WednesdayJournal_112316

W E D N E S D A Y

November 23, 2016 Vol. 35, No. 14 ONE DOLLAR

JOURNAL

You gotta be bleepin’ me!

of Oak Park and River Forest

@O @OakPark

The Ringmaster

Strickland enjoys memorable career as boxing trainer/cutman

Fenwick football loses semifinal game on blown call page 22

OPRF suspends wrestling coach Incident alleged at his home while he was away

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Strickland wore at fights he worked (including 70 world title fights and 20 world championships) plus assorted jackets, plaques, trophies from significant fights and personally signed, framed pictures to Strickland from an array of boxing legends.

“It truly is a wonderful representation of Jim’s boxing career, but we’re breaking it all down soon,” Deanna said with a laugh. “We have to get this table ready for

Oak Park and River Forest High School wrestling coach Mike Powell reportedly has been placed on administrative leave for alleged misconduct that, according to multiple students and parents, happened in late August during a party thrown by student-athletes at the coach’s Oak Park home.

Powell was out of town at the time.

Based on interviews with numerous sources, it appears the incident involves an allegation of sexual assault and that multiple student-athletes have been prohibited from participating in sports because of reports they’d been drinking alcohol at the party.

At a Nov. 17 regular school board meeting, and in subsequent interviews, several of the coach’s supporters said Powell allowed some members of the wrestling team access to his home in order to watch his dogs while he was out of town — a claim that board members or district officials didn’t dispute.

In an interview on Monday, attorney Luther Spence — who represents a wrestler among the

See TRAINER on page 13

See SUSPENDED on page 15

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

TWO FISTED: Longtime Oak Park resident Jim Strickland developed a passion for boxing when he was 15; seven decades later, he has been inducted into the Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame for his work as a trainer/cutman.

By MARTY FARMER Staff Reporter

Since it’s Thanksgiving week, the Jim Strickland boxing memorabilia exhibition had a limited engagement, specifically designed for Wednesday Journal photographer William Camargo and myself.

When I visited Jim and Deanna Strickland at their lovely home east of downtown Oak Park, a visual summary of

Jim’s 65-year career in amateur and professional boxing as a manager, trainer and “cutman” was scattered on their dining room table.

Photos included Strickland with boxers Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, promoters Don King and Bob Arum, and trainers Sam Colonna and Emanuel Steward, plus referee Mills Lane and countless others.

The collection also featured ID tags

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

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I N S I D E

R E P O R T

Santa comes to Papa Santa Claus will arrive in Oak Park’s Hemingway District this Friday evening, delivered courtesy of the Oak Park Fire Department.

Santa will be welcomed at 6 p.m. at Scoville Square, southwest corner of Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street.

You’ll have the chance to meet and take pictures with Santa, then nosh on cookies, candy and hot chocolate.

The event opens the holiday shopping season in the Hemingway District.

Village trustee candidate Boutet goes it alone

Former assistant village attorney, now a candidate for the Oak Park Board of Trustees, Simone Boutet has announced that she will not seek the endorsement of the Village Manager Association, a group that vets and slates candidates for local office.

Boutet is one of six candidates who have announced their intention SIMONE BOUTET to run for one of Candidate three at-large seats on the board. She is the second candidate, following Oak Park Township Trustee James Taglia, who has said they will not seek the VMA endorsement.

“In speaking with members of the community, I have heard that Oak Parkers are ready for independent candidates,” Boutet said in an email.

“Because I have a history of serving the community, and a career in municipal law and government, I have uniquely informed ideas on how to address our community’s challenges. I look forward to advancing those ideas in collaboration with whomever else gets elected, but as a candidate, it is important to me that I maintain my independence.”

Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb, who also is running for reelection as village president, also said he will not appear before the VMA in its endorsement interviews.

Timothy Inklerbarger

SpiritEd

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

The InSPirED workshop was help this weekend at Brooks Middle School, put on

by BRAVO Students partnered with special need students in a workshop on singing, dancing and acting on Nov. 19. Story and more photos, pages 5 and 14.

Martha visits Wright Home & Studio

Domestic goddess and home decoration sensation Martha Stewart visited Chicago earlier this month and wrote about her day trip to Oak Park on her blog Martha Up Close & Personal.

Stewart was given a private tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home & Studio, posting more than two dozen photos of the historic building and giving readers a brief tour of the studio.

“In contrast to the neighboring houses, Wright’s home is defined by bold geometric shapes — a substantial triangular gable set upon a rectangular base, polygonal window bays, and the curved wall of the wide porch,” she explains in one photo.

The complete tour of the studio is on Stewart’s website at http://www.themarthablog.com/2016/11/a-business-trip-tochicago.html.

Timothy Inklerbarger

JILL WAGNER/Staff

Dog gone Built in 2000, the once brand-new (and relocated from across the street) Tasty Dog building was razed on Tuesday morning.

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

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‘Bone’ Appetit

OPRF Show Choir Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 7 to 8 p.m, Main Library, 834 Lake St.:

The Oak Park Public Library hosts a performance by Noteworthy, the award-winning show choir of Oak Park and River Forest High School, a selective group of singers, dancers, and live band members. For more, visit www.oppl.org.

Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 26-27 from 1 to 1:30 p.m., Trailside Museum: All ages are invited to feeding time to learn about Trailside’s outdoor resident animals.

Families welcome, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest. Call 708-366-6530 for more information.

Angel Earrings

Nov. 23-30

CALENDAR CALEN NDAR EVENTS ■ As you you’ve u’ve likely noticed, our Calendar has haas changed to Big Week.

Fewer item ms, higher profile. If you items, would likee your event to be herre, please send a featured here, photo and details d by noon Wednnesday before it of the Wednesday p needs to be published.

We can’t everrything, but we’ll do our publish everything, best to featu re the week’s highlights. feature Email cale endar@wjinc.com. calendar@wjinc.com.

Small Business Saturday Saturday, Nov. 26, all day: Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is Small Business Saturday, which began in 2010. According to the National Federation of Independent Business, last year more than 95 million Americans visited local businesses that day and spent more than $16 billion.

NNew Li Lionell HHampton BBandd Sunday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m., FitzGerald’s Night Club: The New Lionel Hampton 10-piece Band features Jason Marsalis, the vibes player chosen by the Lionel Hampton Estate. The band will do two sets beginning at 6 p.m., at 6615 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn. Tickets to the show are $25 and available at the club and TicketWeb http://www.ticketweb. com/snl/VenueListings.action?venueId=32814&pl=.

For more information on the New Lionel Hampton Band, go to http://www.christianfabian.com/LHBB.html For band videos, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEJHCJkfjeSffmY1tRNgG2A For more information on FitzGerald’s, call 708-788-2118 or visit http://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com

BIG WEEK Through the Looking Glass

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26 from 2 to 5 p.m.: Bead in Hand, 145 Harrison St. in the Oak Park Arts District, hosts a drop-in workshop. Angel earrings, as unique as snowflakes, can be made for yourself or as a gift or as a tree ornament. No registration required. The cost is $5 per item. For elementary school students and tweens. Call 708-848-1761.

Wednesday, Nov. Novv. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m., Oak Park Public Library: A screening of Alice TThrough the Looking Glass will be held in the Veterans Room of the Main Libr Library, rary, 834 Lak Lake St., on the day before Thanksgiving. This is Lewis Carroll, not aan analysis oof the 2016 election. “Years after her first adventure, Alice stum stumbles mbles upon a looking glass that magically transports her back to Underlan Underland, nd, where sh she is reunited with her beloved childhood friends” (PG, 2016, 11 118 18 minutes) minutes). Target audience: elementary school students an and nd “tweens.” For more, call 708-383-8200.

Strange art of puppetry Monday, Nov. 28 at 1:15 p.m., 19th Century Club:

Special effectss fest The holiday movies es are beginning to arrive at the Lake Theatre, 1022 Lake St., and if you love special effects, you’re in business. Three films feature fx big time: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (which will presumably sate your JK Rowling appetite), Arrival (extraterrestrial visitation, translated by Amy Adams), and Doctor Strange (the latest Marvel Comics superhero, this time featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, which is the name of the actor, not the superhero). For times, visit www.classiccinemas.com.

“The Strange Art of Puppet Theater” will be presented by Michael Montenegro, Theater Zarko founder, puppeteer, and international artist and sculptor. Following the performance, there will be a discussion about this not-wellunderstood art form. $10 suggested donation.

Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. For more, call 708-3862729, www.nineteenthcentury.org.

First-Look Friday Friday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Dole Branch, 255 Augusta St.: Get a first look at the library’s new Multicultural Collection, which includes artifacts, traditional clothing and costumes, games, books, posters, music, and films from around the world. The day’s celebration will feature a live concert by NuBambu at 2 p.m., with games and art for the whole family all day. For more, visit oppl.org/multicultural.

Independent’s Day

Saturday, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: One of those small businesses, Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, which began in Oak Park and is now located at 7419 Madison St. in Forest Park, will hold its 3rd Annual Independent’s Day event with 18 authors in attendance at various points through the day. Writers who have confirmed include Craig Cleve, Michael Black, William Hazelgrove, JoBe Cerny, Scott Becker, Renee James, Pat Camaliere, Bob Shiel, Rich Lindberg, E.M & J.D. Kaplan, Patricia Skalka, D.M. Pirrone, Jane Morocco, Patrick McBriarty, Robert Goldsborough, Sue Myers and Cherly Yeko. For more, call 708-771-7243 or visit www.centuriesandsleuths.com.

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

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CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

INSPIRED: BRAVO students partnered with special need students to teach workshops on singing, dancing and acting last Saturday.

BRAVO strikes inclusive note

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Last Saturday, the award-winning BRAVO performing arts program at Brooks Middle School, 325 S. Kenilworth Ave., held its inaugural InSPirED Workshop, designed for students with autism and other disabilities.

Tina Reynolds, BRAVO’s program director, said she and others in the program, which puts on seven musicals a year, wanted to do something that was inclusive.

“What better way to do that than to have a special workshop that is just for special needs kids,” Reynolds said. “A lot of times, the kids want to be involved throughout the school year but find that it’s a lot of rehearsals or the hours are long. This is tailored just for them.”

From morning to late afternoon, members of BRAVO instructed their special needs peers, ranging from first to eighth grade, in dance moves, dramatic lines and songs. Each of the roughly 15 special needs students who participated in the workshop had roughly three BRAVO cast members with whom they spent the afternoon.

Reynolds noted that, outside of the slower pace and simpler dance terminology, the InSPirED workshop experience isn’t much different from the process BRAVO employs for each of its seven musicals each year.

For most of the BRAVO members, the daylong workshop was a bonding experience that may have formed the basis for enduring relationships in classrooms and hallways throughout the rest of the year; at least that’s what Brooks special needs teaching assistant Lindsey Kiksa hopes.

“You can see the smiles on the kids’ faces,” Kiksa said. “It’s amazing to watch the [BRAVO] kids teaching the [InSPirED] kids.

The kids have seen each other before, but now they know each other personally .”

“I feel like they don’t get as much of a

chance to do this, so it’s really a good opportunity for them to just be free and do what they love to do,” said 13-year-old Brooks eighthgrader and BRAVO participant Mari Wolter, who was one of the workshop’s instructors.

Wolter, along with BRAVO participants like Yana Keane, 13, said the program’s inspiration and instruction moves in both directions.

“I’ve learned some really cool dance moves from a lot of them,” said Keane. “So they inspire us, too.”

One particularly ebullient source of inspiration was 14-year-old Eric Carter, who was happily feeling his way around the Brooks stage.

The InSPirED participant was practicing, with a BRAVO member, the words to the song, “A Whole New World,” which he would perform during a showstopper that marked the workshop’s end.

“I like to dance around fast,” said Carter. “I like to sing a lot, too, but it’s too hard. It was a great idea to dance. I can be part of this dance. It makes me feel happy and smart.”

BRAVO cast member Alex Johnson, 13, said that the optimism of InSPirED students like Carter was why he was on something of an emotional high of his own.

“It’s so much fun to work with them,” Johnson said. “It’s fun just to watch them shine. They’re always thinking positive and looking on the bright side of things.”

BRAVO member Ella Renner, 14, said she could see the workshop’s magic on the face of her 11-year-old brother Micky, all afternoon.

“They love having the attention on them,” Renner said. “Here, they feel like they’re just one of the kids.”

That’s a reality that seems self-evident to Carter, who, after a few false starts, finally belted some of the lyrics.

“I can show you the world/Shining, shimmering splendid,” he sang, before continuing his conversation. “I never give up. Ever.

On anything.”

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Sex and aggression at OPRF

L

auren Flowers’ online petition at Change.org reached 906 supporters on Tuesday morning.

That is 906 people, most of them from Oak Park or River Forest, who agree with her that Oak Park and River Forest High School has not done enough to battle sexual misconduct by students at the school.

The comments on the petition are many. Some offer words of solidarity to a cause.

A startling number recount personal experiences as victims of what the signers perceive to be a rape culture at OPRF and well beyond.

Flowers’ petition drive runs parallel to our reporting this week of school and police investigations into an August incident that led to the recent suspension of popular OPRF wrestling coach Mike Powell. While Powell was reportedly not at home, his Oak Park house was allegedly the site of a late-summer party involving OPRF athletes. The lawyer for a student, since suspended from participation in athletics at the school, told the Journal Monday that his client is among several young men alleged to have assaulted a young OPRF female student at the party. The lawyer, Luther Spence, says his client is innocent of any wrongdoing.

Those investigations will continue and over time we will see the results. At least two other alleged cases of sexual misconduct involving students and staff or among staff are also pending.

More immediately, though, a new and disturbing issue has surfaced at our high school. Does the school respond adequately to allegations of sexual assault and aggression within the school community?

Has OPRF worked to create a culture of safety and respect among students on issues of sexual consent? Does the school proactively address, through curriculum and counseling, a definition and expectation of “consent”?

Let’s stop and say that this issue is raging far beyond the hallways of Oak Park and River Forest High School. As a wider culture, we have, over time, created com-

plex and serious conflicts and challenges relating to sexual encounters, especially among younger people. OPRF did not create those challenges but in our community, it is in a particular position to address them.

In her petition, Flowers calls for a stricter school policy in responding to “students involved in sexual misconduct.” She asks that the school have a four-year curriculum focused on consent.

She wants more awareness of issues related to sexual misconduct and zero tolerance of a rape culture within the school. And she implies that all students are not held to the same standards of behavior and specifically calls out student athletes.

As the dad of a young woman, this discussion hits close to home. The issue is real and pervasive. That same concern is repeatedly voiced on the petition’s comments. Parents are worried for their daughters and for their sons. Certainly as parents, we have a primary role in directing and supporting our kids. But the effort to address this also needs to be shared, defined, and reinforced across the community.

The start of this public discussion reminds me of the recognition, nearly a decade back, that OPRF had a greater-thannormal challenge with alcohol and drug use among its students. That conclusion surfaced in a statewide survey of student behaviors administered by the school. I was surprised then when, in un-OPRFlike fashion, Supt. Attila Weninger did not push back on the results and instead acknowledged the problem and welcomed a full discussion of it.

A dedicated band of parents took up the issue and have, to a degree, kept focus on it over these years.

It will be important to see the response now from the interim high school superintendent and a swimming pool-weary school board. Are they up for, and open to, the frank talk needed to take on this painful and pervasive challenge?

DAN HALEY

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R E A C H

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Vantage developer withdraws $100K TIF request

Officials: ‘Developer wants to preserve relationship with village for future project’

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

The developer of Oak Park’s new 21-story residential highrise has withdrawn a request for $100,000 in public money to help cover the cost of building a wine bar and restaurant on the ground level.

WDF-3 Wood Oak Park Owner LLC – a joint venture between Golub & Company LLC and Wood Partners – the developer of Vantage Oak Park, 150 Forest Ave., made the request to the village in early August for funds from Oak Park’s Downtown Tax Increment Finance District.

The money was intended to help defray the costs of what WDF-3 said would be a costly buildout – “design and engineering costs, leasing commissions and financing costs for this important lease,” the original request stated – for the ground-floor Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant.

The request amount was negotiated behind closed doors with the executive board of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation [OPEDC], a quasi-governmental organization tasked with bringing business to the village.

OPEDC formally requested the TIF money in August on behalf of the WDF-3.

That request was discussed in the village board’s Contract Review Committee and then placed on the Board of

File photo

Vantage Oak Park Trustees’ consent agenda and, without public discussion, advanced to village staff for review.

A letter OPEDC sent to the Oak Park Village Board of Trustees in July on behalf of WDF-3 said the deal to bring Cooper’s Hawk hinged on the $100,000 tax incentive. No TIF money, no Cooper’s Hawk, OPEDC said.

“Without this requested assistance the developer would not obtain an acceptable return to allow it to proceed with these improvements,” the letter to the board stated.

It was later revealed that a long-term lease had already been signed with Cooper’s Hawk. Tim McEnery, owner of the restaurant, said in early August that he was unaware

WDF-3 was making a request for the TIF funds.

“The landlord has used our name in bad faith. We wouldn’t go in for $100,000 just because we could,” McEnery told Wednesday Journal after learning of the TIF request in August.

John Lynch, OPEDC executive director, said this week that WDF-3 withdrew its request, noting that the developers have forthcoming plans for new developments in the village and they want to “preserve their relationship with the community.”

Michael Glazier, a lead developer with Golub & Company, did not respond to requests for an interview.

“I think it’s in everyone’s best interest to move forward and not dwell on this issue and pursue additional projects,” Lynch said.

Lynch said WDF-3 is in the market for additional multifamily projects, adding that OPEDC is in discussions with the developer but declined to discuss specifics.

“They have not acquired any additional property to do projects at this point,” Lynch said.

OPEDC submitted the letter to the village this week on WDF-3’s behalf, but gave no explanation for withdrawing the request.

Village Manager Cara Pavlicek confirmed that the request has been withdrawn, and WDF-3 is moving forward with the restaurant buildout on its own.

Pavlicek echoed Lynch’s statement that WDF-3 aims to maintain a good relationship with the community.

“They value the partnership they’ve had in the village of Oak Park,” she said.

CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

Congressman’s grandson murdered

U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis’ grandson, Jovan Wilson, was 15 years old

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

The murder of 15-year-old Jovan Wilson, who was fatally shot during an alleged home invasion Friday night on Chicago’s South Side, has one of the state’s most prominent political personalities in deep mourning.

Wilson was the grandson of Congressman Danny K. Davis (7th), who learned of the shooting while in his office, said his senior adviser, Tumia Rumero. She added that Davis and his son are “totally devastated” by the incident.

“No one wants to bury their kids, especially their grandkids,” she said during an interview on Sunday in front of the Congressman’s West Side office.

In a statement released Saturday morning, Davis said that he was “saddened to report earlier this evening that two individuals forced their way into my grandson’s home.”

According to Chicago Police, Wilson was at his home in the city’s Englewood community with his uncle and three teenage siblings, a sister and two brothers ranging from 8 to 14 years old, when two teenagers, walked into the house and started arguing with Wilson.

Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that there “was a history between the young people involved and it was a dispute was over gym shoes.”

During the altercation, the 15-year-old shot Wilson in the head with a gun he had been carrying.

On Friday, Chicago Police announced that a 16-year-old

Submitted photo

U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis with his family, including his 15-year-old grandson, Jovan Wilson, second from left, who was murdered last week. boy and a 17-year-old girl were each facing charges of firstdegree murder. They were scheduled to appear in bond court on Sunday.

“Unfortunately, this is another example of a fifteen year old with a gun who should have never had it,” Davis noted in the statement. “Where did the gun come from? How did he get it?”

Davis said that “better education, more supervision, after school activity and better parenting” could have prevented his grandson’s murder.

“The Congressman feels like the violence, the reentry efforts and the poverty efforts he’s been engaged in — all of it

is connected and he believes we need to look at it from a state of emergency perspective and usher in as many resources to communities devastated by poverty,” said Rumero.

During an interview on Sunday, Davis said that his grandson’s siblings and parents “are very, very distraught.”

“All of them are going through the experience of trying to undersand and are asking the question, ‘Why Javon? Why us? Why did this happen? How could it have been defended?”

Davis said that, although he was heartened by the news that suspects had been captured and charged in connection to Wilson’s murder, he takes no glee in it.

“I’m not excited about [their capture],” David said Sunday. “That’s not my approach or feeling. I would also want to make sure that their rights are protected, that they have every protection that our judicial system provides for them and I’m sure that justice will prevail in the end. But we’re still asking questions and trying to figure out how we prevent this from happening.”

The Congressman said that he’s received support from across the country, including calls from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

On Nov. 19, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. released a statement on the murder.

“My deepest condolences go out to Rep. Davis and his family as well as to the 700 other Chicago families – the 700 other grandparents, the 700 other mothers and fathers, the 700 sisters and brothers, the 700 aunts, uncles and cousins – who know and share the same heartbreaking pain and soulnumbing sorrow,” Jackson noted.

As of press time, no funeral arrangements for Wilson had been finalized.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Oak Park library trustee to run for D200 board

Matt Baron, the library board’s president, will not seek reelection to that body

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

There will be four seats open on the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 school board during the April 4, 2017 election and Oak Park Public Library Trustee Board President Matt Baron, 48, said he plans on filling one of them.

Baron, who has served on the library board for one term, said he planned on running for reelection in 2017. He’s since changed his mind.

“Over the past year I have actively encouraged individuals — particularly, in light of the historic lack of ethnic diversity on the board, African-Americans — to consider pursuing library trustee seats,” Baron said.

“Earlier this month, it became clear that my outreach had led to at least four wellqualified individuals, including three African-Americans, planning to run for library trustee,” he added. “At that point, confident in the library board’s positive direction, I began exploring MATT BARON other opportunities Library board president to serve in public office.”

Baron, a married father of two children whose has lived in Oak Park since 1994, said his 13-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, will be entering OPRF next year and that the “timing is right to shift my service from the Oak Park Public Library Board of Trustees to the D200 Board.”

The Boston native, who owns and operates a PR company, spent nearly 20 years as a print journalist, freelancing for publications such as the Chicago Tribune and Time magazine. He said he’ll leverage his communications skills to offer “an inclusive, collaborative and creative approach to the many issues facing the high school.”

“For nearly 20 years, on subjects spanning math, journalism, interpersonal communication, public relations, leadership and relationship-building, I have been a frequent guest speaker in classrooms ranging from grade schools to graduate-level college classes,” Baron said. “I also bring a lifelong passion for education and its potential to impact individuals, communities and the world in powerful ways.”

Along with his seat on the library board, Baron is also an active member of Harvest Bible Chapel Chicago West in Austin, a member of the Oak Park and River Forest Chamber of Commerce and host of two lo-

cal cable channel talk shows.

The seats of D200 board president Jeff Weissglass, in addition to board members Jackie Moore, Steve Gevinson and Tom Cofsky are all up for grabs in April.

So far, Baron is the first candidate to publicly announce plans to begin the process of filing to run for the high school board. Candidates have until December 19 to file petitions for next year’s consolidated election.

The recent swimming pool referendum, narrowly defeated by voters, will likely be at the center of the high school race. The bal-

lot measure asked voters to approve a $44.5 million, five-year facilities plan that would be paid with up to $25 million in referendum bonds. The remaining $20 million was to have come out of the district’s fund balance.

The plan, approved unanimously by the school board in August, called for demolishing the village-owned, 300-space garage and constructing an estimated $21.4 million, 25-yard by 40-meter swimming pool, in addition to a roughly 240-space new parking garage, on the site of the old one. The high school would also have expanded perform-

ing arts and learning spaces, and renovate classroom space, on campus.

Baron, who said that he voted no on the referendum, noted that he believed the board’s approved plan was “far too expensive in light of all of the school’s need. I was opposed to the demolition of the parking garage, among other concerns.”

He also expressed optimism that, despite the “community fatigue” over the pool issue, “an even better solution” would be found over time.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Oak Park Library to expand digital archive

State grant could digitize items by Wright, Hemingway and Philander Barclay

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

Madison Street was unrecognizable more than a century ago when local photographer and historian Philander Barclay snapped a picture of the lonely roadway that was largely surrounded by empty fields.

The photo features the long-forgotten electric trolley – taken down in the 1960s – that carried passengers from the western suburbs to downtown Chicago and a handful of barely visible residences in the distance.

What does stand out is a two-story house at 515 Carpenter Ave., which some might be surprised to learn stands there to this day – now just south of Town & Country Import Cars Inc., at 845 Madison St. The Historical Society of Oak Park-River Forest notes that Barclay, the son of a Marion Street drugstore owner, started taking photographs of the Oak Park area just a year before the Madison Street photo was taken.

By the time of Barclay’s death on July 7, 1940, his photo collection — some of which were not taken by Barclay but collected

Photos provided by the Illinois Digital Archive and Google Maps.

NOW AND THEN: The residence at 515 Carpenter Ave. is featured in a photo from 1903 by Oak Park photographer and historian Philander Barclay. The building, though slightly modified, still stands there today. by the Oak Park bicycle repairman – had grown to more than 1,000.

Barclay’s photo of Madison was made public in digital form earlier this year through the Illinois Digital Archive, which includes nearly 350 digital images of papers, photographs and other material related to Oak Park’s most famous native son, Ernest Hemingway.

Now the Oak Park Public Library, which received an $86,900 grant from Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White to create the

digital archive, says it’s expanding through a second — albeit smaller — grant from the state.

The $2,900 grant will allow the library “to make available for the first time inventories of select collections and expand access to digital objects that give insight into Oak Park’s history from as early as the Civil War,” said OPPL spokeswoman Kristen Romanowski.

In an email, she noted that possible items for the expanded archive include: glassplate negatives taken by Barclay around the

turn of the century; war sketches and photographs of Oak Parkers who served in the Civil War, including Hemingway’s grandfathers; and photographs of architectural work by Frank Lloyd Wright, from OPPL’s Gilman Lane Photograph Collection.

The library notes on its website that the $2,900 matching grant comes from the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board.

“We are using our matching funds to create easily searchable inventories as well as to make digital items available online,” posted OPPL archivist Emily Reiher on the library’s website.

Items from OPPL’s Special Collections that will be included in the digital archive come from: the Local Authors Correspondence Collection; the Philander Barclay Photograph Collection; the Grand Army of the Republic volumes; and the Gilman Lane Photograph Collection.

Items from the Frank Laurence Collection, which is part of the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park Collection and is housed at OPPL, also will be included.

“In a matter of weeks, we’ve already had two major researchers make requests to use materials displayed in the Illinois Digital Archives for book-length publications,” Reiher said on OPPL’s website. “We’re thrilled about the depth and reach of that exposure and want to continue to reach new audiences.”

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Township official to run for Oak Park trustee

Taglia touts experience as businessman, accountant, township trustee

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

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Oak Park Township Trustee James Taglia announced he will run for one of three seats up for election to the Oak Park Village Board of Trustees in April 2017.

Taglia, a business owner and accountant, has served six years as a township trustee and most recently made headlines by urging the village to begin equipping Oak Park police with the anti-opiate overdose drug Narcan.

Taglia is a co-president of the Lake Station, Indiana-based manufacturing chemical company Pro-Chem-Co Inc. He said in a telephone interview that his experience in business, as a township trustee and his training as a certified public accountant would bring a fresh perspective to the board of trustees.

Taglia is the sixth candidate to announce his intention to run for three open seats Photo provided on the board. Two of those trustee seats are held by incumbents – Peter Barber and James Taglia Glenn Brewer – who have said they intend to run again. Colette Lueck, who holds the third seat up for grabs, said earlier this year do but it also attracts new residents to the that she will not seek re-election. village because of Oak Park’s reputation for “It’s important to have a different perspec- inclusion. tive that potentially might be lacking on the “I do believe that has to require a nevervillage board, and I think I might be able to ending effort. We have to make sure that help in that regard,” Taglia said. funding is there and support is there,” he Taglia pointed to his work on revamping said. the health insurance plan for township emAsked whether he would make his case ployees about three years ago, when it split for the position to the Village Manager Asfrom the Village of Oak Park’s plan. sociation, which vets and slates candidates He said that the self-insurance plan used for public office, Taglia said it was unlikely. by the village currently is operating at a “Our community likes independent candideficit, paying out more than it takes in. He dates, and when you have a slate of people, I said the newer plan he helped usher in at think you compromise – to some extent you the township is a more modern plan that in- have to,” he said. “I don’t want to comprocludes tools such as health savings accounts mise in what I’m proposing or what I have that consumers can use to pay for various to offer.” medical expenses.

Taglia said the only endorsement he seeks “We want to set up those things such that is from Oak Park voters. the employees can use it more wisely,” he As a township trustee, Taglia made headsaid. lines not only on the Narcan initiative but Taglia described the township as a micro- also on the so-called Tobacco 21 initiative, cosm of the village, saying that his work on making it illegal to sell cigarettes, e-cigaOne oftranslate the great courtroom the lastother century, performed in radio-theatre style. that government body would to the dramas rettesof and tobacco products to those village board. under the age of 21.

Affordable and accessible housing and Taglia said as a village trustee, he would maintaining diversity in the village would advance cooperating between the village be among Taglia’s top priorities, he said. and various other Oak Park taxing bodies “I’m 100 percent behind the Oak Park such as the school districts and the townHousing Center and what they do,” he said. ship.

“It should be a major emphasis of the vil“We need to see if it’s at all possible to give lage board to support diversity.” the taxpayers a break,” he said.

Taglia said it’s not only the right thing to CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

13

TRAINER

A cut above from page 1 Thanksgiving. I’m planning on letting my family do all the cooking and I’m just going to sit back and smile.”

The Stricklands, who have been married and lived in Oak Park for 47 years, have a lot to smile about these days.

After a long career as a teacher in the city, Deanna recently retired. She likes to work around the house, as well as browse the computer, and travel.

Boxing remains in Jim’s blood, as a fan and occasional trainer. On Nov. 4, Strickland was inducted into the Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame.

His passion for the sport took root in his hometown of Kansas City. As a teenager, he trained in Golden Gloves boxing with Arrington “Bubble” Klice during the mid-1940s.

“Bubble was a little fella, about 5-foot-3 and 110 pounds,” Strickland said. “He would box around the country at little fairs, but he was well known throughout the United States and Europe.

“For about three or four years, he was an amateur champion coach who took kids to the national championships in the United States.

“Bubble was a big inspiration to me, like a father figure.”

During his amateur boxing career, Strickland would spend summers in Chicago as a way of picking up more matches. He worked for Schwinn Bicycle Company in the city and boxed on his own time.

“I’ve always liked Chicago because it’s a bigger city with more things to do,” Strickland said. “It also allowed me the opportunity to get more fights.”

Unfortunately, he knew his career as a fighter had a quick expiration date.

“When I was boxing, I used to worry about how am I going to get out of it?” he recalled.

“There’s only so much you can do in terms of making a living as a boxer. So I decided to go back home and I attended Kansas University.”

After graduating from KU in 1953 with a degree in pharmacy, he worked as a pharmacist and later as pharmacy manager at the Joslyn Family Clinic in Maywood.

Fifteen years later, Strickland branched out to open his own drug store at 47th and Prairie in Chicago, which would ultimately expand to three locations.

During his college days and pharmacy career, Strickland lost touch with boxing due to the demands of everyday life.

“Jim was working night and day,” Deanna said. “He doesn’t play golf, doesn’t play cards.

He didn’t have any outlet away from work.

“I talked with Jim and said if you like boxing so much why don’t you start working [in it] again? There has to be something else in life.”

Strickland took his wife’s suggestion to heart and returned to the fight game.

In the 1970s, he worked with promising, young boxers in the Chicago Golden Gloves program.

“I started going back to the gym and really getting back into it,” he said. “I came across

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TRIUMPH: Former World Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield with his cutman Strickland. this fighter, Lee Roy Murphy, who just moved me with his ability. He had so much natural talent; he hit like [Mike] Tyson.

“For about a 10-year period, he was easily the most exciting fighter in Chicago. People came to his fights expecting to see a knockout.”

Murphy, who finished with an amateur record of 157-17, made the U.S. boxing team for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow and won the IBF Cruiserweight title in 1984 with a 14th round TKO of Marvin Camel.

Both Murphy and Strickland were bitterly disappointed when the U.S. boycotted the Moscow Olympics.

“The boycott in 1980 really hurt Lee Roy and me,” Strickland said. “He had some success previously in 1976 and made the team in 1980, but there was nowhere to go.”

Although Murphy and the U.S. Olympic team didn’t compete in Moscow, they did take part in an alternate Olympics in Nairobi, Kenya.

Winning all six of his fights (four by knockout), Murphy was considered the best fighter at the tournament. He was awarded the “Honor Above Glory” plaque which states, “This award perpetuates the ideals of these young men who placed honor above glory.”

“That award means as much to me as any of the other championship belts and honors of other boxers I’ve trained,” Strickland said.

In addition to Murphy, Strickland has managed, trained or worked as a cutman for other notable fighters like Ray Lynumn, Randy Smith, Corey Spinks, William Guthrie, Ray Lathon, David Tua and Michael Brothers.

He also cherishes the opportunity to coach David Diaz. A Chicago native, Diaz was an IBA and WBC lightweight champion and a four-time Chicago Golden Gloves champion.

Heavily influenced by Strickland, Diaz finished his pro career with a 36-4-1 record and 17 knockouts.

“Strick knows boxing so well and he knew how to push me to get the best out of my ability,” Diaz said. “Whether it was working the bag or sparring time in the ring, we spent countless hours together in the gym.

He was a great trainer for me but an even better person.”

Strickland has worked matches around the world, including stops in Sweden, England, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, China, Samoa, Colombia, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, and Australia.

One of his favorite memories is having lunch with Nelson Mandela (a huge boxing fan) in South Africa.

“I told Jim I wish they had selfies back then,” Deanna said. “I have traveled around the world vicariously through Jim. It’s been an exciting, interesting career.”

As a trainer and cutman for so many classic matches, Strickland’s most bizarre experience occurred on June 28, 1997 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Strickland was Evander Holyfield’s cutman in the latter’s rematch with Mike Tyson.

Initially billed as “The Sound and the Fury,” the bout became infamously referred to as “The Bite Fight” after Tyson bit off a part of Holyfield’s ear.

Tyson lost by disqualification. The reality was Tyson bit off more than he could chew whenever he faced Holyfield, who was 2-0 against Tyson.

“Tyson was a savage in the ring,” Strickland said. “Evander was winning their rematch fight when Tyson got desperate. I have seen all kinds of cuts during my career but never anything like that.

“Evander and I have similar personalities so we worked well together. He knew how to fight Tyson.”

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

SUSPENSION Party while the coach was away from page 1 student-athletes banned from competing this season — said that the allegation of sexual assault was made by an OPRF student against multiple athletes at the high school (the exact number hasn’t been confirmed).

Several other sources, including parents and students, have corroborated Spence’s claims.

The incident, Spence said, happened on Aug. 27 at Powell’s house and involved alcohol, but he said it wasn’t reported to school and law enforcement officials until Aug. 31.

Spence said the high school barred several student-athletes who were at the party from competing this season because they allegedly drank alcohol, which goes against a contract the student-athletes signed as a condition of competing in sports at OPRF. So far, the number of athletes who have been barred from participating hasn’t been confirmed.

Spence said his client was interviewed by Oak Park police and school district officials in early November, which is also when the decision was made to prohibit students from wrestling. Spence added that he and his client appealed the decision and are waiting to hear back from the district.

“We’re going to give the school a chance to do its investigation,” said Spence. “It’s only fair we give them a chance to decide what was what.”

Spence, however, claims that his client didn’t drink alcohol that night and that he had nothing to do with the alleged sexual assault. He also said that, as far he knows, no criminal charges have been filed.

School district officials did not respond to attempts by Wednesday Journal asking for comment on Spence’s statements prior to press time.

In a letter sent out to students and parents on Nov. 18, Acting District 200 Superintendent Joylynn Pruitt said district officials and the Oak Park Police Department are investigating the alleged incident. Citing privacy concerns, District 200 officials didn’t confirm or deny Powell’s suspension or that the “off-campus party” took place at his home.

Last week, District 200 Communications Director Karin Sullivan said the district would not offer any more details into the alleged incident, beyond the Nov. 18 statement released by Pruitt.

At the Nov. 17 board meeting, Powell’s supporters urged the school board to allow him to return to the mats. Many also decried the coach’s reported punishment as unnecessary.

“I’m utterly mystified that removing Coach Powell in any way and in any time period could possibly be the right thing,” said Jonna Borgdorff, whose children wrestled

15

“We believe OPRFHS needs a stronger policy on its handling of student sexual misconduct, and a strong enforcement of such policy. We believe OPRFHS needs a yearly, mandatory curriculum on consent in order to educate all OPRF attendees of their rights and move toward an end to the pervasive rape culture that harms and silences many students across the school.”

CHANGE.ORG PETITION

at OPRF under Powell. “People trespassed on his property. He didn’t invite or encourage this to happen and therefore he’s a victim in all of this, too.”

Cathy Yen, whose son wrestled under Powell, also spoke on the coach’s behalf.

“During the six years I’ve known Coach Powell personally, he’s been a beacon of light to so many underserved young men, especially those of color and varying socioeconomic backgrounds,” said Yen, a former president of the Huskie Booster Club and the current executive director of the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce.

Mary Matticks, another OPRF wrestling parent, said Powell’s departure comes at a critical time for the wrestling team, which will try to defend a third straight state championship this year. They also won a state title in 2009. Two of the four titles were under Powell’s direction. The team’s first match is on Nov. 22.

“Uncertainty clouds their season,” Matticks said. “They deserve their coach back.”

But the outrage generated by Powell’s suspension hasn’t been the only backlash in the wake of the August incident.

Some OPRF students, many of them female, have gotten behind a Change.org petition calling for an end to “rape culture.” The petition, created three weeks ago by OPRF student Lauren Flowers, has garnered more than 900 signatures.

“We believe OPRFHS needs a stronger policy on its handling of student sexual misconduct, and a strong enforcement of such policy,” the petition states. “We believe OPRFHS needs a yearly, mandatory curriculum on consent in order to educate all OPRF attendees of their rights and move toward an end to the pervasive rape culture that harms and silences many students across the school.”

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Lincoln fights to retain longtime principal

Set to retire in June 2017, but the state allowed a critical pension option to expire

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Students, parents and teachers at Lincoln Elementary School, 1111 Grove Ave., are mobilizing to try to retain the school’s longtime principal, Cathy Hamilton, who was set to retire at the end of this school year.

But Hamilton asked district officials to push back her retirement another three years after the state of Illinois defunded the Teachers Retirement System Early Retirement Option, eliminating a key pension benefit.

According to the Illinois Education Association, the ERO allowed Illinois teachers to retire before they reach 60 years old without being penalized. In July, however, the state legislature allowed the ERO program to automatically expire, in part, because too few teachers took advantage of it. Last year, the IEA said, only 150 educators used the program.

In light of the state’s decision, Hamilton approached District 97 administration to request pushing back her retirement for another three years, so that she can retire with a higher pension. Administrators, however, told Hamilton no, according to a statement issued by Lisa Magnuson, Lincoln School PTO’s co-principal.

According to a statement released by the D97 Supt. Carol Kelley, Hamilton submitted a request to the district in January 2013 to retire under the ERO in June 2017. The school board approved that request in February 2013.

“The board authorized the payment of retirement benefits for Ms. Hamilton over a four-year period that was based upon her decision to voluntarily retire from the district in June of 2017,” the district noted.

“These benefits included a requirement that her retirement in 2017 was “irrevocable” and could not be rescinded.”

The district’s statement added that the ERO’s sunset “was common knowledge among members of the educational community here in Illinois” and that the Teachers’ Retirement System included information about the sunset in its bulletins.

More than 40 parents, students, teachers and community members attended a regular

“Lincoln Elementary is a special place — with warm and caring faculty and staff, a committed network of parents and guardians and wonderful students — and Cathy Hamilton is at the heart of this incredible culture and community.”

LISA MAGNUSON

Lincoln School PTO’s co-president board meeting on Nov. 15 to urge the district to retain Hamilton, even if, as at least one person conceded in public comment, it means doing something unprecedented.

During public comments, numerous people argued that the board should not allow the state’s decision-making to negatively affect Hamilton, who was universally praised for her leadership.

Debbie Cooper, a teacher at Lincoln, said that she and her colleagues had been preparing themselves for Hamilton’s departure. Now that she is reconsidering that

decision, however, they believe that Hamilton might as well close out her career at Lincoln.

If the district decides against allowing Hamilton to stay on, the principal would have to get a job elsewhere, Cooper said.

“Lincoln Elementary is a special place — with warm and caring faculty and staff, a committed network of parents and guardians and wonderful students — and Cathy Hamilton is at the heart of this incredible culture and community,” Magnuson’s statement said.

Hamilton has been the principal at Lincoln for nearly 15 years and has worked at the school in other capacities for nearly 30 years.

“The board and I have greatly appreciated the thoughtful insights and passionate perspectives that people on both sides of this issue have shared with us during the past couple of weeks,” Kelley’s statement noted.

“Please be assured that the board will take the time to review and consider all of the available information prior to making a final decision regarding this situation.”

Hamilton declined to comment for this story.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

16

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Three face murder charges in Brookfield shooting of OPRF grad

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Three men, including the man suspected reported finding the subpoena for the Robinof the execution-style January shooting son court case in Smith’s pocket.

“Michael Smith was a good man, a model of 33-year-old former Oak Park resident Michael Smith, in Brookfield, have been citizen and hardworking family man who † charged with first-degree murder, Police was killed in the prime of his life,” Episcopo said. “My heart goes out to his family and Chief James Episcopo announced Monday.

The suspected gunman, Jermaine E. friends for their tremendous loss.”

Available Brookfield police reported finding the Douglas, 25, of the 7100 block of South Whipselect 20 on blue hatchback vehicle in Chicago a day ple Street in Chicago, is being held without 1 2017 mod 6 & bond at Cook County Jail. His alleged ac- after the shooting. Police also reportedly els! complices, Comfort K. Robinson, 39, of the recovered evidence showing that Robinson, 2100 block of South 13th Avenue in Broad- Douglas and Johnican met at different loca+ view, and DeJuyon M. Johnican, 29, of the tions both before and after the shooting.

Episcopo said Brookfield detectives initial1400 block of South 57th Avenue in Cicero, ^ ly worked on the case with the west suburban are being held on $250,000 bond.

Major Case AsThe three men apsistance Team peared at the Mayand in March rebrook courthouse quested the assisfor a preliminary tance of the FBI. hearing on Monday.

Since that time, “These are evil said Episcopo, men who will now FBI agents and answer to our jusBrookfield potice system for lice have worked their actions,” Comfort K. Robinson, DeJuyon M. Johnican, side by side colEpiscopo said at a Jermaine E. Douglas press conference lecting evidence.

NEW 2016 NEW 2016 NEW 2017 Monday afternoon Brookfield po** ** ** at Brookfield Village Hall. lice also were assisted by the DuAccording to police, the three Page County Felony Investigamen conspired to kill Smith, who tive Assistance Team, Chicago /mo /mo /mo was a witness in a criminal case police and the U.S. Department x 36 x 36 x 36 Months* Months* or Lease For or Lease For Months* or Lease For involving Robinson, apparently to of Homeland Security. *10,000 miles/year. $2500 due at signing + $0 sec. *10,000 miles/year. $2500 due at signing + $0 sec. *10,000 miles/year. $2000 due at signing + $0 sec. prevent him from testifying.

“Since the time of Michael’s dep. plus tax, title, license, and doc fees. Mileage dep. plus tax, title, license, and doc fees. Mileage dep. plus tax, title, license, and doc fees. Mileage Smith, who grew up in Oak Park murder, not a day has gone by charge of $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles. Stk. #B2245 charge of $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles. Stk. B2040 charge of $0.25/mile over 20,000 miles. Stk. #B1576 and graduated from Oak Park and that someone … from one of River Forest High School, was these agencies didn’t do someNEW 2016 NEW 2017 killed just after noon on Jan. 28 thing to bring us closer to solv** ** as he sat in his car outside his ing this case,” Episcopo said.

MICHAEL SMITH residence in the 3600 block of Brookfield police were grant/mo /mo Forest Avenue. Earlier that morned an arrest warrant for Dougx 36 x 36 Months* or Lease For Months* or Lease For ing, Robinson’s criminal case was set for a las on Nov. 14 and took him into custody *10,000 miles/year. $1000 due at signing + $0 sec. dep. plus tax, title, license, and *10,000 miles/year. $2400 due at signing + $0 sec. dep. plus tax, title, license, and bench trial, and Smith was schedule to testi- after a high-speed chase involving Chicago doc fees. Mileage charge of $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles. Stk. #B2598 doc fees. Mileage charge of $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles. Stk. #B2710 fy. However, Robinson’s attorney asked for a officers and FBI agents on Nov. 15 on ChiREGULAR continuance, which was granted, and Smith cago’s South Side.

NEW 2017 NEW 2016 CAB WT ** ** did not testify.

Police reported recovering a loaded .50-caliThe criminal case was related to a March ber handgun when Douglas was arrested. Po8, 2015, incident for which Robinson was lice say that weapon was not involved in Smith’s /mo /mo x 36 x 36 charged with unlawful use of a weapon and shooting. Asked if police had recovered the Months* Months* or Lease For or Lease For being an armed habitual criminal. The distur- murder weapon, Episcopo declined comment. *10,000 miles/year. $1000 due at signing + $0 sec. dep. plus tax, title, license, and *10,000 miles/year. $2500 due at signing + $0 sec. dep. plus tax, title, license, and Johnican also was arrested on Nov. 15 bance a night club called The Shrine, Nice To was Doat Business With doc fees. Mileage charge of $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles. Stk. #B2181 doc fees. Mileage charge of $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles.

Stk. #B1685People without incident near his Cicero home.

2109 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago, where Smith Nice People To Do Business With Police obtained a warrant for Robinson’s was working as a contract security guard and Nice People To Do Business With intervened. Robinson was found to be in pos- arrest on Nov. 17 and took him into custody Nice People To Do Business With on the day he was scheduled to be released session of a handgun and arrested.

Nice People To Do Business Nice People To Do Business With With Both Robinson and Smith left the court- from Danville Correctional Center after house on the morning of Jan. 28. As Smith serving nine months of an 18-month sendrove home, he was followed, according to tence for felony driving while revoked, a 8401 ROOSEVELT RD. SERVICE: SALES: conviction in connection with a DUI arrest police. As Smith parked his car in front of (Roosevelt Just East of 1st Ave.) 290 M-Th 7-7 M-F 9-9 FOREST PARK, IL unrelated to the night club incident. his Brookfield home, Douglas allegedly 294 Fri. 7-6 SAT. 9-7 38 Robinson was sent to Danville just three pulled up alongside Smith in a blue hatchSAT. 8-4 Roosevelt Rd. back vehicle and fired several rounds at weeks after Smith was killed. He has prior TEXT US AT 708-628-5903 convictions for robbery, drug and weapons point-blank range, killing him.

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OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Calls for diversity, transparency in Oak Park budget

Village portion of property taxes expected to rise 8.9 percent in 2017

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

On the verge of a budget that would increase the village of Oak Park’s share — roughly 15 percent of the overall tax burden — of the property tax bill by 8.9 percent in 2017, Oak Park residents implored trustees to remain focused on diversity and bring greater transparency to how funds are used.

Anthony Clark, founder and director of the nonprofit Suburban Unity Alliance, said during the Nov. 21 meeting of the Oak Park Village Board of Trustees that higher taxes could make Oak Park less economically diverse.

“I don’t purport to be an expert on tax levies or fund allocation, but what I do believe I’m knowledgeable on are the perceptions of many of the people in our community,” he said.

He said many people in Oak Park are concerned that higher rents and taxes will make it harder to live in the village.

“The perception exists that our community may not be able to house the diversity that we so purport to appreciate,” he said.

“Many of the terms, the perceptions I’m hearing for the future of Oak Park are: homogenous community, a community that lacks diversity, equity issues, and I would like to impart on the board again in moving forward.”

He said Oak Park celebrates its diversity, “but how can we maintain the diversity with our renters and our homeowners? It’s essential because so many are in fear that they will no longer be able to afford to live in this great community.”

Resident Chris Donovan, a vocal critic of the village’s plan to narrow a section of Madison Street to two lanes and possibly bend a section of the roadway to make room for a large-scale, mixed-use development at the Oak Park Avenue intersection, said that the village has spent several million from

the Madison Street Tax Increment Finance District to purchase property along Madison Street for development.

“My question tonight is when, since none of the properties seems to have any [tax revenue] coming from it, can we expect to see this increase in taxes flowing into the village from just those sites, especially since you want to raise the rates about 9 percent?” he asked. “High taxes may be keeping people out [of the village].”

Resident Jeffrey Staffeldt said that since 2015, taxes have increased about 15 percent “and every year they seem to be increasing,” he said.

“I’m concerned and a lot of other people here are concerned, not only based on what our tax increase is going to be in the future, but does that affect our property value in the future as well?” he asked.

Staffeldt said he lives within the Downtown Tax Increment Finance District, “and it was a little alarming to me how difficult it was to find some information on the TIF dollars and what they’re used for and exactly how that impacts, specifically in the TIF district, our property tax increases.”

He said Tammie Grossman, Oak Park’s director of development customer services, has volunteered to discuss the issue with him and others privately, but Staffeldt echoed Donovan’s request for more transparency with the TIF process.

“It seems there’s going to be an approximately 14-percent increase in the recommended TIF tax levy in our TIF district, so it was unclear whether or not that affects this select group of people within this TIF district,” he said. “Again, I can’t say because this information just isn’t there for the public.”

Village trustees reiterated that a large portion of the tax increase proposed for 2017 is tied to required increases in contributions to the village’s police and firefighter pension funds. The village is making about $2.5 million in contributions toward the two retirement this year.

The village also will contribute an increased $2.1 million for general operating expenses for the village CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

Real Estate Auctions December 14, 2016 304-316 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL Approx 22,257 S.F. 2-Story

Strip Center/Office Building built in 2005 w/4 additional Adjacent lots (326-332 N. Pulaski 40 CAR Parking Lot) included. Located at a signalized intersect of Lake St. & Pulaski, adjacent to a CTA TRAIN Station.

Current tenants include Mary Crane, U.S. Bank, and the ILLINOIS Attorney General Office. Great upside potential.

[Being Sold Subject to F.D.I.C. Approval] On Site Inspections Noon to 2p.m. • Nov. 30 & Dec. 5

Previously Valued to 3 million dollars Anticipated Bid Range

$650,000 to $1,300,000 7 Contiguous Vacant Lots to be sold In bulk - Adjacent to CTA TRAIN Station 4019-4055 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL Previously Valued to $600,000 Len 25.96 acres in Ownder ed South Holland, ILLINOIS Located on the Northeast corner of I - 94 & Rt. 6 (159th St.) 1500 E. 162nd St.

High Visibility at the northeast entrance of the Bishop Ford Expressway w/daily traffic counts exceeding 150,000 cars!

Adjacent to Calumet City Golf Course & close to River Oaks Shopping Center. Water, electrical & sewer lines already at the site.

Previously Valued to $4,000,000 Anticipated Bid Range

Join the conversation Please send Letters to the Editor to ■ ktrainor@wjinc.com or ■ Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 Include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

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$1,250,000 to $2,250,000 For Info Rick Levin & Associates, Inc. 312-440-2000 • www.ricklevin.com

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Religion Guide Methodist

Check First.

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

First Congregational Church of Maywood

400 N. Fifth Avenue (1 block north of Lake St.) Come join us for Sunday Morning Worship at 11 am Pastor Elliot Wimbush will be preaching the message.

Refreshments and fellowship follow the service.

708-344-6150 firstchurchofmaywood.org When you're looking for a place to worship the Lord, Check First.

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

William S. Winston Pastor (708) 697-5000

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

Fair Oaks

Lutheran—ELCA

United Lutheran Church 1 5LGJHODQG *UHHQ¿ HOG Oak Park Holy Communion with nursery care and Children’s Chapel each Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Dennis Bushkofsky, Pastor Handicapped Accessible www.unitedlutheranchurch.org 708/386-1576

Sunday Service 7AM, 9AM & 11:15AM

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

3:30-4:00pm

Nationwide

WJYS-TV (M-F)

6:30-7:00am

Chicago, IL.

WCIU-TV (Sun.)

10:30-11:00am

Chicago, IL.

Word Network

10:30-11:00am

Nationwide

(M-F)

www.livingwd.org www.billwinston.org

West Suburban Temple Har Zion

1040 N. Harlem Avenue River Forest Meet our new Rabbi, Adir Glick Pray, learn, and celebrate with our caring, progressive, egalitarian community.

Interfaith families are welcome.

Accredited Early Childhood Program Religious School for K thru 12 Daily Morning Minyan Weekly Shabbat Services Friday 6:30pm & Saturday 10:00am Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 708.366.9000 www.wsthz.org

Lutheran-Independent

Grace Lutheran Church

7300 W. Division, River Forest David R. Lyle, Senior Pastor David W. Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Lauren Dow Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Sunday Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School/Adult Ed. 9:45 a.m.

Childcare Available

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

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

Roman Catholic

St. Bernardine Catholic Church Harrison & Elgin, Forest Park

CELEBRATING OUR 105TH YEAR! Sat. Masses: 8:30am & 5:00pm SUNDAY MASSES: 8:00am & 10:30am 10:30 Mass-Daycare for all ages CCD Sun. 9am-10:15am Reconciliation: Sat. 9am & 4pm Weekday Masses: Monday–Friday 6:30am Church Office: 708-366-0839 CCD: 708-366-3553 www.stbern.com Pastor: Fr. Stanislaw Kuca Traditional Catholic

Child care available 9-11am

fairoakspres.org

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

Roman Catholic

Ascension Catholic Church

The Traditional Catholic Latin Mass

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

Third Unitarian Church 11am Service: “Celebration of Life� thirdunitarianchurch.org (773) 626-9385 301 N. Mayfield near Austin and Lake

Grace Lutheran School

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

Christ Lutheran Church

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

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church

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

808 S. East Ave. 708/848-2703 www.ascensionoakpark.com Worship: Saturday Mass 5:00 pm Sunday Masses 7:30, 9:00, 11 am, 5:00 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation 4 pm Saturday Taize Prayer 7:30 pm First Fridays Feb.– Dec. & Jan. 1 Holy Hour 6:00 pm Third Thursdays

Rev. James Hurlbert, Pastor

Roman Catholic

St. Edmund Catholic Church

188 South Oak Park Ave. Saturday Masses: 8:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

Sunday Masses: 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

Weekday Mass: 8:30 a.m.

Holy Day Masses: As Announced Reconciliation: Saturday 4:15 p.m.

Parish Office: 708-848-4417 School Phone: 708-386-5131

Unity

UNITY CHURCH OF OAK PARK 405 North Euclid Ave.

With Spirit as my guide, I take charge of my life.

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

Upcoming Religious Holidays

Nov. 24 Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahdur Sikh Thanksgiving Interfaith USA 26 Day of the Covenant * Baha’i 27 Advent begins through Dec. 24 Christian Christ the King Christian 28 Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha * Baha’i

OPRF pool referendum vote narrows

No votes are ahead by just 68, down from previous 118vote lead

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

The margin separating votes for and against the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 facilities referendum tightened in the days after the Nov. 8 election, according to unofficial election results released by the Cook County Clerk’s Office.

After all 45 precincts had been reported, 118 more votes had been cast against the ballot measure than for it.

As of Nov. 22, that 118-vote margin had decreased to just 68 votes. A Cook County Clerk’s Office spokesperson told Wednesday Journal that roughly 5,000 votes remain uncounted but could not confirm what townships those votes came from.

On election night, the pro-referendum Vote Yes campaign team released a statement, noting that, although they were “deeply disappointed� in those preliminary results, they would wait until all absentee ballots are included in the vote totals.

District 200 officials, however, had released a statement conceding the referendum’s defeat.

According to an email statement released today, Monica Sheehan, head of the antireferendum group OPRF Pragmatic Pool Solutions, said that her group “is closely watching the post-Election Day vote count� and that “vote no continues to lead by a narrow margin.�

The official results of the election won’t be certified until the end of November. At a Nov. 17 regular meeting, D200 Acting Supt.

Joylynn Pruitt said that the administration will present “suggestions on a process for moving forward� at a Dec. 13 special meeting.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

To run an obituary 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 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

TAKEOVER TAKEDOWN: Community Bank survived a recent hostile takeover attempt.

File photo

Community Bank takeover fails

First American Bank fails to buy 51 percent of bank shares

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

The hostile takeover attempt of Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest by one of its biggest shareholders has failed.

Elk Grove Village-based First American Bank launched the takeover attempt in October, accusing Community Bank of selfdealing through a discounted stock sale to members of the bank’s leadership and their friends, while leaving out First American and other shareholders.

In late September, First American offered to pay shareholders $134.32 per share in an effort to capture a 51 percent ownership stake in the bank. But First American Chairman and CEO Thomas Wells said in a recent email that the bank failed to receive the requisite votes from shareholders.

“Accordingly, we’ve returned the stock tendered and cancelled the offer,” Wells said in an email.

Community Bank’s leadership also responded by email: “We are pleased to know that in rejecting First American’s unsolicited tender offer that our shareholders support the current strategic direction of the bank and our commitment to our shareholders, employees and community.”

“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in the coming year, we look forward to opening new branches in Oak Park and River Forest and are thankful for the support that we receive from our community who have been the foundation of our success,” Community Bank President and CEO Walter Healy said.

It is unclear whether the takeover attempt has or will prompt future takeover efforts by other banks. Crain’s Chicago Business originally published the story about the take-

over attempt, speculating that First American’s effort could arouse interest from other banks to attempt a takeover of Community Bank.

First American said in its offer letter that it would “support any cash offer at a value equal to or greater than the valuation proposed in our offer if it is made to all stockholders by Oct. 22, 2016 and will close by May 20, 2017, contingent only on the OPRF board’s willingness to support our offer in the event theirs fails to materialize or close.”

Community Bank did not go into detail about the accusations made concerning selfdealing in its response to Wednesday Journal’s inquiry concerning the failed takeover.

But in October, the bank defended its various discounted sales of additional stock.

“The granting of stock options is a standard practice at many community banks and are an important way to attract, retain and motivate high-quality employees,” the company’s leadership wrote in the October press release, noting that the bank “sought and received stockholder approval” for the stock options.

Community Bank leadership also said in the October press release that between 1996 and 2011 First American provided data processing services for Community Bank and was paid roughly $5.5 million for those services. When the local bank terminated that contract with First American, the bank demanded Community Bank repurchase its shares.

“In addition, beginning with the company’s 2012 annual meeting of stockholders and continuing at each meeting thereafter, FABC has voted against every other proposal made by management at such stockholders’ meetings,” Community Bank’s leadership wrote in October.

Wells at First American said the loss of the contract had nothing to do with the takeover attempt.

CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles 543 W. Madison St. Oak Park IL, 60302 708-524-3300

Photo: David Hammond

Jibarito from Uber Eats

plus ...

Buck-a-Shuck $1 house oysters $1 $1 peel-n-pop shrimp $1

monday thru friday til 6pm!

I

Oak Park consumer-toconsumer: Uber Eats

credit cards need be given to continue to be amazed and the driver when the ride is over. amused by the way the Way better. “youngs� keep improving on Uber works brilliantly and the old models. the brand is spreading to other My glasses are from services.

Warby Parker, a relatively new Like food delivery. eyeglass company whose rightUber Eats is now in Oak Park, out-of-college founders asked and you can use your iPhone the very reasonable question, app to order from local places “Why do people have to pay $500 like Chicago’s Home of Chicken for a pair of plastic frames?â€? and Waffles, Jerusalem CafĂŠ and (Answer: because we got used Jamaican Grill, which we feato it). Warby Parker frames tured in this blog a few weeks are around $100, fashionable, ago. Delivery time is about 30-45 inexpensive, and you can even Local Dining minutes, but you can set up use your computer cam to do a & Food Blogger deliveries in advance so the food fitting online. For every pair I comes on a daily schedule. And buy, they donate another pair to all charges are made to your a needy person. Better, right?

We regularly use Airbnb, a San Francisco card through your iPhone. Lunch or dinner will run you around $10-15, service instart-up built on the time-honored tradicluded. As with Uber’s ride-sharing service, tion of couch surfing (staying at a friend’s you’ll get an alert on your phone when the house when in town). We’re even thinking food arrives (this alert is especially handy of letting out our Oak Park home to people if you’re in an office building, so you know passing through who want to save a little when you can come down to get your food). money and perhaps meet the locals. We’ve Last week, I ordered lunch through Uber stayed in Airbnb residences in Europe and Eats from Pancho’s Cuisine in Riverside. I Asia, have met some cool people, and saved got a jibarito, a Chicago-original sandwich, a load of money sleeping in a real home first popularized in the Puerto Rican neighrather than a hotel. Again, better. borhood of Humboldt Park. The jibarito Like Airbnb, Uber is part of the “sharis constructed of two smashed planks of ing economy,� giving everyday Joes and plantain, fried and filled with meat, lettuce Joans a chance to make some extra money and tomato. This is a food I’d never make at by driving their own cars to ferry people home, so it was cool to have it delivered to like me around. This may not be news to my door in a reasonable amount of time for you, but it surprises me how many people a reasonable price. (mostly over 50) are only vaguely aware of Uber and have never used it. So I’ll topline As with the Uber ride-sharing app, there’s it for you: just download the Uber app and no tipping with Uber Eats and the delivery hail a car using your phone; you pay less person told me the company officially disthan a regular taxi, tipping is not part courages the practice. of the deal, and because the ride is autoIn the office or at home with nothing in matically charged to your card, no cash or the refrigerator? Consider Uber Eats.

DAVID

HAMMOND

Special Advertising Section

Season of Giving • A Community Giving Guide

Give Give oPRF oPRF

November 23, 2016

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Season of Giving • A Community Giving Guide

November 23, 2016

Special Advertising Section

We help you give back.

How is up to you.

“This is a great time for the entire community to invest in the Community Foundation.”--John & Linda Tibensky, donors Connect with

Kristin Carlson Vogen or Rhea Yap

Donate to the Fund for Now https://v.gd/7cO3Kb

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

Donate to the Fund for Forever https://v.gd/BR71VE

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

Season of Giving • A Community Giving Guide

Special Advertising Section

Community Giving Guide

The Most Wonderful Guide of The Year!

S

eason of Giving is a campaign organized by Wednesday Journal and the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation to encourage local charitable giving during the holiday season. It has long been recognized that when we shop local, our money recirculates through

Animal Care League No matter how long it takes, the Animal Care League keeps an adoptable animal until we find that right loving home. We take proactive approaches to animal care and adoption as well as preventative measures to help reduce the number of homeless animals in our communities. The Animal Care League provides medical treatment for over 1,000 animals each year ranging from routine vaccinations to emergency, life-saving surgery.

Make a meaningful difference in the life of a homeless animal. Visit www. animalcareleague.org, where you can sign up to be a volunteer or donate. You can also donate your gently used items to the 2nd Chance shop, and attend one of many fun special events.

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

For more information, or to make a donation, please visit us at www.collab4kids.org or follow us on Facebook.

the local economy reaping dividends for the entire community. The same is true for charitable giving. When you donate to local nonprofits, your money goes to work in your own neighborhood.

Your donations feed local families, offer safety and learning to local children, and enrich the beauty and art that

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation encourages giving locally, providing donors with many ways to contribute to the sustainability and vibrancy of Oak Park and River Forest. We manage scholarships for students and provide enrichment grants for young people. We make grants to local nonprofit organizations, provide Impact Excellence seminars for them as well as manage many of their agency funds. We accept large gifts and small gifts. We work with donors to match their philanthropic interests with needs. We create spaces for donors to collectively give for impact through our Women Leaders in Philanthropy, Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy and NextGen Leaders in Philanthropy Giving Groups. All of this is possible thanks to generous and thoughtful donors who value our community. www.oprfcf.org www.facebook.org/OPRFCF Twitter: community@oprfcf 708-848-1560 1049 Lake Street, Suite 204, Oak Park, IL 60301 Donate on line at: http://tinyurl.com/kf2rcnn

College Mentoring Experience Studies show that children in mentoring programs are less likely to be engage in deviant activities and relationships with parents often increase. College Mentoring Experience is a 501c3/ non-for-profit community based mentoring program servicing the Austin

surrounds us all. Over the coming weeks, we hope that you will take a moment to look over the listings in this Giving Guide. Find an organization that resonates with you. Check out their website. Consider making a donation or volunteering. Spread the word. Don’t just shop local—give Local. community. Through one-on-one mentoring to at-risk students ages 11-22, CME’s focus is to provide our mentees with the resources and tools needed to get them TO and THROUGH college; providing tutoring, career exploration and life skills development as alternatives to negative learning behaviors.

On Tuesday, November 29th, won’t you please help us by donating?

For more information visit www. collegementoringexperience.org. EVERY gift of EVERY SIZE matters!

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

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

This Community Giving Guide of local nonprofits will run weekly through December. If you would like information on how to list your organization, email Marc Stopeck at marc@oakpark.com.

November 23, 2016

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performing under the stars in beautiful Austin Gardens as we do each summer or at any of the many local venues where we partner with local philanthropic agencies (such as Housing Forward, Oak Park Housing Authority or Nineteenth Century Charitable Association), Festival Theatre breaths fresh air into timeless texts for Oak Park and beyond. With ticket prices kept friendly for every budget and free admission for all under 13, we rely on the generosity of our audiences to continue our dynamic community dialogue.

Donations can be made on-line at oakparkfestival.com or mailed to us: Oak Park Festival Theatre, P.O. Box 4114, Oak Park, IL 60303.

Forest Park Historical Society The Historical Society of Forest Park is dedicated to the preservation, collection and celebration of Forest Park History. We study the past so we can understand the present so we can shape the future. The Historical Society in Forest Park is an important part of the social infrastructure of our community. We partner with many groups to enhance the quality of life in our village.

1000 Elgin, Forest Park IL 60130 To make a donation, volunteer or to get more information, go to www.forestparkhistory. weebly.com.

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust Inspiring tomorrow’s architects today. Our D97 program has introduced thousands of students to Wright’s design legacy. Our community’s vitality is enhanced by the mission of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust.

Through its stewardship of the Home and Studio, the Trust continues to preserve an Oak Park treasure as a source of community pride and inspiration.

To learn more or donate, go to flwright.org 931 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

Hephzibah

Hephzibah Children’s Association was founded in 1897. We serve more than 1,000 children and families each year through innovative, community-based programs.

Hephzibah provides a Group Home for children who have been taken from their families due to profound abuse or neglect.

Our skilled staff recruits and trains foster parents, and offers ongoing support to help all family members navigate challenges.

Our after-school Day Care operates on a sliding scale to serve working parents in Oak Park, with programs based at each elementary school.

To make a real difference in the lives of children and families, please donate today at www.hephzibahhome.org.

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November 23, 2016

Season of Giving • A Community Giving Guide

Special Advertising Section

Francesca DeBiase

W Thanksgiving Thanksgiving hanksgiving If Thanksgiving is for giving thanks,

hat started as a search for quality and convenient day care for her elementary school daughter, over a decade later, has lead local Oak Park resident Francesca DeBiase to be deeply engaged as a volunteer, board member and donor to Hephzibah Children’s Association. Volunteers and donors are the backbone of Hephzibah Children’s Association, the oldest non-profit organization in Oak Park, and provide necessary support for all of our programs.

By offering early education and support for under resourced families, a nurturing home for abused and neglected children, and a sliding scale fee for our award winning daycare program - Hephzibah strives to help children thrive or families flourish in the community.

It was the sliding scale fee of the day care program that first piqued DeBiase’s interest in the mission of Hephzibah. “When I was looking for day care I was fortunate enough to have options available to me.

The sliding scale feature of Hephzibah’s of alltopurchases will be donated Housing Forward after school care proved to me that on(formerly Friday, Nov. be Nov. 27,Hephzibah was for everyone – it was a PADS)25onwill Friday, to true resource to the community and I was donated tofight Housing aidbeindonated the endForward, homelessness. will to to Housing Forward proud to enroll my daughter in such a I continue to give to Hephzibah Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 11-6 • 1045 Lake Street • Downtown Oak Park • 708.386.9800 • www.booktable.net to aid inPADS) the fight to end (formerly on Friday, Nov. 27, to program. because I know that the work changes aid in the fight to end homelessness. lives. Many children come to Hephzibah homelessness.

Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 11-6 • 1045 Lake Street •Oak Downtown Oak Park ••www.booktable.net 708.386.9800 • www.booktable.net after experiencing tragic events in their Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 11-6 • 1045 Lake Street • Downtown Park • 708.386.9800 young lives. Every story has a struggle, and every story after Hephzibah has a Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 11-6 • 1045 Lake Street • Downtown Oak Park • 708.386.9800 • www.booktable.net

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ofdonated all purchases will be to Housing Forward (formerly PADS)toon Friday, Forward Nov. 27, to will be donated Housing will be donatedaidtoinHousing Forward thePADS) fight to homelessness. (formerly onend Friday, Nov. 27, to (formerly PADS) onthe Friday, 27,homelessness. to aid in fight Nov. to end aid in the fight to end homelessness.

Sun 11-6 • 1045 Lake Street • Downtown Oak Park • 708.386.9800 • www.booktable.net

Katie and David Zapata

T

he Zapata family of Oak Park was introduced to Oak-Leyden as a provider of Early Intervention (EI) services for their young son, Lincoln. Oak-Leyden became a hub for the family, providing therapies, communicating with private providers, counseling the family on decisions about care, and suggesting resources and techniques to help Lincoln thrive.

Lincoln received four therapies a week, attended Oak-Leyden’s group sessions, and participated in Oak-Leyden’s allabilities Music Together® program.

Although Lincoln graduated from OakLeyden’s EI program this past summer, David and Katie continue to offer their energy and resources to support OakLeyden, opening new doors for future EI graduates. Katie notes, “Research

Give oPRF

Francesca DeBiase new ending.”

When asked why she cares so deeply about the organization to which she donates both her time and financial support, DeBiase responded, “because I believe that every child should grow up feeling safe and loved. My mother taught me to be confident and to believe that I could do anything that I wanted, and I want these children to know the same.”

Give oPRF shows, having advocates for our children is incredibly important for the entire community. We’re dedicated to Oak-Leyden, because we’ve witnessed the impact they make on so many local families, and we know that every dollar we give goes directly to their programming.”

The Zapata family

Season of Giving • A Community Giving Guide

Special Advertising Section

November 23, 2016

YOUR DONATION HAS A RIPPLE EFFECT IN OUR COMMUNITY...

• Public programs in art, music, science, social science and literature • Scholarships for OPRF students • Networking and fellowship for members • Landmark building used by many local not-for-profits

HELP TO

Restore & Renovate this Historic Landmark for 21st Century Needs

To make a donation to the capital campaign, please contact:

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association 178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60301 708-386-2729 • info@nineteenthcentury.org www.nineteenthcentury.org

Success Knows

NO LIMITS! UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago is a charitable not-for-profit agency serving individuals with disabilities in metropolitan Chicago, including Oak Park and River Forest, and beyond. We believe that all people, regardless of ability, deserve to achieve their potential, advance their independence and act as full members of the community.

So we stop at nothing to provide life skills training, assistive technology, meaningful employment and a place to call home for people with disabilities, as well as specialized foster care for children.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT

“ life without limits for people with disabilities ” VISIT

ucpseguin.org

OUR GOAL:

LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

UCP SEGUIN | 332 HARRISON ST | OAK PARK, ILLINOIS 60304 | 708.863.3803 | INFO@SEGUIN.ORG

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Season of Giving • A Community Giving Guide

November 23, 2016

Your Donation is Powerful!

Hunger may seem far away to many of us in Oak Park and River Forest. But even here, people struggle with hunger. In Oak Park alone, it is estimated that over 6,000 individuals are “food insecure”—they do not know where their next meal is coming from.

Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry serves 1500 local families each month. For every $1 you give, we are able to provide $10 worth of food to our clients. The pantry serves Oak Park, River Forest, Austin and the surrounding community (12 zip codes in all).

Please donate today at www.oprffoodpantry.org.

848 Lake Street Oak Park, IL 60301 708-386-1324

L I TE RACY LEAR NI NG CO N N EC T I O N O PPL .ORG/G I VE

Hannah O’Connor

T

he Neighborhood Giving Project relies on community members willing to donate a valuable and often scarce resource: time.

Our volunteers often juggle family, work, and other commitments while also developing and running our projects. It is because of them that Neighborhood Giving Project is able to provide community service opportunities for busy families in the Oak Park-River Forest area.

Hannah O’Connor, a long-time Neighborhood Giving Project volunteer, came to the group wanting to involve her young son and daughter in community service. “We were so excited when we found the Neighborhood Giving Project.

We loved having hands-

Give oPRF

Marty and Matt

reside at one of PACTT Learning Center’s group homes and are employed at a local business here in Oak Park. At PACTT, we believe that all individuals with autism should have access to their community and be provided with opportunities to grow and be recognized for their rich contributions. Both Marty and Matt are severely affected by autism, but thanks to PACTT’s Vocational Services job training and placement program, they have been able to gain and maintain employment right here in Oak Park.

Special Advertising Section on learning and service experiences that supported our values of giving back to the community.“ After attending a couple Neighborhood Giving Project workshops at the Oak Park Public Library, Hannah became a part of the group’s volunteer staff Hannah O‘Connor and started planning the service projects, while also continuing to attend them with her family. “Our favorites have been the baby shower for Animal Care League, Taco Nights at Ronald McDonald House, and baking cookies at the Hephzibah House. Not only have we appreciated engaging with and in our community, but we have also made great friends though the process. We are grateful for being a part of something so positive.”

To learn more about getting involved or to make a donation, go to www. neighborhoodgivingproject.org During this Holiday Season, it is with a deep sense of gratitude that we would like to thank all PACTT supporters.

Please know that we couldn’t do the work we do without the help of our donors, partner employers, volunteers and partner agencies. Our strength is in these collaborations and we cannot thank you enough for the ways in which you continue to support PACTT and our participants.

Give oPRF

Marty and Matt, two of PACTT’s Vocational Services job training and placement program participants.

Special Advertising Section

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

This housing-first approach to homelessness is more efficient, more fiscally responsible and less traumatic to clients who are typically facing extraordinary hardship. It is also beneficial to the communities being served who do not have to bear the costs of homelessness in the form of expanded social services, health care and public safety costs.

We offer an attractive return on your investment — measured in terms of human lives and futures.

To donate, please visit www.housingforward. org/give, or contact Janet Gow, Director of Development & Communications, at 708.338.1724 ext. 262.

The Neighborhood Giving Project Many parents are eager to teach their children about the importance and the rewards of helping others. The Neighborhood Giving Project is a 501c3 non-profit organization providing community service opportunities for busy families in the Oak Park-River Forest area. Our mission is to inspire our children to be better citizens of the world by providing hands-on, hands-together community service opportunities; to enrich their learning with civic responsibility, social justice, and charitable action.

Partnering with local organizations, NGP develops service projects that are developmentally appropriate for children, and also genuinely fun. Topics include hunger and homelessness, education and literacy, family health, animal care, and more.

To learn more about getting involved or to make a donation, go to www. neighborhoodgivingproject.org

Nineteenth Century Charitable Association The Nineteenth Century Club was established in 1891 and the spirit of the founders continues today in the work of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association through community outreach grants, scholarships, and public programming in five areas: music, art, literature, science, and social sciences. The NCCA is the owner of 178 Forest Avenue, commonly referred to as the Nineteenth Century Club. Our charitable and cultural activities are supported by our members, volunteers, donors, and by the events held at the Club. Programs are open to all and we welcome men and women of all ages to join.

If you would like information about volunteering, joining or donating, please call us at 708-386-2729 email to info@ nineteenthcentury.org.

Season of Giving • A Community Giving Guide Oak-Leyden Developmental Services In 2016, Oak-Leyden Developmental Services helped nearly 600 children and adults with developmental disabilities reach their highest potential. Our multi-disciplinary Early Intervention Program provides therapies to help prepare young children for their years ahead, as well as education that supports the entire family. Our enriching, adult day programs offer community activities, life skills coaching, and vocational training. In our 12 group homes, adults receive residential care, social and recreational opportunities, and access to healthcare providers.

Please volunteer, donate items on our wish list, make a contribution, or become an Oak-Leyden Enrichment Partner at www. oak-leyden.org or call 708-524-1050 x102.

Thank you!

Oak Park Art League Founded in 1921, the Oak Park Art League (OPAL) is one of Oak Park’s first cultural institutions and fulfills its mission through its offering of high quality art education to people of all ages and skill levels, programs and guest lectures, artist demonstrations and critiques, plus monthly exhibitions in OPAL’s historic Carriage House art gallery. On Giving Tuesday, leave your legacy of support by sponsoring a Century Club limited edition brick in OPAL’s garden courtyard. Purchase a personalized brick for yourself, a business, or honor a loved one and help pave the path to OPAL’s centennial anniversary in 2021.

720 Chicago Avenue 708-386-9853 oakparkartleague@gmail.com www.oakparkartleague.org

The Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF) Strong schools are at the heart of a strong community.

Established in 1989, OPEF is a privately funded, nonprofit organization that brings artists, architects, scientists, and technology experts into K-8th grade classrooms at every District 97 school. Our professional partners share their passion for learning while conducting free, hands-on residencies with more than 4,200 students annually. OPEF also runs BASE Camp, exceptional summer and day-off enrichment. Learn more, volunteer or donate at opef.org.

260 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302 Contact: Deb Abrahamson, Exec. Dir., dabrahamson@opef.org. 708 524 3023

Oak Park Public Library Support literacy, learning, and community connection When you give locally, you can choose to share a gift that nurtures ideas and spreads knowledge in and around Oak Park. You

can support the freedom to read, to learn, and to grow. Loyalty to your local public library helps a 113-year-old institution, dedicated to literacy and community connection, continue to be free and accessible to all.

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

Oak Park Regional Housing Center The Housing Center promotes and sustains the racial integration of Oak Park. We help over 3,500 households and 250 landlords annually. The Housing Center provides the foundation for equity and inclusion in Oak Park. Your gift helps keep Oak Park’s promise of diversity that we all cherish.

To donate visit: oprhc.org/donate or make checks payable to OPRHC, 1041 South Boulevard, Oak Park, IL 60302

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

To make a donation, visit www. oprffoodpantry.org or send checks payable to OPRF Food Pantry to Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301.

PACCT PACTT Learning Center is committed to empowering people challenged by autism with choice in regard to where they live, learn and work. PACTT’s mission is to assist individuals with autism in becoming as independent as possible with the ability to integrate effectively into their homes and community. At the core of this mission is to see each individual as a unique gift and then provide the person-centered supports that foster learning and growth. PACTT programs include a therapeutic day school, residential services for children, transition program for older teens, vocational training/job placement and residential services for adults.

To learn more about PACTT or make a donation, go to www.pactt.org or call 773338-9102 ext. 2424

November 23, 2016

27

Pillars Pillars is the largest nonprofit provider of mental health and social services in the western and southwestern suburbs.

The agency serves 10,000 people each year through direct client services, including Mental Health, Addictions, Domestic & Sexual Violence, Child & Family Services, and Community Housing. Untreated mental illness and addiction can lead to hospitalization, encounters with law enforcement, violence, and even early death. Pillars’ programs empower people to break out of those cycles and lead healthy, productive, independent lives—which ultimately saves the community money. Stand together as Pillars, with us.

Donate online or pledge a monthly gift today at www.pillarscommunity.org/donate.

Ping!

PING! (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation) is an allvolunteer organization that loans musical instruments to students in need in grades 4-12 in Oak Park-River Forest school districts 90, 97, and 200 so that they can participate in their school band or orchestra.

PING! also provides music enrichment for its students through workshops, mentoring, summer music camp scholarships, private lessons, and field trips. PING! serves between 125 and 150 students each year who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in the music programs at school.

PING! depends on the community for donated instruments and financial contributions to maintain our instrument inventory and program funding.

For more information or to make a donation, go to www.pingoprf.org. If you have an instrument to donate, send us an email at pingoprf@gmail.com.

Pleasant Home Pleasant Home Foundation, a nonprofit organization, restores and preserves our National Historic Landmark house museum while offering a wide variety of educational opportunities, cultural programming and free community events.

Financial support is crucial to sustain Pleasant Home as an important resource for tourism and as a center for the community.

Pleasant Home 217 Home Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302 pleasanthome.org hruehlemay@pleasanthome.org 708-383-2654

Give oPRF

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PACTT GivingTuesdayAd.pdf November 23, 2016

1

10/6/16

12:16 PM

Season of Giving • A Community Giving Guide

Special Advertising Section

Getting students TO and THROUGH college!

COLLEGE MENTORING EXPERIENCE 5846 W. Madison Chicago, IL 60644 Telephone: (312) 953-2634 Email: info@collegementoringexperience.org

Your donations can help students with:      

Tutoring ACT/SAT Prep Classes College campus visits Financial Aid Workshops Scholarships AND MORE..

To make a donation, please visit:

www.collegementoringexperience.org

Sarah’s Inn has come a long way as an organization since it was founded 35 years ago.

Today, Sarah’s Inn stands strong working to battle domestic violence on all fronts.

We intervene to provide bilingual services to adults & children affected by relationship violence.

We prevent future violence by teaching youth how to cultivate healthy relationships.

We educate community members & professionals to intervene appropriately to domestic violence.

Together we are changing lives & shaping communities. Together we are strong.

Together we are Sarah’s Inn. Learn more about Sarah’s Inn & get involved: Website: www.sarahsinn.org Facebook & Instagram: @sarahsinnoakpark Office Phone: 708-386-3305 24-Hour Crisis Line: 708-386-4225

Historical Society of Forest Park Collect - Share - Preserve forestparkhistory.weebly.com 708 271 0128

Season of Giving • A Community Giving Guide

Special Advertising Section

Pro Bono Network

This Community Giving Guide of local nonprofits will run weekly through December. If you would like information on how to list your organization, email Marc Stopeck at marc@oakpark.com.

Access to justice should not depend upon one’s income. During this time of need, there are not enough lawyers to help people with human rights needs. These include safety from an abuser, adequate housing, and the ability to get a job. Pro Bono Network, a locally-grown and new kind of organization, has brought over 200 attorneys to pro bono work by making legal representation practical.

As a result over 1000 clients have received legal aid services which often encompass human rights.

Learn more at pro-bono-network.org.

Donating will make a difference!

The River Forest Library Foundation Since 1905, the River Forest Public Library (RFPL) has been transforming lives and nurturing a love of reading and learning in children, teens, and adults. Today, as a 21st century library, the RFPL not only provides the latest books and periodicals, but also digital content, remote online access, onsite computer technology, and interactive educational programs By giving to the RFPL Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, you can honor a parent, child, or other family member; a cherished teacher or mentor; a dear friend; or your own love of learning. Your gift will inspire others and help to ensure that the Library will always be here

2016

Friday, December 2nd • 3-9pm Saturday, December 3rd • 9am-3pm Sunday, December 4th • 10am-2pm Pictures with Santa: Saturday 10am-2pm AND Sunday 11am-1pm

Bring your pets & kids! holiday items, petitems giftbaskets, bakery, jewelry,music & more!

Please come join us!

All your generosity goes right back to support the daily activities of our shelter. Call 708-848-8155 for more information!

NEW LOCATION!

1003 Garfield., Oak Park (Just East of Volvo dealership at Harlem)

learn more at

animalcareleague.org

to grow and change with us.

Mail donations to the RFPL Foundation at 735 Lathrop Ave, River Forest, IL 60305, or go to www.riverforestlibrary.org/ donate.

Sarah’s Inn

Since 1981, Sarah’s Inn has worked to improve the lives of those impacted by domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence for future generations. Our Intervention Program provides bi-lingual services for families affected by domestic violence in order to safely navigate crisis, effectively process trauma and ensure self-sufficiency.

Our Training and Education Program creates a network of skilled bystanders to appropriately intervene as first responders and community advocates. Our Together Strong Project was created to prevent relationship violence by teaching youth about the impact of their choices, giving them the tools to lead healthy lives, and empowering them to make a difference in their community.

To donate, visit donatenow.networkforgood. org/sarahsinn, or make a tax-deductible donation through postal mail by sending a check to: Sarah’s Inn, PO Box 1159 Oak Park, IL 60304

Thrive Counseling Center

Thrive Counseling Center (formerly Family Services of Oak Park) has provided community mental health services for 118 years. Located in the heart of Oak Park, our mission is to build healthy minds, families and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being. Hope, resilience and recovery form the heart of our programs and services. Last year we provided critical services to approximately 2,000 friends, neighbors and family members including…

• counseling for youth and adults • psychiatric care and medication management • 24/7 crisis intervention • in-home counseling for older adults • case management and supportive housing • psycho-social recovery day program • stress reduction courses To learn more or donate, please visit www. thrivecc.org. or call 708-383-7500, ext. 316.

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November 23, 2016

29

UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago UCP Seguin believes that all people, regardless of ability, deserve to achieve their potential, advance their independence and act as full members of the community. So we stop at nothing to provide life skills training, assistive technology, meaningful employment and a place to call home for people with disabilities, as well as specialized foster care for children. Our goal: life without limits for people with disabilities.

Make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Donate online at ucpseguin. org send gifts to UCP Seguin, 332 Harrison Street, Oak Park IL 60304

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

To donate, visit WestCookYMCA.org/donate or send your check to West Cook YMCA, 255 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302. (708-3835200)

Wonder Works Children’s Museum Creative and imaginative play are vital to a healthy child and Wonder Works Children’s Museum provides countless opportunities for both, giving children a safe space to explore.

Wonder Works is committed to providing an environment where early learning flourishes through thoughtfully designed “experience zones” and educational programming.

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

Give oPRF

Season of Giving • A Community Giving Guide

November 23, 2016

Oak Park Festival Theatre is excited to be a part the

Oak Park—River Forest

Season of Giving!

Festival Theatre breaths fresh air into timeless texts for Oak Park and beyond. We are the Midwest's oldest professional outdoor classical theatre and we have brought the magic of dramatic masterpieces to generations of our neighbors since 1974.

Only approximately 58% of our revenue comes from ticket sales.

The rest comes from grants, fund raising events and most importantly generous donations from you, our loyal audience.

Please help keep this theatre thriving so we may continue to provide quality professional entertainment .

Donations can be made on-line at oakparkfestival.com or mailed to us: Oak Park Festival Theatre, P.O. Box 4114, Oak Park, IL 60303.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT SUMMER

30

Special Advertising Section

JOIN US FOR A FESTIVE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE! EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL

OAK PARK RIVER FOREST

Infant Welfare Society

2016

Holiday Housewalk and Market December 1-3 Nineteenth Century Club Oak Park Purchase your tickets online www.oprfiws.org 708.848.0528 ext 231 Proceeds benefit the Infant Welfare Society Children's Clinic

Spread the Joy!

FOUR WAYS to help children thrive and families flourish

NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 16

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7

THROUGH DECEMBER 31

GIVING TREE

GIVING TUESDAY

GIFT GIVING

Stop by the Hephzibah Giving Tree at Whole Foods Market in River Forest and select a paper heart ornament with the name and holiday wish of a child in need.

Return the heart with your unwrapped gift to Whole Foods by December 16.

Observe this global day of giving by helping the children served

by Hephzibah. Give online at hephzibahhome.org. Or donate to our Huskie Helpers as they collect donations from 3:30 until 5:30 p.m. at intersections throughout Oak Park.

Bring-a-Gift Party 6-10 p.m.

MATCHED GIVING

Hephzibah Children’s Association offers a safe haven for children traumatized by neglect and abuse, services for children and families in crisis, foster care and day care on a sliding scale for families of all income levels.

Our holiday model (above) is an Oak Park elementary-school student enrolled in Hephzibah’s award-winning Day Care Program.

Bring a gift card, a cash donation or an unwrapped gift for a child of any age to Healy’s in Forest Park and join us for appetizers, drink specials, raffles and an ugly sweater contest.

Come dressed to win! Adults 21+ only please.

THANK YOU for your support!

Make an online donation by December 31 and your gift will be matched by generous benefactors. Learn more about our Hephzibah Holiday Challenge at hephzibahhome.org. Double your gift today!

hephzibah C H I L D R E N’ S

A S S O C I AT I O N

Season of Giving • A Community Special Advertising Section

Giving Guide

November 23, 2016

31

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Season of Giving • A Community Giving Guide

November 23, 2016

Special Advertising Section

BONUS*

1-pound bag of coffee

e! absolutely fre

WEST COOK YMCA

44th Annual

Christmas Tree Sale

hase early. *When you purc Details below

BUY A TREE CHANGE A LIFE YMCA joiner fee is waived with the purchase of a tree

November 25–December 24

Monday–Friday 2:00–8:00 pm Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am–6:00 pm

WEST COOK YMCA

Purchase between opening day and December 4, 2016 receives a bonus 1-pound bag of coffee absolutely free!

255 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302 | 708 383 5200 westcookymca.org | facebook.com/westcooky | @WestCookYMCA

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

NEED TO REACH US?

oakpark.com/real-estate editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com

33

Homes

A grand Painted Lady earns accolades

Riverside home was painted

by Oak Park’s Ronbo’s

By LACEY SIKORA

F

Contributing Reporter

rom 1888 to 2016, the Vilas Residence has been celebrated as a grand dame of Riverside. Recently it acquired one more accolade. The Queen Anne Victorian was recently awarded the grand prize in the annual Chicago’s Finest Painted Ladies & Her Court contest, sponsored by the Chicago Paint & Coatings Association. Current owners Dawne and Scott Totorella, who have lovingly restored the home they purchased in 1987, say the award and the satisfaction of maintaining their landmark home are well worth the effort.

Provided

RONBO’S MASTERPIECE: Ron Feley and his team at Ronbo’s Fine Painting in Oak Park took on their largest house project ever, the Vilas Residence in Riverside.

History and architecture The home was built in 1888 for Henry C. Vilas, the first of sixteen owners. Appropriately enough, Vilas owned a paint store in Chicago, and Dawne Totorella imagines he would have been pleased to know the house’s latest paint job earned an award. In 1993, the village of Riverside designated the Vilas Residence a Riverside Landmark.

At over 6,000 square feet, the three-story Victorian is representative of the Queen Anne-style of architecture. It has a steep, irregularly shaped roof with cross gables,

center front gable and dormers. The porch runs the full width of the house and there are balustrades on the first and second floor.

A Palladian window graces the front entrance, and a bay window adorns the west façade. The exterior is sided in clapboard with shingled dormers.

Totorella restoration When Dawne and Scott Totorella purchased the home in 1987, they knew the house was a major restoration project. Dawne notes, “We found a photo of the original ex-

EVENTS

terior of the home at the Riverside Historical Society and tried to recreate everything according to that.”

Her parents, Barney and Imo Barnewolt, both newly retired teachers, spent three summers restoring the house with their daughter. They were aided by Barney’s colleague, Tom Baker, a master carpenter, and Tom’s uncle, Bob Drobing.

Totorella recalls working with her parents to retain and restore the home’s original style.

See PAINTED LADY on page 39

ANDREW G. PALOMO MORTGAGE PLANNER, PERL MORTGAGE, INC.

Thursday, December 1 | 6pm st

Mortgage & Real Estate Taxation Part 1

Tuesday, December 13th | 6pm Mortgage & Real Estate Taxation Part 2

Call or email today to register!

P: 708.383.2280 x101

C: 847.489.1900 F: 847.241.0061 andrew@mympgroup.com

224 S. Marion St. Oak Park, IL 60302

perlmortgage.com/apalomo NMLS #: 190447; IL: 031.0004041

34

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

708.771.8040

7375 W. NORTH Ave., River Forest 7375 West North Avenue River Forest, Illinois 60305 708.771.8040 Donna Barnhisel

Alisa Coghill Dan Bogojevich

Nick Bolognia

Tom Carraher

Pat Cesario

Joe Cibula

Thank You!

For allowing us to be of service to you in 2016.

Andy Gagliardo

Karen Doty

Julie Downey

Chris Garvey

Lisa Grimes

Dan & Sharon Halperin

Michael Kinnare

Sherree Krisco

Jack Lattner

Susan Ponzio-Pappas

Katie Possley

Mike Roche

Jenny Ruland

Iris McCormick

Laurel Saltzman

Kevin Calkins

Don Citrano

Julie Cliggett

Jolyn Crawford

Kurt Fiedler

Yvonne Fiszer-Steele

Ramona Fox

Greg Jaroszewski

Vee Jaroszewski

Joanne Kelly

Kathleen Minaghan

Colleen Navigato

Rosa Pitassi

Broker Owner

Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan Maienza

Karen Byrne

Tom Poulos

Broker Owner

Maria Cullerton

Anne Brennan

Rob Sarvis

Vince McFadden

Laurie Shapiro

Charlotte Messina

Meg Sullivan

Tom Sullivan

Debbie Watts George & Nancy Wohlford

Generations of Excellence Since 1958

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Happy Thanksgiving!

OAK PARK OPEN SUNDAY 12-2PM

3D

1104 S. Cuyler Ave 4BR + 1BSMT, 3.1BA $669,000

OAK PARK

OPEN SUNDAY 1-3PM

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711 Belleforte Ave 4BR + 1BSMT, 3.1BA $883,500

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300 N. Oak Park Ave 2BR, 2BA $279,000

726 Forest Ave 3BR + 1BSMT, 3.1BA $639,000

OAK PARK

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214 S. Euclid Ave 5BR, 5.1BA $1,450,000

847 N. East Ave 3BR + 1BSMT, 3.1BA $727,000

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NEW PRICE!

1137 Linden Ave 3BR, 1.2BA $519,000

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1032 N. Harvey Ave 3BR, 1BA $249,900

RIVER FOREST 3D

131 Ashland Ave 4BR + 1BSMT, 3.1BA $711,000

BERW Y N

ME LRO SE PAR K

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6526 16th St 1BR, 1BA $65,000

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835 Columbian Ave 4BR + 1BSMT, 4.1BA $1,075,000

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1407 Lathrop Ave 4BR, 2.1BA $844,000

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817 N. 22nd Ave Multi Family Building $339,900

1127 N. East Ave 4BR, 2.1BA $822,000

222 N. Grove Ave 2BR, 2BA $238,500

530 Forest Ave 5BR, 3.1BA $1,049,000

1115 Thomas Ave 4BR, 3BA $449,900

101 N. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60301 • 708-848-5550 www.weichertnickelgroup.com

151 N. Kenilworth Ave 2BR, 2BA $178,000

1050 N. Humphrey Ave 2BR, 1BA $239,000

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222 N. Grove Ave 2BR, 2BA $211,500

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930 Ontario St 2BR, 2BA $232,500

214 S. Oak Park Ave 1BR, 1BA $86,900

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Serving Our Community For Over 70 Years

114 North Oak Park Avenue Oak Park, Illinois 60301

HOLIDAY HOURS: WEDNESDAY 9AM1PM THURSDAY CLOSED, FRIDAY 9AM2PM 929 HAYES • OPEN SUN 13PM

OAK PARK. ALTERNATIVE TO CONDO OAK PARK. UPDATED 3BR, 3.1BA w/ LIVING or downsizing. 2 BR’s, 1 BA. Cheery lovely woodwork, leaded glass windows, kitchen w/great cabinet spc & SS applncs. Full large FR, French doors & much more! ......................................................$599,000 bsmt & attic. .............................. $324,000

708.524.1100

www.gloor.com

OAK PARK. LOVE ONE LEVEL LIVING in the 3BR mid-century brick ranch in NW RIVER FOREST. FANTASTIC RANCH Oak Park. Hdwd flrs. C/A. Spacious LR & w/open floor plan. 3 BRs, 2.2BAs. WBFP. separate DR. Full bsmt. Great yd. 2-car gar. Large MBR ste. 1st flr lndry. C/A. Att garage. ......................................................$389,000 ......................................................$599,000

Happy Thanksgiving Thanksgiving!

From our Gloor Realty Family to Yours.

OAK PARK. IN THE HEART OF TOWN, 2BR, 1BA condo w/view of lovely lndscpd courtyd. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Open flr plan. Pkg. .......................................... $155,000 OAK PARK LIKE GREEN SPACE? Love to Entertain? Exceptionally restored, expanded home on private park-like lot offers huge family rm/kitchen combo. 6BR, 3.2BA. ........................................................................$1,925,000 GREAT VICTORIAN in Estate section. Beautiful details: wdwk, glass & hardware. 5BRs, 3,2BAs. Updated kit & BAs. Newer systems. Fresh & ready! ........$1,100,000 GORGEOUS OAK PARK HOME near award-winning schools. Chef’s kitchen, master ste, 4+1 BRs, 3.1BAs, finished bsmt. ................................................. $850,000 IMPRESSIVE COLONIAL! Well-maintained & spacious.

Designer kitchen. 4BRs, 3.1BAs. New roof. Beautifully lnscpd yd. .........................................................$845,000 SPEND THE NEXT HOLIDAY in this jumbo bungalow.

Great kitchen. 5 BR, 3BA. Everything’s done but the turkey. .......................................................................... $672,500 BRIMMING WITH light & comfort this elegant 4BR, 3.1BA home is move-in ready. Frplc. C/A. Finished bsmt.

Lots more! See it! ........................................... $639,000 EXCEPTIONAL CLASSIC Prairie-style home. 3BRs, 2.1BAs. Newly remodeled kitchen. WBFP. Family rm.

3-tier cedar deck. Enjoy! ................................$599,000 ENJOY LIFE IN FLW Historic District. 5BRs, 1½BAs. Spacious LR w/FRPLC. Family room. Great yard! ........................................................................... $519,000 REDUCED! FAMILY ROOM! Updated 4BR, 2BA classic OP home. Large lot offers expansion possibilities. Practically maintenance free. .................$507,700 ORIGINAL OAK PARK HOME. Tremendous space in this 5BR, 1½BA Gunderson. Beamed ceiling, stained glass, pocket drs, WBFP & hdwd floors. ................ $499,000 SUNFILLED COLONIAL. 3BRs, 2 new full BAs + ½BA. Hdwd flrs. Wd cab kitchen w/pantry. C/A. Deck. Great house. ...............................................................$479,000 SMART, FRESH & EXCITING! 3BR, 1.1BA home in perfect loc’n. Stylish décor. Updated kitchen. Deck. C/A. Lots more! ....................................................... $459,000 VERY NICE 3 BR, 2BA. Huge living room, eat-in kitchen, finished basement. 2014: roof, boiler & hot water heater! ...........................................................................$239,000

Thanks for your continued loyalty. We wish you a warm and happy Thanksgiving!

OPEN HOUSES • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 929 HAYES • OPEN SUN 13PM OAK PARK. ALTERNATIVE TO CONDO LIVING or downsizing. 2 BR’s, 1 BA. Cheery kitchen w/great cabinet spc & SS applncs.

Full bsmt & attic. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ $324,000

RIVER FOREST THE ULTIMATE HOUSE. Stunning Tudor on massive lot 200x188. Rehab offers all the modern amenities. Make an appt today. ................................................... $2,999,000 SPECTACULAR 6 BR, 3.2 BA on amazing block. 4 flrs of living space. High-end, designer kitchen & vaulted family rm. .................................................................$1,460,000 PRAIRIE SCHOOL home built in ‘06 w/classic architectural design & contempo amenities. Spacious with 4BRs & 4½BAs. Family rm. SPECIAL! ..................$1,225,000 PERFECT ATTENTION TO DETAIL. 5BR, 2.1BA home w/coach house. Chef’s kitchen w/over-the-top amenities.

Family rm. Much more! ............................... $1,165,000 QUEEN ANNE Victorian w/open frt porch on lrg lot!

6BRs, 2.2BAs. Stunning foyer w/frplc & striking staircase w/balcony. Much more! ................................$599,000 IMMACULATE & UPDATED 2-story brick home on deep lot. 3BRs, 2.1BAs. Remodeled kitchen. New MBA w/ Jacuzzi. C/A. Lovely! .......................................$594,000

FOREST PARK PERFECT 10! New kitchen, BAs, roof, furnace, 4 BRs, 2 baths waterproofed & finished basement. ...........................................................................$379,500 LOVINGLY MAINTAINED & UPDATED. 3+1BR, 2.1BA farmhouse. Refinished hdwd flrs, new C/A, new washer/ dryer. Parklike yd. ............................................ $319,900

OTHER AREA HOMES NORTHLAKE. GREAT HOME FOR ENTERTAINING. Lrg 4BR, 3.1BA w/awesome deck & beautiful yd. 2nd kitchen in bsmt. Lots of storage. ...........................................................................$299,900 BERWYN. STUNNING OCTAGON bungalow in great condition. 4+ BRs, 3 full BAs. .......................$395,000 BERWYN. AM 4SQ, 3 BR, 1.1 BA near Proksa Park & train. Huge deck & patio w/parking for 3 cars. .......................................................................... $259,000 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

DOWNERS GROVE. NEW CONSTRUCTION! 3,600SF customized for you. 4BRs, 4.1BAs. High-end kitchen, master ste, walk-in closets & 2nd flr lndry! Incredible 50X298x50x296 lot. .......................................... $1,249,000 ELMWOOD PARK. WANT TURNKEY? 3 BR, 1.5 BA on great lot. This is the home for you! ..........$338,000 ELMWOOD PARK. ROOM FOR EVERYBODY! Lovely, large brick bungalow. 4BR w/3 full BAs & updated kitchen. Move right in. ........................................... $285,000

INCOME OAK PARK. BRICK 3FLAT close to school wih a big living rm, formal dining rm. Excellent condition! Great income! ...................................................................$729,000 RIVER FOREST. RARE OPPORTUNITY for the “Sandwich” generation! Have your parents or adult children close so you can help, but they can live independent. ........................................................................... $749,000

COMMERCIAL OAK PARK. MIXED USE BLDG. 1st flr: lrg commercial spc – approx. 3000SF. 2 apts on 2nd flr: 3BR, 1BA /1BR, 1BA. 2-car gar. 1st flr handicapped access. Call for more info. .........................................................................$395,000

OAK PARK CONDOS/TOWNHOUSES NEW CONSTRUCTION! New standard of luxury! 18082200 SF units, 3 BRs, 2 indoor pkg spaces, spacious terraces, eco-efficient LEED certified. Pricing starts at ..................................................................................$654,900 EXCLUSIVE 2BR, 2BA multi-level skylit condo in the Oak Park Club! Open family rm overlooks LR/DR. Frplc. 2 deeded garage spcs. ...................................... $480,000 STRIKING UPDATED vintage condo w/3BRs, 2BAs. Stunning kitchen, SS applncs, in-unit lndry & parking. ...........................................................................$295,000 FABULOUS 3 lrg Bedroom, 2.1 Bath unit in the Decker Building. Centrally located. Ready for you! ...........................................................................$279,900

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL corner condo! 2 large BRs w/ big closets, 2BAs, freshly painted, Berber carpet, eat-in kitchen, pkg! Move right in. ................................. $169,900 NICELY UPDATED eat-in kitchen in this bright & spacious 2BR condo. Great location. Parking. ...$153,000 ATTRACTIVE 1BR UNIT in a beautiful bldg. Galley kitchen, living rm & den – ideal 1st home. .......$144,000 IDEAL LOCATION close to DTOP, library, Scoville Pk, & transportation. 2BR w/new flrs. Elevator bldg. Parking. ..................................................................................$123,000

RIVER FOREST CONDO/TOWNHOUSES VERY CLEAN, attractive & affordable brick townhouse.

2BR, 1.1BA, bonus LL rec rm. Parking. ................ $159,000

CONDOS/TOWNHOUSES OTHER AREAS ELMWOOD PARK. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! MBR w/BA & large living space, in-unit W/D, C/A, elevator bldg. - check it out! ................ $139,000 LOMBARD. HIGHEND 3BR, 2BA spacious corner unit in newer building. ...............................................$310,000

OAK PARK. WELLLOCATED STUDIO features hdwd flrs, new SS fridge, new portable washer. Murphy’s bed. .............$69,900 RENTALS HOMES ELMWOOD PARK. NEW RENTAL! COLONIAL w/3BRs, 1.1BAs. 3 levels of living. Updated kitchen & BAs, fireplace, hdwd flrs & C/A. ..................................$2,500/mo FOREST PARK. SWEET 3+1BR, 2.1BA FARMHOUSE. Gleaming hdwd flrs, new C/A, new W/D, finished bsmt & huge fenced yd. .................................................. $2,375/mo

CONDOS OAK PARK. NEW RENTAL! 2 BEDROOM furnished apt has everything. Perfect for a short term rental. Includes heat, water, electric, WIFI & cable. Minimum 3 mo stay. ..............................................................................$2,500/mo OAK PARK. GREAT LOCATION! 2 BRs, hdwd flrs, newer kitchen, in-unit laundry, 2 pkg spaces, storage. ..............................................................................$1,600/mo FOREST PARK. VINTAGE 2FLAT. 2BRs, 1BA. Large kitchen, great front porch, huge fenced yd. 2 outdoor pkg spcs. FREE lndry. Storage. .................................$1,300/mo

COMMERCIAL RENTALS OAK PARK. OFFICE SPACES in lovely Art Deco bldg. 2 Elevators. Entry handicap equipped. Tenants pay electric. Public pkg. Call! Rent ranges from ..........................................................$2,616/mo to $898/mo WESTMONT. CLASSIC STORE FRONT/walk in office on busy street. 2 blocks from Metra train.

In-suite restrooms and kitchen. Great exposure. ............................................................................... $1,525/mo

Showroom Located at 139 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park ONLY

Open 10am–4pm M-F or call for appointment

3

LEFT!

Starting at $654,900

A New Standard of Luxury in Oak Park.

• • • • • • •

11 spacious, deluxe residences Close to vibrant downtown Oak Park 3 bedroom units 2 indoor parking spaces 1808-2969 sq. ft. units Spacious terraces Eco-efficient- LEED certified

Don’t Miss Out on Pre-Construction Pricing!

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

JOIN US FOR A FESTIVE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE!

37

PRICE REDUCTION

PRICE REDUCTION

1142 Franklin Ave, River Forest $1,600,000 :: 4 bed :: 4.5 bath Custom modern 6000 sq. ft. home. Dramatic design and unique detailing throughout.

847 Clinton Pl, River Forest $1,149,000 :: 4 beds :: 3.5 baths Beautifully designed center entrance brick colonial with a gourmet kitchen. Walk to train.

SOLD

SOLD

EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL

OAK PARK RIVER FOREST

Infant Welfare Society

2016

Holiday Housewalk and Market December 1-3 Nineteenth Century Club Oak Park Purchase your tickets online www.oprfiws.org 708.848.0528 ext 231 Proceeds benefit the Infant Welfare Society Children's Clinic

Talk to your neighbors, then talk to

730 Linden Avenue, Oak Park 1416 Ashland Ave, River Forest $769,000 :: 4 bed :: 3.2 bath $1,599,000 :: 5 bed :: 4.3 bath Oak Park landmark with a light-filled, open Grand French inspired stone estate on extra large lot. Large bedrooms and open floor plan. floorplan. Beautiful home in a great location!

KATHY & TONY IWERSEN 708.772.8040 708.772.8041 tonyiwersen@atproperties.com

Here’s to another great year!

Terry!

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

Terry Lemley State Farm Agent

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

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

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

David Gullo, Managing Broker

708.567.1375

GulloAssociates@gmail.com

Let’s

Give Thanks for all our blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving wishes for everyone!

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

Laura Maychruk 708.205.7044

LMaychruk@comcast.net

Margaret Jones 708.804.0368 Mark Finger 708.990.8115

905 South Lombard Ste. 2 Oak Park, IL 60304

38

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

2

RULES FOR BETTER LIVING

Other things may change, but we start and end with family.

39

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

PAINTED LADY

Award-winning paint job from page 33 “We chose the paint colors according to guidelines in Victorian Exterior Decoration - How to Paint Your 19th Century House Historically.”

Many of the balusters on the front porch needed to be replaced, and the Totorellas used original pieces found under the porch as a template for the new balusters created by George Pagels Column Company.

They also used historic photos to guide the recreation of the large columns on the front porch.

Ronbo’s to the restoration After almost thirty years weathering the elements, Totorella knew her home was in need of a complete exterior touch up. She turned to Ron Feley of Ronbo’s Fine Painting Inc. for help with both the paint job and a lot of underlying prep work.

Originally operating out of the Oak Park house he grew up in on Ridgeland Avenue, Feley has been running his painting business in the area since 1991. He recalls going out to provide the estimate to Totorella during a February snowstorm. For him, an in-person estimate is the key to any job.

“More and more people go to the internet and want to get pricing

Provided

RESTORED: After three decades, this mammoth Victorian needed more than a coat of paint. Advances in painting technology made the “after” much better than “before.” online,” Feley said. “It’s hard to do.

You can’t get an idea of condition of the walls and previous paint job without being there. Square footage is not enough to go by.”

Feley calls the Vilas Residence the largest house he’s ever worked on and admits that providing an estimate in a snowstorm for a summer painting job meant he wasn’t able to get up on his ladders and inspect the fine details of the house’s 48-foot peaks, but he knew the home hadn’t been painted in almost 30 years, which told him to expect plenty of prep work.

Don Bloomer, Feley’s son-in-law, who now manages the painting jobs, says the prep work on the Vilas Residence was as extensive as the paint job itself.

“First we power wash,” he noted, “and then we scrape off the old

paint. On this house, we had a lot of carpentry work to do, too. Paint is a protector for the wood on the house, so when the paint is flaking away, the wood underneath is no longer protected.”

Bloomer said a team of up to 10 experienced painters worked 12hour days, six days a week on the project. Prep work took approximately three weeks, and the paint job took three weeks as well. Youth is an advantage, he added, when it comes to the physically demanding work of prepping and painting a house. Ronbo’s maintains a stable of veteran painters but also trains college-aged painters, teaching the trade to a new generation.

Of the approximately 200 balusters on the porch, Totorella recalled, 60 had to be replaced. She again turned to Richard Pagels of the

George Pagels Column Company.

“He did a lot of research,” she said, “on how to best treat cedar balusters with a special top coat and primer to withstand the Chicago weather.”

Since the house was last done, painting technology has come a long way, and Totorella was happy to try improved paint products on her house. Feley noted that the historically accurate colors chosen in 1991 do not look the same a quartercentury later.

“What was red had faded to lobster pink,” he said. “Paints have come far now where they don’t fade like they used to.”

Bloomer said Totorella went back to her original color scheme but changes in texture added a new look to the house.

“We changed the sheens to make

it look more elegant. Before, the whole house was flat, it needed to be dressed up a bit.”

Totorella is thrilled with the results and compliments the entire Ronbo team for their hard work.

“The products may have changed,” she said, “but the process hasn’t changed in 30 years. It’s elbow grease that makes the difference.”

Others agreed that the facelift to the grand lady was award-worthy, and in October the house was awarded grand prize in the Chicago Painted Ladies & Her Court Contest, sponsored by Chicago Paint & Coatings Association. The winners were feted with a dinner at Maggiano’s, and Totorella and Ronbo’s Fine Paining Inc. received a plaque for the best use of color for a Victorian home painted by professionals.

40

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Sunday, November 27, 2016 ADDRESS

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

TIME

929 Hayes, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloor Realty Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$324,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1904 N. 74th Ave, Elmwood Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$339,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 1104 S. Cuyler Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$669,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 711 N. Belleforte Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$883,500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

CONDOS

ADDRESS

REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

TIME

425 S. Oak Park Ave. UNIT A, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$359,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Need a new dress code at work?

Find a new job in our great classified section!

Classified.

In print. Online.

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Providing financing for homes in Oak Park and surrounding communities since 1989.

Conventional, FHA, and Jumbo mortgages Free Pre-approvals

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

In The Village, Realtors®

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

April Baker

THIS WEEK’S FEATURED PROPERTIES

Joelle Venzera

Mike Becker

River Forest • $1,499,000 4BR, 3.1BA Call Jane x118 Roz Byrne

River Forest • $1,450,000 4BR, 3.1BA Call Elissa x192

Oak Park • $849,900 4BR, 3.1BA Call Steve x121

Oak Brook • $589,900 5BR, 2.1BA Call Kerry x139

Oak Park • $519,000 3BR, 3BA Call Dorothy x124

Oak Park • $459,000 5BR, 2BA Call Gary x125

Oak Park • $365,000 3BR, 1.1BA Call Dorothy x124

Forest Park • $348,800 Multi unit Call Kyra x145

Kelly Gisburne

Linda Rooney

River Forest • $289,000 3BR, 2BA Call Gary x125

Oak Park • $220,000 2BR, 2BA Call Laurie x186

Kerry Delaney

Oak Park • $159,500 1BR, 1BA Call Kelly x113

Oak Park • $89,500 1BR, 1BA Call Joe x117

by our office • View all properties listed erties listed • View thousands of prop throughout Chicagoland on of Luxury Homes • View the Remax Collecti erties • View Foreclosure Prop • View Open Houses ur neighborhood • View recent sales in yo

Kyra Pych

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Each RE/MAX® real estate office is independently owned and operated.

Steve Nasralla

Marion Digre

Morgan Digre

Kris Sagan

Haydee Rosa

Tom Byrne

Laurie Christofano

Harry Walsh, Managing Broker

Anna Gillian

Dorothy Gillian

Ed Goodwin

Joe Langley

Dan Linzing

Gary Mancuso

Jane McClelland

Keri Meacham

Alisha Mowbray

41

42

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

SPONSORED CONTENT

Getting Down To Business

with the Oak Park - River Forest Chamber of Commerce November 21st, 2016

A Locally-Sourced Holiday

T

By CATHY YEN, Executive Director

his week, I am entertaining relatives from the east coast. We will serve the traditional Thanksgiving feast with all the fixings. That gives me the opportunity to show off not just the architecture and hospitality of our villages, but also the many independent food stores here in Oak Park and River Forest.

What’s on our menu? We bought our farm-fresh turkey brined and ready to roast from Carnivore. Erik also got us quality oysters for our appetizer. My dad likes horseradish on his, but my husband prefers a vinegar-shallot mignonette. No problem – Olive and Well has top quality champagne and red wine vinegars as well as oils. My mom prefers lox to raw shellfish. Onion Roll

on North Avenue has been hand-cutting its cured salmon for years. And Carnival Grocery has that old world European brown bread for toast points.

Our pumpkin soup is courtesy of Karl’s Craft Soups, which was a featured vendor at River Forest Kitchen last Saturday. While there, I grabbed some cranberry preserves from Rare Bird Preserves.

Oak Park has so many convenient local places for great cheeses and organic vegetables now. Pete’s Fresh Market, Sugar Beet Food Co-Op and Carnival Grocery together fixed me up with whatever I needed. I was tempted to grab some apples for a pie but no need now that Spilt Milk is open! Fortunately, I was able to secure a pumpkin pie and an apple pie before pre-orders sold out.

I managed to hit the other bakeries in town as well. Potato-rosemary dinner rolls from Prairie Bread, Ciabatta that I cube for stuffing from Red Hen and coffee cake for

breakfast from Oak Park Bakery. And, I couldn’t resist popping into Sugar Fixe for some after-dinner macaroons.

Wine from Careful Peach. Locally-brewed beer from Kinslahger. Locally-roasted coffee beans from Sugar Beet Food Co-Op. Gourmet candy and nuts from River Forest Chocolates. Flowers from Westgate and Garland.

Everything I needed, purchased right here at home.

A big “thank you” to our independent small business community, working hard all year to provide us quality products and good service. Please don’t forget about them this season.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017

5:30pm-9:30pm at the Nineteenth Century Club, Oak Park, IL

Bite Nite tickets are now on sale! www.foodiefest.net Foodie Fest, our local “restaurant week,” is Jan. 27 - Feb. 9

Restaurant Owners: Contact Alicia to take advantage of this FREE opportunity! aplominspitler@oprfchamber.org

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

T H E

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O F

O A K

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

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

VIEWPOINTS

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What would Sr. Antoine Marie say?

Mary Kay O’Grady p. 48

So much beyond Trump, so little time

n the course of human history there have occurred events so unexpectedly cataclysmic as to require us to rethink our world view. Plagues, earthquakes, floods and eclipses have forced people into abandoning old ways of thinking, and coming up with new ways to look at the world. After Copernicus and Luther, things were never the same.

Since a cartoonishly unprepared bigot was elected to succeed Barack Obama as president, I have had to revise my world view.

I now realize that the experts and pundits don’t know nearly as much as I thought they did. The comfort of being told that Ms. Clinton was a shoo-in turned out to be totally wrong. So I have to laugh when these same geniuses are now predicting the contours of a Trump presidency. Too funny.

It seems pretty clear that many Americans are not buying into a post-modern vision of a progressive, diverse and inclusive society.

There are lots of citizens who have felt left out of this new global economy and/or harbored resentments over the pace of social change. Millions of Americans believe marriage should be between heterosexuals, blue lives matter as much as black, and free speech includes the right to be politically incorrect. Government needs to address these concerns. Instead we have ignored, and even mocked them. A lot of people were so frustrated that they voted for a buffoon.

The interminable election campaign, and now the liberal Greek chorus of a Trump dystopia has worn me out. I need to separate from it all. Sometimes I feel like I’m being played. I’m tired of Trevor Noah, Bill Maher, MSNBC and Huffington. The smug, no-it-all condescension is wearisome. Good people can see the world in very different ways.

Maybe I need to read more philosophy and history and less New Yorker and Atlantic Monthly. Maybe I need to think for myself rather than parrot the musings of professional entertainers masquerading as wise men and women. I will refuse to follow the Beverly Hillbillies-like spectacle of the Trump family going to Washington.

At 67, I don’t have a lot of time to waste. There are books, movies, museums, travel, family, friends, babysitting, exercise, nature and travel. I’d like to learn more about the construct of time, and why there is something instead of nothing. And I have always wanted to learn tap dancing.

I think Wordsworth got it right: The world is too much with us; late and soon Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers Little we see in Nature that is ours; We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!

JOHN

HUBBUCH

Courtesy of Time.com

T

And the winner is … not the popular vote

he voting is done. The American people have chosen a president. The count is in and Hillary Clinton has won by a significant margin.

But the process is not done. For the second time in 16 years the majority of Americans have chosen one candidate, while another candidate wound up with the most electors to The electoral college. So the electoral college will choose the next president. But that does not happen until Dec. 19 when those electors cast their votes.

The electoral college has, in our lifetime, been a mere curiosity, an interesting anachronism. In modern times, it was not any kind of factor until 2000 when Al Gore won the popular vote but the electoral college awarded the presidency to George W. Bush. Now we are on track for another renunciation of the people’s choice. We need to ask ourselves, “Do we or don’t we believe in democracy? Do we believe that the minority should be able to force its will upon the majority?”

Alexander Hamilton said the electoral college was designed to ensure that “the office of the president will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications.”

The electors, as conceived in the Constitution, were bound solely by their own conscience and good judgment. Yet currently 29 states have laws that require electors to vote for the candidate who won their state, with no regard for who won the popular vote. It is arguable that such laws are actually constitutional, since they go against the “original intent” of the Constitution. We cannot reasonably expect the Supreme Court under President Trump to agree to that. Nor can we reasonably expect the Senate or the House to even agree to such a discussion. But this does not mean that we, as citizens, should not begin a dialogue about how the electoral college should function or whether we think it should be abolished.

WILL ROY

One View

See POPULAR VOTE on page 49

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

O U R

V I E W S

Never mind the $100K

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he dodgy request to the village of Oak Park by a wellhealed developer to subsidize an upscale restaurant’s construction in a deal negotiated privately by a quasi-public entity has wisely been withdrawn.

Readers will recall that the Journal reported back in August that the developer of the then-nearly-complete Vantage highrise on Lake Street had asked for $100,000 in public funds from the Downtown TIF. And that the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation — which is either quasi-public or quasi-private depending on the coin toss — had recommended to the village board that the last-minute gift be approved.

The cover for this generosity was that the cost of landing and building out the scrumptious digs for Cooper’s Hawk restaurant were higher than expected. After Cooper’s Hawk disavowed the request when the public roused itself to object, the matter went into limbo until recently when the Journal again requested an update on the status of the request.

All parties now agree happily that the request has been withdrawn, that $100K no longer seems so substantial a sum when the developer has a notable interest in future developments in Oak Park.

A good outcome. Going forward, OPEDC, which includes multiple village hall reps on its board, needs to work on its transparency gene. Everyone needs to recognize that $100,000 is still a lot, especially in public money. And sincerely, after constructing the most notable new building in Oak Park since the Main Library, we’ll welcome Golub & Company’s continued interest in Oak Park. Just live by the deal you strike on the front end.

Skipping the VMA

As we wait patiently for the Village Manager Association (VMA) to announce its slate of candidates for Oak Park village president/ mayor and the village board in the coming April elections, we would note that in recent days two announced trustee candidates have blown off the venerable group’s selection process.

Jim Taglia announced Friday he was running and concurrently said he would not appear before the secretive VMA committee. Simone Boutet announced for trustee a few weeks back. On Monday, the former assistant village attorney said she would not present her credentials to the VMA. Both will, instead, run independent campaigns for office.

Other announced candidates have gone or will go before the VMA slating committee but have pre-announced their independent runs if they are not slated.

All of this is a healthy step away from the lock-step decades.

Competitive races are always good. Let the voters do the vetting.

Fenwick got robbed

Mistakes happen. Sometimes in key games. But Friday night, Fenwick’s stellar football team got robbed, hosed, jobbed, kneecapped in what should have been the very final seconds of a game that would have sent Fenwick to the state finals for the first time ever.

Instead, not a subjective interpretation of a play but a straightout blown rules call gave the competition a bonus play which it used to score a field goal and drive the game into an overtime loss for the Friars.

And it is not just Fenwick coaches, team parents, and our irate sports editor who see this as a monumental and enormously painful gaffe by officials. Late Friday night the executive director of the IHSA issued a statement acknowledging the outright error, admitted the game should have ended in regulation with a Fenwick victory and offered an apology to the team.

What he could not do, under IHSA rules, is to overrule the call on the field. And that is just wrong.

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@ @OakParkSports

Even now, much to be thankful for

t’s tougher to feel thankful this ThanksI’m thankful that everything doesn’t have giving. If you watched John Oliver’s to be completed in one lifetime, that we can takedown of 2016, you might agree this hand over the torch as our faculties falter. year will go down as one of the worst.

I’m thankful for the humility of imperfecMost are thankful the Cubs conquered tion and for the release of perfectionism, their curse at last, but it’s almost as if the which is too heavy to carry after a certain price of the Cubs’ good fortune drained age. I’m thankful for the ability to let go and fortune from everything else. also the ability to hang on: to what is imporBut that, of course, is superstitious thinktant, and especially those we love. ing. I’m thankful superstition doesn’t rule I’m thankful our capacity to love grows my reckonings. Instead, let gratitude rule. as we “grow” older instead of withering on Unexpected good may eventually come of our aging stalk — a ripened, less self-centhe Great American Electoral Catastrophe tered love, a love more freely given, a bond of 2016. We just don’t know what it is yet. In stronger than the centrifugal forces that the meantime, I’m thankful life is never all would pull us apart. Stronger, I pray, than bad and that suffering can lead to good. death itself.

One bright light of the mindfulness moveI’m thankful for love’s gravity, which is more like the ment contends there are two kinds of anguish: suffering moon’s — lighter than earth’s, allowing us to transcend that leads to more suffering and suffering that leads to its “surly bonds” and soar together. less. I’m thankful for the latter and pray for that outI am thankful for the moon, and the earth’s long-discome. I’m thankful for the mindfulness movement and tance dance with the sun, and the expanding universe’s for Terry Kinsey’s Unity Temple meditation sessions long-lasting dance with destiny, wherever it leads. each week, which have helped I’m thankful that we don’t me become less emotionally have all the answers but seem to hyper-reactive. be evolving toward truth.

I’m thankful for WednesI am thankful for being and days with my grandsons and for becoming and for patience for Pope Francis and Barack when it pays dividends. I’m Obama and for family and soul thankful for the gift of accepfriends, for Mary Oliver’s potance and the ability to make etry, Krista Tippet’s On Being, the best of flawed situations — Sy Safransky’s Sun magazine, and also knowing when not to Paul Krugman’s columns, and accept what is plainly wrong, as books by Parker Palmer, for wrong as the look on you-knowbreakfasts at Hemmingway’s who’s face.

Bistro, pizza at Malnati’s, bike I’m thankful that there is rides on the Salt Creek Trail, more to us than meets the eye movies at the Lake Theatre, and more to us than ego. I’m outdoor plays at Festival Thethankful that among the things atre, and myriad other small hardest earned is wisdom. I am delights that make living enjoythankful that when life breaks able and/or meaningful. our hearts, it breaks them open But this year of all years, I’m instead of apart, as Richard trying to look beyond the usual.

Rohr said. I’m thankful there is I’m thankful there is so much always more to being human. more to life than politics. I’m I am thankful for God, a thankful I’ve lived long enough notion that approximates to fit even an avoidable calamsomething greater, beyond our ity like the 2016 election into ability to comprehend, a tractor a much wider context than I beam pulling us forward to had when I was younger. I’m some end — or to some endlessthankful that growing older ness. bequeaths the gift of perspecTyler and Bryce watch the Cubs win.

I am thankful for the mystery tive, that the disappointof it all. ments of life are inseparably I’m thankful for this planet intertwined with its joys and and that its future lies in our hands, forcing us either that somehow suffering makes our appreciation of to grow up and become responsible or to perish. I am life’s beauty all the more intense. I’m thankful for such thankful for every “moment of truth” that awakens us moments of grace and for those who contribute to the and for the awakenings that may eventually save us. For beauty of the world and teach us how and where to look the dreams we pursue in our waking state and for the for it. dreams that visit and replenish us in the night and offer I’ve never been so thankful for social media as this glimpses of what might come later — or what might past year. We have mourned, commiserated, celebrated, come after … vented, hoped and tended our dashed hopes together, as I am thankful that we have the capacity for gratitude a community. We are not only stronger together, we’re even during the darkest times. smarter together. I am thankful for the shared path I’m thankful for resilience and persistence, even when through life because it is inclusive, and inclusiveness always triumphs in the long run. The alienation, isolation we long to just give up.

To whatever and/or whoever makes all this possible and divisiveness of exclusivity cannot last. I’m thankful for the long run. in spite of everything, I am deeply thankful.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S

Learning the lessons of this election

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ike so many, I had great hope that we would now be preparing to inaugurate America’s first woman president to carry forward the legacy of President Obama. Instead, we begin to tackle new challenges.

There is much to learn from this election and much I do not know about its meaning.

I do know that we in the Democratic Party of Oak Park worked incredibly hard and we had meaningful, tangible victories.

Beyond our work in support of Hillary Clinton, we helped elect Tammy Duckworth as the first Asian-American woman in the Senate. We helped elect Susana Mendoza as Comptroller, the first Latina elected statewide, and a critical check on the Governor’s budgetary maneuvers. We helped elect Kim Foxx as Cook County State’s Attorney, and she will lead the effort to heal our county and to reform our system of justice.

My youngest daughter could not make sense of a nation, of a people, that would make this decision. It’s OK to grieve the loss of what might have been, I told her, but do not despair. Our country is resilient. Our Constitution is specifically designed to absorb such shocks to our system.

But we cannot afford to ignore the shock.

Of the many lessons we will learn, most importantly, we need to hear our fellow Americans who have been raising their voices in protest of an America they feel is leaving them behind and ignoring their needs. The issues are many — economic inequality, unfair trade and wages, a criminal justice system that dehumanizes people, an unfair tax code, and a lack of good jobs. The people giving voice to these concerns defy easy categorization. They are Trump and Sanders supporters, they are Black Lives Matters, they are immigrant families, millennials, and people beginning insecure retirements.

Their concerns are real and deserve to be addressed. They want a government that works for them.

Washington D.C. is broken. Barack Obama tried to fix it, but was met with obstructionism from opponents and inertia from allies. I hope the wake-up call has been made.

Illinoisans frustrated with Springfield should hold us to the same standard. We need to take control of our own destiny and to be a model for the nation. We need to rebuild Illinois so that it works for middleclass families in Zion and Chicago, in Oak Park and Glendale Heights, in Peoria and Marion. We need to give voice to the farmer in Rushville, to the service worker in Aurora, to be sure that they too can achieve what we all want to achieve — a good education for our kids, a safe neighborhood, a decent job. We need to extend a helping hand to all those slipping out of the middle class and to those aspiring to enter it. We need to make sure the American dream survives — for everyone.

The burden and privilege of self-government means we need to hold ourselves accountable too. We who are unhappy with the result of the election have to look in the mirror and ask ourselves what more we could have done to achieve a different result.

This election is a difficult, entirely unexpected bend in the road, courtesy of the beautiful monster that is democracy. But we will stand together as we always have for progressive ideals, for inclusiveness, for affordable health care and support for the vulnerable among us. We may not know today where to begin. But we will begin anew to create and fight for the more perfect nation, the better state, and the richer communities that we know and believe are possible.

Don Harmon, an Oak Park resident, is state senator from Illinois’ 39th District.

DON

HARMON One View

Great news and thank you, Oak Park!

Great news should be shared and gratitude expressed.

Last year at this time, friends and family members were submitting letters to this newspaper seeking support for Nathan Kucera, a young man who grew up in Oak Park and who had been afflicted with a particularly aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis.

Last October, Nathan underwent a stem cell transplant.

At the time, the 28-year-old could barely walk with the assistance of a cane and his mobility was deteriorating quickly.

Now one year later, his parents, Linda and Bill Kucera, are very happy to report that his most recent check-up indicated that the transplant had stopped the progression of the disease! There are no new lesions, and no active MS

in his spine or brain. He is able to work, exercise, ride his bike, and walk without assistance. He is taking no medications for MS. The nerve damage suffered before the transplant remains the same, but that is not unusual with this procedure.

Family and friends of Nathan want to thank everyone who participated in the various fundraisers and supported him in so many other ways. To Bill and Linda, Nathan’s progress is nothing short of a miracle and the other miracle is the love and support they received from their friends and fellow Oak Parkers.

So much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving!

Celine Woznica Oak Park

Just accept Trump? Really?

I can’t believe Dan Haley’s column [Talking, listening on Trump, News, Nov. 16]. We liberals are supposed to just give up and accept him?! Like the Germans in 1932 just accepted Hitler, also a minority selection? What should

they have done, just followed your suggestion and accept the vote and not do anything? Wonderful.

Paul Porter Oak Park

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

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

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

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

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

If you have questions, call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 708-613-3310 or email him at ktrainor@wjinc.com.

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

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

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

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

A G I N G

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OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

D I S G R A C E F U L L Y

Clannish is more than a city in Ireland

K, clannish is not a city in Ireland, but it sounds like one, doesn’t it? Clannishness has a lot to do with Donald Trump’s victory because it includes race, religion, family, regionalism, resentment and distrust of outsiders. It wasn’t all about jobs.

I was raised in an Irish Catholic racist family, but I’d like to think it didn’t sink in. I’d also like to thank God, in whom I no longer believe.

My earliest memory of questioning what I was hearing at home was in fifth grade at Most Holy Redeemer School in Evergreen Park, which is still an all-white school in one of the first suburban bastions of white flight. Sister Antoine Marie, a Holy Cross nun, said “If a negro child were to come to our school, would you play with him/her on the playground? And if not, how can you call yourself a good Catholic?”

Click. Bless her.

I also wondered why we made such a big deal about St. Patrick’s Day at school, when there were plenty of kids with Polish and Italian names. (I still do wonder about that.)

I mulled this over while growing up in a house where only the N-word was used and where my relatives who still lived in the city praised the pastor at Chicago’s St. Leo for telling parishioners not to rent or sell to blacks.

I went to the new public high school, but I still went to Mass almost every

morning, still loving the religion, but questioning a lot of the rules. I noticed that a lot of my Catholic friends were sort of obsessed by race, while the subject hardly ever came up at the public high school. It also seemed to me that the public school kids were having sex a lot more, while the Catholic kids were into drinking and smoking which the Church ignored, probably so we’d stay away from sex.

From the time I went to high school, I knew I wanted out of the South Side, and I’ve never wanted to go back.

However, I paid attention when all hell broke loose in Mount Greenwood earlier this month. The clash of extremes was not surprising. Mount Greenwood is a South Side neighborhood adjacent to Evergreen Park, a mostly white and heavily Irish Catholic home to Chicago cops, firefighters and other city workers who are required to live within the city limits.

Its crime rate was very low last month — only two violent crimes, two burglaries, and four quality-of-life crimes: criminal damage and narcotics. So a nice place to live.

I wasn’t surprised that election records show that Mount Greenwood was

MARY KAY O’GRADY

Keep Cathy Hamilton as principal of Lincoln We are asking that the Oak Park District 97 Board of Education and Dr. Carol Kelley allow Cathy Hamilton to remain as principal of Lincoln School.

Cathy Hamilton had plans to retire at the end of this school year and receive a full pension. When she declared her retirement four years ago, she was unaware the retirement option was going to be defunded. She wishes to remain as principal of Lincoln School. We are asking that you take the necessary action to allow her to stay.

Dr. Kelley recently reminded us that when faced with some unexpected results, “It is through our words and actions that our students will realize their dreams, face their fears, achieve their greatest victories and overcome their toughest defeats.” We are asking

by far Chicago’s best neighborhood for Trump, with 13 of its 19 precincts coming in at 60 percent or more for the president-elect and one as high as 70 percent. None of the city’s other 2,050 precincts showed Trump breaking the 60 percent mark.

Many funeral processions go along Mount Greenwood’s main artery, 111th street, to Mount Hope Cemetery, a popular African-American cemetery that offers to bury gang members for a very reasonable $1,200.

These processions sometimes include erratic driving, loud music, rowdy behavior, drinking, drugs and even gunshots, unacceptable in any neighborhood. In a recent procession, some of the mourners pulled out of line and parked in a fire lane. When an off-duty policemen told them to move, they refused and all hell broke loose. Videos show a lot of screaming and a lot of gunfire, including the driver waving a gun around. He was eventually killed by police. His brother was also shot.

Time for the Church to jump in and teach? Not quite. When Father Michael Pfleger went to 111th Street, he was jeered out of the neighborhood.

He and his supporters were escorted out of the neighborhood by the police.

When Black Lives Matter announced a

that you take an action as a board that says you value a person whose focus of her dreams has been service to the Lincoln community. By telling Cathy you will honor her request to remain as principal, you will, by extension, be telling us, her colleagues, students, families and community members, that you value us and our commitment to the Lincoln community.

For us, Cathy Hamilton is the needle and thread that sews together the pieces of the community — students, faculty, staff, families and community members — who are helping to fulfill the promise of education. She is the person who provides us with the unity to create a positive learning environment for all students that is equitable, inclusive and focused on the whole child.

The staff of Lincoln School

protest at Catholic Marist High School, the school closed for that day, fearful of violence from its own students.

Saturday evening St. Christina Church (with an all-white grade school) looked to start the healing process with a candlelight vigil. Father Tom Conde said, “Folks were kind of scared to come out. Afraid of what might happen. Could feel it lighten up as it went.” I always think that when a leader calls his people “folks,” he’s trying to keep the lid on, not teach or inspire change.

I like to think that Sister Antoine Marie would have waded into the funeral cortege, wimple bobbing, and said, “This is a disgrace. Everybody head to the school auditorium and we’re going to talk about what Jesus and Martin Luther King would have to say about your behavior.”

Following the Father Pfleger incident, she would have turned to the whites and said, “Is this why you send your children to Catholic School? To scream at priests and black people who come to exercise freedom of speech? I want everyone at confession this afternoon and afterward we’ll get together with that funeral bunch, order McDonald’s, and nobody leaves until we figure out how to get along.”

Alas, Sister Antoine Marie was a soft-spoken soul. Perhaps I’m channeling Sister Mary Kathryn, who’s feeling angry and sad and lost.

To people who call Hillary supporters crybabies What you don’t seem to realize is we are not grieving just because the first woman president didn’t get elected yet. We are fearful for our country.

Rather than choosing someone who ran on inclusiveness, our country put into the highest office a KKK-endorsed candidate.

We are now worried that if President-Elect Trump follows through on what he ran on, affordable quality health care might go the way of the dodo bird, immigrants will get hunted down, families will become separated, people desperately trying to escape terrorism will be barred from our shores, and Planned Parenthood — an organization that supplies health care to both men and women — will be defunded.

Cutting back on environmental regulations will result in irreparable ecological damage to our country’s natural resources. Ultimately, this will contribute to climate change running rampant in

our world.

Bullying, sexism, racism, etc., have been modeled and therefore condoned and encouraged by our president-elect.

We love our country. Our vision was to bring more people into the tent and not to exclude anyone — Stronger Together. We didn’t necessarily vote for ourselves; we voted for a country that should lead by example and be big-hearted.

We understand people voted for their own interests but to me that seems like a betrayal of our country’s values. It also feels like an abandonment of women, Muslims, debt-ridden college students, immigrants, children of the undocumented, the LGBT community, and many others.

It is so hard to see the face of our country represented to the world by Donald Trump.

Iris Yipp

Retired bookseller and Oak Park resident

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

POPULAR VOTE

Dump the electoral college from page 45 Our Constitution was put together by a group of people with disparate views.

This document was the result of muchheated debate and was not considered, by the men who wrote it, to be perfect. The founding fathers themselves amended it.

They gave us the mechanism to also do so, in the very document itself. We have, over the years, continued this process of bringing the Constitution into line with our current reality. For instance, as originally written, a black person was to be counted as three-fifths human. We have amended the Constitution to address that intolerable position. The founding fathers did not trust the people to be able to choose their own senators. That has been fixed et cetera, et cetera. The course of history has led us to continually make our Constitution more, not less, democratic.

Perhaps we should pass an amendment doing away with the electoral college.

Such things have been done before.

Perhaps it would be better to merely legislatively reinstate the original intent and allow all electors be guided by their convictions and select the candidate they see as best. The electors could also be

V I E W P O I N T S instructed to vote for the candidate who carried their district, as is already done in two states, or perhaps the electors should be instructed to honor the choice of the national popular vote.

In 2000 the electoral college rejected the winner of the popular vote. That decision only deepened our political divide.

If that happens again, as it looks like it will, it will further deepen that divide.

As long as the current version of the electoral college is left in place, more of these divisive situations will happen.

This can only weaken our nation. There is already a bi-partisan effort to keep the electoral college, but have it in the absence of seriously mitigating circumstances, approve the winner of the popular vote! I strongly support this idea.

This can only be accomplished when enough states, totalling 270 electoral votes, adopt this plan. Eleven states, including Illinois, have already signed onto this plan, accounting for 165 electoral votes. In 12 other states, the measure has passed in one chamber. Should they ultimately adopt this measure that would yield another 96 electoral votes, only nine short of the 270 needed. This is doable.

If you are interested in learning more about this effort or in seeing what you can do to help, go to the National Popular Vote Compact at their website: www. nationalpopularvote.com.

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

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AT HOME NOT in the Emergency Room

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

K

D200 has funds it needs for pool

udos to the Journal for its recommendation [Pay cash for a pool, Our Views, Viewpoints, Nov. 15]. “Paying for the pool out of the absurd cash reserves this school has built up over the past decade” makes sense. Here’s why.

According to the OPRF High School budget (yes, someone reads them) District 200 maintains the above-referenced fund balance (page 173) and projects that it will be approximately $100,200,000 at year-end 2017, despite its own paid consultants agreeing it’s too high. So just how much should the district hold?

In 1978, then Illinois Association of School Board President John Howe set a goal of six months of operating expenses for fund balances (a recurring theme based on research). Although a 2011 white paper by the Illinois Association of School Business professionals recommended a minimum of two months, the Illinois State Board of Education requires any district budgeting a deficit (apparently the district does) to have three times the deficit on its fund balance. In 2011, several OPRF board members fought to lower it to 50-75 percent but lost.

The Civic Federation, in a 2009 article, “How Much Fund Balance is Too Much?” cautioned against governments holding excessive reserves — defined as being higher than 50 percent. Anything over that should be used to reduce its unfunded liabilities and/or reduce taxes.

So why does D200 keep such excessively high balances? It might seem prudent, given state finances, if the district relied on a large percent of its budget from state or federal sources. It doesn’t.

Exhibit 3.04 of the budget (page 74) shows the district only receives an average of approximately 9 percent. So why then? According to the district’s fund balance preamble, “we believe that a future referendum for a higher taxing level would not be supported by our taxpayers.” Earth to OPRF, let the taxpayers decide that.

The budget reports average operating expenditures from 2012 to 2015 of approximately $72.9 million and estimates an average of $81.9 million for 2016 through 2019. Given the above, 50 percent of annual expenditures is sufficient. Given the forecast 2016 through 2019 operating expenditure average of approximately $81,900,000, 50% of OPEX is a recurring fund balance of around $41 million. Leaving approximately $60 million of excess funds, more than enough for a pool and taxpayer refund.

The district can always borrow because Oak Park and River Forest are considered rich communities (page 156). However, the real reason it can’t, is because lawmakers passed something called the PTELL Law of 1995 which limits the annual debt service payments that a district can commit to without referendum. The intent was to force school administrators to be prudent with borrowing — for a government entity in Illinois, that sounds smart.

Under PTELL, according to the budget (page 120), “the district currently has debt commitments at or near the maximum level until 2018.” To go over that requires taxpayer approval — a referendum. Hence the real reason for the referendum, not pool choice. Stop borrowing, OPRF, and pay cash.

BRIAN LANTZ

One View

I

Way too political?

t was a fairly warm evening for late October. I was at an author’s reading and just finished hearing an essay about the approaching elections, a topic heavy on many minds. Most agreed that voting for the lesser of two evils was the safest choice, both literally and politically. Then again, I recently read an email that many doctors would not even bother casting a vote because neither choice would be a healthy one for the American people.

The concept of electing our first female president may have been thrilling to many, conjuring up visions of “I can do anything you can do better.” Yet is it enough that it be any woman regardless of her history of fickle decision-making? But then again, a poorly tanned narcissist isn’t much of an alternative either.

The guest author enthusiastically expressed his opinion of our crooked-wigged candidate and highlighted his many toxic plans for our country. The author went on to dissect the candidate’s strong objection to those who create the mosaic that is America.

Maybe bizarrely, I believe there is great value in highlighting the potency of racism that exists in our country, often masked but very much alive. But with the way it’s being done, tactlessly and risking the safety of millions of Americans, people are emboldened to be more openly hateful again. This is America. Great. Again.

Even still, there is something uglier, something more insidious than exposing the realities of hate in one full swoop, and that is perpetually ignoring the severity of mounting injustice. Yet this is where some people’s minds have lain dormant for some time now, bolstered by the election of President Obama. “We have a black president. How can we possibly be a racist society?” In some people’s minds, this made everything right in their privilege-padded worlds. I suppose their assumption is that Mr. Obama’s elec-

Thanksgiving, our laid-back holiday The only requirements for most of us (not the cooks!)

Is to admire the turkey, Say things like “the stuffing is really good this year,” “Please pass the gravy,” And “What’s new with you?” to friends and family, Then eat (and eat more!) and watch the Game or maybe not.

We are all grateful for abundant food and fellowship We could also choose to remember other things: Perhaps sometime this year someone was

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

unexpectedly kind to you Perhaps you were spontaneously kind to someone Perhaps you got to know someone much better this year Perhaps you accomplished something you didn’t think you could do Perhaps it’s been an uneventful year; maybe that’s good Perhaps you’re just glad to be alive A moment of gratitude can be transformative.

May you and yours have a Happy and memorable Thanksgiving 2016!

Joanne Selden

Oak Park

tion instantly changed the views of millions of callous people just like that because it’s that easy.

There was a reception and book signing after the author’s talk. Because he is a connoisseur of birds, there was a spread of various nuts, crackers with small seeds, owl shaped cookies and wine, much needed wine. As another attendee and I were reaching for a spoonful of sunflowers, she stopped and turned to me.

“What did you think of tonight’s talk?” she asked.

“Pretty sobering,” I said.

“Well, I didn’t like it. It just wasn’t entertaining. It was way too political for me.”

Sad, I thought, that something that is a necessity for me happens to be an inconvenience for someone else. The advancement and protection of my rights as a woman of color mean absolutely nothing but a missed night of amusement to someone who is otherwise unscathed by the slurs and threats that were to become far more overt, postelection.

Is the harassment and violence still too political for her, I wonder? And if undeniable recognition of hate has been the one mildly positive thing that has come out of this election, how then may her understanding of advocacy change from “too political” to too detrimental to ignore?

What might she have to say now? Hopefully not, “We should wait and see what happens.” It’s already happened. Hate is being actively promoted. Accounts of simple-minded, sometimes life-threatening behavior are streaming onto news circuits at a disturbing rate. While this oblivious but otherwise seemingly decent person can afford to tell herself she’s going to wait to see what happens, the safety of my children, my community, my country depends on my being far more political than many might ever appreciate.

Patty Johnson is a resident of Oak Park.

PATTY

JOHNSON One View

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

BUY 1 GET 1

50% OFF all jewelry & select boxed gifts FRI, NOV 25 – SUN, NOV 27

Presents

TRIANGLE OF KNOWLEDGE NECKLACE Hand-etched sterling silver with onyx beads from Niger

121 N. Marion St., Oak Park • 708.848.4572 www.tenthousandvillages.com/oakpark • Hours: Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5 Artisans have been paid in Discount applied tonotitem of equal value.

Usefull. this logo for reductions only, do print magenta.

Door notlesser reduce this logo At participating stores only. more than 35%.

Magenta indicates the clear area, nothing print in this space.items.

Not valid with other offers or on purchases of should Traveler’s Finds You may reduce the logo to 30% without the tag and strap lines.

Color of Wood Block Motif critical match to Pantone 1805.

Letters print Pantone Process Black.

Saturday, Dec 3RD•at 10am

Free Admission: Pick up tickets at Community Bank

Community Bank will be accepting donated gifts on behalf of Parenthesis, and attendees are encouraged to bring a gift. Gift suggestions include diapers (all sizes) and winter clothing items for newborns – 8-years old. All donated gifts should be new and unwrapped.

The Membership of “The Hemingway District Business Association Presents

www.classiccinemas.com 1022 Lake Street Oak Park 708.848.9088 



Santa Arrives to Town in a Shiny Red Fire Truck Friday, November 25th 6 - 7pm Scoville Square 137 N. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

(Corner of Oak Park Ave and Lake Street) Santa arrives to magically light the Christmas tree.

He will greet the children and lead in fun holiday songs.

Hot chocolate and cookies and goodies provided!

Scoville Square • 137 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park

Details: www.hemingwaydistrict.com or www.stageritebydeb.com

advertise • 708-524-8300 • www.OakPark.cOm

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

O B I T U A R I E S

Beverly Hughes, 56 Librarian, foster parent

Beverly S. Holmes Hughes, 56, died on Nov. 19, 2016 at her North Aurora home. Born on April 2, 1960 in Oak Park, she graduated from Lincoln Elementary School and was a member of the Class of 1978 at Oak Park and River Forest High School. She went on to Albion College where she was a member of Delta Gamma and then received her Master of Library Science Degree from Rosary College (now Dominican University).

She was a librarian at the Oak Park Public Library and the Sugar Grove Library for over 20 years, and then at DeVry University.

She helped form the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce, and it awarded her their “Lifetime Chamber Membership Award” in 2013. In 2010, she was named Sugar Grove’s “Citizen of the Year.” Beverly loved to volunteer at the Sugar Grove Corn Boil, the Kaneland Junior Achievement organization, and for many more local events.

She and her sister were foster parents to over 50 children. One of her favorite pastimes was visiting the Morton Arboretum, and, until she was no longer able to drive, she enjoyed singing along to music in the car.

Beverly Hughes is survived by Charles “Chuck” Hughes, her husband of 15 years; her parents, Thomas and Nancy (Anderson) Holmes; her sister, Janet Holmes; her mother-in-law, Janet (the late Rev. John) Hall; her sister-in-law, Karen (Chris) Griffin; many other family members; and her friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 25 from 3 until 7 p.m. at Healy Chapel, 370

Division Dr. in Sugar Grove. She will lie in state on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 9:30 a.m. until time of service, 11 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 325 E. Downer Place in Aurora, followed by interment at Elm Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorials to First National Bank, c/o the Beverly Holmes Hughes Fund, 36 E. Galena Blvd., Sugar Grove 60554 or to the American Brain Tumor Association, www.abta.org.

Condolences may be left at www.healychapel. com.

Paul Razzino, 45 Marine, longtime Oak Park police officer

Paul Razzino, 45, of Oak Park, died on Nov. 18, 2016. Born in LaGrange on Nov. 30, 1970, he was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and an Oak Park police officer for 18 years.

Paul is survived by his children, PAUL RAZZINO Jake, Max and Nick Razzino; his parents, Anthony (Martha) Razzino and Kate Porter; his brothers, Bill (Barbara) Razzino and Brian (Robin) Razzino; and his many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation and a funeral service were held on Nov. 22 at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, followed by private interment.

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

To run an obituary 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.

Events

Claire Thran, 72

Gordon Beaudoin, 81

Claire N. Thran, 72, of Oak Park, formerly of Joliet, died on Oct. 31, 2016. She was an expert seamstress, enjoyed crocheting and making quilts, was a lover of felines, and deeply committed to her faith.

Claire is survived by her son, Michael (Ellen); her grandchildren, William and Grace; her brothers, Paul (Kathy) and Michael (Sara); and her nieces Emma, Michelle and Mimi.

A memorial service will be held on Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 655 Springfield Ave. in Joliet. Additional information is available at 815-725-8621.

Longtime River Forest resident Gordon J. Beaudoin, 81, a resident of River Forest for over 52 years, died peacefully on Nov. 19, 2016 at his home.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren, traveling, playing golf, meeting with his friends GORDON BEAUDOIN and competing at the bridge table with the guys and “his ladies.”

Gordon was the husband of Irene for 51 years; the father of Kristen (Suvir) Varma and Keith (Jackie); the grandfather of Sonia and Samir Varma and Katherine, Jack, Ellie and Maddie Beaudoin; and the brother of Betty (the late Wally) Dolata.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. until time of Mass, 10 a.m., at St. Luke Church, 7600 Lake St., River Forest. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the Oak Park Country Club Foundation for Caddie Scholarship Program.

Memorial Service A memorial service for Joseph Stefanic, a longtime Oak Park resident and Ascension parishioner will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26 at Ascension Church in Oak Park, Rev. Bob Hutmacher presiding.

JOSEPH STEFANIC

Ken Trainor, Wednesday Journal 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 E-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com Fax: 708-524-0047 Please include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

Gamboney & Son Funeral Directors

We are there for you in your time of need.

All services handled with dignity and personalized care. ~ Traditional or Alternative ~ Discover all our bloggers at OakPark.com

Seamstress, lover of cats

Send letters to the Editor

W E D N E S D A Y

News

The family appreciates memorials to the Razzino Children’s Fund, c/o Community Bank of Oak Park-River Forest, 7777 Lake St., River Forest 60305.

Robert P. and Joseph R. Gamboney Cell: 708.420.5108 • Res: 708.848.5667 We are affiliated with Peterson-Bassi Chapels at 6938 W. North Ave, as well as other chapels throughout Chicagoland.

Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home

Since 1880 Family Owned & Operated Charles Williams, Owner/Funeral Director 203 S. Marion St. Oak Park 60302 708/383-3191

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

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

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED

YOUR WEEKLY AD

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

Deadline is Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

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

53

Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion.

Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion.

The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 524-0447 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM ADMIN/CUST SVC/CLERICAL Great mfg. co. seeks mature person for clerical position, customer service, accounts payable, billing.

Must be experienced, detail oriented with typing & computer skills.

401K, insurance, other benefits. Call Roger at 708-780-0070 x4850.

Business Intelligence Analyst (Chicago, IL) for Rocket Travel Inc. (Rocket Miles) to assist dvlop strategc plans for busnss grwth & help build & implemnt innvtive custmer acquistn stratgies relying on findngs from anlysis of markt trends & compettors. Rqrs Mstr’s Dgree in Busnss, Math/Statistcs, Oprtions Resrch/rltd + 3 yrs of exp as Strategc Consltng Busnss Anlyst, Mangmnt Anlyst, Opertns Resrch Anlyst/simlr role; profcncy in SQL to anlyze partnr campgns & custmr engagmnts; profcncy in Micrsft Excel & Visual Basic; exp analyzng pricng algorthms & technques. Up to 20% domstc & interntnl travl reqrd.

Telecmmtng permttd on occasn.

Apply at www.rocketmiles.com/jobs or send Resumes to Rocket Travel Inc., 641 W Lake, Ste 102, Chicago, IL 60661, Attn.: J. Lewis.

HELP WANTED

RELIGION

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS Oak Park Building Blocks (OPBB) Educational Childcare for 6-week to 6-year olds is hiring part-time and full-time classroom staff for the toddler room, preschool 2s and 3s room and for a pool of substitutes.

Immediate opening for afternoon shift: 1 DCFS-qualified teacher and 1 assistant teacher. Please send resume, call (708) 386-1033 or email for application and to set up interview: admin@oakparkbuildingblocks.com.

Located in Cornerstone Church, 171 N Cuyler Ave; Oak Park.

SEARCHING FOR PURPOSE?

OFFICE MANAGER POSITION Oak Park Economic Development Corporation 104 N Oak Park Avenue Oak Park, Illinois, 60301 OPEDC is seeking an enthusiastic admin professional to join our team. Candidates should have a strong background in administrative functions, such as accounting, payroll, office management and HR. This position is expected to take a leadership role in ensuring tasks are completed accurately and on schedule. For a job description or to submit a resume, please contact admin@ opdc.net.

Executive Director

OPEF’s professional partners share their passion for learning while conducting free, hands-on residencies with more than 4,200 students each year. OPEF also runs BASE Camp, exceptional summer and school-holiday enrichment programs that make learning fun and are grounded in the real world. BASE Camp helps to fund OPEF’s free in-school programming.

Located in Oak Park, Illinois, OPEF is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors, has 12 staff and program coordinators, and a $650K budget.

Requirements include: Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree; leadership experience in a nonprofit, volunteer or academic-related organization, that includes financial and staff management; experience working with volunteer Boards and knowledge of governance procedures; experience with long term annual planning, budgeting and overseeing project plans; confident in financial forecasting and budgeting; demonstrated experience in developing and executing fundraising strategies; ability to actively cultivate a strong donor base; strong staff management and teambuilding skills; a collaborative decision maker; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to establish good working relationships with community groups and speak publicly as needed; innovative and forward-thinking, with demonstrated commitment to OPEF’s mission, vision and values; must be able to work outside of normal business hours as needed, including evenings and weekends; candidates from Oak Park preferred.

How to Apply: OPEF has retained Tuft & Associates to conduct this search. Applicants should email a cover letter and resume in confidence to Tuft & Associates, ATTN: Jill Christie, President; cbabjak@tuftassoc.com

Buying? Selling? Renting? Hiring?

Wednesday Classified • 708-613-3333

We are New Life Community Church Join us Sundays at 11:30am 708.277.9191 newlifechicago.org/brookfield (meeting at Faith Lutheran Church)

SUBURBAN REAL ESTATE HISTORIC MAYWOOD MANOR

902 S. 3RD AVENUE (behind Aldi) Tired of renting? Why not consider buying an affordable 2BR condo w/ 1000 sq ft of living space on this historic site at less than market rents?

Savings are built in from a unique 12 year tax freeze plus lower utility costs from energy saving systems and appliances. Onsite pkg, exterior lighting and enhanced security systems included. Be among the first to benefit from this unique project in which the buyer can have input into the individual unit(s).

Call 708-383-9223.

Selling Your Home By Owner?

Advertising Here! 708/613-3333

SUBURBAN RENTALS

FOREST PARK 2BR apt $1100/mo. in a smaller, quiet building. Front apt with 2 exposures. Updated with fresh paint.

Very clean. No smoking. No pets.

Credit check and 1 1/2 mos. security deposit required.

Call 708-404-2865.

OAK PARK Roosevelt Rd/Oak Park Ave Corridor 2 BR, 4RMS. Close to blue line.

Laundry on site. Parking, Heat & Water Included. $1150/month. Call 708-383-9223 or 773-676-6805

FOREST PARK CONDO Spacious 3 bedroom 2 bath condo for rent. Hardwood flooring living room/dining room.

Freshly painted. 1 assigned parking space. Heat included. $1450 Contact (630) 697-2994 or (708) 526-3815.

OAK PARK 2 BR 2BD/1BA, 1PRKG Space, New Kit Appls, Metra/Green Line close, $1250 UTIL. NOT INCL. 773-533-2300.

OAK PARK BEAUTIFUL 2 BD APT Impeccably maintained by owner for more than 25 years. Charming 2 bedroom/ one full bathroom, brandnew deck, backyard, hardwood floors, high ceilings, back yard, large master bedroom, sun room, stainless appliances, remodeled kitchen with lots of cabinets, screened front porch with swing and windows that enclose in the winter. Laundry onsite. Heat and water paid by owner.

2 doors south of Longfellow Elem. 2 blocks from blue line. Garage space 1 car. 630.808.5835.

GLA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC. LaVerne Collins Managing broker

Office located at: 320 S. Wisconsin Ave. Oak Park

708-763-9927 www.glapropertymanagement.com

Properties may be broker owned.

Call us for a complete list of rentals available.

M&M property management, inc.

t XXX NNQSPQNHU DPN 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Oak Park: Studios, 1 & 2 BR from $650-$2000 Forest Park: 1 & 2 BR from $725-$1,000

Apartment listings updated daily at:

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-888-328-8457 for an appointment.

OAK PARK FOREST PARK Studio, 1, and 2 BDRM. Heated.

Dining room. Parking available.

Walk to El. $625-$1250.

www.oakrent.com

RIVER FOREST OR OAK PARK 1 BR Hardwood floors throughout.

Spacious walk-in closets. Storage.

Parking. Laundry in building. $800/ mo.

Call 708-657-4226.

Large Sunny Room with fridge & microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $101.00 week & up. New Mgmt.

773-378-8888

CHURCH FOR RENT BEAUTIFUL CHURCH FOR RENT

in OAK PARK. Perfect for a congregation.

Other potential uses. Corner of Scoville & Adams. rentalinquiry542@gmail.com 708-848-5460 MAYWOOD COUNTRY CHURCH Lovely, old fashioned country church in Maywood, on corner of Fifth and Erie is looking for a roommate or tenant. We are willing to work out a flexible arrangement if you are an appropriate tenant. Various size spaces. Call 708 344-6150, leave a message.

SPACE FOR RENT OAK PARK SPACE Suitable for not-for-profit. Varied uses possible such as school, office spaces, community services center, clinic, etc. Please call 312-810-5948

AGATHOKARI TRAVEL AGENCY

* RIVER FOREST *

YOUR LAND AND CRUISE VACATION EXPERTS.

7777 Lake St.

7756 Madison St.

WE OFFER QUALITY, SERVICE, AND COMPETITIVE PRICING. SIGN UP FOR FREE WEEKLY TRAVEL DEALS! CLICK

* OAK PARK *

www.luxuriousexcursions.com CALL 773-775-1996

- 3 & 4 room suites

- Store: 926 sq. ft.

- Medical suites, 900-2700 sq. ft.

6957 North Ave.

- 2 room office suite

6142-44 Roosevelt Rd.

CLEANING

Strand & Browne 708/488-0011

Pam’s A+ Cleaning Service

- 4 & 5 room office suites

TO BE GIVEN AWAY

ROOMS FOR RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro.

Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up.

773-637-5957

TRAVEL SERVICES

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

DINING/CONFERENCE TABLE 18th century mahogany double pedestal Chippendale dining/conference table, 60 inches wide by 98 inches long with an additional 48 inch leaf. Recipient must pick up and move table before Nov 28, 2016. Call 708-768-1461.

A cleaner day is just a phone call away. For a detailed cleaning please call 708-937-9110

ELECTRICAL FOUR SEASONS ELECTRIC *CEILING FANS* VARIETY of electrical work Re-wiring of old houses

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers-lead plastic-other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

ELECTRICAL

*Services*

Reasonable Pricing & Free Estimates No Job Too Big or Too Small

Lic * Bonded * Ins * 24 hrs

708-445-0447 / 708-785-0446

ELECTRICAL

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H HH

HUGH’S ELECTRIC *REMODELING *LIGHTING *SERVICES

clean burner, Furnace Tune-up **check drive belts,

With this ad–$58.00 *adjust burner, *thermostat

LICENSED* BONDED *FULLY INSURED

HHHHHHHHHH

The Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF), a privately funded nonprofit that delivers innovative, hands-on learning experiences to K-8th grade District 97 students by connecting them to mentors and resources in the community, seeks an Executive Director to lead this growing, 27-year-old organization. Working closely with the Board of Directors, staff, District 97, parents, volunteers, and other local organizations, the Executive Director will advance OPEF’s mission of serving the increasing community need for educational enrichment opportunities for all public school students. The public face and main contact of OPEF, the Executive Director is responsible for overall day-to-day management; the development, management and evaluation of programs and carrying out the mission, vision, values and policies as established by the Board of Directors.

Find your place with us. We are a church for the whole family with a special ministry for children. Hear relevant messages from God’s Word to help you live with meaning and purpose.

SUBURBAN RENTALS

HHHHHHHHHH

HELP WANTED

708-612-4803 H H H H H H H H H H H H H H HH

NOVENAS NOVENA TO ST. JUDE Oh, Holy St. Jude, Apostle & Martyr, great in virtue & rich in miracle, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart & humbly beg to whom God had given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present & urgent petition. In return, I promise to make your name known & cause you to be invoked. Say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Marys & Glories for 9 consecutive days. Publication must be promised. St. Jude pray for us all who invoke your aid. Amen. This novena has never been known to fail. Thank you. R.R.

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

CLASSIFIED ELECTRICAL

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 524-0447 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

ELECTRICAL HANDYMAN

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ELECTRICAL

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No job too big or small!

(708) 639-5271

FIREPLACES/ FIREWOOD

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Mixed hardwoods • $130 F.C. CBh & Mix • $145 F.C. 100% oak • $165 F.C. Cherry or hiCkory • $185 F.C. 100% BirCh • $220 F.C. Seasoned 2 years Stacking Available

847-888-9999 1-800-303-5150

Credit Cards Accepted

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

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

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

GARAGE/GARAGE DOOR Our 70th Year

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GUTTER CLEANING Cleaned by Hand Downspouts Snaked All Work Guaranteed

Call 708-567-4680

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

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

%,%#42)#!, (!.$9-!. 3%26)#%3 !LL 4YPES OF (OME 2EPAIRS 2EPAIRS )NSTALLATIONS 0ROFESSIONAL 1UALITY 7ORK !T 2EASONABLE 0RICES 0ROMPT 3ERVICE 3MALL *OBS A 3PECIALTY

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PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING THE INTENT OF THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS OF THE RIVER FOREST PARK DISTRICT, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS TO SELL NOT TO EXCEED $225,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION LIMITED TAX PARK BONDS

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

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

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Attention! Home Improvement Pros!

Reach the people making the decisions, your target demographic. Advertise your business in Wednesday Classified. Call 708/613-3342

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.

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 14, 2016, 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.

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 14, 2016, 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.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/9, 11/16, 11/23/2016

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/9, 11/16, 11/23/2016

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the River Forest Park District, Cook County, Illinois (the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Districtâ&#x20AC;?), will hold a public hearing on the 12th day of December, 2016, at 6:00 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock P.M. The hearing will be held at The Depot, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois. The purpose of the hearing will be to receive public comments on the proposal to sell bonds of the District in the amount of not to exceed $225,000 for the payment of land condemned or purchased for parks, for the building, maintaining, improving and protecting of the same and the existing land and facilities of the District and for the payment of the expenses incident thereto.

By order of the President of the Board of Park Commissioners of the River Forest Park District, Cook County, Illinois.

DATED the 15th day of November, 2016.

Michael J. Sletten Secretary, Board of Park Commissioners, River Forest Park District, Cook County, Illinois Published in Wednesday Journal 11/23/2016

Wednesday Classified 3 Great Papers, 6 Communities

SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS, VILLAGE OF OAK PARK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE SCHEDULE OF REGULAR MEETING DATES OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK AND ITS BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES IS AS FOLLOWS FOR THE YEAR 2017 ======================================= VILLAGE BOARD (REGULAR MEETINGS) 1ST & 3RD MONDAYS, 7:30 PM VILLAGE BOARD SPECIAL MEETINGS 2ND & 4TH MONDAYS, 7:00 PM CONTRACTUAL SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD IRREGULAR, NOTICE POSTED 48 HRS. BEFORE MTG. FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD IRREGULAR, NOTICE POSTED 48 HRS. BEFORE MTG. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD IRREGULAR, NOTICE POSTED 48 HRS. BEFORE MTG. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD IRREGULAR, NOTICE POSTED 48 HRS. BEFORE MTG. REINVENTING GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD IRREGULAR, NOTICE POSTED 48 HRS. BEFORE MTG. BOARD OF HEALTH 4TH TUESDAY, 7:00 PM BUILDING CODES ADVISORY COMMISSION 3RD THURSDAY, 5:30 PM CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT COMMISSION 1ST WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM CITIZENS POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE 3RD TUESDAY, 7:30 PM CIVIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS COMMISSION 2ND THURSDAY, 7:00 PM COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION 4TH WEDNESDAY, 6:45 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE IRREGULAR, NOTICE POSTED 48 HRS. BEFORE MTG. COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION 3RD WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM DISABILITY ACCESS COMMISSION* 4TH WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM BOARD 4TH THURSDAY, 8:30 AM ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY COMMISSION 1ST TUESDAY, 7:00 PM FARMERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; MARKET COMMISSION 2ND WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM (No Meeting in December) FIRE & POLICE COMMISSION IRREGULAR, NOTICE POSTED 48 HRS. BEFORE MTG. FIREMENSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; PENSION BOARD IRREGULAR, NOTICE POSTED 48 HRS. BEFORE MTG. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION 2ND THURSDAY, 7:30 PM ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE 4TH WEDNESDAY, 7:30 PM EDUCATION COMMITTEE 4TH MONDAY, 7:30 PM HOUSING PROGRAMS ADVISORY COMMITTEE 3RD WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM LIQUOR CONTROL REVIEW BOARD 4TH TUESDAY, 7:30 PM (No Meeting in December) MADISON STREET COALITION 1ST WEDNESDAY, 2:00 PM PLAN COMMISSION 1ST THURSDAY, 7:00 PM POLICE PENSION BOARD IRREGULAR, NOTICE POSTED 48 HRS. BEFORE MTG. TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION 4TH MONDAY, 7:00 PM ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 1ST WEDNESDAY, 7:30 PM *************************************** UNLESS OTHERWISE DESIGNATED, MEETINGS ABOVE ARE SCHEDULED AT VILLAGE HALL, 123 MADISON ST., OAK PARK, IL. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL (708) 383-6400 * LOCATIONS VARY ******************* TERESA POWELL, VILLAGE CLERK Published in Wednesday Journal November 23, 2016

O a k Pa r k . c o m | R i v e r Fo r e s t . c o m

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED

55

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 524-0447 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE Request for Proposals

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: D16148609 on November 1, 2016 Under the Assumed Business Name of JKCONSTRUCTION with the business located at: 2648 MAPLE ST, FRANKLIN PARK, IL 60131.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: JAKUB P KUBACKI 2648 MAPLE ST FRANKLIN PARK, IL 60131

PUBLIC NOTICE

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 D16148718 on November 14, 2016 Under the Assumed Business Name of FRESH SENSATIONS CLEANING SERVICE with the business located at: 4545 S. DREXEL BLVD. #3B CHICAGO, IL 60653.

The true and real fulll name(s) and residence address of the owner(s) is: SIMONE THORNTON 4545 S. DREXEL BLVD. #3B CHICAGO, IL 60653.

STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK, ssCircuit Court of Cook County, County Department Domestic Relations Division In re the Marriage of Raul Nava, Petitioner, and Luz Maria Diez, Respondent.

No. 16 D 10305 The requisite affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Luz Maria Diez, Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief: and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before December 21, 2016, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage Entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/23, 11/30, 12/7/2016.

NOTICE OF DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park’s Draft Program Year 2015 Comprehensive Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (Draft CAPER) will be available for public review and comment during business hours from November 24, 2016 through December 8, 2016 at the Oak Park Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302; at all three public library branches in Oak Park; and on the Village’s website.

As a recipient of federal funding under the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and the Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG), the Village is required to submit annual performance reports to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Any comments concerning the Draft CAPER should be submitted in writing to Mark Dwyer, Grants Supervisor, at the Village Hall address listed above, or by calling 708.358.5416, by 5 pm, December 8, 2016.

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/23/2016

The Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 (“the School District”) invites the submission of proposals from firms (“Bidders”) that wish to a comprehensive proposal for a Timekeeper System (“System”) to the School District. The District reserves the right to (i) select one or more firms to provide the system outlined herein; (ii) reject any and all proposals, including the lowest proposal; (iii) to waive immaterial technicalities or minor variances in the proposal; and (iv) to accept the proposals(s) deemed most favorable to the interest of the District after all proposals have been examined and evaluated.

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/9, 11/16, 11/23/2016

Firms can attend the Site Visit and Conference held on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Park & River Forest High School, 201 N Scoville Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302. Attendees are to gather and obtain ID badges at the Welcome Center located at Scoville Avenue Entrance 4 near Ontario Street.

RFP submissions are due by Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. Proposals received prior to the date will be secure until the RFP submission date.

A proposal received thereafter will not be considered. Proposals are to be submitted electronically using the districts online system that is used to obtain the RFP documents.

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/23/2016

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: D16148645 on November 3, 2016. Under the Assumed Business Name of YOUR VIRTUAL ADMIN EXPERT with the business located at: PO BOX 323 LAGRANGE, IL 60525. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: GWENDOLYN L YOUNG, 106 EAST AVE #2 LAGRANGE, IL 60525.

Published in Landmark 11/9, 11/16, 11/23/2016

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Oak Park on Wednesday evening, December 7, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 123 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois on the following matter: Cal. No. 31-16-Z: 536 N. Taylor Avenue, Christopher Hansen

Christopher Hansen, Owner and Applicant, filed an application requesting relief from Section 5.3.4 (Additions and Enlargements) of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Oak Park, which prohibits an addition or enlargement of a non-conforming building or structure that is devoted in whole or in part to a non-conforming use, to permit the addition of a new foundation, a basement, and to increase the overall height of the existing house located at the rear of the property at the premises commonly known as 536 N. Taylor Avenues.

Those property owners within 500 foot notice area and those persons with a special interest beyond that of the general public (“Interested Parties”) wishing to cross-examine witnesses must complete and file an appearance with original signatures with the Village Clerk not later than 5:00 PM on the business day preceding the public hearing.

All papers in connection with the above matter are on file at the Village of Oak Park and available for examination by interested parties by contacting the Zoning Administrator at 708.358.5440.

DATED AT OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, this 23rd Day of November, 2016 Published in Wednesday Journal 11/23/2016

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

1. Notice is hereby given of the death of Bessie Ludik who died on 8/1/16 leaving a will dated November 15, 2007 and numbered 16W6276, admitted to probate October 28, 2016.

2. The Representative for the estate is: ANTON SCHOENBERGER 3. The Attorney for the estate is: MATT J LEUCK, ATTORNEY AT LAW, Atty. No. 11017, 84 E. BURLINGTON # 2W, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546

To obtain RFP documents please follow these instructions: 1. www.oprfhs.org 2. Under about us, click on services 3. Then click on Business Office 4. The link for Bids and RFPs will be on the left pane of the page

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT, PROBATE DIVISION Estate of BESSIE LUDIK, Deceased Case No. 16 P 5741 P U B L I C AT I O N NOTICE INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION TO: CREDITORS, CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES

4. Claims against the estate may be filed on or before 05/09/17.

Claims against the estate may be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street Room 1202 Chicago, IL 60602 or with the Representative, or both. Any claim not filed within that period is barred.

Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.

5. On 8/28/16 an Order Appointing the Representative was entered. 6.

Within forty-two (42) days after the effective date of the original Order Admitting the Will to Probate, you may file a petition with the Court to require proof of the validity of the Will by testimony or witnesses to the Will in open Court, or other evidence, as provided in Article VI 5/6-21 (755 ILCS 5/6/21).

7. Within six (6) months after the effective date of the original Order Admitting the Will to Probate, you may file a petition with the Court to contest the validity of the Will as provided under Article VIII 5/8-1 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/8-1).

8. The estate will be administrated without Court supervision unless an interested party terminates independent supervision administration by filing a petition to terminate under Article XXVIII 5/28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4). /s/ ANTON SCHOENBERGER Independent Administrator Published in Wednesday Journal 11/9, 11/16, 11/23/2016

PUBLIC NOTICE

Published in Forest Park Review 11/16, 11/23, 11/30/2016

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF CAUCUS Notice is hereby given that on December 6, 2016 a Caucus of the Democratic Party in Riverside Township of Cook County, Illinois will be held at Arcade Building, 1st Floor, 1 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL 60546 commencing at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of nominating candidates for the following offices: Riverside Township Supervisor Riverside Township Assessor Riverside Township Clerk Riverside Township Trustee Riverside Township Trustee Riverside Township Trustee Riverside Township Trustee Dated: November 17, 2016 Liane J. Blauw Riverside Township Clerk

Published in RB Landmark 11/23/2016

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF CAUCUS Notice is hereby given that on December 6, 2016 a Caucus of the Republican Party in Riverside Township of Cook County, Illinois will be held at North Riverside Village Commons, Room B & C, 2401 DesPlaines Ave., North Riverside, IL 60546 commencing at 9:00 p.m. for the purpose of nominating candidates for the following offices: Riverside Township Supervisor Riverside Township Assessor Riverside Township Clerk Riverside Township Trustee Riverside Township Trustee Riverside Township Trustee Riverside Township Trustee Dated: November 17, 2016 Liane J. Blauw Riverside Township Clerk

Published in RB Landmark 11/23/2016

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: D16148657 on November 4, 2016. Under the Assumed Business Name of PAPERIKA with the business located at: 14416 S. HARRISON AVENUE UNIT 2, POSEN, IL 60469. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: LAUREN AREBALO 14416 S. HARRISON AVENUE UNIT 2 POSEN, IL 60469.

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 D16148624 on November 1, 2016 Under the Assumed Business Name of B.E. WELL with the business located at: 116 CHICAGO AVE., OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: BRANDI ELIZABETH JONES 116 CHICAGO AVE. OAK PARK, IL 60302.

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/16, 11/23, 11/30/2016

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/9, 11/16, 11/23/2016

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Oak Park on Wednesday evening, December 7, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 123 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois on the following matter: Cal. No. 30-16-Z: 743 S. Highland Avenue, Mark Meagher

Mark Meagher, Owner and Applicant, requests that a variation be granted from Section 3.5.4 (B) (1) of the Zoning Ordinance, which section requires a front yard setback of not less than 20 feet for the principal structure, to permit the demolition of the existing principal building, which is currently located approximately 10 feet from the front lot line, and the rebuilding of the principal structure approximately 10 feet from the front lot line.

Those property owners within 500 feet of the Subject Property and those persons with a special interest beyond that of the general public (“Interested Parties”) wishing to cross-examine witnesses must complete and file an appearance with original signatures with the Village Clerk not later than 5:00 PM on the business day preceding the public hearing.

All papers in connection with the above matter are on file at the Village of Oak Park and available for examination by interested parties by contacting the Zoning Officer at 708.358.5449.

DATED AT OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, this 23rd Day of November, 2016 Published in Wednesday Journal 11/23/2016

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ACCREDIT LOANS, INC. MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005QA10; Plaintiff, vs.

TEODORA AGUILAR, 653655 SOUTH BOULEVARD CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC.; TD AUTO FINANCE LLC F/K/A DIAMLERCHRYSLER FINANCIAL SERVICES AMERICAS LLC D/B/A CHRYSLER FINANCIAL; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF TEODORA AGUILAR IF ANY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 15 CH 2853 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Judicial Sales Corporation will on Friday, December 16, 2016 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-07-401-030-1007.

Commonly known as 655 South Boulevard, Unit 301 North, Oak Park, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g) (1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds.

The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call the Sales Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603.

(312) 360-9455 WA14-0494.

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I707432 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2013-4T Plaintiff, -v.GAD IKEANUMBA AKA GAD C. IKEANUMBA, 1030-32 NORTH AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AKA 1030-32 N. AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, HENRY SILVERMAN LIVING TRUST U/A/D AUGUST 26, 1996 Defendants 11 CH 33740 1032 North Austin Blvd. Unit 1N, (ASSESSOR’S OFFICE SHOWS AS 1030 NORTH AUSTIN BLVD. UNIT 1N) Oak Park, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 20, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 21, 2016, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive–24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1032 North Austin Blvd.

Unit 1N, (ASSESSOR’S OFFICE SHOWS AS 1030 NORTH AUSTIN BLVD. UNIT 1N), Oak Park, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05314-031-1001. The real estate is improved with a residential condominium. The judgment amount was $241,648.27. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire

56

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

CLASSIFIED

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 524-0447 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

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

RiverForest.com

PublicNoticeIllinois.com

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, contact Plaintiff’s attorney: HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC, 111 East Main Street, DECATUR, IL 62523, (217) 422-1719 If the sale is not confirmed for any reason, the

Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the purchase price paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC 111 East Main Street DECATUR, IL 62523 (217) 422-1719 Fax #: (217) 4221754 CookPleadings@hsbattys. com Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 11 CH 33740 TJSC#: 3611561 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.

I706737

of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted.

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

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of

a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 1416-03929. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-16-03929 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 16 CH 005490 TJSC#: 36-10020 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.

I706781

CAPITAL ONE BANK, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO GREAT AMERICAN FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, ASSOCIATED BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO GREAT AMERICAN FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION Defendants 12 CH 41397 401 SOUTH MAPLE AVENUE Oak Park, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 13, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 14, 2016, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive–24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 401 SOUTH MAPLE AVENUE, Oak Park, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-321-019-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $473,172.93. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/ 9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF

POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, contact The sales clerk, SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL 60015, (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm–3pm fax number 312-372-4398 Please refer to file number 15-076981. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn, IL 60015 (847) 2911717 Fax #: (312) 372-4398 E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 15-076981 Attorney Code.

42168 Case Number: 12 CH 41397 TJSC#: 36-11179 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.

I706903

each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/ 9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 1416-03188. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-16-03188 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 16 CH 004578 TJSC#: 36-9984 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.

I706905

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION CIT BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.NORMAN HALL TRUST DATED 10/31/05, EVA HALL, UNKNOWN SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES OF THE NORMAN HALL TRUST DATED 10/31/05, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA–DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 16 CH 005490 514 N. HUMPHREY AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 8, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 12, 2016, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive–24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 514 N. HUMPHREY AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-326-033-0000.

The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC Plaintiff, -v.SHERRI LASKO, HARBOR FINANCIAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION F/K/A NEW AMERICA FINANCIAL, INC., CAPITAL ONE BANK (USA), N.A., SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO

MORTGAGE DIRECTORY

MORTGAGE RATE DIRECTORY LENDER COMMUNITY BANK OF OAK PARK - RIVER FOREST

(708) 660-7006 1001 Lake St., Oak Park IL 60301 www.cboprf.com

AMOUNT

RATE/YR

80% 80% 80% 80% 80% 80%

4.125% / 30 yr. fixed 3.875% / 20 yr. fixed 3.250% / 15 yr. fixed 3.500% / 5 yr. ARM 3.625% / 7 yr. ARM 3.875% / 10 yr. ARM

POINTS/ APP. FEE 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550

A.P.R.

4.194% 3.970% 3.370% 3.808% 3.825% 3.944%

· Approved IHDA Mortgage Program Lender · Financing available up to 97% LTV Construction Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit available – call for terms.

Mortgage rates are accurate as of Monday afternoon. Due to the fluctuation of mortgage rates, the rates may vary before publication. Contact your mortgage lender for complete details. Mortgage rates vary in APR and other qualifying factors.

To Advertise your Mortgage Rates, call Mary Ellen Nelligan: 708/613-3342

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF BRADLEY L. ERICKSON, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, IMPERIAL MANOR OF OAK PARK CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, DOROTHY ERICKSON, WILLIAM P. BUTCHER, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR BRADLEY L. ERICKSON (DECEASED) Defendants 16 CH 004578 425 HOME AVENUE UNIT #3E OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 5, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 14, 2016, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive–24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 425 HOME AVENUE UNIT #3E, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-323-043-1025.

The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted.

The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION NRPL TRUST 2015-2 MORTGAGE-BACKED NOTES SERIES 2015-2, BY WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTINA TRUST, AS INDENTURED TRUSTEE Plaintiff, -v.ALAN M. GLAVANOVITS, ALEGNA COURT CONDOMINIUMS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 16 CH 002470 1209 N. HARLEM AVENUE UNIT #8 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 20, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 22, 2016, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive–24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1209 N. HARLEM AVENUE UNIT #8, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-06-120-044-1006.

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

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR

(HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 1416-00154. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-16-00154 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 16 CH 002470 TJSC#: 36-12701 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.

I707555

Anselmo Lindberg Oliver LLC, 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563-1890. (630) 4536960. For Bidding instructions visit www.fal-illinois.com 24 hours prior to sale. F13020314 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122

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

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, contact Plaintiff’s attorney: JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 541-9710 Please refer to file number 14-0832. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 541-9710 E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 14-0832 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 14 CH 18854 TJSC#: 36-13066 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.

I707839

real estate: Commonly known as 110 S. HUMPHREY AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-305-003-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted.

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

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assess-

ments 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(g1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-13-22714. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-13-22714 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 14 CH 000292 TJSC#: 36-13141 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.

I708078

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION; Plaintiff, vs.

BRIAN J. SMITH; ARTIST SQUARE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; ARTIST SQUARE TOWNHOUSE ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 13 CH 6415 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-07-323-055-1020.

Commonly known as 1041 Susan Collins Lane, Unit 505, Oak Park, Illinois 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g) (1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds.

The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney,

I707386 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT–CHANCERY DIVISION GREEN TREE SERVICING LLC, Plaintiff, -v.MATTIE BURRELL, MARCUS BURRELL, GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, DELL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC, 320 N. AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 14 CH 18854 320 N. AUSTIN BLVD., APT. 1 Oak Park, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 14, 2016, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 15, 2016, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive–24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 320 N. AUSTIN BLVD., APT. 1, Oak Park, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-305-025-1001 VOL. 142.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $69,522.88. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale.

The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT–CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-1 Plaintiff, -v.ELIZABETH L. PURNELL, KENNETH PURNELL JR. A/K/A KENNETH PURNELL, STATE OF ILLINOIS, CITY OF CHICAGO Defendants 14 CH 000292 110 S. HUMPHREY AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 2, 2015, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 4, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive–24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described

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

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

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

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

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

59

Travesty at Triton crushes Friars

T

hroughout the course of the season, Fenwick senior quarterback Jacob Keller used his impressive arm strength and pinpoint accuracy to complete a myriad of passes to the Friars’ talented wide receiving corps of Mike O’Laughlin, Sherman Martin, Jack Henige and Alec Polston.

In one unforgettable exception, head coach Gene Nudo instructed his Class 7A All-State signal caller to throw an incompletion. Simply chuck the ball away from anybody in shoulder pads, Jake, and the Friars punch their ticket to the state finals for the first time in the program’s history.

For context, here’s the game situation: Fenwick and visiting Plainfield North battled hammer and tongs for 47 minutes on the gridiron at Triton College in River Grove with a Class 7A state finals berth at Sports Editor stake. With the Friars clinging to a 10-7 lead deep in their own territory, Keller threw his aforementioned Nudo-instructed errant pass to apparently end the game.

The ball harmlessly hit the ground; the scoreboard flashed three 0’s on the clock.

Cue FriarNation bedlam.

Then, a not-so-funny thing happened on the Friars’ way to Champaign: The officials ruled the throw by Keller to be intentional grounding. While the penalty call was correct, their subsequent handling of it was incomprehensibly wrong.

The officials incorrectly ruled that the ball be given to

MARTY FARMER

SWIMMING Banner effort from page 64 Blankemeier swam the first leg, followed by Gill and Neilson. Ungaretti brought it home and beat New Trier’s Lydia O’Connell to the wall.

“We definitely knew we had a chance coming in,” Neilson said. “I don’t think any of us could have expected this. It’s like a dream come true.”

The Huskies had finished second in the medley last year, a showing which motivated them. The promise of something else played a part, too.

“Me and the girls always have this joke about wanting a blue banner because at OPRF they have blue banners on the wall for state title winners,” Neilson said. “So before the race we said we want a blue banner (in order) to be at OPRF forever.”

The relay win was the first for OPRF since the 400 free relay triumphed in 1989. The only other

Submitted photo

Fenwick players (left to right) Sean Heslin (#77), Daniel Kannin (#56), Austin Glazier (#73), Marco Torres (#68) and Sam Dahlstrom (#55) can’t believe Fenwick lost 18-17 in overtime to Plainfield North in the Class 7A state semifinals.

Plainfield North on the Friars’ five-yard line for an untimed down.

Memo to officials: a game can end on an offensive penalty (like Keller’s intentional grounding); it can’t end on a defensive penalty.

How at least one, and preferably all, of the officials, didn’t know and enforce this rule is upsetting to say the least.

With new-found life, Plainfield North kicked the gametying field goal.

Tied at 10-all in overtime, Fenwick senior running back

victory came in the medley in 1988.

Blankemeier, Nelson and Ungaretti swam on the medley last year. The fourth member, Genevieve Curry, graduated but was ably replaced by Gill.

Ungaretti, who was second in the 50 after the prelims, won the title with a time of 23.31, edging Bartlett senior Kayla Filipek, an Arizona recruit, by .01.

Ungaretti joins Kate Wendt and Marissa Lumkes as the only Huskies to win individual titles. Wendt captured the 100 backstroke in 1992 and Lumkes followed suit in 1995.

“I was just so proud of both myself and everyone on my relay team because we’ve just all worked so hard this whole season,” Ungaretti said.

“We’ve had so many great competitors and great coaches helping us along the way. It’s been really great to see it all pay off.”

The Huskies had entries in the championship heats of six events, which allowed them to move up two spots in the team standings from last year’s sixth-place showing. They

finished with 103 points.

Rosary won with 185.5 points, while Loyola (131) and Oswego East (120) won the other trophies.

“We were happy this year we were able to place more points than we were the previous year,” Gill said. “It was something that we always try to push for is getting better year-to-year.

I was really pleased with that.”

Gill finished sixth in the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.99 to earn her first individual state medal. Blankemeier finished fourth in the 100 free in 51.49 and 11th in the 200 free in 1:53.60.

The Yale-bound Blankemeier capped her career by teaming with Neilson, Gill and Ungaretti to take fifth in the 200 free relay in 1:35.94.

That gave her 11 career medals, tying her for third-most on the school’s all-time list.

“For sure, it was such a nice way to go out, my last day of swimming high school,” Blankemeier said. “I love the whole team atmosphere, swimming for your teammates. It makes it a lot easier to throw down a good time when you have everybody behind you.

Conner Lillig scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give the resilient Friars a 17-10 lead in a game they already should have won.

Plainfield North’s Dillon McCarthy responded with a touchdown and two-point conversion, lifting the Tigers to an improbable 18-17 victory.

Cue FriarNation incredulity.

After the game, an assortment of knowledgeable Fenwick players, parents and fans pointed out the egregious mistake made by the guys with the foot locker jerseys.

Within hours of the game’s controversial ending, Illinois High School Association Executive Director Craig Anderson issued a statement.

Here’s the part FriarNation cared about: “On the final play of the fourth quarter in today’s IHSA Class 7A Semifinal Football game between Fenwick High School and Plainfield North High School, an error was made by the officiating crew, which resulted in an untimed down being awarded to Plainfield North.

“On the untimed down, Plainfield North tied the contest with a field goal and then went on to win the game in overtime. Per Rule 3-3-4 in the 2016 NFHS Football Rules Book, the game should have concluded on the final play of regulation and the untimed down should not have been awarded.

“IHSA by-law 6.033 clearly states that ‘the decisions of game officials shall be final; protests against the decision of a game official shall not be reviewed by the Board of Directors.’

“Given that rule, the contest result shall remain final with Plainfield North advancing to the Class 7A State Championship.”

The rest of the statement included an apology from Anderson on behalf of the IHSA to the Fenwick players, coaches, administration and community.

Lillig, one of Fenwick’s top players, tweeted in response: “Apologies mean nothing, MY BOYS and I worked hard to get here and we get this. I will remember this for the rest of my life.”

Keller tweeted: “Your sincerest apologies mean nothing, my boys WORKED for 5 months just to have everything we worked for taken away.”

For good measure, Keller added #IHSAsucks.

I wholeheartedly agree.

60

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Run with the Wolfpack this winter!

W

olfpack strength and conditioning coach Antonio “Ace” Foster and staff will lead this camp in our “from the Concrete” (F.T.C.) style approach.

F.T.C. signifies hard work, grind and passion through aggression and a blue collar work ethic on the hardwood.

This blast 4 day camp will get all players to learn how to exert their energy and the mindset to understand effort when on the

hardwood with a combination of amateur and elite individual skill enhancement drills. Previous basketball experience is not needed but a strong work ethic and willingness to push your physical limits is required.

Visit wolfpackschoolofbasketball.com to register and contact: info@wolfpackschoolofbasketball.com or 708.669.9762 with any questions.

“From the Concrete” Bootcamp

Monday, December 26, 27, 28, 29 @ St. Luke School (River Forest) Junior F.T.C Bootcamp 4th-6th Grade Boys and Girls $150 9:00a-10:30a F.T.C. Bootcamp 7th-8th Grade Boys and Girls $150 10:30a-12:00p

Wolfpack School of Basketball would like to wish luck to our former players who made their high school basketball teams as well as our four collegiate basketball players.

College Players: Mike Ballard: University of Wisconsin Danny Dwyer: University of Pennsylvania Tom Planek: Providence University Mike Smith: Columbia University High School Players St. Joseph Sophomore: Kyle Flournoy OPRF Freshmen Boys Stephen Bonaccorsi Josh Cotter Justin Cross Jaylen Davis Evan Failor Will Gery Miles Hirshman

Toby Kunkel Matthew Leonard Jeremy Mart Malakai Naber Eric Skala OPRF Sophomore Boys Alec Fraggos Dan Francis Grant Kindler Tregg Lofgren Sam Schrodt Craig Shelton Luke Menna OPRF Varsity Boys Phil Saleh Mike Saleh Jack Simpson Ben Pierce Charlie Hoehne

OPRF Freshmen Girls Shelly Brown Evelyn Drews Eliana Gerace Nina Petrosino Kayla Smith Jane Vachon Leyden Sophomore Boys Guy Obaya Fenwick Freshmen Boys Christian Flynn Bryce Legan Will O’Brien Jacob Underwood Ryan Planek David Mendoza Fenwick Sophomore Boys Lucas Kolovitz Max Barnett

Ethan Forde Charlie Westerman Anthony Barnett Fenwick Varsity Boys Billy Bruce DJ Steward Fenwick Freshmen Girls Alyssa Ruiz Julia Goode Marie O’Brien Lilly Reardon Elmwood Park Varsity Boys Jack Gavin MJ Aldalpe Danny Wnuk Ivan Salazar

St. Viator Sophomore Boys Brad Wilson Trinity Freshmen Girls Madison Schultz Parker Phillips Trinity JV Girls Claire Hanley Liza Montgomery Lauren Saleh Kelly Saleh Immaculate Conception Sophomore Boys Andrew Rosa Norvice Landon Immaculate Conception Sophomore Boys Zach Jordan Mike Carpanzanno

for more info, visit www.wolfpackschoolof basketball.com or email info@wolfpackschoolofbasketball.com

York Freshmen Girls Julianna Tamburino Nazareth Freshmen Boys Luke Panek Kyle Kebby Nazareth Sophomore Boys Henry Panek Jack Doss Timothy Christian AJ Vos St. Ignatius Freshmen Boys Bryce Jenkins Mike Preston

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

61

Friars’ expectations remain high

of whom were All-Catholic League selections last winter. both o Kel Keller, who has a couple Division I offers, is a terrific athlete at ette who athlet o quarterbacked qua te bac ed the t e football ootba team tea this fall. He averaged 10.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists a and 1.9 steals last year.

Malnati also has a great leader in the post in Nixon, who just signed with Minnesota State.

Min former coach John p The rugged Nixon averaged 7.3 points, 5.8 reQuinn, as the best in sho bounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 53 perschool history. cent from the floor.

But guard Mike Given his size, Nixon is most useful down Smith, the Illinois Mr. n low, but he can be a match-up nightmare on Jacob Basketball runner-up, ba well. the wing and can handle the ball has moved on to CoKeller b versatile,” “He’s going to continue to be lumbia. Gone, too, is natura back-to-theMalnati said. “He’s a natural forward Mike Ballo basket player. His body is looking great. lard, now at WisconHe’s got bounce and a lot of strength. sin.

JAMAL NIXON He’ll be tough to handle.

They will be sorely Senior forward passe and he can “But he’s a good passer missed, as will, at least shoot it with range.” temporarily, Jacob Keller, Junior guard AJ Nixon is the only Mikee O’Laughlin and Jack Henige, who are starsignif other player with significant varsity ring for the Fenwick football team. Those three playing time. might ht not be ready for the start of the season. forw Henige, a 6-5 senior forward, and se“We’re We’re going to start the season without them,” MalFiorito who has asnior guard Mike Fiorito, nati said. “We hope to get better every game. I think Div pirations of playing Division III baswe’lll be better at the end of the season than we are ketball, were reserves last season. at the he start and we’ll see what we can do in the state s The 6-5 O’Laughlin, a star receiver tournament.” rnament.” figur to play a on the football team, figures Fenwick enwick reached the Class 3A sectional final last prominent role and has a high ceiling yearr before losing to St. Joseph. The Friars will host forw as a shooting guard or forward.

Junior the sectional this season and could go as far or farther guards Bill Bruce and Sam Daniels, 5-10 than n last year. a sophomore Demari Nixon and 6-1 freshThat’s hat’s because this team’s rotation figures to be deepa man guard D.J. Steward also figure in er than han last year and still will have outstanding leadership in the 6-foot-3 Keller and 6-5 swingman Jamal Nixon, the mix.

Fresh off a 28-3 campaign, Keller and Nixon lead disciplined team with upside

By MATT LE CREN Contributing Reporter

Although the Fenwick High School boys basketball team will probably regress from last year’s historic season, expectations remain high.

“We’re pretty excited about where the program is,” Fenwick coach Rick Malnati said. “It seems like we can generate a little more enthusiasm every year. It’s a great situation.”

Indeed, the Friars have soared since Malnati took over the program in 2013. Fenwick is 72-19 in his three seasons, including a phenomenal 28-3 last winter, which equaled the 1997-98 team, which made the state quarterfinals under

Fenwick Friars Head Coach: Rick Malnati (4th season, 72-19) st to Record last year: 28-3, 11-0 Catholic League; lost St. Joseph 59-55 in Class 3A sectional final) Top players: Jacob Keller, G, Senior; Jamal Nixon, G/F G/F, Senior; Mike O’Laughlin, F, Junior; Jack Henige, F, Senior; AJ Nixon, G, Junior, Mike Fiorito, G, Senior.

Quote: “We’re pretty excited about where the program is. It seems like we can generate a little more enthusiasm every year. A lot of kids want to play for Fenwick and we’ve got a lot of great kids.”

Malnati on the team’s steady improvement.

Power excited as ever about Friars

Fenwick Friars Head Coach: Dave Power (40th season, 904-284; 284; 25th season at Fenwick, 583-192) -42 in Record last year: 10-21, lost to Marshall 74-42 Class 3A sectional semifinal elly Top players: Mackenzie Blaze, Junior, G-F; Kelly Carpenter, F, Senior; Charlotte Quinn, F, Junior;; Margaret Planek Planek, F,F Junior; Chance Baggett, G, Senior; Mackenzie Berschel, G, Senior.

Quote: “I’m so excited for this season because the girls from the first practice have really pushed themselves. Just watching them is exhausting. ” Power

Intriguing mix of veterans and newcomers, size and speed has Fenwick on right track

By MATT LE CREN Contributing Reporter

If Fenwick girls basketball coach Dave Power looks a little tired these days, it’s not because of old age.

The second-winningest girls basketball coach in state history is just amped up for what the Friars might do this winter.

“I’m so excited for this season because the girls from the first practice have really pushed themselves,” Power said.

“They do a lot of running and conditioning. Just watching them is exhausting.”

It’s safe to say the Friars are tired of mediocrity after three consecutive losing seasons. Last year’s 21 losses were the most by a Power-coached team in his four-decade career.

“The team chemistry is clicking,” Power said. “They’re ready to win some games.

“Now let’s see if we can get off to a good start. We want to contend for the (title of) the first tournament of the season.”

There is reason for optimism despite last year’s struggles.

Fenwick returns three seniors and two juniors who all started at least part-time last season.

Seniors Chance Baggett, Kelly Carpenter and Mackenzie Berschel will provide good leadership and are battle-tested.

The 6-foot Carpenter is the main post player, while Baggett and Berschel are strong guards. Berschel in particular is looking to impress after returning from a serious injury suffered late in her junior campaign.

Also back is All-Conference guard Kate Moore, a 5-10 junior who is versatile enough to play three positions.

“She plays some ‘1’ and a lot of ‘2’ and can play the ‘3,’”

File photo

Fenwick junior Kate Moore is an excellent scorer who can play multiple positions and defends well.

Power said. “She’s an excellent shooter. She has worked hard on her game.”

Another 5-10 junior, Mackenzie Blaze, also started as a sophomore and can play guard or forward.

“She’s looking strong,” Power said. “She has a willingness to attack the basket and draw contact.”

But the player who could end up running the show is sophomore point guard Gianna Ortiz, who was elevated to varsity midway through last season.

“I like her leadership,” Power said. “She can distribute and score.

“Last year she felt she had to score, but now she’s more comfortable distributing. There is a nice flow and bounce to her game.”

The same can be said for Fenwick’s lineup, which boasts experienced players at every position. The interior could be a strength with Carpenter, 6-0 junior Charlotte Quinn and 5-11 junior Margaret Planek all competing with playing time.

Planek and Quinn, the daughter of former Fenwick boys basketball coach John Quinn, starred for the volleyball team.

“She’s really competing for that top (post) spot,” Power said of Quinn. “She rebounds and really plays hard and is really aggressive.”

Katie Schneider, a 5-10 freshman who is the younger sister of former Fenwick swimming state champion Mimi Schneider, could join the mix at either forward spot. Tea Abraham, Lily Reardon and Sheila Hogan are the other top newcomers.

“The defense will be a little better,” Power said. “We can run with people.

62

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

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Answer Book 2016

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Each week Wednesday Journal covers local news, local people, local sports and the local ads you want to see. Village hall, police, OPRF, the elementary schools, business, religion, we have Oak Park and River Forest covered.

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orty years I/Staff DAVID PIERIN is rapher fairly young house, particoldPhotog ularly in for a many of Oak Park our home s hit 100-pl where ever, in terms of us.

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Back these wond nue to in” erful, origi- husba then, Mrs. Clyde nd had owne Nooker, whos d the struc 1940s, was Mrs. Nooker ture since e looking and the corsa Wright’s for a buyer the The migh client . They were ge ty grass of the office s, circa 1956, sparked for a remo this positi roots movement , library, deling kitchen ve chang fortunes that had opened part e in began in of the build and bath and 1972, durin Oak Park’s since 1966 for ing to the publi tours. g a Histo rical c See ALL WRIGHT on pa page B B33

the Oak Park

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Special pullout section

Oak Park police to carry anti-overdose drug

A day of remembrance

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

Participants wave at the crowd during the annual Memorial Day Parade in River Forest on May 30. For more photos, page 10.

An American Ramadan

River Forest couple says don’t make assumptions about Muslims

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

to sunset, every day for four weeks.

Nausheen sounds very much like a Jew on Yom Kippur or a Christian during Lent when she describes what Muslims are striving for during Ramadan.

“What people may not know,” she said, “is that the purpose of Ramadan is to bring you closer spiritually to your Cre-

ator, to develop patience, gratitude and to perfect one’s character. When fasting, a Muslim is supposed to be on their best behavior, avoid anger, bad language, lies, etc. Many people give up bad habits, for example smoking. It is a time of introspection and self-reflection on how to bet-

Enclosed is my payment of ¨$32 for 12 months Name _______________________________________________________

Oak Park Fire Department already administers Narcan roughly once a week

Address ______________________________________________________

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER

City _____________________ Zip ________ Phone __________________

Staff Reporter

Syed Mohuddin (a.k.a. Mohi) Ahmed and his wife Nausheen Akhter will begin keeping the month of Ramadan on June 5. The River Forest residents will fast, going without food or drink, from sunrise

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Oak Park police officers will soon be equipped with an anti-opioid overdose drug known as Narcan, confirmed Oak Park Deputy Police Chief Tony Ambrose.

A state law that went into effect in January mandates that all Illinois police departments begin carrying the drug in an effort to prevent overdoses from heroin and opioid-based prescription drugs.

Ambrose said in a telephone interview that the OPPD is working with the Oak Park Fire Department to receive training and grant funding for the Narcan program.

Oak Park Deputy Fire Chief Peter Pilafas said in a telephone interview that fire department paramedics have been trained to administer Narcan for some time and used it an average of four times a month in 2014 and 2015.

Pilafas applied on May 20 for the grant, which will cover 100 percent of the costs for the OPPD program, and it was approved three days later.

He said now police and fire department officials will attend a training seminar to instruct police officers on how to administer the drug.

Earlier this year, Oak Park Township Supervi-

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Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

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Huskies’ size, speed ensures exciting basketball Talented lineup positions OPRF well for success in conference, playoffs

By MARTY FARMER Sports Editor

It would be quite a stretch to say the vultures were circling over the Oak Park and River Forest st High School boys basketball team when the Huskies were 7-9 midway through lastt season.

However, factoring in the considerable preseason hype and fans’ expectations, there was some ome understandable concern.

After an 82-74 overtime loss to ZionBenton at the he Martin Luther King Jr. Invite in Rockton-Hononegah, the Huskies finally nally found their way.

OPRF reeled d off seven wins in a row and 9 off 11 games to close out the regular season on fire.

Unfortunately, ately, the Huskies’ roller coaster er season ended two games laterr with a 74-56 loss to Kenwood in a Class 4A regional final.

“Last year ar there was huge preseason ason expectations,” OPRF coach Mattt Maloney said. d. “I think our coachoaching staff wass a lit-

tle bit more realistic, knowing it would take our younger players at least until Pontiac (Holiday tournament) or the second half of the season to make the leap to varsity action While the Huskies possess the coveted combination of talent and experience entering this season, no assurances can be made about abou their record considering their strength s of schedule. OPRF opens at the challenging Riverside-Brookfield Riverside-Bro VandeMerkt Classic followed fo by a showdown against riaga val Fenwick at the t Chicago Elite Classic, C then tussles tussle with Brother Rice, LyRi ons Townsip Towns and Crete-Monee.

Crete-Mon “Since we w have so many man guys back with varsity varsit experience, I think Dashon we are further along alon than Enoch in previous years,” years, Maloney said. “We load ad d up our schedule early because b we want to face the th he best competition. That helpss us play

our best basketball at the end of the year.”

The starting lineup is stacked up with athleticism, length and versatility. Junior 6-foot-1 guard Isaiah Fuller, sophomore 6-0 guard Dashon Enoch, junior 6-5 forward Cameron Gross and 6-6 senior forward Jared Scott are all capable of playing of college basketball. Junior 6-4 center Malachi Ross, who Maloney describes as the “Dennis Rodman” of our group, does all the little things to help the Huskies win.

Gross led the team in scoring (16.1 points per game) and rebounding (6.9 rebounds per game) en route to earning all-conference honors. He also garnered Special Mention All-State recognition.

Scott (9.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Enoch (7.5 ppg, 1.2 spg) and Fuller (3.0 ppg, 2.0 apg) also played well. Scott is a smooth left-handed player who can impact a game in a variety of ways.

Season-ending knee surgery robbed Scott the second half of the season. Coming off a superb season as the top receiver on the OPRF football team, Scott is good to go.

The bench is deep, featuring 5-9 senior guard Kelton Pickett, 6-6 sophomore Charlie Hoehne, 6-5 junior forward Phil Saleh, 6-3 senior forward Mike Saleh, 6-4 senior Eddie Gorens and 5-11 senior guard Jack Simpson.

Deep Huskies confident about season Led by Ripley and Cullinane, defending conference champs will play up-tempo style

By MARTY FARMER Sports Editor

It’s not often a team loses its first five games only to win a conference championship later in the season. That’s the uncommon narrative the Oak Park and River High School girls basketball team produced in 2015.

“To start off 0-5 and then turn it around to win a share of conference (with Lyons Township) was awesome,” OPRF coach J.P. Coughlin said. “We had great leadership from our veteran players. Two of them return this year, Blair Ripley and Molly Cullinane, which is pretty exciting for our prospects this season.”

Ripley, a 6-foot-1 senior forward, averaged 13.6 points, 10.1

OPRF Huskies

Head Coach: J.P. Coughlin Record last year: 16-15, 9-3 West Suburban Silver (co-champs with LTHS); lost 59-44 to New Trier in Class 4A Prosser Regional final Top players: Blair Ripley, F, Senior; Molly Cullinane, G, Senior; Amaya Coleman, F, Junior; Joi Holman, G, Junior; Ahsha Spencer, G, Sophomore; Darse Sanchez, G, Sophomore Quote: “If we play hard and play together, I think we’ll be fine.

We’re not going to win every game or lose every game. If the players buy in though, we will be competitive.” - Coughlin

locks per game last searebounds and 2.4 blocks ference pick in the West son. A 2015 all-conference nce Silver Division, RipSuburban Conference ley emerged as one of the best playh a diversified diveersified ers in the area with skills set offensively y and a formidable presence defensively. nsively.

Cullinane is a 5-2 -2 senior senio or who does it all for the Huskies.. In addition to being the team’s spark plug, the all-conference ence guard guard averaged 8.7 points, ts, 3.4 rer bounds, 3.4 assistss and 3.0 3 steals per game.

“Blair and Molly y are the th he absolute best,” Coughlin Coughlin said. “They are tremendous emendou us leaders who will play ay college colleg ge basketball, it’s justt a matter matteer of where. Blair and Molly ly work so hard and they are all about the team.”

While the return of coMolly captains Ripley and CulCullinane linane is huge for the Huskies, ies, the team will miss projected starters Maeve Nelson (torn labrum) um) and Carrington McGowan (torn rn ACL) who are both out for the season. ason.

Several players will be needed to fill

Blair Ripley

Jared Scott

OPRF Huskies Head coach: Matt Maloney (9th season, 139-79) Record last year: 17-10, 7-5 West Suburban Silver; lost to Kenwood in Class 4A regional final Top players: Cameron Gross, F, Senior; Jared Scott, F, Senior; Dashon Enoch, G, Sophomore; Isaiah Fuller, G, Junior; Malachi Ross, C, Junior Quote: “Playing in our conference is a great challenge because we face different styles of play.”- Maloney

the void left by Nelson and McGowan.

A strength in M numbers bench appears to b be a given. bench last year so we’re “We had a pretty short be going to expand it a bit more,” Coughlin said.

“We are going to press pre and trap on defense year.” and run a lot more this t Junior forwards Amaya Coleman and Olivia Glass, junior guard Joi Holman and sophomore guards Ahsha Spencer, Darse Sanchez and will all see playa Katie Sisler S ing time.

“Amaya has had an a amazing couple of months,” Coughlin said. “She’s really improved and will be tough to take off the a floor.

“Joi, who is 5-1, will join Molly to 5 form one backcourts in on ne of the smallest s the state. statee. Joi is a super-quick, energetic player who o has really developed her shot.”

Spencer, Sanchez and Sisler should provide additional additio onal scoring scorin punch for OPRF. “The quality qua ality that I like most about the team we have this year is our versatility,” h y Ripley said. “We’ve “We’ discussed ‘positionless’ basketball in year’s past, but I b think this year we can actually execute. t Coming Comin off a conference championship last year, yea I think the expectations our players impose on themselves are pretty im high.”

While OPRF and Lyons Township enter the season Ly as reigning conference co-champions, the race is wide open.

“There’s no clear cut favorite in my opinion,” c Coughlin C ughlin said.

Co said “There are no easy games in our conference, conferenc but I like our chances.”

64

Wednesday Journal, November 23, 2016

Travesty at Triton crushes Friars 59

@ @OakParkSports

SPORTS

Basketball Previews 61-63

Huskies’ 200 medley, Ungarettti win state titles OPRF excels in relays and individual events for fourth place in standings

By MATT LE CREN

O

Photo by Clyde Lundgren

The quartet of (left to right) Samm Neilson, Natalie Ungaretti, Hanna Blankemeier and Alex Gill celebrate winning the 200-yard medley relay title at the state meet Nov. 21.

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Contributing Reporter

ak Park and River Forest senior Hanna Blanzkemeier had only one goal going into the final state meet of her high school career.

“The whole goal of the meet was just to be there for my team and have fun,” Blankemeier said. “It’s my last year racing against all these girls, so I just wanted to go out and have fun. So I’m happy.”

The Huskies enjoyed their most successful state meet in nearly three decades, finishing fourth in the team standings and winning a pair of historic state championships.

OPRF’s 200-yard medley relay of Blankemeier, juniors Alex Gill and Samm Neilson and sophomore Natalie Ungaretti became just the third relay team in program history to win a championship.

Ungaretti later became only the third OPRF girl to win an individual title when she captured the 50-yard freestyle. Blankemeier and Gill also won individual medals during a virtuoso performance that was the program’s best since 1989, when the Huskies won their second of back-to-back team state titles.

“I’m just amazed at how much fun these girls have in light of how much pressure there is at these meets,” OPRF coach Clyde Lundgren said. “They stay loose and have fun and take care of business. It’s really a pleasure to be around.”

The fun began at the crack of noon with the medley relay.

See SWIMMING on page 59