with people in Chicago and the western suburbs.

Sarah’s Inn • 708-386-3305 • sarahsinn.org Sponsored Content

‘I get more than I give’ How L’Arche becomes extended family

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hen Rose Mattax was a child, she treasured the idea of a neighborhood being a close-knit community where people looked out for each other, spent time together, and supported each other.

In her adulthood, she longed for that connection with her neighbors.

Everything changed when L’Arche Chicago bought the house across the street.

Shortly after L’Arche moved in, Rose received a knock on her door. Jean, a core member resident, and an assistant brought over home-baked cookies, marking the start of many new friendships. Over the past eight years, these connections have grown into cherished traditions and lasting memories.

L’Arche provides integrated homes for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Every Wednesday, Rose sits across from Noah, another core member, at the L’Arche Chicago dining table, ready for their weekly game of Uno.

This gathering is a highlight for everyone, with new players often joining in.

On less frequent occasions, Jean will get a hankering for a nonalcoholic beer, and Rose gladly accompanies her to O’Sullivan’s in Forest Park. Jean’s wit and humor never fail to charm the server, making these outings truly special.

Rose’s home has transformed into what the community fondly calls the “L’Arche Annex.” For many of the young assistants, moving into Rose’s upstairs apartment is a significant step as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives. This maintains the sense of community – friendship, support and mutual growth.

“I couldn’t have imagined the joy that L’Arche as a neighbor would bring into our lives. I treasure every moment of these invaluable friendships.

Life is better with L’Arche as a neighbor.” For that reason, Rose is known to always extend invitations for others to join the L’Arche community.

L’arche Chicago • 708-660-1600 • larchechicago.org

LIFE IS BETTER TOGETHER

At L’Arche Chicago, supporting adults with disabilities includes valuing the strong, meaningful bonds that form when you build friendships within the community. You are invited to be a part of our community and see the difference that is made when we all experience life together.

Learn more and join us by making a gift today. larchechicago.org | 708-660-1600 | hello@larchechicago.org

B16 November 22, 2023

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Season of Giving presented by

ive a gift that will change a life.

From now through December 31st, when you make a contribution online, your gift will be matched by generous donors through our annual Hephzibah Holiday Challenge.

Double your gift today!

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Gabriel, a foster child, finds stability at Hephzibah

Gabriel knew he needed help. He also knew who would help him — Hephzibah.

Hephzibah staff helped Gabriel find an alternative graduation program to help him get his diploma. Knowing the program suited him better, he was able to graduate and now looks forward to his future. Gabriel also made the choice to remain in Hephzibah’s care until he’s ready to become fully independent, much like a parent does for their child.

AD IN VA EQ CL N CO UI US CIN M TA IV G M B E UN LE IT IE S

or 19-year-old Gabriel, a Hephzibah foster child, life was a roller coaster growing up in the child welfare system. Gabriel would encounter frequent twists and turns along his path, and this included many foster homes along the way. Life is not easy for foster kids, and instability can wreak havoc in their life. One thing was always consistent in Gabriel’s life, and that was Hephzibah Children’s Association.

Hephzibah works hard to teach children that they have the potential to do great things, and be great people, no matter what twists and turns their path takes them on. We know that with the right amount of nurturing care, every child has the opportunity to flourish and thrive.

for Joshua, who struggled with his emotions. ife is hard for foster children. With no One way found to keep Joshua calm was time consistent parent or home, they move with a Junior Counselor (JC) named Max. frequently. They switch schools, they say goodbye to friends — they even say goodbye The JC program allows older campers more to siblings. It’s painful to responsibility, and helping imagine, but its reality for younger campers is part foster children. of their role. Joshua and Max bonded right away.

Hephzibah Children’s Max readily gave up his Association works counselor privilege of hard to comfort and staying up later, to help nurture children, finding Joshua settle to sleep when creative ways, like Camp he struggled with bedtime.

HepSIBah, to support With Max’s help, Joshua was them. This camp reunites able to sleep, stay calmer, siblings separated in Campers and Junior Counselor at Camp HepSIBah and focus more on enjoying foster care for four days time with his brother. of fun and adventure each summer. Camp HepSIBah also allows children the freedom to be Joshua and his brother enjoyed time together at themselves with other foster kids and helps them camp making life-long memories. Max learned strengthen broken family bonds. that a true leader puts the needs of others first — none of which would have happened without Six-year-old Joshua, a Hephzibah foster child, Hephzibah. couldn’t wait to reunite with his older brother at camp last summer. However, camp was tough

NG I C VE N A SI LE ES V AD CLU TAB NITI IN QUI MU E OM C

Gabriel faced many challenges in foster care -mostly at school. Frequent changes to his home life resulted in frequent school disruptions, and traditional school became nearly impossible for him. He suffered emotionally, and therefore his grades suffered.

Eventually failing out of school in his senior year,

L

Hepzibah’s Camp HepSIBah brings foster kids back together

Hephzibah Children’s Association • 708-649-7100 • hephzibahhome.org

Hephzibah Children’s Association • 708-649-7100 • hephzibahhome.org

ADVANCING INCLUSIVE EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES

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I was living in Wisconsin and wanted to move into Chicagoland area.

I went out to visit apartments through the OPRHC GUIDE service, with Gretchen, to find a new Home.

I wanted to move here for a new job and to be close to my girlfriend. I needed to be close to the CTA Greenline for his new employment.

While we were out,in I fell in love with aand greatwanted apartmenttoin move an owner occupied 2-Flat in the area.

Austin Community.

I was living Wisconsin into Chicagoland It was an affordable, spacious, two-bedroom apartment with a yard and a parking spot available.

I went out to visit apartments through the OPRHC GUIDE service, with Gretchen, I moved in on 11/3/2023 and love with the Chicago neighborhood just east of the Village of Oak Park!

The team at OPRHC providedto great service, knows theacommunities well, and howclose to work landlord! to find a new Home.

I wanted move here for new job and to be towith mythe girlfriend.

-Karl

I needed to be close to the CTA Greenline for his new employment.

Tis the season! Help us continue to help others! oprhc.org/donate • info@oprhc.org

While we were out, I fell in love with a great apartment in an owner occupied 2ͲFlat in the Austin Community.

It was an affordable, spacious, twoͲbedroom apartment with a yard and a parking spot available.

I moved in on 11/3/2023 and love with the Chicago neighborhood just east of the Village of Oak Park!

B18 November 22, 2023

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At the Conservatory, travel the world right here in Oak Park

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id you know you can travel the world right here in Oak Park? For over 90 years, the Oak Park Conservatory has invited guests to explore the lush showrooms and gardens of our diverse Conservatory collection. From Madagascar to Turkey and South Africa to Japan, visitors can discover plants representing six continents.

Since 1986, The Friends of the Conservatory has offered docent-guided tours of the Oak Park Conservatory. The tours are tailored to each grade level and focused on science and horticulture, climate, and geography.

Natural Wonders Await Over the years thousands of students have learned about the difference in rainfall between tropical, Mediterranean, and desert regions. They have learned about plant defense mechanisms, water retention, and how plants are a food source

for a wide array of creatures.

Maybe most importantly, they are inspired to explore places beyond where they live and to understand how they can be stewards of the earth.

Nature Education for All Last fall, we were delighted to welcome 5th graders from a school in Cicero for a tour. We asked the students when they arrived if they had ever been to the Conservatory -- not a single hand was raised! This was the first school to use the newly launched Tour Grant program.

We invite you to help expand our efforts to reach residents from surrounding communities with new opportunities and programs. Please help sustain The Friends and the historic Conservatory by supporting us today.

For more information about tours, volunteer opportunities, supporting us financially, or becoming a member, please visit fopcon.org.

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Bobby benefits from ACT Hub’s lasting impact

eet Bobby, a recent high school graduate and participant in the Austin Community Hub’s youth programming. It’s run by Dollie Sherman, engagement specialist at Austin Coming Together (ACT).

When Bobby was in middle school, he was held back a year. His Chicago school wanted to hold him an additional year as they felt he could not succeed in his current grade level. When Dollie Sherman caught wind of the situation she knew she had to take action on Bobby’s behalf. She met with his principal to articulate just how detrimental the decision would be for a young African American man.

She argued that not only would it set him back academically, but it would adversely impact his future beyond high school. As a result of

Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory • 708-725-2460 • fopcon.org

Sherman’s persistent contact with school officials, Bobby was able to re-test and was ultimately placed back in his original grade level.

Bobby became a regular participant in Dollie Sherman’s youth programming, including restorative justice activities and peace circles. These experiences had a positive impact on him and his ability to form bonds with others. Bobby felt his involvement with peace circles not only gave him the opportunity to meet other youth, but also connect with them on a deeper level.

Following his graduation, Bobby continues to work to support himself with the hope of starting college soon. He is grateful for ACT and believes their support instilled in him many essential life lessons. He hopes Mrs. Sherman will continue to reach youth across the West Side.

Austin Coming Together • 773-417-8601 • austincomingtogether.org Sponsored Content

This holiday Emily will have a turkey thanks to Beyond Hunger

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t Beyond Hunger the mission revolves around more than just providing healthy and nutritious groceries. It is about creating a relationship with clients that reminds them that our community will always be there for them.

As the cost of groceries continues to rise and federal benefits remain difficult to navigate, Beyond Hunger is a steadfast pillar of warmth and familiarity for those that come to the nonprofit.

One of the most impactful ways Beyond Hunger completes this mission is with holiday foods including turkeys. A lot of turkeys are delivered to clients during the holiday season.

Clients like Emily are particularly grateful.

“I actually cannot remember the last time I was able to have turkey for the holidays. I am excited

to receive one in November. I do not know where else I would be able to get one,” she said.

Beyond Hunger’s work is only possible with community support. With the generosity of a connected community, the organization can continue to forge the path toward a hungerfree future. Emily’s story is a testament that your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

Together, this community can create a future where every family enjoys a nourishing meal during the holidays.

Keep the community connected and Beyond Hunger’s pantry shelves stocked.

Donate today and learn more at www. gobeyondhunger.org

Beyond Hunger • 708-386-1324 • gobeyondhunger.org

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B20 November 22, 2023

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Your ART-venture starts at Maywood Fine Arts

aywood Fine Arts is the first stop for hundreds of students each year on an artistic journey which can last them a lifetime. Children who pass through its doors discover a safe space where they can explore their creativity and build their self-confidence. No matter the class -- whether it’s dance, tumbling, visual arts, music, drama or karate -MFA provides its students with an affordable ticket to anywhere and everywhere.

Chloe is a dance student who is thrilled to be adding both tumbling and visual arts class stamps to her MFA Passport. Being able to fully explore her creative world is only possible thanks to MFA’s affordable tuition and scholarships!

Nathaniel was just named the Assistant Musical Conductor of the National Tour for “MJ, The

Musical.” He began his MFA art-venture at the age of six but has never forgotten his musical roots and loves coming home so he can jam with his MFA music mentor, Mr. Carter.

Nia recently completed an internship at Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

Nia began her journey of excellence at MFA where she began dancing and tumbling at age 4 and served as a GOTS Youth Leader all the way through high school. Who knows how far she can fly thanks to her years at MFA. MFA students are going places. Help them stamp their passports with new classes, special performances, recitals, and all kinds of “Artventures” through your generous giving.

Every child deserves a ticket to the ARTS!

Maywood Fine Arts • 708-865-0301 • maywoodfinearts.org Sponsored Content

Multiple instruments, multiple bands for Hailie thanks to PING!

Psychiatry Appointments Available Call today to schedule! (708) 383-7500 Our team offers an integrated and holistic approach to psychiatry and medication management. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most insurance plans.

THE GIFT OF HOPE We envision a world where mental health is valued, proactively nurtured, and in reach of everyone. All are welcome at Thrive. Our services are accessible to everyone regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, legal status, beliefs, or ability.

Scan to Give

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esilience. Confidence.

Passion. All characteristics that Hailie and her grandmother, Hildegard, use to describe the impact PING! has had on Hailie, making her “who she is today,” according to Hildegarde. Hailie began playing flute, a band instrument, in 4th grade at Lincoln Elementary in River Forest. But, unlike other young musicians, she soon began learning violin too, part of the orchestra. Both instruments were supplied to her by PING! (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation). Hailie later undertook cello, and plays piccolo when needed, like for this season’s OPRFHS Marching Huskies, where she also serves as flute section leader.

“Hailie backs down from no challenge,” says Hildegarde. Her “intellect blossomed and matured through the music program.” Hailie participated in PING’s Mentor Program as a Roosevelt middle

schooler and takes weekly private lessons, funded by PING!, as an OPRF student.

Hildegarde says instrumental music and PING! programming has increased Hailie’s self-confidence.

“When she was younger, she didn’t have this type of confidence,” says Hildegarde. She sees Hailie’s confidence carry over socially and academically, too.

Hailie has participated in musical opportunities from solo recitals through her cello teacher to improvising on flute in Jazz at OPRF, to traveling to Memphis and New Orleans on the OPRF performing arts trip, spring 2023, to embarking with the Marching Huskies for the Thanksgiving Parde at Disney World this month, to enrolling in both curricular band and orchestra at school even though she was first told it could not be done.

“If you have a passion to do something, you will achieve it,” says Hailie.

PING! • 708-524-3001 • pingoprf.org

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COMMUNITIES ADVANCING INCLUSIVE G 22, 2023 B21 November ADVANCIN EQUITABLE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES EQUITABLEING

Season of Giving presented by Sponsored Content

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C IES ANIT DVUN E COMAM ADVANINCCINLUGSIVLE INCLUSEIQVUEITABNITIES MU EQUITABCOLM COMMUNITE IES . area

Charlie’s perseverance makes him an OK Warrior

First to the day program and finally back to his place on the line in the Knockout Kitchen!

pportunity Knocks believes that individuals who face the challenge of living with intellectual and developmental differences are Warriors.

OK also believes in interdependence. Warriors build communities and communities build Warriors.

Look no further than Charlie O to see those beliefs in action. One of OK’s Original Warriors, Charlie has been a part of every OK event and program since we opened the doors in 2010.

He is a beloved and valued member of the OK family. Charlie lost his mom this year. The loss was devastating. He suffered through the grief and withdrew from his OK connections during that time. With time, and some encouragement from his OK Family, he began a slow return.

He has been a huge part of the rebuild of the Knockout Enterprise team that has reactivated the production line, restored pickle production to pre-COVID numbers, launched a new series of pop-ups and farmed the best season yet on the Knockout Farm! He is part of the amazing group that have been hired & re-hired to total 13 current Warriors at Work. The work continues as OK reenvisions the strategy of the Knockout Kitchen.

At Opportunity Knocks, we envision an inclusive community where all individuals experience access, presence and support. Your support will help us continue to build that community. Please consider a contribution.

land en, Tis the season! icago retch h G C h o t i t ve in girlf ce, w

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Opportunity Knocks • 708-771-6159 • opportunityknocksnow.org

IT’S ALL IN THE NAME When life is work, Life is Work is here.

Stemming from the opportunities presented to us on the West Side, particularly in the Austin neighborhood, LIW has been serving the needs of our neighbors since 2017.

As time has evolved, our services have expanded in an effort to meet community needs. However, there is more to be done. Since our inception, our definition of "community" has grown, starting with Black and Brown trans individuals, and expanding to work with our neighbors of all backgrounds.

Life is Work is hope.

B22 November 22, 2023

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The Joyf Joyful Giving 2023 Catalo atalog g A House In Austin A House In Austin stands as a dual nurturing hub on Chicago’s west side, empowering parents and children simultaneously, igniting transformation within the community.

Children gather here to explore art, music, play, and learning, laying the foundation for their future. Simultaneously, parents find a supportive space for connection, and personal and parental development. Through our home visiting program, essentials like diapers, clothing, transportation, and emergency aid, ensure families’ basic needs are met.

With partnerships with Early Intervention and Children’s Research Triangle, therapy and mental health support are accessible, completing the circle of care. AHIA radiates warmth, enveloping families in an environment where they can truly thrive, side by side.

For more information call/ text 773.896.3582 or to support our mission please visit www.ahouseinaustin. org

Animal Care League Animal Care League offers a safe haven for pets in need. Rooted in the community since 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 1,300 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 animalcareleague.org where you can sign up to volunteer, make a donation, view our adoptable pets, and learn about upcoming events.

Everything you need for a better world: • More Art • More Compassion

• More Education • More Equity

• More Food • More Health

• More Housing • More Peace

Browse, read, share with your children. Give Locally – Give Joyfully!

Arts Alliance Forest Park Creativity is for everyone and Arts Alliance Forest Park (formerly Forest Park Arts Alliance) is The Catalyst for Creativity.

Programs include the well-attended and known Stoop Sessions, Teller’s Night, Garage Galleries, Makers’ Market and Fiber Flash.

Members enjoy a variety of benefits including discounts to events, advanced notice to opportunities to showcase your talent, all while collaborating with other local organizations and businesses including Forest Park Theatre, the Park District and Historical Society.

You were born creative.

Join the only Forest Park arts organization that assembles like-minded art enthusiasts for the love, fun and beauty of art.

Beyond Hunger For 45 years Beyond Hunger has been harnessing the power of communities to create a hunger-free future. Through our food pantry, home delivery program, nutrition education classes, and social services, we provide hunger relief that truly goes beyond basic nourishment. We provide our clients with the tools they need to ensure that no one is left behind in the battle against hunger. We know that this work would not be possible without our community. Whether you volunteer, advocate for those in need, or donate, you are essential in moving our mission forward. With your support, we believe hunger is solvable.

Learn more about how you can get involved in the fight to end hunger by visiting gobeyondhunger. org or donating using this QR Code.

Austin Coming Together Austin Coming Together (ACT)’s mission is to increase the collective impact of our 50+ member organizations on improving education and economic development outcomes for Chicago’s Austin community. Since 2010, we’ve been connecting residents to services, attracting investments for the community, and building capacity for policy change.

When the pandemic made long-standing inequities even worse, we started addressing growing needs through efforts like the Austin Eats Initiative, a 20+ group focused on strengthening the community’s food access infrastructure.

Learn how Austin is leading efforts to move forward together, and how you can support, at AustinComingTogether.org/AustinCares

BUILD Since 1969, we have embedded mentors in schools and across neighborhoods to connect with youth who need support.

Wrapping young people in the opportunities and care they deserve, we help them build hope, resilience, and a path to a promising future. We engage youth at every stage, with specialized teams dedicated to street violence interventions, gang detachments, creative after-school programming, academic school, college support, mental health care, community violence crisis response, and enrichment activities ranging from art and music to sports, podcasting, engineering, and gardening. Potential doesn’t discriminate, neither should opportunity.

Join us in BUILDing a better future: www. buildchicago.org

The Collaboration for Early Childhood Early care and education is the workforce behind the workforce. It makes everything else possible, and it allows children to reach their full potential from day one. We are a community-driven organization that cultivates the development of the whole child, birth to age five, by engaging families, local organizations, early childhood educators, caregivers, and health providers to create equitable, nurturing, and interconnected systems of support. Donate today to ensure that our community continues to be a place where families and their babies have the care, relationships, and resources needed to thrive!

The biggest change starts with the smallest people.

Invest in early childhood.

Learn more and donate at www.collab4kids.org.

Concordia University Chicago Founded in 1864, Concordia University Chicago has equipped students to serve and lead with integrity and compassion. Concordia-Chicago is a Christ-centered Lutheran university where truth, freedom, and vocation form students for lives of influence and service for the common good. Historically a college for teachers, it now offers more than 100 areas of study through traditional, blended or online classes. Students can earn a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees through one of four colleges: the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Health, Science & Technology, and the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities.

To learn more, please visit CUChicago.edu or CUChicago.edu/GiveNow to support our students.

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At Concordia nursing is truly a work of heart

and hospital-based clinical oncordia University rotations.

Chicago began an undergraduate This rigorous program will Bachelor of Science in Nursing prepare students to serve on (BSN) this fall, with all four the front lines of health care years taught exclusively on and take on the daily challenges the Concordia-Chicago of a rewarding career caring campus. The third floor of for others. Through robust the Christopher Center was theoretical and experiential fully renovated into the new learning, students will meet 4,500-square-foot simulation Concordia University Chicago’s new nursing the eligibility requirements program and simulation lab. lab, built specifically for the necessary to gain licensure as a program. It is a bright and registered nurse generalist. airy modern space dedicated to providing “I am incredibly excited to begin offering real-world nursing and medical-based learning this program to students who are called to opportunities that mirror those seen in the the profession of nursing. These future BSNs hospital setting. It features a skills attainment will be catalysts of change in today’s health lab, multispecialty intensive care spaces, a health care environment,” says CUC nursing director assessment-learning center and a simulated Kristen Bayer, MSN, APN, FNP-C. home environment. Each space is complete Prospective students interested in learning with state-of-the-art, lifelike patient simulators, more about the program, touring the new realistic practice models and hospital-grade simulation center and meeting the program equipment, to close the gap between coursework director should visit CUChicago.edu/nursing.

Concordia University Chicago • 708-771-8300 • cuchicago.edu Sponsored Content

One book at a time, one reader at a time, Our Future Reads empowers people

O

ur Future Reads has flourished thanks to the support from people in Chicago’s western suburbs. These are people who embody the local spirit of unity and support.

Our Future Reads champions literature as a means to empower curious minds, tackling literacy accessibility challenges and touching lives profoundly.

Linda, confined to a medical respite center, found solace and escape in the pages of an Agatha Christie novel provided by Our Future Reads. “It was as if I traveled to a different world, one where my physical constraints didn’t define me,” she says. Similarly, Daryll, a shelter frequenter, found spiritual support in the books he received. “These books have been my anchor, guiding me through tough times,” he says.

Our Future Reads has positively impacted over 3,000 individuals and families, with more than 9,000 books donated to those in need. This is a testament to the community’s commitment to ensuring access to literature for all, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The stories of Linda and Daryll are just two examples of the organization’s significant impact.

They highlight the power of books to provide comfort, escape, and spiritual support, fulfilling the mission of Our Future Reads.

As we continue to support this vital cause, let us fuel the flames of curiosity and ensure everyone has the right to access the vast world contained within books. The future of Our Future Reads, backed by the unwavering support of Chicago’s Western Suburban community, looks bright and promising.

Our Future Reads • 773-969-9676 • ourfuturereads.com

A Merry and Blessed Christmas!

God’s greatest gift to us is the gift of Himself, in His Son, Jesus Christ. A tiny baby nestled in the manger, with His arms reaching out to embrace the world – through Him, we find comfort in His promise of salvation.

In all things, we are reminded that Jesus came to us as a gift and we are privileged to share that gift with others.

Join us for

Service of Lessons and Carols

Concordia-Chicago’s Christmas tradition, featuring scripture readings, choral music and congregational singing in celebration of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Saturday, Dec. 2nd at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 3rd at 4 p.m.

Pre-service music begins 20 minutes prior to the start times listed above.

Located in the Chapel of Our Lord Parking and Admission are free; seating is first-come, first-served.

7400 Augusta St. River Forest, IL 60305 (708) 771-8300 CUChicago.edu

B24 November 22, 2023

Season of Giving presented by Sponsored Content

In time of loss, BUILD gathered in ‘Zara’ and ‘Dee’

“Z

ara” was in elementary school when she lost her father to gun violence.

She had lost her mother earlier. Her loving grandmother “Dee” took her in, but they both struggled with their grief and trauma.

She was failing at school when her teachers reached out to BUILD. A BUILD therapist came to Zara’s school, and they started working together there.

And soon, with focused care she began to stabilize and reconnect. Dee saw this effect firsthand and was soon in therapy at BUILD herself.

More services were added. A case worker helped Dee secure things like new furniture, winter coats and clothes. They also helped her reapply to public assistance programs that had previously rejected her. Dee and Zara are on their way to a more hopeful future.

Potential doesn’t discriminate — opportunity does. Every young person has the right to discover, explore, and fulfill that potential. So, BUILD wraps young people in choice and opportunity. Opportunities to try things out, find out what they like, and who they are. Meet new people, gain hope and inspiration.

BUILD helps them figure out what kind of life they want to build, then helps them make that plan: setting goals for school, health, training and work. We support them with scholarships and emergency funds when we can, look out for their families when they go away to college.

And just as important, we help them have fun, and start loving themselves. After all, we don’t only want them to have a diploma, or a job. We want them to have a whole positive future.

BUILD • 773-227-2880 • buildchicago.org

Special Advertising Section

Special Advertising Section

November 22, 2023 B25

Season of Giving presented by

The Day Nursery The Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery, located at 1139 Randolph Street in Oak Park, educates young children ages 2 ½ to age 6, and offers working families a safe and nurturing environment which fosters an academic, social emotional, and physical development.

The Day Nursery children who transitioned to kindergarten this fall, 100% met the benchmarks for social-emotional and 91% met the benchmarks for mathematics and literacy.

Please consider a tax-deductible gift to help us meet a $50,000 challenge grant that will provide equitable access to education for all children.

Visit www.daynursery.org to donate today.

Thank you.

Deborah’s Place Deborah’s Place has opened doors of opportunity for women experiencing homelessness in Chicago since 1985. Supportive housing offers women the key to healing and moving on from the experience of homelessness.

With more than 200 units of housing and over 600 women served yearly, Deborah’s Place is the largest provider of permanent supportive housing in Chicago exclusively for unaccompanied women. With homelessness at crisis levels across our community, Deborah’s Place is there to address the unique and underserved needs of women experiencing homelessness. Donor support makes it possible for women to maintain their housing and achieve their goals.

To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit deborahsplace.org, email info@ deborahsplace.org or call 773.722.5080

Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park is a non-profit 501(c)(3) literary arts and educational foundation dedicated to thoughtful reading and writing. The foundation offers a wide variety of programming, all open to the public, to nurture and encourage creative expression for students and for people of all ages. Through tours and exhibits at Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace museum, the foundation fosters an understanding of his life and work, his Oak Park origins and his impact on world literature.

Your gift supports creative outlets for people of all ages through professional teacher development, local author and performing artist programs, inter-generational engagement, a writer-in-residence program, as well as student writing workshops, mentorships, and scholarships.

For more information about us or to donate online go to hemingwaybirthplace.com or mail us at: Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park, P.O. Box 2222, Oak Park, IL 60303-2222.

Forest Park Theatre Forest Park Theatre (FPT) delivers language-centered, meta-theatrical, multi-disciplinary, lingual, and cultural performances that create 21st century classics that speak to theatre’s unique power.

FPT believes theatre should be accessible to everyone. It should feature diverse casts.

Theatre should tell stories that cannot be told any other way, and those stories should be about today’s world.

FPT brings theatre arts to Forest Park and neighboring communities through productions, readings and educational programs.

FPT is a non-profit through affiliation with Arts Alliance Forest Park, and a member of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce.

For sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, email forestparktheatre1@ gmail.com

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust The Trust is proud to steward Wright’s Home and Studio, an Oak Park treasure and longtime source of community pride and inspiration. We are continually grateful for the ongoing support of our neighbors. It is only through the generosity of donors, members and volunteers who care that we can preserve Wright’s original sites for future generations, sharing his design legacy with visitors from around the world. The Trust will celebrate its 50 th anniversary in 2024 and looks forward to engaging, educating, and inspiring for years to come.

Learn more or donate at flwright.org. 951 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory Built in 1929, the Oak Park Conservatory is a Historic Property of the Park District of Oak Park. Free to the public with 50,000 visitors annually, the Conservatory is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Conservatory offers three indoor showrooms featuring more than 3,000 plants and two outdoor gardens including a play area for toddlers. The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory offers a wide range of programs focused on enriching the visitor experience at the Conservatory. From volunteering to educational and recreational opportunities, tours and classes, there is something for everyone to enjoy year-round.

To learn more or to join, visit fopcon.org.

Growing Community Media

Growing Community Media connects residents through reader-supported journalism--our stories are based in facts, rooted deeply in our neighborhoods and reflective of voices not always heard. Through the Austin Weekly News, Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest, Forest Park Review, and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, GCM provides a vital civic service worthy of public support.

Our journalists tell compelling stories that strengthen the fabric of our democracy by holding local governments and institutions to account. GCM’s non-profit news sources grow political engagement, create shared culture, and connect community members to businesses and local events. It’s about more than news.

Donate for news that matters to you at growingcommunitymedia. org/donate

Hephzibah Children’s Association Founded in 1897, Hephzibah Children’s Association is Oak Park’s oldest social service agency. Serving children and families for over 125 years, Hephzibah’s mission of helping children thrive and families flourish is muti-faceted. We offer a residential treatment program for severely

abused, neglected, and traumatized children and those in need of behavioral intervention ages 3-11. In addition, Hepzibah offers foster care services, comprehensive services for children and families in crisis, positive parenting services and an abuse & neglect prevention program. Hephzibah also provides affordable after-school care and summer camp for Oak Park families of all income levels.

To make a donation, visit: hephzibahhome.org/donate-now/

Housing Forward

homelessness.

Housing Forward is passionately focused on one vision – ending

Housing Forward is a recognized leader in suburban Cook County offering a coordinated response for people experiencing a housing crisis to quickly resolve their situation. We believe in bold, comprehensive approaches to prevent homelessness whenever possible, respond to people in housing crises, and create stability through permanent housing for the most vulnerable members of our community. Each year we assist more than 2,000 individuals and families with comprehensive, wrap-around support from the onset of a financial or housing crisis to its resolution.

To learn more, donate, or to get involved, visit housingforward.org, email development@ housingforward.org, or call 708.338.1724

The Joyf Joyful Giving 2023 Catalo atalog g

B26 November 22, 2023

Special Advertising Section

Season of Giving presented by Sponsored Content

W

Invest in equity and Oak Park’s future at the library

hen you make a tax-deductible donation to the Oak Park Public Library, you’re investing in your community. You’re helping us put “the icing on the cake,” with innovative new programs and unique library initiatives available to everyone.

What does this “icing” look like? For one, it’s being able to borrow a sewing machine, or a telescope, or a tennis racket from your library, thanks to our newly launched Library of Things collection. It’s the delight on Oak Parkers’ faces when they see our Book Bike out and about at schools, parks, community events, food pantry sites and more, reaching residents of all ages who may not have been able to access our services and collections otherwise. It’s even the kids we’ve seen ignore the bounce house at their block party, in favor of

spending more time with the Book Bike!

Both the in-demand Library of Things collection and our wildly popular Book Bike were made possible by donations.

And next year, we will be rolling out a new electric Book Bike, also funded by generous donations, that will expand our outreach even further and help us bring the joy of reading to more families and foster even more community engagement.

Your donations empower us to build new connections, increase access to our services and resources, and strengthen relationships within our community. By giving to the library, you are helping us create a more connected, informed and engaged community. Together, we can make a lasting impact. Learn more at oppl.org/give.

Oak Park Public Library • 708-383-8200 • oppl.org

nning Award-wi !

Orchestra inary Extraord Music! our Here in y unity! own comm Celebrating our 92nd Season!

All concerts held on Sunday afternoons at 4 pm For more information, or to order tickets go to SymphonyOPRF. SymphonyOPRF.org org

708 218 2648 • thesymphonyoprf@gmail.com

Sponsored Content

D

Dominique finds strength, stability at New Moms

ominique knows how important it is to have a community of support when life is overwhelming.

Before she found New Moms, she and her son had slept in cars and foreclosed apartments just to find safety and comfort for a night.

For the last two years in New Moms’ housing program, Dominique has worked closely with New Moms coaches.

“What really impacted me in this program is Ms. Carolyn and Ms. Teneca. They treated me with respect and nurtured me. … When I thought I had no one in my corner, I always had them. I’m forever grateful for them.”

These supportive relationships with her coaches provided mental and emotional slack so she could focus on achieving her goals. Dominique took steps to secure stable housing with Carolyn,

New Moms housing locator.

Dominique recently signed a lease to a townhome in the neighborhood where she grew up, just 30 minutes away from her grandmother!

Dominique accomplished her next major goal of finding employment. She now works at Potbelly Sandwiches, where she got a raise and was promoted to floor manager.

Dominique acknowledges that New Moms supported her mentally, physically, and emotionally, providing a sense of security during her journey to build a thriving future.

Dominique is excited about having a stable home and enjoying simple pleasures with her son, like hosting sleepovers, playdates, and cooking.

Reflecting on her growth during her time at New Moms, Dominique shares, “I’m stronger than ever and will never let fear control me again. Thank you, New Moms!”

New Moms • 773-252-3253 • newmoms.org

Special Advertising Section

November 22, 2023 B27

Season of Giving presented by

KIDS TOO

Learning Edge Tutoring

KIDS TOO is a non profit that equips parents with methods to protect K-12 youth from overlooked dangers in schools. The organization addresses tough challenges like predatory adults, child on child abuse and online safety with a goal to provide all kids with a trauma-free school experience. KIDS TOO delivers on the mission by supporting policy and educating parents with its marquee program, the PAXA Pointers Curriculum.

We invite you to bring KIDS TOO one step closer to our child protection goals by donating online at www.kidstoo.org/ donate.

For over 30 years, Learning Edge Tutoring (formerly Cluster Tutoring Program) has been a part of the Oak Park and Austin communities. Our mission is to strive for more equity in education by providing Chicago area students who live in underserved communities free one-to-one tutoring and academic enrichment opportunities enhanced by caring, mentoring relationships.

We help our students improve their foundational reading and math skills, provide homework help, and foster enduring relationships. Your support provides 30 weeks of school year tutoring to students in Kindergarten through 12th grades.

To donate or volunteer, please visit our website https://learningedgetutoring.org/.

L’arche Chicago Life is better together…

Quality care for adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities extends beyond the basics of supporting someone with their basic living and medical needs. It’s about creating opportunities to say, “I’m living my best life” and mean it! L’Arche Chicago is committed to the highest quality of care for our core members (adults with disabilities), and our intentional community makes it possible for us to experience life to the fullest, together. Mutual relationships transform lives at all three of our homes, located in Forest Park and the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. Our fourth home, located in Oak Park, will open in the summer of 2024 when we will welcome four new core members.

You make our community stronger – Join us by making a gift today! www. larchechicago.org | 708-660-1600 hello@larchechicago.org

Life is Work Elevate your impact Life is Work Resources Center, a dynamic black trans-led social services and advocacy organization.

We are dedicated to empowering transgender, non-binary people through direct support, relentless activism, and unyielding advocacy.

Our mission is rooted in equality, inclusion, and empowerment. With a deep commitment to the trans community, we offer vital resources, mentorship, and a strong voice for change. Together, we amplify the voices that need to be heard, ensuring that no one is left behind. Join us on our mission to create a world where everyone can thrive, regardless of their gender identity or racial background. Life is Work – together, we rise.

Learn more at lifeiswork.org.

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Maywood Fine Arts Equity in the arts is the driving force behind Maywood Fine Arts’ programs and people. Access to affordable, high-quality instruction in dance, music, visual arts, drama, tumbling, karate and fitness cannot be taken for granted among families MFA serves from nearby, under-resourced communities such as Maywood, Bellwood, and Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. MFA, whose facilities anchor downtown Maywood, serves over 950 students each week between the ages of 4 and 18 with the majority being young people of color. Families count on MFA’s safe, nurturing out-of-school time environment where children learn artistic and social skills and expand their world view.

To donate, visit maywoodfinearts.org or send checks payable to Maywood Fine Arts, 25 N 5th Ave, Maywood, IL 60153.

Maywood Youth Mentoring Program Organized in 1993 as a 501c3, the Maywood Youth Mentoring Program has served hundreds of middle to high-school youth providing a variety of programs, workshops, field trips, and experiences designed to increase academic potential and instill cultural pride.

Since 2008, the program has hosted free monthly youth breakfasts with topics ranging from anger management and conflict resolution, etiquette, police/community interactions, sexual health, drug and alcohol avoidance, and academic excellence. Youths practice critical thinking skills to encourage positive life choices. Volunteer mentors interact with youths, providing positive role models for college and career choices. Funds are needed to continuously provide free services and incentives for participation.

New Moms For 40 years, New Moms has invested in the beauty and power of being a mother.

For moms 24 years or younger, it starts by building confidence in what’s possible. Our comprehensive approach provides housing, paid job training, college success, and family support for those impacted by systemic and structural barriers. Designed to cultivate each person’s inherent abilities, we combine behavioral research, proven methodology, and real-world experience to give young families a path to lasting success and generational change.

Join us in this essential work! Visit newmoms.org/season

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association strengthens our community through learning, giving, and sharing our landmark building through space grants to local non-profits, who account for 80% of its usage. We provide community outreach, scholarships, and public programming in five areas: music, art, literature, science, and social sciences. The Nineteenth Century is the owner of 178 Forest Avenue, commonly referred to as the Nineteenth Century Club. Our charitable and cultural activities are supported by our members, volunteers, donors, and by the events held at the building. Programs are open to all and we welcome all ages to join. Our Monday programs are now being live-streamed as well as available a week later on our website for all to enjoy.

If you would like information about volunteering, joining or donating, please call us at 708-386-2729 email to info@ nineteenthcentury.org. You can also make donations at nineteenthcentury.org.

To volunteer, or to donate, visit us at maywoodyouthmentoring.org, or contact Barbara Cole, founder/CEO, at barbaracole@maywoodyouthmentoring. org or 708-344-3577.

Learn more. Give more.

You can also visit OakPark.com and go to our Season of Giving page.

B28 November 22, 2023

Special Advertising Section

Season of Giving presented by Sponsored Content

Maya’s journey from homelessness to Deborah’s Place brought peace

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aya* lived under a viaduct and used a donated tent for shelter. At night, she struggled to stay awake to protect her body and belongings. Maya sometimes stayed at an overnight shelter when she could get there before the shelter was full and the doors closed. It was an extremely stressful and traumatic time in her life.

When an outreach worker approached her about moving from the tent into an apartment, Maya said, “Yes!” She was connected to Deborah’s Place and through its Rapid Rehousing program, her case manager helped Maya identify an apartment and complete all the paperwork for her lease and a subsidy. Now, in

her own apartment with a warm bed, stove and bathroom, Maya feels ready to move toward her goals of finding a job and improving her health.

For 38 years, Deborah’s Place has provided homes to thousands of women on the West Side. Last year they served more than 600 women.

“There’s so much peace here. … I have more sense of peace. I am much calmer and in my own space. My mental health is in a stable place; even my spirit is settled. What I mean by settled is, I don’t have to worry about where I will sleep tonight or if I can get back into the shelter. Hey, it’s just peace,” says Maya. *This resident’s name has been changed to protect her privacy

Deborah’s Place • 773-722-5080 • deborahsplace.org

OAK PA R K FE S T IV A L T HE A T R E IN V IT E S YO U T O

Your support makes it all possible. support makes it all possible.

Your support makes it all possible.

more and contribute to ourbymission by LearnLearn more and contribute to our mission more and contribute to our mission by donating or volunteering at deborahsplace.org donating or volunteering at deborahsplace.org ng or volunteering at deborahsplace.org

A T T HE 19TH CE NTU R Y CLU B

SA TURD A Y, F EBRUA RY 17, 202 4 Tickets go on sale December 15, 2023 Visit oakparkfestival.com for more information

November 22, 2023 B29

Season of Giving presented by

Oak Park Art League

Oak Park Public Library Investing in equity and Oak Park’s future Through the years, generous Oak Parkers have given to the Oak Park Public Library. These tax-deductible donations help library staff members pursue “the icing on

Oak Park and River Forest High School Alumni Association Since 2003, the OPRFHS Alumni Association has helped current OPRFHS students experience once in a lifetime lu mn ti cultural and academic i A ss o cia enrichment programs through its annual Bobbie L. Raymond Student Enrichment Grants. These grants allow students to explore and expand their interests and knowledge while preparing them for future education and career opportunities. In 2023, we provided $26,600 on behalf of 18 students for a variety of domestic and study abroad programs.

Ri

ver Forest

h School

You may donate at: oprhc.org/donate. To learn more, please call 708-848-7150, or email: info@oprhc.org.

Visit oprfcf.org to learn more about our services for donors, scholars, nonprofits, and the community at large.

ig

The Joyf Joyful Giving 2023 Catalo atalog g

Oak Park Regional Housing Center has celebrated 51 years with the mission to achieve vibrant communities while promoting intentional and stable residential integration throughout Oak Park and the surrounding communities. OPRHC is the only non- profit agency in Oak Park promoting intentional integrative housing stability options. Consider giving a tax-deductible year end donation so that we may reach our goal to raise $25,000 by December 31, 2023! These funds will help us continue to help integrate and invigorate the Greater Westside communities for up to 100 individuals in the first quarter of 2023!

The mission of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is to unite community members and mobilize resources to advance a racially just society and equitable outcomes for residents of Oak Park, River Forest and surrounding communities.

We envision a racially just and equitable society as the full inclusion of all people into a society in which everyone can participate, thrive and prosper. In an equitable society, everyone, regardless of circumstance of birth or upbringing, is treated justly and fairly by its institutions and systems.

H

For more information about membership, exhibitions, classes, workshops, outreach, or to donate to these efforts, please contact Brad Nugent, Executive Director, at 708-386-9853 or email inquiries to oakparkartleague@gmail.com.

Oak Park Regional Housing Center

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

A

The Oak Park Art League (OPAL) is one of the longest running non-profit arts organizations in Illinois. Since 1921, OPAL has brought arts education, appreciation, exhibitions, and artistic inquiry to the surrounding community. OPAL is committed to meaningful outreach to Oak Park and the surrounding communities through partnerships, on-site arts programming, and collaborations. The Oak Park Art League is located at 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 and online at oakparkartleague.org.

To learn more about us and to donate, please visit oakparkfestival.com.

To learn more about giving to the library, visit oppl.org/donate or contact the library’s Accounting and Finance Manager Linda Barnett at lindab@oppl.org.

on

To learn more or to donate to the scholarship fund, visit opalga.org/donate.

Best known for our outdoor productions of Shakespeare performed each summer under a canopy of stars in the idyllic Austin Gardens, Oak Park Festival Theatre has been bringing live professional theatre to the western suburbs since 1975. Arts and culture are an essential feature of a thriving community and OPFT has been bringing the community together for nearly fifty years by performing timeless plays in distinctive spaces and creating empowering educational programming in order to foster dialogue, strengthen relationships, and explore the depth of human experience.

the cake” — innovative new programs and unique library initiatives made available to everyone.

&

The OPALGA+ Student Scholarship Fund provides financial support for the post-high school education of local students who have demonstrated service and advocacy to the LGBTQIA+ community. Young LGBTQIA+ people face unique challenges in high school and college; students with LGBTQIA+ parents have distinct experiences shaped by their families. The scholarship program depends on the year-round generosity of OPALGA+ members and community support. Since 2014, OPALGA+ has awarded over $170,000 in scholarships and plans to award eight $5,000 awards in 2024.

Oak Park Festival Theatre

Park

Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Association Plus (OPALGA+)

Oak

Special Advertising Section

OPRFHS Scholarship Foundation Nurturing Knowledge: A Philanthropic Endeavor by the OPRFHS Scholarship Foundation Unlock futures with a legacy of generosity!

In 2023, 101 OPRFHS seniors soared with $275,650 in scholarships.

Since 1924, the Foundation has championed dreams, awarding countless scholarships to deserving graduates. Your support empowers academic achievement, leadership, sportsmanship, artistic accomplishment, community service, and more. Join us in shaping destinies—give to the Oak Park and River Forest High School Scholarship Foundation.

Every contribution fuels potential and bridges dreams with reality.

Visit scholarships4oprfhs.org to make a lasting impact on deserving students.

Let’s cultivate legacies of education and opportunity together.

Oak Park River Forest History Museum The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest is the community’s storyteller, making history relevant in tangible ways that positively impact today’s residents including walking tours, school field trips, traveling exhibits, and house research.

We operate Oak Park River Forest Museum in an 1898 Oak Park Landmark at Lake and Lombard next to Stevenson Park. We invested $1 million in private funds to create a welcoming space in a former firehouse.

Exhibits include our new “Ever-Changing, Yet the Same: OPRF High School at 150” and “Open House: The Legacy of Fair Housing.” We are not supported by tax dollars and a gift of any amount funds our 2024 activities, research center, and knowledgeable staff.

Learn more and donate at oprfmuseum.org or 708-848-6755.

Make a difference in the life of an OPRFHS student with a donation to the OPRFHS Alumni Association. DONATE at www.oprfhs.com/about/alumni/ support

Learn more. Give more.

You can also visit OakPark.com and go to our Season of Giving page.

B30 November 22, 2023

Special Advertising Section

Season of Giving presented by

OPRF Infant Welfare Society and IWS Children’s Clinic Join us in nurturing the complete well-being of children and advancing health equity! At the OPRF Infant Welfare Society and IWS Children’s Clinic, we are committed to serving publicly insured/ uninsured children and addressing their holistic health needs. Our services encompass sick and well-child visits, dental care, behavioral health support, and various wrap-around programs. Annually, we extend our care to more than 3,400 children from various areas, including Oak Park, Chicago, Berwyn, Cicero, and beyond.

You can make a meaningful difference today by supporting the comprehensive health requirements of children in our community. A donation of $25 enables a mental health screening, $50 covers the cost of two vaccines, and $100 provides a preventive dental cleaning. Your contribution helps us ensure that every child receives the care they deserve. Act now and be a part of this vital mission!

Learn more and donate today at www.childrenscliniciws.org

One Earth Collective One Earth curates vibrant environmental programming that inspires action, facilitates learning, promotes justice, and fosters equity and inclusion to create resilient communities and a healthier planet. We focus our work in 3 areas - One Earth Film Festival, One Earth Youth Voices, and One Earth Local.

One Earth Film Fest’s 13th season will take place March 7-10, 2024. We’re excited to welcome Chicagoland audiences back live, in addition to our virtual screenings. Join us for captivating films, engaging discussion, impactful action opportunities and community-building. Memberships start at $35.

Opportunity Knocks Opportunity Knocks was founded in 2009 by families and embraced by a community that recognized significant opportunities to develop more substantial and responsive programs, support and partnerships where people with different abilities would be more present with interdependent connections. We strive to be co-creators of programs, enterprise, and partnerships that contribute to developing a community where people with different abilities are able to live, work, learn, grow and pursue a life of their design. As a 95% privately funded organization, we depend on the community’s generosity to advance our mission. Your support is appreciated.

Visit opportunityknocksnow.org to learn more.

Our Future Reads: Empowering Through Literature Dedicated to fostering curiosity, Our Future Reads provides access to literature for all across Chicagoland.

Founded on the belief that everyone deserves knowledge, the organization has donated over 9,000 books to those in need. Supported by our community, Our Future Reads combats literacy challenges, serving over 3,000 individuals. Join the mission, empower minds, and ensure a brighter future where books ignite sparks of inspiration.

Donate, volunteer, or partner today.

Contact: Info@OurFutureReads.com or (773) 969-9676. Your support can shape a future filled with informed, curious readers!

PING!

River Forest Public Library

(Providing Instruments for the Next Generation) PING!, a 25-year-old, community nonprofit organization, provides band and orchestra instruments along with mentoring, workshops, and access to lessons, music camps, and trips to students in need in grades 4 through 12, bringing true equity to instrumental music in Oak Park and River Forest public schools. In our community’s high-quality school music programs, PING! students can be on par with peers, regardless of their financial situations, and feel like they belong. PING! is serving 150 young musicians this school year, at least 75% people of color, bringing diversity to instrumental music while providing access to all. Help support young musicians.

Donate: pingoprf.org/ donate. Instrument donations: info@pingoprf. org.

Progress Center for Independent Living Founded in 1988, Progress Center for Independent Living is a cross-disability organization governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities. Progress Center serves people with all types of disabilities in Suburban Cook County. We assist individuals in pursuit of their self-determined goals. Progress Center recognizes the innate rights, needs and diversity of the disabled, works toward their integration into community life, and serves as an agent of social change. Progress Center is dedicated to building a society in which people with disabilities exercise the same freedoms, rights, and civil liberties as everyone else.

In person and online, River Forest Public Library serves everyone from toddlers to seniors by connecting them with information, entertainment, and each other in a welcoming space.

RFPL Foundation works to ensure the vitality of the Library through advocacy, fundraising, and grants. Foundation grants have enabled the Library to repurpose mechanical room space to build a new multi-purpose meeting room and ADA compliant restroom, refresh the Children’s and Teen spaces, maintain the Memorial Garden for gatherings, offer community events like the Dooley Band concert and Summer Reading Kickoff, and more.

Please donate at rfplfoundation.org and help your Library continue to serve and connect our community for generations to come.

Sarah’s Inn Sarah’s Inn is a community-based organization whose mission is to improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence for future generations.

We offer services in three areas of program focus: Intervention services for families affected by domestic violence that includes Advocacy and Counseling; Prevention education for youth to give them the tools to develop healthy relationships; and Training and Education for professionals and community-based organizations to create a network of skilled ambassadors. Intervention services are confidential, bilingual (English/Spanish), and offered free of charge to survivors and their children.

Make a donation at sarahsinn.org/donate

Donate today and learn more at: progresscil.org/

Learn more and donate at oneearthfilmfest.org/give.

Learn more. Give more.

You can also visit OakPark.com and go to our Season of Giving page.

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November 22, 2023 B31

Season of Giving presented by Sponsored Content

Sharing Stories in OPRF Museum… and in the Streets

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ak Park and River Forest are filled with fascinating stories about the people who walked the streets before us.

Oak Park River Forest Museum brings this history to life through exhibits and programs at the corner of Lake Street and Lombard Avenue in a 125-year-old Oak Park Landmark that started its life in 1898 as a firehouse. We are proud to be the repository of so much community history and take seriously our mission as historians and storytellers.

That’s why in partnership with the high school community, this fall we created a new featured exhibit, “Ever Changing, Yet the Same: OPRF High School at 150,” which puts the spotlight on Oak Park and River Forest High School in its Sesquicentennial year. This story is told in

colorful artifacts, evocative photos, profiles of alumni, and a timeline that traces the birth and expansion of a central community institution.

While we invite residents, students and tourists to visit OPRF Museum and our exhibits and research center, we also bring stories out to neighborhoods in both villages.

Our guided walking tours bring history to life on sidewalks and streets. And our free Black History Bike Tour of Oak Park celebrates the unique contributions of African American residents over more than 100 years.

“There is a powerful connection with the past when you stand right where history happened,” said OPRF Museum Executive Director Frank Lipo. “Our job is to make history come alive for our community.”

Check out oprfmuseum.org to learn more.

Oak Park River Forest Museum • 708-848-6755 • oprfmuseum.org

Sponsored Content

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Way Back Inn: Jillian’s Story

y story begins at the local gas station. The attendant knew me to be homeless and harmless; she didn’t mind that I meandered around the store with my drink, thawing my bones. She merely smiled when I purchased a bottle of Listerine and a pack of cigarettes. “The poor man’s “Rumplemintz” is what I’d jokingly call it. She looked out at me, pensive and remote, then down at me - never down on me, though. I looked up at her and our tear-filled eyes met. I asked if she would call someone for me. An ambulance came shortly thereafter.

Toward the end of my stay in the Emergency Room, the staff asked if I wanted to go home. What home? I said if I did leave, I’d just end up back there. I pointed out that was the same response I’d had the last time they asked me, just a few days ago. I was stuck.

My counselor gave me a packet of recovery homes to contact. Way Back Inn answered my desperate call– they said, “recovery first, we’ll figure out the fees later.”

It was immediately apparent that Way Back Inn was unique. They provided me with the structure and support I needed to grow and succeed.

With the help of peer support, therapy, and the months I spent in this residential program, I was transformed into something I never dreamt I could be: a genuinely happy, stable, sober person.

Way Back Inn • 708-345-8422 • waybackinn.org

New Exhibit Tells Story of OPRF High School at 150 Open Wednesday-Saturday afternoons and by appointment for group tours

Join us for a FREE Open House on Saturday, November 25, from 1-5 p.m.

The Class of 1884

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The new exhibit, “Ever Changing, Yet the Same: OPRF High School at 150,” is featured until the end of 2025!

Learn more about the impact the high school has had on this community--and the wider world.

Questions? 708-848-6755 or oprfmuseum.org • 129 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60302

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Join us at Oak Park River Forest Museum as we tell some of the many stories of OPRF High School in dramatic fashion with artifacts, spirit wear, photos, and the biographies of notable alumni--some you know and some who you SHOULD know more about!

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B32 November 22, 2023

Special Advertising Section

Season of Giving presented by

The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest

Way Back Inn

The award-winning Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest and its esteemed conductor Jay Friedman, continues to bring extraordinary and accessible concerts to our community. Ticket sales provide less than half the funds needed for the Symphony’s performances. Your gift keeps the orchestra going strong and allows us to maintain affordable ticket prices, including free admission for all students through college. Please help us continue and strengthen our 91-year tradition of bringing beautiful and inspiring music to Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and neighboring communities.

Make your end-of-year tax-deductible donation at SymphonyOPRF.org, or: P.O. Box 3564, Oak Park, IL 60303-3564.

Thrive Counseling Center Thrive Counseling Center has provided mental health services to Oak Park and surrounding communities for over 120 years. We build healthy minds, families, and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being, regardless of their ability to pay.

We envision a world where mental health is valued, proactively nurtured, and in reach of everyone.

• Individual therapy • Group therapy • Psychiatry and medication management

Since 1974, Way Back Inn has successfully provided long-term residential and outpatient treatment for substance and gambling use disorders. Our mission is to rebuild lives damaged by addiction in a personalized healing environment. This holiday season, we ask that you gift responsibly with the youth in your family. Children who have early exposure to gambling experiences, including lottery tickets, are more likely to develop a gambling problem later in life.

For more information or to make a donation to our program, go to: www. waybackinn.org or call us at 708-345-8422 ext. 22.

West Cook YMCA When you give to the West Cook YMCA, you impact our community today and tomorrow.

100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to providing scholarships to children, adults, and seniors- your friends and neighbors-transforming their lives through access to health screenings, chronic disease prevention programs, after-school programs, swim lessons, homeless prevention for residents, and Y memberships that can open the door to help each person become their best self.

To donate, visit westcookymca. org/120years or send your check to West Cook YMCA, 255 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302. (708-383-5200)

• 24/7 Crisis intervention • Case management • Suicide awareness and prevention training • Thrive Talks community education programs Open Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday 9am-5pm, and Saturday from 9am-2pm. To learn more or donate, please visit thrivecc. org or call 708-383-7500.

West Suburban Special Recreation Association West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) provides recreational programming for individuals with disabilities who reside in Oak Park, River Forest and nine other surrounding communities. Donations to WSSRA help provide financial assistance to those participating in our year-round programs and summer day camp.

To make a donation please visit wssra.net.

Wonder Works

Youth Crossroads Youth Crossroads supports youth and their families, guiding them through life’s challenges, and inspiring them to discover new opportunities for personal development, healthy relationships, and positive community involvement. We are the only organization in our community offering counseling services and youth development programs free of charge and in English and Spanish. We offer in-school counseling, community counseling, crisis intervention, youth leadership training, after-school enrichment, workforce development, and violence prevention programs.

For 20 years, children have learned through PLAY in the enriching environment of Wonder Works Children’s Museum on North Avenue. Each of our 8 permanent exhibits is designed to facilitate playful learning in the areas of science, math, pre-literacy, and the arts for children from birth to 8. Your donations support sensory friendly play sessions, discounted admission for families in financial need, special events, and exhibit improvements. Please join us in our mission to fuel curiosity and creativity through fun and playful learning in safe spaces.

Your donation makes it possible for youth to get the guidance, support, and inspiration they need to achieve success at school, at home, and in life. Visit youthcrossroads.org for details.

Visit wonder-works.org/give/ to support the power of play with a donation.

The Joyf Joyful Giving 2023 Catalo atalog g

Learn more. Give more.

You can also visit OakPark.com and go to our Season of Giving page.

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November 22, 2023 B33

Season of Giving presented by Sponsored Content

One Earth Collective inspires action to preserve our planet

O

ur planet is warming at an unprecedented rate. This summer, the entire Midwest, including the Chicago area, has encountered numerous days with Air Quality Index values ranging up to 300+ due to uncontrolled forest fires in Canada, exacerbated by climate change.

And other regions have fared far worse.

Over the past 12 years, One Earth Collective (OEC) has reached diverse communities with impactful programs centered around environmental sustainability and justice, including the One Earth Film Festival (OEFF), the Midwest’s premier environmental film festival.

One Earth also leads youth and hyperlocal community resiliency programs and its

unique arts-for-social change festival model has provided much-needed knowledge and inspiration to audiences locally, nationally, and globally to combat the paralysis felt when confronting climate change.

Through film, facilitated discussion and select opportunities for inclusive action, we are activating audiences and instilling hope for collective action to preserve our one and only planet.

A 2023 audience member shared, “Our experience with the One Earth Film Festival was exciting and profound. It awakened our conscience about caring for our planet and the importance of connecting with our essence (nature) to build a better world.”

One Earth Collective • 708-824-6201 • oneearthcollective.org Sponsored Content

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Historic Nineteenth Century hosts contemporary dance series

he Nineteenth Century Charitable Association is proud to host many talented people with its weekly Monday Enrichment Series. The programs take place Monday at 1:15 p.m. in the club’s lovely and historic building at 178 Forest Ave, in Oak Park.

The Nineteenth Century is dedicated to learning, giving and sharing its landmark building with other nonprofits, plus a host of incredible artists and speakers. This year, we want to highlight this exciting dance program from Governor State University.

The Governor State University Dance Company explores and expresses themes related to social justice. With original choreography by GSU faculty, students, and alumni, Rise Up! features provocative performances that defy classification and explore topics such as environmental destruction, breaking generational curses, abuse of power, and mental health.

The programs are free to the public and can be zoomed if you can’t make be here in person visit our website for more info.

No registration is necessary. Donations are welcome!

The Nineteenth Century Club • 708.386.2729 • nineteenthcentury.org

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B34 November 22, 2023

Season of Giving presented by

Special Advertising Section

Animal Care League celebrates 50 years with expanded facility Ambitious expansion and renovation nearly complete

By EREZ BEN-AKIVA Contributing Reporter

It’s sometimes overwhelming, discouraging even, for Kira Robson, executive director of the Animal Care League, to think about just how many animals are in need. So she focuses on a case by case basis, those differences made for individual animals. The impact certainly adds up.

An Oak Park fixture for half a century, the Animal Care League is soon set to significantly expand the capacity of its shelter and animal welfare services. Put simply, the organization wants to help more animals.

By early 2024, the organization hopes to have completed the expansion and renovation of a 19,000 square foot “pet resource campus,” according to Robson. The ambitious project on Garfield Street in Oak Park will create a facility that will allow the non-profit shelter to exponentially increase its impact.

“We will have lots more space for animals,” Robson

PROVIDED

said. “We will basically have a completely separate adoption center from all of our intake and rescue areas. We will have expanded our spay, neuter and medical clinic to be able to do more life-saving procedures in house.”

Earlier in 2023, a new adoption area opened, serving as the first completed phase of the construction project. It aims to destigmatize the feeling of walking into an animal shelter.

“That adoption center space is intendMITTENS ed to be very warm and welcoming and stress-free for both animals and visitors and just sort of give us all of the right setup to help people fall in love with pets,” Robson said.

The facility changes all come in the midst of a considerable milestone for the Animal Care League.

Founded in 1973, the organization celebrated 50 years in Oak Park this past October.

“We are at this incredible turning point for growth, and so we’re really setting the stage for the next 50 years of history to be pretty amazing,” Robson said.

Animal Care League is classified as a no-kill shelter, meaning at least 90% of the animals in its care are PROVIDED

adopted. Robson said the shelter in fact runs at a 95% to 98% placement rate.

Of particular note for the organization are cases of animals that require patient, difficult care due to medical or behavioral challenges where animals are eventually placed in homes.

“There have been animals who have really special needs or really just are going to take extra patience, and being able to find in the world people who are willing to save them and give them that second chance or go through what needs to be gone through to make sure that they get a second chance is something I think sticks with me,” Robson said.

The shelter’s impact, most prominently, is felt locally.

Animal Care League partners with nine local municipalities – including Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park – to take in strays.

Yet the shelter’s sphere of service also spans throughout the United States. The organization has partners in southern states and beyond, like Texas and Puerto Rico, to assist whenever possible with animals at risk of being euthanized in those areas.

“I always try to say Animal Care League is a very locally, community-rooted organization,” Robson said. “But our impact spans kind of nationwide, which is, I think, really cool.”

Above all though, the shelter is an institution of Oak Park. And it is relying on Oak Park. The organization couldn’t do what it does without community support, like volunteering and contributing to their capital campaign, according to Robson.

“We are rooted in Oak Park,” she said. “We’re not leaving Oak Park, but we also need Oak Park to help us make the next 50 years of history.”

Special Advertising Section

Season of Giving presented by

November 22, 2023 B35

Sponsored Content

Children’s Clinic helps kids, families with early behavioral health screens

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he IWS Children’s Clinic’s Behavioral Health and Social Services Program plays a crucial role in expanding access to behavioral healthcare for low-income children. What sets our care apart is the complete integration of medical, dental and behavioral health services.

Our need for private funding arises from the financial realities of operating a healthcare facility for economically disadvantaged children. There is always a gap between the cost of providing medical and dental services to our patients and what we receive from the State of Illinois for these services, resulting in an annual budget deficit exceeding $1 million that we must bridge each year.

It’s alarming that 53% of children in Illinois, aged 3-17, are reported to be dealing with

emotional, behavioral, or developmental conditions.

These underserved children can greatly benefit from the support of our behavioral health professionals. Early screening and intervention for developmental delays and social-emotional issues have a proven track record of significantly improving long-term outcomes for both children and their families. We conduct these screenings when patients visit both our dental and medical professionals.

Your support can make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need.

Your donation today can help provide essential services and instill hope in those who depend on us. Join us in making a positive difference -every contribution matters.

Infant Welfare Society • 708-848-0528 • childrenscliniciws.org Sponsored Content

I

OPRF Scholarship Foundation empowers the future

n the vibrant tapestry of Oak Park and River Forest, the impact of the Scholarship Foundation is a tale of empowerment and transformation. In 2023, 101 graduating seniors experienced the tangible effect of $275,650 in scholarships — a testament to the foundation’s commitment to unlocking the doors of education.

Founded in 1924, the foundation transcends being merely a financial support system. It acts as a catalyst for profound change. Scholarships go beyond being granted. They are intentional investments in each student’s promise, recognizing excellence and accomplishments.

The community witnesses the ripple effect of this investment as scholars, armed with knowledge and skills, become agents of positive change. Beyond academic achievements, they embody the values instilled by the foundation,

contributing to the community’s fabric and beyond through leadership roles, artistic endeavors, and impactful service projects.

Parents, teachers, and residents take pride in the collective investment, seeing the results in a community enriched by the achievements of its scholars.

The impact extends beyond graduation, with alumni returning to contribute to the foundation, perpetuating a cycle of giving and receiving.

Every contribution, every dollar, is a bridge connecting dreams to reality. The foundation’s website, scholarships4oprfhs.org, serves as a portal for those eager to make a lasting impact on deserving students, ensuring the legacy of education and opportunity continues to flourish in Oak Park and River Forest.

Visit scholarships4oprfhs.org to make a lasting impact on deserving students.

OPRF High School Scholarship Foundation • scholarships4oprfhs.org

Since 1924, the Oak park and River Forest High School Scholarship Foundation has awarded college scholarships to hundreds of OPRFHS graduating seniors. Scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated excellence and initiative in academics, leadership, sports, community service, the arts, and more.

Learn how you can contribute to our scholarship funds at: scholarship4oprfhs.org.

B36 November 22, 2023

Season of Giving presented by

Special Advertising Section

Sponsored Content

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A Stack of Newspapers

n a cold February day, Shelley opened the front door to her Oak Park apartment where she was greeted by a stack of sixteen newspapers and bags of unopened mail. It was the day after Valentine’s Day and the collection of backdated issues of Wednesday Journal felt more like love letters than local news. Shelley snuggled up in the quiet comfort of her own home and read them in chronological order from oldest to most recent. She was using them as a tool to track time she had lost.

In November of the previous year, a heartrelated crisis landed Shelley in the emergency room and a series of subsequent surgeries and unexpected downturns kept in her in the hospital for four months straight. Most of the time she was fighting for her life remains a blur to Shelley. Though she fought her way back to good health with the care of an outstanding medical team and support staff, she struggled to make sense of all that had happened to her.

“Coming home and reading those issues of

Wednesday Journal grounded me.

They helped me to re-connect to my community, focus on something other than myself and make some sense of the time I couldn’t account for while I was in and out of consciousness,” said Shelley. “I love Wednesday Journal. I read it cover-to-cover every week, but reading those issues felt like going back in time. They made me feel normal after four months when nothing was normal.”

Subscribers like Shelley and GCM donors appreciate the attention Growing Community Media publications give issues they care about and understand local newsrooms should not be taken for granted. We are grateful Shelley shared her story with us and we are proud she is part of our GCM community. Her perspective celebrates the unique way local news sources keep residents meaningfully connected to the people, events and institutions inside their newsworthy communities. At GCM it’s about more than news.

Growing Community Media • 708-524-8300 • growingcommunitymedia.org

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Get all the live links!

Visit the Joyful Giving Catalog online at:

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Wonderful holiday season Season of Giving presented by

November 22, 2023 B37

Wishing you a

Don Harmon

Camille Lilly

Senate President

Assistant Majority Leader

6941 W. North Avenue Oak Park, IL 60302 708-848-2002 harmon@senatedem.illlinois.gov

6937 W. North Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 (773) 473-7300 staterepcamilleylilly@gmail.com

B38 November 22, 2023

Special Advertising Section

Season of Giving presented by

2023

Index of Organizations and Sponsors

Season of

Giving Your Local Guide to a Better World

Get all the live links!

Visit the Joyful Giving Catalog online at: A House in Austin ........................................ B9, B22 Animal Care League..................................... B6, B22 Arts Alliance Forest Park.................................... B22 Austin Coming Together .................. B18, B19, B22 Beyond Hunger ........................................... B18, B22 BUILD .......................................................... B24, B22 Byline Bank ................................................... B5, B40 Collaboration for Early Childhood……..B13, B22 Concordia University ................................. B23, B22 Day Nursery ......................................................... B25 Deborah’s Place ........................................... B28, B25 Don Harmon, Illinois Senate President............ B37 Ernest Hemingway Foundation......................... B25 Forest Park Theatre.............................................. B25 Frank Lloyd Wright Trust................................... B25 Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory .... B18, B25 Growing Community Media............ B36, B39, B25 Hephzibah Children’s Association ........................... .............................................................. B16, B17, B25 Housing Forward........................................ B13, B25

Infant Welfare Society ................................ B35, B30 Kids Too ................................................................ B27 L’Arche Chicago .......................................... B15, B27 Learning Edge Tutoring ...................................... B27 Life is Work Resource Center .................... B21,B24 Maywood Fine Arts.................................... B20, B27 Maywood Youth Mentoring Program .............. B27 New Moms .................................................. B26, B27 Nineteenth Century Charitable Association ....................................................................... B33, B27 OPALGA+ ..................................................... B9, B27 Oak Park Art League........................................... B29 Oak Park Festival Theatre.......................... B28, B29 Oak Park Public Library ............................ B26, B29 Oak Park Regional Housing Center ......................... .............................................................. B17, B21, B29 Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation........................B2, B3, B29 Oak Park River Forest High School Alumni Association ............................................ B29

Oak Park River Forest High School Scholarship Foundation............................. B29, B35 Oak Park River Forest Museum ............... B29, B31 One Earth Collective.................................. B33, B30 Opportunity Knocks .................................. B21, B30 Our Future Reads ....................................... B23, B30 PING! ........................................................... B20, B30 The Progress Center ............................................ B30 River Forest Public Library Foundation ........... B30 Sarah’s Inn.................................................... B15, B30 Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest .... B26, B32 Thrive Counseling Center ......................... B20, B32 Way Back Inn .............................................. B31, B32 West Cook YMCA ............................. B10, B11, B32 West Suburban Special Recreation Association ....................................... B32 Wonder Works ..................................................... B32 Youth Crossroads.......................................... B6, B32

Special Advertising Section

November 22, 2023 B39

Season of Giving presented by

Double your Donation to your hometown news this week!

D

on’t forget that Giving NewsDay is Tuesday the 28th. And thanks to a generous match from our dedicated Board of Directors, your donation will be doubled until we reach our NewsDay goal of $50,000. We know you value independent local journalism, and we need your support to continue bringing you the stories and features you depend on week after week.

We believe journalism should serve the public interest. And we need support from folks like you to uphold that mission. You can help us build a more robust newsroom by making a donation this week - and double your impact! Help us reach our Giving NewsDay goal by Tuesday the 28th give today!

Warmly, Erika Hobbs, Editor

P.S. Please help us spread the word! Let friends and colleagues who value independent local journalism know about our match.

Support and donate here:

Democracy Needs News.

News Needs YOU. Donate to Growing Community Media.

B40 November 22, 2023

Season of Giving presented by

Special Advertising Section

Committed to Oak Park and River Forest.

Left to right: Denise Warren, Oak Park Branch Manager; Susie Goldschmidt, Oak Park River Forest Market President; Michael Starrick, River Forest Branch Manager

Whether you’re seeing a movie at the Lake Theatre or strolling through Austin Gardens, we think you should be able to get all of your banking done in your neighborhood… with people who love the area as much as you do. Byline is privileged to be a part of the Oak Park and River Forest community, and we are proud to have contributed more than $60,000 in sponsorships and support in 2023 to local nonprofits like Beyond Hunger, the Oak Park Cycle Club, and the Women’s Global Education Project.

To learn more about our commitment to Oak Park and River Forest, visit bylinebank.com/oprf

©2023 Byline Bank. Member FDIC.