WednesdayJournal_112724

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

What is ‘Fair Maps’ and how will it a ect voting in Oak Park and Proviso?

The nonbinding ballot question in both townships lays the groundwork to end gerrymandering

By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter

Voters in Oak Park and Proviso townships this month overwhelmingly supported an initiative called “Fair Maps” that promotes having an independent redistricting commission, rather than politicians, draw legislative and Congressional maps in the state.

The non-binding referendum question asked whether the state of Illinois should “adopt an independent citizens’ commission for federal and state redistricting process, that would be guided by principles in fair map initiatives?”

According to latest tallies, 81% of voters in Oak Park Township and 73% of voters in Proviso Township said yes.

The referendum question was added to the ballot under a process outlined by the state that gives citizens a chance to put an advisory, or non-binding, referendum on a ballot. Change Illinois, a nonprofit, nonpartisan governmental reform advocacy group, obtained more than the required 15 signatures the state requires for placement on a township’s agenda for its annual meeting. If voters approve it at the meeting, the township clerk must send it to the county for placement on the ballot. In this case, the measure was approved by voters at the Oak Park Township meeting in April.

According to DuShaun Branch Pollard, community organizing director at Change Illinois, non-binding questions are basically survey questions

“Our goal was to have a chance for voters in Oak Park and Proviso to really give their thoughts around how they want the maps to be drawn,” Branch Pollard said. “We were super excited to get it on the ballot.”

The Illinois Constitution requires lawmakers to redraw district lines every 10 years after the U.S. census is taken.

Branch Pollard said Change Illinois is working to end gerrymandering, the prac-

tice of drawing boundaries of electoral districts in a way that benefits one political party over another.

The consequence of gerrymandering, according to Change Illinois, is that politicians can choose certain voters and exclude others, limiting their voting power. If many districts are defined by gerrymandering, the voters’ representatives could fail to match the true majority’s political party.

“We have some politicians in the state of Illinois who have been in office for a very long time,” Branch Pollard said. “It makes it harder for people to run against them.”

According to Branch Pollard, Fair Maps better reflect the needs of the community, making it easier for people to organize with others in their neighborhood and hold politicians accountable.

“The point of Fair Maps is that people get to choose the politicians and politicians don’t choose their voters,” she said.

Branch Pollard said Change Illinois is inspired by independent redistricting commissions that have been established in both Michigan and California.

Now that so many residents of Oak Park and Proviso Townships voted in favor of the referendum, Change Illinois will take

that information to state re presentatives as an incentive for changing the maps.

“We hope to do some letter writing campaigns in the new year to our legislatures, to let them know what the voters in Oak Park and Proviso said,” Branch Pollard said.

One major source of support that Change Illinois got while trying to get the nonbinding referendum question on November’s ballot was from the League of Women Voters of Oak Park-River Forest.

“The league has a lot of positions and one of them is fair and open elections,” said Pe gg y Kell, voter services chair for LOWV-OPRF. “We feel that with gerrymandering, the candidates sometimes pick their voters instead of the voters picking the candidates.”

Kell said Change Illinois will present the data that was collected to legislatures in order to try to get the process changed for how voting districts are established.

“This was a truly grassroots, community-led ef fort that gave residents a voice to send a powerful message to their elected officials that voters are determined to end gerrymandering,” said Branch Pollard.

For more information about Change Illinois, visit https://www.changeil.org.

WEDNESD AY

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor Erika Hobbs

Digital Manager Stac y Coleman

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan

Sta Repor ter Luzane Draughon

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

Columnists Marc Bleso , Jack Crowe,

Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger

Shrubtown Cartoonist Marc Stopeck

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza

Marketing & Adver tising Associate Ben Stumpe

Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls

Business & Development Manager

Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Publisher Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Eric Weinheimer | Treasurer Nile Wendor f Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Audra Wilson

Free Live Illinois Beverage

Alcohol Seller and Se rver Education Training

Saturday, Nov. 30, 12 p.m.–4 p.m., Oak Park Public Library

This free in-person, state -approved BASSET training provides essential information and skills for sellers and servers of alcoholic beverages, including recognizing the e ects of alcohol and drug abuse and techniques for identifying and intervening with patron misuse. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

Dark Side of the Yule

Sunday, Dec. 1, 4 - 5:30 p.m.,

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Oak Park

Kick o the holiday season with a unique concert blending Christmas classics and classic rock. Experience new music from our holiday album and be one of the rst to hear it in this beautiful setting. Free to attend 611 Randolph St., Oak Park

Idea Box: Serenit y in December

Tuesday, Dec. 3, during open library hours, Oak Park Public Library

Celebrate National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month with a space designed for re ection and resolution. Through Dec. 31, join us in the Idea Box to journal, create an a rmation wall, and foster peace and positivity. Take time to re ect, set intentions, and center yourself as you head into the new year. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

An Inside Look at Climate

Reporting in Chicagoland

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 7–8 p.m., Oak Park Public Library

Join Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, a reporter for WBEZ Chicago and Grist, to explore current climate stories in the Chicago area. Discover insights into climate change, energy issues, and environmental justice. Learn more and register at // oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

BIG WEEK

November 27-December 4

Musical Performance by Note worthy

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Library

Join us for a lively evening musical concert from Noteworthy, Oak Park and River Forest High School’s award-winning show choir. Noteworthy is a highly selec tive group of singers, dancers, and live band members who per form locally throughout the fall, compete at a show choir competition in March, and per form their annual spring showcase in April. Noteworthy combines choral singing with dance movements and per forms at OPRFHS and in the community. The choir has per formed for seniors and the community at the Oak Park Arms. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

2024 Candlelight Peace Vigil to End Gun Violence

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m., St. Christopher ’s Episcopal Church

Join us in honoring victims of gun violence and advocating for peace. This annual event features re ections, prayers, and a candlelight vigil to promote awareness and unity. Local sponsors, including Gun Responsibility Advo cates, are proud to suppor t this e or t. For more information, contact St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church. 545 S. East Ave., Oak Park

Breakfast with Santa

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Oak Park Egg Harbor Café

Warm up with a cozy breakfast and enjoy a visit from Santa at the Oak Park Egg Harbor Café. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Santa will visit each table, spreading holiday cheer and making every child’s day. Capture the moment with a photo as Santa listens to wishes and shares the magic of the season. 1111 South Blvd., Oak Park

Enhanced Well-being with Herbal Suppor

t

Monday, Dec. 2, 1:15 - 2:30 p.m., Nineteenth Century Charitable Association

Discover how herbal remedies, backed by tradition and science, can suppor t every body system. Veteran herbalist and organic farmer Jane Hawley Stevens will share insights on e ective herbs to enhance well-being, especially during long winters. Free and open to the public Donations welcome. Live stream and recording available at ncca.memberclicks.net. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park Save the Date: St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish Art and Gift Fair

Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., St. Giles Church’s McDonough Hall (2nd oor) Discover unique gifts and ar twork at this community ar t and gift fair. Held in McDonough Hall, located just nor th of the church at the corner of Green eld and Columbian. Free admission. 1101 Columbian St., Oak Park

Holiday Housewalk & Market

Friday, Dec. 6, 3–7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m, Oak Park Area Kick o the season with a tour of six festively decorated homes in Oak Park and River Forest, featuring decor by homeowners and local orists. Explore the holiday market for unique gifts and ideas. Housewalk hours are Friday, Dec. 6, 5-9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 7, 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $70 in advance, suppor ting IWS Children’s Clinic to provide essential health services to children in need. To purchase tickets to this event, visit opr ws.org/ buy-tickets. For more information, visit opr ws.org/ holiday-housewalk. 28 Madison St., Oak Park

Compiled by Brooke Duncan

Oak Park approves one-time leaf collection credit

The $29.04 one-time credit failed to pass in July

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

After a move to give a one-time credit of $29.04 to participants in the refuse collection program failed in July, Oak Park’s village board reversed course and approved the credit Thursday.

When this item, intended to assuage cost concerns from residents frustrated by the financial impact of the requirement to bag leaves for collection, came before the board over the summer, the motion tied 3-3 with one trustee absent.

This time, the vote passed 6-1. Trustee Brian Straw was the sole vote against it. Last time, Trustees Chibuike Enyia and Ravi Parakkat and Straw voted against the one-time credit.

The credit is equal to 12 months of the monthly fee residents paid for the leaf

progr am in 2024, according to village officials. That also equals the cost of about 58 landscape bags. T he credit will be applied on customer’s first quarterly water bill of 2025.

This refund will cost the villa ge $325,248.

Straw stood by his previous stanc e that a r eturn largely b enefitting singlef amily homeowners is re gr essive. He said he’d rather direct those f unds to individuals with a financial or physical need who are struggling with the ne w leaf collection pr ogr am.

“We are giving $29 back primarily to single-family homeowners,” he said, citing equity concerns. “I don’ t think that this is the best use of these funds … T here are lots of things that I would rather do with this money.”

Parakkat said he did have reservations before about the credit, but he’s since heard from many residents who are struggling and flipped his vote.

“I will support [this] just to make a small difference in a lot of people who have ex-

pressed their frustration,” he said. Enyia did not say at the meeting Thursday why he flipped his vote.

Residents don’t have to bag their leaves if they don’t want them collected, either. They can mulch the leaves or compost them, too.

Public Works Director Ro said residents can purchase bags at local Ace Hardware stores with coupons available on the village Free bags are available at Vi the Public Works Department. An assistance progr am for residents with financial constraints is availabl with a volunteer progr am of leaf such as Cub Scouts and Oak er Forest High School students

C ORRECTION

As a result of incorrect information supplied to Wednesday Journal, an article titled “Veterans without homes can find options through Housing Forward,” published in the Wednesday Journal Nov. 20 print edition, misstated the number of individuals served this year across Housing Forward. We re gret the er ror.

ELECTION RESULTS

Kamala in a landslide

from page 1

Re publican nominees Donald Trump and JD Vance.

An unofficial count released Nov. 20 by the Cook County Clerk’s Office shows that more than 90% of residents who voted in the Oak Park Township voted for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Nevertheless, Trump swept the national election with 312 elec toral votes compared with Har ris’ 226. Harris won Illinois’ 19 electoral votes, but reports show Trump performed better in the state than in 2020 and 2016.

But in Oak Park, unofficial results show 27,409 people voted for Harris compared to the 2,688 who did for Trump, and 254 for Robert Kennedy, an independent candidate. Kennedy suspended his campaign in August and asked supporters to back Trump instead

U.S. Congressman Danny Davis said he’s not surprised that Oak Parkers have a tendency to vote for Democrats, and he’s pleased he and they voted alike.

“I expected the Oak Park residents to do as they always do: Vote the most progressive way that they think, thought, feel and felt,” Davis said.

But the 2024 election was different than others. It was a “wake-up call” for Illinois, typically characterized as a deep blue state, he said.

Davis said he attributes Trump receiving more votes in Illinois than expected to many things, including Trump’s aggressive campaign, Harris’ late entry, ideas about the economy and “waves of uncertainty” among Americans. Trump’s victory reflects division in the United States, he said.

In 2020, the results in Oak Park were similar in the general election. The Cook County Clerk’s Office re ported that a similar percentage of residents voted for President Joe Biden and Harris. In that election, about 89% of voting residents cast their ballot for Biden, but turnout was slightly higher with 29,208

Where Olive Trees Weep

Monday, December 2 at 6:30 pm

Documentary Film & Discussion

Doors Open at 6:15

Oak Park Public Library Veterans Room 834 Lake Street, Oak Park Illinois

Where Olive Trees Weep offers a searing window into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation.

This award-winning documentary film explores themes of loss, trauma, and the quest for justice. It follows, among others, Palestinian journalist and therapist Ashira Darwish, grassroots activist Ahed Tamimi, Holocaust survivor Dr. Gabor Maté, and Israeli journalist Amira Hass.

For more information, email: CJPIP2000@gmail.com.

votes total. Only 9% of Oak Park voters showed up for Trump and Mike Pence.

When Trump first won during the 2016 election, turnout numbers were a little lower but Oak Park’s results were not surprising. That time, about 85.6% of Oak Parkers voted for Hillary Clinton and Timothy Kaine, a total of 26,015 votes. Only about 9.5% of residents cast a ballot for Trump and Pence then.

And in 2012, the vast majority of voting Oak Parkers still supported the Democratic candidates, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, over Re publicans Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. In that election, about 82% of Oak Parkers cast their vote for Obama and about 15.6% voted for Romney.

Oak Park voters who viewed themselves as Re publicans or were more right-leaning. But those same voters may not view Trump the same way.

Moving forward, Davis said, Democrats in America, including in Oak Park, have to reclaim leadership they’ve lost on meaningful issues. That includes demonstrating to working class citizens what Democrats believe in and what their priorities are, he said.

“I expected the Oak Park residents to do as they always do: Vote the most progressive way that they think, thought, feel and felt.”

DANNY DAVIS

U.S. Congressman

The 2012 election marks the largest support for the Re publican candidate in Oak Park in the past four presidential elections, and the only one of the four in which Trump was not the Re publican candidate.

Davis said he thinks Romney may have re presented appealing characteristics to

“We have to be true to those issues as we continue to make decisions and as we continue to try and convince voters that our message, our approach and our decision making is more in their interest than our opponents who would be Re publicans in most elections,” he said.

Oak Park is often thought of as a progressive stronghold in suburban Cook County. Some issues debated might raise skepticism of that, but when it comes to presidential elections, Oak Parkers know what they want: A Democrat.

K AMALA HARRIS

Oak Park chooses architect for Village Hall and police station schematic design

Kindelin

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Oak Park trustees ag reed Thursday to direct village staf f to negotiate an ag reement with Johnson Lasky Kindelin Architects, Inc. to produce a schematic design for a Village Hall remodel and new police station on the existing site.

The village board decided in July to move forward with plans to renovate the historic building and build a new police facility rather than redeveloping the entire site. So far, the work with architectural firms has been conceptual, Public Works Director Rob Sproule explained.

This phase will help determine the scope and overall vision for the project, he said, commonly thought of as 30% of design plans. It will set the stage for sigh t plans, floor plans and elevation drawings in the next design phase. JLK will also provide a more realistic estimate of the cost of the project.

T he last estimate for remodeling Village Hall and building a new police station was between $132 million and $138.3

million, more than some trustees seemed willing to spend

The priorities for this project, as outlined by village staf f, include preserving the historical aspects of Village Hall, meeting sustainability goals, meeting building codes, creating accessible and inclusive spaces, and bringing both facilities up to modern standards.

Village staff still has to negotiate the agreement with JLK, so the cost for hiring them again is not yet clear. The village previously hired JLK to do a feasibility study to see if it was possible to renovate Village Hall to meet staff needs, and their answer was “Yes.”

JLK are historic preservation specialists and plan to bring on additional architects, sustainability experts, landscapers, engineers and cost specialists for the schematic design work. All 11 consultants considered for the schematic design work planned to bring teams together, Sproule added, so JLK was not necessarily more or less expensive to hire.

“I’m hopeful and confident with this

Oak Park Village Hall

Notice of Proposed Property Tax Increase for Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200

I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 for 2024 will be held on December 5, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at 201 North Scoville Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302. The public hearing can also be attended virtually. To submit public comment that will not be read at the meeting but will be appended to the minutes of the meeting go to: https://forms. gle/PL86FGzDqBqXiom29 by 4:30 p.m. on December 5, 2024. Any person desiring to make live public comments will need to submit their name by 4:30 p.m. on December 5, 2024 by going to: https://forms.gle/ D2L7BhfnWkq2agc78. You can join the meeting in person, on your computer via Zoom link, or by phone. Public comments are given at the beginning of the meeting so please join promptly by 7:30 p.m. To join the virtual Board meeting go to: https://oprfhs-org. zoom.us/j/89135434947?pwd=zIjFi5qlz39SCEKdi ZdEz3zX4RUaB6.1 and enter Passcode 623858 or telephone in the U.S. 312-626-6799 and enter Webinar ID: 891 3543 4947.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $81,035,202.

The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $83,400,000. This represents a 2.92% increase over the previous year.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2023 were $0.

The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2024 are $0. This represents a 0% increase from the previous year.

IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $81,035,202.

The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $83,400,000. This represents a 2.92% increase over the previous year.

How to get holiday ready a er anksgiving

Shop, eat and laugh with these Oak Park events

By ZOË TAKAKI Contributing Reporter

Need a plan for entertaining the family all Thanksgiving weekend? The days following Thanksgiving can be just as fun and eventful with these Oak Park and River Forest events

Small Business Saturday encourages residents to shop locally through providing exclusive deals and fun activities. There are a number of businesses celebrating Small Business Saturday, including Ten Thousand Villages, Wells Street Popcorn, CarefulPeach Boutique and others.

Amelia Dellos, marketing director of the Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance stressed the importance of shopping small in Oak Park.

“About 90% of our businesses here in downtown Oak Park are small businesses. They’re run by individual owners. For every dollar you spend at a small business, approximately 68 cents of that dollar stays within the community,” she said. “So, when you shop locally, you are supporting your community. You’re keeping it vibrant, you’re keeping it economically strong, and also you’re finding really fun, unique, one of a kind gifts, too. So, it’s a win win.”

Also on that Saturday, the Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance is sending out a cheer squad team to visit local businesses throughout the community

After a busy week, treat yourself to a coffee tour and tasting at G&G Home. Swelter Coffee Roasters, a women-owned coffee brand featuring women-grown coffees, will be at G&G Home Saturday to offer a coffee tour of coffees from women producers

around the world. Look forward to coffee from Mexico, India, Congo and other locations. The tours will be orchestrated at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m., so there will be many chances to taste while exploring G&G Home’s curated offerings

Get into the holiday spirit by attending A Charlie Brown Christmas Brunch Live. This event taking place at the Pleasant House will provide Vince Guaraldi’s, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” played live by The Chris White Trio, as well as a brunch buffet by Babygold Barbecue. There will be two performances, one at 10 a.m. and one at 12:30 p.m.

If you are looking for something to do with young kids, the Oak Park Library will be having a Young and Restless storytime event for children ages zero to 24 months. Designed to allow babies to roam and move, this story time will be paired with songs and rhymes

While at the Oak Park Library, make sure to check out the idea box for Native American heritage month located in the main library. The idea box is a special display at the library that focuses on the stories of marginalized people.

Rock out with Classical Blast, a touring rock band from the Chicago area, as they meld classic rock music with Christmas tunes at their show “Dark Side of the Yule,” Sunday, Dec. 1. Listen as they mix Pink Floyd and Metallica with holiday classic carols. Have a laugh with WBEZ and Las Locas Comedy at for the comedy show Mi Familia Loca: Home for the Holidays at Robert’s Westside. This monthly showcase highlights Latina and Latinx comedians who focus on cultural issues

Man dies in shooting at Roosevelt and Ridgeland

Shots were repor tedly red just after 7 a.m. Friday

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Officials identified the man who was shot and killed near Roosevelt Road and Ridgeland Avenue on Friday morning as 34-year-old Scott Robinson from Chicago.

Oak Park police officers responded after seven shots were re por tedly fired around 7 a.m. Friday, according to WGN9. Robinson was pulled from the vehicle with gunshot wounds. He was in critical condition and later pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m. at Loyola University Medical Center.

Oak Park officials re ported that a white 2013 Jaguar XJ was overturned in the road on the scene around the 6300 block of Roosevelt Road. Police officers located at least 11

shell casings in the street. A witness at a nearby gas station re portedly saw the offender shoot into the man’s vehicle. The witness said after the car crashed on Roosevelt, the offender fled.

Officials believe Robinson was targeted, but say there is no ongoing threat or danger to the community.

The homicide investigation is ongoing and the West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force was called to assist.

Parent arrested at OPRF a er a ght that injured a security guard

Two parents were ghting over an issue with their daughters

By ERIKA HOBBS Editor in chief

One parent was arrested Monday morning after they hit an Oak Pa rk and River Forest High School security guard with a lock on a string, authorities said.

T he intended target was another parent.

According to an email Principal Lynda Parker sent to parents after the incident, individuals from two f amilies be g an a “verbal altercation” inside the school near the Welcome Center at about 7:45 a.m. Police said that it appeared the incident was a continuing feud over an issue the parents’ daughters were having in school.

The argument became physical, and members of the school’s safety staff intervened. School officials called Oak Park police for assistance.

Police said that as the security guard attempted to break up the fight, one parent swung the lock, missed the other parent, and hit the se-

curity guard instead. T he guard, who suf fered swelling and bruising to the head, was taken to Rush Oak Park Hospital for treatment.

T he parent with the lock was arrested on felony charges of aggravated battery-protected status/aggravated battery-public way. Police said that because of the ongoing threat of public safety at the school, the parent is being held for bond cour t.

Students were safe and rerouted to a different door during morning ar rivals, officials said.

“I reco gnize that we live in an age where emotions r un high on a variety of topics, and that can leave us feeling exposed and vulnerable,” Parker wrote. “However, this in no way gives license to anyone to significantly disrupt the lear ning environment at the high school.” She said that she and her staf f will “continu e to work diligently to cultivate an environment that keeps education at the forefront of our priorities.”

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Oak Park trustees to boost sustainability fund by $500K

The extra dollars will come from the village’s fund balance

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

In a push to meet goals set in the Climate Ready Oak Park plan, Oak Park trustees indicated they would support adding $500,000 from the fund balance to the sustainability fund for fiscal year 2025.

Trustee Susan Buchanan raised the discussion during a village board meeting Thursday, proposing a $1 million transfer from the substantial fund balance to the sustainability fund in both 2025 and 2026. As it stands, Oak Park has a fund balance of about $45.8 million.

It’s advised to keep that balance between 10% and 20% of normal prior year expenditures. For Oak Park, that’s about $11.2 million based on 2023 expenses. Trustees have decided to spend down reserves for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape project and other upcoming capital improvements.

By doing so, the village will still have about $18 million in its fund balance. Trustees will likely have to issue bonds for bigger-ticket items, like the Village Hall remodel and new police station.

Buchanan said she’d like to use some of the excess fund balance mainly for the village’s energy-efficiency grant program for low- and moderate-income households, a new initiative that started Oct. 1. This program is intended to help residents reduce their home energy consumption, therefore reducing greenhouse gas emissions. All buildings in Oak Park are responsible for more than 70% of the village’s emissions

The grant program already had $100,000 budgeted until Sept. 30, 2025, from Community Development Block Grant funds.

“Rich people are going to buy solar panels anyway; they don’t need our money,” Trustee Cory Wesley. “There are folks who do need our money to replace their furnace … it benefits us, it benefits them if there’s funding for them to replace that furnace with a 93% efficiency fur nace.”

In Climate Ready Oak Park, the village has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas

emissions by 60% by 2030 and reach netzero emissions by 2050. To reach those targets, Buchanan said the village needs to make some bold moves.

“We are underfunding the existential crisis that is climate change,” Trustee Brian Straw said. “We’re not going to get to our goals if we don’t put our money where our mouth is.”

Buchanan proposed $1 million for the next two years to help bolster this program and support other sustainability initiatives, but Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsey Roland Nieratka said she wasn’t sure if her department could spend that much in a year. But with more money and more outreach, more work can be done

Neighborhood Services Director Jonathan Burch echoed that it’s important to make sure the village staff have the capacity to get dollars allocated to projects like this out the door efficiently. Extra staff or external contractors might be needed to do so, he said.

Trustees were supportive of allocating more money to the sustainability fund, but agreed they don’t want to budget money they can’t spend. So, they decided to allocate an additional $500,000 to the sustainability fund just for 2025 and see how it goes. The village board can always adjust the budget later with an amendment if needed.

Trustee Lucia Robinson also said it might be prudent for the board to take advantage of the support for spending on sustainability initiatives before the local elections in April when new trustees with different priorities could be sitting in the seats. Three trustees, the village president and the village clerk seats will be up for election in 2025.

“We’re running out of time in terms of support of federal gover nment on some of these policies,” Trustee Ravi Parakkat said, referring to the 2024 presidential election results. President-elect Donald Trump has called climate change a “hoax” and could roll back climate change initiatives. Parakkat added he wants to make their dollars go as far as possible.

During budget discussions, trustees also debated the possibility of hiring three more firefighters to help offset overtime costs, but no final decision was made.

Trustees are expected to approve a final 2025 budget on Dec. 3.

Dominican eyes Keystone Park for so ball team

A deal with the park district would allow use of diamond

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

Officials from Dominican University and the River Forest Park District are exploring a possible partnership that would allow the Stars women’s softball team to play its home games in Keystone Park, Lake Street and Keystone Avenue

Due to limited space for athletic fields on the campus at 7900 Division St. in River Forest, the Stars women’s softball team and the men’s baseball team play their home games off campus

Dominican has been playing its home softball games at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, where the Chicago Bandits women’s professional team for merly played

Under the proposed agreement, the Stars would practice and play home games on Keystone baseball/softball field No. 2 after the park district undertook improvements, including converting the infield from dirt and clay to a synthetic surface. Additional “minor modifications” would have to be made to meet National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 3 specifications

Michael Sletten, park district executive director, said a similar project is in the park district’s master plan and “has been on our radar.” The project, which carries an estimated cost of $460,000, was not scheduled previously but now would take place in 2025, allowing the Stars to play there beginning in 2026. In exchange, Dominican will pay the park district $200,000, almost half of the

project cost. The sum would be made in five annual payments of $40,000 each over a five-year period.

“We’re in discussions and we’re close,” Dominican athletic director John Planek said. “We’re very optimistic.”

Sletten said the university first approached the park district in March with negotiations that followed. He said the partnership will be on the agenda for the park district board’s meeting Dec. 9 but cautioned against expecting commissioners to approve the agreement, noting the project still has to be approved by the village and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

“We believe it’s a win-win,” Slatten said. “It’s another partnership. We have a lot of partnerships.”

He said he does not anticipate scheduling conflicts, noting the Stars’ season runs from February to May and they start “way before everybody else” that uses the field. He also said youth groups do not play on Sundays, which would allow Dominican to play doubleheaders on those days. In addition, on practice days, the Stars are off the field by 4:30 p.m.

There are already lights on the field and the park district would reuse existing bleachers and fences. Sletten said only one set of bleachers would be on the east side of the field instead of the current two.

Planek said he’s “working on” a similar partnership that would allow the Stars men’s baseball team to play its home games closer to the campus. Dominican currently plays its home games at Wintrust Field in Schaumburg, where the Schaumburg Boomers play. He noted identifying a facility for the men’s baseball team is more challenging than finding one for the women’s softball team due to the need for more space.

Oak Parkers likely to see slight increase in property taxes

Trustees indicated suppor t for raising the tax levy by about 3% overall

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Despite the possibility of a slight increase in property taxes in 2025, no Oak Park residents spoke or submitted comments for the public hearing re garding the proposed tax levy Nov. 19.

Higher taxes and no complaints? It’s unclear whether that’s due to public buy-in of a tax levy increase, a lack of awareness of the hearing or something else entirely

If trustees approve the proposed total tax levy increase of about 3% for the next year, including an increase of 3.5% for the corporate levy, Interim Chief Financial Officer Donna Gayden estimated the increase in property taxes will be about $48 per household.

T he b oard is c onsidering a gr adual increase over the next few year s, rather than a dramatic increase. Th at ’s to help make up for when the levy increase was ze ro, in 2023. Because the levy increase was ze ro that year, the village g ets $1 million less in reve nu e each subsequent year, Gayd en previously told the board.

The tax levy helps the village fund its general operations, debt service payments and contributions to the police and fire pensions, according to village officials.

Gayden explained that the village is not losing any services right now because of when the levy was zero. But if the levy doesn’t increase, and debt goes up, too, trustees might have to pull funds from the fund balance, raise fees, or increase the levy even more. She recommends increasing the levy in small amounts over time to even that annual $1 million loss out.

“In two, three years, we’re going to be at a point where we will either have

to levy a lot more in order to maintain the level of se rvice that we have or we c an make incremental, small increases over the next two or three year s, ” Trustee Cory Wesley said, a dding that he d oes not want to see any decrease in village services.

And debt will likely go up in the next few years, as the village works to fund its plan to remodel Village Hall and build a new police station, an endeavor last estimated to cost between $132 million and $138.3 million.

Another reason small increases over time are preferable to a large increase is because many residents live on a fixed income, Gayden pointed out. If a tax levy increases or decreases quickly and drastically from year to year it can be difficult for individuals or f amilies trying to stick to a budget.

A public hearing is required when a tax levy increase is 5% or more. Oak Park’s proposed increase isn’t that high, but the village held a “truth in taxation” hearing anyway for transparency.

But no public commenters spoke at the meeting.

T he proposed levy increase is also due to increases in the police pension, of $294,832, in the fire pension, of $357,330, and in debt services, of $664,082.

T he proposed tax levy increase is expected to cover additional 2025 budg et expenses, Gayden said. That includes items added back to the capital improvement plan, such as traffic signal retiming ef for ts and the addition of a left turn signal at Garfield and Oak Park avenues, as well as community-focused initiatives proposed by the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce.

A majority of trustees were in favor of raising the tax levy slowly and therefore gradually increasing the impact on residents’ taxes rather than needing a big increase later that could shock local taxpayers.

The village board is expected to approve a final budget at its Dec. 3 meeting.

River Forest improves stre et surveillance camera program

Upgrades aim to

‘optimize’ system and

further promote public safety

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

The River Forest Village Board has authorized spending $63,370 to “optimize” its street camera program that provides surveillance camera throughout the village.

The board on Nov. 18 unanimously and without discussion approved a contract with Griffon Systems, the existing vendor and system manager.

In a memo to Matt Walsh, village administrator, police Chief Jim O’Shea explained that Grif fon will update aging communications infrastructure, fill in coverage gaps, re place obsolete and out of war ranty cameras and improve weak communication signals.

This is considered to be the final phase of a four-phase progr am. Previously, in 2022 and 2023, cameras were installed in three zones: south, middle and north. The high-definition cameras were installed on main streets. T hey are motion-activated and operational around the clock. Images are retained for 90 days. O’Shea said previously that the cameras are not speed cameras or red-light cameras and do not

have the capability to provide license plate images.

“The Village Street Camera System has been a very successful force multiplier, crime prevention tool, evidence-gathering application, police accountability device and overall situational awareness tool throughout all areas of the village,” O’Shea said in the memo.

With the vote, the village board authorized village staf f to implement the Avigilon System Street Camera Program Optimization Phase 4, as scheduled in the FY2025 Capital Improvement Plan. This

said JLK will present different phasing plans during this process so the board can determine the best way to move forward.

includes the updates and re placement of equipment, plus related hardware and softas well as installation and implementation of all affected equipment.

O’Shea said the “timely and dedicated” maintenance of the street camera system supports the guiding principles of the to provide a safe community and strengthen the quality of life.

“Maintaining, improving and strategically deploying this advanced technology overall public safety law enforcement ef forts,” he said. “Public camera systems are considered a cost-effective way to deter, document and reduce crime.

“In addition, this system helps provide enhanced customer service to victims of crimes and helps develop crime-prevention strategies,” he said. “Street camera systems also further transparency and accountability in gover nment operations.”

During previous discussions re garding the progr am, O’Shea spoke highly of the technolo gy, and the vendor noted that the progr am helps other adjacent police departments that may be pursuing a vehicle that crosses a municipal boundary.

team,” Trustee Brian Straw said. “They are going to bring us a design that reflects the values of Oak Park.”

To move on to the schematic design phase, village staf f needed a consensus from the village board members on a direction forward. That took time, Village Manager Kevin Jackson pointed out.

Sproule said the schematic design phase is likely to wrap up in mid-March after additional public engagement and discussions with the board.

Trustee Susan Buchanan pointed out that most board members are prioritizing building a new police station first. Sproule

Buchanan also brought up the electrification ordinance the board passed in June 2023 that requires new buildings constructed after Jan. 1, 2024, to be fully electric. There are some exceptions to the rule, Village President Vicki Scaman said, including for some medical facilities.

“The police station wasn’t on the list,” Buchanan responded.

Board members and village staff seemed unsure Thursday whether this project would be required to be fully electric or not. But Buchanan said she’d like the building to be as sustainable as possible and hopes it will be fully electric.

Trustee Cory Wesley also asked for staf f to direct JLK to see if it would be conceptually possible to add a couple floors to a new police station for village staf f facilities

rather than remodeling Village Hall. He’s brought up the idea before, but it’s unclear if the rest of the board would be willing to consider that option.

Wesley pointed out it might be cheaper to do that than to renovate Village Hall and continue to maintain the historic building over time. He said deciding what to do with Village Hall in that scenario would be a decision for later. Wesley was the sole vote against moving forward with the schematic design process with JLK.

Trustee Lucia Robinson also said she’d be interested in getting second opinions from members of the Facility Review Committee as design work moves forward. That committee, made up of local architects and experts, for med to present an option to refurbish Village Hall rather than demolish and rebuild it.

Village staf f are expected to bring a negotiated contract with JLK back to trustees at their Dec. 3 meeting to approve.

Inject Life into Your Landscape

As we approach Thanksgiving, holiday celebrations with family and friends just ahead, it’s time to ensure you add a little extra “magic” to your outdoors.

When everything else in your yard is dormant, adding holiday décor is a great way to inject life into your landscape.

Wreaths, garlands, holiday lights and other winter displays provide greatly needed splashes of color. When first impressions matter, decorating makes your home so much more inviting and aesthetically pleasing.

Winter displays are relatively simple to create, if you have the right eye for it. They’re also a great way to utilize your containers yearround. Whether a simple display of greens or something more extravagant with the inclusion of accents such as birch poles, sugar cones, winterberry, and other stems, our holiday experts are sure to create something stunning.

Through consultation with our team, containers are an excellent vehicle to reflect your personality—so we arrange them with your creativity in mind. From the entire McAdam Landscaping family to yours, we wish you a safe and joyful Holiday Season!

Scott McAdam Jr.

Man robs two individuals at gunpoint

Around 10:10 p.m. Nov. 18, a man approached an Orland Park resident and an Oak Forest resident on the 600 block of South Boulevard and said, “Give me everything or I’ll shoot you,” while holding a black handgun. The victims handed over money, ID cards, debit cards, a brown wallet and personal items. The man fled on foot and was last seen in the South Boulevard alley from Euclid Avenue. The estimated loss is $1,100.

Residential burglary

■ Between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 18, someone used force to break in through the front door ofan Oak Park residence on the 1000 block ofLincoln Trail. The person ransacked the interior and stole a Louis Vuitton purse, Burberry purse, four passports, money, jewelry and two U.S. naturalization certificates. The estimated loss is $111,900.

■ Between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Nov. 22, someone broke into an Oak Park residence on the 600 block of Woodbine Avenue with a prying tool. The person ransacked the interior and stole collectible coins. The estimated loss was unknown.

■ Between 7:50 p.m. and 9:48 p.m. Nov. 22, someone broke into a residence on the 600 block of Fair Oaks Avenue. The person ransacked the interior and stole coats and jackets. The estimated loss or damage was unknown.

Burglar y to garage

Between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24, someone got into an Oak Park resident’s garage through an open side door on the 1100 block ofGunderson Avenue. The person stole tools, an Apple iPad, a Dell laptop and Sony noise cancelling headphones. The estimated loss is $3,480.

Burglar y to motor vehicle

Around 10:32 a.m. Nov. 19, a man broke into a Joliet resident’s 2021 Ford F-250 truck on the 1200 block ofNorth Euclid Avenue. The man stole a cut of f saw and fled in a white sedan. The estimated loss is $1,700.

Arrests

■ A 26-year-old Chicago man was arrested at 8:47 a.m. Nov. 18 for domestic battery to an Oak Park resident. He was held for bond hearings.

■ A 49-year- old Pa rk R idge man was stopped at 9:26 a.m. Nov. 24 at Ta rget at 1129 La ke St. Police re po rt he matched the d escription ofa subject in a c riminal trespass to property, who was warned not to return. He was i ssued a notice to app ear citation.

These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department re ports dated

Nov. 18 – 25 and re present a portion ofthe incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port the race ofa suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description ofthe suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest. — Compiled by Luzane Draughon

Citizens Police Oversight Committee submits semi-annual report

Of 11 complaints, four found an o cer in violation of OPPD rules and orders

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

From July 2023 to June 2024, the Citiz ens Police Oversight Committee reviewed 11 complaints related to 37 alle ged r ule or policy violations. Only seven violations were sustained.

CPOC delivered its semi-annual re port to the village board ahead of the meeting Tuesday, detailing its investigations into the complaints. Some trustees complained about the delay in receiving it. Reports are intended to be for the proceeding six months

“This is about transparency and accountability,” Trustee Lucia Robinson said, adding that she doesn’t want to go so long without an update to the board again. “I want to make sure that there aren’t any breaks in that accountability.”

The CPOC submitted the last re port in October 2023, detailing complaints from January 2023 to June 2023. Kira Tchang, village staf f liaison to the CPOC, said sometimes re gularly scheduled CPOC meetings might be delayed due to a lack of a quorum, and it takes time to analyze the data, but the committee does try to re port re gularly

The report

Out of the 11 complaints reviewed in the most recent report, four found an officer in violation of Oak Park Police Department rules and orders. The 11 complaints related to 37 alle ged rule or policy violations against 26 police officers or police personnel. And of those 37 alle ged violations, 18 were exonerated, 11 were considered unfounded, seven were sustained and one was not sustained, according to the report Most rules residents complained were violated related to performance of duty or personal conduct use of force, according to

the re port. Those complaints were generally exonerated.

Some also complained that a rule re garding knowledge of laws, rules and re gulations, policies, procedures and directives was violated. Those complaints were not sustained or unfounded.

Some complaints that were sustained, however, related to obedience to laws, rules and re gulations, and courtesy to the public. W hen a citizen makes a c omplaint about the p olice or department, Tchang explained, p olice investi gate the i ssue. Investi gations may be c onducted by a watch c ommander or i nternal af fairs. Re c ommendations are then r un through a chain of c ommand up to the p olice chief, who may c oncur or ask for further investi gation.

The police department then notifies the citizen of the action taken. The CPOC subsequently reviews investigations conducted by the police department through police re ports, audio or video footage, and by talking to police officers or the chief.

The CPOC can ag ree or disag ree with the police investigation and action taken, but the committee’s vote does not change the outcome directly. CPOC members may disagree with a rule, with the discipline, or with the outcome. But the police chief would have to act on it, if she chose.

“We are strictly a review body, so when we do disag ree, all we can really do is note the disagreement,” said Kevin Barnhart, chair of the CPOC. “We don’t have any power to direct the police department to change disciplinary recommendations or outcomes. Sometimes we are in sync, and they’ll update a recommendation, but they’re under no obligation to do so.”

Flock data

The CPOC re port also states that from July 2023 to June 2024, there were about 4 million camera scans taken by the eight Flock Automated License Plate Readers in Oak Park. Of those scans, 17 cars triggered Flock alerts, prompting the OPPD to attempt stops.

COMPLAINT ANALY SIS: Between July 2023 and June 2024, a total of 11 complaints were reviewed by the Citizen Police Oversight Committee and 37 rule or policy v iolations were investigated against a total of 26 police o cers or other police personnel. Of the 11 complaints, 4 resulted in nding an o cer v iolated Oak Park Police Depar tment rules and general orders. e internal investigation ndings were upheld by the Citizen Police Oversight Committee by a majority vote in 9 of the 11 complaints.

Of those 17 attempted stops, 15 were for a stolen vehicle, one was for an armed robbery, and one was for a connection to shots fired, according to the CPOC.

According to CPOC, police officers were not able to stop eight of the 17 vehicles, because the driver fled. So only nine Flock stops happened in this period. Of that, CPOC re ports that eight arrests were made, and three weapons were confiscated.

Police Chief Shatonya Johnson said the police will re port on Flock stops in their annual re port in early 2025. In June 2024, a majority of CPOC members recommended Flock ALPRs be removed in Oak Park. Johnson said at the time that Flock is an objective tool the department needs. The board approved the use for two more years.

Johnson confirmed Tuesday that Oak Park only shares Flock data with other police departments in Illinois.

“I’m very mindful as we move into the next four years about what data we are sharing and who has access to that data,” Trustee Brian Straw said. “[Continue] to evaluate to make sure, in particular, that no organization that would be sharing with ICE whether in Illinois or elsewhere has access to our Flock data.”

Upcoming changes

To improve the village’s citizen police oversight capabilities, the board also unan-

Re ections on 10 years at Little Gem Cafe

Oak Park owner came to area to write a book; opened bistro instead

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter

Tenth wedding anniversaries are styled as the diamond celebration. That couldn’t be more appropriate for The Little Gem Cafe as it this month marks a decade at 189 N. Marion St. in Oak Park.

Owner Judith Lalor came to Oak Park to write a book. She had closed her jazz and supper club in New York City after 15 years and was looking to reset.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to move to Barcelona, Vermont or Chicago, when I came here,” she said. “I was going to write

When a friend mentioned that The Marion Street Grill was closing, she was drawn to the space.

“I prayed on it. I’m a Christian. I said, ‘Use my hands in the world. What would you like me to do?’ I said to myself, I’m going to keep saying yes to this opportunity until it doesn’t feel right.”

She met with the landlord, and everything fell into place. “I’m called to serve through hospitality,” she said.

That idea of the soul radiating from many facets became an idea behind the restaurant Little Gem, rather than a book.

The vibe Lalor created was intended to be warm and European. She wanted it to exude vintage charm with a cozy feel and gentle lighting. The menu mirrored that as well. Today she describes it as American bistro dining.

A full bar and a wine list that spans the globe greets customers. Cocktails flow Mocktails are a specialty – a smoky mescal concoction is catching on. Favorite starters are the eggplant caprese stack and the cheese encrusted French onion soup.

Seafood paella graces the menu. Roasted chicken is an entrée hit.

“It’s juicy, but then the skin is crispy We ve a whole fish, a branzino. Everything’s delicious. You can’t go wrong,” said Lalor. Brunch is served on the weekends. Sunday through Thursday a three-course date night special includes one appetizer, two saltwo entrees, one dessert and a bottle of wine for $99.

Seven years after the main dining room opened, Lalor reached back to her jazz days in New York and opened Encore! By Little Gem next door

Live music fills the Encore! space every riday and Saturday night from 7:30-10 m. There is no cover charge, and the same menu is served, plus an extended bar and additional cocktail specials.

“I like both sides,” Lalor said. “But music’s always been a big part of my life. And have the ability to host private parties at Encore!”

Becoming embedded in the community has always been important to her too. The estaurant is an easy stroll from Holley ourt and Brookdale Living.

“I love senior citizens. They tell you stories and there’s such a richness there. They’re trying to impress you. They don’t want anything from you. They give you good sage advice,” she said.

Lalor has deep gratitude for the wider community that came together during COVID to support and sustain local restaurants. She is also grateful for her staff, who craft the magic each day. Together they strive to serves up delicious food in an environment where together ness can be forged and fostered.

“Like Mother, Teresa said, ‘People forget that we belong to each other.’ I got this review the other day on Yelp. It blew me away. I almost cried,” she said.

The reviewer mentioned the good food and service and ended with this, “The whole package is reminiscent of the family cafes in Paris. Merci!!”

“I couldn’t get over it because this person epitomized what I had in mind for this place.” Lalor says her heart is full. “I want to say thank you for a great 10 years. I’ve seen families grow. I’ve seen kids grow up and leave and come back. Let’s go round again!”

Know Before You Go

Website: thelittlegemcafe.com

Address: 189 N Marion St., Oak Park

Hours: Sunday, 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Monday: Closed

Tuesday – Thurs: 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Little Gem ow ner, Judith Lalor

LITTLE GEM

Onion and tomato tart

Pace asks riders for feedback as it reimagines its future

The suburban bus company still ser ves communities as they existed in 1983, o cials say

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Do you wish that a Pace bus stopped more frequently along the route you take to work? Or that there was another bus stop closer to your neighborhood?

Now’s the time to offer up your feedback, as Pace asks riders to be a part of reimagining its suburban bus service.

At a meeting earlier this month, Pace’s Board of Directors presented the next step of ReVision, an initiative launched last November to address how the company can evolve with suburban residents’ needs by tweaking where and how often buses run. Now, Pace is circulating an online survey and organizing three open houses – one is on Dec. 2 at Howard Mohr Community Center in Forest Park – to see just what those needs are.

At the first open house, a Zoom meeting on Nov. 20, Pace ’s executive director Melinda Metzger discussed how local transportation needs changed following the Covid-19 pandemic.

With pandemic-era federal money, Pace added more-frequent buses on routes with lots of riders, additional weekend service, and more service earlier in the day and later in the evening

“The goal of the ReVision project is to continue to provide more services and to show what a transformational investment in suburban bus service can achieve, as well as to develop a plan to adjust service that better meets postpandemic travel patterns based on available funding levels,” Metzger said.

Pace’s ReVision plan will not affect its partnership Dial-ARide services or ADA paratransit for people with disabilities.

As Pace considers how to improve suburban bus service after the pandemic, the company has analyzed draft con-

from page 15

imously approved hiring Pivot Consulting Group to review that function for $100,000.

T he C POC has b een in p lace sinc e about the early 1990’s, Tchang said. It s processes have n’ t b een reviewed or updated since then.

Pivot specializes in consulting services

cepts that focus on increasing either ridership or coverage – a tradeoff between providing service where the highest number of people travel or to as many areas as possible.

“Pace’s big existential problem comes down, in large part to the fact that it serves this huge, huge area,” said Daniel Costantino, a principal associate at Jarrett Walker Associates, a Portland, Oregon-based public transit design and planning firm that helped develop ReVision.

Pace is one of the largest bus services in North America, driving more than 3,677 square miles, or 15 times the size of Chicago.

Costantino said that, because of Pace’s large coverage area, it’s most similar to transit companies that serve entire East Coast states. He added that CTtransit, Connecticut’s bus system, provides 50% more bus service per resident than Pace does to 274 municipalities across six counties

And while ridership is high in some counties, it drops in lower density suburbs further from Chicago, where buses are often infrequent and there are geog raphical gaps in service.

“Outside of the older town centers that are mostly on the Metra line, it can be rather difficult to access transit,” Costantino said.

As Pace struggles to b alance ridership and cove rage, it also battles f unding, as federal money given out du ring the p andemic is projected to r un out by the end of next year

Pace ’s funding hasn’t grown with suburban development, officials said, and, as a result, largely remains positioned to serve communities as they existed in 1983, when Pace was founded

In 2026, regional transit, including Pace, CTA and Metra, are expected to have a deficit over $730 million. Pace officials said service will likely be cut that year, if they don’t get enough money before then.

Because Pace is unsure exactly how much funding it will get next year Costantino proposed three ReVision plans for varying financial situations.

■ The Pace Plus 10 Limited Investment concept shows a 10% increase in service, or if the Illinois legislature funded Pace just enough to get service back up to pre-Covid

on police oversight, advocating for civilian oversight in law enforcement. Village Manager Kevin Jackson pointed out that this is a niche field, and the village was for tunate to find a group with expertise and experience. Bart Logue, the team lead, explained to the board Tuesday that Pivot will conduct its work in five phases.

The first is conducting a needs assessment. The group will evaluate the current police oversight model and engage with stakeholders. The second step is to identify

Officials say Pace’s funding hasn’t grow n with suburban development, so buses largely remain positioned to ser ve co mmunities as they existed in 1983, when Pace was founded.

levels. This would include improving service frequency on certain cor ridors and more weekend service.

■ The Pace Plus 50 Ridership concept details what Pace would look like if service increased over 50%, requiring about $150 million a year in funding, and focused on generating high ridership. Pace would implement this through more frequent buses taking long, direct routes.

■ The Pace Plus 50 Coverage concept expects the same level of funding, but highlights coverage, extending service every hour far into the suburbs, but only increasing frequency on select corridors.

Pace’s online survey asks suburban residents which concept they prefer. Feedback will contribute to the drafting of the concept, and the final plan will likely be solidified next fall and implemented in 2026.

“ReVision re presents an important opportunity for the community to help build a future-focused transit system that works for everyone,” said Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski in a statement. “This initiative will shape the next generation of transit service across the re gion, and I encourage all riders and stakeholders to participate in the online survey or attend an open house.”

The second open house is at Howard Mohr Community Center in Forest Park Dec. 2 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The third is at Homewood Village Hall Dec. 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Learn more at https://www.pacebus.com/revision.

best practices and make recommendations for the village model.

Next, Pivot’s team will facilitate consultation sessions, gather feedback and work with the OPPD and CPOC. Then, the team will provide the village with a comprehensive set of recommendations for enhancing civilian oversight. Finally, Pivot will re port its findings and provide proposed action plans.

“Oversight builds trust between law enforcement and our communities that we

serve,” Logue said. “It improves police accountability and transparency. And if it’s done right, it will foster a safer and more equitable environment for all residents.”

Pivot plans to finish this project by June 2025, but Tchang said Pivot could help with implementation effor ts after, too.

“It’s important to continue to evaluate all areas of policing, as policing has just changed so much,” Tchang said. “The relationship between the community and policing has evolved so much since the 90’s.”

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS SUMMARY FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024

Copies of the detailed Annual Statement of Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024 will be available for public inspection in the school district/joint agreement administrative office by November 30, annually. Individuals wanting to review this Annual Statement of Affairs should contact: Oak

School District/Joint Agreement Name Address Telephone Office

Also by January 15, annually the detailed Annual Statement of Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024, will be posted on the Illinois State Board of Education’s website@ www.isbe.net. SUMMARY: The following is the Annual Statement of Affairs Summary that is required to be published by the school district/joint agreement for the past fiscal year. Statement of Operations as of June 31, 2024

SALARY SCHEDULE OF GROSS PAYMENTS FOR CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL AND

GROSS PAYMENT FOR CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL

Salary Range: Less Than $25,000

Adelman, Jonathan B, Bopp, Karen, Christian, Jeremy, Duran Cid del Prado, Anna M, Fencl, Mary Ellen, Fenske, Emily F, Fowlkes, Krystal M, Harris, Faith M, James, Colette , Kamm, Carrie, Kemper, Susan , Kleczka, Thomas B, L’heureux, Jean M, Malina, Victoria A, Niederman, Ann Cameron, Pearce, Sharon, Polega, Shannon E, Shaffer, Kim, Turner, Katelyn, Wangerow, Patricia A, Witz, Jeanne

Salary Range: $25,000 - $39,999

Alejos, Desi, Gonzalez, Christina, Hawk, Amy, Hwang, Jordan, King, Marybeth, McDonnell, Anne K, Relaz, Kaley M, Rzucidlo, Beata, Weiner, Briana, Williams, Mohogany Q, Word, Felicia, Wray, Jennifer M

Salary Range: $40,000 - $59,999

Barish, Erica, Branch, Rebekah D, Cafi, Edita, Campbell Tominov, Natacia, Carney, Catherine, Cole, Jordan E, Davis, Arianna, Dziallo, Michael J, Edwards, Sara, Galindo, Bianca C, Garcia, Valeria, Gray, Julia, Henry, Cassandra M, Jaffe, Katelyn, Kalember, Anna, Kerr, Nia, Konecki, Michael C, Locke, Lakesha, Martinez, Brenda A, McMahon, Hannah, OHeron, Carrie, Rodriguez Bazzi, Natalia, Schmitt, Margo L, Seatter, Kaelie M, Shea, Lisa R, Sorg, Stacy, Syndergaard, Holden, Szymczak, Cameron, Tacchi, Amber, Termini, Sarah, Turner, Nicole, Wakely, Anne, Whitehead, Georgia, Wilhite, Jill, Wilson, Megan

Salary Range: 60,000 - $89,999

Abbott, Susan, Acosta, Theoni, Adduci, Sarah N, Advani, Shilpa P, Aguirre, Lidys Y, Alheim, Mary E, Andersen, Mark, Arevalo, Cynthia, Awe, Elena, Bagley, John M, Bagri, Juliana, BAKER, JACLYN R, Banks, Tyler, Barahona Jimenez, Tania E, Barker, Ruth, Barlich, Laura, Baylian, Jessica L, Beck, John , Belmont, Kathleen E, Berenson White, Yael S, Bernstein, Jesse , Bigeck, Ryan R, Blackman, Francis, Blum, Alexis L, Bolis, Michelle J, Bowman, Taylor, Breit, Robert C, Brinkman, Catherine, Brinson, Shehara, Brown, Dana, Brown, Rachel , Brummell, Lee, Carbray, Caroline, Carlson, Christine A, Carr, Anna, Cataldo, Angela, Chambers, Megan, Chiappetta, Anneliese, Chika, Heather, Chinski, Nicole, Chu, Elizabeth Kim, CLARK, JESSICA, Clark, Laura, Clark, Natalie K, Cole, Anthony, Colucci, John P, Colucci, Michael P, Connell, Hannah C, Conroy, Shannon, Cortez, Xelina, Daniel, Matthew N, Datz, Madison A, Daun, Gina, Davis, Andrew , Davis, Clare, Deaton, Patrick , Deegan, Benjamin J, Degante, Angelica , Dion, Alana, Donovan, Georgia, Downs, Matthew, Duffy Govea, Kaitlyn, Dungca, Diane I, Ebert, Quinn Nicole, ESPINOSA, ROSEMARY, Eubeler, Meghan, Eynatten, Robert J, Ezawa Mrakovich, Bethany M, FALKIN, SARA F, Ferguson, Kelly , Fernandez-Pellon, Suzanne A, Fillyaw, Shanita, Fishman-Strait, Samuel, Fleming, Kasey, Freeman, Megan A, Freeman, Sarah E, Freiburg, Michele E, Funes, Juan C, Gagliano, Stephanie, Gallais, Nicole C, Gawne, Heidi C, Gearhart, Michelle, Gehrke, Jeffrey, Giorango, Lauren, Golemes, Lindsay K, Good, Kelly, Graber, Mary C, Grant, Nicole E, Grogan, Marjorie, Guerrero, Mark C, Guerrier, Anne Marie, Hall, Carley E, Harvey, Lawrence, Heide, Lindsay, Heidloff, Savannah L, Herron, Katie, Hill, Elizabeth Mae, Hoak, Rosa, Hodge, John, Hoskins, Steven, Hosler, Chelsea R, Houren, Jacqueline, Husbands, Nakia, Jacobson, Evan, Jaramillo, Aaron, Jirka, Heidi Marie, Jones, Jennifer M, JOY, BRANDEN,

Kadlec, Christian R, Kearns, Colleen, Keuler, Kathryn R, Kiefer, Elizabeth, Kiferbaum, Rachel S, Kiska, Lindsey M, Konovsky, Betsy, Kula, McKenzie E, Kurilko, Catherine A, Lagioia, Vito A, Law, Tyronda L, Leiby, Casey , Logan, Jennifer , Luhrs, Meagan R, Lukehart, Jason, Maggio, Sabrina K, Mandelbaum, Sabrina G, Masters, Molly J, Mellman, Sarah, Mendez, Nicole C, Meredith, Catherine G, Milliern, Jennifer, Montesino, Elizabeth, Montroy, Mary Kate, Moody, Kiera C, Moss, Charlee, MOWERY, MALLORY M, Munoz, Karla L, Murphy, Amanda, Narvaez, Carissa , Niedospial, Laurel A, Niewald, Elizabeth A, Nikolakakis, Caroline A, Nowaczyk, Steven R, O’Brien, John P, O’Donnell, Kimberly C, Pabellon, Meaghan E, Park, Hallie, Park, Shirley, Pastuovic, Jacqueline, PEACOCK, KATHRYN, Perkins, Steven D, Perry, Courtney M, Planek, Anne M, Plumley, Sada J, Powell-Stewart, Keisha M, Raad, Jason , Raad, Kelly A, Ranney, Shabaaz R, Reardon, Keith , Reyes, Hannah , Reynoso, Raul A, Ricker, George , Rodriguez, Juan , Rodriguez, Tasia , Rojas, Lauren Kate, Russ, Jennifer, Rutsch, Natalie E, Ryan, Alyssa R, Sassetti, Robert F, Sbarboro, Francesca, Scanlon, Luke, Schaeflein, Kaitlyn E, Schmidt, Joshua, Schubow, Veronica S, Schulte, Patrick E, Sciara, Susan, Scott, Dominique, Sefcik, Brooke A, Shadoian, Jennifer, Shanahan, Donald, Siddiqi, Lamia F, Simatic, Charles M, Small, Stephanie D, Smith, Esther, Sorensen, Michael , STARKS, BERNARD, Stenger, Julia, Stigger, Nichelle, Stringham, Nefret H, Sutschek, Taylor A, Talarico, Mark, Taylor, Bianca, Tencate, Therese, Thomas, Gretchen, Torres, Rebecca, Tracy, Samantha Stewart, Tsaganos, Georgia, Tucker, Miranda, Tyler, Courtney M, Tysse, Kate M, Valle, Kelly M, Vella, Elisa B, Vella, Megan, Villa, John, Ward, Rebecca C, WARING, MARIA , Wawzenek, David C, Weck, Madonna N, Wehman, Christine S, Weigel, Theresa, Wheatley, Rachel A, White, Victorya, Whitfield, Mekita K., Williams, Nina, Winkelhake, Hilary Ann, Withers, Richard, Wittenborn, Michael, Youman, Lisa M, Zand, Noah, Zaragoza, Silvia, Zarosl, Jennifer L, Zubinski, Peter J

Salary Range: $90,000 and over

Ablan, Megan, Alejos, Katy J, Ali, Hussain, Anderson, Michelle , Andries, Paula , Apostol, Emmanuel, Arensdorff, Michael, Ashford, Kristine, Bachmann, Eric, Baker, Amy , Baker, Caroline, Baker, Seth, Baldassarre, Jennifer R, Banks, Renita, Barnard, James, Bauman, Natalie, Bautista, Adam P, Beader, Kimberly, Bell-Bey, Kila, Berger, Colleen M, Berger, Kevin E, Berman, Abigayle B, Bielecki, Sarah, Blecha, Joel, Borah, Cynthia, Boudreau, Hannah C, Bowens, Roshaun, Boyle, Malachy J, Brazen, Donna J, Brooks, Clare, Brown, Kina L, Brown, Lauren S, Browning, Jennifer, Bruno, Molly, Buckley, Jennifer A, Budde, Leslie, Bulger, Mark J, Bultas, Christina A, Burries, Catina , Butler, Tequila, Cahill, Mary M, Cairns, Katherine, Campbell, Natalie, Capio, Michele M, Capuder, April, Cardelli, Roxane Marie, Carrillo, Fernando, Casanovas, Joseph, Casselle, Rahwa, Chase Vivas, Elizabeth, Childress, Erica, Childress, Marvin , Chinn, Amy , Chrystall, Linda, Ciosek, Anne, Circo, Carla J, Clark, Nicole, Coglianese, Steven, Colella, Jessica A, Collins, Monica, Colmenero, Maria Elvira, Conley, Laurie Ann, Conroy, Aisling N, Conway, Elizabeth A, Corcoran, Ellen , Costanzo, Danielle N, Court, Adrienne Lynn, Cousin, Johanna, Creehan, Emilie, Cruz, Michael Christian, Dabney, Veronica, Darley, Anne E, De Leon, Luis, Decancq, Nicole M, Degman, Kiera, Delia, Caroline, DeSanto, Jordan , Dinatale, Jacqueline, Dolan, Emilie C, Dolan, Michael James, Domecq, Juan, Dorka, Meghan J, Doyle, Carolyn, Dunn, Julieann, Egner, Katherine K, Eichstaedt, Douglas, Featherstone, Jeffrey R,

Fenske, Jessie, Flynn, Nora Katherine, Fogg, Karen E, Foleno, Karen, Fourman, Grace, Friel, Juliette, Friesen, Judy, Gaffney, Pam A, Garcia, Felicia, Gates, Ryan, Germanier, Janette M, Gibson, Shantorria , Gildon, Denise M, Glover-Rogers, Donna, Gonsur, Steve R, Goodman, Megan C, Gordon, Ryan T, GriffinArmstrong, Rhapsody A, Grimaldi, Hilary K, Groben, Patricia L, Guarino, Nancy , Gulley, Canika, Gunnell, Sharon L, Hamm, Tracy J, Hancock, Joshua, Hanna, Lisa, Haro, Sari, Harrington, Christiana, Hart, Deanna, Haus, Darren, Hausfeld, Mark, Hayward, James M, Heide, Nora, Hiatt, Clare, Hoehne, Nancy R, Holmes, Gerald L, Hoover, Stephanie, Hoskins, Monique, Hufnus, Anne, Hughes, Paula R, Isler, Alex, Ivey, Marion, Jacoby, Rocio R, Jamrosz, Christine M, Janu-Chossek, Lori, Jaros, Jennifer A, Jaskiewicz-Garcia, Margaret, Jefferson, Amy R, Jensen, Bess A, Jerkatis, Aaron, Johnson Thompson, Arnetta, Johnson, Evette F, Johnson, Sheila S, Jones, Kimberly G, Kanavos, Stacey, Kannan, Ashley A, Kanwischer, Thomas, Karia, Anjali Asokan, Kaunelis, Lauren, Kelleher, Dierdre, Kelly, Kathleen H, Kelly, Mary E, Keto, Erica, Kibblesmith, Rachel E, King, Julianne, Kinnaman, Anna P, Klette, Katharine, Knox, Catherine M, Kontos, Elena , Koransky, Tamara, Kraft, Darren, Kramer, Sally E, Kula, Taylor, Lacey, Beth, Lawrence, Tawanda, Leban, Todd, Lee, Miles C, Lee, William, Lofton, Eboney L, Louthan, Sarah, Lyles, Sherita, Mabry, Amber Dawn, Maciak, Matthew , Maher, Jacqueline P, Manns, Yolanda, Manuel, Melissa, Mariani, Amy D, Marinelarena, Liza , Martin, Angela B, Martinez, Blanca Noemi, McCauley, John, McComb-Williams, Chasity, McDaniels, Danielle, McDonald, Timothy, McDowell, John W, McGlynn, William J, McKeand, Lauren M, McKinney, Carin C, McKinney, Wesley , Meglan, Laura, Meierhoff, Molly Anne, Meilinger, Rebecca J, Meisinger, Rebecca, Mendez, Sarah D, Merriweather, George T, Middleton, Donna, Milburn, Jessica, Mild-Thomas, Shellie, Miller, Karolyn, Missman, Anna, Missman, Jeffrey, Mohammad, Marta, Morrell, Jason, Mosley, Ashley, Mulsoff, Beth, Mura, Susan M, Murawski, Nathan, Murray, Kristiana C, Naber, Scott, Nagano, Virginia, Narvaez, Delfidio J, Nelson, Allison, Nelson, Jennifer, Nelson, Sondra, Neubert, Ulrike, Ninan, Jincy, Noonan, Katie M, O’Keefe, Kathleen M, Olsen, Jennifer J, Olson, Steven, Orrico, Jennifer A, Otten, Deanna, Packer, Paul E, Pacyna, Jill, Parkinson, Betsy, Parr, Noelle J, Patino, Margaret, Patterson, Elisabeth, Pelling, Lori E, Pepp, Rebecca, Peronto, Aniela, Perros, Sarah, Peterson, Jamie A, Pettenuzzo, Marissa Grace, Pines, Nicole L, Podlasek, Eric, Poleski, Margaret, Pruitt, Cristina Eve, Pryor, Nicole L, Raia, Jennifer, Rajashekar, Veena, Rapoport, Carolyn, Reeves, Laura A, Rehfield, Marianne E, Reising, Thomas, Rhoades, Jennifer S, Richards, Jennifer H, Rigali, Megan B, Righeimer, Andrew, Robertson, Stacey, Robey, Seth, Robinson, Patrick C, Robinzine, Lauren M, Rocco, Thomas, RODGERS, JOSHUA C, Rollo, Richard H, Roman, Edgar, Romine, Corynne, Rosenblum, Gabrielle, Roskos, Meagan K, Rudin, Lisa, Ruff, Michaela, Ruiz-Haneberg, Maria, Ryan, Sean, Ryan, Sideeka, Sakellaris, Kara, Sakellaris, Nicholas J, Saliny, Lauren, Saliny, Shannon, Santos, Bessie, Scahill, Rebecca Marie, Scaro, Leanne, Schrems, Sheila Vietzen, Seymour, Andrew, Shah, Ushma, Shannon, Ericka Christina, Sheth, Jane Sabatino, Shinners, Brian K, Sigunick, Julie, Simmons, Kendra L, Smith, Elyse , Southward, Courtney, Spillane, Karri L, Stamp, Laura K, Starks, Felicia, Stewart, Megan , Suedbeck, Michele M, Suerth, Stephanie, Sullivan, Cheryl C, Sundquist, Kristen E, Swanson, Mary, Swistowicz, Phillip , Tague, Emily, Taino, Meghan J, Tangorra, Michael, Tatro, Hannah, Tomalis,

Deborah L, TORRES, SERGIO, Trathen, Kathryn S, Tresselt, Susan, Trout, Lauren B, Turi, Stella, Utter, Rory K, Vietzen, Elizabeth, Villasin, Katherine, Vincenti, Lawrence, Vogt, Amy, Von Bokern, Mandra, Walsh, Susan, Walsh, Timothy, Weber, Rachel, Weiss, Leslie E, Welchko, Christina R, Wetzel, Christine E, White, Veronica, Williams, David , Williams, Emile, Williams, Jillian, Williams, Rasheedah, Williams, Sarah C, Wilson, Cynthia, Winchell, Jamie L, Winchell, Ryan, Winfield, Porsche, Wiza, Noah P, Woods, Emily J, Woodson, Erin P, Yocius, Mary E, Youngberg, Michael, Youngberg, Rachel D, Zander, James, Zelaya, Christine

GROSS PAYMENT FOR NON-CERTIFIED PERSONNEL

Salary Range: Less Than $25,000 Aguirre, Hector A, Alcorn, Lisa Alexander, Jolynn L, Allen, Khaliliah L, Anderson, Vergia Andrade, Pedro V, Atwood, Kimberly Leja, Avila, Stephanie Bade, Debra Badynee, Casimer B, Baker, Owen A, Baker-Mills, Shetrice BarkerAriga, Amanda Battle, Tkeyah Beauprez, Lynne R, Bell, Tyrone Benjamin, Terese S, Berg, Carolyn Bernabe, Carrie Bishop, Marc Bizot, John Blackney, Sabrina Bochner, Michael Boone, Howard Bowman, Derica M, Bowman, Jasmine Brown, Teresa Brown, Tonya Denise, Bulls, Jennifer A, Bunch, Janice R, Burger, Jacqueline Byrne, Lucienne Calahan, Mark Calbert, Justin Carreon, Ninel Cascio, Amy Casho, Gloria E, Christian, Ruby Ciosek, Mark Clark, Shurea c, Coaker, Lloyd Coleman, Amaya Coleman, Ashika Coleman, Evelyn J, Conner, Sharon R, Constans, Laura E, Cowart, Jeff Craig, Lucas J, Criollo, Joshua Criollo, Narciza Cross, Tanisha Damian, Geralyn A, Danton, Maya DeJesus - Vasquez, Melissa Deloera, Nicholas S, Delvalle, Jacob Dembski, Debra Denis, Kevin J, Dennis, Joseph G, Dimas, Javiar Dluger, Lisa Donald, Brenda J, Duffy, Nollaig Dunn, Jeanette D, Edwards, Jacquelyn R, Edwards, Lois E, Edwards, Ryan J, Ellis, Zanah B, Enos, Barbara Fine, Michael D, Fitz, Angela Ford, Damika Fromm, Maribeth Frost, Gail Fuenmayor, Elizabeth Fuentes, Gabriela Fuentes, Jesus Fuller, Donna Fussichen, Anne Gasbarro, Adam Gates, Layla Gilbert, Morgan Godek, Diane M, Gosby, Ruth Green, Christine Green, Kimberly Hampton, Candice Harbaugh, Meenah G, Hatcher, Andrew Hernandez, Alejandro Hernandez, Angel Hernandez, Eduardo Hernandez, Luis A, Hernandez, Ramon L, Hervatin, Katya Hester-Francis, Nicole Higgs, Larry J, Hill, Patricia Hobbs, Mildred Holmes, Jasmine Horner, Stephanie A, Howard, Frances C, Howard, Lauryn Hurlburt, Teddy Husband, Kywanni Husbands, Addie Hutcherson, Devin D, Igal, Claudia M, Inksetter, Julia D, Irons, Jonetta S, Iversen, Ingrid L, Jackson, Sterling Jacobs, MaryKate Jennings, Regina Johannesson, Lucille Johnson, Grace Johnson, Kerry Jolicouer, Claire Jones, Brittany Jones, Esther Jones, Venus R, Jones-Thomas, Gloria J, Jordan, Jeanette Juette, Kevin J, Jupp, Matthew D, Kane, Laurie A, Keefe, Saosophy King, Patrick D, Koff, Lynda Kowalczyk, Patricia Kuffel, Linda Lalli, Wendy Lewis, Shelly Lewis, Yolanda Lewis, Zyion Liebman, Gale Lindsey, Ashley Lococo, Frank S, Lofton, Alverdis Lofton, Brandi Lofton, Katherine Logerquist, Kristin Lonzo, Lavonia Loud, Janice Madsen, Susan M, Mansfield, Molly Martinez, Ashlee Mason, Dontacia Maughn, Andene Maxfield, Sarah McClellan, Brittney McClellan, Grayden McCollough, Laura A, McCreary, Kelly McCurdy, Joanna M, McDermott, Jennifer A, McFarlin, Suzanne McGee, Daniel McGoey, Jason J, McGowan, Magali B, McGrone, Ashley McKinney, Debra McMullen, Adrienne McNamee, Steven Medina, Gabriela N, Mendoza,

It’s Thanksgiving week. We are thankful for our readers, especially those who also support our reader supported nonprofit newsroom.

This holiday week also leads right into Giving Tuesday (Dec. 3). In the nonprofit news biz, we call it Giving News Day Yes, we’re clever and we like puns.

It’s an important part of our end-of-year campaign. So important that our MatchMakers, our most loyal supporters, have already pooled their donations so can we DOUBLE YOUR DONATION to GCM’s Wednesday Journal, Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark. This $25,000 match will double your donation through Giving Tuesday. Right now we’re at 66% of our $50,000 goal. These are dollars we need to pay reporters, fuel digital projects and keep reporting stories no one else is covering across our nine neighborhoods.

Homes

Oak Park River Forest Museum returns to its roots with chili cook o

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

On Dec. 5, the Oak Park River Forest Museum will be going back to its roots as a firehouse with a community chili cook-of f featuring the culinary ef for ts of the Oak Park and River Forest firehouses.

Frank Lipo, executive director of the Oak Pa River Forest Historical Society, credits the Historical Society’s board with coming up with the idea last year. The building that houses the Historical Society’s Museum was originally built as a firehouse in 1898.

The building was designed by architect and Oak Pa resident William J. Van Keuren in the Richardson Romanesque style. Originally, the building served as Cicero Fire House No. 2 and was the only municipal building that preceded the incorporation of the Village of Oak Park.

Last December, the Museum celebrated the 125th anniversary of the building. During that celebration, members read news articles from 1898 commemorating the

Oak Park River Forest Museum when it was a rehouse in1903.

“The board wanted to keep on celebrating the fact that this building was a firehouse, but we wanted to incorporate our local firehouses this year,” Lipo said.

Historical Society volunteer and past board president Jan Dressel, who is organizing the event, reached out to the local fire departments, who were very enthusiastic about participating. The Oak Park Fire Department promptly accepted the invitation and challenged the River Forest Fire Depar tment to a chili cook of f. Game on.

Guests of the chili cook-off will not only be treated to the fruits of the fire departments’ labors, but they will also vote for a winner, giving one fire department bragging rights.

Lipo pointed out that firehouses play an important role in the community and in the lives of the firefighters.

“Unlike our other municipal services providers, firefighters basically live in their firehouses,” he said. “They cook meals there and spend their days or nights there.”

T he fact that the OPRF Museum was once a firehouse forg es a bond between Oak Park’s past and current day, and Lipo said that’s a part of the bigger picture behind the mission of the Historical Society and the Museum.

See CHILI COOK OFF on pa ge 23

PHOTO BY PHILANDER BARCLAY/OAK PARK RIVER FOREST MUSEUM

CHILI COOKOUT

Warm reception

from page 21

“Our goal is to tell Oak Park and River Forest stories, and this is a great way to tell the story of our building and have fun with the building’s history,” he added.

Lipo said that during the restoration of the building, they called upon that past as a firehouse, even inviting a fire truck to the grand re-opening event in 2017.

Just like most historic buildings, the museum building has had many lives since its dedication in 1898. Lipo said that after its tenure as a firehouse, the building served the public in a variety of roles, from being a public works building, to a public health outpost, to serving as a polling place.

The Historical Society and Museum might not be a part of village government, but Lipo noted that they still serve a publicfacing role and want to honor and reco gnize the role that public service has played in the village

Inviting the public out to dinner with the Oak Park and River Forest fire departments is one way to do that.

What you need to know

The OPRF Chili Cook-Of f takes place Thursday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. at the Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St. in Oak Park

Admission is a suggested donation of $10, with proceeds split with the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, which offers aid to burn victims.

Your ticket price includes both chilis, with all the fixings, as well as cornbread, soft drinks, apple cider and dessert.

Reservations are required by Saturday, Nov. 30. Please sign up by emailing oprfhistorymatters@sbcglobal.net or calling the museum at 708-848-6755.

During the Chili Cook-Of f, the Museum will be drawing the winners of a Radio Flyer scooter and wagon. To enter, find all of the LEGO Minifigures in the Museum’s Hometown Legends Scavenger. There is still time to enter the drawing by visiting the museum during re gular hours, 1-5 p.m. and searching for the minifigures among the exhibits.

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS SUMMARY FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024

Copies of the detailed Annual Statement of Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024 will be available for public inspection in the school district/joint agreement administrative office by November 30, annually.

Individuals wanting to review this Annual Statement of Affairs should contact:

Oak Park-& River Forest High SD 200 201 N Scoville Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302-2264 708-434-3278

Call to make an appointment

School District/Joint Agreement Name Address Telephone Office Hours

Also by January 15, annually the detailed Annual Statement of Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024, will be posted on the Illinois State Board of Education’s website@ www.isbe.net.

SUMMARY: The following is the Annual Statement of Affairs Summary that is required to be published by the school district/joint agreement for the past fiscal year. Statement of Operations as of June 30, 2024

PAYMENTS OVER $2,500, EXCLUDING WAGES AND SALARIES

RIVER

JOSTENS PRINTING & PUBLISHINaG 4,305.65

AARON ARMSTRONG 2,600.00

KENDALL/HUNT PUBLISHING 36,847.20

ABLE ACADEMY 157,107.41

KENTUCKY DEPARMENT OF REVENUE 4,645.03

ACACIA ACADEMY 35,840.64

KES PRO TECHS COMPANY 2,850.00

ACCURATE BIOMETRICS 10,820.00

KEY WEST METAL INDUSTRIES INC 95,521.50

ACTE WORK-BASED LEARNING 3,800.00

KIEFER 3,606.40

ACTION TO HEALING 34,000.00

KINGS III 2,560.44

ACTIVE INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES 18,855.00

KONE 79,609.15

ADA SPORTS AND RACKETS, LLC 3,270.00

KUSTOM 13,643.08

ADVANTAGE NETWORK, INC. 3,140.30

KUUMBA LYNX 3,000.00

ADVISA 9,000.00

LAKE-COOK DISTRIBUTORS, INC 17,911.21

AIRGAS USA 7,480.65

LAKESHORE LEARNING MATERIALS 4,200.00

AIRPORT ELECTRIC 503,471.28

LANGUAGE TESTING INTERNATIONAL, INC 4,135.00

ALLIANT INSURANCE

ANDY FRAIN SERVICES 26,219.03

MAKEMUSIC, INC. 3,113.25

APPLE FINANCIAL SERVICES 51,659.91

MAKERBOT INDUSTRIES LLC 2,691.31 APPLE STORE 123,958.70

MARILYN MARSHALL 4,905.00

APRIL BUILDING SERVICES, INC

MARYVILLE ACADEMY 271,028.32

AQUA PURE ENTERPRISES, INC. 7,844.03

MC ADAM LANDSCAPING, INC

ARBITER SPORTS

MC CAULEY MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION

ARCHER ELECTRIC SUPPLY 10,817.29

MC WILLIAMS ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC 8,165.00

ARCHIVE SOCIAL

MCGRAW-HILL

MECK

MENTA ACADEMY MIDWAY SOUTHWEST

GARAGE

MIDWEST INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS

BEYOND HUNGER- OP & RF FOOD PANTRY

MIDWEST MOVING & STORAGE, INC.

BHFX 20,865.70

MIDWEST SECURITY PRODUCTS

BIOZONE CORPORATION

MINDFUL MIX

BLICK ART MATERIALS

BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING, INC. 3,646.00 MPS

BLUEMACK 3,841.53

MS. ROBERTS ACADEMY

BMI SUPPLY

MSDSONLINE 3,938.00

BMO HARRIS BANK N.A.

MUSIC & ARTS CENTER

BMO HARRIS MASTERCARD

MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL 5,507.31

BOARD OF EDUCATION

DIST #97 OPRF HI

NATIONAL CHEERLEADING ASSOCIATION

BOATHOUSE SPORTS 5,075.95

NATIONAL DANCE ALLIANCE 3,600.00

BOB’S DAIRY

NCS-PEARSON INC.

50,000.00

CAPSTAN NETWORKS, LLC 28,443.75

OAK PARK COUNTRY CLUB 3,808.40

CARDINAL COLOR GROUP 12,639.50

OAK PARK PIANO 2,705.00

CARDIO PARTNERS 3,634.04

OAK PARK TWNSHP YOUTH SERVICES 28,129.50

CAROLINA BIOLOGICAL SUPPLY 8,988.31

OCONOMOWOC DEVELOPMENT

TRAINING CEN 249,712.85

CARRIER COMMERCIAL SERVICES 5,000.00

OMBUDSMAN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 28,840.00

CARRIER CORPORATION 7,860.32

OMNI 3,030,088.90

CATILIZE HEALTH 212,380.79 ON DECK SPORTS 6,351.36

CDW GOVERNMENT, INC. 992,652.97

OPRFHS/FACULTY SENATE DUES 215,272.62

CENGAGE LEARNING 20,086.19

OPTIMAL HOME INSPECTIONS, LLC 3,900.00

CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES 40,657.50

OVERDRIVE, INC. 5,234.10

CERAMIC SUPPLY CHICAGO 4,893.90

P.A. CRIMSON 9,068.85

CHADDOCK 70,524.22

PANORAMA EDUCATION, INC 19,250.00

CHAMPION - GTM SPORTWEAR 2,609.43

PARISI SPEED SCHOOL CHICAGO 12,070.00

CHANDLER DECISION SERVICE, LLC 8,025.00

PARKE REGENCY HOTEL & CONFERENCE CE 4,578.00

CHANGE ACADEMY AT LAKE OF THE OZARK 191,879.81

PARKWAY FORMING INC 347,235.00

CHICAGO CHILDREN’S THEATRE 2,500.00

PEKRON CONSULTING 42,590.00

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

PAYMENTS OVER $2,500, EXCLUDING WAGES AND SALARIES (CONT’D)

QUADIENT LEASING USA, INC (MAILFIAN 14,247.15

COOPERATIVE ASSN FOR SPECIAL ED 73,164.09

QUALTRICS, LLC 9,108.19

COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION LLC 28,150.00

QUINLAN & FABISH 3,884.14

COURT THEATRE 4,680.00

R.E. WALSH & ASSOCIATES, INC 8,505.00

COURTESY ELECTRIC, INC 134,280.00

RAYNER & RINN-SCOTT, INC 14,917.43

COVE SCHOOL 79,900.50 REALITY WORKS 2,927.52

CRAIG R LARSON 21,280.00 RED ROVER TECHNOLOGIES LLC 17,884.00

CRESCENT ELECTRIC SUPPLY CO 8,449.83 REMIND101

CUSTOM

ROBBINS

ROBOTICS EDUCATION & COMPETITION FO 2,809.72

DANIEL LEE MOORE 6,000.00

ROUNDARCH ISOBAR, INC 16,000.00

DAVID STICKNEY 4,630.47

RSP & ASSOCIATES, LLC 13,500.00 DAVIS BANCORP INCORPORATED 4,213.65

RUDE AMERICAN USA 16,782.51

DBHMS 14,050.00

S.B.C. WASTE SOLUTIONS 51,367.23

DCG ROOFING SOLUTIONS, INC 1,086,993.58

SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY LLC 62,034.33

DECISIONED GROUP, INC 36,955.00

SCANTEX BUSINESS SYSTEMS 9,090.00

DELTA DENTAL PLAN OF ILLINOIS 603,917.07

SCENARIO LEARNING LLC 7,350.30

DELTAMATH SOLUTIONS INC. 3,060.00

SCHOOL SPECIALTY 5,825.95

DEMCO 5,372.90

SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATES, INC 10,056.75 DES PLAINES VALLEY REGION 60,866.00

SCHOOLINKS, INC 24,150.00

DILIGENT CORPORATION 8,500.00

SCOPE SHOPPE INC 3,538.00

DIRECT ENERGY BUSINESS, LLC 648,880.32

SCRIBLE, INC. 12,600.80

EDUNOVELA.COM/TREEFROG

SMITH’S BELL AND CLOCK 8,000.00 EDWARD DON & CO 7,012.82

SOARING EAGLE ACADEMY, INC

EILEEN M. BRANN

SOCCER 2000 3,818.00

ELEVATE CHEER & TUMBLE, LLC 2,875.00

SOIL AND MATERIAL CONSULTANTS, INC 19,912.00

ELIM CHRISTIAN SERVICES 112,599.93

SONIA SHANKMAN ORTHOGENIC SCHOOL 431,249.42

ELITE SPORTSWEAR 7,062.39

SOUNDTRAP US INC. 4,650.00

ELSEVIER, INC 3,117.97

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL PUBLISHING 7,858.75

EMBI TEC 4,670.00

SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS 15,971.33

EMBRACE EDUCATION 22,571.00

SPIRIT PRODUCTS 24,119.00

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CORPORATION 555,158.33

SPORTS CONNECTION GEAR 10,362.21

EMPOWER HEALTH SERVICES 27,547.00 SPRINGSHARE, LLC 2,501.00

ENERGY

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS SUMMARY FOR FISCAL

GROSS PAYMENT FOR CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL

Salary Range: Less Than $25,000 Alexander, Nancy Lael,Al-Kurdi, Lara Abdelhadi,Allon, Antonio Jose,Andrews, Christopher J,Anzaldi, Susan,Apschnikat, Tessa Hope,Arreola, Jose,Baron, Matthew William,Belpedio, Linda A,Boland, Charles M,Boland, Harry,Bringley, Maria,Brown, Douglas E,Brown, Ricky Natteil,Bry, Kevin Edward,Buzzard, Allyson,Chlipala, Leah,Collins, Mark S,Connelly, Liam Joseph,Connelly, Patricia C,Conrick, Teresa B,Corvo, Angela,Costopoulos, John T,Cotiguala, James R,Cousin, Janice,Davis, Gwyneth,Davis, Willie,De La Cruz, Justin R,Detzner, Brendan,Dore, Paul,Dossey, Madeleigh D,Duvvuri, Arianna S,Dyhrkopp, Zachary Erik,Farmer, Martin James,Farrell, John James,Fitzgibbons, Susan,Fluharty, Johsua Dean,Foley, Timothy David,Funes, Juan Carlos,Gatilao, Janina Nichole,Giacotto, Suzanne L,Glamoclija, Natasa,Hamilton, John,Himes Jr, Lewis,Hunt, Henry,Kang, George Shan

STATE OF ILLINOIS

ERSKINE REEVES BARBER ACADEMY

STEPHANIE APOSTOLOS

ESSCOE, LLC

EXCEL EDGE

STUKENT, INC

EXPLORE LEARNING, LLC

SUNBELT STAFFING 7,888.00

FACILISERV, INC 7,292.00

SUPER CDA

FELICITY SCHOOLS LLC

SWANK MOTION PICTURE, INC.

FENWICK HS

SWEETWATER

SWIFTREACH NETWORKS, LLC 4,875.00

FIELDTURF USA, INC.

SYSCLOUD

H I S

TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM

FOLLETT CONTENT SOLUTIONS, LLC

TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM

FOREST PARK BAKERY

TELCOM INNOVATIONS GROUP, LLC

TESTA PRODUCE, INC

FRAME WAREHOUSE

TEXTHELP, INC

FRANCZEK RADELET 93,918.52

THE BOELTER COMPANIES, INC

FREDERICK L. CHAMBERLAIN CENTER, IN 207,617.72

THE CARIOSCIO GROUP 59,620.16

FRONTLINE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC 17,912.74

THE LEARNING HOUSE 22,164.36

GARVEY’S OFFICE PRODUCTS 53,803.70 THE LOCKER SHOP - UNIQUE APPAREL SO 3,232.00

GCG FINANCIAL, LLC 65,945.30

THE PERFECT MOUND 17,125.00

GEM ELECTRIC SUPPLY, INC 6,362.73

THE PREDICTIVE INDEX 11,200.00

GIANT STEPS ILLINOIS, INC 72,591.10

THE ZERO CARD, INC. 9,810.15

GILBANE 3,021,559.92

THERMFLO 16,786.00

GILCO SCAFFOLDING COMPANY, LLC 4,205.00

THOMSON REUTERS 9,423.55

GLEN OAKS THERAPEUTIC DAY SCHOOL 89,302.17

Dyi,Kimmel, Carol,Kinnan, Glynis J,Kruszynska-Piper, Magdalena,Kult, Julie A,Kwong, Meghan,Lindholm, Blake R,Luchez, Sylvia Prokopowicz,MacKenzie, Nigel,Madden, Lori,McCarthy, James,McDowell-Wilson, Volonda N,McGinnis, Nancy P,McMullen, Adrienne Spiegel,Muhammad, Nadiah Tahirah Harper,Nu-Tall, Kimberly A,Ogundipe, Kathleen J,O’Malley, Kristen Mary,Orozco, Guadalupe,Pabellon, Meaghan,Parker, Dana,Patterson, Gregory,Pena-Davis, Janet,Pligge, James D,Read, Claire Elizabeth,Reed, Alden Scot,Renteria, Christian Jeremy,Rinaldi, Anna Sevgi,Robinson, Minnie,Robinson-Parran, James A,Roundtree, Joan,Ruzicka, Carole,Scherer-Emunds, Daniel,Schultz, Jeffrey,Shallenberger, Thomas M,Siemer, Logan Angeline,Silver, Jonathan S,Soo, Tiffany,Sora, Dwight E,Takanti, Leslee,Tomkins, Angela R,Triplett, Jakeiyah S,Tsilimigras, Kathy,Vanbiesbrouck, Kimberly Alice,Varner, Hilary Lucele,Villegas-Garcia, David,Walsh, Jeremy Stephen,Weinand, Dylan S,West, Brianna N O,White, Drake Thorin,Williams, Carla C

THREE POINTS CENTER NORTH CAROLINA 87,449.96

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR AFRICA 4,665.00

T-MOBILE 9,000.00

GOLDSTAR LEARNING, INC. 21,456.32

TOTEM LUMBER SUPPLY 6,897.17

GOODHEART-WILCOX CO INC 5,692.61

TPRS BOOKS - DIV OF 3,923.00

GORDON FLESCH 77,247.58

TRIMARK MARLINN 23,881.89

GORDON FOOD SERVICE, INC 997,111.07

TRITON COLLEGE 2,565.00

GRAINGER 30,651.88

TROPHIES BY GEORGE 3,097.85

GRAND GENEVA RESORT & SPA 3,849.38

TURNITIN 15,575.00

GRAPH PAD SOFTWARE, LLC 3,116.00

UCP SEQUIN / INFINITEC 2,903.88

GREAT LAKES COCA-COLA DISTRIBUTION, 116,158.19

UDEMY, INC 18,960.00

GROVE SCHOOL, INC 405,283.03

ULINE 5,611.54

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA, NFP 12,147.00

UNCHARTED LEARNING, NFP 7,500.00

HD SUPPLY 5,020.99

UNIFIED POWER 9,431.69

HEALTHCARE SERVICE CORPORATION 7,385,712.58

UNIQUE PRODUCTS 137,278.18

HEALTHPRO REHABILITATION 51,044.25

UNITED RADIO COMM, INC. 7,928.15

HENRY SCHEIN 5,094.37

UNIVERSAL DANCE ASSOCIATION 13,707.00

HIGH VOLTAGE MAINTENANCE 2,772.00

US FITNESS SERVICE 5,476.88

HILL PEDAGOGIES SERVICES INC 14,000.00

UW MADISON 15,000.00

HINSDALE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 4,055.00

VARSITY SPIRIT FASHIONS & SUPPLIES, 5,203.95

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF OPRF 9,500.00

VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 8,773.29

HOH WATER TECHNOLOGY, INC. 14,069.75

VEREGY CENTRAL, LLC 1,066,416.70

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES 3,458.00

VERITEXT 2,558.68

HOME DEPOT CREDIT SERVICES 9,278.40

VERIZON CONNECT 7,071.91

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN 5,905.65

VERIZON WIRELESS 27,296.19

HOUSING FORWARD 4,665.00

VERNIER SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGY 11,019.99

HRP CHICAGO 5,175.00

VESTIS 4,776.37

HUDL 21,186.25

VEX ROBOTICS 7,225.34

HUNT TECHNOLOGY MGMNT LTD 12,744.10

VILLAGE OF OAK PARK 191,133.27 HYATT REGENCY CHICAGO 100,639.38

Salary Range: $25,000 - $39,999

Barnds, Rosemary,Bovan-Morrow, Arlysha D,Castro Arias, Luisa F,Harvey, Damien,Huber, Paul Ronald,Mcguire, Luke P,Miller, Maureen,Prendergast, Michael,Renteria, Erik,Roche, Mark,Volz, Megan Elizabeth

Salary Range: $40,000 - $59,999

Alvarado, Kara R,Blanco, Lauren,Corbett, Laura,Graham, Cecilia,Kuntz, Jane,Leuschel-Perzov, Erin K,McGee, Raquel B J,Rooker, Olivia Angela,Tarantino-Spoor, Carley,Wong, Cindy,Yamamoto, Mika S

Salary Range: 60,000 - $89,999

Alwawi, Wafaa A,Buchanan, Erin M,Campo, Fiona M,Caraballo Iii, Wilson,Castro, Diana O,Culloton, Brendon M,Del Fiacco, Velia,Farrow, Elizabeth,Faulkner, Lisa M,Faust, C Stan,Fotzler, Kimberly L,Garcia, Amber Lea,Glass, Marvin H,Gonzales, Marco A,Grieve, Daniel A,Gronli, Leena K,Hawley, Kathleen A,Jaszka, Emily M,Kane, Elizabeth G,Levin, Adam,Leyva,

Antonio F,Lombardi, Cristin S,Luginbill, Robert A,Major, Lindsay E,Martinez, Brianna C,Martinez, Melissa R,McHugh, Dillon,Merens, Hannah,Ovalle, Rex,Payne, Reginald G,Rogers, Nathaniel C,Skalnik, Kelly A,Smithson, Janelle S,Stallter, Brianna M,Thompson, Jaclyn,Villasenor, Kaley,Vishneski, Peter A,Wampler, Caroline G,Wray, John H,Yorty, Natalie,Zhang, Michelle J

Salary Range: $90,000 and over Achurra, Francisco,Achurra, Lauren,Ackerman, Craig,Ambrose, Brandi M,Applewhite, Latonya R,Arbogast, Anthony R,Arceo-Witzl, Ixtla R,Arends, Lauren A,Avalos, Carmen,Bader, Adam,Baer, Brittany M,Baldwin, Christopher,Bayer, Michelle R,Bell, James E,Bellamy, Octavius T,Belpedio, Kristina M,Bencola, Ginger,Bernthal, David B,Beyers, Brian D,Biasiello, Toni,Bishop, Janel L,Blakley, Kermit,Bohne, Kara A,Booth, Christine N,Borja, James,Boyce, Liliana,Brown, Andrew,Brown, Kiah J,Brueggemann, Louise,Burbano, Jaime M,Burns, Linda

G,Byars, Michael B,Cahill, Meghan,Cain, Benjamin J,Cairo, Jenna L,Calcuttawala, Nabiha,Callaghan, Kevin A,Campbell, Kevin T,Campbell, Tia D,Cano, Paula,Carlson, Linda M,Carparelli, Annamaria,Carrow-Sever, Michelle M,Cartier, Kirsten A,Cason Iii, George A,Cermak, Lindsey M,Chichester, D James,Clark, Anthony V,Clark, Johanna,Cohen, Daniel S,Coleman, Semaj,Collins, Kelly A,Collins, Paul D,Colquhoun, Jeremiah D,Conway, Joseph M,Conway, Lauren B,Corcoran, Daniel W,Coughlin, James P,Courtney, Ryan S,Cousin, Justin C,Curtis, Joseph D,Dalo, Nicholas J,Depasquale, Katie J,Diaz, Kelly M,Diverde, Marci L,Doherty, Bridget,Dorame, Michael A,Downs, Claire,Doyle, Kelly A,Dubina, Brian S,Dunson-Johnson, Betina,Ebsen, Nicole M,Eckart, Erika M,Ecker, Jonathan,Elderkin, Rachel Megibow,Espinosa, Jill,Farley, Elizabeth A,Ferguson, Lauren,Fiorenza, Laurie M,Fredrickson, Andrew L,Frey, Julie L,Fried, Jason,Fuentes, Julie L,Gajda, Joyce L,Gallagher, Helen C,Gamache, Andrea N,Ganschow, Daniel J,Gardner, Tamara Johnette,Geovanes, James J,Giovannetti, Louis F,Godinez, Melissa,Gonzalez, Manuel,Grady, Maureen E,Graham, Jane E,Graham, Omar,Gunn, Regina,Hanson, Jacqueline,Hardin, Sheila M,Hawkins, Angela K,Heidkamp, Bernard E,Heinemann, Jolene L,Hennings, Allison K,Herbst, Joseph M,Hill, Amy V,Hill, Douglas A,Himes, Khalida,Hobson, Darryl,Hoerster, John R,Holland, Claudia Marie Casteel,Honn, Kevin A,Hooper, Amber M,Hornik, Natalie,Howell, Jessica A,Hunter, Sarah Dove,Iliadhi, Alexis,Johnson, Gregory T,Johnson, Kristina M,Johnston, Christine,Joyce, Fawn C,Kaiser, Kelsey V,Kanwischer, Jennifer L,Kennedy, Meghan M,Kennedy, Thomas J,Kirby, Linsey M,Kirkpatrick, Matthew J,Kleinfeldt, Daniel A,Kostal, Joseph J,Kralik, Catherine A,Krefft, Lauren M,Kuenster, Wendy S,La Porte, Danielle L,Lam, Julie H,Lara, Susana,Ledbetter, Christian J,Lee, Brendan T,Lee, Jason B,Lesniak, John M,Lessing, Avram,Limberg, Dana C,Lukic Cole, Daniela,Lundgren, Clyde O,Lynch, Heidi K,Madock, Katherine,Makely, Lisa,Maloney, Matthew W,Marcial, Benjamin,Martin, Daniel R,Maurer, Hannah R,Mazumdar, Rena N,McCormack, Patrick S,McGrail, Amy,McGuire, Meredith,McKee, Kristen K,McKittrick, Christina L,McKittrick, Kevin M,McLaughlin, Cameron E,McMurray, Matthew T,Medina, Esteban Z,Meglan, Christopher T,Messer, James D,Michalek, Nicholas,Mondragon, Christine A,Morris, Jacquelyn,Mulvaney, Ryan,Murray Baielli, Scyla J,Myers, Allison S,Myland-Waseem, Sarah,Narain, David L,Nash, Elizabeth Caliendo,Nelson, Faith M,Neuman, Andrea J,Nixen, Pete D,Nixon, Keith A,Novotny, Melinda P,Ojikutu, Carolyn T,O’Keefe, Eleanor C,Oliver, Stephanie M,Ovalle, Ramon E,Pang, Lucas,Pappalardo, Mark N,Parenti, Joseph J,Parker, Lynda Joi,Peake, Katelynn E,Pearson, Patrick A,Perez, Becky,Perez, Cynthia,Perez, Luis P,Peters, Jennifer F,Podolner, Aaron S,Ponce Jr, Ignacio,Potts, Robert

M,Prabhakar, Adith,Prebble, Matthew,Purvis, Derrick R,Quinn, Peter W,Raad, Bradley,Rabichow, Keldra L,Radziszewski, Dariusz,Ramilo, Gisele P,Raven, Lavie,Raymond, Ashley M,Remack, Leigh M,Roberts, Lesley S,Romeo, Anthony J,Rosas, Sarah E,Roth, Jenifer M,Ruzicka, Peter,Ryan, Joseph P,Sahagun, Claudia C,Sakellaris, Max A,Sanders, Roxana,Schmadeke, Yoko K,Schwartz, Steven M,Sherman, Thaddeus,Sieck, James C,Silva, Alexandra M,Singletary, Rahasad,Soffer, Michael B,Sponsler, Scott,Springer, Bradley D,St. John, Benjamin W,Stanis, Amy M,Stephen, Michael,Stewart Day, Chonita,Stoeger, Mary,Stow, Kristen S,Sudnik, Kristen V,Svejda, Anthony J,Tarshish, Evan,Terretta, John V,Terretta, Julee M,Thompson, Marquita A,Torres, Jacqueline D,Torrez, Buster,Traphagen, Stephen,Valenzuela, Patricia,Van Duinen, Tracy M,Venhorst, Ryan R,Wade Jr, Leandrew,Walquist, Stephanie,Walton-Scott, Alisa K,Wangelin, Beth Anne,Watson, Ellayne,Webster, James G,Weisman, Neal H,Weisman, Nimmi,White, Erica M,White, Valerie R,Williams, Tyrone W,Wirtz, Kristin,Wolman, Daniel,Woulfe, Patrick R,Woytek, Patricia,Wright, Paul N,Young Jr, William C,Young, Laura K,Young, Mary B,Zeidman, Maia D GROSS PAYMENT FOR NON-CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL

Salary Range: Less Than $25,000 Alvarez, Maria G,Anaya, Francisco X,Anderson, Annie D,Apollo, Lariyah Chrishon,Arnold, Andrea,Bates, Kimberly J,Berry, Noelle A,Blonski, Joseph,Bonds, Yolanda E,Burkes, Geraldine,Caldwell, Sandra,Caldwell, Vernisa,Cervantes Marin, Luis A,Cervantes, Jocelyn,Chen-Marusich, Quincy Hsin Yu,Chrisp Ii, Patrick A,Chyna, Lindsay Sharon,Cianciolo, Heather E A,Collins, Alethia,Comm, Chloe Isabella,Cooper, Ethan Joshua,Cooper, Millison A,Cooper, Vaughn,Cordero, Elimelec,Craig, Terrase,De La Torre, Erika,Delano, Franklin August,Dennehy, Ryan E,Dill, Willie,Dina, Michael,Dolezal, Kenneth D,Donald, Kameron A,Dunagan, Javondlynn M,Dusterberg, Annelise Frances,Eastman, Emily Annabel,Effgen, Nikolas Hans,Enciso, Linda E,Feilen, Wendy M,Flynn, Sara E C,Ford, Gary Terell,Galvez, Desiree V,Garcia, Diana,Garcia, Leah E,Gatewood, Ellen,Gipson, Lamia C,Greenberg, Seth,Gullo, Lauren Aubrey,Hansen, Howard G,Harris, Hevannli,Havener, Jaden Alexander Lee,Hernandez Terrazas, Daniel A,Herrera, Linda P,Hogan, Kieran Thomas,Holmes, Davonte Ahrashad,Hoyt, Isaac Haskel,Hunter, Francesca Flynn,Ionut, Angela,Ivery, Paul,Jackson, Shaundrea L,Johnson, Robert L,Johnson, Sheila Nicole,Kanga, Ethan,Karrow, Marilyn J,Kearney, Maryah M,Keberlein, Sophia,Kedrowski, Ian Lukas,Kim, Sophia Leena,Knighten, Jaliyah Fe,Koerner, Mary Louise,Kramer, Michael,Kruss, Dylan,Kruss, James Thomas,Kryger, Lillian Anne,Kuehl, Connor,Landsman, Eli Samuel,Lawny, Donna J,Lebron, Rosemarie,Liberty, Fierra L,Loggins, Jaquan,Love,

April Alexandria,Love, Brazil S,Loving, Deborah L,Lubelchek, Bella,Lubelchek, Jacob Elijah,May, Raeah L,Meza, Ani,Millan, Julian Jaime,Molette Roland, Kyle A,Montgomery, Desiree,Moore, Shentail D,Morelli, Gabriel Fedele,Navarrete, Saudo,Patino-Uriostegui, Laura,Perez, Geraldine P,Perez, Joshua,Porter, Kieva C,Presto, Alexander J,Reed, Sheila,Rice, Kathleen,Richardson, Josiah P,Riley, Briana R,Ritter, Waylon John Thomas,Rodriguez, Salvador G,Sakellaris, Courtney A,Salgado, Cindy A,Santos, Gabriella R,Scarelli, Charonda,Shafiro, Benjamin,Shellmyer, Skyler M,Shivers, Bobbiejean T,Siordia, Aliyah,Sorrell Jr, Michael A,Storey, Irelyn A,Suchomel, Ella,Tapia, Carolina,Tessmann, Karla C,Thambi, Shaan Mathew,Theys, Alphonse Robert,Trevino, Julia,Trigueros, Judith,Ungaretti-Levy, Ella,Vasquez, Jose,Vazquez, Rebecca,Walsh, Duke Harrison,Williams, Betty A,Winkler, Rachel Lynn,Winter, Augusten Daniel,Woods, Maurice M,Young, Carlos L,Zarosl, Ella Marie Salary Range: $25,000 - $39,999 Brennan, Anna K,Campos, Roberto C,Cano, Isabel,Chandler, Tikara S,Cipparrone, Carolyn,Clayton, Shantae E,Douglas, Michol,Ely, Starla D,Flores De Alaniz, Martha E,Foley, Lori,Gardner, Tichina D,Govea, Yesenia,Heezen, Nancy R,Herron, Ayana B,Holloway, Brian K,Hoover, Thomas W,James, Gianna M,Johnson, Katrina C,Johnson, Seneca N,Kirksey, Loretta,Love, Traccye L,Malhiot, Bryce R,Martinez, Jannis K,McGoey, Jason J,Miller, Gregory A,Montoro, Patricia,Morales, Jacob I,Moreland, Jenee A,Obanner, Daisha M,Parker, Daniel L,Price-Pigram, Colletta M,Regan, Christine,Renteria, Jason E,Sakellaris, Angie A,Santiago, Jose A,Schaefer, April K,Sinclair, Renee S,Sliva, Debbie J,Stallings, Allen M,Starks, Ahjuan A,Talley, Ashley E,Tsagaris, Georgia,Whitley, Cardell M,Winkler, Tammy J,Word Jr, Kevin L Salary Range: $40,000 - $59,999 Acharya, Kirti,Angelini, John A,Ariola, James,Avalos Zepeda, Denisse,Bell-Bey, Ebony,Benaroya Marcus, Karen,Brennock, Therese M,Bryant, Juanita,Buckles, Kimberly,Cannon, Jana,Carrasco, Socorro M,Celis, Jessica,Cintron, Michael,Considine, Martin J,Dabney, Janae A,D’avella, Mary,Digioia, Donna M,Elmiger, Julie A,Erickson, Mary Beth,Eskridge, Chadaryl,Galvan, Julisa,Gaya, Evelyn R,Godwin, Jaclyn S,Graves, Susan R,Grbic, Zoran,Guerra, Cindy I,Harmon, Ann T,Hernandez, Mario A,Herring, Wendy E,Jacob, David Raja,Johnson Binion, Ilene,Johnson, Laeontene,Jones, Ashley E,Keyes, Christine E,Kidd, Shorlanda D,Korab, Diane M,KremidasLumbreraz, Patricia L,Kupczak, John A,Levison, Emily H,Linnear, Lamar,Lopez, Antonio D,Lopez, Carmen M,Luckett, Tracie D,Mahaffey Jr, Bobby D,Mallon, Matthew J,Mazzuca, Margaret B,McDonald, Madeline R,McGowan,

Leila E,McKenzie, Gwendolyn,McNichols, Shannon J,Moore, Adekoyejo,Morales, Jesus Jr,Moreno, Naybeth,Ochs, Jeffrey J,Perez-Feliz, Alexander,Pitlik, Veronica,Portacio Ramos, Luz M,Pruitt, Barbara D,Ramos, Marcelino N,Redmond, Shdata J,Reed, Daniel,Rivera Alfaro, Hernan,Salgado Ruiz, Antonio,Scholtens, Christopher,Shipley, Marsha S,Short, Richard J,Sutton, Barbara A,Taub, Jane P,Taylor, Daniel L,Taylor, Joseph D,Therriault, Barbara Anne,Tisue, Heather E,Van Zant, Gabrielle A,Vandelft, Heather M,Weisenritter, Michael,Werbicki, Kamil,Wise, Anna J,Zepeda, Maria,Zielke, Mark H

Salary Range: $60,000 and over Alsip, Curtis J,Asbury, Kimberly A,Baer, Joshua W,Battaglia, Joseph A,Bell, Andrea,Bergmann, Jeff,Black, Bradley C,Brown, Dquan,Brown, Lonnie R,Brown, Melody J,Burton, Brianna L,Calderon Sr, Gustavo,Carlin, Leah R,Celis Jr, Humberto,Colletti, Ashley,Collins, Donal F,Collins, Robert C,Davis, Donnell E,Del Rio, Manuel,Dennehy, Timothy E,Diggs, Curtis A,Doble, Esteban,Dumont, Lamar J,Evans, Lisa A,Farrar, William D,Gallion, Kimberly J,Garland, Tyrone,Gerald, Asad,Gerena, Marian,Granzyk, Lynn,Guillen, Hilda,Gust, Carolyn,Hackl, Eric C,Hagins, Antoinette J,Hasse, Steven M,Hasso, Timothy J,Hatchko, Jason,Hayes, Linda V,Hurt, Kyle P,Imhoff, Brian,Jackson, Izaza L,Kogel, Daniel,Lama, Kenneth A,Lantz, Samantha T,Lucas, Carin K,Lush, Lyneice M,Maxwell, Elizabeth,May, Heidie M,Mazzulla, Gabriela,McKinnie, Kevin,Medrano, Gerardo A,Meraz, Olivia,Micek, Shane,Michaca Ruiz, Hector,Molette, Anissa,Nash, Phylicia D,Olivera, Gabriela,Paul, Janie Denise,Phillips, Michael W,Piekarski, Micheline Bunzol,Poe, Patrick W,Porto, Jennifer B,Powell, Jeremy J,Raggs, Roy H,Raschal, Anne M,Rivera, Rachel D,Rubio, Martiniano,Salgado, Griselda,Sanfilippo, Vincent P,Schreiner, Olivia K,Serrano Jr, Francisco,Sidor, Cynthia A,Slifka Jr, George W,Smith, Apollo A,Smith, Charles A,Sorensen, Kevin T,Soto, Johnny J,Soto, Victor M,Stahl, Sean A,Stokes Ii, Eddie,Sullivan, Karin H,Szpisjak, Michael S,Tang Jr, Edward A,Tucker, Roberto F,Ury, Karen L,Vincent, Lisa M,Weiser, Jonathan R,Wesson, Harley R,White, Tanya,Williams, Lee T,Word, Kevin L,Yarrington, Valda C,Zhang, Mi

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call Viewpoints editor

Ken Trainor at 613-3310

ktrainor@wjinc.com

e disappearance of bir th choices

Chicago may remain a bastion of abortion care in the Midwest, but for people researching birthing choices, the options are becoming fewer and fewer. This is particularly true in Chicago’s historically underserved West and South sides, which are majority Black and Latino neighborhoods. The latest change is the dramatic removal of midwives and family doctors from the labor and delivery unit at West Suburban Medical Center, where I work and where I started my training as a family medicine physician in 2015.

ANASTASIA CRIHFIELD

One View

On Nov. 18, providers at PCC Community Wellness Center were notified by the hospital owner and CEO Manoj Prasad that, “due to a change in malpractice insurance carrier requirements,” midwives and family physicians would no longer be able to provide any obstetric care, starting 11 days later on Nov. 29.

For decades, midwives and family doctors have been delivering the majority of the babies at West Suburban with excellent results. The labor and delivery unit boasted a cesarean rate below the national average and recognition in Newsweek in 2021 and 2022 (1).

Now with barely more than a week’s notice, patients and providers are scrambling to figure out alternative plans for dozens of patients who are approaching their due dates. There will still be an obstetrician available to deliver patients who arrive at West Suburban, but this represents a huge shift in plans for patients who have specifically sought out midwifery or family medicine services for their prenatal care and delivery, not to mention that this leaves a single obstetrician to care for an entire unit that previously had at least three fully trained delivery providers (obstetrician, family medicine, nurse midwife) at all times

This is far from the only instance of birthing choices in Chicago being removed in the last decade. Jackson Park Hospital closed its obstetrics unit on the city’s South Side in 2019 (2). Westlake Hospital and its obstetrics unit closed in 2019 in Melrose Park. Insight Hospital (formally Mercy) closed its obstetrics unit on the city’s South Side in 2022. Last year, Swedish Hospital on the North Side effectively ended its midwifery program (3).

For someone with adequate transportation and good insurance, the choices for where to deliver a baby will seem numerous, even overwhelming. This is especially true for a low-risk pregnancy. Should I deliver at a large hospital, like Northwester n’s Prentice? Should I see a midwife there, or a doctor? Should I go to a smaller hospital or perhaps a birth center?

See ANASTASIA CRIHFIELD on pa ge 31

VIEWPOINTS

Our date with ‘Annie’

When it feels like my life is in chaos and the stress of the world around me seems on the edge of imploding … I head to the theater. I have always loved the performing arts and its ability to transport me to a different, oftentimes better, world. Whenever life dishes out its tough moments, the theater offers me an escape that real life cannot. And I think we all need to get away from real life every once in a while.

Exactly eight years ago, I wrote an article for Wednesday Journal titled, “Eight girls & a limo: our date with Alexander Hamilton.” Hamilton was all the rage in 2017, as I’m sure readers will remember. The record-breaking show seemed to be part of every conversation, along with an accompanying earworm soundtrack, for everyone who was lucky enough to score tickets. I organized the outing with my sisters and our daughters, and it was a day I will not soon forget.

JULIANNE WOOD

One View

Eight years later, I pulled it of f again — limo and all — with a little twist. This cultural excursion, again party of eight, included my daughters and daughters-inlaw, as well as the three oldest of our four grandchildren (sorry about that, Ethan).

Annie recently came through Chicago from Broadway on a limited three-week run. As I mentioned in the 2017 article, Annie had always been a family favorite while growing up, and this as a great opportunity to take the kids to a live “children focused” show. I had introduced Lily, 11, and Luke, 9, to live theater as soon as they were old enough to sit in the seats — with boosters of course: Mary Poppins, Aladdin, The Lion King, Disney on Ice, and now Annie. This would be the first live theater show that 5-year-old Emmett would be attending, an expensive litmus test that he passed with flying colors.

The gorgeous Chicago Theatre, with stage lights, colorful scene sets, live orchestra accompaniment, not to mention a real live dog on stage playing Sandy, ke pt all of us engaged and enchanted for the duration of the show. Throw some popcorn and a few fruit snacks into the mix for good measure and the 2½-hour production flew by

I am a firm believer in exposing children to the arts, whether it be in small local theaters, school productions, or big Broadway shows. Of course, it depends on their age and attention span (I know a lot of adults, for that matter, who cannot sit through a musical), but the benefits of that exposure can be life-changing. It fosters creativity, imagination, communication skills and patience. They learn a respect for the work of the

performers, as well as the audience around them, due to the sustained focus necessary to follow a storyline. The Performing Arts are an important part of our history as humans. It has been used by our ancestors throughout the ages to tell stories, share history, and express feelings.

So this holiday season, be on the lookout for plays and musical productions that might catch the imagination of the youngsters in your life; see for yourself how their faces light up with excitement and awe. Those small moments will make it all worthwhile.

After Annie ended, and the standing ovations finished, as we were gathering our belongings, Emmett started to cry. When we asked him what was wrong, he re plied, “I’m just so happy.”

Me too, Emmett.

More police oversight

As one reads through the semi-annual report from Oak Park’s Citizens Police Oversight Committee to the village board, one is left with the distinct sense that transparency is not the overriding goal of the process though there are nods in that direction. There is considerable bureaucratic mumbo jumbo. There is an active lack of clarity in figuring out exactly what complaints against officers were lodged. And there are absolutely no officer names ever revealed

Read carefully through our Luzane Draughon’s report on the committee’s findings this week and you also discover that this volunteer committee seemingly has reasonable access to inside information as part of its review process. That includes reviewing all internal reports and body cam footage. However, when the committee might come to a different conclusion than the internal police department process had arrived at, its recommendations would be adopted only at the discretion of the chief of police

That makes for fairly limited oversight.

The good news is that at the foot of our story is reporting that the village board has just signed off on a $100,000 consulting contract with a fir m that specializes in police oversight and advocates for greater citizen involvement. Kira Tchang, the village’s HR lead and liaison to the committee, said the strictures the committee operates under go back to its founding in the 1990s. The rules have not been updated since. As she noted in comments to the village board, “The relationship between the community and policing has evolved so much since the ’90s.”

The current village board, and its previous iteration, gets credit for its deter mined approach to reforming/updating policing in Oak Park From the BerryDunn consultant’s report to the present, our quite good police force has been pushed to adapt to current community expectations.

We look for the Citizens Police Oversight Committee to have its role expanded and made more transparent.

ree things fast

Good to see headway on plans to renovate Oak Park’s village hall and construct an entirely new police station on the campus at Madison and Lombard. The village board has approved an architectural fir m to craft a schematic design for the project. It will lay out construction phasing options, narrow in on estimated pricing, and begin to give a sense of scope for the work

We are fans of collaborations and encouraged that River Forest’s park district is well into negotiations with Dominican University to use a rebuilt softball field at Keystone Park as the home diamond for the school’s women’s softball team. Dominican would pay $200,000 of the $460,000 cost of installing synthetic turf and other field upgrades. Stunningly to us, the softball season starts in wintery February and ends in May so conflicts with other uses are limited

As we’ve watched nearby city neighborhoods turn a little less blue in the recent national elections, notable that Oak Park’s blue bubble remained intact with more than 90% of voters choosing the HarrisWalz ticket over Trump-Vance.

Remarkable to think that if you go back to the 1960s, Oak Park was a reliably GOP village

It has never been harder to feel thankful than this November, but life is never all downside, even when most of it feels bad. I’m thankful that there are two kinds of suffering, and one leads to less suffering. I will be forever grateful if that is the case.

Gratitude is never far from my mind and the list of things I’m thankful for is, as ever, long, but this year, as I did back in 2016, I’m looking beyond the usual:

I’m thankful for Sondheim songs sung with deep feeling by a 92-year-old tenor, who sounds as if he has lived it all

I’m thankful for simplicity in its many elegant forms

Even now, much to be thankful for KEN TRAINOR

For poems that uplift and delight, fashioning a language more beautiful than I ever imagined possible

For sermons that soothe the soul and get to the world’s deep-heart core

I’m thankful to be living in a town, located at the intersection of independence and interdependence, change and continuity, which fosters interconnection and engagement

And I’m thankful for this platform — to be forced, deadline by deadline, to clothe all this in words

I’m thankful to be living in the hear tland, removed, for the moment anyway, from hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires, an only-temporary re prieve from the ravages of climate change

I’m thankful for Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, who deserved better but who gave us their best shot and represented our best shot at having decency prevail

I’m thankful if we learned enough from the last wave of stupidity to sweep this country to see us through the upcoming awful sequel

I’m thankful that getting older has its consolations and compensations — experience, wisdom, perspective, grandkids, buoyancy, ego reduction, heightened appreciation of beauty

I’m thankful for the myriad of remarkable, very human, beings who populate my life

For companionship and partnership, for people who pitch in, who have skill sets exceeding mine, who are willing to share their know-how and expertise

I’m thankful for young minds, firing at peak performance, who will take us further

I’m thankful for change, internal and external, for the capacity to change, learn, grow, stretch beyond limits, even as we become more limited physically with age

I’m thankful that we do not become brittle, that something in us stays supple

That I can look around on a perfectly ordinary day and remember how good it is to be alive

That most of my crying these days is the good kind, released by encounters with truth, beauty, nobility, grace and goodness

I’m thankful, as I was in 2016, that there is so much more to life than politics, that I’ve lived long enough to fit even a calamity like this election into a wider context

I’m thankful that the disappointments of life are inseparably intertwined with its joys

For those who add to the world’s beauty and teach us how and where to look for it

I am thankful for the shared path through life because it is inclusive, which will triumph in the long run over the divisiveness of exclusivity

I’m thankful for the long run, thankful that we can pass the torch as our faculties falter, thankful for the release of perfectionism, which is too heavy a burden to bear

I’m thankful for the ability to let go and also the ability to hang on — to what is impor tant and especially to those we love

I am thankful that our capacity to love grows as we “g row” older instead of withering on our aging stalk — a ripened, less self-centered love, a love more freely given, a bond stronger than the centrifugal forces that would pull us apar t, stronger, I pray, than death itself

I’m thankful for love’s gravity, which is more like the moon’s, lighter than earth’s, allowing us to outleap our “surly bonds” and soar

I am thankful for being as well as becoming, and for patience when it pays dividends

I’m thankful for the gift of acceptance — without resignation — and the ability to make the best of bad situations, thankful too for knowing when not to accept what is plainly wrong

I’m thankful that there is more to us than meets the eye and more to us than ego

I’m thankful for the dreams we pursue in our waking state and the dreams that visit and replenish us in the night

I am thankful that we have the capacity for gratitude even during the darkest times

For resilience and persistence, even when we long to just give up

I am thankful for the mystery of it all

To whatever — and/or whoever — makes all this possible, in spite of everything,

I am deeply thankful

SHRUB TO WN by Marc Stopeck

Chicago is ahead of Oak Park on biking

Sometimes biking in Oak Park isn’t enough and you find yourself venturing into the land beyond. Last Saturday was a great day for a fall bike ride — overcast and cool but not too cold.

My destination was an old turn-ofthe-century bungalow in Ukranian Village on the city’s near West Side. The bung lovingly and thoughtfully brought into the 21st century. The owner provided a fun and informative tour of an old home that now features triple-pane windows throughout, a heat-pump clothes dryer and heat-pump water heater, wellinsulated and tightly sealed walls, a solar hot-water heating system and photovoltaic panels on the roof, plus two charging stations in the garage We learned it is possible to make a very old house very green.

to Franklin to Homan to Augusta to Damen. Check it out on Google maps Other than two blocks on Homan, it was all bike lanes and for about half of the route I was protected from car traffic by a physical barrier. It was a great ride, 12 miles there and back. Chicago is a good decade in terms of safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure and it was fun to see firsthand what they’re doing over there.

Oak Park is moving in the right direction but has a long way to go. Imagine a family of four biking to the library or one of the swimming pools or the Lake Theatre and feeling as safe on bikes as they do in their car.

WEDNESD AY

of Oak Park and River Forest

Viewpoints Guidelines

e goal of the Viewpoints section is to foster and facilitate a community conversation and respectful dialogue. Responsible community voices are vital to community journalism and we welcome them. Space is at a premium and readers’ attention is also limited, so we ask that Viewpoints submissions be brief. Our limit for letters to the editor is 350 words. For One View essays, the limit is 500 words. Shorter is better. If and when we have su cient space, we print longer submissions, but when space is limited — as it o en is — we may ask you to submit a shorter version or hold the piece until space allows us to print it.

We reser ve the right to edit submissions. We do not have time to allow the writer to review changes before publication. We also do not have time to do more than super cial fact-checking, and because of our national epidemic of misinformation and conspiracy theories, when writers include statistical evidence to support their opinions, we require them to include the source of that information, such as credible websites, print publications, titles of articles and dates published, etc. Be as speci c as possible so that we and our readers have some way of assessing the credibility of your claims. Links may also be included for the online version. We follow the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics: seek the truth and report it and minimize harm. As a result, we will do our best not to publish pieces that espouse doubtful or debunked theories, demonstrate harmful bias, or cross the line into incivility. While we will do our best not to engage in censorship, we also do not intend to be used as a platform for misinformation. Your sources for fact-checking are a critical step in keeping the discourse honest, decent and respectful.

All submissions must include your rst and last name and the municipality in which you live, plus a phone number (for veri cation only). We do not publish anonymous letters. One View essays should include a sentence at the end about who you are.

If we receive your submission by 5 p.m. on Sunday, you can expect your opinion to be included in that week’s paper (and online), space permitting.

Pieces can be submitted through our online form at oakpark.com or directly to Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor, ktrainor@wjinc.com. For the latter, we prefer attached Word les or plain tex t included in the email.

But better than the house tour was the ride there. Who would have thought it possible to ride from east central Oak Park to roughly Damen and Augusta in the city entirely on bike lanes? My route, jogging east and then north, east and north, took me from Austin and Lake to Central Park

Hopefully the current on-going bike study and the Vision Zero initiative will result in some real progress toward making Oak Park safe for bikers and walkers of all ages and abilities.

Lauger Oak Park

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

■ 350-word limit

■ Must include rst and last names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for veri cation only)

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 500-word limit

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself and/or your connection to the topic

■ Signature details as at left

Karl

Chainsaw budget massac re

The Trump proposed government efficiency department, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has pledge to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, “not with a chisel but rather a chainsaw,” to give the millionaires and billionaires not just their 2017 tax cut reauthorized but a second big tax cut. This tax cut gave them $69,000 and the rest of us $70.

To achieve this, Musk and Ramaswamy proposed cutting 10 programs: veterans health care for 9.1 million veterans, eliminating drug development and opioid addiction treatment, housing assistance (including Section 8 vouchers), Justice Department programs (other than carrying Trump’s legal requests), education spending (federal grant money to states and communities for schools), any NASA programs not involving Space-X, health care and student loan programs (including Obamacare and its 45 million recipients and a substantial part of the Medicaid and CHIP programs), all security programs (including arms made in America by American workers sold to allies, foreign aid, anti-narcotic trafficking programs, and the Peace Corps), and the Headstart Program (more than 800,000 children cared for, plus job placement, schooling and job training for a half million parents of those children).

Even if all of these cuts are put into place, only $650 billion would be saved. Musk has pledged to hand Donald Trump another $1.6 trillion in cuts, roughly 1/3 of the federal budget.

Other than the trillion-dollar defense budget, the next largest part of the budget is debt service for the federal debt, including the $8.7 trillion in debt that was accrued during the first Trump presidency. National governments cannot refuse to pay debt, default on debt or declare bankruptcy, unlike the businesses under the Trump umbrella.

Will these budget cuts and tax cuts for the rich spur the massive economic growth and prosperity that the 49.7% of voters who elected Donald J. Trump are demanding to turn around their economic lives?

Sources:

Jacob Bogage, “Ten programs that could be on the ‘government efficiency’ chopping block, The Washington Post, Nov. 16, 2024

The “Elon Musk plan to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget” film clip was shown on “The Lawrence O Donnell Show” on MSNBC, Nov. 20, 2024, as well on “The John Oliver Show” on HBO, Nov. 17, 2024.

Frank Vozak, Oak Park

President-elect Donald Trump’s main campaign promise was to make America great again. I assume he means to return the U.S. to the post-WWII years when Ger many, Japan, China, and most of Europe were economically destitute. At that time the U.S. reigned supreme Trump says he will fulfill his promise by imposing tariffs on our foreign trading partners, lowering income taxes on corporations and the wealthy, and deregulating U.S. businesses. Unfortunately, these actions will only hasten the U.S.’s slide into becoming another has-been world power like Great Britain and France.

ank you, Public Works!

This was sent last week to the village of Oak Park Public Works Department, and describes the reality of the 700 block of Wesley as well as most of the curbs around town now:

The leaf/muck/mud situation in front of my house is now dangerous. Since the streets are no longer being cleaned at all, not only is the drain completely plugged and encased in muck, but so is the entire parking spot in front of my house.

There are ruts of mucky leaves, mud, and water, making for a very slippery and dangerous situation. I am now considered a “senior” taxpaying citizen, as are most of the visitors to my home, and the situation to park in front of my house is downright dangerous.

When will this muck be street swept? Once the tempera-

tures drop and this muck freezes, then who will clean the street? I guess we can only hope for a large snowfall soon so that the plows will come by and do their job.

Very unsatisfied,

Julie Schneider, Oak Park

Follow up to my previous email:

Within an hour of emailing to Public Works of Oak Park, Jacqueline Hargove and her staf f dispatched a street cleaner to our block, and they did a great job of clearing the mess!

Thank you, Oak Park Public Works!

Very satisfied,

West Sub and obstetric care

Resilience Healthcare announced family medicine physicians and certified nurse midwives will no longer be able to deliver babies at West Suburban Medical Center (https://www wbez.org/health-medicine/2024/11/21/westsuburban-hospital-abruptly-cuts-ties-with-midwives-andfamily-medicine-doctors). Unequal access to obstetric care is a critical public health concer n in Illinois, and this act will lead to hundreds of patients losing a safe and trusted birthing option on the West Side of Chicago, a community historically disenfranchised by the health-care system.

Family medicine physicians who deliver babies provide seamless, connected care for parents and infants before, during, and after delivery. Now this loss of access jeopardizes continuity of care in the “fourth” trimester, after the baby is born.

Family physicians provide prenatal and obstetric care across the country, in Chicago, and in the suburbs Unequivocally, the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) support family physicians providing pregnancy, delivery, and newborn care.

A cooperative and collaborative relationship among obstetricians, family physicians and nurse midwives is es-

Make America great again?

What is a tariff? It is a tax on the products imported from a foreign country. The foreign producer adds the tax to the price he normally charges, and ipso facto, you and I end up paying the higher price. However, it doesn’t end there. The foreign country is likely to retaliate by placing its own tariff on goods flowing from the U.S. This action raises the price of U.S.-made products, and puts them at a competitive price disadvantage to similar products from other counties. The results are fewer American sales, lower production, and fewer U.S. jobs

It might be argued that tariffs protect U.S.

Julie Schneider

sential to deliver consistent, high-quality care to pregnant women. The IAFP and AAFP advocate that pregnancy, perinatal, and newborn care privileges should be based on the individual physician’s training, experience, and demonstrated current competence, and not by specialty alone. As a result of Resilience Healthcare’s decision, at least 34 family medicine physicians will lose obstetrical privileges at West Suburban Medical Center. Approximately 500 patients are engaged in prenatal care with the affected family physicians and certified nurse midwives. Forty-three percent of those patients identify as Hispanic/Latino and 44% identify as Black. The majority live in the Her mosa and Austin neighborhoods, both designated as Medically Underserved Areas

This decision will worsen disparities in safe birthing options in Chicago. In every community where safe and equitable delivery care is at risk, we will aggressively assist trained, experienced family physicians in securing and keeping their clinical credentials in pregnancy, perinatal, and newborn care.

industries. What U.S. industries? The United States ceased being the “workshop of the world” eons ago. These days, the Japanese are buying the iconic United States Steel Corporation, and many U.S. industries have fled to lower wage countries.

The U.S. currently has a debt of approximately $36 trillion. This means the U.S. is spending $36T more than it is taking in as taxes. This debt is financed by selling Treasury bills, notes, and bonds to U.S. citizens and foreign countries.

This debt will be greatly increased if Trump reduces the taxes on corporations and wealthy Americans. Currently there are

serious concer ns about the possibility of the U.S. defaulting on its enormous debt (possibly as early as 2025). Should investors smell a default coming they would cease purchasing Treasuries, and the U.S. would suffer a financial collapse.

No business likes to be regulated, but U.S. history has shown the dire social consequences of unbridled capitalism.

One can only conclude that the Presidentelect’s promise is a chimera, like his promise to build a border wall and make Mexico pay for it. The train has already left the station, and Trump cannot bring it back Al Popowits, River Forest

Kate Rowland MD, FAAFP Illinois Academy of Family Physicians

DD200’s ‘spin’

newsletter

istrict 200’s four-page color newsletter landed in mailboxes last week promoting its financial management, including its funding of Project 2, but they misrepresented and omitted information, spinning the facts. The newsletter’s “Fast Fiscal Facts” attempted to whitewash the district’s financial record:

■ D200 boasts that it collected $77 million less in property taxes than permitted by law for 10+ years but doesn’t explain why. Beginning in 2005, D200 used a loophole to overtax residents, resulting in a cash reserve of $130 million by 2013, when less than $20 million, 25% of annual operating expenses, was needed to earn D200 a AAA bond rating (1). After an outcry from taxpayers, D200 began spending down the reserve of unauthorized tax dollars which enabled it to collect less-than-max property taxes.

MONIC A SHEEHAN

One View

■ The years of extreme over-taxation, compounded annually, ratcheted up the levy, and D200 never rightsized it. It’s the reason for D200’s inflated levy.

■ The newsletter touts that there’s no additional tax levy for the “$102 million” Project 2, but that’s not a good thing. D200 ignored best practice in public finance and refused to put the funding on the ballot for voter approval, apparently fearing defeat at the polls, and used a loophole instead, issuing controversial debt certificates which are repaid from the operating budget, hiking the tax levy every year for repayment. Debt certificates are intended for a school’s short-ter m emergency use. It’s the reason why they’re not subject to voter approval.

■ Debt certificates are more costly than bonds. The cumulative levy increases due to Project 2’s borrowing clogging the operating budget mean the total cost of the pool/PE addition will be incalculable, with permanent, compounding levies for a temporary expense, unlike bond issues which have their own funding source and end date

■ Bond referendums are best practice as evidenced by the 20 school districts who placed them on the November ballot for voter approval. Their referendums ranged from $4 million-$420 million for improvements, additions and new buildings, according to the Illinois Association of School Boards (2).

■ D200 presents Project 2’s funding as not adding “to the local tax burden,” but that’s false. Its recent issuance of $46.5 million in debt certificates forces taxpayers to pay higher levies for the next 20 years to pay for Project 2. Our annual taxes would be lower without this borrowing.

■ Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Tony Arbogast states that the district is “not raising taxes needlessly,” but fails to acknowledge that the district is continuing its practice of overtaxing residents. The board is expected to approve the proposed levy in December which will result in a $10.1 million surplus/overtaxation next year (3).

■ D200 disingenuously lists Project 2’s cost as $102 million when its current cost is closer to $140 million (construction, borrowing and geothermal costs).

■ To date, the Imagine Foundation has raised $10 million, but only $1 million has been donated to Project 2

Monica Sheehan is a 24-year Oak Park resident and former news reporter. She has been following and independently investigating the D200 pool story since 2014.

Sources:

1) History of the District 200 Fund Balance: https://www.oprfhs.org/about/ business-office/fund-balance-background

2) Illinois Association of School Boards: November 2024 Bond Referendums https://www.iasb.com/news-listing/2024/october-2024-news/referendums-onnovember-2024-ballot/

3) Oct. 24 D200 Board Meeting: 2024 Proposed Tax Levy https:// go.boarddocs.com/il/oprfhs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DA5G6S4252EA

ANASTASIA CRIHFIELD

from page 27

Let’s contrast that with someone who lives in the Belmont Cragin or Austin neighborhoods on the West Side, who has Medicaid, and relies primarily on bus transportation. This patient will be vastly more limited geographically and financially with their prenatal care and delivery options

Let us not forget that pregnancy care encompasses more than delivery. The best prenatal care involves months of clinic visits, trust building and anticipatory guidance between a patient and either a single provider or group of providers. It involves close coordination of care between the clinic and the providers doing the delivery at the hospital or birth center. While obstetricians will continue to deliver patients who arrive in labor at West Suburban, they are a hospitalist service, which by definition means they only provide in-hospital care and no clinic or outpatient care.

As has been well documented, pregnancyrelated mortality has steadily increased over the last 30 years (4), particularly since 2019 (fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic) and among Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic/Latino patients. These are the very same patients who are most at risk of having limited options for their prenatal care and birthing plan.

Midwives and family medicine physicians are critical in working toward birth equity, both in Chicago and around the country (5, 6). Family physicians are perhaps the best suited providers for family-centered care as we can see patients for their primary care, pregnancy care, postpartum, and care for their newbor ns after delivery. Midwifery care is associated with improved outcomes for both the newbor n and birthing parent (7, 8). Patients from every demographic deserve not just the standard of care, but a choice in who they see for their care and how they deliver their baby.

PCC Community Wellness Center has been providing prenatal care and delivery services in collaboration with West Suburban Hospital since 1980. Since that time the hospital has been owned by six different organizations (9) and has been providing high-quality, family-centered pregnancy care throughout that time. It is, in fact, the very core of why PCC was created (“PCC” initially stood

for Parent Child Center).

The collaborative culture of care between midwives, family doctors, and obstetricians has taken decades to build and is one of the reasons so many staff members have worked there for so long and why so many patients and their families come back to deliver at West Suburban multiple times and over multiple generations

This model has now been utterly destroyed by Manoj Prasad and Resilience Healthcare in less than two years, changes based entirely on requirements of a malpractice insurance carrier in a document that apparently only Prasad has access to.

The role of private investment here cannot be ignored. Prasad and his financial partner, Rathnakar Patlola, own the hospital with Prasad as CEO without the oversight of any meaningful board of directors. Prasad has failed to pay his debts to PCC (10) and he has failed to provide an appropriate learning environment for the family medicine residency program housed at West Suburban, leading to a demonstration by resident physicians and an ongoing investigation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (11). He has singlehandedly limited birthing choices for people on the West Side of Chicago, undermined a well-regarded labor and delivery unit, and decimated an excellent training program for family doctors.

This is an emotionally charged issue for me, personally and professionally. I delivered both of my daughters at West Suburban under the care of the incredible PCC midwives. I began my training as a family doctor at the West Suburban Family Medicine Residency and did an additional year there for more advanced obstetric training. Several of the babies I delivered as a resident continue to see me for their school well checks at PCC.

After working for the last nine years with all of the amazing and dedicated family doctors, midwives, obstetricians, labor nurses, and support staff on our labor and delivery floor, I can say it has been an extremely special place. There are family physicians across the country who received the backbone of their labor and delivery training at West Suburban and are able to provide quality care to the most vulnerable populations. While it appears that this era of West Suburban labor and delivery is over, we at PCC will strive to give Chicago residents the birthing choices they deserve.

Anastasia Crihfield, MD, is a family medicine physician at PCC Salud Family Health Center in Austin.

anks for writers and artists

Hey, Ken, why don’t you tell us what you really think about the election? [Who we really are, Ken Trainor, Viewpoints, Nov. 20] But seriously, we totally agree with you. You have managed to put words, true, hard-hitting words, to our feelings of sadness, anger, and anxiety. Writers and artists are particularly necessary both now and for the duration of his term. Thank you for all you do, Ken.

Vic & Iris Yipp, Oak Park

Gina Nicosia, 66

Owned the Furr y Godmother

Gina M. Nicosia, 66, of Elmwood Park, died on Oct. 31, 2024 after suffering a medical emergency. Born on Dec. 18, 1957 to Salvatore Nicosia and Onelia Rogers in Oak Park, she attended St. Luke School and graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School in 1976.

She was the owner and operator of the Furry Godmother LLC for over a decade. For those who knew her, furry friends were her great passion. She was known for her kindness, generosity and sense of humor and will be deeply missed by her many friends, clients and family members. As her dear friend, Sally Nolan-Stephan, said, “Her light has gone dim, but her essenc like a sweet fragrance, will always linger in the air as long as we’re here.”

Gina was preceded in death by her mother and her sister, Livia Nicosia. She is survived by her brother, James Nicosia, and her sister, Carla (Nicosia) Kreiss.

Private interment at Mary Queen of Heaven will be held in the spring, follo by a celebration of life. If you would li to honor Gina’s le gacy, please make a donation to the Animal Care League or Salvation Ar my.

Russell Dixon, 93 Oral surgeon

surgery at the Jessie Brown VA Hospital for 50 years.

Russell was the husband of the late Mary Alice (nee Nykiel) Dixon; the father of Kelley Dixon and Erica (Jennifer) Dixon-Johnson; Grussy to Cooper and Russell; brother of the late Don (Linda) Dixon; the uncle of many; brother-in-law to the Nykiel family; and was cared for by Darpel, Ladylyn and Bhelle Caybot.

Visitation was held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester, on Nov. 25. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Nov. 26 at St. Giles Catholic Church in Oak Park, followed by private inter ment.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Howard University, Impact Dentistry (HUCD Annual Fund) are appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by Kennedy & Co., Funeral Directors.

Robert Hughes III, Episcopal priest, professor, author

Russell A. Dixon Jr., DDS, 93, of Westchester, forrly of Oak Park, died on November 19, 2024. A longtime Oak Parker and member of St. Giles, he received his undergraduate de gree at Colby Colle ge, where he au Delta Phi. He went on to receive his DDS from Howard University, and then his Master of Science in Oral Surgery from Northwestern University. He was a proud Air Force veteran who had a distinguished career as the chief of oral

tion. Then for three semesters, they traveled to Tanzania in East Africa to do the same work. He was a member of The Annex, Alcohol Anonymous fellowship at St. Giles Church, Oak Park, and enjoyed more than 40 years of sobriety.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; his sons, Robert (Carsi) Hughes, of River Forest, and Thomas (Meridith) Hughes; and two grandchildren.

Gay Heppes, 86

Dr. Davis Hughes III, retired copal priest and seminary professor, died on Oct. 20, 2024 in Oak Park omplications Parkinson’s disease. He served as professor of Systematheology at the rsity of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, from 1977 to 2015, and was trainer of for Ministry numerous articles in theological journals, such as Anglican Theological w, Sewanee Theological Review and the St. Luke Journal of Theolog y. In 2005, he wrote “The Holy Spirit in Christian Spirituality” for the Blackwell Companion to Christianity. His 2008 book Beloved Dust: Tides of the Spirit in the Christian Life remains an important text. In 2016, he and his wife Barbara moved to Brookdale Senior Living to be near family. Here he served as theologian in residence at Grace Episcopal Church, Oak Park, conducting services, serving as a spiritual counselor and longtime member of the choir. A funeral Mass was celebrated there on Nov. 22.

Earlier in his career, he and Barbara made four trips to Romania advising the government on alcohol abuse and addic-

vid (Carissa) Hancock and Ben (Anna) Hancock (son, Simon Peter), and Isabelle, Katherine and Jack Ger man.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, Quick Street and Lathrop Avenue

Lynn Leinartas, 69 Research librarian

Co-owner of Acorn Travel

Gay Holland Mead Heppes, r Forest, died on Nov. 23, 2024. Born on Jan. 2, 1938 in Oak Pa she spent most of childhood her adult life ver Forest. attended Northester n Universit Waa-Mu sho

aduated with a teaching de gree. composed poetry and every year wrote poem for Christmas to celebrate the holiday season. She was active in Infant Welfare and the ASID Showcase house and always had her door open and a smile on her face for family, neighbors, and friends. She loved to entertain and did so gracefully.

Lynn Leinartas (nee Fitzgerald), 69, of Oak Park, tragically died on 23 after a terrible accident. She fought hard for two months but eventually succumbed to her injuries. grew up in Elk Grove Village rk. She worked librarian, most recently in the last 24 years. She had to help raise her daughter’s expected twins. She spent the majority of her free time in service to others. She let her spirituality guide her every day, finding the best in people and never holding a grudge. In every family communication, she signed of f with “I love you always.”

As a member of the River Forest Tennis Club, tennis was a big part of the life she shared with her husband, Chuck Mead. They were owners of Acorn Travel in River Forest and took trips inter nationally for work, pleasure, and to visit family in Europe. After Chuck’s death in 2002, she married Don Heppes and became an active member of the Oak Park Country Club, learning how to master 18 holes as if she had done it all her life. She and Don were Naples, F lorida snowbirds, but she always made it a point to be in River Forest to host Thanksgiving for family member s.

Gay was the mother of William Mead, Holly Bottinelli, and Michelle (Matthew) Schara; grandmother of Madilynn Mead (daughter, Harper) and Michael Mead, Laure (Lugar) Choi-Bottinelli (son, Theodore Uju), and Julien Bottinelli, and Kendall, Marley and Elle Schara; sister of Sandra Nelson and the late Nancy Arends; daughter of the late Virginia and Kirk Holland; and is also survived by Don’s children, Lynn (Lin) Hancock and Carol (Robert) German, and their children, Da-

She enjoyed cooking for anyone who had an appetite, finding perfect gifts, and spending as much time as possible with family. She was an excellent crafter, especially knitting, and a two-time Cavalcade of Pride winner for her garden. She will be missed dearly by many.

Lynn was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia, and brother, Michael. She is survived by Edward, her husband of 44 years; her son, Michael (Honnie); her daughters Ananda (Phil), Christina, and Leela (James); her grandsons, Oliver and Percival; her father, William; her sisters, Karen (Tim) and Tricia (Dave); and her brothers, Bill (Julie), and Marty (Loretta). Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m., Nov. 29, at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 Cermak Road, Forest Park. A memorial will take place at 10 a.m., Nov. 30, at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave, Oak Park. Everyone is encouraged to wear her favorite color, teal, at the services.

To honor Lynn, please help keep the community safe and drive carefully.

SPORTS

OPRF boys basketball on the way back

After a few down years, Huskies are eager to move up

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Usually a strong program in Chicago’s west suburbs, the Oak Park and River Forest High School boys basketball team has struggled the past two seasons, with just nine victories in each.

But the Huskies were largely competitive despite the records, and head coach Phil Gary, entering his fourth full season, believes the program is on the upswing.

“It’s going well. The guys are gelling quicker than I thought,” he said. “We’ve still got to get better with certain stuff, but overall it’s going well. We’re excited, and we think we’re going to have a good season.”

OPRF senior forward Alex Gossett, entering his third varsity season, agrees with Gary’s assessment.

“Our chemistry is amazing and the ball is flying around,” he said. “We’re playing defense as one unit and gelling really well. I’m just looking forward to competing and living up to our potential as a team.”

OPRF, which went 9-17 last season, has nine varsity returnees, including three starters: Gossett, junior guard Johnny Nelson, and senior center Alex Vincent. Vincent, who, like Gossett, is a three-time varsity player, recently received his first college offer from Army West Point.

Gary is perplexed by the lack of interest from colleges being shown to Gossett, who stands 6-5, and Vincent, who is 6-9. But he also feels it serves as motivation for the du

“I think it just makes them a little mor hungry,” Gary said. “That’s a them and the team.”

Though he doesn’t have any offers yet, Gossett says he’s gotten interest from a few NCA Division II and III institutions. He also kno what he’d like in a future college home

“I’m looking for a place that academic needs as well as harbor a culture where everyone is bought in,” he said.

Other returning players for OPRF are senior center Andre Stanton, senior guards Mateo Heidkamp-Pimentel, John Summers, Matt Winkelhake, and Andrew Zhou, and junior guard Jerome Delaney.

Top newcomers for the Huskies are sophomore forward AJ Enyia, sophomore guard Tyson McLean, and junior guards Matt Halper, Logan Johnson, and Cameron Woods. Johnson is the younger brother of Max Johnson, who graduated last year and is currently at Spire Academy, a boarding school for prospective collegiate athletes located in Geneva, Ohio (Cleveland suburb)

OPRF has always liked to test itself against the top area programs, and this year’s schedule is no exception. The Huskies started this week looking to defend their championship title from the Wheaton Academy Thanksgiving Tournament. The annual East Avenue Showdown with Fenwick takes place Dec. 6 at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Credit

Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Alex Gossett (in black on le ) looks to pass during boys basketball practice on November 18. Gossett, a three-year varsity player, is one of three retur ning starters for the Huskies.

Union One Arena as part of the Chicago Elite Classic. Then there’s the Pontiac Holiday Tournament, Dec. 26-28, which is loaded with powerhouse teams

In addition to those tough games, OPRF competes in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division, which has become one of the area’s best leagues recently with Downers Grove North and Glenbard West making it to state, the latter winning the 2022 Class 4A title and the for mer taking fourth place in 2023.

“I think it’ll be a great race,” Gary said. “Glenbard West and Hinsdale Central are pretty good, but it’s wide open. That’s one of our goals, win the conference this year.”

If the Huskies are going to attain the goal of a WSC Silver championship, they must play good defense according to Gary.

“We’ve been harping on our guys about [defense] and they’re doing a better job of helping each other,” he said. “They’re playing team defense rather than individual defense. If you’re missing shots, your defense should not waver.”

On Nov. 25, OPRF hoped to start the season with a victory against Plainfield North at Wheaton Academy. Gossett poured in 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Vincent had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as 20 turnovers and eight missed free throws doomed the Huskies to a 64-59 defeat.

Following a game with Bartlett, Nov. 26 (after press time), OPRF concludes the tournament against host Wheaton Academy, Nov. 29.

Fenwick boys basketball is loaded with experience

Large senior group leads Friars

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

With eight returning players, including all five starters, the Fenwick High School boys basketball team is well positioned for a strong season.

“I feel like the preseason has been going really well,” said Fenwick senior guard

Ty Macariola, a four-year varsity player.

“We’ve adjusted to the addition of the football players really well and we’re playing high competitive basketball in practice.”

“As most of our players are seniors, we are really taking all that we’ve learned

and putting it to use,” said Fenwick senior guard Dominick Ducre e, another four-year varsity player. “I feel like we benefit from the number of guys who want to go and

See BASKETBALL on page 34

C AROL DUNNING

Down the lane to college, that’s how Cameron rolls

Fenwick’s senior bowler commits to Morgan State University

By MELVIN TATE

Contributing Reporter

Fenwick High School senior Olivia Cameron has enjoyed a decorated and historic bowling career, becoming the first girl to re present the school in the IHSA state girls bowling finals — a feat she has achieved the previous two years.

Cameron’s hard work has paid of f with the announcement on Nov. 25 of her colle ge commitment to Morgan State University, an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) in Baltimore, Maryland. She chose the Bears over offers from other HBCU schools — Alabama State, Coppin State, Prairie View A&M, Southern, and Texas Southern.

In an interview with Wednesday Journal, Cameron cited a few factors in her decision.

“Number one, I wanted an HBCU,” she said. “Number two, I like the coach (Alvin Franklin Jr.). I truly think he’s a great per-

BASKETBALL

from page 33

play hard, and everyone is buying into our goal as a team.”

Fenwick, which finished 18-11 last season and won an IHSA Class 3A regional for the third consecutive year, brings back its entire starting lineup: Ducree, Macariola, senior guard Kam Hogan (Rockford University commit), and senior forwards Jack O’Leary and Nate Marshall, an Auburn University football commit.

In an age where many top high school football seniors across the country graduate early to enroll at their collegiate homes for the spring semester, the fact that Marshall stayed isn’t lost on his teammates, who like what he brings to the team.

“Nate is the kind of player who elevates any situation,” Ducree said. “He provides

son and made me and welcome. My third much of my family I felt like I’d be going to a home home.

“Also to be honest, I pra sion; I asked God ed. “My heart was between and Morgan State. They both ha coaches, and Alabama State has a phenomenal team. But ultimately I that I needed to choose Morgan that’s how it work

Now that the colle is over, Cameron is year with the Friars. She likes how things are looking so far.

“This year we ha enough for a full junior-varsity roster,” she said. “That’s a plus, especially coming from a team. We have 14 girls total right no have some newcomers be good by mid-season. Our coach (William Aldridge) is really good at teaching them how to bowl, and I think we’ll have a strong season.”

Cameron finished 66th at last season’s state finals, improving 39 spots from her state debut the previous year. This season,

an additional set of skills as both a big and a guard. He expands our versatility on offense and defense.”

“Having Nate back on the team with us is huge,” Macariola said. “Nate’s a freak athlete so just having a guy like him on our team can only help us. His ability to be a leader and a large presence in practice helps us tremendously.”

Fenwick also returns four valuable bench players in senior guards Frankie Hosty and Deonte Meeks and junior guards Tommy Thies and Jimmy Watts. The Friars’ top newcomers are sophomore guard Jake Thies, who missed last season with an injury; and junior guards Myles Montgomery and Raphiel Stewart.

“Things are going well,” said Fenwick second-year head coach David Fergerson. “Guys are working hard trying to get better every day.”

Once again, Fenwick has a challenging schedule. The Friars open this week at the

Fenw ick senior bowler Olivia Cameron holds a Morgan State University pennant a er signing her National Letter of Intent (NLI) at a ceremony held at Hillside Bowl, November 25. Cameron is aiming for a third consecutive trip to the IHSA state nals.

“I’d like to be All-Conference again, which I’ve done the past three years,” she said. “I was also the [Girls Catholic Athletic Conference] Player of the Year last year because I had the highest average over the season. That’s my goal again. I’d love to get to state and place in the top 10 [the top 10

Bill VandeMerkt Thanksgiving Classic, hosted by Riverside-Brookfield. There’s also the annual East Avenue Showdown with Oak Park and River Forest at the Chicago Elite Classic, Dec. 6; the Jack Tosh Classic at York, Dec. 26-28 and 30-31; a matchup with Whitney Young, Jan. 11 at St. Ignatius; and Simeon in Fenwick’s MLK Classic, Jan. 20.

All of this in addition to games in the always-rugged Chicago Catholic League Blue conference. DePaul Prep, which has won back-to-back state titles, is the prohibitive favorite.

But Fergerson feels his Friars are prepared, thanks to the mindset the team and coaches have adopted.

“We treat every game the same; they’re all statement games for us,” he said. “Not sure how things will shape up; I’m only worried about my team getting better and hopefully playing our best basketball in February.”

“Team-wise, I hope we get a [GCAC] plaque, given to the top three teams,” she added. “It’s a combination of varsity and junior-varsity results. If either program finishes at least third, I’ll be very happy. We came close last year as we did better than in years past.”.

Fenwick is optimistic about making a de ep p ostseason r un. But the F riars say that there are things they need to do in order to realize their goals

“This season, the p lan is to make a name for Fenwick being again among the top pr ogr ams in the state,” Ducre e said, “by taking each g ame one at a time and playing li ke it ’s the last of our car eer. We have the g rit as a team to do it; it j ust c omes down to c an we be disciplined when faced with adve rsit y. Pe r sonally I think the answe r is ye s. I want to make sure I have no re gr ets as I embark on this last season. ” Fenwick ’s opener against Hinsdale S outh c ame after press time on Nov. 26. T he F riars meet Julian, Nov. 27 at 5:30 p. m ., and Rive rside-Brookfield, Nov. 29 at 4:30 p. m ., before c oncluding the r oundrobin event on Nov. 30. Fo r tournament u pdates, visit rive rsidebrookfieldbasketb all.com.

PHOTO BY SHEENA WILLIAMSON

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Riverside will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, in Room 4 of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, to consider an application from the Village of Riverside to review and consider various changes to the standards for pervious, semi-pervious, and impervious surfaces, as set forth in the Riverside Zoning Ordinance.

Application No.: PZ 24-0010

Petitioner: Village of Riverside

Proposed Text Amendments: Various changes to the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance relative to pervious, semi-pervious, and impervious surfaces. The affected chapters include, but may not be limited to, Title 4, Chapter 13 (Land Disturbing Activities), Title 10, Chapter 7 (Site Development Standards), Title 10, Chapter 10 (Nonconformities), and Title 10, Chapter 11 (Definitions). Among the changes being considered include adding a purpose statement, adding and revising definitions, establishing standards for the measurement of impervious surfaces, establishing standards for semi-pervious surfaces, and requiring non-conforming properties to comply with impervious surface standards when they are redeveloped.

The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. During the Public Hearing the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters. Persons wishing to appear at this hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the matters being considered. Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearing or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to the Village’s Community Development Department at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois prior to 4:00 p.m. the day of the public hearing.

The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Dated this 27th day of November, 2024.

Henaghan,

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Board of Library Trustees of the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, Cook County, Illinois, will determine a finance plan for acquisition of property commonly known as 9023 Lincoln Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois at its meeting to be held on December 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the Library, 3541 Park Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. At the meeting, the public will be given an opportunity to be heard on the proposed property acquisition at an estimated cost of $265,000 and the proposed use of the Library’s Special Reserve Fund to pay for the Property.

Copies of the contract and appraisal are available for inspection at the Library, 3541 Park Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois.

Board of Library Trustees LSF Brookfield Library November 21, 2024

Published in RB Landmark November 27, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of Kalei Elisabeth Guedel Case Number 2024CONC001472

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Kalei Elisabeth Guedel to the new name of: Kalei Sorenson Guedel.

The court date will be held:

On January 10, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Zoom ID: 95894921843 Password: 226532, Cook County, in Courtroom # 12.

Published in Wednesday Journal November 13, 20, and 27, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

For any person who was a Special Education Student at Oak Park & River Forest High School and graduated in 2016, 2017, 2018 or 2019, you will have 30 days to contact Susan Graves, at Oak Park & River Forest High School at 708.434.3061 to request your records. On Dec 01, the Special Education student records for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 will be destroyed.

Published in Wednesday Journal November 20, 27, 2024

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive electronic proposals at the Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025 for Project: 25-20, Oak Park Avenue Streetscape

Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements consist of installation and maintenance of detour, earth excavation, sewer main and sewer lateral replacement, catch basins, manholes, fire hydrants, valves, vaults, water mains, water laterals, lead water laterals, rain gardens, irrigation systems, curb and gutter, sidewalk removal and reinstallation, roadway milling and HMA overlay, pavement patching, decorative paver installations, tree and plant removal and installation, traffic signal removal and installation, streetlight removal and installation, pavement markings, decorative lighting, EV Chargers, Art

Installations, Fiber Optic Cable, specialty signage; and all appurtenant work thereto.

Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Monday, December 2, 2024 at 4:00 pm Plans and proposals can be found at https://www.oak-park. us/your-government/budgetpurchasing/requests-proposals or at www.questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 9420018 for a non-refundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.

The work to be performed pursuant to this proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

Bill McKenna Village Engineer

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

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

2025 Pavement Crack Sealing Project

The Work consists of the application of approximately 32,500 pounds of Fiber-Modified Crack Sealing to various asphalt public roadways.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at:

www.vrf.us/bids

Bids must be submitted by Friday, December 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at:

Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest

400 Park Avenue

River Forest, IL 60305

The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

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

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail .Publication must be promised. Thank you Jesus. Thank You St . Jude. R.R

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

Published in Wednesday Journal November 27, 2024

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

2025 Street Patching Program

This project consists of the patching of approximately 4,000 square yards of existing, defective asphalt pavement at various locations throughout the Village, as designated by the Department of Public Works.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at:

www.vrf.us/bids

Bids must be submitted by Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at:

Public Works Department, 2nd Floor

Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue

River Forest, IL 60305

The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

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

Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: HMA Paving

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

Published in Wednesday Journal November 27, 2024

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

2025 Curb and Sidewalk Replacement Program (Various Locations)

This project consists of the installation of approximately 18,500 square feet of PCC sidewalk, 125 linear feet of PCC curb/gutter, 50 square yards of driveway apron, 40 square feet of detectable warnings and other work incidental thereto.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at:

www.vrf.us/bids

Bids must be submitted by Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at:

Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305

The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

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

Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: Concrete Construction

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

Published in Wednesday Journal November 27, 2024

to you

Jennifer

Chairperson Planning & Zoning Commission

The Foundation was created by the community, for the community. Join us to build a racially just society in which all members of our community thrive and prosper. Together we can invest in real change.

Please give to our annual fund today.

A note from the Chamber

As the year draws to a close, there’s no better time to celebrate the magic community. The holidays are a time of connection, joy, and giving, and our vibrant local businesses are at the heart of it all. From cozy cafes and unique shops to family-owned restaurants and innovative boutiques, our business community embodies the spirit of the season, offering everything you need to make this time of year unforgettable.

This year, we’re excited to launch our “Keep the Cheer Here” campaign, designed to

neighborhoods. Together, we can create a season filled with warmth, enerosity, and shared success

As you flip through this guide, ll find inspiration for giftving, tips for holiday events, and ways to make this season special while supporting the small businesses that make our community thrive. Let’s come together to celebrate what makes Oak Park and River Forest so special—our people, our passion, and our pride.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Here’s to a season of connection and cheer,

Contributing reporter Risé Sanders-Weir

Contributor Brooke Duncan

Digital Manager Stac y Coleman

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

Marketing & Adver tising Associate Ben Stumpe

Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls

Business & Development Manager

Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Editor Erika Hobbs

Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Darien Marion-Bur ton Executi ve Director OPRF Chamber of Commerce

The nostalgia and magic of Christmas come to life, as the ten singers of Chicago a cappella are joined by actor Greg Vinkler for a program of timeless carols such as Carol of the Bells and Good King Wenceslas, woven between a delightful re-telling of Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales.

Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3:00 PM Pilgrim Congregational Church 460 Lake Street, Oak Park

Additional Performances Dec. 6 - 14 in Chicago, Evanston, and Naperville

Celebrate the Season with the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust!

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio & Museum Shop 951 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302

Extended Oak Park Shopping Hours

Friday, November 29, 9:30 am – 7:00 pm

Saturday, November 30, 9:30 am – 7:00 pm

Shop in-store, support local business, and enjoy a glass of wine while you browse from 4 to 7 pm.

SHOP ONLINE AT SHOPWRIGHT.ORG.

Home for the Holidays

Saturday, December 7, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Bring your family and friends for a free tour of Wright’s Oak Park Home, decked for the holidays! Guests receive $20 off any level of Membership and members receive 20% off in the shop.

PLEASE REGISTER AT FLWRIGHT.ORG .

Shop Local & Celebrate the Holidays in River Forest!

This holiday season, make your shopping merry and meaningful by supporting local businesses in River Forest! Whether you’re finding the perfect gifts or enjoying a festive meal, our community has it all:

Good Earth Greenhouse

7900 Madison St.

Discover unique holiday décor and gifts for plant lovers.

River Forest Chocolates & Confectionery

7769 Lake St.

Indulge in handcrafted chocolates and sweet treats.

Fresh Thyme Market

7501 North Ave.

Stock up on fresh, quality ingredients for your holiday meals.

By shopping and dining local, you’re helping our community thrive while enjoying a oneof-a-kind holiday experience. Let’s make this season bright together in River Forest! Shop, dine, and celebrate local. Happy Holidays!

Ann Taylor Loft

7331 Lake St

Bertolli’s Pizza

7970 Oak Ave

Capri Italian Foods

7325 North Ave

Cava

7211 Lake St

Chico’s

7337 Lake St

CVS

7929 North Ave

DSW Shoe Warehouse

7321 Lake St

Frank’s Deli

7971 Lake St

Shop & Dine in River Forest!

Good Earth Greenhouse and Cafe

7900 Madison St

Good Omen Gyoza

7225 North Ave

Gunzo’s Sports Center

7706 Madison St

Hello Boba

7627 Lake St

Hub Kitchen

7225 North Av

J Crew Factory

7335 Lake St.

Jewel Osco

7525 Lake St

Noodles & Company

7219 Lake St

Panera Bread

7349 Lake St

Petco

7265 Lake St

River Forest Chocolates

7769 Lake St

Starbucks

7525 Lake St

The Men’s Warehouse

7201 Lake St

Ultra Beauty

7231 Lake St

Whole Foods

7245 Lake St

Yolk

7301 North Ave

Hosting a bunch? Ta ke ‘em to brunc h

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter

Getting a large group up and going in the morning is hard work. But it’s even harder still to cook for them. If you are hosting a gathering that sometimes feels like a television comedy during the holidays, brunch is your friend!

Whether your crowd is a Party of Five or Eight is Enough, local restaurants are standing by to help in these Family Matters.

George’s Family Restaurant, 145 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, is a mainstay. The menu is hearty, and there is room for everyone. Owner George Konstantos keeps it simple.

“Everybody likes the menu. The service is good. That’s what the sign says: George’s Family Restaurant, right?” said Konstantos.

Across the street, Maya del Sol, 144 S. Oak Park Ave., offers up not only a special Sunday brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., but your Modern Family can order of f the dinner menu too.

“It is common for guests to order of f of the brunch menu and compliment with some of our favorites from the dinner menu such as guacamole, nachos or

margaritas!” Chris Ramirez, managing partner, said. “Our most popular brunch item is definitely our huevos rancheros.”

Further down the street, 800 S. Oak Park Ave., Kettlestrings Tavern has enough room for your Brady Bunch. Through the end of the year weekend brunch service includes $7 Bloody Mary’s and mimosas.

Menu favorites morning through mid-day are chilaquiles, crispy feta Avocado toast and biscuits with gravy.

Caffe DeLuca, 7427 Madison St, Forest Park, can fill up The Walton, Addams, Gilmore or Lopez families with brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The full DeLuca breakfast is a fan favorite, as is breakfast pizza and the perennial winner, French toast. Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s will only set you back $7 here, too.

If your group is a chosen family, The Onion Roll, 6935 W. North Ave., will give you

Seinfeld vibes. This Jewish-style deli was completely remodeled a few years ago and now bakes their own bagels.

“We altered the PH of the water using a complex filtration system and use a 3-day proofing process to churn out NY bagels,” said co-owner Ryan Rosenthal.

The menu is extensive, so choosing between the Denver omelet with Corned Beef Hash, matzo ball soup, or a bagel with hand-sliced lox is a task. There’s no alcohol, but Julius Meinl coffee pours smoothly out of their carafes.

This holiday season, if you’ve got a Full House that is straining Family Ties, pile everyone in the car or an old truck, like the Clampetts of Beverly Hills, and head out. Once satiated, everyone will hopefully come home and take a nap. You can tune out. Your work here is done.

• caffedeluca.com

• georgesrestaurantoakpark.com • kettlestringstavern.com • mayadelsol.com

theonionroll.com

Huevos rancheros from Maya del Sol

Open - 11am-10pm through December 31st

Monday - $10 House Martini’s

Tuesday - 50% off Pizza’s

Wednesday - 50% of Bottles of Wine and Beer

Thursday - 50% off Appetizers

*Holidays Excluded

Wa nt to thr ow a holiday part y tha t dazzles?

Who doesn’t? Here’s how

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Contributing Reporter

Whether you have family ov for a holiday dinner or thr the doors open for a crowd of friends, hosting can be daunting. Yet most of us love to tend a party … and will be ever so grateful that we’re on the guest list.

There are many resources in the area to help make gathering a success. We reached out to several to find out what tips, tricks and triumphs they could share.

Food factors

First on the checklist is food. Some suggestions were downright basic, yet ever so insightful.

“Serving spoons! There’s never any freaking serving spoons. When I do catering, I’m like, ‘I’m gonna include serving spoons for you.’ Because people are li didn’t have nothing to serve the food with.” Mayra Fernández of Café Cubano said.

Fernández also said to pick a theme and go with it. Maybe something you have tried in the past. Obviously, she thinks you should try Cuban food.

She starts cooking lechon early in the holidays and though she appreciates ad vanced orders, at the holidays they always have some cash and carry with tr ready to go

That leads to another piece of the food puzzle

“Hosts should not forget about who their guests are. Meaning, is it kids? Adults only? Guests with food allergies? Ordering the appropriate food items is crucial to having your guests really enjoy themselves at your event instead of possibly going home hungry!” Anthony Gambino of Cucina Paradiso said.

“At Trattoria 225, we do a lot of items that are naturally gluten free,” Bill Quick said. “You’ re really not picking food for yourself; you’ re picking food for a group.”

Quick also had a tip for setting up a buffet. “When we set up our tables, we call it elevation and fluff. We put pizza boxes un-

Cheese board from Cu cina Paradiso

derneath the tablecloth.

le

Books or upturned pans work too.

Now that the table has been prepped, it’s time to think about temperature.

“Most events do not have a great plan for holding food both hot and cold. Especially if they are doing a buffet or open house. Icing cold food and transferring hot food from the foil pans they come into Dutch oven-type pots with lids is a great way to keep food hot without it drying out or getting over cooked,” said Anthony Gambino of Victory Italian.

If you have catering trays with simmering water, try putting cloves and cinnamon sticks in the warm water to infuse the air with holiday spirit.

Tablescape

A sit-down dinner can sometimes feel strait-laced. Infuse a bit of fun with the English tradition of holiday crackers. The pull-apart tubes contain surprises inside.

“It’s a very inexpensive way to add levity and a little bit of novelty to your table and make the guests laugh,” Karen Morava of the Careful Peach said. “Each one just has just fun little silly things in it. All should

have a paper crown, so everybody gets to be royalty for the evening.”

Another strategy for amping up the table is candles. Low profile votives are better than eye-line disrupting candelabras, according to Morava.

“Put votives straight down the middle of the table. It’s a more modern look, but it’s very easy. It’s very af fordable,” said Morava.

CUCINA PA R ADISO

Cubano's Lechon platter

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Careful

Floral nish

ou ever go to an event and there’s no flowers, it’s notice,” Therese McGuire of Garland Flowers said. “They don’t need to be huge. They just provide the finishing touch.”

Gigi Rowe of Pickle Hill Parties agrees, “When someone walks into a room and sees a beautiful flower arrangement, you can’t help but smile. Flowers make people happy!”

“The key to longevity for flowers is temperature. Keep them as cool as possible, down to 36 degrees. Find that not-quite heated sunporch or chilly room in the house. And keep an eye on the water. Change it daily and always use cold water (ice cubes even),” Rowe adds.

McGuire suggests a swag of evergreens. “When people come in, they’re smelling it. It smells wonderful. And then the beauty of them they’ll last the hole season.”

As you reach for “hostess with the most-est” heights, remember that you should be enjoying the party too. A little planning, preparation and some help from local businesses can go a long way. Mostly, we all just want to be to gether during the holidays.

ould serve potato chips in a pretty bowl and sit on the floor, and it will be just as fun and wonderful as a fancy four-course meal, if you have the right frame of mind,” Gigi Rowe reminds us

More info at:

• cafecubanochicago.com

• carefulpeach.com

• cucinaoakpark.com

• garlandflowers.net

• picklehillparties.com

• trattoria225.com

• victoryitalian.com

Evergreen swag from Garland Flowers

Arrangement of poppies from Pickle Hill Parties

PICKLE HILL PARTIES

Upcoming Holiday Events

Dec ember 1-31

There’s something fun for ever yone this holiday season!

Compiled by Brooke Duncan

Dark Side of the Yule in Oak Park

Saturday, Dec. 1, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.,

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Kick o the holiday season with our “Dark Side of the Yule” concert in this beautiful space. Christmas meets classic rock. We’ll feature new music this year from our brand-new holiday album. Be one of the rst to hear it. Tickets are $25. Register for this event at classicalblast. com. 611 Randolph St., Oak Park

A Charlie Brown Christmas Brunch: Performed by

The Chris White Trio

Saturday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m., FitzGerald’s Celebrate the season with A Charlie Brown Christmas brunch featuring The Chris White Trio. $10 general admission with brunch from BABYGOLD Barbecue. Tickets are $10. Purchase tickets at tzgeraldsnightclub.com. 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Ber wyn

a kit this holiday season Holiday Ornaments and Jewelry Kits One-of-a-Kind Jewelry and Gift Certificates also available Great for teachers, essential workers, stocking stuffers or hostess gifts

Breakfast with Santa - Oak Park

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Oak Park Egg Harbor Café

Warm up with a coz y breakfast and enjoy a visit from Santa at the Oak Park Egg Harbor Café. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Santa will visit each table, spreading holiday cheer and making every child’s day. Capture the moment with a photo as Santa listens to wishes and shares the magic of the season. 1111 South Blvd., Oak Park

this holiday season Holiday Ornaments and Jewelry Kits

One-of-a-Kind Jewelry and Gift Certificates also available Great for teachers, essential workers, stocking stuffers or hostess gifts

Snowflake ornament drop-in workshop is back!

Snowflake ornament drop-in workshop is back! For details go to www.beadinhand.com/holiday-special-events

beadinhand.com 145 Harrison Street 708-848-1761

beadinhand.com 145 Harrison Street 708-848-1761

Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 11–6

Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 11–6

Wed: 1–6; Sat: 10–5 Sun: Closed except Dec 17

Wed: 1–6; Sat: 10–5 Sun: Closed except Dec 17

Warm Up to Your Dream Home this Winter

DiAne Boese Broker

c: 708.595.8748

e: dboese@atproperties.com

c: 312.399.0470

e: jenniferb@atproperties.com

Ron’s Very Special Christmas Special!

Thursday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m., FitzGerald’s

An annual variety show lled with holiday stories, songs, jokes, and a choir, celebrating Christmas in a unique and fun way with guests and live performances. Purchase tickets at tzgeraldsnightclub.com. 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Ber wyn

Create a Gingerbread Person Plushie Kit

Friday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Forest Park Public Library

Join us for a festive craft session and create your very own gingerbread plushie! This DIY kit is per fec t for kids, pre-k, and families, o ering a fun way to get into the holiday spirit. Please register each child who will need a kit, as supplies are limited. For more information, visit: https:// tinyurl.com/4xmz8vty. 7555 Jackson Bl vd., Forest Park

2024 Holiday Housewalk & Market

Friday, Dec. 6, 3–7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m, Oak Park Area

Kick o the season with a tour of six festively decorated homes in Oak Park and River Forest, featuring decor by homeowners and local orists. Explore the holiday market for unique gifts and ideas. Housewalk hours are Friday, Dec. 6, 5:00–9:00 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 7, 1:00–5:00 p.m. Tickets are $70 in advance, supporting IWS Children’s Clinic to provide essential health services to children in need. To purchase tickets to this event, visit opr ws.org/buy-tickets. For more information, visit opr ws.org/holiday-housewalk. 28 Madison St., Oak Park

Gingerbread Ball

Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Madison Street Theater

Join the Christmas Roboto and us for the second annual Gingerbread Ball, the most rock and roll way to get into the holiday spirit. madisonstreettheater.org. 1008 Madison St., Oak Park

Breakfast with Santa

Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Cheney Mansion

Enjoy a delightful breakfast with Santa, where families can join in the holiday cheer and make lasting memories.

Lunch with Santa

Saturday, Dec. 7, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Cheney Mansion

Join Santa for lunch and share special moments during this festive gathering.

Tea with Santa

Saturday, Dec. 7, 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m., Cheney Mansion

Sip tea with Santa in an afternoon of holiday fun. Join Santa and his elves for this wonderful family tradition, lled with music and a special visit from Santa. Enjoy the sounds of period carolers to get into the holiday spirit and check out the Oak Park Society of Model Train Engineers’ holiday train display. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to Sarah’s Inn. All participants must be registered. Infants under 1 year do not need to be registered. Due to space limitations, strollers are not allowed inside the

Mansion, but highchairs are available on a limited basis. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $33 - $42 / session. For more information, visit app.amilia.com. 220 North Euclid Ave., Oak Park

A Charlie Brown Christmas Brunch: Performed by The Kevin Fort Trio

Saturday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m., FitzGerald’s Enjoy a festive jazz brunch featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Kevin Fort Trio.

$10 general admission with a delicious brunch menu from BABYGOLD Barbecue. Purchase tickets at tzgeraldsnightclub. com. 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berw yn

Handmade & Vintage Holiday Market

Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. – Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m., Oak Park Area

Join us for a local holiday market showcasing a beautiful variety of handmade and vintage items from local producers, artisans, and makers. Tickets are free. For more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/4u7ucmvz. 902 South Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park

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Sign up for our Open House on January 24, 2025 at https://bit.ly/OHJan2025 and see our programs in action.

Come to where your child loves going to school, and gets the attention they deserve.

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Sciatica Nerve Pain

Post-Surgical Rehab Rotator Cuff Issues

info@mindfulmotionpt.org

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Pop-Up Holiday Gift Crafting (For Families)

Saturday, Dec. 7, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., River Forest Public Library

Join us for a special holiday crafting session where families can create personalized gifts using recycled craft supplies. It’s a great way to make something special for a loved one while having fun together. Children aged 7 and younger must have a caregiver (12 or older) with them at all times. This program is designed for families to par ticipate together. Be prepared to get messy and wear appropriate clothing. 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest

Christmas Sing-Along + Market with Ar tisan Jewelry and Bake Sale

Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Unity of Oak Park

Celebrate the season with music, singing, and joy at our Christmas Sing-Along. Browse unique artisan jewelry and enjoy homemade treats at our bake sale. A festive event for all to spread holiday cheer. 405 North Euclid Ave., Oak Park

Holiday Social Gathering

Thursday, Dec. 12, 6–9 p.m., One Lake Brewing

Celebrate the holiday season and our secular values with food, drink, humanist carols, games, readings, and an (optional) white- elephant gift exchange. Join us for one of the highlights of the year. Note: This venue is not wheelchair accessible due to a signi cant ight of stairs. To view the white elephant gift guidelines, visit: elhumanists.org/white- elephant.

1 Lake St., Oak Park

The Redmonds Holiday Show

Friday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. - 11 p.m., FitzGerald’s

Join us for an exciting holiday performance from The Redmonds at FitzGerald’s! The Redmonds, featuring a stellar line-up of Chicagoland’s top talent, perform a mix of classic rock, Americana, and original songs. Led by the impeccable vocal harmonies of Mike and Katie Redmond, this high-energy show is sure to kick o the holiday season in style. For dinner, enjoy BabyGold Barbecue before the show, or dine inside the club when the doors open. Tickets are $20 and is for ages 21+.

For more information, visit tzgeraldsnightclub.com. Parking is limited, so rideshare, bicycle, or rickshaw are recommended.. 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn

• Authentic Programming Designed, Created and Led by GrandMaster Yu

• Emphasis on the Discipline, Wellness and Safety Bene ts of Martial Arts Training; creating Community Wellness and Responsible Citizenship

• All Instructors and Masters are Local, trained from within by GrandMaster Yu: consistent, high standards

• Safe, Accessible Facility with on-site parking and a caring, Asian-inspired environment in North Oak Park

“GrandMaster Yu is an important part of our community, and personally, part of our family.” – Oak Park Dad

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“GrandMaster Yu and the Instructors are all amazing: they have had such a positive impact on our daughters!” – Oak Park Mom

Party gifts that say thanks

ABy RISÉ SANDERS -WEIR Contributing Reporter

nyone who throws a party deserves thanks. The Emily Post Institute for etiquette says whether to bring a host/hostess gift varies by re gion and culture. “It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive; simply consider the nature of the occasion and local custom when making your choice,” their website says.

In our area the custom varies. What type of gathering is it? Will you be reciprocating in the near future? Is it a regularly scheduled event or special occasion? Ultimately, trust your instinct. And give something that won’t burden the host or hostess in their busiest moment. So, no unarranged flowers that need to be attended to right away Here are some excellent options that will keep you shopping local.

Celebrate the par ty planners

Alice Prosecco Brut ‘Doro Nature

$30

A dry sparkling wine that has gained the attention of sommeliers looking for a champagne alternative. Artisanal and woman owned. 128 S. Marion St.

Blackout Baking Co.

Blackout Hot Cocoa Mix

$12.50

Made in house with premium cocoa, cane sugar, and a combination of milk and dark Belgian chocolate Flavors include Chili, Peppermint, and Salted Maple. 210 S. Marion St.

Candycopia

Women-Owned Candy Collection

$49.95

Featuring three candymakers: Blackout Marshmallows, Sweet Addiction To ee (Elgin) and Katherine Anne Confections (Logan Square). Ten percent of sales go to New Moms. 717 Lake St. (photo: Candycopia-women owned candy.jpg, credit: )

Catan Pisco

Pisco Sour Kit

$75.99

Local and woman-owned, the kit provides everything to make a festive and delicious cocktail using this unique, multiple gold winning, distilled grape Chilean spirit CatanPisco.com/buy

G & G Home

Velvet Night candle

$19

G & G’s signature holiday candle is nestled in a crimson-colored glass. Fragrant notes of pine, peppercorn and red currant waft from the candle to scent the season. 327 Harrison St.

Civinte Candle Bar

Wooden Candle Bowls

$30

Wooden wicks unlock the fragrance within these nine-ounce candles. As the ame interacts with the wood it creates a soft crackling sound. Available in a variety of scents.

807 S. Oak Park Ave.

Fitzgerald’s Fine Stationer y and Gifts

Wine Stoppers

$29

These festive stoppers can hold wine over, to be poured another day. The Christmas theme will bring joy for years to come.

111 N. Marion St.

Gem Home + Jewelry

Matches

$15

Luxurious long-stemmed matches from British company “Archivist Gallery” feature a variety of historic and artist-commissioned images on boxes. Useful and elegant. 115 N. Oak Park Ave.

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Museum Shop

Tumbler Set

$25.99

The Coonley Tumblers are inspired by the playful leaded glass windows from the Wright-designed Avery Coonley Playhouse in Riverside. 951 Chicago Ave.

Olive & Well

Three Bottle gift set

$37.95

For the host/hostess who likes to cook! Sets are pre-selected or customized to order. Box shown contains Memories of Italy, Memories of Greece and Some Like it Hot. 133 N. Oak Park Ave.

Ten Thousand Villages

Berries Colander

$44.99

The Bowl of Berries Colander is aesthetically pleasing and imminently useful. It can be used regularly for rinsing and serving berries, tomatoes and other small fruits. 121 N. Marion St.

Milk & Cookies Ar t Part y

Friday, Dec. 13, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., Community Center

Drop the kids o for a fun evening of art, pizza, and milk and cookies for dessert. Under the guidance of our talented sta , kids will create beautiful works of ar t. Ages 5-12; $20 for residents, $25 for non-residents. All decorating supplies are included, with one kit per participant. Pre -registration required one week prior to the event. For more information, visit: www.nbpd4fun. org. 1619 Wesley Ave., Ber wyn

Holiday Makers Market with Santa on the Roof top

Saturday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., One Lake Brewing

Join the 4th Annual Holiday Makers Market featuring local artisans, handmade goods, and a special visit from Santa on the rooftop. Browse unique items from local makers, enjoy the drink menu on the rst oor, and sip hot chocolate or enjoy cookies with Santa upstairs. Regular food service is closed during the market; snacks will be available from vendors. 1 Lake St., Oak Park

Sing We Joyous 2024

Saturday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. - Sunday, Dec. 15, 6

p.m., First United Church of Oak Park

Three choirs (The Oriana Singers, City Voices, and Pro Musica Youth Chorus) plus special guests and the Sing We Joyous Orchestra create beautiful music and warmhearted joy for this beloved holiday concert. Old friends, new delights, and a Twelve Days of Christmas like you’ve never seen before. 848 Lake St., Oak Park

Christmas Market at Columbus Park

Saturday, Dec. 14, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Columbus Park - Chicago Park District

Join us for a fun- lled afternoon of holiday magic. Enjoy photos at the North Pole, free gifts for kids, amazing vendors, live music, and crafts for all ages. 500 S. Central Ave., Chicago

32nd Annual Cookie Walk

Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m., United Lutheran & Chicago Church of Christ - Metro Ministry Center

Come join us for our 32nd Annual Cookie Walk. Enjoy a festive selection of homemade cookies to take home or enjoy with friends, co-hosted by United Lutheran and the Chicago Church of Christ - Metro Ministry Center. For more information, visit: unitedlutheranchurch.org. 409 Green eld St., Oak Park

Holiday Cookie Exchange

Sunday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., River Forest Public Library

Celebrate the holiday season by baking and sharing your favorite homemade cookies with others. Bring a batch of cookies along with the recipe and enjoy tasting others’ creations. The library will provide cookie tins for taking cookies home, as well as copies of the recipes. Hot chocolate will also be ser ved to sweeten the day. Registration is required. Sponsored by River Forest Township. For more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/529kk33s. 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest

Christmas Vacation Trivia & Ugly Sweater Contest at One Lake Brewing

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., One Lake Brewing

Put on your best/worst/ugliest holiday attire and join us for a festive trivia night on the iconic holiday lm “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”. While you play, OLB will ser ve up fantastic craft beer, wine, cocktails, and an artisan food menu. Prizes for the top teams and ugliest sweater. 1 Lake St., Oak Park

A Charlie Brown Christmas Happy Hour in SIDEBAR! ft. The Kevin Fort Trio

Thursday, Dec. 19, 5:30 p.m., FitzGerald’s

Celebrate Christmas with the Kevin Fo rt Trio’s per f ormance of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Enjoy a jazz-infused holiday experience with a $8 general admission. Purchase tickets at fitzgeraldsnightclub. com. 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berw yn

La st Fridays Teacher Happy

Hour Holiday Edition!

Friday, Dec. 20, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., FitzGerald’s

Celebrate the holiday season with a special Teacher Happy Hour at FitzGerald’s. Bring your teacher ID and enjoy a free drink (beer or wine) from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. It’s the per fect way to unwind and connect with fellow educators. RSVP to let us know how many teachers will be joining us for this festive gathering. For ticket and event information, visit tzgeraldsnightclub.com. 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berw yn

The Pile Bookstore welcomes all book, game, and coffee/tea lovers! With a wide selection of new and previously loved books, board games to play in store or purchase to take home, and a carefully curated selection of coffee, tea, and pastries, this cozy shop offers something for everyone. Find gifts for everyone on your holiday list with a great variety of calendars, candles, games, apparel, and more. Grab a coffee and snack, join one of their regular book clubs, or stop in for a new release - open 10am-8pm Tuesday-Saturday and 10am-3pm Sunday!

7117B Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, IL 708-320-1001 thepilebookstore.com

JACQUELYN FIELDS

Selling Winterwear at the Frosty Affair Holiday Market

December 5th at the Ninteenth Century Club! 3:30pm-7:30pm

OAHMPfocusesonhelpingseniorslive independentlyintheirhomewhileengaging indailyactivities.Servicesprovidedbythe OT,RN,&handyman/contractorforhome maintenanceservicesare free

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Requirements:

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OAHMPfocusesonhelpingseniorslive independentlyintheirhomewhileengaging indailyactivities.Servicesprovidedbythe OT,RN,&handyman/contractorforhome maintenanceservicesare free

OAHMPfocusesonhelpingseniorslive independentlyintheirhomewhileengaging indailyactivities.Servicesprovidedbythe OT,RN,&handyman/contractorforhome maintenanceservicesare free

OAHMPfocusesonhelpingseniorslive independentlyintheirhomewhileengaging indailyactivities.Servicesprovidedbythe OT,RN,&handyman/contractorforhome maintenanceservicesare free

Ourprogrammayassistwithpurchasing adaptivemedicalequipmentthatarenot coveredthroughinsurance:cane,hearing aid,showerchairs,seatassistriser,and muchmore!

Ourprogrammayassistwithpurchasing adaptivemedicalequipmentthatarenot coveredthroughinsurance:cane,hearing aid,showerchairs,seatassistriser,and

Ourprogrammayassistwithpurchasing adaptivemedicalequipmentthatarenot coveredthroughinsurance:cane,hearing aid,showerchairs,seatassistriser,and

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Countyserviceareas:Cook(includingChicago)DuPage,Lake,Kane,McHenry

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2nd District PHAmily Holiday Celebration

Friday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m., Robinson No.1 Ribs, Oak Park area

Celebrate the holiday season with Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends at this festive gathering. The event will also include the “WARM HEART” initiative, featuring a Winter Hat, Socks & Blanket drive to suppor t those in need. 848 Madison St., Oak Park

Christmas House

Decorating Contest

Thursday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m., Community Center

Show your holiday spirit and compete to be the bestdecorated house in Nor th Berw yn! Open to all ages, and free to enter. Prizes awarded to the top three decorated homes. Nor th Berw yn residents only. Register by Dec. 5 by calling 708-749-4900 or visiting 1619 Wesley Ave. 1619 Wesley Ave, Berw yn

“Christmas Special” with Lakeshore Brass & Project 88 Choir

Saturday, Dec. 21, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church

Join us for a festive evening featuring the brass quintet Lakeshore Brass and the debut performance of the Project 88 Choir. Enjoy a mix of holiday favorites and seasonal classical pieces in an engaging, interac tive concer t. Open to all; suggested donation of $15 per person. Tickets are free. 1246 South Harvey Ave., Berw yn

One Day Workshop: Holiday Desser t Decorating

Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., Community Center

Join us for a fun morning of holiday dessert decorating! Enjoy creating some ooey-gooey treats with all decorating supplies included. Open to all ages (children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult). $12 for residents, $17 for non-residents per kit. Pre-registration required one week before the event. For more information, visit: www.nbpd4fun.org. 1619 Wesley Ave., Berw yn

Celebrate the Season at Our

Christmas Event + Gingerbread House Decorating

Sunday, Dec. 22, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Unity of Oak Park

Join us for a festive Christmas Ser vice, complete with gingerbread house decorating fun and a visit from Frosty the Snowman. A merry event to kick o the holiday season with family and friends. 405 Nor th Euclid Ave., Oak Park

Bowling With Santa

Monday, Dec. 23, 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Robert's Westside

Join us for a fun- lled afternoon of bowling with Santa. Dress in your best Santa suit or holiday out t for an afternoon of bowling, pizza, and games. Families welcome, with under-21s accompanied by a parent/ guardian. 7321 Madison St., Forest Park

December 15, 2024

Holiday Promise

February 16, 2025

Espectacular Espanol

June 8, 2025

Resplendent Romantics

Concerts on Sundays, 4 pm at Concordia University Chapel, River Forest Students through college admitted free of charge

Free parking at 1124 Bonnie Brae Place

Play an instrument?

Email SymphonyOPRF@gmail.com if you'd like to join the orchestra.

Contact us for tickets or more information! 708.218.2648 | theSymphonyOPRF@gmail.com SymphonyOPRF.org

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Gagliardo Group, which includes 4 generations of realtors, has over 20 licensed realtors, who are highly recognized and respected in the Oak Park, River Forest and greater Chicagoland area. They are among the most knowledgeable real estate agents in the field with personal roots in the communities they serve, giving them an “at-home”

Gagliardo Group, which includes 4 generations of realtors, has over 20 licensed realtors, who are highly recognized and respected in the Oak Park, River Forest and greater Chicagoland area. They are among the most knowledgeable real estate agents in the field with personal roots in the communities they serve, giving them an “at-home” advantage. We are now part of an innovative real estate company, Compass, that has exceptional marketing strategies and technological tools that streamline the process of buying, selling, or renting a home.

BUILD IS PROUD TO SPONSOR

The Austin Holiday Market

A celebration of local, small black and brown owned businesses and non-profit social enterprises selling their products for the holiday season.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6TH: 9AM-7PM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH: 11AM-3PM

BUILD CAMPUS

5100 W HARRISON ST. CHICAGO, IL 60644 SEE MARKET VENDORS HERE!

Fest ive fun for fur friend s

Holidays with Fido, Flu y and even Goldy

By RISÉ SANDERS -WEIR Contributing Reporter

Nothing says “Hallmark Christmas” like a puppy with a bow around its neck under the tree, but our local pet experts say there are better and more wonderful ways to enjoy the holidays with your pets.

First, if you don’t have a pet yet, Animal Care League would like to talk to you.

“Many pets have no one to celebrate with,” Eli Knapp, communications director at ACL, said. “For cats, dogs, bunnies, and other pets, a lack of companionship from people and other animals can lead to anxiety, stress, and depression, even though they might act tough on the outside. Just like we need them, animals need us!”

In November ACL hosted a “Home for the Holidays” adoption event at its fully remade headquarters at 1013 Garfield St., Oak Park

But there are always pets awaiting their forever home at the shelter. And it’s better to get your pet before the festi vities start, so they can get acclimated and enjoy the season with you.

Scratch ‘n Snif f, 120 N. Marion St., Oak Park, loves to see a new member of your family walk in the door. Custom fitting harnesses is one of their specialties.

“We love it when people bring the dog in, so we can fit it to them,” owner Gail Eisner said. “They can walk around and try it. Then you know you’ve gotten it right.”

The boutique is full of toys, treats and gifts for your special friend too. If you are headed to a party, bring a host gift to that home’s hound from Scratch ‘n Snif f’s pet friendly bakery case.

And speaking of parties and other holiday events, the staf f at Oak Park Natural Pet and Fish, 23 N. Harlem Ave., Oak Park, have ideas to keep things calm when

strangers come over.

“The scents and sounds might over stimulate them, especially if it’s a newer dog or an older dog that’s going through a transition,” general manager Jasmine Saunders said.

Foraging bowls, Pupsicles or licking pads larded with a special treat can distract dogs and keep their focus away from the pandemonium. There are pet gifting options in store as well.

“I highly recommend things that are interactive for them and you,” Saunders said. “You should give them gifts that explore time together.”

What about sh?

“One of the biggest reasons that we fish keep is because we want to reconnect ourselves with nature. Add plants, substrate, decorations – all of those things bring out a fish’s desire to explore their ecosystem. So,

you get more active fish.”

Coming back to the furrier friends, don’t forget about grooming and boarding.

“I’ve had people literally tell me, after they’ve left town, hey, I have a hidden key. Can you please go pick up the dog? I completely forgot,” said Jenny Gonzalez owner of Pet Emporium, 7638 Madison, Forest Park

Grooming and boarding schedules fill up quickly during this time of the year, according to Gonzalez.

Shower them with love and Feliz Navi-dog!

oakparkpet.com

scratchnsniff.biz

Baker y at Scratch ‘n Sni

Foraging bowl from Oak Park Natural Pet & Fish

Toys from Scratch ‘n Sni

PHOTO S BY RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Toy at Scratch ‘n Sni

Open Sundays 11:00 AM-4:00 PM!

ANDREW MEGILL, CONDUCTOR

HOLIDAY BRASS & CHORAL CONCERTS

Inspiring music in beautiful spaces

THURSDAY

Dec 19, 7:30 pm

Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest

The Joyful Giving Catalog2024

Animal Care League

Animal Care League offers a safe haven for pets in need. Rooted in the community since 1973, Animal Care League takes a proactive approach to animal care and adoption as well as preventative measures to help reduce the number of homeless animals in our communities. With over 1,300 pets coming to our doors each year, Animal Care League counts on supporters to ensure that we can provide what is needed from routine vaccinations to life saving surgery. Make a difference in the life of a homeless animal by visiting animalcareleague.org where you can sign up to volunteer, make a donation, view our adoptable pets, and learn about upcoming events.

Arts Alliance Forest Park

Become a Member and Create With Us! Arts Alliance Forest Park. The Catalyst for Creativity.

Members enjoy a variety of benefits including discounts to events, advanced notice to opportunities to showcase your talent, all while collaborating with other local organizations and businesses including Forest Park Theatre, the Park District, Historical Society and the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce.

Programs include the well-attended and known StoopSessions, Tellers’ Night, GarageGalleries, Makers’ Market and FiberFlash. You were born creative. Join the only Forest Park arts organization that assembles like-minded art enthusiasts for the love, fun and beauty of art.

Join us! Visit forestparkarts.org/ become-a-member-1

Everything you need for a better world:

Austin Coming Together

Austin Coming Together (ACT)’s mission is to increase the collective impact of our 50+ member organizations on improving education and economic development outcomes for Chicago’s Austin community. Since 2010, we’ve been connecting residents to services, attracting investments for the community, and building capacity for policy change. Recent efforts include co-developing the former Emmet School into the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation and supporting the Austin Eats Initiative, a 20+ group focused on strengthening the community’s food access infrastructure.

Learn how Austin is leading efforts to move forward together, and how you can support, at AustinComingTogether.org/AustinCares

Beyond Hunger

For 45 years Beyond Hunger has been harnessing the power of communities to create a hunger-free future. Our food pantry, home delivery program, nutrition education classes, and benefits services program provides hunger relief that goes beyond basic nourishment. Our goal is to provide our clients with the immediate and long-term tools they need, ensuring that no one is left behind in the battle against food insecurity. This work is not possible without our community. Whether you volunteer, advocate for those in need, or donate, you are essential in moving our mission forward. With your support, we believe hunger is solvable.

Learn more about how you can get involved in the fight to end hunger by visiting www.gobeyondhunger.org or donating using this QR Code.

BUILD

Since 1969, we have embedded mentors in schools and across neighborhoods to connect with youth who need support. Wrapping young people in the opportunities and care they deserve, we help them build hope, resilience, and a path to a promising future. We engage youth at every stage, with specialized teams dedicated to street violence interventions, gang detachments, creative after-school programming, academic school, college support, mental health care, community violence crisis response, and enrichment activities ranging from art and music to sports, podcasting, engineering, and gardening. Potential doesn’t discriminate, neither should opportunity.

Join us in BUILDing a better future: www.buildchicago.org

CAYR Connections

CAYR Connections is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in Oak Park.

CAYR stands for “Come As You Are,” and we advocate for embracing neurodiversity, the natural variation of human brains. We believe that there is no “right” type of brain, and that an inclusive, accessible society improves the world for everyone, not just neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, etc.) individuals.

Your donation helps us fund current programs and create new ones, too! We are working on a neurodiversity-affirming afterschool and summer program for 2025.

Visit www.cayrconnections. org to learn more. Your generosity helps celebrate “minds of all kinds.”

located at 1139 Randolph Street in Oak Park, educates young children ages 2 to age 6, and offers working families a safe and nurturing environment for young minds to learn and grow. We are proud to share our most recent assessment scores for meeting or exceeding age exceptions for literacy & language, 93%; social-emotional, 87%; and physical development, 95%. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to provide affordable and equitable access to high quality education for all young children.

Visit thedaynursery.org/ to donate today. Thank you.

Deborah’s Place

For women experiencing homelessness in Chicago, Deborah’s Place opens the door to opportunity and stability. Going beyond just shelter, Deborah’s Place provides a supportive community and wrap-around services. Each year hundreds of women receive dedicated guidance as they pursue their goals for healthier, safer, more independent lives. With a key in her pocket and a team by her side, anything is possible on her journey.

You can help Deborah’s Place change lives by donating or volunteering. Learn more at www.deborahsplace.org.

The Day Nursery

The Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery,

The Collaboration for Early Childhood

Early care and education is the workforce behind the workforce. It makes everything else possible, and it allows children to reach their full potential from day one. We are a community-driven organization that cultivates the development of the whole child, birth to age five, by engaging families, local organizations, early childhood educators, caregivers, and health providers to create equitable, nurturing, and interconnected systems of support. Donate today to ensure that our community continues to be a place where families and their babies have the care, relationships, and resources needed to thrive!

Invest in early childhood. Whatever the size, your donation will make an important impact. Learn more and give at www. collab4kids.org.

Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park

The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park is a non-profit 501(c)(3) literary arts and educational foundation dedicated to thoughtful reading and writing. The foundation offers a wide variety of programming, all open to the public, to nurture and encourage creative expression for students and for people of all ages. Through tours and exhibits at Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace museum, the foundation fosters an understanding of his life and work, his Oak Park origins and his impact on world literature. Your gift supports creative outlets for people of all ages through professional teacher development, local author and performing artist programs, inter-generational engagement, a writer-in-residence program, as well as student writing workshops, mentorships, and scholarships.

For more information about us or to donate online go to hemingwaybirthplace.com or

Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory

Built in 1929, the Oak Park Conservatory is a Historic Property of the Park District of Oak Park. Free to the public with 50,000 visitors annually, the Conservatory is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Conservatory offers three indoor showrooms featuring more than 3,000 plants and two outdoor gardens including a play area for toddlers. The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory offers a wide range of programs focused on enriching the visitor experience at the Conservatory. From volunteering to educational and recreational opportunities, tours, and classes, there is something for everyone to enjoy year-round. To learn more or to join, visit fopcon.org.

GROWING COMMUNITY

Growing Community Media Media

Growing Community Media is the reader supported newsroom behind four great local news publications covering our neighborhoods and villages. We publish the Austin Weekly News, Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark. We focus our efforts on Essential Civics -- five vital purposes which have never been more important. Democracy. Accountability. Equity. Connection. Civility. Our reporters tell stories which strengthen the fabric of our communities while holding local governments and institutions to account. We know local news is the glue which holds our communities together and we depend on our readers to support our journalism.

Donate for news that matters to you at growingcommunitymedia.org/donate

Founded in 1897,

tial treatment program for severely abused, neglected, and traumatized children and those in need of behavioral intervention ages 3-11. In addition, Hephzibah offers foster care services, comprehensive services for children and families in crisis, positive parenting services and an abuse & neglect prevention program. Hephzibah also provides affordable after-school care and summer camp for Oak Park families of all income levels.

To make a donation, visit www.hephzibahhome.org/donate-now

Holiday Food and Gift Basket

Holiday Food and Gift Basket, a program of the Community of Congregations, has beenspreading holiday joy to families in Oak Park and River Forest since the 1970’s.

In November, every family referred to us receives a grocery gift card paid for with donations. On the second Saturday of December, volunteers deliver holiday gifts that have been purchased by sponsors from a provided wish list. Our small program has a big impact because of the support of community members like you.

Visit our website at www. communityofcongregations.org/holidayfood-gift-basket to find out how you can be a donor, sponsor, or volunteer.

Housing Forward

Housing Forward is passionately focused on one vision – ending homelessness.

Housing Forward is a recognized leader in suburban Cook County offering a coordinated response for people experiencing a housing crisis to quickly resolve their situation. We believe in bold, comprehensive approaches to prevent homelessness whenever possible, respond to people in housing crises, and create stability through permanent housing for the most vulnerable members of our community. Each year we assist more than 2,000 individuals and families with compre

The Imagine Foundation

The mission of the OPRFHS Imagine Foundation is to champion community excellence by raising funds to support OPRF facilities improvements to meet evolving educational needs. The Foundation was created by community volunteers who understand that the school district cannot cover the costs of the entire Imagine Plan out of its cash reserves, nor can taxpayers. The Foundation is an independent nonprofit that works in partnership with the school to augment public investment with private philanthropy. Imagine Foundation invites you to take part in this unique community system of support by donating to help secure the future of OPRF Huskies! www.imagine-foundation. org/donate

L’Arche Chicago

Life is better together…

Quality care for adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities extends beyond the basics of supporting someone with their basic living and medical needs. It’s about creating opportunities to say, “I’m living my best life” and mean it! L’Arche Chicago is committed to the highest quality of care for our core members (adults with disabilities), and our intentional community makes it possible for us to experience life to the fullest, together. Mutual relationships transform lives at all three of our homes, located in Forest Park and the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. Our newest home in Oak Park will serve four more individuals and is thoughtfully designed to be ADA compliant and universally designed to meet all current and future accessibility needs.

You make our community stronger – Join us by making a gift today! www.larchechicago.org

708-660-1600

hello@larchechicago.org

Hephzibah Children’s Association

Learning Edge

For over 30 years, Learning Edge has been a part of the Oak Park and Austin communities. Our mission is to strive for more equity in education by providing Chicago-area students who live in underserved communities free one-to-one tutoring and academic enrichment opportunities enhanced by caring, mentoring relationships. We help students improve their foundational math and reading skills, complete their homework, and foster their love of learning. Your support helps us provide school-year tutoring to over 100 students in grades K through 12 each year.

To donate or volunteer, please visit our website www.learningedgetutoring.org.

Maywood Youth Mentoring Program

Organized in 1993 as a 501c3, the Maywood Youth Mentoring Program has

New Moms

No one should parent alone. For more than 40 years, New Moms has partnered with young moms, 24 and younger, to help them build the confidence needed to achieve long-lasting success. We understand how homelessness and poverty impacts young families. Through housing, paid job training, and family support, our holistic approach provides support for young moms affected by systemic barriers. By fostering each moms’s unique talents, we blend behavioral research, effective strategies, and practical experience to create pathways for young families to unlock brighter futures. Join us in this life-changing work. Visit newmoms.org/season/

The Neighborhood Bridge

The Neighborhood Bridge (TNB) is a nonprofit established in 2023 that

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association strengthens our community through learning, giving, and sharing our landmark building through space grants to local nonprofits, who account for 80% of its usage. We provide community outreach, scholarships, and public programming in five areas: music, art, literature, science, and social sciences. The Nineteenth Century is the owner of 178 Forest Avenue, commonly referred to as the Nineteenth Century Club. Our charitable and cultural activities are supported by our members, volunteers, donors, and by the events held at the building. Programs are open to all and we welcome all ages to join. Our Monday programs are now being live-streamed as well as available a week later on our website for all to enjoy.

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

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation invests in our future. We bring together nonprofits, businesses, civic officials, and caring residents to uncover and tackle issues of vital importance, and to attract resources to address unmet needs. Today we share our community’s vision to increase high quality childcare and education, support healthcare and mental health services, grow financial security, and enhance safety, belonging and stability for all who live andwork in our region.

Join the Foundation and help fulfill our vision of a racially just society in which all members of our community thrive and prosper. Donate today at oprfcf.org.

Oak Park Regional Housing Center

Oak Park Regional Housing Center has

Oak Park River Forest Museum

Oak Park River Forest Museum is the caretaker of local history and community storyteller. It offers many programs and exhibits for visitors and can be rented for private events. The museum, located in a renovated 1898 firehouse at Lake and Lombard next to Stevenson Park, is operated by The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. Check out our family-friendly Hometown Legends Scavenger Hunt that challenges visitors to find LEGO versions of famous residents hidden around the museum. A gift of any amount funds our 2025 activities, research center, and knowledgeable staff.

Learn more and donate at oprfmuseum.org or call 708-848-6755.

OPRFHS Scholarship Foundation

100 Years of Impact: OPRFHS Scholarship

One Earth Collective

One Earth curates vibrant environmental programming that inspires action, facilitates learning, promotes justice, and fosters equity and inclusion to create resilient communities and a healthier planet. We focus our work in 3 areas - One Earth Film Festival, One Earth Youth Voices, and One Earth Local. One Earth Film Fest’s 14th season will take place April 16th-22nd, 2025. We’re excited to welcome Chicagoland audiences back live, in addition to our virtual screenings. Join us for captivating films, engaging discussion, impactful action opportunities and community-building. Memberships start at $35.

Learn more and donate at oneearthfilmfest. org/give

Opportunity Knocks

Opportunity Knocks was founded in 2009 by families and embraced by a community that

OPRF Infant Welfare Society

Since 1916, OPRF IWS has supported families through the IWS Children’s Clinic, providing medical, dental, and behavioral health services to underserved infants, children, and young adults up to age 21, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The Clinic serves families in the western suburbs, Chicago, and Cook and DuPage counties. In FY2024, it provided over 8,000 visits to nearly 3,000 patients. OPRF IWS is powered by its donors, staff, members, and volunteers. Join us in advancing the health and well-being of children in need.

To learn more and donate, visit oprfiws.org.

Pillars Community Health

Pillars Community Health is a nonprofit provider of medical, dental, behavioral health, and domestic and sexual violence services to individuals and families who need care. We

PING! (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation)

PING! is a community nonprofit organization providing band and orchestra instruments, mentoring, workshops, and access to lessons, music camps, and trips to students who benefit from support that are in grades 4 through 12 in Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois, public schools. In a community with very high-quality school music programs, PING! students can be on par with peers regardless of their financial situations and feel like they belong. PING! programming also brings diversity to instrumental music classrooms and beyond, providing access to some traditionally underrepresented populations.

Donate: pingoprf.org/ donate. Instrument donations: info@ pingoprf.org

River Forest Public Library Foundation

Listing: In person and online, River Forest Public Library serves everyone from toddlers to seniors by connecting them with information, entertainment, and each other in a welcoming space. RFPL Foundation works to ensure the vitality of the Library through advocacy, fundraising, and grants. Foundation grants have enabled the Library to repurpose mechanical room space to build a new multi-purpose meeting room and ADA compliant restroom, refresh the Children’s and Teen spaces, maintain the Memorial Garden for gatherings, offer community events like the Dooley Band concert and Summer Reading Kickoff, and more.

Please donate at rfplfoundation.org and help your Library continue to serve and connect our community for generations to come.

Sarah’s Inn

Sarah’s Inn is a community-based organization whose mission is to improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence for future generations. We offer services in three areas of program focus: Intervention services for families affected by domestic violence that includes Advocacy and Counseling; Prevention education for youth to give them the tools to develop healthy relationships; and Training and Education for professionals and community-based organizations to create a network of skilled ambassadors. Intervention services are confidential, bilingual (English/ Spanish), and offered free of charge to survivors and their children.

Make a donation at sarahsinn.org/donate

The Joyful Giving Catalog2024

Share Food Share Love Food Pantry

Our food pantry serves 15 villages, where over 7,000 of our neighbors are living below the poverty line. Most (83%) live in just 7 of our 15 villages. Which makes ours a region of “haves” and “have-nots”. But we are all neighbors here. Like many food pantries, we are a not-for-profit business. Which means our collective purpose is to one day go out of business: We are working collectively toward a time when neighbors in our region are no longer oppressed with hunger. A time when enough of us have come together to uplift all of us.

End Hunger. Uplift Neighbors. Learn how you can help at sharefoodsharelove.org

The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest

The award-winning Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest and its esteemed conductor Jay Friedman continue to bring extraordinary and accessible concerts to our community. Ticket sales provide less than half the funds needed for the Symphony’s performances. Your gift keeps the orchestra going strong and allows us to maintain affordable ticket prices, including free admission for all students through college. Please help us continue and strengthen our tradition of bringing beautiful and inspiring music to Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and neighboring communities.

Make your end-of-year tax-deductible donation at SymphonyOPRF.org, or: P.O. Box 3564, Oak Park, IL 60303-3564.

Thrive Counseling Center

Thrive Counseling Center has provided mental health services to Oak Park and surrounding communities for over 120 years. We build healthy minds, families, and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being, regardless of their ability to pay. We envision a world where mental health is valued, proactively nurtured, and in reach of everyone.

• Individual therapy

• Group therapy

• Psychiatry and medication management

• 24/7 Crisis intervention

• Case management

• Suicide awareness and prevention training

• Thrive Talks community education programs

Open Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday 9am-5pm, and Saturday from 9am-2pm. To learn more or donate, please visit thrivecc. org or call 708-383-7500.

Way Back Inn

Since 1974, Way Back Inn has successfully provided long-term residential and outpatient treatment for substance use and gambling disorders. Our mission is to rebuild lives damaged by addiction in a personalized healing environment. This holiday season, we ask that you gift responsibly with the youth in your family. Children who have early exposure to gambling experiences, including lottery tickets, are more likely to develop a gambling problem later in life. For more information or to make a donation to our program, go to: www. waybackinn.org or call us at 708-345-8422.

West Cook YMCA

When you give to the West Cook YMCA, you impact our community today and tomorrow.

100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to providing scholarships to children, adults, and seniors- your friends and neighbors-transforming their lives through access to health screenings, chronic disease prevention programs, after-school programs, swim lessons, homeless prevention for residents, and Y memberships that can open the door to help each person become their best self.

To donate, visit // westcookymca.org/give or send your check to West Cook YMCA, 255 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302. (708-383-5200)

West Suburban Special Recreation Association

West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) provides recreational programming for individuals with disabilities who reside in Oak Park, River Forest and nine other surrounding communities. Donations to WSSRA help provide financial assistance to those participating in our year-round programs and summer day camp.

To make a donation please visit wssra.net.

Wonder Works Children’s Museum in Oak Park

Wonder Works Children’s Museum has been a community gem on North Avenue since 2003. Our small but mighty museum plays a very important role in nurturing young minds, fostering a love of learning, and bolstering social and emotional skills. In 2024, we continued to grow museum access for ALL children through discounted admission for families with financial needs, sensory-friendly play sessions, and social service agency partnerships. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, individual donations to Wonder Works Children’s Museum are crucial to bringing our mission and programs to life.

Visit Wonder-Works.org/give to donate and support the museum.

KEEP THE CHEER HERE

ABOUT THE GIFT CARD PROGRAM

In partnership with the Village of Oak Park, we want to motivate folks to shop local and give back to the businesses that make our town unique! This holiday season, we ’ ve launched our gift card program: Keep the Cheer Here!

Join us in supporting our community by purchasing Keep the Cheer Here gift cards perfect for everyone on your list!

WHERE TO PURCHASE?

Gift cards are available for purchase online or at participating retailers, with options for both physical and digital cards.

Scan the QR code to purchase online.

SURPRISE WINTER WONDERLAND POP-UP

Want to earn a free gift card? Don ’ t forget to join us at our secret Winter Wonderland Pop-Up, where the gifts keep coming all weekend-long!

From Sat. 11/30 - Sun. 12/1, we ’ re running three incredible promotions:

-Earn a $20 Gift Card with $200 in receipts from 3 or more Oak Park businesses.

-Get a $5 Gift Card when you post a shopping photo with #KeepTheCheerHereOP.

-Receive a Free $10 Gift Card for every $100 gift card purchased through our Holiday Gift Card Program.

Committed to Oak Park and River Forest

Whether you’re seeing a movie at the Lake Theatre or heading for a hike in the G.A.R. Woods, we think you should be able to get all of your banking done in your neighborhood… with people who love the area as much as you do. Byline is privileged to be a part of the Oak Park and River Forest community, and we are proud to partner with local nonprofits like Beyond Hunger and sponsor local events like Thursday Night Out in downtown Oak Park.

To learn more about our commitment to Oak Park and River Forest, visit bylinebank.com/oprf

by AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2024 QUARTER 4

November 27, 2024

THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY PUBLISHED ITS FIRST QUALITY-OF-LIFE PLAN CALLED AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. (AFT) IN 2018.

THIS QUARTERLY PUBLICATION DESCRIBES HOW AUSTIN COMING TOGETHER (ACT) IS SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY TO IMPLEMENT AFT AND OTHER EFFORTS.

AUSTIN’S NEW ASSET IS COMING

Details on the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation

WHAT THE COMMUNITY CAN EXPECT FROM THE ASPIRE CENTER PAGE 3

AUSTIN CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE ASPIRE CENTER: FROM GROUNDBREAKING TO GRAND OPENING PAGE 4 FROM GRASSROOTS TO CORPORATE SUPPORT: HIGHLIGHTING THE PARTNERSHIPS MAKING THE ASPIRE CENTER POSSIBLE PAGE 7

Special thanks to these Austin Forward. Together. quality-of-life plan legacy investors:

With the release of the AFT Highlighted Agenda, ACT is going “on the road!” Our team will be on tour and available to co-host discussions about the new phase of Austin’s AFT quality-of-life plan and its vision and strategy, with block clubs, churches, community organizations, coalitions, etc. Other ways we’ll ensure to update the community on the progress of implementing the Highlighted Agenda are through newspaper sections like this, emails, and social media.

Plan Leaders

Community

Narrative

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Kenneth Varner

Healthy Schools Campaign

Dearra Williams

Austin Coming Together

STRATEGY LEADS

Suzanne McBride

Austin Talks

Alicia Plomin

Austin Coming Together

Cindy Gray Schneider Spaces-n-Places

Jai Jones

PSPC, The Chicago

Community Trust and Community Resident

Adrienne Otkins

Community Resident

Economic Development

TASK FORCE CHAIR

Roxanne Charles West Side Forward

STRATEGY LEADS

Erica Staley Manufacturing Renaissance

Emily Peters

Jane Addams Resource Corporation

Tina Augustus

Community Resident

Melissa O’Dell Defy Ventures

Fanya Buford Berry

Community Resident

Education

TASK FORCE CHAIR

Charles Anderson

Michele Clark High School

STRATEGY LEADS

Ruth Kimble

Austin Childcare Providers Network

Cata Truss Community Resident

Housing

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Athena Williams Oak Park Regional Housing Center

Allison McGowan Community Resident

STRATEGY LEADS

Shirley Fields Community Resident

Rosie Dawson

Westside Health Authority

Baxter Swilley Community Stakeholder

Public Safety

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Bradly Johnson BUILD Inc.

Marilyn Pitchford Heartland Alliance

STRATEGY LEADS

Edwina Hamilton BUILD Inc.

Bertha Purnell Mothers OnA Mission28

Jose Abonce The Policing Project

Ruby Taylor Taproots, Inc.

Youth Empowerment

TASK FORCE CHAIR

D’elegance Lane

Community Stakeholder

STRATEGY LEADS

Aisha Oliver Root2Fruit

Helen Slade Territory NFP

Dollie Sherman

Austin Coming Together

Chris Thomas YourPassion1st

Civic Engagement

TASK FORCE CHAIR

Deborah Williams-Thurmond

Habilitative Systems Inc.

From Grassroots to Corporate Support: Highlighting the partnerships making the Aspire Center possible

By Sydni Hatley

Marketing & Development Coordinator, Austin Coming Together

The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation stands as a testament to the power of community organizing and collective vision. Built on the efforts of passionate advocates and community trailblazers, this project reflects a legacy crafted by and for the people it serves. Here are some highlights from the journey to revitalize the site at 5500 W. Madison.

2013

CPS closes Emmet School, but Austin steps up and fights for it to be repurposed to continue addressing the community needs, holding ground while other government agencies proposed alternative uses that residents did not agree with.

2018

Over the next several years, the former school building remains vacant and at risk of being demolished, until Westside Health Authority (WHA) officially acquires the site. At the same time, Austin Coming Together is stewarding a grassroots effort for the community to create its first-ever quality-of-life plan called Austin Forward. Together. (AFT)

Recognizing an unique opportunity to partner, WHA and ACT collaborate with AFT leaders to reimagine the closed

Emmet school space, which gets included as a focal project of the AFT plan.

With support from LISC Chicago, planners at Teska Associates lead a visioning session to brainstorm ways the community could address critical needs through property redevelopment and the concept for the Aspire Center Workforce Innovation is born.

Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC) also joins the partnership, bringing additional design expertise and resources to realize the community’s vision.

2019

Austin releases the AFT plan and starts implementation.

In partnership with ACT and By the Hand Club for Kids, WHA submits a Letter of Inquiry in response to the $10 million Chicago Prize opportunity through the Pritzker Traubert Foundation and is awarded a planning grant to develop a full proposal for submission.

four investments strategically clustered around existing assets in an area bound by Madison St., Chicago Ave., Central Ave., and Laramie Ave.: The Aspire Education & Wellness Campus; Aspire Austin College & Career Academy; The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation; and Aspire Housing.

2021-2022

2020

After being named one of six finalists for the Chicago Prize, ACT helps convene AFT and other leaders who collectively create The ASPIRE Initiative. The $121-milliondollar effort initially supported by United Way of Metro Chicago, IFF, Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, Krista Inc., and Purpose Built Communities incorporates several goals and ideas from the community’s AFT plan and outlines how Austin can build a stronger cradle-to-career pipeline through

Community engagement continues with two in-person grassroots events occurring, as well as virtual engagements to garner input from Austin residents, in addition to ongoing AFT leader involvement.

ASPIRE begins to attract investment. Financial and pro-bono services support from private philanthropy, government, and technical assistance partners help generate over $40 million in capital from 2020 to 2023.

2023

Financing closes on the project. The Aspire Center’s groundbreaking event is attended by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Followed by a community celebration that includes free food and a chance for residents to learn about the services that will be available at the Center directly from the groups who will provide them.

2024

Community engagement and participation are still underway as we continue mobilizing the Aspire Center for operations. ACT is excited to expand our services and be part of the vibrant hub that the Center and the intersection of Madison and Central will become! n

Austin continues to support the Aspire Center: From groundbreaking to grand opening

When Emmet School was shut down in 2013, community organizers sprung to action, partnering, brainstorming, and collaborating on resources and efforts that would help keep this space in the community. Since then, hundreds of local leaders have come together to craft a roadmap for how Austin can lead the change it wants to see. Community leaders have influenced not only the mission and vision of the Aspire Center but also the operations and design projects for the center. As construction continues, nearing the 2025 Grand Opening, the team is grateful for the ongoing support of community members.

 Community activists recognized for protesting the 2013 CPS closure at 2023 community celebration

Austin residents invited to hard hat tour  

WHA

Mural engagement workshop led by artist Shawn Michael Warren

2024 EVENTS

2024 CONSTRUCTION

ANCHOR TENANTS AT THE ASPIRE CENTER:

Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) will provide comprehensive support and skills training for Central Austin’s unemployed, and underemployed in search of living-wage careers in high-demand economic sectors. Since 1985, JARC has trained low-income adults in manufacturing and will continue their free on-site skills training at the Center, teaching Computer Numerical Control machine operation, welding, and mechanical assembly.

Austin Coming Together (ACT) has facilitated collaboration among its member network to collectively impact education and economic development outcomes in Austin since 2010. ACT assisted the community in creating its first-ever qualityof-life plan and manages its ongoing implementation, in addition to engaging with residents to get them connected to resources through its Austin Community Hub Initiative.

Westside Health Authority (WHA) has owned the property of the former Emmet school, now Aspire Center, since 2018. They will leverage their 30 years of experience while offering services at the Center that include community reentry, youth development, and employment connections. In addition to the Aspire Center, WHA is involved in many efforts that are helping to revitalize and rebuild the Austin community and surrounding areas by leveraging the power of ordinary citizens.

BMO will ensure residents have access to a walk-up ATM, financial coaching, and other banking products/services. business development.

 Historic cornice restoration in progress

 ACT team presents Aspire Center updates at AFT Summit



JP Morgan Chase press conference with Governor Pritzker

What the community can expect from the Aspire Center

By Darnell Shields Executive Director, Austin Coming Together

Alongside Westside Health Authority, Austin Coming Together (ACT) is codeveloping Austin’s former Emmet Elementary School into the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation (ACWI), a central location for resources and high-performing on-site workforce development training.

ACWI is located at Madison and Central, one of the most important intersections in our community because Central Avenue is the spine that connects Austin’s other smaller neighborhoods. Developing existing assets in this densely populated area directly addresses many of the community’s needs and is a visible symbol of the investment our community deserves.

We understand it is important that the center help address both residents’ immediate and long-term challenges, so we have established a holistic model to approach serving residents along a spectrum of outcomes from economic stability through wealth creation.

Just as ACT’s Austin Community Hub currently does, the Aspire Center will support individuals by connecting them to a comprehensive range of services, many of which will be provided at the Center or by local service organization partners. Whether it be mental health, housing, or

even steady employment, we will help residents overcome the barriers holding them back from thriving.

However, we know that simply connecting an individual to a job will not allow them to build wealth unless that job is a career opportunity that pays a living wage. That’s why the Aspire Center will provide linkages and pathways to high-demand economic sectors such as healthcare, transportation distribution, and logistics, information technology, and advanced manufacturing so Austinites can truly have the chance for upward mobility.

The program model for the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation will be guided by these principles:

 Focus on the individual

 Infuse humanity in all we do

 Commit to meet a person where they are and inspire

 Address all related barriers

 Help a person imagine goals they never thought possible

 Help residents remain in Austin and thrive

 Use our collective experience with who we serve as our primary source of research at the outset

 Design for possibility, not necessarily services that exist

When you visit, you’ll find a welcoming environment with various spaces designed for community engagement, including reservable conference rooms and even a rooftop terrace!

The Aspire Center will be a place that offers so much more than just services; it will help aspirations take flight. We want the center to inspire everyone who walks through the doors to reach for their dreams and ambitions!

Completing the project will be a milestone in the community-led renaissance that’s been underway in Austin for years. It will

catalyze economic development and represent how the community is rising above a history of disinvestment, limited opportunities, and underfunded services.

The story of the Aspire Center is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities come together to build their future. It exemplifies how grassroots efforts can successfully transition to impactful and strategically funded initiatives that honor the voices of those they serve.

Construction is on track and the grand opening will be Spring 2025! n

Since 2010, Austin Coming Together (ACT) has facilitated collaboration to improve education and economic development outcomes in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

Today, we serve a network of 50+ organizations committed to improving the quality of life in the Austin community. Our strategic plan is called Thrive 2025 and outlines how we will mobilize our resources to achieve four impact goals by the year 2025: Quality Early Learning, Safe Neighborhoods, Living Wage Careers, and Stable Housing Markets.

ACT BOARD

OF DIRECTORS

Officers

CHAIR

Larry Williams

Broker, State Farm Insurance

VICE CHAIRMAN

Bradly Johnson

Chief Community Officer, BUILD Inc.

SECRETARY

Jerrod Williams

Law Clerk, Illinois Appellate Court

ACT STAFF

Leadership

Darnell Shields

Executive Director

Research & Evaluation

Andrew Born*

Senior Director of Community Impact

Mia Almond

Research Associate

Operations

TREASURER

LaDarius Curtis

Senior Director of Community Engagement & Health, West Side United

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Darnell Shields

Austin Coming Together

Directors

Sharon Morgan

Director of Graduate Support & Community Outreach, Catalyst Schools

Reverend Reginald E. Bachus Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church

Deirdre Bates*

Director of Operations

Dearra Williams

Executive Operations Lead/ Assistant to the CEO

Londen Mance

Office Administrator

*Also part of the ACT Leadership Team

Strategic Initiatives

Sandra Diaz*

Service Delivery Enhancement Manager, Austin Community Hub

Emone Moore

Engagement Coordinator, Austin Community Hub

Dollie Sherman

Engagement Specialist, Austin Community Hub

ACT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

A House in Austin

Academy of Scholastic Achievement

Austin Childcare Providers Network

Austin Community Family Center

Austin Weekly News

(Growing Community Media)

Be Strong Families

Beat the Streets Chicago

Bethel New Life

Beyond Hunger BUILD Inc.

By The Hand Club For Kids

Cara

Catholic Charities

Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures

Chicago Community

Loan Fund

City of Refuge

Defy Ventures Illinois

Erikson Institute

Friends of the Children

Friendship Community Development Corp. of Austin

Greater West Town

Community Development

Project

Tenisha Jones

Chief Program Officer, UCAN

Reginald Little

Business Development Specialist, Great Lakes Credit Union

Dawn Ferencak

Senior Marketing Strategist, Chicago Parent

Deborah Williams-Thurmond

Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist, Habilitative Systems, Inc.

Saenovia Poole

Community Resources Coordinator, Austin Community Hub

Clara Bonnlander

Social Services Coordinator, Austin Community Hub

Ethan Ramsay* Planning and Investment Manager

Grace Cooper Lead Organizer

Housing Forward

i.c. stars

IFF

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

Jane Addams Resource Corporation

Kids First Chicago

KRA Westside American

Job Center

Learning Edge

Tutoring (fka Cluster Tutoring)

Ruth Kimble

Founder & CEO, Austin Childcare Providers Network

Max Komnenich

Associate Principal, Lamar Johnson Collaborative

In Memoriam

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jack Macnamara 1937–2020

FOUNDING BOARD CHAIR

Mildred Wiley 1955–2019

Nyla Larry

Project Coordinator

Arewa Karen Winters

Community Organizer

Natalie Goodin

Special Projects Manager

Nicholas Galassini

Chicago Neighborhood Recovery Program Associate

Legal Aid Chicago (fka LAF)

Manufacturing

Renaissance

Mary Shyrese Daycare

Maryville Academy

Mercy Housing Lakefront

New Moms

OAI, Inc.

Oak Park Regional

Housing Center

Open Books

Marketing & Development

Alicia Plomin*

Director of Marketing and Development

Jon Widell Marketing and Development Specialist

Sydni Hatley

Marketing and Development Coordinator

PCC Community Wellness Center

Project Exploration

Renaissance Social Services, Inc.

Sarah’s Inn

South Austin

Neighborhood Association

St. Joseph Services

St. Leonard’s Ministries

Stone Community Development Corporation

The Catalyst Schools

The Journey Forward

The North Avenue

District, Inc.

Towers of Excellence

UIC Jane Addams

College of Social Work

VOCEL

Westside Health Authority

West Side Forward

Worldvision

Youth Guidance