WednesdayJournal_120623

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W E D N E S D A Y

December 6, 2023 Vol. 44, No. 23

$2.00

JOURNAL

OAK PARK TOWNSHIP TAX SALE NOTICE INSIDE

of Oak Park and River Forest

Holiday Gift Guide Page B1

OPRF students who want to stop climate change head to Dubai Katie Stabb and Kate Wallace attend the annual UN Climate Summit

Reindeer in disguise?

By JACK HELBIG Contributing Reporter

A year ago, two Oak Park and River Forest High School students — Manolo Avalos and Victoria “Tori” Evans — attended the United Nations annual conference on climate change, COP27, in Egypt.

They were part of a group of high school students sent to the conference under the auspices of a youth environmental group, It’s Our Future, part of the Oak Park-based Seven Generations Ahead environmental group.

By the time you read this, two more OPRF students — Katherine Stabb, who goes by Katie, and Kate Wallace — will have already made the 13-hour, 25-minute flight from Chicago to Dubai, to attend COP28, this year’s conference, held Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 and sponsored by the same group. They are part of a delegation of six Chicago-area high school students going to the conference.

Santa’s dachsunds distract attendees from the Cookie Walk in Downtown Oak Park MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 9

TODD A. BANNOR

See DUBAI on page 15

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Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

I HELP THEM F

ND A

Home for the Holidays WA RM Y O U R H E A RT A N D HO M E

by adding a pet to your family this holiday season.

HEIDI | Days in the shelter: 409

Heidi was nervous when she first came to ACL as a stray. But before long, she started to come out of her shell and build great friendships with our staff and volunteers! Heidi loves toys more than anything, and after more than a year in the shelter, it’s time she found her forever playmate.

Days in the shelter: 446 | CARAMEL Caramel is a sweet 8-year-old cat who just wants to be near her people. Though she wasn’t eating when she first came to the shelter, our medical team was able to diagnose her health concerns and get her back on track in no time! Caramel is always excellent when it’s time to take her medicine, and all she needs now is a loving home with lots of good napping spots.

ZELDA | Days in the shelter: 179

Zelda came to ACL after she was found outdoors and rescued. Though she was very shy at first, this sweet bunny has since completely blossomed!

Zelda is affectionate, cuddly, and laid-back— not to mention adorable with her magnificent mane—and she would love nothing more than to find her forever home this holiday season.

Can’t commit to adoption? CONSIDER BECOMING A FOSTER HOME! Email volunteer@animalcareleague.org for more information.

708.848.8155

animalcareleague.org

Being homeless is no way to spend the holidays.

Adopt a shelter pet this holiday season!

Home for the Holidays Adoption Event

Saturday, December 16 Time: 11am-7pm 1009 Garfield in Oak Park

• Waived adoption fees for all adult animals who have been at the shelter for longer than 30 days.

• No appointment necessary.

• Adoptions include all current vaccines, a microchip with registration, and spay/neuter.

• Free exam at VCA Animal Hospital.

• 1 week subscription to GoodPup. • A lifetime of love!

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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Oak Park attorney disbarred for mishandling deceased aunt’s trust Richard Ruggiero was found to have taken more than $291,000 from the trust

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff reporter

Former Oak Park attorney Richard Ruggiero was disbarred for misappropriating more than $291,000 in trust funds he managed for his aunt.

The aunt, who is deceased, had intended the funds to be given to her son and several charities.

Ruggiero, who became a licensed attorney in 1992, has denied any wrongdoing.

The complaint against him was filed in September 2021. According to the report from the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Lena De Benedetto, Ruggiero’s aunt, died Dec. 30, 2017, and he became the successor trustee

of her trust. Ruggiero was supposed to sell her condominium and give the proceeds to her son. If her son died before the funds were exhausted, they were supposed to be divided between several charities, including The American Heart Association, the Lupus Foundation and others.

Her son died on Aug. 24, 2018.

However, records showed that between April 2019 and December 2020, Ruggiero wrote 64 checks to himself from the account that held the money from the sale.

The checks totaled more than $260,000, which he claimed were “trustee’s fees” on the checks. Between January 2021 and May 2021, he wrote eight additional checks totaling more than $31,000 from a new account that held funds from the trust.

“The allegations deemed admitted clearly and convincingly establish that Respondent [Ruggiero] acted purposefully and deceitfully,” the report said. “He was not a beneficiary of the Trust, and therefore was not permitted to take all of the Trust assets for himself.”

The charities De Benedetto intended to donate to pursued a lawsuit against Ruggiero to obtain the funds owed to them after he took no responsibility for his actions. Members of the charities testified how the money would have benefited the organizations. For example, a $75,000 donation to Shriners Hospitals for Children would pay for 420 therapy visits.

The same amount given to the American Heart Association could have funded

training more than 100 people to perform CPR. That amount could have allowed the Pacific Garden Mission to provide 38,265 meals to individuals in need.

Ruggiero failed to comply with the Hearing Board’s requests for cooperation since the complaint was first filed in September 2021. The report also said Ruggiero showed no remorse for his actions.

“Respondent’s [Ruggiero’s] behavior in this matter gives us little confidence in his ability to conduct himself with honesty and integrity in the future,” the report said.

Pleasant Home Foundation disbands, joins George W. Maher Society

Park District of Oak Park to conduct Pleasant Home tours

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff reporter

The Pleasant Home Foundation, reformatted as the George W. Maher Society, will cease operations out of Pleasant Home, a national landmark in Oak Park, on Dec. 31.

“It’s been decided by PHF leadership and the Board of Directors that the Foundation will live on as The George W. Maher Society, an effort started by the Foundation in 2022,” the foundation wrote in an email to supporters Wednesday.

The foundation, which was created in 1990, spent 33 years restoring Pleasant Home as a museum, providing tours, offering community events, showcasing cultural performances and more. The foundation was renamed to honor Pleasant Home’s architect, George W. Maher, an influential contributor to the Prairie School movement and to American Arts and Crafts design.

PHOTO BY ERIC ALLIX ROGERS

Pleasant Home, 217 Home Ave., designed by architect George Maher.

In the email, the foundation wrote: “After 33 years of dedication to the preservation and restoration of Pleasant Home, hundreds of educational, cultural, artistic and community-focused events, and providing tours for guests from around

the world, it’s with great sadness we announce that as of December 31, 2023, the Foundation will no longer operate out of Pleasant Home. Our last date for tours will be Thursday, November 30 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.”

The Park District of Oak Park, however, will continue partnering with docent-led tours of the property.

“The leadership and volunteers of the docent program are very eager to partner with the Park District of Oak Park to preserve and continue this invaluable service to our community and visitors,” said Ann Marie Buczek, the park district’s communications manager.

Pleasant Home is owned and operated by the Park District of Oak Park. It is considered one of the earliest examples of Prairie School Architecture, according to the foundation’s website. The 30-room house was designed in 1897 and showcases architecture that also includes woodcarvings and art glass windows.

In 1996, the Village of Oak Park named Pleasant Home one of the first Oak Park local landmarks, according to the website.

In April, the relationship between the park district and the foundation grew strained over a floor renovation project at the house. It is not yet clear whether the dispute played a role in this development.

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OPRF music departments prep for Prisms of Winter Concert

Collaboration tradition aims for non-traditional twist

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

The music departments at Oak Park and River Forest High School are working together to bounce off each other to create a magical concert experience for the upcoming “Prisms of Winter” concert.

The concert has been a tradition and a collaboration between the music departments at OPRF for the past 12 years. What began as a way to bring more people to the concerts has grown into a yearly winter tradition adored by many Oak Park residents and OPRF families. This year, “Prisms of Winter” attempts to encapsulate the magic of prisms with the winter season.

The concert moves away from a traditional experience, said Anthony Svjeda, OPRF’s band director. He said he brought the idea with him from his previous music program, but the concept had been around for years, dating back to a music school in New York. Svjeda said the first concert was a collaboration between the band and orchestra department, adding the choir department the following year and more music programs at OPRF to get to where they are now.

The plan worked and within a few years, additional concert dates needed to be added as the program would sell out, quickly becoming a favorite and one of the most looked forward to events of the year.

What sets this concert apart from the rest are the seamless transitions from one performance to another, as the music groups are scattered throughout the auditorium, mimicking how a prism bounces light.

PROVIDED

Prisms of Winter Concert at OPRF High School, December 2022.

PHOTO BY STEVE SCHEURING

Scene from a previous OPRF Prisms of Winter Concert.

“To have something that is seamless, it doesn’t just appear on stage,” Svejda said. “It could be next to you, behind you, to the right of you but it is from spot to another, to another. to another, nonstop.”

That seamlessness would not be possible without the cooperation and participation of all of the other music departments, including the jazz program and studentled ensembles.

“Everyone has to be onboard, if someone is not on board it does not work,” Svedja said.

Preparation for the concert begins in late October, with each director working with their individual departments and coming together the day before the concert to work on the grand finale, which many consider the highlight of the show. The final, Svjeda said, builds up from group to group until everyone is playing at the same time and changes from year to year. Calling the days leading up to the concert “organized chaos,” Meredith McGuire, choir director, said she can easily more than double the steps on her Fitbit on those days.

Adding a variety of music is also a key component of the concert.

“We want to stay away from it being a Christmas concert, it is not a Christmas concert,” said Patrick Pearson, orchestra director.

This can include big band jazz, holiday music, and others as well to create a mixture of different sounds, not solely one holiday genre.

The students who will be participating in the concert are looking forward to putting on a great show for their families and the rest of the community that comes out to see them, said Svedja.

“Nothing replaces the energy at the end of the show when the finale finishes and the energy of 400,500 kids performing all at once,” McGuire said. “The piece ends and there is this moment of silence that is buzzing and then the audience loses it. It is so hard not to be moved by that because it is so special and that is where the energy truly is.”

The Prisms of Winter Concert will be held Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 at the auditorium. The show begins at 7 p.m. and will run for an hour and a half. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased online.

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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Fenwick principal resigns after six months in post The private high school said it has ‘engaged’ in the search for a new principal

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Fenwick officials said they have started a search for a new principal after this week’s abrupt departure of principal Mark Rasar, six months after he joined the private high school.

His last day was Tuesday, Dec. 5, according to a news release sent out by Georgi Presecky, digital content manager at Fenwick, the day before.

Rasar could not be reached for comment.

According to the release, Rasar accepted an offer as the Chief Executive Officer of Northern Kane Educational Corporation, an educational development and management firm that offers educational choices for learning at the

Cambridge Lakes Learning Center in Pingree Grove, Illinois.

“This unexpected opportunity aligns closely with my interest in charter schools and the challenges they present,” Rasar said in the release. “And it is much closer to my home in Arlington Heights. I couldn’t pass it up.”

Rasar was welcomed to the Dominican Catholic College Preparatory School in Oak Park in July.

Rasar came to the school with extensive experience in education, including having served as an AP economics teacher, associate principal at H.D Jacobs High School in Algonquin, principal at Lincoln Junior High School in Skokie and principal at Holmes Junior High School in Mount Prospect. He was also named the Illinois Principals Association’s 2022 North Cook Region-Middle

School Principal of the Year.

“We are going to miss Mark,” said Fr. Richard Peddicord, Fenwick president. “The energy and fresh eye he brought to Fenwick made immediate, positive impacts on many fronts. However, we fully understand his desire to pursue this unique, new opportunity, and we wish him great success.”

Peddicord added that Rasar played a key role in various important innovations as the high school worked to foster communal and spiritual growth, including increasing participation of both all-school liturgies and “Friar Fridays.”

According to the release, Fenwick has already begun the process of searching for a new principal as Peddicord will be serving as interim principal through the remainder of the semester.

PROVIDED

Mark Rasar

‘Fill A Bag, Fill A Bus’ event to Oak Park Arts District provide food for hungry Chicagoans to introduce ‘Art & Dec. 6 and 7 at Jewel-Osco Wine Walk’ locations

The event will take place Dec. 16

By LUZANE DRAUGHON

By LUZANE DRAUGHON

Staff reporter

Staff reporter

Organizations in Chicago have partnered to help end hunger in Chicago at the “Fill A Bag, Fill A Bus” food drive.

The event will ask participants to fill a CTA bus with nonperishable food items to be donated to those facing hunger in the area. Canned goods will go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository food pantries, according to WCIU. The event will be from 12 to 6 p.m. Dec 6 at the Jewel-Osco in Oak Lawn on 4650 W 103rd St and at the same time on Dec. 7 in River Forest at the JewelOsco on 7525 W Lake St. On Dec. 7, talk show host Steve Wilkos will be collecting donations from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Sponsors include WCIU-TV, also known as

CW26, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, MeTV-FM, CTA, Jewel-Osco and Butcher Boy Cooking Oils, according to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

“If you can’t make it to a Jewel-Osco, get in on the action by donating online,” WCIU’s article states. “Every $1 donated provides 3 meals to hungry Chicagoans.”

Oak Park’s Arts District is introducing its first “Art & Wine Walk” to celebrate local artists’ work and enjoy fine wines.

The event will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Oak Park Arts District. The price to participate is $40 and includes wine tastings, small food offerings, discounts for Arts District shops and restaurants as well as merchandise, including a wine glass, tote bag and a wine bottle from Anfora Wine Merchants.

“This unique event promises an enchanting evening where art enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and the local community converge for an unforgettable experience,” a press release stated.

Check-in will be at Laura Maychruk Realty at 911 S Lombard Ave, according to the Arts District.

Ticket-holders must be at least 21 years old and ID’s will be checked.

Tickets are limited but can be purchased online.

The tastings will take place at businesses on the route, which is subject to change. Anyone who appears intoxicated will not be served.

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Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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OPRF’s Multicultural Leadership Club sponsors Holiday Food Drive Donations of dry goods will be accepted through Dec. 15

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

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The students at Oak Park and River Forest High School are spreading the joys and spirit of giving this time of year as the Multicultural Leadership Club collects dry goods to be distributed around the village.

The club, which is composed of a group of students who come together to embrace their differences, is collecting dry goods and canned foods through their Holiday Food Drive through Dec. 15th.

All of the collected food will be distributed to local food pantries and local community fridges by Lee Williams, transition specialist at OPRF and faculty co-sponsor of the club.

The support from the OPRF community has already been overwhelming, said Lee, who held a food drop right before Thanksgiving, bringing about 20 bags to donate to Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church. But as the holiday festivities continue, Williams said he expects more donations to come.

“We typically increase our donations after Thanksgiving, doing closer to 30 or 40 bags of donations for the Christmas holiday,” Williams said, adding that more drops will be happening about once a week until donations stop coming in, which sometimes can extend into January.

As the one who handles drop offs, Williams has witnessed firsthand the need for more food donations to organizations around Oak Park that are trying to feed those who are hungry.

“There is a huge need,” Williams said.

“Many times when I have gone to local fridges or pantries, they have thanked me for coming by.”

Gabriel Ford, senior at OPRFHS, said he has always felt it in his heart to give back to the community and the club has been a great vehicle to be able to do that.

“I also encourage students to donate and tell their families to donate so that way we have a nice amount to be able to bring to the

FILE

community,” Ford said.

The success of the club, which has been up and running at OPRF for around five years, is because of that desire to be involved with the community, Williams said.

As the club brings people together, it also helps them work through their differences to find commonality through acts of service, added Williams.

“We may have differences of opinions regarding things, different perspectives,” Williams said. “But often times we find that we all care about serving our community, we all care about serving those that are less fortunate, we all care about improving the quality of life in our community and this club is a way to have these discussions on how we can partner to improve not only our school community but our local quality of life regardless of any differences we may possess.”

It is that giving spirit that local organizations admire, said Williams, adding that oftentimes they are surprised that the food is being donated by high school students.

“They are very excited about that and glad about that, that the local schools are participating and supporting the local community,” Williams said. “They are glad that there is a local institution that is involved in supporting this resource.”

OPRF students and families are encouraged to donate dry food and nonperishable cans, which are being collected at the student activity center at the high school.

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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Oak Park pulls $6M from reserves to balance budget Despite the transfer, a hefty fund balance remains for the village

Echoing Parakkat’s concerns, Robinson said she does not believe pulling funds from reserves is a long-term solution.

Interim Chief Financial Officer Donna Gayden, however, said the board might consider reducing the one-time expenditures by prioritizing certain projects.

By LUZANE DRAUGHON “We have to keep in mind what we want Staff Reporter to do and what we actually need to do,” Oak Park’s Village Board of Trustees Gayden said.

The 2023 fund balance, or the difference formally adopted a balanced 2024 budget using about $6 million from reserves, trig- between the village’s liabilities and asgering conversations about finding new sets, stands at $43 million. Village policy revenue sources and reducing expenses for states that an on-hand unreserved fund balance must be between 10% and 20% of upcoming years. the current year’s estimated The $82.1 million proposed operating expenditures. After operating budget for the fisthe $6 million transfer for the cal year includes more than $6 2024 fiscal year, the fund balmillion from the village’s fund ance is estimated to be more balance for what village offithan $37.4 million, or 45% of cials said were one-time expenestimated expenditures. ditures.

The police and fire departIt also includes a 3% tax levy. ment budgets will increase in In 2023, the levy was zero.

2024 by 7% and 5% respectively, One-time expenditures rang according to the proposed budin at $5.7 million, due in part get. The police and fire departto items such as planning studment budget increases are the ies, economic studies and an result of pension expenses and alternative response pilot proDONNA GAYDEN increases in salary and benegram. The alternative response Interim chief financial officer fits. The police and fire pension program is a proposal from the levies will increase by 13% and Mental Health Taskforce with 8% respectively. recommendations on the best Trustee Susan Buchanan way to respond to mental health said after developing a new crisis calls, which has not yet understanding of police departments in been brought to the board for approval.

“This is a budget that we can be proud 2020, she has reservations about an inof,” said village manager Kevin Jackson. creased budget for Oak Park’s police de“Even though it seems status quo, we are partment. But she said she does support changes in Oak Park’s police department, not proposing a lot of new expenditures.”

Village president Vicki Scaman said the including having professionals answer board has a goal to review fees and fines mental health calls.

Trustee Cory Wesley echoed Buchanan’s and identify new revenue sources in the future, suggesting the liquor tax as one concerns about the police department, potential source. She said she wants to en- calling it “overkill” when armed cops ansure raised fees are equitable for residents. swered a call about his child’s stolen bike.

Trustee Ravi Parakkat said he was con- He said he would like the board to prioricerned about future years after relying on tize filling positions that could decrease the need for police to answer calls about reserve funds.

“This year we are kind of scraping stolen bikes or parking violations.

Theoretically, any funds not spent that through,” Parakkat said. “Unless we do something materially about our expenses, are allocated in the budget would go back it is going to cost us some heartache in the into the reserve fund at the end of 2024, Gayden said. future.”

“We have to keep in mind what we want to do and what we actually need to do.”

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THE MEANEST THING I EVER SAID

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ike many kids in my neighborhood, I used to walk to and from school along California Avenue. A boy in my class named Ricky also walked this route. For the most part, Ricky and I got along okay. We weren’t really friends, but I had no problems with him. That is with the exception of one time in 6th grade.

I am not sure what led to our disagreement that day, but our argument got heated. Ricky must have learned that I was adopted and tried to use that fact to hurt me. What Ricky did not realize was that I was a very confident kid, particularly about being adopted.

There was nothing he could say about me being adopted that would hurt my feelings. I was proud of being adopted and happy to talk about it.

However, I knew that Ricky was somewhat insecure in general, particularly about being born much later than the rest of his siblings. My mother referred to this situation as a change of life baby.

Kind of an oops baby.

Knowing the imbalance of our confidence levels, the kind thing to have done was to take the high road, keep silent, and walk away.

Sadly, I did not take the high road.

Instead, I went low, really low, and said the meanest thing I have ever said to someone. Something I knew would cut deeply with Ricky.

I told Ricky because I was adopted I knew my adoptive parents really wanted me. But,

since he was an oops Brooks thinks that baby, his parents this reduction of moral apparently did not education stems from want him. Ricky’s face our pursuit of a lifestyle lost emotion and he of individualism: I get to ran away. The minute control my own life. He I said it, I regretted it. believes individualism Particularly, because is good, but we have THERESA CLANCY I prided myself on overshot the mark, and Estate Planning Attorney being a kind and now we are too cut off compassionate kid. Not from another. Brooks that day. Thankfully, that was a rare states that moral formation occurrence in my life. is created during a group environment in morally coherent Taking the high road can be communities. He writes that more difficult. Nowadays, it seems like participation in morally coherent fewer and fewer of us are willing to keep silent and walk away from groups would lead Americans to more happiness. a bitter dialogue. In fact, some people go out of their way to make trouble as evidenced by behavior in airplanes, restaurants, hospitals, and in social media. It seems like we are meaner and ruder than ever before. Why is that?

One explanation comes from author David Brooks. Brooks thinks that Americans’ increased meanness is directly related to our feelings of sadness and depression. He argues that our lack of moral education (ability to recognize the difference between right and wrong) has produced less civil and compassionate citizens. Brooks states that moral formation helps us to restrain our natural selfishness.

It gives us the social skills to have a hard conversation across differences with the ability to end a conversation with grace.

Another theory to explain our meanness stems from the idea that we do it to feel better about ourselves. With the rise in constant media exposure and social media in particular, we are comparing ourselves to others more now than ever. Often that creates feelings of inadequacy and decreases our self-worth. Research has shown that, when we feel poorly about ourselves, we are more apt to insult or belittle others to make ourselves feel better.

Unfortunately, feeling insulted makes us more likely to then demean others. It is a vicious cycle.

Sadly, when we insult someone else, it likely says more about how we feel about ourselves than how we feel about the other person.

meanness is compassion. In the face of meanness most of us either attack (like I did to Ricky) or avoid the aggressor. Neither is effective.

Where there is meanness, there is a lot of pain in both the aggressor and the recipient. As the recipient, we should remain in control and accept the negative emotion we feel by the insult. But then, we should fight fire with water by making loving statements to the person who hurt us.

Think of the movie Silver Linings Playbook, when the more successful brother (Jake) belittled the less successful brother (Pat).

Pat did not go on the attack or ignore his brother’s hurtful statement. Instead, Pat said, “I got nothing but love for you brother.”

That reply totally took the air out of the insult and made Pat look strong and in control.

We regain our true power when we are able to help the insulter rise above their unhappiness. It is when mean people feel happy that they will stop being mean.

Similar to estate planning, we should show compassion to ourselves if we have not created an estate plan. No sense in feeling guilty about it. But don’t ignore it.

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HIGH-FIVING THE BIG GUY IN A WINTER WANDERLAND

Santa Claus with children at the Oak Park Winterfest and Cookie Walk on Saturday, Dec. 2

The Lola Bard Holiday Carolers.

The Grace Lutheran Church Choir sings carols.

Dachshunds in Santa outfits.

PHOTOS BY TODD A. BANNOR

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Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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Oak Park earns an ‘A’ in climate-change adaptation Oak Park is one of only two municipalities in Illinois to receive the top grade

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff reporter

The Carbon Disclosure Project granted Oak Park an “A” for its awareness and performance in climate change mitigation, deforestation and water security.

Only 13% of the 939 cities that report to the CDP received an “A,” including only two municipalities in Illinois.

The scoring is intended to motivate cities to fight climate change and promote environmental progress, according to the CDP. Sections of the questionnaire used for scoring include emissions inventory, energy data, adaptation goals, climate action planning and more.

Oak Park recently adopted Climate Ready Oak Park, a plan intended to promote sustainability and environmental resilience.

Main goals of the plan include decreasing community greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The 2023 progress report stated that Oak Park has made progress in shifting toward electric vehicles, growing native plants, increasing compositing and implementing active transportation infrastructure. The 2024-2028 capital improvement plan outlines projects to increase active transportation.

An ordinance adopted by the Village of Oak Park board in June requires any buildings constructed after the new year to by fully electric to reduce emissions from natural gas hookups.

The village also adopted an ordinance requiring restaurants to only offer plastic food ware upon request, with the exception of straws. Oak Park Public Library upgraded

CLIMATE READY OAK PARK: ONE YEAR ON

its recycling infrastructure. Takeout 25 implemented strategies for recyclable water boxes and launching a green dining hub.

The progress report includes recommendations for future action for residents

to mitigate climate change, including switching to solar power, reducing their energy load, growing their own food, utilizing public transit or active transportation and composting.

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The Children’s School finds new home in First Baptist TCS celebrates with ceremonial ribbon cutting

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

The Children’s School has officially moved into the First Baptist Church of Oak Park, celebrating the special moment with a ceremonial ribbon cutting Tuesday morning.

The ceremonial event was held on the steps of First Baptist with the school’s family and friends, along with members of the Oak Park Chamber of Commerce, all gathered to celebrate the move and the beginning of a new chapter for TCS, who had their first official day of classes at the new location on Monday.

Darien Martin-Burton, executive director of the Oak Park and River Forest Chamber of Commerce, said the village is excited to be able to retain the school.

“The Children School have been long term members and supporters in our community,” Martin-Burton said. “Anytime that we can retain a business, especially after COVID and where the whole country is in terms of economic growth, anytime we can see a business remain an Oak Park business I think the better it is for everybody. It allows for some continuity for families.”

It was only fitting that TCS shared the moment with the families who have continued to support and champion the school through the last few months, which have brought on significant changes, including a relocation and a complete revamping of the board of directors after an 11-member resignation in September.

Despite the changes, the TCS family remained supportive, which was evident during the past few days as many teachers, students, faculty, alumni, and community members chipped in to help move furniture, set up classrooms, and ensure the space was ready to go for the first day of school, said Christina Martin, director of curriculum and instruction for The Children’s School.

“I think The Children’s School has always inspired really committed people because the vision for progressive education and for what community can be is so strong and so compelling,” she said.

The new location has also brought peace of mind to faculty and families who in March found out the lease on the previous location, the old St. Edmund School on S.

PROVIDED

Christina Martin, director of curriculum and instruction at The Children’s School, and members of the Oak Park Chamber of Commerce perform the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the school’s new location.

Oak Park Ave., where they had been for the past five years, would not be renewing the lease. In June, the school announced their new partnership with First Baptist, located on Ontario Street.

Rachel Stark, a parent of a second grader, said she was happy the school was able to secure a new location. While Stark originally planned to only enroll her son at the school for preschool, he continued to thrive in the environment, which she said was crucial as the pandemic had played a role in his development. The family, which has another child enrolled in District 97, decided to continue at TCS and any hesitation Stark had about the move was forgotten when she finally saw the new space last week.

“There is just a feeling to it,” Stark said, adding she was elated. “This is our new home. It is cozy, it is cool inside. I feel really good about it and as long as they will have us, we will be good neighbors.”

According to previous reports, Pamela Freese, director of administration at TCS, said the building would undergo a few renovations to adapt the space for their students.

David John Hailey, Jr., senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Oak Park, was in attendance to welcome TCS families.

Hailey said First Baptist has been happily waiting for the day TCS could officially be in the building and all the moving parts have come together, adding he believes they will thrive in their new space.

But renovations are not quite done yet as Hailey said there are a few more things to be crossed off the checklist.

“We have some temporary classrooms for about the next six months and then there are plans for us to do a little bit more work to get the space a little more prepared for more permanent space usage,” he said. “I think it is going to be a great partnership.”

However, that partnership caused a stir amongst parents of First Baptist Preschool and Kindergarten, who were nervous that the new school would displace the students who already called the church their home. According to Hailey, this was a hurdle the church, along with the schools, could get past.

“Whenever you have a move like this there are going to be some bumps in the road,” he said. “Ultimately, I think as time moves on it is going to be great and we are meeting on a weekly basis to make sure we iron out any bumps that need to be ironed out and things are going to go well.”

“We are sharing space with the church and with the preschool and we aim to be really good neighbors, I think we are really good neighbors,” Martin said. “But there is a certain amount of negotiating and figuring things out that you need to do when you come into a good space and I think we will be doing that for a while.”

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Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

From classroom to aiding migrants: OPRF civics class spurs students to act students move through the unit, they disThe 4 juniors wanted a good cuss issues that they wish they could address. grade, never expected what “What are the values that you have and what are issues that grind your ears, that would happen next make you mad and frustrated and how do

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

What began as a way to get a good grade in an Oak Park and River Forest High School civics class took on a life of its own after four juniors dove into volunteer work with local migrants who arrived at the village last month.

When Jake Karnick, Cole Douce, Brady Green and Matt Winkelhake were brainstorming ideas for a service-learning project for their civics class, the students wanted to do something that would benefit their Oak Park community.

In recent months, the village had seen an increase in the migrant population, as many more continue to arrive by bus from states including Texas, despite the lowering temperatures, taking shelter at police stations or in tents. The juniors saw the problem and set out to wholeheartedly encompass the deeper goal of the project outside of the halls of their high school.

“We saw that a lot of people were getting bussed in,” Karnick said. “We saw that they were really close to us and we wanted to do something.”

Maia Zeidman, history teacher at OPRF High School, said the project is part of the state-mandated civics class, which was made into a requirement for all high school students in 2015 by former Gov. Bruce Rauner. House Bill 4025, Engaging Youth for Positive Change, aims to expose students to discuss current and controversial issues, participate in service learning, and have simulations of the democratic process to bridge the gap in the service-learning component of the law. As

we approach those things,” Zeidman said.

When Zeidman found out the students had been providing aid to migrants as part of their project, she said she was pleasantly surprised and proud of the dedication the four boys had shown.

“I was surprised but I was so happy that they were so excited,” Zeidman said. “That they found this whole new direction of doing service and making a mark in the community that was meaningful for them.”

As they split up the tasks, the students posted on social media that they were collecting winter jackets, warm clothes and other essentials, such as toothbrushes and deodorant, along with backpacks to hand out to migrants.

Donations came pouring in. It didn’t take long for the juniors to have 35 backpacks filled with essentials ready to go be distributed at the 15th District Police Station on Madison Street in the Austin neighborhood.

The donations went quickly, Karnick said.

“It was pretty crazy how much need these people had and how grateful they

PROVIDED

OPRF juniors Matt Winkelhake, Jake Karnick, Brady Green, and Cole Douce collected 35 backpacks filled with essentials to donate to the migrants at the 15th District Chicago Police Station in the Austin neighborhood. Below, distributing backpacks. were when we came,” Douce said.

“You could see the desperation in people’s eyes,” Green said. “As soon as we got there, they all ran to us and started coming to our car to get supplies. Especially the parents in situations like that, it was hard to see. I am glad we did that and helped out but there is definitely more work that needs to be done.”

A GoFundMe request, set up by Douce, raised more $1,000, which then was donated to 15th District organizers in the form of quarters and laundry detergent to be distributed to migrants so they could wash their clothes.

But the more time and energy the juniors put into serving the migrant community, the more they realized how all-encompassing the need truly is.

“I didn’t realize there was a big need for underwear, so we also donated a bunch of underwear for shower days,” one of the juniors said.

Margaret Karnick, parent, said she witnessed PROVIDED a “spark” light up in the

boys as they took what was expected of them for the assignment and made it a mission that would expand outside the classroom.

“These boys are student athletes with very full schedules, yet they have spent much more than their five hours of required service hours working towards helping local migrants,” she said. According to Margaret, the juniors made and packed lunches, washed and sorted donations, shopped for essential supplies, and went back to deliver hot pizza lunches and fresh fruit to the migrants on-sight, calling their efforts remarkable.

“I had the pleasure of observing their work closely, and I am truly impressed by the level of dedication and commitment demonstrated by each of the four boys,” she said.

Participating in the service project has taught the juniors the impact and power being active within one’s community can hold.

“In our community and the surrounding communities, a lot of people are helping out,” Douce said. “It builds us up together as a community and it helps out a lot of people in need.”

Douce added that a lot of change could happen for the better if more people deContinued on next page

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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Zallis named new OPRF girls soccer coach

She takes over the Huskies’ program from Christie Johnston

By MELVIN TATE

Homemade Toffee since 1921

Contributing reporter

Lauren Zallis has been named Oak Park and River Forest High School’s new head varsity girls soccer coach.

Zallis takes the reins from Christie Johnston, who stepped down from the Huskies over the summer after six seasons, compiling a 32-51-2 record and an IHSA Class 3A regional title in 2021.

Zallis, who played collegiately at Northern Arizona University and received her bachelor’s degree in physical education and health, has vast coaching experience on both the high school and college levels with stops at Beacon Academy in Wisconsin, Dominican University, Elk Grove High School and Roosevelt University.

Zallis holds a master’s degree in counseling, specializing in sport and health psychology. She helped create a sport psychology program at Loyola University Chicago, is the co-founder of a sport psychology consulting practice, and has worked with former Chicago White Sox psychologist Jeffrey Fishbein as a lead consultant for his private practice.

OPRF athletic director Nicole Ebsen said that Zallis’s background will help the Huskies’ program improve.

“Social-emotional learning isn’t somecided to help out the migrant community that is now calling parts of Oak Park their new homes as they continue to pursue their American Dream and betterment of their families.

“If everyone helped out with what we did, that would make a huge difference,” Douce said.

With a class presentation on their work coming up in the next few weeks, the students said they hope they are able to reach more students and inspire them to think about different issues that are playing out around them.

“As we present to the class, I feel like it will make people pause and really take a minute out of their own lives and realize how much work needs to be done to help people in situations like these,” Green said.

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Lauren Zallis thing we work on developing only in an academic setting,” she said in a statement.

“We also have a strong focus on incorporating social-emotional learning into our coaching, and Lauren’s experience with sport psychology will be a huge asset in that regard. We’re looking forward to a great season.”

For Douce, the proximity OPRF students have to a humanitarian crisis is not lost to him, saying that it was shocking to realize this was going on a mile down the road from his house.

While the grade the juniors will receive on their project has yet to be determined, they are all walking away with a deeper understanding of the enormous need for aid that is now present right here in their community and they hope others will also step up to help.

“Anything helps, anything anyone can do, even if it’s donations to a direct person or bringing them hot food,” Douce said.

“I feel like we did a good amount with just us four,” Karnick said. “If you worked together, I feel like you could do a lot and make a big difference.”

7353 W. Madison St., Forest Park 708-366-0777 • 708-366-0775 www.lamaisondebonbon.com

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ct Perfe The cking Sto ffer!

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HELP US MATCH

$40,000 by Dec. 31 Our local news is made possible by the donations of our neighbors These 33 people are our 2023 GCM MatchMakers. Together they pooled $40,000.

Marc & Dorie Blesoff Nancy Clark LaVerne Collins Brian Crawford Janel Dennen Thomas Gallagher John & Julia Haley

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Carolyn Newberry Schwartz Past District 97 school board president

Kristin Vogen Chicago Community Trust leader, former head of OPRF Community Foundation

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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DUBAI

Attending UN Climate Summit from page 1 COP28 is the annual UN Climate Summit, in which 98 countries have agreed to work together on addressing the climate crisis. More than 70,000 politicians, diplomats, campaigners, financiers and business leaders are expected to attend.

The COP conferences have made history before. The historic 2015 Paris Agreement limiting “the increase of the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels,” came out of that and efforts “to Kate Wallace limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels” came from COP21, held in Paris, France.

What makes these student trips remarkable is that they are not just field trips. The students who go actively participate in the conference. Katie, a senior, will be part of

two roundtable discussions.

“One that’s on school lunches and then one on youth mental health and eco-anxiety,” she said.

Fellow senior, Kate, will be speaking on a panel about climate literacy.

“We sort of brainstormed as a group what specific proposals we could do,” Katie said, “what we have experience with, what we could talk about as a group. We settled on youth mental health, school lunches and climate education.”

When she is not presenting, Katie said she plans on “visiting all the pavilions.” Each participating country has its own pavilion devoted to disseminating information about climate change. Katie also said she plans on “networking with other organizations, interviewing VISUAL IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY interesting people.”

Note that the event attracts many noteworthy participants. Last year, Manolo and Tori chatted with former vice president and climate activist Al Gore.

“That was cool,” Manolo said. “He’s the climate reality chairperson. He started it and he has a reception every year at COP.” Katie said she hopes to do something similar in Dubai. “I hope I get to talk to

PHOTO BY JANICE FLORY

Katie Stabb’s cabbage But what made Kate Wallace want to apsome higher-level policymaker because ply to go to COP28? that’d be really cool.”

“I’ve been involved in Model UN at OPRF Katie explained that she became interand in Model UN conferences. ested in environmental work Some of the things I’ve debated as a response to anxiety about at Model UN are environmentalthe climate crisis “If there’s a related. So, to be able to go to the chance that we can still make a real United Nations was really difference,” she said, “We gotta exciting. Also, it’s a huge learnhold on to it.” ing opportunity to meet people Katie added that she cannot from across the world and learn remember a time when she was a lot more about climate issues,” not interested in the environshe said. ment. But it was Cory Kadlec’s Katie echoed her excitement: biology class in the seventh “For the last two years, I’ve grade at Roosevelt Middle watched other people from It’s School that really opened her Our Future who have come eyes. She recalled: “We raised back from COP and shared their trout in our classroom all the experiences. That inspired me. way up until releasing them KATE WALLACE And so hopefully I can do the into a river in the wild.”

COP28 attendee same. So, I’d like to make more Katie explained that she beripples inside of OPRF and in came more committed to envithe community. This is a real ronmentalism after some members of It’s Our Future came to OPRF’s UN event, and real policy goals have come environmental club. It helped that her out of past ones, right? We talk about the friend, Manolo Avalos, was already a mem- Paris Agreement, maybe in 10 years we could be talking about the Dubai decision.” ber of the group.

“It’s a huge learning opportunity to meet people from across the world and learn a lot more about climate issues.”

DAVID SATTLER

OPRF student Manolo Avalos (center) talking to Al Gore while attending the COP27 event last year.

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C R I M E

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Carjacking turned to armed robbery has multiple victims A person carjacked a vehicle in Chicago and traveled to Oak Park between Chicago Avenue and North Taylor Avenue.

The person, who had a firearm, then robbed a Maywood resident at around 7:40 a.m. Dec. 4 at the 100 block of Chicago Avenue. The victim was in his car when the offender pointed a gun at him. The person took money and a cell phone from the victim, and the estimated loss is $112.

The person then robbed an Oak Park resident at around 7:42 a.m. Dec. 4 at the 500 block of North Taylor Avenue. After the person displayed a gun, he took the victim’s jacket, a backpack with a Chromebook, an iPhone 11, an ID and money. The estimated loss was $802.

Both victims refused medical attention.

As Oak Park police officers arrived, the offender was leaving and his vehicle collided with theirs. No injuries were reported.

The stolen vehicle later crashed in Chicago and the offender was taken into custody.

The area at 100 Chicago Ave. has been a site for crime in the past, according to the Village of Oak Park website. During the

summer of 2022, two Chicago residents were charged with first-degree murder after a shooting located at that same gas station.

Arrests ■ A man from Missouri was arrested for criminal trespass to an Oak Park resident’s vehicle on Nov. 27.

■ A man from Chicago was arrested and charged with criminal trespass to a Chicago resident’s car and for not having a valid driver’s license Nov. 28.

■ A woman from Oak Park was arrested for criminal trespass to real property, battery and resisting a peace officer Nov. 29.

■ Three juveniles from Chicago were arrested for an attempted aggravated robbery against an Oak Park resident. The arrest took place Nov. 29.

■ A man from Chicago was arrested for retail theft Dec. 4 at the CVS on 345 Madison St. ■ A man from Kankakee, Illinois, was arrested Dec. 4 in Oak Park as the result of an active Chicago Police Department warrant for violating an order of protection.

Catalytic converter theft

Burglary

■ Someone stole the catalytic converter from an Oak Park resident’s 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The theft took place between the evening of Nov. 26 and the morning of Nov. 27. The estimated loss is $1,000.

■ Someone stole the catalytic converter from an Oak Park resident’s 2008 Toyota Prius between Nov. 24 and Nov. 27. The estimated loss is $3,800.

■ Someone used a cutting tool to steal the catalytic converter from an Oak Park resident’s 2012 Toyota Prius between the evening of Dec. 1 and morning of Dec 2. The estimated loss is $3,100.

■ Someone got into an Oak Park resident’s 2003 Honda Civic and ransacked the interior, but no loss was reported. A car door was unlocked, which may have been how the person gained entry.

■ Someone got into an Oak Park resident’s garage o Nov. 26 through an unlocked side service door and stole a black Haro Flightline bicycle. The estimated loss is $600.

■ Through an unlocked window, someone entered an Oak Park residence and stole a jar containing roughly $200 Nov. 28.

Robbery An offender placed an order at Dunkin Donuts at 6820 Roosevelt Road and then gave the employee a note demanding money. The employee removed the money, estimated at $200, from the register and placed it on the counter where the offender took it and left.

These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department reports dated Nov. 28 through Dec. 5 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Luzane Draughon

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IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS

Cook County Annual Tax Sale Notice to Property Owners, Annual Tax Sale Schedule, and Delinquent Real Estate Tax List This legal notice includes a list of properties of real estate on which 2021 property taxes (due in 2022) are delinquent and subject to sale as of November 6, 2023.

NOTE: This list may include some properties on which the taxes were paid after the list’s preparation on November 6, 2023. It is the property owner’s responsibility to verify the current status of payment. This list does not include all the properties in Cook County that are delinquent and subject to sale. For a complete listing of the properties in your neighborhood that are subject to sale, please visit www.cookcountytreasurer.com.

Under Illinois law, the Cook County Treasurer’s Office must offer properties having delinquent real estate taxes and special assessments for sale. IF YOUR PROPERTY IS LISTED IN THIS NOTICE FOR SALE OF DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE TAXES, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO TAKE ACTION SO THAT YOUR TAXES ARE NOT SOLD. The tax sale is scheduled to begin TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024. The sale of taxes will result in a lien against the property that will add, at a minimum, hundreds of dollars in fees to the amount currently due. Sale of the tax and continued failure by the owner to redeem (pay) may result in the owner’s loss of legal title to the property.

Prior to sale, delinquent taxes may be paid online from your bank account or credit card by visiting cookcountytreasurer.com. Personal, company, and business checks will be accepted only through December 28, 2023. After December 28, 2023, all payments must be made by certified check, cashier’s check, money order, cash, or credit card. Please note that under Illinois law, the Treasurer’s Office cannot accept payments of delinquent taxes tendered after the close of the business day immediately preceding the date on which such taxes are to be offered for sale.

For questions about submitting a payment or to verify the precise delinquent amount, you may contact the Cook County Treasurer’s Office by phone at (312) 443-5100 or by e-mail through our website at www.cookcountytreasurer.com (click on “CONTACT US BY EMAIL”).

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LEGAL NOTICE

2021 Annual Tax Sale Schedule SALE BEGINS TUESDAY JANUARY 9, 2024, AT 8:30 A.M. THE TAX SALE HOURS OF OPERATION ARE 8:30 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. (CHICAGO LOCAL TIME) EACH SCHEDULED DAY. THE DATES OF SALE AND THE DAILY SALE HOURS MAY BE EXTENDED AS NEEDED. TAX BUYER REGISTRATION WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN DECEMBER 8 AND DECEMBER 29, 2023. FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.COOKTAXSALE.COM OR CONTACT THE TREASURER’S OFFICE. SALE DATE

VOLUMES

TOWNSHIP/CITY

January 9, 2024

001 TO 147

Barrington, Berwyn, Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Cicero, Elk Grove, Evanston, Hanover, Lemont, Leyden, Lyons, Maine, New Trier, Niles, Northfield, Norwood Park, Oak Park, Orland

January 10, 2024

148 TO 270

Palatine, Palos, Proviso, Rich, River Forest, Riverside, Schaumburg, Stickney, Thornton, Wheeling, Worth, Hyde Park

January 11, 2024

271 TO 464

Hyde Park, Jefferson, Lake

January 12, 2024

465 TO 601

Lake, Lake View, North Chicago, Rogers Park, South Chicago, West Chicago

COOK COUNTY DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE TAX LIST OFFICE OF THE TREASURER AND EX-OFFICIO COLLECTOR OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Advertisement and Notice by Collector of Cook County of Application for Judgment and Order of Sale of Delinquent Lands and Lots for General Taxes for the years indicated, for order of sales thereof, as provided by law.

COUNTY OF COOK, STATE OF ILLINOIS December 6-7, 2023 NOTICE is hereby given that the said Collector of Cook County, Illinois, will apply to the County Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, for judgment against all lands and lots, hereinafter described as being delinquent, upon which taxes (together with any accrued interest and costs) remain due and unpaid, for an order for sale of said lands and lots for satisfaction thereof, fixing the correct amount due. Final entry of said order will be sought on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

NOTICE is further given that beginning on the 9th day of January, 2024, A.D., at the hour of 8:30 A.M., all said lands and lots, hereinafter described for sale for which an order shall be made, or has been made and not executed as noted, will be subject to pub-

lic sale at 118 N. Clark St, Room 112 (Randolph Street entrance), in Chicago, Illinois, for the amount of taxes, interest and costs due thereon, respectively.

The following is a list of the delinquent properties in Cook County upon which the taxes or any part thereof for the 2021 tax year remain due and unpaid; the name(s) of the owners, if known; the property location; the total amount due on 2021 tax warrants (excluding delinquent special assessments separately advertised); and the year or years for which the taxes are due.

In lieu of legal description, each parcel of land or lot is designated by a property index number (PIN). Comparison of the 14-digit PIN with the legal description of any parcel may be made by referring to the cross-indices in the various Cook County offices.

The Cook County Collector does not guarantee the accuracy of common street addresses or property classification codes at the time of sale. Tax buyers should verify all common street addresses, PINs, classifications, and ownership by personal inspection and investigation of said properties and legal descriptions prior to purchasing general taxes offered at the sale.

NO TAX BUYER WILL BE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN A TAX DEED WITH RESPECT TO ANY PROPERTY OWNED BY A TAXING DISTRICT OR OTHER UNIT OF GOVERNMENT. WHEN AN ORDER TO VACATE THE TAX SALE OF ANY SUCH PROPERTY IS ENTERED, THE FINAL RESULT MAY BE A REFUND WITHOUT INTEREST.

delinquent property tax list  f nvmb 6, 2023 TAX PAYER NAME

PROPERTY ADDRESS

VOL

PIN

TAX TYPE TAX YEAR

TAX DUE

OAK PARK - COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL 6201 NORTH AVE 46 CHICAGO AVE 44 CHICAGO AVE 40 CHICAGO AVE 6549 NORTH AVE 1116 LAKE ST 125 S OAK PARK AVE 846 MADISON ST 6336 ROOSEVELT RD 1009 GARFIELD ST 917 S OAK PARK AVE 7100 ROOSEVELT RD

138 138 138 138 139 141 141 141 143 145 145 145

16-05-102-032-0000 16-05-325-026-0000 16-05-325-027-0000 16-05-325-029-0000 16-06-204-005-0000 16-07-119-035-1003 16-07-306-015-0000 16-07-326-019-0000 16-17-324-036-0000 16-18-303-035-0000 16-18-307-035-1002 16-18-323-045-0000

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2021 $154,860.79 2021 $8,451.60 2021 $12,068.95 2021 $14,914.40 2021 $34,465.78 2021 $18,093.74 2021 $36,767.01 2021 $8,489.55 2021 $22,253.89 2021 $11,267.91 2021 $10,320.73 2021 $40,872.00

6101 NORTH AVE 138 1231 N TAYLOR AVE 138 1215 N HUMPHREY AVE 138 6043 NORTH AVE 138 6049 W NORTH AVE 138 2 LE MOYNE PKY 138 1428 N AUSTIN BLVD 138 931 MAPLETON AVE 138 923 N LOMBARD AVE 138 2 DIVISION ST 138 827 MAPLETON AVE 138 842 MAPLETON AVE 138

16-05-104-007-0000 16-05-104-016-0000 16-05-105-024-0000 16-05-105-034-0000 16-05-105-038-0000 16-05-106-034-1005 16-05-113-019-0000 16-05-122-024-0000 16-05-123-027-0000 16-05-127-042-0000 16-05-302-027-0000 16-05-303-004-0000

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021

OAK PARK - RESIDENTIAL SC REAL ESTATE LLC HELENA BATHER DANIELLE SPENCER CALVIN LOWENSTEIN CEDRICK HUNTER LIV TRS DWAIN LINEAR SAMUEL A HARTZOG JEAN L WIEDERHOLD BENJAMIN A POURKHALILI JOY PETTIGREW CLERAINE S CAMPER JADA HOME SOLUTIONS

PROPERTY ADDRESS

VOL

PIN

TAX TYPE TAX YEAR

TAX DUE

OAK PARK - RESIDENTIAL (cont.)

TOWNSHIP OF OAK PARK DDI HOLDINGS LLC FORTY WEST CHICAGO LLC FORTY WEST CHICAGO LLC FORTY WEST CHICAGO LLC ROBERT & MARCELLA GRAY 1120 CLUB LLC ALEX N BOUDROS LEONA S PIZZERIA LARRY DANTONIO ANIMAL CARE LEAGUE DACIA MED PROF CORP ANNA MARIA DIAZ

TAX PAYER NAME

$95,420.16 $5,894.95 $4,782.65 $739.65 $6,556.75 $315.98 $12,489.91 $531.75 $5,547.10 $6,682.42 $5,332.57 $3,122.62

VERELL LYON VANESSA RANKINS JUAREZ & GONZALEZ FOSTER CHAMBERS AUGUSTINE MITCHELL KAPISH SHARMA & SWATI NATASHA PALMER TAXPAYER OF ERIC PRICEMAN MIGUEL DUARTE MARY WALLS CAPITAL LLC MARY WELLS CAPITAL LLC TONY VILLASENOR LA SUSY LLC VIRGILIO A CASTILLO JANE M MCINTYRE NICHOLAS T THALASSINOS TAXPAYER OF ROBERT PICCHIOTTI MCC PROPERTIES LLC JOHN KOCH JOHN J HEMBLING FAITH R JULIAN FAITH R JULIAN WILLIAM FRENCH & KAREN CLAUDIO JUAN MARTINEZ ANGELA J MOORE CHAVERS

7 DIVISION ST 138 1030 N AUSTIN BLVD 138 300 CHICAGO AVE 138 524 N CUYLER AVE 138 828 N AUSTIN BLVD 138 828 N AUSTIN BLVD 138 824 N AUSTIN BLVD 138 1228 FOREST AVE 139 1143 WOODBINE AVE 139 1301 N HARLEM AVE 139 1037 BELLEFORTE AVE 139 1033 BELLEFORTE AVE 139 6539 NORTH AVE 139 448 BERKSHIRE ST 139 1115 N HARLEM AVE 140 821 BELLEFORTE AVE 140 842 N GROVE AVE 140 721 WOODBINE AVE 140 604 WOODBINE AVE 140 540 N KENILWORTH AVE 140 814 N EUCLID AVE 140 842 N EAST AVE 140 515 N EAST AVE 140 500 CHICAGO AVE 140 509 FAIR OAKS AVE 140 527 N RIDGELAND AVE 140 412 N MARION ST 141

16-05-307-035-1002 16-05-314-031-1004 16-05-321-034-1003 16-05-322-007-0000 16-05-326-034-1007 16-05-326-034-1008 16-05-326-035-1010 16-06-103-016-0000 16-06-109-002-0000 16-06-113-037-1004 16-06-114-016-0000 16-06-114-017-0000 16-06-204-010-0000 16-06-223-019-0000 16-06-300-050-1001 16-06-301-021-0000 16-06-306-002-0000 16-06-310-022-0000 16-06-321-017-0000 16-06-324-025-0000 16-06-401-010-0000 16-06-404-003-0000 16-06-421-011-0000 16-06-421-012-0000 16-06-422-018-0000 16-06-424-018-0000 16-07-102-035-1009

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021

$1,892.35 $1,636.51 $1,078.59 $14,388.25 $1,175.17 $1,677.46 $2,637.96 $8,896.36 $25,772.79 $2,291.89 $8,664.08 $8,664.08 $4,972.96 $9,386.69 $2,186.60 $13,550.43 $8,516.41 $100.32 $2,491.25 $7,196.36 $5,024.17 $5,999.56 $24,793.40 $8,676.54 $9,578.35 $7,960.60 $2,842.31

continued on next page

18

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

LEGAL NOTICE continued from previous page TAX PAYER NAME

delinquent property tax list  f nvmb 6, 2023 PROPERTY ADDRESS

VOL

PIN

TAX TYPE TAX YEAR

TAX DUE

JOHN A BASONS JAVIER GONZALEZ KIMBERLEY KELLY PATRICIA GOLDSCHMIDT FERNAND L FORTIER PETER D WARDA ICON CLARK ICON CLARK ICON CLARK LLC CAROLE J SCHAEFER PEDRO GUTIERREZ CORNELL&CARLA JOHNSON NURTAN A ESMEN SOHO DEV. LLC. JAMIL MUSTAFA G & F DEVELOPMENT LLC JOEL HUFFMAN P CORWIN ROBERTSON III JONATHAN KATHRYN HALL TAXPAYER OF ROGER PINA YVONNE DEMBY DONALD PATTERSON CTLTC 008002388847 C SMITH & L NOGUE MARIA ENRIQUE PEREZ WEST CERMAK REALTY TAXPAYER OF LYONS DEN WILLIAM RAKES OBRYANT ALEXANDER KAZAROV OMAR CALDWELL GREGORY LAPAPA ROBERT HLADILEK JAMES C HARPER CURRENT OWNER PNB VICKIE CASANOVA RONALD E BISHOP II STOVALL & ALTON GRAHAM J RARITY TAXPAYER OF NATIONAL INVEST SOLUTI THIRAPOL PIMSARN YVETTE SPENCER THIRAPOL PIMSARN TIFFANY SHEPARD LAVINIA HUSBANDS LAARNI MORENO MICHELE AGNEY MOORE & ASSOCIATES LLC MICHAEL MOORE CARL SPIGHT MILLENNIUM TRUST AS C REVIAN LLC TONY D WILSON NOMADIC HOLDINGS LLC DAMIAN STEPHANIE BIRD CLIFFORD T OSBORN ZEB DEVELOPMENT LLC DIN ALT PURSUITS LLC EDMOND CORBIEL BENJAMIN KARLIN 617 S OAK PARK INVESTO THOMAS J DASARO SHARON A THINNES SABRE INVESTMENTS LLC

222 N MARION ST 141 16-07-111-012-1040 211 N MARION ST 141 16-07-112-016-1006 211 N MARION ST 141 16-07-112-016-1007 227 N OAK PARK AVE 141 16-07-117-010-1050 938 NORTH BLVD 141 16-07-128-032-1001 938 NORTH BLVD 141 16-07-128-032-1009 861 LAKE ST 141 16-07-129-002-0000 857 LAKE ST 141 16-07-129-011-0000 855 LAKE ST 141 16-07-129-012-0000 813 LAKE ST 141 16-07-129-034-1001 228 N OAK PARK AVE 141 16-07-212-010-1044 228 N OAK PARK AVE 141 16-07-212-010-1066 140 N EUCLID AVE 141 16-07-219-029-1009 1005 W SOUTH BLVD 141 16-07-302-039-0000 1005 W SOUTH BLVD 141 16-07-302-040-1016 1144 WASHINGTON BLVD141 16-07-314-024-1015 1126 W WASHINGTON BLV141 16-07-315-029-1035 1036 WASHINGTON BLVD141 16-07-316-053-1023 415 S MAPLE AVE 141 16-07-321-020-1004 417 WISCONSIN AVE 141 16-07-322-061-1034 425 HOME AVE 141 16-07-323-043-1004 410 WISCONSIN AVE 141 16-07-323-051-1013 430 HOME AVE 141 16-07-324-033-1037 401 S GROVE AVE 141 16-07-326-024-1003 116 S EAST AVE 142 16-07-403-043-1038 109 S ELMWOOD AVE 142 16-07-404-032-1002 401 SOUTH BLVD 142 16-07-405-008-0000 301 S EAST AVE 142 16-07-415-032-0000 325 S ELMWOOD AVE 142 16-07-416-014-0000 415 WESLEY AVE 142 16-07-419-028-1025 415 WESLEY AVE 142 16-07-419-028-1028 428 EUCLID AVE 142 16-07-419-029-1007 414 S SCOVILLE AVE 142 16-07-422-029-1010 414 S ELMWOOD AVE 142 16-07-423-040-1002 301 W CHICAGO AVE 142 16-08-100-021-1003 404 N CUYLER AVE 142 16-08-101-010-0000 431 N LOMBARD AVE 142 16-08-102-022-1021 250 LAKE ST 142 16-08-119-029-0000 139 N HUMPHREY AVE 142 16-08-122-023-0000 122 N TAYLOR AVE 142 16-08-122-038-1003 166 N HUMPHREY AVE 142 16-08-123-030-1016 142 S RIDGELAND AVE 142 16-08-300-018-0000 119 PLEASANT ST 142 16-08-309-017-1020 226 N AUSTIN BLVD 142 16-08-311-011-0000 222 WASHINGTON BLVD 142 16-08-314-043-1015 222 WASHINGTON BLVD 142 16-08-314-043-1033 222 WASHINGTON BLVD 142 16-08-314-043-1038 118 N AUSTIN BLVD 142 16-08-317-025-1006 415 S LOMBARD AVE 142 16-08-320-027-1001 207 W WASHINGTON BLV142 16-08-320-028-1022 408 S LOMBARD AVE 142 16-08-321-034-1024 22 S AUSTIN BLVD 143 16-17-107-024-0000 108 S AUSTIN BLVD 143 16-17-107-029-0000 744 S TAYLOR AVE 143 16-17-121-018-0000 840 S CUYLER AVE 143 16-17-125-015-0000 928 S LYMAN AVE 143 16-17-306-011-0000 921 S HUMPHREY AVE 143 16-17-306-019-0000 41 GARFIELD ST 143 16-17-314-003-0000 1007 S HUMPHREY AVE 143 16-17-314-007-0000 1124 S HARVEY AVE 143 16-17-319-011-0000 1117 S HUMPHREY AVE 143 16-17-322-025-0000 1026 S AUSTIN BLVD 143 16-17-331-014-0000 1102 S AUSTIN BLVD 143 16-17-331-017-0000 621 S MAPLE AVE 144 16-18-109-022-1019 617 S OAK PARK AVE 144 16-18-117-018-0000 828 S MAPLE AVE 144 16-18-127-009-0000 816 S MAPLE AVE 144 16-18-127-026-1009 837 HOME AVE 144 16-18-129-031-0000

TAX PAYER NAME

PROPERTY ADDRESS

VOL

PIN

TAX TYPE TAX YEAR

TAX DUE

OAK PARK - RESIDENTIAL (cont.)

OAK PARK - RESIDENTIAL (cont.)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021

$6,534.57 $1,353.62 $1,043.60 $4,512.12 $1,803.25 $1,358.48 $373.45 $5,333.72 $18,183.06 $3,575.85 $1,855.54 $1,956.10 $8,290.26 $17,939.67 $288.37 $4,212.28 $3,973.88 $1,648.22 $1,944.57 $252.98 $1,539.93 $863.74 $749.44 $3,565.38 $320.27 $2,540.38 $27,002.99 $1,887.49 $15,658.38 $275.97 $2,573.03 $3,885.65 $2,777.28 $1,134.02 $1,587.14 $15,310.19 $1,165.66 $7,894.90 $4,934.12 $3,651.37 $228.30 $17,212.51 $172.85 $7,843.88 $4,097.88 $288.12 $288.12 $2,443.98 $2,924.96 $950.85 $1,563.30 $5,768.83 $12,848.70 $14,673.38 $15,629.47 $6,644.12 $6,668.96 $39,717.27 $4,243.57 $8,632.93 $6,994.54 $4,612.44 $8,658.35 $370.56 $5,496.54 $7,028.69 $150.30 $5,732.18

DAVID J MENDELL EDMUND J GRENNAN ANTONIO MCFADDEN 52ND AVE LLC PRIME HOLDING 96 LLC SALVADOR LOZANO DARRINGTON PAYNE ELAINE MAY LARRY CROSBY THOMAS WHITE M GOZA M GOZA LOURDES MARTINEZ MICHAEL GOZA

832 HOME AVE 144 800 S SCOVILLE AVE 144 929 S OAK PARK AVE 145 1143 CLINTON AVE 145 1182 S KENILWORTH AVE145 639 GARFIELD TER 145 922 WESLEY AVE 145 1125 S EAST AVE 145 1192 CLARENCE AVE 145 1185 S SCOVILLE AVE 145 6436 ROOSEVELT RD 145 6436 ROOSEVELT RD 145 6436 ROOSEVELT RD 145 6436 ROOSEVELT RD 145

16-18-130-006-0000 16-18-229-001-0000 16-18-307-034-1001 16-18-319-035-0000 16-18-328-012-0000 16-18-405-014-1017 16-18-405-014-1040 16-18-417-025-0000 16-18-425-043-0000 16-18-426-033-0000 16-18-428-043-1036 16-18-428-043-1066 16-18-428-043-1115 16-18-428-043-1125

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021

$10,257.72 $4,179.83 $261.37 $12,228.21 $2,631.06 $882.78 $1,006.76 $12,792.99 $10,297.97 $10,282.77 $639.92 $639.92 $318.00 $4,452.42

Published by order of

Maria Pappas County Collector of Cook County, Illinois

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

19

Environmental Club wants climate education to be part of OPRF’s curriculum battle climate change and eliminate the Imagine growing hydroponic waste of natural resources.

Most notably, club members are focuslettuce for your school’s ing on the sustainability policy goal of expanding climate education and literacy. cafeteria “As far as I know, OPRF’s sustainabil-

By JACK HELBIG Contributing reporter

Members of OPRF’s active environmental club are regularly chosen by It’s Our Future to go to the UN’s annual climate change conferences.

The club’s president, Manolo Avalos, went to COP27, and Katie Stabb and Kate Wallace, are at this year’s conference, COP28. Kate is the club’s treasurer.

The 35-member-strong club has several initiatives going. They are using hydroponics to grow lettuce for the cafeteria. They do environmental projects in Thatcher Woods. The club also plays a crucial role in implementing the high school’s seven-point sustainability policy, an ambitious plan to increase the district’s environmental responsibility,

ity policy is the first of its kind in area schools,” said Cindy Wong, the club’s faculty sponsor.

According to Kate, who is speaking on climate education at COP28, there is a great need for strong climate education across the board.

“Climate education is one of the goals of the Paris Agreement (COP 21), and our panel will discuss how climate literacy can be achieved in schools, how youth can lobby to build stronger climate education and the impacts of social media surrounding climate education,” she said.

In the 2022, Wong said that the students in the club emphasized during a sustainability committee meeting “the importance of incorporating sustainability into the curriculum of all academic divisions.” Their ideas were incorporated

PHOTO BY CINDY WONG

Members of the OPRF Environmental Club (from left): Cayden Weber, Will BarnesMazur, Malcolm Mitchell-Chablani, and Owen Ruby. into Goal 2 of the school’s sustainability policy, which was approved by the board of education this past spring.

Manolo, who is a member of the committee, said that they are also working with state officials, and It’s Our Future to get a climate literacy mandate in Illinois.

“I just started a social media campaign on instagram @iofyout. We are going to inform people why they should support

PHOTO BY CINDY WONG

PHOTO BY CINDY WONG

Emerson Amstutz showing off green forest romaine seeds.

climate curriculum in Illinois for all,” Manolo said.

Katie added that it is easy to get overwhelmed by the climate crisis, but said, “I’m trying to stay optimistic because you know, if you get apathetic, you lose your chance, right?”

That’s why she, and 34 other OPRF students, are members of the environmental club.

Faculty sponsor Cindy Wong addresses the club.

20

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Oak Park party planner offers 10 tips to prepare hosts for the holidays

‘Tis the season to be chasing relaxation, one breath at a time

By HECTOR CERVANTES

B

Contributing reporter

uddy Hobbs, also known as Buddy the Elf from the movie “Elf ” once said, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear.”

The holiday spirit is revealed in that famous line.

Still, a 2018 study conducted by Perrigo found that 88% of Americans reported that they felt stressed while celebrating the holidays. The American Psychological Association also showed that some of the most commonly felt negative emotions during the holidays include fatigue, stress, irritability, and sadness.

But it’s the holidays! How can you be in the spirit if you are stressed?

We talked to Gigi Rowe, the owner of Pickle Hill Parties, based in Oak Park, who offers custom flowers and flower subscriptions for parties and events on their tips for staying cool under pressure and came up with 10 tips to help you feel festive, productive and chill.

1. Create a game plan A game plan ensures organization. When asked why it is important to create a game plan for hosting, Rowe said that it helps you enjoy the event more, the more organized you are, the more relaxed you will be.

Who is bringing what? Who is making the main dish? What activities will the guests participate in? Creating a form of communication before the event will ensure all of these questions are answered.

2. Choose your mood This tip is for the night before or the morning of the event. You need to set yourself in the right mood to be stressfree while preparing to host. Setting up the mood can be a certain playlist you put on

while preparing or a certain beverage to get you in the spirit. Rowe said that putting on music, and most importantly, doing the prep work the day before or even a day or two ahead of time, tells the host to sit down, breathe, and enjoy a quiet moment in their pretty place.

3. Keep your guests entertained Depending on who the audience you are catering to, ensure that everyone is entertained. Rowe said that a party can have a variety of age groups and that becomes even more important, especially for people outside your household. If there are children, make sure you have activities for them. Setting out board games or planning games will allow the guests to enjoy themselves.

4. Decorate Make sure the party has a theme -- but it does not have to be a Martha Stewartlevel of design or decor. It brings in the idea of how entertaining provides an opportunity to “reset” so guests can enjoy your spaces, Rowe said. She encourages hosts to add some flowers and to try to add different heights to the flowers.

Flowers add a layer of care and luxury and beauty even if they are simple, she said. Other tips: pulling out the cute napkins and plates from the back of the cabinet and lighting candles.

5. Don’t sweat the small stuff Rowe advised to remember how entertaining is supposed to be fun because the priority is to just be with people you enjoy and care about. If something does not go your way, don’t worry about it.

You could worry excessively about unimportant matters and expend a lot of time and energy. Rowe said that giving yourself a bit of grace and going with the flow is essential.

LEV DOLGACHOV/ADOBE STOCK

6. Keep in mind that you deserve the celebration as much 8. Never hesitate to ask for help If you need to bring out the main course of as the guests do food, never hesitate to ask for help or if you

You may be the host; however, you are still part of the celebration. While hosting, remember to have fun. Engage in the conversation and the games that are going on.

Rowe added the main priority is to just be with people you enjoy and care about and have a good time.

need help with setting up. The holidays are a time for being with family and friends. Rowe said that people always want to help, even if you can think of a few tasks that are easy such as filling up water glasses.

7. Pay attention to the little details

You are in complete control of the house because you are the event host. Inform the visitors if there is a bedroom that you would like them to stay out of. Although a host is accommodating, their home is ultimately where they reside. Rowe says it is important to be up-front about the rules ahead of time so there are no surprises when guests arrive.

Being detail-oriented is key here. Rowe offered some pointers: pouring that bag of potato chips into a pretty bowl and replacing the takeout sandwiches or appetizers onto a nicer platter or dish. Making one or two things from scratch is important, too, she said. Showing care is essential, such as accommodating guests’ dietary restrictions and offering nonalcoholic drinks for guests who do not drink. Be sure to have food/drink that accommodates their needs and take a second to quietly point out the options to them without making it a big deal, she suggested. If you’re hosting a huge group, keep a special stash set aside in case things run out. These little details will help your guests feel more at home, she said.

9. Set house rules

10. Cherish the celebration Hosting a party with your friends and family is a blessing. Hosts need to be in the moment and part of the celebration,” she said. They need to enjoy themselves, even if it is busy to sit and enjoy the atmosphere they have created as a host.

NEED TO REACH US?

email: erika@growingcommunitymedia.com

Homes

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

Austin bungalow wins Driehaus award Chicago Bungalow Association recognizes restoration of kitchen

By LACEY SIKORA

I

Contributing Reporter

t’s hard to imagine a couple better suited to owning and restoring an historic Chicago bungalow than Katrina and Mike Morrissey.

Over the last decade, they have lovingly restored their Austin home, bringing back some of the original character, which had disappeared over the years. They also got married, added three children to their family and did that lion’s share of the restoration work themselves, while holding down jobs in other fields.

The Chicago Bungalow Association recently awarded the couple with a Driehaus Award, recognizing their work

21

PHOTOS PROVIDED

attainable projects that will making over their kitchen and inspire other bungalow ownputting them in the company ers across the city.” of other Chicago-area bungalow Katrina Morrissey said owners who take the stewardship that when she and Mike got of the iconic style homes seriously. engaged and began looking for Created in 2005 by the Chicago Katrina and Mike Morrissey houses, they knew they wanted a Bungalow Association, with the supChicago-style bungalow. port of The Driehaus Foundation, the “We just loved the history and the Driehaus Bungalow Awards are an annual, working class past that came with homes. juried competition honoring the creativity and That’s all we wanted was a bungalow,” she said. efforts of homeowners of Chicago bungalows. HomeownThey found the home of their dreams in Austin, not too ers can submit their home improvement projects for a chance to win $1,000 in up to seven award categories, in- far from Mike’s dad and mom in Oak Park. While the buncluding interior and exterior renovations, restoration, and galow might have been a dream come true for the couple, Morrissey acknowledged that the home had great bones, landscape design. but not a great aesthetic.

“These projects that the judges selected fit the spirit of the Driehaus Bungalow Awards,” said Mary Ellen Guest, executive director at the Chicago Bungalow Association. “They are

See RESTORATION on page 23

22

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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23

RESTORATION Salvaging history from page 21 “It needed so much work,” she said.

Early on in their homeownership, the couple got a quote to redo their back porch. Katrina recalled the quote was higher than expected, and Mike thought he could do the work himself. It turned out he was right.

Mike, who is a teacher by day, proved to be a quick learner. Katrina said that her husband didn’t even own tools when they met. When faced with a new house that needed a lot of work, though, he turned to the internet to teach himself how to start restoring the home.

“It turned out that Mike was very good at learning to do things himself. He bought tools and taught himself how to do things,” she said.

While Mike does the carpentry, Katrina, who works as an occupational therapist, takes on jobs such as painting, staining and styling. She said that over the near-decade in the home, “it has been a true team effort to get this house close to the way we want it.”

After doing more work on the house, like restoring the original front windows and stripping the painted woodwork, the couple turned their eyes to their kitchen. They assumed they would need to hire professionals to help with a project of this scale, but a chance discovery led them to do the bulk of the work on their own.

They found the kitchen’s original subway tile buried under layers of newer tile. Katrina noted that once they realized they were able to salvage the tile, it inspired them to tackle the entire room.

She said, “We wanted to be true to the historical style of the home, and the tile was a big part of that. It goes halfway up the wall. Being able to salvage the tile was also a big budget saver.”

Along the way, they were guided by some photos that an earlier resident of the home shared with them.

“Most of the photos were of her family, but we were able to see what the living room, original bathroom, kitchen and front of the house looked like. It was great to see the tile in the kitchen photo,” Katrina said.

They started stripping the tile in 2020, and continued their work while their two children were napping, as well as on nights and weekends. They removed layers and layers of flooring to reveal the original maple floors.

While they hired Peter’s Woodworking to help sand and refinish the floors, Mike stripped the kitchen’s painted woodwork, and Katrina re-stained it. Mike built the new

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Despite meticulous attention to historical details, the Morrisseys couldn’t forego modern appliances. kitchen cabinets himself in his basement workshop, using the pantry’s original cabinets as a guide.

Katrina found evidence that a large sink with a drainboard had once been under the windows, and she found a salvaged vintage sink to put in the new kitchen. They also found an older, salvaged door with a transom window above it to install in the rear of the kitchen. Katrina said that using older materials was a key to putting the kitchen back to the way it might have originally looked.

One area where they embraced modern: the appliances.

“We like the old aesthetic but not to the extreme where we would put in vintage appliances,” she said.

While the kitchen project was finished before their third child’s arrival, Katrina said that she and Mike have grown used to using their spare time to work on the home, and the award is just the icing on the cake.

“This is a passion project for us,” she said.

“What I want to show people is that you don’t have to rip everything out and go modern. You can save a lot of money and a lot of things from going to the landfill if you embrace what’s there.”

24

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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

VIEWPOINTS

25

David Hammond: Making breakfast interesting the waffle way 29

Fix it, don’t trash it

I

n a world where we have been trained to think of everything as disposable, the Repair Cafe is a breath of fresh air. What is a Repair Cafe? According to their website, “Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things (together). In the place where a Repair Café is located, you’ll find tools and materials to help you make any repairs you need on clothes, furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, crockery, appliances, toys, etc. You’ll also find expert volunteers, with repair skills in all kinds of fields.”

I recently went to the one in Oak Park. For years, it was held in the Oak Park Arms, but it has graduated to using the Fox Park Recreation Center in the 600 block of South Oak Park Avenue on the first Saturday of the month. I carried with me my vintage Black Angus rotisserie oven. Made of chrome and probably built in the late 1950s, this radiant heat appliance is a workhorse. Using the rotisserie function, it puts a Costco or Sam’s Club rotisserie chicken to shame. It’s also an exquisite broiler. No longer do I fry a pork chop when I can place it in that oven and that radiant heat gets so intense it forms a crust on the meat without having to put on any coating. And best if all, the meat gets a genuine char-broil taste.

Of course with a broiler that old, something is bound to wear out. And for me, it’s the wires. The plug began to melt, and to avoid a fire hazard, I had to stop using it.

Fortunately I had a second one that I had given my son, so I was able to use his. But I was on a mission to repair the cord.

After taking off the bottom, I saw that the wires inside were pretty old. However it was designed using male plugs and female receptacles for the wiring. I was able to get the gentleman at the cafe to install a new cord.

However because the wires are old, the guy suggested I get it rewired. That job was a little too big for the Repair Cafe to take on.

While I was there, I saw people bringing lamps that needed rewiring. One woman brought in a beautiful lampshade that needed a piece rewelded on the top so that she could continue to use it. There was a lady volunteer with a sewing machine who could repair a garment that needed stitching. There was a gentleman working on electronics. If nothing else, it is an excellent

s a former two-term mayor, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the role of Growing Community Media (GCM), the parent company of Wednesday Journal, and its founder Dan Haley, in shaping our community’s narrative. While I understand some of you may hesitate to support the paper, fearing it leans too liberal or lacks balance, I urge you to consider the broader impact of this local institution.

GCM, through Wednesday Journal, has been a critical voice in our local governance, public safety, parks, senior services, schools,

See ARLENE JONES on page 30

See ANAN ABU-TALEB on page 30

ARLENE JONES

As Growing Community Media moves to reach our ambitious $250,000 fundraising goal by Dec. 31, we’ve asked members of our nonprofit’s Development Steering Committee to write essays in our Viewpoints section. We’ll publish this series between today and Dec. 20 in which these strong supporters of GCM explain why our local news mission is so important to them.

Beyond differences, toward a stronger community

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ANAN ABU-TALEB

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CAROLYN NEWBERRY SCHWARTZ

nformed. Engaged. Those two words may feel a little flat for a description of Oak Park, a community that, a District 97 principal once told me, “loves its issues.”

But engaged and informed are essential attributes for thriving communities. Most of us know the litany about what happens when communities lose their local newspapers — a loss of important information that informs our everyday decisions, loss of a shared sense of place and connection, and an inability to sustain the underpinnings of our democratic

See CAROLYN NEWBERRY SCHWARTZ on page 30

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Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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Foul language

t every turn, we recognize that we live in a coarser, less civil time. We see it in our politics, in our entertainment, and in our language.

This isn’t a screed about swearing. Most all of us do it.

And, in the right moment, a well-placed curse is effective communication.

But what our Melvin Tate observed and overheard while covering an OPRF vs. Fenwick basketball game last week at the Chicago Elite Classic held at UIC, was a disheartening exhibition of raw language and taunting by a good number of OPRF students toward Fenwick, its crosstown rival.

Ongoing chants of “F*** Fenwick” rang out in the gym. Tate reports that OPRF and UIC security attempted to discourage the vulgarity but with little impact.

First point: Students who participated in this display ought to be ashamed of themselves. It was wrong. It reflects poorly on the high school but mainly it shows a lack of character that each student ought to self-assess.

Second point: The school is aware, says the athletic director, and will respond. There need to be consequences for such behavior even if it means the basketball team plays in front of empty grandstands for a time.

OPRF civics project

We are enthusiastic about the reintroduction, state-mandated, of a civics curriculum in high schools. That it includes a community service component is an essential plus.

This week our Amaris Rodriguez reports a positive story out of OPRF about four students who started with a brain-storming session for a service-learning project and wound up among the cadre of local volunteers working with energy to help migrants both on the West Side and now in Oak Park.

Jake Karnick, Cole Douce, Brady Green and Matt Winkelhake recognized a need but when they were personally in touch with Central and South American migrants who were bused to Chicago from red border states, their perspectives widened and their drive to help accelerated.

Maia Zeidman, their teacher at OPRF, is excited to see the passion, practical actions and hard work of these students take hold. As are we.

Climate conference

For a second year, a pair of OPRF students, members of It’s Our Future, are attending the UN’s annual climate conference. Last year it was held in Egypt. This year Dubai.

They are among six Chicago-area high school students taking part in the program under the auspices of the nonprofit Seven Generations Ahead.

Katie Stabb and Kate Wallace will be at the COP28 conference through Dec. 12. Both students will be among the presenters on climate panels.

It is a remarkable opportunity for these OPRF seniors to learn, to teach and to bring back to communities, already well focused on the climate crisis, new ideas and renewed urgency on this issue.

V I E W P O I N T S

Blame game in the messy Mideast

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srael and Hamas are back at it, following a short ceasefire. Is the mess in the Mideast a “problem without a solution”? A lot of people have very firm opinions on the matter, without much agreement, so the current chaos will likely continue, as it has, on and off, for 75 years, give or take. And there’s been plenty of give and take, none of it very constructive. Much of it very destructive. It doesn’t look as if either side will give up — or even wake up.

Only one thing is certain: Whatever both sides are doing about the problem, it isn’t working, and lots of people, innocent and otherwise, will continue dying as a result.

Meanwhile, we play the blame game. How we love the blame game. Almost as much as we love the justifying game. Makes both sides feel more righteous, less culpable.

Back and forth we go: ■ Hamas started it, killing women and children, taking hostages, so Israelis are justified in retaliating.

■ The retaliation is disproportionate (thanks to U.S. military assistance), killing far more Palestinians, far more women and children. Not exactly a fair fight.

■ Civilian casualties are unavoidable. Hamas hides among the innocent, in effect taking their own people hostage.

■ You can’t root out an insurgency. Ask the American military after Iraq and Afghanistan. It just grows back, usually stronger. You can bomb people back to the Stone Age (as one U.S. general so delicately put it during the Vietnam war), but you can’t bomb them into submission.

Back and forth, forth and back.

Who’s to blame? Both sides.

Who has legitimate grievances? Both sides.

Who’s going to win? Neither side, unless they come up with a new approach — where both sides win.

Israeli society has paid a stiff soul price for adopting methods of the oppressor in exchange for their security, a horrible irony for a people long oppressed in other parts of the world, where antisemitism is still the default setting, just looking for the slightest excuse to surface.

Gazans pay a stiff soul price for allowing themselves to be governed by a terrorist organization, not that they seem to have much choice in the matter, but it feeds anti-Islamic bias elsewhere, especially in the U.S. I sympathize with both sides. I’m critical of both sides. I doubt I’m alone in this.

Gazans and Israelis aren’t the only ones at fault.

They are merely the flash point of tensions that go way, way back.

It’s appropriate to talk about this as we prepare to

celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, who founded a religion that bears considerable responsibility for this mayhem.

Western civilization and Christianity grew up together in the two millennia following the death of Jesus. They married one another, you could say, and spent the next 1,500 years blaming the Jews for killing Christ, as Jews spread throughout Europe during their diaspora, leading to predictable results. Persecuted, segregated, pogrommed and finally holocausted, Jewish migrants returned en masse and reclaimed the land of their ancestors, even though it meant displacing those who lived there. Great Britain, the fading colonial power of the time, shoehorned them into their own state in clumsy fashion as the British empire evaporated following World War II. The UN approved the new plan. The surrounding Arab states did not.

During that same millennium and a half, Islam was born and holy wars fought against Christian invaders (better known as the Crusades), complicating the Mideast even more. By the time the state of Israel was born in 1948, the region was a white-hot crucible, ready to rumble, a version of Yeats’ “rough beast” slouching toward Bethlehem to be born. A veritable second coming. Only now Bethlehem has a large, ugly wall around it.

The animosity goes back further still, to the historical mythology chronicled in the Book of Genesis, a wild and turbulent melodrama of family divisions and intrigue, starring Abraham, the pro-genitor of both Judaism (Isaac, born to his wife Sara) and Islam (Ishmael, born to his servant Hagar). Half-brother vs. half-brother, bad blood, grudges. There are conflicts all over the globe, but none quite like this one.

Truly a battle of Biblical proportions.

The sins of the Western world met in the messy Mideast, compounded, creating a problem with no solution.

Who’s to blame? Who isn’t?

Who’s most to blame? Your guess is as good as mine, but I’ll wager the solution won’t come from the Israelis and Palestinians, who seem utterly unwilling to cut this Gordian Knot.

When I first heard about Europe’s “Hundred Years’ War” in history class during high school, I couldn’t believe it. A war lasting 100 years? Oh, come on. But it continued, off and on, for just over a century.

Not sure how that war finally ended, but the ongoing Mideast conflict is already 75 years old.

And it doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon.

Who’s at fault?

Blame it on all the people who play the blame game.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S

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What makes the moment sweeter?

stepped out from the curtains, walked out onto the stage, sat on the left side of the piano bench, slid a bit to the right, and the gym, full of parents and kids, erupted in laughter.

What a way to open the performance of our trio! My little sisters, Sue and Mary, had gone before me to the piano, and were already seated as I arrived.

In situating myself as I did, I pushed Sue, who shifted toward Mary, who fell right off the bench’s right edge. We never rehearsed getting on the bench!

Shaken a bit, we readjusted and, as the laughter died down, got our butts in the right places, put our six hands on the keys, and played our piece, “Sweet Moments,” without a hitch, just as we had during the past few weeks of practice. Appreciative of the fact that we had endured our opening embarrassment and had then played through our number perfectly, the audience at St. Mary of Celle in Berwyn gave us a warm, extended ovation.

How many times in life does a moment become sweeter because it has been set up by some sort of mishap or unanticipated occurrence? The unexpected comedy act we opened with probably gave a sympathetic audience more reason to want us to succeed.

Being laughed at for a miscue we had never anticipated actually heightened our focus on playing the piece right. That was the best way to rescue our imperiled performance.

The message from the supportive audience was, “That was funny, but we’ve got you.” Our own confidence as siblings who’d worked hard together, plus our beloved piano teacher’s guidance, steadied us.

We concentrated on delivering Sweet Moments, in six parts, from the first measure through the last.

Of course, it wasn’t just us creating those moments, laid out as they were years prior in the musical score itself. Certainly the moment was made possible by H.P. Hopkins, the score’s composer. And there was Mrs. Kral, coaching us over many weeks. Mom and Dad get some credit too for having listened to us patiently and praising us. We had gradually mastered the piece on our old upright. The crowd helped, too.

It included many familiar kids and adults from the school, church and neighborhood.

They had all made the moment as we made the music.

Decades later in Ascension Catholic Church across Roosevelt Road on East Avenue in Oak Park, I found myself playing a piece I had composed, “A Moment in Mourning,” at my father-in-law’s funeral. I hadn’t become a performing pianist during those intervening years. I played at home on my own spinet — mostly show tunes, popular songs and a few of my own numbers.

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023 W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

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

RICH KORDESH One View

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

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

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

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

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR PROVIDED

Keys to the past, sweet moments remembered.

But I offered to play at Paul’s service, Maureen’s dad, and she had accepted. We also sang for Paul in the choir during the funeral Mass.

As I walked to the grand piano sitting in front of the choir at the appointed time in the service, it hit me that I hadn’t done this in a long, long while. The church was quiet. I sat on the piano bench just in front of our music director, himself an accomplished See RICH KORDESH on page 30

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

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY ■ 500-word limit ■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,

your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left

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

H O W

T O

R E A C H

U S

ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-524-8300 EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $2.00.

A one-year subscription costs $48 within Cook County and $60 outside of Cook County.

Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2023 Growing Community Media, NFP.

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Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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Fear to anger to hatred to revulsion

ear can breed anger. Anger can curdle into hatred. Hatred can decay into revulsion.

For Jewish people to fear persecution and oppression is understandable.

The long history of antisemitism and its specific, horrifying instantiation in the Holocaust would sensibly cause fear for anyone.

When Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed more than 1,200 people, the attack reinforced this sensible fear. Here was another moment when another’s hatred of Jewish people resulted in mass Jewish death and suffering.

But the chain that I laid out above was already well-reinforced in the attitudes of many Israeli people toward Palestinians.

Fear to anger, anger to hatred, hatred to revulsion. And the Israeli attack on the people of Gaza had begun. Israelis have already killed more than 10,000 Palestinians in Gaza through airstrikes. The Israeli government has ordered everyone in the northern half of Gaza to evacuate to the southern half. Many homes and buildings have been destroyed.

Israel has cut off electricity, water, and food to the Palestinians. Many have justified these actions as “the cost of war,” but they fail to reckon with the fact that the Israeli government has created the conditions in Gaza, and so bears responsibility for the basic needs of the Palestinians living there.

Israel took the lands and demolished the homes of Palestinians throughout historical

JIM SCHWARTZ One View

Palestine and forced the displaced people into the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip in particular is a massive refugee camp created by the actions of the Israeli government and Israeli settlers over the last 75 years. The Israeli government therefore has a humanitarian obligation to provide access to food, water, and electricity for the Palestinians it has forced to live there. Israel’s decision to attack Gaza and root out Hamas does not void that obligation.

Fear makes us act in ways that do not align with our values, and to avoid cognitive dissonance, we exempt human beings from our values in order to permit our inhumane treatment. Such it is with the Israeli state.

I am certain that those who make up the state and those who live in Israel would say that they value peace, safety, and human life. It is only because their fear enables the demonization of all Palestinians that they can justify their treatment of the Palestinian people.

Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack was reprehensible.

Those responsible should be brought to justice. But neither Hamas specifically nor the Palestinian people in general have the ability to inflict death on the scale that Israel is on Gaza right now.

We must condemn Hamas. We must ensure that Israel has the right to protect itself.

But we must never allow those facts to void the humanity of the Palestinian people who have the same rights to protection, nourishment, and thriving that the Israeli people do, and that we all do.

Jim Schwartz is an Oak Park resident, an educator, and a blogger at Entwining.org.

History is where we learn what works

Making peace agreements with bullies, thugs and terrorists is an exercise in futility. Neville Chamberlain and Hitler signed a peace pact on Sept. 30, 1938. Knowing that England would abide by the pact, Hitler had one more year, worry free, to arm and plan his invasion of Poland on Sept. 1, 1939. Be assured that Hamas is using any

ceasefire to rearm and rebuild. What else would terrorists do? Be it people, politicians or terrorists, when, through their actions, they show you who they are, believe them! I don’t know how to end the conflict, but punishing Israel lets Hamas win.

Shelly Uslenghi Oak Park

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

D200’s $8.4 million ‘surplus’

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t its Dec. 21 general meeting, the D200 Board of Education (BoE) is expected to approve a tax levy that will result in an $8.4 million surplus this fiscal year. What’s going unsaid is that this “surplus” equates to $8.4 million in over-taxation of District 200 property owners. The annual levy is intended to fund a school’s operations, not fund major capital projects nor add unnecessarily to its cash reserve.

Supt. Greg Johnson and the BoE plan to appropriate these overtaxed levy dollars to fund Project 2, the estimated $127 million (construction and borrowing fees) project that includes a pool/gym, which the board refused to put to referendum for voter approval, and top off a cash reserve that is currently 50% higher than needed to garner the top financial rating (according to D200).

On April 27, the BoE (Fred Arkin, Tom Cofsky, Gina Harris, Kebreab Henry, Ralph Martire, Mary Anne Mohanraj, and Sara Dixon Spivy) voted unanimously to go around voters and fund Project 2 with cash reserve dollars and debt certificates that are intended for short-term, emergency borrowing and consequently not subject to voter approval. The BoE failed to follow best practices and the advice of its Community Finance Committee (CFC) to put the funding on the ballot. It was viewed by many voters as a desperate act by a BoE and administration captured by a special interest group to push through an oversized pool project that voters rejected twice previously: the 2015 backdoor referendum and 2016 referendum.

The BoE’s debt certificates results in the board overtaxing residents by $3.5 million annually to repay the debt service for the next 20 years.

Johnson and the BoE continue to show disregard for current taxpayers, who will shoulder an even higher, unjust tax burden to pay for future projects, probably without their approval. D200 plans to use $7.2 million of its “surplus” to pay for Project 2; that’s $3.7 million more than the $3.5 million required to repay debt certificates this year.

Compounding the over-taxation is the fact that D200 continues to violate the intent of the law in pocketing $3.8 million Property Tax Relief Grant dollars annually since fiscal 2020. It’s a misuse of state funds, exploiting another tax loophole.

D200 began overtaxing residents in 2005, using a loophole to hike its levy by 16.5% that year alone, amassing a cash reserve hovering around $130 million in 2013, resulting in an inflated levy that has been compounded annually. D200’s levy is too high, and the BoE should lower it appropriately instead of continuing to stockpile money in their cash reserve.

Please consider emailing the BoE (boe@oprfhs.org), the CFC (cfc@oprfhs.org) and Supt. Johnson (gjohnson@oprfhs.org) and calling on them to end over-taxation and reduce the levy accordingly. D200 should abate taxes by $3.8 million annually, rightfully returning the Property Tax Relief Grant dollars to overburdened taxpayers.

Sources: https://www.oakpark.com/2023/09/26/oprf-wraps-up-fiscal-year-with8-4-million-surplus https://go.boarddocs.com/il/oprfhs/Board.nsf/files https://www.oakpark.com/2023/04/28/oprf-unanimously-decidesfinancing-for-its-project-2 https://www.oakpark.com/2019/02/12/oprf-eligible-for-state-propertytax-relief-grant-2 Monica Sheehan is a resident of Oak Park.

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Free speech vs. hate speech

Arguing ideas always needs to be protected.

That is the true meaning of the First Amendment. Attacking people, threatening injury of any kind and even death, is hate speech, not free speech.

Isn’t it that clear and obvious? Yet Donald Trump trashes that distinction time after time.

It’s time for him to face the consequences of his hate. Removing him from rallies, microphones,

MONICA SHEEHAN One View

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

and social media is the only answer. He belongs in jail, like anyone who flouts the law so flagrantly.

Trump is a danger, not just to the law, but to the very soul of our civil society. Jail him until he has his day in court — in fact, in many courtrooms.

Fred Reklau Oak Park

Making breakfast interesting

By DAVID HAMMOND Oak Park Eats Blogger

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ears ago, working on a feature for the Chicago Sun-Times about then-newly-opened Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles, we concocted our own savory waffle-protein combinations. We created a Mexican corn meal waffle with chicken mole, a Japanese rice flour waffle with teriyaki chicken, stuff like that. It was fun, and I was intrigued by the idea of taking a traditional breakfast food like the waffle, changing up the flour, and combining it with savory meat.

Breakfast can be one of the most DAVID HAMMOND routine, uninspired meals of the day.

So when Chicago Waffles opened at 726 Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles.

Lake St., its fourth location in Chicagoland, I was intrigued by their range of a caramelized waffle.” savory waffles.

And for beverages, well, my afternoon was open, I had my eye on the Cheddar & Short Rib Waffle, so we opted to share sips of a Bloody Mary, the which owner Gary Kreymer explained has “cheddar traditional pairing with brunch and long airplane cheese inside the waffle.” I liked the idea of playing rides. This was a very good version of the cocktail, with the batter recipe for waffles so that each one with house-made, pleasantly spicy tomato juice works with a different protein. Cheese and beef are (no Mr. & Mrs. T’s here!). Most cocktails at Chicago buddies, and the added cheddar gave more flavor Waffles are made-to-order, not batched ahead of dimension to the waffle. The short rib meat was time; holding ready-to-go cocktails seems to render super-tender and delicious; Kreymer told us it takes flavors murky and indistinct. Many of the cocktails a low, slow cook of three hours. at Chicago Waffles contain fresh fruit, which brightThe most popular food on the menu, the one ens and enlivens the drink.

Kreymer said most people order, is the eggs, and DOOPers will remember The Original Pancake the array of Eggs Benedict (or “Beny”) options is House located just east of the Lake Theatre. Like intriguing. We opted for the Duck Benedict on Liege that long-gone breakfast spot, Chicago Waffles offers Waffles. The slight sweetness of this waffle prepaa multitude of menu items, perking up the options ration complements the duck (which traditionally for what can be the least interesting meal of the day. pairs well with sweetness, as in Duck L’Orange People probably don’t associate waffles with any or Duck with Cherry Sauce). “The Liege Waffle is meal other than breakfast, but Chicago Waffles has my favorite and my wife’s favorite,” says Kreymer. a lot for lunch as well. During the holiday season, if “People don’t always know it, but it’s a type of Belyou have a house full of guests, this is the place for gian waffle that originated in France. You proof the a different kind of breakfast/lunch, with enough dough for 24 hours and put Belgian sugar inside, for menu options to please the many.

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Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

ANAN ABU-TALEB

Foundation of community engagement

V I E W P O I N T S

CAROLYN NEWBERRY SCHWARTZ

from page 25

An essential part of village life

and community history. The thought of losing this publication isn’t just about losing a platform for certain views; it’s about losing a key connector of our past, present, and future. Local news provided by GCM has consistently proven to be trustworthy and essential for community cohesion.

I, too, have not always seen eye-to-eye with every editorial stance of Wednesday Journal. However, the value of a local paper that rigorously engages with, and reports on, our community affairs is immense.

This is not just about agreeing or disagreeing with a perspective; it’s about maintaining a platform that holds power accountable, informs residents, and fosters a well-connected community.

GCM’s role transcends individual political leanings. It represents a commitment to community-centered journalism and a dedication to our diverse community.

In rallying behind GCM, we’re not just preserving a local paper; we’re ensuring the continuation of a community institution that plays a pivotal role in our democratic process. We are upholding a legacy of transparency, accountability, and robust civic engagement.

Your support of GCM is a crucial investment in our shared future.

By backing GCM, you actively contribute to maintaining a vibrant and informed community. Your support gives us the chance to honor the legacy of Dan Haley, Erika Hobbs, Ken Trainor and the team. Their dedication to accountability, transparency, and community engagement has been foundational to our village.

Supporting GCM is key to keeping our community strong.

Anan Abu-Taleb, a longtime resident of Oak Park, is the former village mayor.

from page 25

ARLENE JONES

cratic processes, including voter participation and government oversight.

As I think about Wednesday Journal and the role it has played in my Oak Park life, I realize what a treasure we have and how imperative it is that all of us who read it, write to it, refer to it, and complain about it, help fund it so we don’t lose the vital public square it provides.

Here are a few ways in which Wednesday Journal is woven into the fabric of my life and why I feel so strongly about working to ensure not just its survival but its growth.

Community: As a mom of very young children returning to Oak Park in 1993 after several years away, I relied on Wednesday Journal to get a sense of what was going on, who was who in town, and identify activities for my family. It became an important source of information about summer programs and co-curricular activities. And what fun to read about the many accomplishments of the students in all of our elementary schools and high schools, and in the myriad arts, sports, and community service organizations.

Civic Life: As an elected school board member for District 97, I experienced the critical role a local paper plays in keeping a sharp eye on public agencies.

Wednesday Journal reported on board deliberations and often ran in-depth articles on issues concerning the district: finance, equity, full-day kindergarten, strategic planning, student achievement, TIF districts, and on and on. The reporters’ questions were

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM not always welcome or easy to respond to, but they played an essential monitoring and oversight role.

I also followed the Viewpoints section to gauge the pulse of the community as it responded to the discussions and to express my own opinions. There was a real give and take to the relationship.

Neighborhood Issues: A year and a half ago, Wednesday Journal played an important role in covering our neighborhood’s advocacy for the nighttime closure of gas stations in the wake of the tragic death of Jailyn Logan-Bledsoe. The reporters wrote stories about our concerns, questioned village trustees and the village manager about their positions on the issue, covered our statements at village board meetings, ran opinion letters and issued an editorial on the proposed closure. It passed.

Just last week, I read a case study titled, “What to do when a house construction project is abandoned” [Homes, Nov. 22]. We have three troubled properties across the street from us. The article was full of useful information. I’m grateful Lacey Sikora was given the go-ahead and the space for this piece.

Informed and Engaged: The stories in the paper and especially the opinions were and are a major source of conversation at our dinner table. When young, our children related to the stories, understood who the people were, and discussed the opinions. As college students, they read the Viewpoints section routinely and would send us welcome texts and emails about their thoughts on them. Our daughter, now a young adult living in Oak Park, subscribes to the paper. She is informed and engaged.

Wednesday Journal is an essential part of our village life. As a nonprofit news source, its life depends on all of us. Please give generously.

Carolyn Newberry Schwartz grew up in Oak Park, served on the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Board of Education for two terms, and helped found and served as the first executive director of the Collaboration for Early Childhood until 2018.

Visiting the Repair Cafe from page 25 resource center to help send folks in the right direction to get something repaired as opposed to tossing it in the trash.

I know somewhere there is a retired appliance repair person who would love to tinker with my broiler. I am even open to having someone instruct me on what to do. My friend suggested YouTube videos, but so far I haven’t found one. Because the wires are color coded, I believe replacing the wires with the same colors and gauge shouldn’t be that difficult.

There are a number of repair cafes being offered in various locations. I understand there’s even one held in Chicago at the Seltzer Library on the second Saturday of each month. I plan on going there to see if I can find someone to help.

No matter what, I am on a mission to get that appliance rewired and reworking.

Arlene Jones is a resident of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood and writes a column for the Austin Weekly News, a Growing Community Media publication.

RICH KORDESH

Sweet memories revisited from page 27 musician. I was also in view of the choir, as well as the priest on the altar and people seated in the pews.

I positioned my hands to begin the A minor piece, struck the opening notes and then after a measure or two, my hands began to tremble.

It was the awesome gravity of the moment. I had just seen Paul a few weeks prior; I sensed him in spirit now. I felt a power animating the whole scene in this space where I had sung and

worshipped for many years.

I hadn’t expected that the trembling would turn into shaking as I moved through the number, but I had so internalized the music over many years of playing it privately that I got through it. And I had that sense, like long ago, that friends and family, this time seated in pews, were with me. Like my sisters and I at St. Mary’s years ago, I played without a hitch.

Every person experiences such moments at a service like this differently, depending in part on how well he or she knew the person being honored. For me, varied streams of memory made this moment sweeter.

Rich Kordesh is a longtime Oak Park resident who grew up in Berwyn.

O B I T U A R I E S

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Stephen Rubin, 88 Labor lawyer, fought for justice

Stephen Barry Rubin, 88, formerly of Oak Park, died from COVID and pneumonia at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, on Nov. 26, 2023. Born on March 26, 1935, to Sidney Rubin and Hannah Michelson Rubin at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, he moved with his parents to Highland Park, where he attended Braeside Elementary School through eighth grade. He attended Highland Park High School where he was valedictorian of his class, then attended Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where he graduated summa cum laude. He loved and supported the college throughout his life.

He graduated from Harvard Law School as a member of the “Distinguished Class of 1960.” He lived in Oak Park from 1986 to 2012.

After a long career in labor law in Chicago, working for the National Labor Relations Board and the law firm Asher, Gittler & D’Alba, he retired but became an arbitrator in a variety of legal cases in the United States until he was in his 80s.

He was a man of many interests: law, politics, classical music, jazz, theater, his life-long love of the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks and Cubs. He loved books, good writing, and helping people in need. He loved and was proud of Judaism, its long history, ethics, strengths and celebrations. Above all, he loved, believed in, and fought for justice.

Stephen is survived by his children, Sarah Rubin, Loren Rubin, and their mother, Arlene Cohn Rubin, his daughters-

in-law, Patty Rubin (nee Kunz) and Barb Schmidt, and his grandson, Maxwell Rubin. He is also survived by his wife, Diane Stark, his stepson and family, Ryan and Natalia Stark, and their children, Desmond and Djuna.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to HIAS, act.hias.org, or the justice/peace charity of your choice.

Marilyn Ramp, 80 Mother of 5, loved gardening

Marilyn Ethel Ramp (nee Creager), 80, of Centreville, Michigan, died on Nov. 26, 2023 at Birch Meadows in Three Rivers, Michigan. Born on Sept. 1, 1943 in Oak Park, she was the daughter of Franklin and Marian (Doherty) Creager.

She lived in Oak Park for the majority of her life, where she married her late husband, Jim Ramp, on July 6, 1968 and was a member of Harvard Congregational Church. She spent many years as a homemaker, raising her five children and tackling all manner of home projects, big and small. Once her children were older, she joined Jim at the family business, Alvord’s Office Supply, and completed her professional career in mortgage processing prior to retirement. They retired to a family farm in Centreville in 2004, where she spent many hours working in her garden.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Vince (Gemma) Ramp, Kevin Ramp, Gary (Jennifer) Ramp, and Elizabeth (Michael) Flanagan; 10 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

She was preceded in death by her husband; her daughter, Marilyn “Missy” (Thomas) Ruf; and four brothers, Tom, Frank, John and Jim. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place.

Ray Funeral Services, 305 Rock River Ave., Three Rivers, MI 49093, 269-278-1515, handled her care. Visit www.rayfuneralservices.com to share stories and memories.

Julia Hickey Grew up in Oak Park

Julia Hickey died on Dec. 1 in St. Croix Virgin Islands, where she was living. She attended Oak Park schools when the family moved here from Wales, UK. Julia is survived by her mother, Susan; her brothers, Paul, Chris and Patrick; her sister, Gaye Kassir; her nephews, Dan Hickey and P.J. Hickey. She was preceded in death by her father, John, and her sister, Camille.

Many remember her bubbly personality and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest.

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Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

SPORTS

Putting the elite in the Chicago Classic

Unlike many previous OPRF-Fenwick Junior guard Macariola leads games that were decided in the final minutes, the Friars (4-2) took control early, outFenwick past OPRF, second scoring the Huskies (3-2) 19-12 in the first quarter, Macariola leading the way with 12 year in a row points.

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Playing against neighboring Oak Park and River Forest High School in the Chicago Elite Classic seems to bring out the best in Fenwick High School boys basketball guard Ty Macariola.

After scoring 20 points in last year’s 6460 victory, Macariola had a game-high 26 points to lead the Friars past the Huskies 56-47 on Dec. 1 at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Credit Union One Arena.

“I’ve been going to the Chicago Elite Classic since I was in third grade and dreamed of this moment all my life,” he said. “I love this rivalry and grew up watching it.”

“Ty is Ty,” said Fenwick coach David Fergerson. “In these moments, he’s another person. He comes out and plays with his heart and is a true all-out warrior. I love him for it.”

Fenwick gradually built its advantage, leading 28-19 at halftime and 42-31 after three quarters. OPRF, which rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter last year to tie before falling, had a couple of chances to make a similar charge down the stretch this year. However, foul trouble hampered the Huskies as they saw junior center Alex Vincent (12 points, eight rebounds) foul out with 6:04 left. “[Vincent] has to stay out of foul trouble,” said OPRF coach Phil Gary. “When he

SARA JANZ

OPRF Huskie Justin Bowen Jr. (#15) finds an opening.

SARA JANZ

Fenwick Friar Ty Macariola (#21) drives against OPRF Huskie Jerome Delaney (#11). gets tired, he reaches and gets a little lazy. I need to take him out a little more.”

Poor shooting, especially from distance, was another issue for OPRF. The Huskies shot 38 percent (18-of-47) from the field, including just one made 3-pointer in 15 tries, and went 10-of-18 (56%) from the free-throw line.

Senior guard Max Johnson tied Vincent for OPRF team-high scoring with 12 points, while junior forward Alex Gossett added 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

“Fenwick played a little bit tougher and wanted it more than we did tonight,” Gary said. “They were more aggressive than we were in attacking the basket.”

The Friars went to the line 33 times and made 27. That proved to be the difference in outcome. Junior guard Deonte Meeks had 11 points, and junior forward Nate Marshall nine points and seven rebounds for Fenwick.

“He’s the little engine that could,” said Fergerson of Meeks, who stands 5-6. “He’s the smallest guy on the court, but you’ve got to let people know you’re here. Deonte is faster than most guys, and I’ll take speed over size any day.”

The victory was a nice comeback for Fen-

wick, which was routed at Mount Carmel 55-25 on Nov. 28.

“What we did at Mount Carmel, that’s not Fenwick basketball,” Fergerson said. “This is a great event, and we said, “Let’s give people a taste of who we are. We’re still a work in progress and want to get better, and we’ve got to keep building day-by-day.”

“We have a bunch of winnable games coming up, so this will increase our confidence,” Macariola added.

Meanwhile, OPRF looks to bounce back.

Gary said one loss doesn’t define a season and the Huskies will get to work correcting their mistakes.

“We always want to do well against Fenwick, but we’ve got to regroup now,” he said. “We’ll be better for this.”

“We’re going to hold our heads high and come back better,” added OPRF junior forward Justin Bowen. “We’ve got to come to practice with a new mindset and stay locked in.”

Following a game at Marmion Academy on Dec. 5 (after deadline), Fenwick will host St. Rita at 7 p.m., Dec. 8. OPRF visits Lyons Township, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m., then hosts Glenbrook South at 5 p.m. on Dec. 9.

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S P O R T S

Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

33

Chanting during rivalry games is out of bounds

n sports, a rivalry is often defined as a competition between two teams in the same geographical area. Here in Oak Park, we are fortunate to have a rivalry, and a juicy one at that. On one hand, we have Oak Park and River Forest High School, a public school that uses the slogan “Locals Only” to emphasize that it is the neighborhood school.

On the other hand, a few blocks south of OPRF on East Avenue, we have Fenwick High School, a private school that draws students not just from Oak Park and River Forest, but from Chicago and nearby suburbs such as Berwyn, Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, and Riverside.

The athletic competition is, for the most part, hard-fought and doesn’t get decided until the very end. And the student bodies for both schools often turn out in force to root for their classmates.

Of course, friendly banter and chanting back and forth are what make rivalry games fun. But what I witnessed and heard during the Chicago Elite Classic at UIC on Dec. 1 when the OPRF and Fenwick boys basketball teams met disturbed me a lot and compelled me to write this column about it.

OPRF’s school motto is “Those Things That Are Best.” Unfortunately, the Huskies’ student section, known as “The Dog

Pound,” didn’t live up to that motto.

They kept yelling, “F– Fenwick,” at the Friars’ student section. I know because I covered the game and the OPRF students were standing directly behind press row.

OPRF security staff, along with UIC security, did their best to discourage the vulgar language, but it was an ongoing issue throughout.

What really disgusted me was when the Dog Pound called Fenwick guard Deonte Meeks, who stands 5-feet-6, a midget. That was disparaging and unsportsmanlike. Credit to Meeks for keeping his poise, and he had a very good game (11 points) to help lead the Friars to a 56-47 victory over the Huskies. To me, that is the best way to respond to an awful chant — let your good play serve as the final word.

This is not the first time OPRF students have displayed poor behavior. It’s happened before at OPRF-Fenwick hockey games, too, by numerous accounts. The Dog Pound was even banned a couple of years ago from attending games during the IHSA boys soccer sectional at New

Trier due to poor conduct.

Before you say, “Well, Fenwick students do and say the same things; OPRF should not be singled out,” I agree with you. Friar students have had their bad moments as well, but recently they seem to be well-controlled by staff. They responded to the vulgar language by chanting, “Sit down, shut up!” and “Scoreboard, scoreboard,” but nothing worse than that.

The OPRF administration needs to address and remedy poor student conduct at games.

I would propose that any student who continues to chant vulgarities after being warned should be ejected and barred from attending future games.

Doing so would be a very strong deterrent to bad behavior. Attending games is a privilege, not a right, and OPRF would do well to emphasize that.

When we reached out to the high school, Karin Sullivan, OPRF communication director, responded, “During the past two years, we’ve worked diligently with our students to understand the importance of showing good sportsmanship when competing against a rival. We’ve stressed the

MELVIN TATE Tate’s Take

value of cheering in a way that shows support for the Huskies without denigrating the opponent, and we’ve made significant strides in a positive direction. Unfortunately, the language choices of some of our student fans at last Friday’s basketball game against Fenwick show we still have a ways to go. We apologize for the inappropriate language that could be heard within the arena. Moving forward, we will be working with our Huskie Student Spirit Council to continue reinforcing that our goal must be to uplift our team, not criticize the other team. We appreciate and rely on the support of our families and the wider school community to help carry this important message as well. Together, we can ensure that sportsmanship and respect remain at the heart of all our athletic events.”

The Chicago Elite Classic is a good showcase event for local high school basketball. OPRF and Fenwick have played in it for years. Here’s hoping this year’s bad OPRF conduct doesn’t lead to the annual showdown being pulled from the lineup.

Finally, while I love the energy and spirit the Dog Pound brings, their behavior simply needs to improve. If they get banished, it’ll make things harder on their classmate athletes to compete without their support.

Fenwick hockey wins game one of the Hruby Cup Series honors the longtime hockey coach Paul Hruby

By LAUREN RECCHIA Contributing Reporter

The Paul Hruby Cup series between Fenwick and OPRF’s hockey teams is always an exciting time, and this year’s opener proved no different.

The Friars (13-19-3) came out on top in game one, 5-2, Saturday at Allstate Arena.

OPRF opened the scoring early with a goal by defenseman Griffin Wesley on a hard wrist shot that rang in off the far post. The Friars answered with three goals in a penalty-filled second period as forward Demitri Karabatsos, defenseman John Moore, and forward Johnny Sena each scored. Forward Dominic

Fosco added to the Friars’ lead with 12:58 to play in the third period on a shot on the rush, assisted by forward Will Pabst, and OPRF forward Joseph Leshnock answered later in the period with a power play goal to close the gap. The Friars capped off their scoring with an empty net goal from Fosco after winning a battle down low.

“I was happy with the way we responded to a slow start,” said Friars head coach Nick Fabbrini. “Getting down 1-0 in an emotional game like that can be difficult to come back from, but we did a good job of staying calm and getting back in the game.”

Moore finished the afternoon with a goal and two assists, while Fosco tallied two goals and Verni had two assists. Fabbrini was especially happy to win a Hruby Cup game, which honors the former coach of both teams, Paul Hruby.

“I think this is a great opportunity for the Oak Park community to see hockey players who are dedicated to the game and love representing their school and local communities,” he said. “[Hruby was] a huge pillar of the hockey community in Oak Park.”

For the Huskies, Wesley’s goal was his 10th on the season in 11 games played.

“I was really happy with the level of competition I got out of my guys,” said second-year head coach Mike Murphy. “They were able to keep up with the pace of the game and the skill of the game.”

Despite losing 17 seniors from last season, the Huskies (7-22) have shown great improvement throughout their second year in the Illinois West Division, following a few seasons in the Scholastic League. Murphy is proud of the new culture they have created at OPRF and believes they’ll continue to

build off of it as the season progresses.

“The locker room has been fantastic,” he said. “The kids are bought in, they believe in the culture, they believe in the club, and they respect the jersey. We’re getting people to buy into the club and participate in the right way.”

The Hruby Cup also benefits the charity Beyond Hunger, and both teams have been putting in community work off the ice throughout the season. OPRF hosted a toy drive Sunday during their game against Benet, while Fenwick will be hosting a breast cancer benefit game in January.

Both teams followed Sunday’s match with a game Sunday evening, OPRF tied with Benet 3-3 as defenseman Jack Panichelli scored the game trying goal for the Huskies with one second left. Fenwick defeated Glenbard North 3-1.

34 Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023 Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

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The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Engineering Technician II in the Public Works Department. The employee performs layout, draft and design drawings from field survey information and field notes for various engineering and planning projects including existing improvements, right-of-way and various utilities and performs a variety of field inspections. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Position is open until filled.

GENERAL WAREHOUSE WORKER

General Warehouse worker. Some assembly and build projects. Some other job duties may include but are not limited to general building upkeep, painting, light cleaning, lifting 50lbs+, driving company vehicles on occasion, operating forklifts and scissor lift, assisting in other warehouse tasks such as loading and unloading trucks, shipping and receiving.

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Complete Bid Packet can be obtained by contacting Ed Redd at: eredd@yemba-inc.org.

Pre-bid site inspection is optional, and is scheduled to occur by appointment only. Please contact Ed Redd at 708.719.6701 to schedule an appointment.

Bid Deadline is 9:00a on 1/6/24 This is a Federally-Funded (Community Development Block Grant) Project and is subject to all applicable Federal rules, regulations and guidelines, including but not limited to payment of Prevailing Wage.

Published in Wednesday Journal December 6, 2023

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

In re ALLOCATION OF GLORIA RESENDIZ, Petitioner and ISAAC SANTACRUZ, Respondent, Case No. 2021d450036.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for temporary and permanent sole allocation of parental responsibilities, child support, contribution to child-related expenses and for otherrelief; and that said suit is now pending.

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YEMBA INC. is soliciting bids for a GENERAL CONTRACTOR to install 10 can lights with (2)3-way switches across adjacent office ceiling spaces and (4) 7 x 22 vision lite door inserts inside existing wood office doors of our small commercial building located in the Village of Oak Park, Illinois.

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Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before January 8, 2024, default may be Entered against you at any time after That day, and a judgment entered in Accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal December 6, 13, 20, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y23011198 on November 16, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of FULWELL 18 CONSULTING with the business located at: PO BOX 265 BROOKFIELD, IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JOHN MILLER, 3415 ARDEN AVENUE BROOKFIELD, IL 60513, USA. Published in RBLandmark November 22, 29, December 6, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y23011210 on November 21, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of TONIC CONSULTING GROUP with the business located at: 1017 N GROVE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: WILLIAM B. BUNKERS 1017 N GROVE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA Published in Wednesday Journal November 29, December 6, 13, 2023

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All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

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PUBLIC NOTICE PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTANTIONAL AMENDMENT TO THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM YEAR 2023 ACTION PLAN Date of Publication: December 6, 2023 Village of Oak Park 123 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 383-6400 Notice is hereby given of a proposed Substantial Amendment to the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Program Year (PY) 2023 Action Plan for $200,000.00 of funding allocations, currently scheduled for the PY 2023 Streetscaping project, be added to the PY 2023 ADA Sidewalks project.

Additional funds would make the Sidewalks project total $600,000.00.

The proposed substantial amendment is on file at the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 and is

available for public examination and copying weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST from December 6, 2023 to January 8, 2024.

PUBLIC COMMENTS Any comments concerning the proposed substantial amendment may be submitted in writing to the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, via: email to Vanessa Matheny, Grants Supervisor, at vmatheny@oak-park.us, or at the Public Hearing to be held from 3:30PM-4:30PM on January 4, 2024. Please send a request to the above referenced email address to attend the virtual hearing.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed.

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Village of Oak Park PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD for the: Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2022 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT Date of Publication: December 6, 2023 Village of Oak Park 123 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 383-6400 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Notice is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park Program Year 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) will be available for public review beginning Thursday, December 7, 2023.

The CAPER is the Village’s annual CDBG report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It will reflect the Program Year 2022 results, which began October 1, 2022 and ended September 30, 2023.

The Village of Oak Park invites comments on the CAPER. The

Published in Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

public comment period will begin December 7, 2023, and end December 22, 2023 at 5:00pm CST. The report will be available by visiting the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 and at: www.oakpark.us/cdbg.

PUBLIC COMMENTS Any comments concerning the CAPER may be submitted in writing to the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, via: email to Vanessa Matheny, Grants Supervisor, at vmatheny@oakpark.us, or at the Public Hearing to be held from 3:30PM-4:30PM on December 18, 2023. Please send a request to the above referenced email address to attend the virtual hearing.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed.

Published in Wednesday Journal, December 6, 2023

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Chefs prepares foods The motto, Taste is Our canned and frozen foods from around the world Identity, is emblazoned here,” says Sister Mary Lyons, with Asian, Mexican Director of Planning and over the grill. and Italian options, but Operations for both the a special focus is put on restaurant and the Living Southern and Soul dishes.

Word Christian Center.

Fried chicken and fish, collard greens, This award-winning restaurant was cornbread, peach cobbler and other established for a unique purpose by homestyle favorites anchor the hot Dr. Bill Winston, founder and pastor portion of the food bar. of the adjacent Living Word Christian A cold bar serves salad fixings, fruits Center. Dr. Winston’s stated vision is to build strong community relationships and to serve the community with integrity, excellence and value.

Sister Mary elaborates on the reason for a church to run a restaurant, “Our goal is to serve the community and to provide a place where families can come, have a nice place to dine, and maybe host a party.

God replenishes us for serving. We sow seed because it will return in a harvest.”

The price for dine-in

“B

”

is $16.99 for adults and $10.99 for children. There is a take-out option as well, where you fill containers and pay $9.99 per pound. Catering is also a vibrant part of the business. Trays can be ordered and picked up when you are planning a feast for a crowd.

There is a focus on healthier eating, but it’s more about providing options according to Sister Mary. Strengthening community from the inside and out is what this organization is all about.

But it does come down to good food. The motto, Taste Is Our Identity, is emblazoned over the grill.

The details

harvest365grill.com Located in the Forest Park Plaza 7610 W. Roosevelt Rd., Forest Park, Illinois Hours: Tuesday — Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed Monday

• This article consists of paid content and does not represent the view of GCM or its editorial staff •

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2023

Holiday

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Your Guide to Holiday Shopping & Dining in Oak Park, River Forest & Forest Park

B2 December 6, 2023

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A note from the Chamber

et’s sleigh the holiday gifting game by diving into the groove of shopping local!

Picture this: strolling down our festively lit streets, shades on, vibing to the tunes of the neighborhood joint. Shopping local isn’t just a choice; it’s like picking your favorite holiday song – personal, cool, and totally in the spirit.

Ever been stuck in the same-old gift maze of big-box stores? Yawn. Local shops are the merry elves of uniqueness, curating a wishlist as diverse as your quirkiest relatives. Want to make a holiday statement? Ditch the generic and embrace the local cheer. You’re not just wrapping gifts; you’re wrapping up the spirit of our community.

Shopping locally is crucial to helping our environment – less shipping, less packaging, less holiday waste. Choosing local isn’t just cool; it’s a subtle superhero move for the planet.

Plus, the faces behind the counter? They become your holiday elves, guiding you through the gift-giving wonderland.

Staff Editor Erika Hobbs Contributor James Porter Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Here’s to being effortlessly personal, ecoconscious, and the holiday legend in your own festive tale. Shop local this holiday season, because who needs a global gift empire when you’ve got a local empire of awesome?

Cheers to that!

Darien Marion-Burton Executive Director OPRF Chamber of Commerce

Publisher Dan Haley Special Projects Manager Susan Walker HOW TO REACH US 141 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Pak, IL 60302 Phone 708-524-8300 www.oakpark.com © 2023 Growing Community Media NFP.

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Holiday events December 6-31

Ron’s Very Special Christmas Special

Voicebox with Cathy Richardson: Holiday Show

Thursday, December 7, 8 p.m., FitzGerald's This is the 14th annual edition of this event, which kicks off the holiday season with a huge flourish. Backed by a band called the Downsized Elves, a cavalcade of stars will take the stage, including Dag Juhlin, Cayne Collier, Michelle Billingsley & Wild Earp, Christine Melody, the Famous Brothers, the Christmas Sisters, Laura Lopardo, and the Chidren’s School Singers. Ages 21 and up. $20 (tickets to this event are sold out), 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

Tuesday, December 12, 8 p.m., FitzGerald's Together with Voicebox’s Maureen Muldoon, singer Cathy Richardson will sing songs inspired by spokenword stories. Afterwards, audience members are invited to share their own stories about the holidays (limited to five sentences). Check out themes at voiceboxstories. com $15, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

It’s A Wonderful Life: Viewing Party Monday, December 11, 7 p.m., FitzGerald's Annual showing of this Frank Capra classic holiday movie. Tickets are sold out. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B9

December 6, 2023

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A Charlie Brown Christmas Happy Hour

Holiday Family Show With Mr. Dave Music

Monday, December 11, 6 p.m., FitzGerald's The Kevin Fort Trio plays jazzy standards composed

by Vince Guaraldi for the Charlie Brown Christmas TV special. Tickets are sold out. $8, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

Sunday, December 10, 10:15 a.m., FitzGerald's Special Christmas show with Mr. Dave, one of the foremost children’s music performers. $25, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

Holiday Big Bands & BBQ: Shout Section Big Band Sunday, December 10, 7 p.m., FitzGerald's The Shout Section Big Band blasts their way through a jazzy holiday evening. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Brunch Saturday, December 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., FitzGerald's The Chris White Trio performs songs from the Charlie Brown Christmas TV special. Tickets to this event are sold out. $10, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Brunch Sunday, December 10, 11 a.m.; Sunday, December 10, 1 p.m., FitzGerald's The Kevin Fort Trio plays jazzy standards composed

by Vince Guaraldi for the Charlie Brown Christmas TV special. Tickets are sold out. $10, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

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workers, stocking stuffers Great for teachers, essential or hostess gifts workers, stocking stuffers or hostess gifts

Snowflake ornament drop-in workshop is back!

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For details go to www.beadinhand.com/holiday-special-events

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Rockin’ Under The Mistletoe

Miss Jamie

With JP & Jenny & the Flames

Saturday, December 9, 10:15 a.m., FitzGerald's This Western-themed performer plays a special holiday show for the kids. $25/family, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

Friday, December 8, 8 p.m., Outta Space Christmas carols, country & western style. $10, 6840 32nd Street, Berwyn.

Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest: Holiday Concert Sunday, December 10, 4 p.m., Concordia University Chapel The orchestra will perform the famed “Nutcracker Suite.” $30-35, students through college admitted free of charge. 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest.

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Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

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December 6, 2023

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Holiday Catering Let us cater your business or family gathering!

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Prisms Of Winter

Holiday Makers Market

Thursday, December 7-Friday, December 8, 7 p.m., Oak Park-River Forest High School The music students at OPRF present a special holiday concert led by Anthony Svedja, Meredith McGuire, Patrick Pearson and Brendon Culloton. $10, 201 North

Saturday, December 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Robert’s Westside Special pop-up shop where you can purchase handmade products from local craftspeople. 7321 Madison Street, Oak Park.

Holidays Acapella Sunday, December 10, 3 p.m., Pilgrim Congregational Church Chicago Acapella performs classic holiday standards.

460 Lake Street, Oak Park.

Our inside catering menu!

BOWTIE PASTA NAPOLEON (ROASTED RED PEPPERS, BLACK OLIVES, FONTINELLA CHEESE, ARTICHOKE HEARTS & SPINACH IN OUR AGLIO SAUCE) HALF PAN $65.00 FULL PAN $100.00 BAKED COD H A L Fthe PAN $ 6 0 . 0 0 easy F U and L L P Aconvenient.

N $95.00 Make holidays G R I L L E D S A L M O N Warm up our food for your party!

HALF PAN $70.00 FULL PAN $135.00 SLICED SPIRAL HAM HALF PAN $50.00 FULL PAN $85.00 NECKBONES HALF PAN $40.00 FULL PAN $65.00 MEATBALLS HALF PAN $45.00 FULL PAN $75.00

Jim and Pete’s Christmas specialties menu!

Rock & Roll Holiday Revue Friday, December 8, 7:30-10:30 p.m., Madison Street Theater Two oldies bands play classic rock & roll holiday oldies from Christmases past. Captain Rat & the Blind Rivets showcase the fifties and sixties, while Ginger plays 70s and 80s arena rock. $20, 1010 Madison Street, Oak Park.

Scoville Avenue, Oak Park.

CO N T I N U E D

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* A L LW I T ENorth M S A V A IAve, L A B L E Elmwood H O T O R P R E CPark, O O K E DILT O60707 BE 7806 WARMED/SERVED THE FOLLOWING DAY* (708) 453-5204 • jimandpetes.com

B16 December 6, 2023

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Garland Flowers 137 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park

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Olive & Well Gifts for the foodies in your life Your source for oils, balsamics and other foodie gifts.

133 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park Monday-Saturday 11:00 - 5:00; Sunday 12:30 - 4:00

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Hanukkah Acapella Thursday, December 7, 7:30 p.m., Temple Har Zion Chicago Acapella presents a special Hanukkah concert. $38-$48, 1040 North Harlem Avenue, Oak Park.

Happy holidays, neighbors.

Sing We Joyous 2023 Saturday, December 9, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec.10, 4 p.m., First United Church Of Oak Park Christmas vocals galore, featuring the sounds of the Oriana Singers, City Voices, the Pro Musica Youth Chorus and the Sing We Joyous Orchestra. $30, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park.

Divine 9 Holiday Bazaar Saturday, December 9, 4-8 p.m., M.E. Marketplace Panel discussion about the importance of sisterhood, brotherhood and service. 7451 Madison Street, Oak Park.

Juf Young Families Chanukah Sunday, December 10, 1:30 p.m., Candycopia Celebrate this holiday with candle lighting, singing and candy. 717 Lake Street, Oak Park.

Colin Fane, Agent

Angel’s Holiday Drag Brunch Saturday, December 9, 1-4 p.m., Scratch Public House Just like the title says. 7505 Madison Street, Oak Park.

212 S Marion Street Fl G Oak Park, IL 60302 Bus: 708-383-3163 www.colinfane.com Monday & Friday 9am-5pm Tues/Wed/ Thurs 9am-7pm Saturday 9am-12pm

I wish all my neighbors a safe and happy holiday season and the very best in the New Year. It’s a true joy to be part of such a wonderful community.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®®

Caroling In The Arts District Saturday, December 9, 2-4 p.m., Actors Garden In collaboration with Kim Frost Vocal Studios, you can go caroling around Oak Park’s Arts District. One hour will be spent learning the songs, while the next hour will be spent serenading the streets and passersby.

Recommended for ages 8-15 years. 909 S. Lombard Avenue, Oak Park.

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1901978

State Farm Bloomington, IL

ng Award-win! ni Orchestra usic!

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Holiday magic at the zoo Dec. 7-10, 14-17, 21-23, 26-31 Brookfield Zoo, times vary Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festival is back, featuring more than 2 million twinkling LED lights! There’s entertainment galore!

• Holiday Magic Photo Ops: Giant Animals, Tunnel Light Show, Walkthrough Displays • Dance Party at Polar Plaza • Letters to Santa and Animals Entertainment from 5-8 p.m.

• North Pole at The Pavilions featuring: - Those Funny Little People (performance at 6 p.m. followed by meet & greet) - Juggling Elves - Pictures with Santa (through December 23) • Roaming Carolers • Ice Carving at the Nature Stage Attractions: • Elf Power Virtual Reality Experiences* (open weather permitting) Reservations may be required. Visit the website for more information.

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Every child has a gift to be shared • Pre-K through 12th Grade. Private/ Independent school since 1994. Listed by MENSA as a recommended program for gifted students.

• Private Music Lessons • Foreign Language Lessons • Academic Tutoring

The Language & Music School at International Mansion | est. 1994 509 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park info@internationalmansion.com Text us at: (708) 296-3244 • InternationalMansion.com

$150 off!

B26 December 6, 2023

Holiday Spectacular presented by

PRESENTED BY:

FROSTY AFFAIR HOLIDAY MARKET 200 N. OAK PARK AVE | OAK PARK, IL

DECEMBER 8TH 3PM - 9PM FREE ENTRY SUGGESTED DONATION $5

Find Gifts, Goodies, and Glittering Lights!

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Holiday Spectacular presented by

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Merry Christmas!

ON SALE!

Brushless, Trackless, Scratchless

TOUCHLESS CARWASH 4 -$11 wash for $34 4 - $9 wash for $26 4 - $8 wash for $22 Heated Bays for Winter Washing

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December 6, 2023

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BUY MUSIC. SHOP LOCAL. (IT MATTERS!)

There is no better gift than the gift of music and Val's halla Records has you covered.

We carry new and vintage turntables and speakers as well as a world-class selection of New and Used vinyl. Not sure what to get? Then a Val's halla Records gift card is the perfect choice. Make someone's holiday special while supporting an iconic Oak Park institution.

239 Harrison St, Oak Park, IL 60304 • valshallarecords.com • (708) 524-1004

$5.50

sh for a TOUCHLESS car wa u yo en wh r ye dr with air 4. of buy a pack Sale ends 1/3/24

Spotless Carwash 7802 Madison St. & 7343 Roosevelt in Forest Park 708-771-2945 • We Accept All Major Credit Cards

You can purchase tokens from an attendant weekdays from Noon to 5pm or Sat. & Sun. 9am-4pm.

OR YOU CAN BUY THEM ONLINE AT:

spotlessautowash.com

INCLUDES WINE TASTINGS, WINE GLASS, WINE TOTE, BOXED WATER, SMALL BITES, DISCOUNTS AT SHOP & RESTAURANTS & BOTTLE OF WINE FROM ANFORA WINE MERCHANTS

SAT, DEC. 16 • 3-7PM 12 Tasting Locations • Local Artists • Holiday Shopping

SCAN FOR TIX & MORE INFO!

B28 December 6, 2023

Holiday Spectacular presented by

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December 6, 2023

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From the Forest Insurance family to yours, best wishes for a

Joyous Holiday Season CATHY HALL

DIANE VILLAGOMEZ

MELISSA KESHEN

DAN BROWNE

708 383 9000

MARIA LOPEZ

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Chubb | Cincinnati | Hanover | Hartford | Liberty Mutual | Farmers/Foremost/MetLife | Nationwide Private Client | Progressive | Safeco | Travelers

SHOP LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home and Studio Museum Shop Our Museum Shop is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm at 951 Chicago Avenue. Find new and popular holiday gifts for everyone on your list.

flwright.org 312.994.4000

B30 December 6, 2023

Holiday Spectacular presented by

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give the gift of 708.366.1100 • schauerhardware@att.net www.SchauerHardware.com

ys! OUR ELVES a d i l o H Happy

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Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-4pm

this holiday season

with a Wonder Works Membership

Wonder Works Children's Museum 6445 West North Avenue Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 383-4815

Happy Holidays! from your friends at Growing Community Media

Support and donate here:

Holiday Spectacular presented by

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December 6, 2023

B31

GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS! TONY’S SHOE CLINIC

e pairs of Bring in thre free! e on t ge s el he 29, 2024 Expires Feb.

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(down the stairs!)

G eorge’s

708/383-2781

Mon.-Sat. 8am-6pm

We specialize in:

Shoes • Boots • Purses • Luggage • Belts • Jackets

Restaurant

& Pancake House

Celebrate the holidays with family, friends & co-workers at Trattoria 225.

Don’t forget about our other great weekday specials!

Happy Holidays!

George & John

145 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 Ph: 708.848.4949 • Cell: 847.708.1727

We have some great dates available for holiday parties for groups of all sizes up to 150 people Contact Bill Quick at BillQ@trattoria225.com

Local News, straight to your inbox!

Subscribe to our newsletters today!

Tuesday & Thursday:

Two Pizzas for $22 Wednesday: Senior (60+) Discount Night

10% off dinner

Holiday Gift Certificates now available for those hard to buy for people in your life.

225 harrison oak park, il 60304 708.358.8555 • www.trattoria225.com

B32 December 6, 2023

Holiday Spectacular presented by

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Surprise that best friend with a truly special gift... a subscription to your local and reliable news source!

Call Jill at (708) 613-3340

or visit OakPark.com/subscribe or ForestParkReview.com/subscribe

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Holiday Spectacular presented by

The Joyf Joyful Giving 2023 Catalo atalog g A House In Austin A House In Austin stands as a dual nurturing hub on Chicago’s west side, empowering parents and children simultaneously, igniting transformation within the community.

Children gather here to explore art, music, play, and learning, laying the foundation for their future. Simultaneously, parents find a supportive space for connection, and personal and parental development. Through our home visiting program, essentials like diapers, clothing, transportation, and emergency aid, ensure families’ basic needs are met.

With partnerships with Early Intervention and Children’s Research Triangle, therapy and mental health support are accessible, completing the circle of care. AHIA radiates warmth, enveloping families in an environment where they can truly thrive, side by side.

For more information call/ text 773.896.3582 or to support our mission please visit www.ahouseinaustin. org

Animal Care League Animal Care League offers a safe haven for pets in need. Rooted in the community since 1973, Animal Care League takes a proactive approach to animal care and adoption as well as preventative measures to help reduce the number of homeless animals in our communities.

With over 1,300 pets coming to our doors each year, Animal Care League counts on supporters to ensure that we can provide what is needed from routine vaccinations to life saving surgery.

Make a difference in the life of a homeless animal by visiting animalcareleague.org where you can sign up to volunteer, make a donation, view our adoptable pets, and learn about upcoming events.

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Everything you need for a better world: • More Art • More Compassion

• More Education • More Equity

• More Food • More Health

• More Housing • More Peace

Browse, read, share with your children. Give Locally – Give Joyfully!

Arts Alliance Forest Park Creativity is for everyone and Arts Alliance Forest Park (formerly Forest Park Arts Alliance) is The Catalyst for Creativity.

Programs include the well-attended and known Stoop Sessions, Teller’s Night, Garage Galleries, Makers’ Market and Fiber Flash.

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

You were born creative.

Join the only Forest Park arts organization that assembles like-minded art enthusiasts for the love, fun and beauty of art.

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

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

Austin Coming Together Austin Coming Together (ACT)’s mission is to increase the collective impact of our 50+ member organizations on improving education and economic development outcomes for Chicago’s Austin community. Since 2010, we’ve been connecting residents to services, attracting investments for the community, and building capacity for policy change.

When the pandemic made long-standing inequities even worse, we started addressing growing needs through efforts like the Austin Eats Initiative, a 20+ group focused on strengthening the community’s food access infrastructure.

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

BUILD Since 1969, we have embedded mentors in schools and across neighborhoods to connect with youth who need support.

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

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

The Collaboration for Early Childhood Early care and education is the workforce behind the workforce. It makes everything else possible, and it allows children to reach their full potential from day one. We are a community-driven organization that cultivates the development of the whole child, birth to age five, by engaging families, local organizations, early childhood educators, caregivers, and health providers to create equitable, nurturing, and interconnected systems of support. Donate today to ensure that our community continues to be a place where families and their babies have the care, relationships, and resources needed to thrive!

The biggest change starts with the smallest people.

Invest in early childhood.

Learn more and donate at www.collab4kids.org.

Concordia University Chicago Founded in 1864, Concordia University Chicago has equipped students to serve and lead with integrity and compassion. Concordia-Chicago is a Christ-centered Lutheran university where truth, freedom, and vocation form students for lives of influence and service for the common good. Historically a college for teachers, it now offers more than 100 areas of study through traditional, blended or online classes. Students can earn a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees through one of four colleges: the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Health, Science & Technology, and the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities.

To learn more, please visit CUChicago.edu or CUChicago.edu/GiveNow to support our students.

B34 December 6, 2023 The Day Nursery The Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery, located at 1139 Randolph Street in Oak Park, educates young children ages 2 ½ to age 6, and offers working families a safe and nurturing environment which fosters an academic, social emotional, and physical development.

The Day Nursery children who transitioned to kindergarten this fall, 100% met the benchmarks for social-emotional and 91% met the benchmarks for mathematics and literacy.

Please consider a tax-deductible gift to help us meet a $50,000 challenge grant that will provide equitable access to education for all children.

Visit www.daynursery.org to donate today.

Thank you.

Deborah’s Place Deborah’s Place has opened doors of opportunity for women experiencing homelessness in Chicago since 1985. Supportive housing offers women the key to healing and moving on from the experience of homelessness.

With more than 200 units of housing and over 600 women served yearly, Deborah’s Place is the largest provider of permanent supportive housing in Chicago exclusively for unaccompanied women. With homelessness at crisis levels across our community, Deborah’s Place is there to address the unique and underserved needs of women experiencing homelessness. Donor support makes it possible for women to maintain their housing and achieve their goals.

To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit deborahsplace.org, email info@ deborahsplace.org or call 773.722.5080

Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park is a non-profit 501(c)(3) literary arts and educational foundation dedicated to thoughtful reading and writing. The foundation offers a wide variety of programming, all open to the public, to nurture and encourage creative expression for students and for people of all ages. Through tours and exhibits at Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace museum, the foundation fosters an understanding of his life and work, his Oak Park origins and his impact on world literature.

Holiday Spectacular presented by Your gift supports creative outlets for people of all ages through professional teacher development, local author and performing artist programs, inter-generational engagement, a writer-in-residence program, as well as student writing workshops, mentorships, and scholarships.

For more information about us or to donate online go to hemingwaybirthplace.com or mail us at: Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park, P.O. Box 2222, Oak Park, IL 60303-2222.

Forest Park Theatre Forest Park Theatre (FPT) delivers language-centered, meta-theatrical, multi-disciplinary, lingual, and cultural performances that create 21st century classics that speak to theatre’s unique power.

FPT believes theatre should be accessible to everyone. It should feature diverse casts.

Theatre should tell stories that cannot be told any other way, and those stories should be about today’s world.

FPT brings theatre arts to Forest Park and neighboring communities through productions, readings and educational programs.

FPT is a non-profit through affiliation with Arts Alliance Forest Park, and a member of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce.

For sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, email forestparktheatre1@ gmail.com

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust The Trust is proud to steward Wright’s Home and Studio, an Oak Park treasure and longtime source of community pride and inspiration. We are continually grateful for the ongoing support of our neighbors. It is only through the generosity of donors, members and volunteers who care that we can preserve Wright’s original sites for future generations, sharing his design legacy with visitors from around the world. The Trust will celebrate its 50 th anniversary in 2024 and looks forward to engaging, educating, and inspiring for years to come.

Learn more or donate at flwright.org. 951 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

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Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory Built in 1929, the Oak Park Conservatory is a Historic Property of the Park District of Oak Park. Free to the public with 50,000 visitors annually, the Conservatory is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Conservatory offers three indoor showrooms featuring more than 3,000 plants and two outdoor gardens including a play area for toddlers. The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory offers a wide range of programs focused on enriching the visitor experience at the Conservatory. From volunteering to educational and recreational opportunities, tours and classes, there is something for everyone to enjoy year-round.

To learn more or to join, visit fopcon.org.

Growing Community Media

Growing Community Media connects residents through reader-supported journalism--our stories are based in facts, rooted deeply in our neighborhoods and reflective of voices not always heard. Through the Austin Weekly News, Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest, Forest Park Review, and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, GCM provides a vital civic service worthy of public support.

Our journalists tell compelling stories that strengthen the fabric of our democracy by holding local governments and institutions to account. GCM’s non-profit news sources grow political engagement, create shared culture, and connect community members to businesses and local events. It’s about more than news.

Donate for news that matters to you at growingcommunitymedia. org/donate

Hephzibah Children’s Association Founded in 1897, Hephzibah Children’s Association is Oak Park’s oldest social service agency. Serving children and families for over 125 years, Hephzibah’s mission of helping children thrive and families flourish is muti-faceted. We offer a residential treatment program for severely

abused, neglected, and traumatized children and those in need of behavioral intervention ages 3-11. In addition, Hepzibah offers foster care services, comprehensive services for children and families in crisis, positive parenting services and an abuse & neglect prevention program. Hephzibah also provides affordable after-school care and summer camp for Oak Park families of all income levels.

To make a donation, visit: hephzibahhome.org/donate-now/

Housing Forward

homelessness.

Housing Forward is passionately focused on one vision – ending

Housing Forward is a recognized leader in suburban Cook County offering a coordinated response for people experiencing a housing crisis to quickly resolve their situation. We believe in bold, comprehensive approaches to prevent homelessness whenever possible, respond to people in housing crises, and create stability through permanent housing for the most vulnerable members of our community. Each year we assist more than 2,000 individuals and families with comprehensive, wrap-around support from the onset of a financial or housing crisis to its resolution.

To learn more, donate, or to get involved, visit housingforward.org, email development@ housingforward.org, or call 708.338.1724

The Joyf Joyful Giving 2023 Catalo atalog g

Holiday Spectacular presented by

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KIDS TOO

Learning Edge Tutoring

KIDS TOO is a non profit that equips parents with methods to protect K-12 youth from overlooked dangers in schools. The organization addresses tough challenges like predatory adults, child on child abuse and online safety with a goal to provide all kids with a trauma-free school experience. KIDS TOO delivers on the mission by supporting policy and educating parents with its marquee program, the PAXA Pointers Curriculum.

We invite you to bring KIDS TOO one step closer to our child protection goals by donating online at www.kidstoo.org/ donate.

For over 30 years, Learning Edge Tutoring (formerly Cluster Tutoring Program) has been a part of the Oak Park and Austin communities. Our mission is to strive for more equity in education by providing Chicago area students who live in underserved communities free one-to-one tutoring and academic enrichment opportunities enhanced by caring, mentoring relationships.

We help our students improve their foundational reading and math skills, provide homework help, and foster enduring relationships. Your support provides 30 weeks of school year tutoring to students in Kindergarten through 12th grades.

To donate or volunteer, please visit our website https://learningedgetutoring.org/.

L’arche Chicago Life is better together…

Quality care for adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities extends beyond the basics of supporting someone with their basic living and medical needs. It’s about creating opportunities to say, “I’m living my best life” and mean it! L’Arche Chicago is committed to the highest quality of care for our core members (adults with disabilities), and our intentional community makes it possible for us to experience life to the fullest, together. Mutual relationships transform lives at all three of our homes, located in Forest Park and the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. Our fourth home, located in Oak Park, will open in the summer of 2024 when we will welcome four new core members.

You make our community stronger – Join us by making a gift today! www.larchechicago.org 708-660-1600 hello@larchechicago.org

Life is Work Elevate your impact Life is Work Resources Center, a dynamic black trans-led social services and advocacy organization.

We are dedicated to empowering transgender, non-binary people through direct support, relentless activism, and unyielding advocacy.

Our mission is rooted in equality, inclusion, and empowerment. With a deep commitment to the trans community, we offer vital resources, mentorship, and a strong voice for change. Together, we amplify the voices that need to be heard, ensuring that no one is left behind. Join us on our mission to create a world where everyone can thrive, regardless of their gender identity or racial background. Life is Work – together, we rise.

Learn more at lifeiswork.org.

The Joyf Joyful Giving 2023 Catalo atalog g

Maywood Fine Arts Equity in the arts is the driving force behind Maywood Fine Arts’ programs and people. Access to affordable, high-quality instruction in dance, music, visual arts, drama, tumbling, karate and fitness cannot be taken for granted among families MFA serves from nearby, under-resourced communities such as Maywood, Bellwood, and Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. MFA, whose facilities anchor downtown Maywood, serves over 950 students each week between the ages of 4 and 18 with the majority being young people of color. Families count on MFA’s safe, nurturing out-of-school time environment where children learn artistic and social skills and expand their world view.

To donate, visit maywoodfinearts.org or send checks payable to Maywood Fine Arts, 25 N 5th Ave, Maywood, IL 60153.

Maywood Youth Mentoring Program Organized in 1993 as a 501c3, the Maywood Youth Mentoring Program has served hundreds of middle to high-school youth providing a variety of programs, workshops, field trips, and experiences designed to increase academic potential and instill cultural pride.

Since 2008, the program has hosted free monthly youth breakfasts with topics ranging from anger management and conflict resolution, etiquette, police/community interactions, sexual health, drug and alcohol avoidance, and academic excellence. Youths practice critical thinking skills to encourage positive life choices. Volunteer mentors interact with youths, providing positive role models for college and career choices. Funds are needed to continuously provide free services and incentives for participation.

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New Moms For 40 years, New Moms has invested in the beauty and power of being a mother.

For moms 24 years or younger, it starts by building confidence in what’s possible. Our comprehensive approach provides housing, paid job training, college success, and family support for those impacted by systemic and structural barriers. Designed to cultivate each person’s inherent abilities, we combine behavioral research, proven methodology, and real-world experience to give young families a path to lasting success and generational change.

Join us in this essential work! Visit newmoms.org/season

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association strengthens our community through learning, giving, and sharing our landmark building through space grants to local non-profits, who account for 80% of its usage. We provide community outreach, scholarships, and public programming in five areas: music, art, literature, science, and social sciences. The Nineteenth Century is the owner of 178 Forest Avenue, commonly referred to as the Nineteenth Century Club. Our charitable and cultural activities are supported by our members, volunteers, donors, and by the events held at the building. Programs are open to all and we welcome all ages to join. Our Monday programs are now being live-streamed as well as available a week later on our website for all to enjoy.

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

To volunteer, or to donate, visit us at maywoodyouthmentoring.org, or contact Barbara Cole, founder/CEO, at barbaracole@maywoodyouthmentoring. org or 708-344-3577.

Learn more. Give more.

You can also visit OakPark.com and go to our Season of Giving page.

B36 December 6, 2023

Holiday Spectacular presented by

Investing in equity and Oak Park’s future Through the years, generous Oak Parkers have given to the Oak Park Public Library. These tax-deductible donations help library staff members pursue “the icing on

Since 2003, the OPRFHS Alumni Association has helped current OPRFHS students experience once in a lifetime lu mn ti cultural and academic i A ss o cia enrichment programs through its annual Bobbie L. Raymond Student Enrichment Grants. These grants allow students to explore and expand their interests and knowledge while preparing them for future education and career opportunities. In 2023, we provided $26,600 on behalf of 18 students for a variety of domestic and study abroad programs.

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Oak Park Public Library

Oak Park and River Forest High School Alumni Association ig

The Joyf Joyful Giving 2023 Catalo atalog g

You may donate at: oprhc.org/donate. To learn more, please call 708-848-7150, or email: info@oprhc.org.

Visit oprfcf.org to learn more about our services for donors, scholars, nonprofits, and the community at large.

H

For more information about membership, exhibitions, classes, workshops, outreach, or to donate to these efforts, please contact Brad Nugent, Executive Director, at 708-386-9853 or email inquiries to oakparkartleague@gmail.com.

Oak Park Regional Housing Center has celebrated 51 years with the mission to achieve vibrant communities while promoting intentional and stable residential integration throughout Oak Park and the surrounding communities. OPRHC is the only non- profit agency in Oak Park promoting intentional integrative housing stability options. Consider giving a tax-deductible year end donation so that we may reach our goal to raise $25,000 by December 31, 2023! These funds will help us continue to help integrate and invigorate the Greater Westside communities for up to 100 individuals in the first quarter of 2023!

The mission of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is to unite community members and mobilize resources to advance a racially just society and equitable outcomes for residents of Oak Park, River Forest and surrounding communities.

We envision a racially just and equitable society as the full inclusion of all people into a society in which everyone can participate, thrive and prosper. In an equitable society, everyone, regardless of circumstance of birth or upbringing, is treated justly and fairly by its institutions and systems.

A

The Oak Park Art League (OPAL) is one of the longest running non-profit arts organizations in Illinois. Since 1921, OPAL has brought arts education, appreciation, exhibitions, and artistic inquiry to the surrounding community. OPAL is committed to meaningful outreach to Oak Park and the surrounding communities through partnerships, on-site arts programming, and collaborations. The Oak Park Art League is located at 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 and online at oakparkartleague.org.

Oak Park Regional Housing Center

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

on

Oak Park Art League

To learn more about us and to donate, please visit oakparkfestival.com.

To learn more about giving to the library, visit oppl.org/donate or contact the library’s Accounting and Finance Manager Linda Barnett at lindab@oppl.org.

&

To learn more or to donate to the scholarship fund, visit opalga.org/donate.

Best known for our outdoor productions of Shakespeare performed each summer under a canopy of stars in the idyllic Austin Gardens, Oak Park Festival Theatre has been bringing live professional theatre to the western suburbs since 1975. Arts and culture are an essential feature of a thriving community and OPFT has been bringing the community together for nearly fifty years by performing timeless plays in distinctive spaces and creating empowering educational programming in order to foster dialogue, strengthen relationships, and explore the depth of human experience.

the cake” — innovative new programs and unique library initiatives made available to everyone.

Park

The OPALGA+ Student Scholarship Fund provides financial support for the post-high school education of local students who have demonstrated service and advocacy to the LGBTQIA+ community. Young LGBTQIA+ people face unique challenges in high school and college; students with LGBTQIA+ parents have distinct experiences shaped by their families. The scholarship program depends on the year-round generosity of OPALGA+ members and community support. Since 2014, OPALGA+ has awarded over $170,000 in scholarships and plans to award eight $5,000 awards in 2024.

Oak Park Festival Theatre

Oak

Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Association Plus (OPALGA+)

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OPRFHS Scholarship Foundation Nurturing Knowledge: A Philanthropic Endeavor by the OPRFHS Scholarship Foundation Unlock futures with a legacy of generosity!

In 2023, 101 OPRFHS seniors soared with $275,650 in scholarships.

Since 1924, the Foundation has championed dreams, awarding countless scholarships to deserving graduates. Your support empowers academic achievement, leadership, sportsmanship, artistic accomplishment, community service, and more. Join us in shaping destinies—give to the Oak Park and River Forest High School Scholarship Foundation.

Every contribution fuels potential and bridges dreams with reality.

Visit scholarships4oprfhs.org to make a lasting impact on deserving students.

Let’s cultivate legacies of education and opportunity together.

Oak Park River Forest History Museum The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest is the community’s storyteller, making history relevant in tangible ways that positively impact today’s residents including walking tours, school field trips, traveling exhibits, and house research.

We operate Oak Park River Forest Museum in an 1898 Oak Park Landmark at Lake and Lombard next to Stevenson Park. We invested $1 million in private funds to create a welcoming space in a former firehouse.

Exhibits include our new “Ever-Changing, Yet the Same: OPRF High School at 150” and “Open House: The Legacy of Fair Housing.” We are not supported by tax dollars and a gift of any amount funds our 2024 activities, research center, and knowledgeable staff.

Learn more and donate at oprfmuseum.org or 708-848-6755.

Make a difference in the life of an OPRFHS student with a donation to the OPRFHS Alumni Association. DONATE at www.oprfhs.com/about/alumni/ support

Learn more. Give more.

You can also visit OakPark.com and go to our Season of Giving page.

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OPRF Infant Welfare Society and IWS Children’s Clinic Join us in nurturing the complete well-being of children and advancing health equity! At the OPRF Infant Welfare Society and IWS Children’s Clinic, we are committed to serving publicly insured/ uninsured children and addressing their holistic health needs. Our services encompass sick and well-child visits, dental care, behavioral health support, and various wrap-around programs. Annually, we extend our care to more than 3,400 children from various areas, including Oak Park, Chicago, Berwyn, Cicero, and beyond.

You can make a meaningful difference today by supporting the comprehensive health requirements of children in our community. A donation of $25 enables a mental health screening, $50 covers the cost of two vaccines, and $100 provides a preventive dental cleaning. Your contribution helps us ensure that every child receives the care they deserve. Act now and be a part of this vital mission!

Learn more and donate today at www.childrenscliniciws.org

One Earth Collective One Earth curates vibrant environmental programming that inspires action, facilitates learning, promotes justice, and fosters equity and inclusion to create resilient communities and a healthier planet. We focus our work in 3 areas - One Earth Film Festival, One Earth Youth Voices, and One Earth Local.

One Earth Film Fest’s 13th season will take place March 7-10, 2024. We’re excited to welcome Chicagoland audiences back live, in addition to our virtual screenings. Join us for captivating films, engaging discussion, impactful action opportunities and community-building. Memberships start at $35.

Holiday Spectacular presented by Opportunity Knocks Opportunity Knocks was founded in 2009 by families and embraced by a community that recognized significant opportunities to develop more substantial and responsive programs, support and partnerships where people with different abilities would be more present with interdependent connections. We strive to be co-creators of programs, enterprise, and partnerships that contribute to developing a community where people with different abilities are able to live, work, learn, grow and pursue a life of their design. As a 95% privately funded organization, we depend on the community’s generosity to advance our mission. Your support is appreciated.

Visit opportunityknocksnow.org to learn more.

Our Future Reads: Empowering Through Literature Dedicated to fostering curiosity, Our Future Reads provides access to literature for all across Chicagoland.

Founded on the belief that everyone deserves knowledge, the organization has donated over 9,000 books to those in need. Supported by our community, Our Future Reads combats literacy challenges, serving over 3,000 individuals. Join the mission, empower minds, and ensure a brighter future where books ignite sparks of inspiration.

Donate, volunteer, or partner today.

Contact: Info@OurFutureReads.com or (773) 969-9676. Your support can shape a future filled with informed, curious readers!

December 6, 2023

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River Forest Public Library

(Providing Instruments for the Next Generation) PING!, a 25-year-old, community nonprofit organization, provides band and orchestra instruments along with mentoring, workshops, and access to lessons, music camps, and trips to students in need in grades 4 through 12, bringing true equity to instrumental music in Oak Park and River Forest public schools. In our community’s high-quality school music programs, PING! students can be on par with peers, regardless of their financial situations, and feel like they belong. PING! is serving 150 young musicians this school year, at least 75% people of color, bringing diversity to instrumental music while providing access to all. Help support young musicians.

Donate: pingoprf.org/ donate. Instrument donations: info@pingoprf. org.

Progress Center for Independent Living Founded in 1988, Progress Center for Independent Living is a cross-disability organization governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities. Progress Center serves people with all types of disabilities in Suburban Cook County. We assist individuals in pursuit of their self-determined goals. Progress Center recognizes the innate rights, needs and diversity of the disabled, works toward their integration into community life, and serves as an agent of social change. Progress Center is dedicated to building a society in which people with disabilities exercise the same freedoms, rights, and civil liberties as everyone else.

In person and online, River Forest Public Library serves everyone from toddlers to seniors by connecting them with information, entertainment, and each other in a welcoming space.

RFPL Foundation works to ensure the vitality of the Library through advocacy, fundraising, and grants. Foundation grants have enabled the Library to repurpose mechanical room space to build a new multi-purpose meeting room and ADA compliant restroom, refresh the Children’s and Teen spaces, maintain the Memorial Garden for gatherings, offer community events like the Dooley Band concert and Summer Reading Kickoff, and more.

Please donate at rfplfoundation.org and help your Library continue to serve and connect our community for generations to come.

Sarah’s Inn Sarah’s Inn is a community-based organization whose mission is to improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence for future generations.

We offer services in three areas of program focus: Intervention services for families affected by domestic violence that includes Advocacy and Counseling; Prevention education for youth to give them the tools to develop healthy relationships; and Training and Education for professionals and community-based organizations to create a network of skilled ambassadors. Intervention services are confidential, bilingual (English/Spanish), and offered free of charge to survivors and their children.

Make a donation at sarahsinn.org/donate

Donate today and learn more at: progresscil.org/

Learn more and donate at oneearthfilmfest.org/give.

Learn more. Give more.

You can also visit OakPark.com and go to our Season of Giving page.

B38 December 6, 2023

Holiday Spectacular presented by

The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest

Way Back Inn

The award-winning Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest and its esteemed conductor Jay Friedman, continues to bring extraordinary and accessible concerts to our community. Ticket sales provide less than half the funds needed for the Symphony’s performances. Your gift keeps the orchestra going strong and allows us to maintain affordable ticket prices, including free admission for all students through college. Please help us continue and strengthen our 91-year tradition of bringing beautiful and inspiring music to Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and neighboring communities.

Make your end-of-year tax-deductible donation at SymphonyOPRF.org, or: P.O. Box 3564, Oak Park, IL 60303-3564.

Thrive Counseling Center Thrive Counseling Center has provided mental health services to Oak Park and surrounding communities for over 120 years. We build healthy minds, families, and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being, regardless of their ability to pay.

We envision a world where mental health is valued, proactively nurtured, and in reach of everyone.

• Individual therapy • Group therapy • Psychiatry and medication management

Since 1974, Way Back Inn has successfully provided long-term residential and outpatient treatment for substance and gambling use disorders. Our mission is to rebuild lives damaged by addiction in a personalized healing environment. This holiday season, we ask that you gift responsibly with the youth in your family. Children who have early exposure to gambling experiences, including lottery tickets, are more likely to develop a gambling problem later in life.

For more information or to make a donation to our program, go to: www. waybackinn.org or call us at 708-345-8422 ext. 22.

West Cook YMCA When you give to the West Cook YMCA, you impact our community today and tomorrow.

100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to providing scholarships to children, adults, and seniors- your friends and neighbors-transforming their lives through access to health screenings, chronic disease prevention programs, after-school programs, swim lessons, homeless prevention for residents, and Y memberships that can open the door to help each person become their best self.

To donate, visit westcookymca. org/120years or send your check to West Cook YMCA, 255 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302. (708-383-5200)

• 24/7 Crisis intervention • Case management • Suicide awareness and prevention training • Thrive Talks community education programs Open Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday 9am-5pm, and Saturday from 9am-2pm. To learn more or donate, please visit thrivecc. org or call 708-383-7500.

West Suburban Special Recreation Association West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) provides recreational programming for individuals with disabilities who reside in Oak Park, River Forest and nine other surrounding communities. Donations to WSSRA help provide financial assistance to those participating in our year-round programs and summer day camp.

To make a donation please visit wssra.net.

Wonder Works

Special Advertising Section

Youth Crossroads Youth Crossroads supports youth and their families, guiding them through life’s challenges, and inspiring them to discover new opportunities for personal development, healthy relationships, and positive community involvement. We are the only organization in our community offering counseling services and youth development programs free of charge and in English and Spanish. We offer in-school counseling, community counseling, crisis intervention, youth leadership training, after-school enrichment, workforce development, and violence prevention programs.

For 20 years, children have learned through PLAY in the enriching environment of Wonder Works Children’s Museum on North Avenue. Each of our 8 permanent exhibits is designed to facilitate playful learning in the areas of science, math, pre-literacy, and the arts for children from birth to 8. Your donations support sensory friendly play sessions, discounted admission for families in financial need, special events, and exhibit improvements. Please join us in our mission to fuel curiosity and creativity through fun and playful learning in safe spaces.

Your donation makes it possible for youth to get the guidance, support, and inspiration they need to achieve success at school, at home, and in life. Visit youthcrossroads.org for details.

Visit wonder-works.org/give/ to support the power of play with a donation.

The Joyf Joyful Giving 2023 Catalo atalog g

Learn more. Give more.

You can also visit OakPark.com and go to our Season of Giving page.

Special Advertising Section

Holiday Spectacular presented by

December 6, 2023

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Hometown WE’RE BY YOUR SIDE When it’s more than a home, you need a team with more to offer.

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3N330 N Howard Ave Elmhurst | $439,000 Liz Eder

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154 N Laporte Ave Chicago | $365,000 Curtis Johnson

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

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

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

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Holiday Spectacular presented by

Special Advertising Section

Committed to Oak Park and River Forest.

Left to right: Denise Warren, Oak Park Branch Manager; Susie Goldschmidt, Oak Park River Forest Market President; Michael Starrick, River Forest Branch Manager

Whether you’re seeing a movie at the Lake Theatre or strolling through Austin Gardens, we think you should be able to get all of your banking done in your neighborhood… with people who love the area as much as you do. Byline is privileged to be a part of the Oak Park and River Forest community, and we are proud to have contributed more than $60,000 in sponsorships and support in 2023 to local nonprofits like Beyond Hunger, the Oak Park Cycle Club, and the Women’s Global Education Project.

To learn more about our commitment to Oak Park and River Forest, visit bylinebank.com/oprf

©2023 Byline Bank. Member FDIC.