Wednesday Journal 121422

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Two trustees to host anti-hate event in Scoville Park

Taking a stand against antisemitism, racism and other forms of bigotr y

Hatred doesn’t take a break during the holiday season. Rather than offering tidings of comfort and joy to all, some choose to direct vile, dangerous rhetoric against entire groups of people.

Village Trustees Chibuike Enyia and Susan Buchanan decided to take a stand against such ugliness. They are coordinating an anti-hate event this month in Scoville Park.

The event is an opportunity to show solidarity for those who have had their personhood vilified, their

See
ge 12 Bell’s Blues Lurrie Bell, now residing at the Oak Park Arms, looks back on his musical career STORY BY JESSICA MACKINNON, PAGE 2021 @wednesdayjournalinc @wednesdayjournal @oakpark DONATE TO DAY ON PA GE 22 D AT O O D T E T DO N A A December 14, 2022 Vol. 43, No. 50 $2.00
ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer
ANTI-HATE on pa
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Rebels without a pause

In the 1990s, the house at 1124 N. Austin Boulevard in Oak Pa rk was one of the centers of Chicago’s underg round hip-hop scene

“It was like a hip-hop Animal House,” recalled Brian “Meta Mo” Hines, a wellknown MC and member of the influential group Rubber room, during a recent YouTube interview.

“It was debauchery and it was beats and rhymes and all kinds of stuf f going on in that house. It was le gend, on the real,” he said. “It was our culture and we held it down for Chicago.”

ROMAIN

Hines, bor n in Englewood and raised in Maywood, died last month at 52. During that YouTube interview, he said he star ted rapping after hearing Public Enemy’s 1988 song “Rebel Without A Pause.”

The song opens with Jesse Jackson’s introduction of an early 1970s single by Stax Records vocal group, the Soul Children, called “I Don’t Know What This World Is Coming To.” Once Rev. Jackson’s Soul Children intro ends, we hear Chuck D’s pissed-of f baritone rapping the first lyrics of “Rebel Without a Pause”:

“Yes, the rhythm, the rebel, without a pause I’m lowering my level ...”

That Hines, a Chicago-area MC, would be inspired by New York MCs like Chuck D, who in tur n sampled the raspy preacherpolitician cadence of Rev. Jackson, demonstrates the fluid cultural exchange that enabled the rise of hip-hop. But this cultural exchange would not have been possible without mediums to pass along cultural messages. Here’s a question that I don’t think is posed often enough: Where would pioneering acts like Public Enemy, and hip-hop more generally, be if not for public television?

Public TV, in tur n, enabled music programs like the pioneering Video Music Box, the public access program that aired from 1983 to 1996 on WNYC-TV in New York City. Video Music Box host Ralph McDaniels would tur n up on streets to interview everyday New Yorkers and show rap and R&B music videos during hip-hop’s Golden Age in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.

Impor tantly, the public-oriented model of broadcast TV in those days allowed a show like Video Music Box to exist for people who otherwise couldn’ t af ford to be on TV. That show helped build hip-hop as a cultural genre and as a subversive social forc e.

We see a similar dynamic with Channel Zero, a public access show in Chicago hosted by a guy named Coodie Simmons, most commonly known as Coodie “Channel Zero was able to keep its ears on the ground, uplifting emerging ar tists in ways that re gular broadcasting didn’t,” writes Philip Thao. “Public access television (not to be confused with public broadcasting,

like Sesame Street) originated in the early ’70s, thanks to Section 611 of the Communications Act. This amendment gave local franchise authorities the right to deter mine whether cable operators should carry public access channels. If they exercised this right, then the cable operators were required to set aside a limited number of free channels for public, educational and gover nmental use “Democratizing the medium allowed anyone to produce community-focused programming. Some might think of Wayne’s World or lowbudget productions created by local oddballs, but there was nothing like Channel Zero on air. Whether it was on a packed el train or in the dimly lit tunnels of a Blue Line station, Coodie took his mic and camera everywhere.”

Today, Coodie is an established director who recently completed jeen-yuhs, a documentary on Kanye West that debuted on Netflix earlier this year. As an up-and-coming Chicago ar tist, West would benefit from the Channel Zero exposure.

If we think of communications systems like broadcast TV as particular modes of creating what the Ger man philosopher Jurgen Haber mas called “public spheres,” or “private people gathered together as a public and articulating the needs of society with the state,” then shows like Video Music Box and Channel Zero might be considered sub-modes within a mode, smaller publics within a public.

Impor tantly, sub-cultures that used public access channels to build and broadcast marginalized communities should not be confused with target demog raphics, which suggest passive audiences of consumers awaiting their collective manipulation by slick marketers.

Also impor tant, those publics within publics that helped spawn whole cultural phenomena like hip-hop would not have happened without attendant le gislation like Section 611 of the Communications Act — le gislation that helped birth the careers of people like Kanye West, a Nazi sympathizer.

In the mid-1990s, the airwaves were de-regulated, ef fectively ending public access TV as we knew it and the cultural flourishing it enabled. Now we’re witnessing in real time the ef fective end of the democratizing impulse of Twitter, not long after activists from the Middle East to Minnesota were able to use the platfo rm to mobilize against the powerful.

“The overall thing is that the world is insane,” said Meta Mo before his death. “It’s a big insane asylum and the men who run it, the politicians and the power dons, the billionaires, are like the doctors of an insane asylum and they’ re the ones who distribute the drugs to keep the inmates of the insane asylum crazy.”

Ironically, laws like Section 611 allowed clear-eyed

‘Mark Making With Piccolo’

“Mark making refers to ‘the dif ferent lines, dots, marks, patter ns, and textures that ar tists use,’” while piccolo “refers to a pop of color or an item tha t stands out in composition,” the Oak Park Public Library explains on its website

On Saturday, Dec. 17, 1-3 p.m., at the Main Gallery in the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., the library will host a group exhibition called “Mark Making With Piccolo” featuring advanced ar t students taught by local ar tist and Oak Park Ar t League instructor Jesse Howard.

“The students’ ar twork in this exhibit consists of lines often found in contemporary graphics, working with gray and black washes, suggesting ancient stone,” the library explains. “Their figures are often solitary and distor ted. Overall, tehri works speaks of landscape, still life, and the disenfranchised.”

creatives like Meta Mo and Chuck D opportunities to jailbreak cor porate asylums. We need a renaissance of those public-oriented laws, if not outright public ownership of communication systems, and we need to aggressively apply this public-orientation to our present world of platfo rm capitalism to rein in the likes of lunatics like Elon Musk.

CONTAC T: michael@oakpark.com

OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 3
Where would pioneering ac ts like Public Enemy, and hip-hop more generally, be if not for public television?
“Entanglement” by Jesse Howard

Ar

t Exhibit: Mark Making With Piccolo

Saturday, Dec. 17, 1-3 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y Explore works by advanced art students taught by local artist Jesse Howard at the Oak Park Ar t League.

In this exhibit, the students function as an eclec tic body addressing various social issues, spellbinding still life, and dynamic por traitures of family members The students’ ar twork consists of lines often found in contemporar y graphics, working with gray and black washes, suggesting ancient stone. Their gures are often solitar y and distor ted. Overall, their work speaks of landscape, still life, and the disenfranchised The exhibit will run from Dec. 10 to Jan. 7. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Elf The Musical Jr.

Thursday, Dec. 15 - Sunday, Dec. 18, Madison Street Theater

Join Buddy the Elf like you’ve never seen him before as he embarks on a journey of self discover y across New York City in this hilarious sh- out- of-water comedy This all-ages produc tion is per formed by kids aged 8-18 with select adult per formers and the runtime is approximately 80 minutes. Tickets: ovationacademy.org/shows-tickets. 1010 Madison St., Oak Park.

BIG WEEK

December 14-21

2022 Candlelight Peace Vigil & Ser vice Of Remembrance

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m., Unity Temple

In par tnership with several similar vigils worldwide, this event celebrates the lives of those who unfor tunately perished in the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy, ten years ago. Over 1,000,000 Americans were killed or injured by guns since then. This candlelight vigil o ers a moment of prayer and re ec tion. 875 Lake St., Oak Park.

D97 Maker ’s Fair

Friday, Dec. 16, 5-7 p.m., Julian Middle School

Almost 50 middle school students will be selling and displaying their homemade creations – ar t, jewelr y, baked goods, wood projec ts, stickers, soap and various other items. Also for the kids, there will be a maker ’s ac tivity, as well as a per formance by the Julian Vex Robotic Team. Please contac t ptojulian@gmail.com with any questions. 416 S. Ridgeland Ave

Holiday Joy! Music & Dance

Ex travaganza

Friday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m., Unity Temple

Members of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago will per form selec tions from Handel’s Messiah, Dance Avondale will dance to Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with choreography by Charles Weidman, and the Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago will per form holiday-themed works by Bach, Beethoven, Mozar t and Skor yk. There will be a desser t reception in Unity House following the per formance. 875 Lake St., Oak Park

Singers From The Lyric Celebrate The Season

Monday, Dec. 19, 1:15 - 2:15 p.m., Nineteenth Centur y Charitable Association

David Gover tsen, Corinne Crane, Kimberly Jones, John Concepcion and Noah Lindqist, all from the Lyric Opera, will sing sacred and secular songs of the season in the second- oor ballroom. A three -course lunch will be ser ved at noon before the program. Free, but a voluntar y suggested donation of $15 is appreciated. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park

eak. Register now to join us for food and other kinds of fun at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

Listing your event

Wednesday Jour nal welcomes notices about events that Oak Park and River Forest groups and businesses are planning. We’ ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper

■ Send details to Wednesday Jour nal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302

■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

4 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Neighbors say safety concerns aren’t taken seriously

Just after midnight on Memorial Day, an argument at the Berwyn-based bar Mike’s Place led to gunfire outside the homes of Oak Park residents. The shooting came as no surprise to residents near Roosevelt Road. It was a natural escalation oftroubling behaviors they had already witnessed.

For years, Mike’s Place patrons have been treating south Oak Park as a public parking lot. Neighbors have had to live with the bargoers’ loud music, broken bottles, public urination, drunken arguments and physical altercations

In the months after the shooting, nothing has changed, according to those who live near the bar. And they are fed up.

“We don’t want to live like this anymore,” said Stacey Hendricks, ofthe 1150 block of South Cuyler Avenue.

Hendricks was one offive Oak Park residents who took to public comment at the Nov. 29 village board meeting to air their grievances regarding their local gover nment’s handling ofthe public safety dangers presented by Mike’s Place patrons. The village’s handling, the residents say, is to ignore the issue completely.

“They just don’t do anything,” Chris Temperly, one ofthe public commenters, told Wednesday Journal.

Temperly, like Hendricks and two other public commenters, lives in the 1150 block of South Cuyler Avenue, which is about a three-minute walk from Mike’s Place. Parking in Berwyn is difficult due to cul-de-sacs, so bargoers park in nearby Oak Park, where parking restrictions are lax. People who don’t live in the neighborhood park there each night to go to Mike’s Place. About 30 cars are parked there on nights the bar has events, leaving residents anxious that another shooting could happen at any moment during the holiday season.

A shooting nearly happened the weekend of Thanksgiving, according to Hendricks. Between 40 and 50 people crowded outside her

home after leaving Mike’s Place, she said, and a physical fight broke out.

“We called 911. Luckily, the police were able to deescalate it before it became a shooting,” Hendricks said.

Wednesday Journal has filed an open records request for the police incident re port

Since the bar is located in Berwyn, Oak Park police have no authority over the bar itself. Interview requests have been made to the Oak Park and Berwyn police chiefs, who were reportedly planning to meet to discuss safety collaboration after the Memorial Day shooting.

The recent close shave is what prompted the neighbors to speak to the village board directly during Nov. 29 public meeting

“I assure you that we take all ofthese comments very seriously,” Village President Vicki Scaman told them. “We will talk to the village manager and notify you as to how it is that we can communicate with you.”

In the weeks since that public meeting, Hendricks said neither she nor her neighbors have been contacted by any member of the village board or village staff. Wednesday Journal has reached out to Village Manager Kevin Jackson and Scaman for comment.

Hendricks and Temperly both said they and their neighbors have routinely filed police reports and emailed Jackson and the village board regarding Mike’s Place patrons. Responses are reportedly infrequent. However, the public comments appeared to have taken Scaman by surprise.

“Some of what you have mentioned, I can assure you, not everybody at this board was aware of because I wasn’t,” Scaman said.

Wednesday Journal awaits the results of a Freedom of Information Act request for email correspondence records regarding Mike’s Place sent to and from the village manager and board.

While the neighbors are demanding village action, they come with proposed solutions to the problem. Many are asking the village to implement more severe parking restrictions and to tow vehicles in violation. Using cul-desacs to block access to Oak Park streets is another popular idea. Mostly they just want to see some effort made on behalfofthe village to address the problems.

“It’s about doing something rather than nothing,” said Temperly

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 5
Oak Park residents angry over village’s handling of Mike’s Place patrons ALL ARE WELCOME DECEMBER 21, 2022 3:30-4:30PM | SCOVILLE PARK Speeches by: Rabbi Max Weiss, Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion Betty Alzamora, Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association Rev. Adonna Reid, First United Methodist Church of Oak Park Children’s Story Time by OP Public Library Peace Circle Hot Cocoa HATE HAS NO HOME HERE UNITY EVENT

OPRF to hike levy by 4%, less than max possible by law

With large cash reser ve, school continues taxing practice

As it has for most of the past decade the Oak Park and River Forest High School board is poised to adopt a tax levy that is less than the maximum allowed by law. On Dec. 15 the school is expected to approve a 2022 tax levy that is 3.96% higher than last year’s levy. That’s about 1.5% less than allowed by law. The school board will host a public hearing on Dec. 15 before voting on the 2022 tax levy.

The state tax cap law limits the levy increase to inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index over the previous year, or 5%, whichever is less, plus the value of any new construction. Since the annual increase in CPI as of December 2021 was 7% school districts and local governments

such as OPRF are limited to a 5% increase in the tax levy this year plus an amount to capture the value of new construction.

OPRF’s Community Finance Committee, which was created this year, recommended an increase in the base levy of 3 to 3.5% plus .46% for new property.

OPRF has, unusually for schools and other taxing bodies, been levying less than the maximum allowed by law since 2013 in an ef fort to reduce the massive cash reserves that it has accumulated since an operating rate tax increase was approved in a 2003 referendum. OPRF is projected to have a cash reserve of approximately $76 million in June 2023, the end of the current fiscal year. Since the 2013 tax year OPRF has collected $67 million less in property taxes than the maximum allowed by law.

“Our fund balance is still healthy enough that we can af ford not to tax to the max,” said Tom Cofsky, president of the District 200 school board.

The 3.96% increase in the tax levy is estimated to cost the owner of a home assessed at $400,000 an additional $132.41 next year in property taxes. Approximately 80% of OPRF’s revenues come from local property taxes.

The dollar amount of the levy request is $77,805,794, a 3.96% increase over last year’s levy of $74,842,073. The Cook County Clerk’s office will set the precise amount of next year’s tax extension, the amount of property tax dollars OPRF can collect next year, once the exact value of new construction within the district is calculated.

OPRF’s 2022-23 budget forecasts expen-

ditures to exceed revenues by $14.5 million due to costs associated with the Project 1 renovations done at the school.

Cofsky was asked whether it was wise for OPRF to tax less than the maximum allowed by law when a nearly $100 million Project 2 renovation of the physical education wing, including a new swimming pool and some theater up grades, is on the horizon.

Cofsky said that, as a g eneral matter, operating funds should not be used to pay for long term facilities improvements Debt makes sense for long term capital improvements Cofsky said.

“We tax on what we need to r un the school and then we’re going to put independent plans to g ether for how to fund our major renovations,” Cofsky said.

“And it also has to do with who’s paying for the facility. And again I’m going to be philosophical. It would be nice that the residents that are enjoying our facilities, those who live here in the next 10, 20, 30 years are the ones that ultimately pay for the renovations.”

6 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
“We tax on what we need to run the school and then we’re going to put independent plans together for how to fund our major renovations.”
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TO M COFSKY District 200 school board president

OKs

Devices slated for six intersections between Lake Street and Augusta Boulevard

River Forest is a step closer to a villagewide street camera program following action by the village board on Dec. 12.

The five trustees present voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Police Chief Jim O’Shea and authorize the village’s contracted vendor, Griffon Systems, to install street cameras and related hardware and software for $105,114. Trustee Bob O’Connell did not attend the meeting

The eight cameras will be installed at six intersections in the middle zone of the village, the area between Lake Street and Augusta Boulevard and between Thatcher and Harlem avenues. The cost will be covered by the Capital Improvement Fund where the purchase was budgeted for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

The Dec. 12 action follows similar action taken in January, which led to the installation of seven street cameras in the area bounded by Madison and Washington streets and Lathrop and Thatcher avenues

O’Shea explained that the original camera program began in the Lake Street corridor using tax increment financing funds approximately 14 years ago. The project covered the area between Lake Street and Central Avenue from Lathrop Avenue to Harlem Avenue.

Over the years, several new cameras were installed moving west on Lake Street to Thatcher Avenue and covering the Metraowned and village-owned parking lots on Thatcher

Locations for the middle zone cameras are Thatcher and Augusta, Lathrop and Augusta, Harlem and Augusta, Thatcher and Chicago Avenue, Lathrop and Chicago and Harlem and Chicago. To improve coverage, two cameras will be installed at two intersections each.

In 2020, a feasibility study was conducted to

develop a plan to install additional cameras in the three zones – south, middle and north. The final phase in the program, installing nine cameras in the north zone, from Division Street to North Avenue, is expected to be proposed for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which begins May 1, 2023. An additional phase will address gaps in the program by installing eigh additional cameras.

O’Shea said the high-definition cameras will be installed on main streets They will be motion-activated and operate around the clock. Images will be retained for 90 days

“Public cameras are considered a costeffective way to deter, document and reduce crime,” O’Shea said in a memo to Brian Mur phy, village administrator. “In addition, these systems provide enhanced customer servic to victims of crimes and help develop crim prevention strategies. Street camera systems also further transparency and accountabilit in gover nment operations.”

O’Shea said that the cameras are not speed cameras or red-light cameras nor will they have the capability to provide license plate images or perform facial recognition.

In addition to providing officer transparency and officer accountability, O’Shea said the cameras can aid searches for missing people, identify weather conditions and assist with accident investigations

He said the program also provides assistance to other nearby police departments that might be seeking a suspect or a suspect’s vehicle if it crossed a boundary from another municipality into River Forest. According to O’Shea, village officials have received nearly 1,800 requests for video footage from other jurisdictions since 2016.

O’Shea described the village’s street camera system as a very successful force multiplier, crime prevention tool, evidence-gathering application, police accountability device and overall situational awareness tool.

He also said the middle zone has been exposed to slight increases in burglaries to automobiles, auto thefts and garage burglaries. Residents in this area have also seen increased violent crimes on the village’s borders in the communities of Forest Park, Oak Park and Maywood

OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 7
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Once a Hephzibah Kid, Always a Hephzibah Kid

Our first 125th-anniversary story is about reconnecting. It began in 1935 when two distressed parents—financially strapped and broken in spirit by the relentless hardships of the Great Depression—were forced to acce pt the devastating reality that they could not afford to feed, clothe and care for their two children, Keith and Muriel.

“My parents had gone out to California five or six years earlier,” Keith Elkins wrote decades later in his book, Hephzibah’s Children: 1930 to 2000. “Now, in the depth of the Great Depression, they were driving back to their hometown of Chicago, dead broke with two kids: my sister Muriel and me. Emotionally depleted after failing to find their for tune in California and on the verge of a breakup, my parents could no longer provide for us. On October 23, 1935, they dropped us both of f at Hephzibah Home. It was one month after Muriel’s third birthday and one day after my four th birthday.”

Elkins, now 91, doesn’t remember much else about that day. But he does remember the relative comfort and stability of his life as a “Hephzibah kid.”

“Muriel and I lived at Hephzibah for about three years, and my memories of

the place are very positive,” he says. “We were housed well, fed well, clothed well and taught well. I remember Hephzibah’s backyard playground, where I discovered that I got dizzy on the merry-go-round, that the backs of my bare thighs stuck to the slide in hot weather, that it felt good to swing along the monkey bars and that climbing on the jungle gym was easier than climbing the trees.” He also remembers weekend outings to the Lake Theater and other destinations in the community. “It was just wonderful,” he says.

The siblings’ sojourn at Hephzibah Home wasn’t a long one in the context of a lifetime, but it was an unforgettable one for Elkins, who went on to earn a doctoral de gree in educational psycholo gy at the University of Chicago, become a husband and father and enjoy a distinguished academic career as a professor at the SUNY

A safe haven dur ing the Great Depression: Keith Elkins (fourth from top) lived at Hephzibah Home with his younger sister, Muriel, from 1935 to 1938 . Although he went on to accomplish a great deal in his life, he never forgot his positive experiences at Hephzibah and retur ned seven decades later to spearhead our rst annual Homecoming Weekend for Hephzibah Home alumni in October 2007.

Empire State Colle ge in Buffalo, New York. Throughout his adulthood, he also used his skills and talents to help others by serving as a board member for numerous nonprofits, an advocate for seniors, a benefactor and a volunteer.

Elkins attributes much of his personal

and professional success—as well as the development of the moral compass that guides him—to the “steadiness” that he first experienced at He phzibah Home

“Now, toward the end of my life, I’m discovering that Hephzibah shaped me far more than I realized and gave me a sense

8 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022
Hephzibah is celebrating its 125th-anniversar y celebration with a series
f stories about the children and families whose lives were transformed by our programs and services, as well as some of the “Hephzibah Heroes” who helped make our mission possible. We hope you nd them as inspiring as we do!
SPONSORED CONTENT
KEITH ELKINS
PROVIDED

of inner orderliness that I would not have had otherwise, given the circumstances of my upbringing,” he notes. “It may sound overdramatic, but I do not think that I would have survived my childhood if it had not been for Hephzibah.”

Elkins suspected that there were other for mer residents who shared his enduring fondness for “this wonderful place” and believed that many of them would appreciate an invitation to return to Hephzibah for a reunion weekend. So in May 2007—during a visit to Oak Park with his wife, Kathleen— he proposed the idea to Hephzibah’s board of directors. The board’s approval was enthusiastic and unanimous.

Elkins immediately began working with Hephzibah staff to set a date for the event, track down for mer residents and organize the first reunion since Mary Wessels had founded Hephzibah Home in 1897.

But records were spotty for some decades— and finding his fellow alumni proved to be more challenging than he’d anticipated During one discouraging week, he sent out four emails, only to have three of them bounce back marked “undeliverable.”

Unwilling to give up on the idea of a reunion, he redoubled his efforts, doggedly combing through old files and conducting Internet searches to find current addresses His determined search for other “Hephzibah kids”—which eventually turned up more than two dozen for mer residents—was fueled by a deep personal need to “return to his roots.”

“I felt a need to reconnect with the place in a more meaningful way than simply coming back and looking around,” he explained to Wednesday Journal reporter Marty Stempniak during an interview for a Summer 2007 article about the upcoming reunion. “I suppose it was the sentimentality of an old man, but I wanted to relive my childhood in some fashion, find out more about my Hephzibah years and learn about the life experiences of my fellow Hephzibah Home alumni.”

By Fall 2007, the 76-year-old’s dream of a Hephzibah Homecoming was finally within reach. For one emotional weekend in October, Elkins and 24 other for mer residents returned to their childhood haven to share their memories of Hephzibah and reconnect with a place that would always feel like

home in their hearts The weekend was so successful that staff members immediately began planning the next homecoming celebration.

The following year, Elkins received the Heart of the Home Award at our 2008 Heart of Gold Ball for his efforts to reunite the for mer residents of Hephzibah Home.

But, even as he was being recognized for his past contributions, he had another project in the pipeline: a written history featuring the recollections of residents

True to his nature as a career academic, the retired college professor was meticulous about his research, contacting for mer residents and their families, who sent him their stories; poring over “mountains of material” dating back to Hephzibah’s founding in 1897; and reading decades worth of board-meeting minutes to gain a better understanding of the societal shifts that drove Hephzibah’s evolution from a 19thcentury orphanage to the comprehensive child care and child welfare organization

daycare, foster care, adoption and family services—for countless children and their families.”

While Elkins was preserving Hephzibah’s past, he was also planning for its future by naming Hephzibah as the beneficiary of a bequest in his will.

“I treasure the gift that Hephzibah gave me, which was the gift of hope,” he explained in 2015 when he and his wife, Kathleen, notified Hephzibah about their planned gift.

“I wanted to return that gift by helping to ensure that Hephzibah can provide as much security, hope and happiness for children in the future as it did for me and my sister back in the 1930s.”

In October 2020—as our anniversary approached and we began to reflect on Hephzibah’s 125-year legacy of helping children thrive and families flourish—we reached out to Elkins via Zoom to learn more about Hephzibah’s lasting impact on his life

“As one of many Hephzibah kids, my proudest achievement by far is not what I accomplished in my career, but that I was able to break the chain of family dysfunction and give my daughter the safety, security, stability, caring, constancy and fairness that I found only at Hephzibah during my own childhood,” he confided.

When asked about his hopes for Hephzibah’s future, his answer was a simple but powerful one: “My hope is that Hephzibah will always be here to provide a safe haven—because there will always be children and families who need a place like this.”

that it is today

“When I was writing Hephzibah’s history, I was struck by the fact that—of the five male Hephzibah Home alumni I interviewed for the book—one became a policeman, another became a career military man and two of us became teachers,” he points out. “I think that says something about the safety, stability and security that life at Hephzibah afforded us.”

By 2009, Elkins’s labor of love was printed, bound and published

At the end of the Zoom interview, we had a surprise in store for this alumnus, benefactor and friend: a chorus of happy 89th birthday wishes from our executive director and the children now living at Hephzibah Home.

“Happy birthday, Keith!” said Hephzibah Executive Director Merry Beth Sheets, her face lighting up with a huge smile. “You are such an integral part of our history and our legacy here at Hephzibah. You are so important to us!”

who had lived at Hephzibah Home in the decades between 1930 and 2000.

“In June 2008, as I began to outline the book, I wrote: ‘I have begun my life’s work,’” he recalls. “Later, I realized that those were almost the exact words that Hephzibah founder Mary Wessels had used in 1897 when she wrote to a friend: ‘I have be gun my work. I have two boys, ages 6 and 7.’”

“Hephzibah’s Children: 1930 to 2000 tells the story of how an old-fashioned orphanage responded to seismic changes in social policy and local child care codes,” he noted in the book’s introduction. “It shows how Hephzibah grew from the kindness of one woman sheltering two orphaned boys into a children’s association that offers a wide array of programs—including group homes,

Sheets’ birthday greeting was followed by a chorus of happy birthday wishes from a new generation of happy, healthy “Hephzibah Home kids.” As the youngsters held their hand-drawn and colored birthday cards up to the computer’s camera and shouted, “Happy Birthday, Keith!” one by one—Elkins was visibly moved and momentarily at a loss for words.

“Oh, that’s wonderful!!” he managed to say as he savored the best birthday present ever from the happiest childhood home that he had ever known.

Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 9 SPONSORED CONTENT
Keith Elkins, PhD, and his daughter, Julie, during a visit to Hephzibah Home in 2007.
“I treasure the gift Hephzibah gave me, which wa s the gift of hope.”
KEITH ELKINS

Heather Mack denied bond, will remain in jail awaiting trial

Murdered mother’s siblings testify against niece

Heather Mack will remain in federal custody until her trial date in late July, a judge ruled Thursd ay.

Judge Matthew Kennelly rejected defense arguments that Mack was not a flight risk, and that she was not a danger to the community “I don’t ag ree with that,” he said bluntly in his ruling. Mack, he said, was both a possible flight risk and a potential danger to the community “There’s plenty of evidence to believe

she’s often violent,” he said.

Mack, a native of Oak Park, faces trial for her alleged role in the brutal murder of her mother, Sheila von Weise Mack during a family trip to Bali.

In urging Kennelly to allow Mack to live with long-time family friend and Beverly Hills socialite Diana Rouque Ellis, Mack’s lead defense attor ney Michael Leonard, argued there was no evidence whatsoever that Mack had ever been violent toward anyone but her mother.

As Rouque Ellis listened in on the proceedings via teleconference, Leonard contended that Mack was not a flight risk, having no passpor t and no means to travel.

But prosecutor Ann Marie Ursini hammered away at Mack, listing an ar ray of past behaviors that, she said, suggested

she was highly prone to violence in the face of frustration and opposition to her wants and desires

Ursini also noted pointedly that even Mack’s proposed le g al custodian, Roque Ellis, “doesn’t have faith in Heather,” noting that Leonard had tried to get Rouque Ellis to put up a cash bond or property as collat-

eral, but she declined.

Both of Sheila von Wiese Mack’s siblings, Bill Wiese and Debbie Curran, made statements before the cour t, urging that Mack not be released on bond. While it’s hard to tell how much such testimony impacts a

See HEATHER MACK on pa ge 24

10 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
L.D CHUKMAN ILLUSTRATION Judge Matthew Kennelly addresses Heather Mack dur ing a recent cour t appearance
WEDNESD AY JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest December 7, 2022 Vo 43, No 19 $2.00 Critics and supporters of OPRF’s $100M project speak up he pool, equity and nancing spark debate By BOB SKOLNIK ontributing Reporter Not surprisingly the un iling the schematic esign and projected $99.5 million ost for what alled Projec at Oak Pa and Ri Fo est High School has pr oked umerous public omments recent meetings of the OPRF District 200 Board Education and at the No meeting the district’s Community Finance ommittee The plan to demolish the southeast po ion the cu rent building and build new physical education facilities, including new 10-lane, 25-by-40-yard swimming pool with three diving stations and 420-seat observation gallery, lus some theater and dance space upgrades, ambitious and expensi “This is the biggest project in the history the rld around her ” said one member the Community Finance Committee at the committee’s No meeting. Supporters of Project say the current physical education facilities including two near century-old imming pools, are woefully outdated and impr ements are long erdu See PROJECT on page 14 Drones over Scoville Holiday light show in Oak Park makes up for lack of July 4 fireworks SEE MORE PHOTOS, PAGE TH M WON R UL OF Y A N D 36 Wednesda Journal, December 7, 2022 Give the Gift that’s Delivered all Year! SUBSCRIRIBE for $30 Visit OakPark.com/subscribe Use Promo code: ELFDEAL New subscriptions in Cook County. O er valid thru 12/31/2022

Holiday Music for Chorus and Orchestra In River Forest

50 YEARS

e Oak Park Regional Housing Center celebrated its 50th anniversar y, Dec. 10, at a brunch hosted in Maguire Hall at St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church on Austin Boulevard. Athena Williams (right), executive director of the housing center, hosted the event, which drew guests from across the Greater West Side

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
PHOTO S BY ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer
AustinComingTogether.org/AustinCares Donate to ACT today!

Standing against bigotry

from page 1

communities maligned, and their safety compromised by hatred in any of its form

It is meant to be a source ofsupport fo those being subjected to antisemitism, homophobia, racism, transphobia, bigotry or any form of hatred. It is also a safe space for expressing their emotions

“I think every person can come into this with a different perspective. Some people need to cry to heal, some people need to laugh, and some people need to feel uplifted,” said Enyia. “That’s why we’re hoping we’re able to give that space for people to feel those different feelings.”

The anti-hate event, called “Light in All Colors,” is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., Dec. 21, which is the third day ofHanukkah. Rabbi Max Weiss ofOak Park Temple will light the third candle of the menorah at the event.

The two elected officials are coordinating with individuals from many marginalized communities that have suffered from hostility and prejudice. Weiss will be among the

event’s speakers, along with Rev. John Edgerton, lead pastor at First United Church of Oak Park, and Betty Alzamora, speaking on behalfofthe Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Association, better known by the acronym OPALGA+

“Hate is on the rise,” said Alzamora. “The rhetoric just continues to escalate, and it

ust gets more and more extreme. And then it explodes through acts of violence that are prehensible and unconscionable. We want to stand up and say it’s not right.”

Understanding that hatred is intersectional, Enyia and Buchanan are making the event inclusive for all, even children. The 3:30 p.m. time was chosen so that kids could go to event without missing school.

Given that it’s December, people should dress warmly. Enyia and Buchanan expect the event will last about an hour. The program will be focused so that it concludes with the setting ofthe sun. Dec. 21 is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year

While the event is not being sponsored by the village, the two elected officials have sought the advice ofOak Park’s diversity, equity and inclusion officer, Danielle Walker, who encouraged them to think beyond a singular event.

“So that there’s ongoing engagement around these issues,” Buchanan explained

That ongoing engagement is yet to be determined, but it could take the form ofmore gatherings or collaboration across community groups. The planting ofan anti-hate garden is also being considered.

“Hopefully we’re able to spread this kind of unity,” said Enyia.

12 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
ANTIHATE
CHIBUIKE ENYIA SUSAN BUCHANAN
“The rhetoric just continues to escalate. We want to stand up and say it’s not right.”
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Oak Park trustees approve 2023 operating budget

Village not seeking proper ty tax levy incr ease

T he village of Oak Pa rk ’s budg et fo r fiscal year 2023 rece ived unanimous village board approval Dec.5, but the extent to wh ich each village b oard member approved of the massive financial document varied in re ga rd to p lanned expenditures

While each b oard member praised the budg et for being suppo rt ive of the village b oard’s g oals through p lanned investments and for free zing the village ’s proper ty tax levy, spending proved to be a point of some mild contention.

T he 2023 budg et c alls for a 2.7% increase in expenditures in of the villa ge ’s g eneral f und, wh ich has the means to suppo rt such growth. Th at increase, about $3.8 million, disappointed Trust-

ees Jim Ta glia and Ravi Parakkat, b oth of whom b eli eve it c ould lead to large r proper ty tax levies in the future.

“While I suppo rt the result of thi s year ’s budg et, I want to express my longter m c oncer n for the b oard’s lack of appetite to even discuss various areas where we c ould have found savings to underwrite these investments,” Ta glia said.

Parakkat ag reed, stating that the village “could have dug de ep er” to find oppor tunities for savings. He previously expressed his budg etary reservations in a We d nesd ay Jour nal o pinion piece, published Dec 6, where he wrote that he was “cautiously optimistic” about the budg et’s future impact

N ext year ’s budg et d etails approximately $183.9 million in total expenditures, c ompared to the $160.2 million in expenditures projected in the 2022 fisca l

year budg et. Of that $183.9 million figure, g eneral f und expenditures a ccount for 32%, or $71.8 million.

General f und reve nues in the 2023 budg et total roughly $72.1 million – an increase of 10% c ompared to the 2022 budg et.

This, in small pa rt , c an be attributed to the transference of $9.3 million of the village ’s A merican Rescue Plan Act money i nto the f und to re p lace reve nue lost as a result of the COVID-19 pandemi c.

Oak Pa rk Chie f Financial Of ficer St eve Drazner primarily attributes the increase in g eneral f und reve nue to sales tax, natural g as tax, state income tax and personal proper ty re p lacement tax. T he increase in sales tax reve nu e, he att ributes to the state of I llinois changin g the method by wh ich sales tax is assessed and allocated among municipalities.

Other sources of g eneral f und reve nu e are proper ty taxes and the hotel/motel tax, the latter of wh ich was amended in 2016 to include A irbn b. A irbnb rentals g enerate approximately $120,000 in revenue per year for the village

Money in the g eneral f und is primarily spent on Oak Pa rk ’s p olice and fire depar tments, including statutory p ension c ontributions.

Ta glia and Parakkat’s spending c oncer ns we re not shared by their p eers on the village b oard. Trustee Lucia Ro binson b eli eves that increased g eneral f und expenditures will “even out” to create a “more ef ficient” system for d elive rin g services to the community

“It’s also about service and responding to the needs of attaining those goals tha t we ’ve set out,” said Vi llage President Vi cki Scaman.

Gifts Galore

OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 13
Volunteers Valerie Woods, le , and Mar y Jane Welter, both of River Forest, organize the Holiday Gi Basket donations, which were enough to ll the pews (right) at the Chicago Church of Christ Metro Ministry Center in Oak Park. Gi s were distributed on Saturday, Dec. 10.
T R AINOR/Sta
ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer
KEN

World Cup whirlwind: 36 hours in Qatar

Oak Park father and son make their soccer dream come true

When Simeon Carson, Oak Park resident and USA soccer aficionado, took a call from his son Dylan, an OPRF graduate and junior at Purdue University, he had no idea that weeks later the duo would be in the Middle East watching the United States take on England in the group stage of the World Cup.

“Dylan called to say he had a connection to housing in Qatar during the World Cup through a classmate at Purdue – I thought he was planning to go with friends,” said Carson. “It took me a moment to realize he wanted me to go with him. It makes me a little emotional to think about how much that moment meant to me.”

With housing secured on Pearl Island in

Carson focused on building his World Cup experience around the United States National team he and his son have been following for years. The duo set their sights on getting tickets to the USA versus England match on Nov. 25 at Al Bayt Stadium. It was not an easy task.

Despite following advice in the community affiliated with The Scuffed podcast, Carson was rejected from every attempt he made to secure tickets. He was near giving up hope, but while out for $5 burgers at FitzGerald’s on a Wednesday evening he had a breakthrough. He slipped away from the table to make the purchase and succeeded. With tickets secured to witness Team USA on the world stage, Carson added tickets to see Brazil versus Serbia on Nov. 24 at Lusail Stadium and Iran versus Wales on Nov. 25 at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. The father and son had set the stage for 36 hours of jam-packed World Cup fun in Qatar. The trip was bookended by a 13-hour flight there and a 15-hour flight home, but jet lag could not dampen their fun. “I was worried we would be zombies, but

one in Qatar was so gracious and the crowd was so diverse. We met fans from all over the world.”

Only the most passionate soccer fans travel to support their teams in intense innational tour naments like the World Cup. referred to the energy as “indescribpraised the organization of the touroverall, and particularly enjoyed the fan base Stadiums were so close toether that they were just a train ride away “Hearing the national anthem at the USAEngland game was a highlight,” said Carson credits his love of U.S. soccer for prehis patriotism during the past sever“To be that unbridled in embracing ve of America was an unforgettable moment.”

eeing the English fans leaving the match was another highlight according to who appreciated how USA midfieldChristian Pulisic, pumped up the Amerians despite being rostered to Chelsea English Premier League. Carson is that the progression in U.S. soccer is undeniable and is excited about the future of t with “wholly U.S. trained” players their way into the top five inter national leagues

U.S. team is young, either the youngsecond youngest in the World Cup this year,” said Carson. “I really think the program has a promising future.”

In addition to taking in the two additional

matches, Carson and his son visited an openair spice market, enjoyed a grand Turkish feast and visited the National Museum of Qatar designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel. Both Carson and his son enjoyed lear ning more about the agrarian history and moder n evolution of Qatar in the 430,500 square foot museum. The duo appreciated the architecture of the museum and the city of Doha overall.

Carson, a player himself, raised his son around soccer. He served as his AYSO coach in Oak Park and swapped to team manager when Dylan star ted playing for one of Oak Park’s Chicago Edge club teams. The 2010 World Cup captured his imagination as Dylan watched the g ames with his father. The two follow the Chicago Fire, root for the success of the men’s and women’s U.S. National teams and attended the World Cup qualifying match in Nashville earlier this year. Soccer has bonded the two to gether for years and this trip was a culmination of their shared passion.

The trip was expensive, but Carson’s wife, Molly McDonough Carson, prioritized the trip for her son and husband. Her mother died near Thanksgiving in 2021 and the loss serves as a constant reminder to make as many memories as you can with those you love. The family ag reed to dip into the inheritance she received following her mother’s death to make this World Cup dream a reality.

14 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
PROVIDED DREAM COME TRUE: Simeon Carson (le ) snaps a sel e w ith his son, Dylan Carson, at a World Cup match in Doha, Qatar. PROVIDED USA soccer fans in Doha, Qatar

Christmas 2022

Pageant, December 18, 10:30

Night, December 20, 7pm

Eve, 5pm

May the peace & joy of Christmas live in your heart all year long. Special Advertising Section
Interactive
Longest
Christmas
Christmas Day, 10:30am PEACE 460 Lake St. • Oak Park • pilgrimoakpark.org Worship with Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC

Advent Circle Garden - a meditative prayer experience, open to all McDonough Hall on the St. Giles Campus, 1101 Columbian Avenue, 2nd Floor

Sunday, December 18, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm

Monday, December 19, 4:00 – 9:00 pm (Prayer Service at 7:00 pm)

Tuesday, December 20, 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Wednesday, December 21, 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass Times and Locations:

Saturday, December 17

4:30 pm at St. Giles Church, 5:00 pm at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church

Sunday, December 18

8:00 am and 10:30 am at St. Giles Church, 9:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church

Christmas Eve Mass Times and Locations: Saturday, December 24

3:00 pm Mass with Children’s Gospel at St. Giles Church

4:00 pm Mass with Children’s Gospel at St.

: Sunday, December 25

8:00 am at Ascension Church 11:00 am at St. Edmund Church

16 December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM CHRISTMAS CHURCH GUIDE for
Join us
• 409
eld
Candlelight,
and children’s story
welcome you
our
Christmas Eve at United Lutheran Church
www.unitedlutheranchurch.org
Green
St, Oak Park Dec 24th 5pm
choir,
The Catholic Parishes of Ascension - St. Edmund and St. Catherine of Siena - St. Lucy and St. Giles
to
Advent and Christmas prayers! The Parish of Ascension - St. Edmund Advent Prayer Under the Wreath Wednesdays, December 14 and December 21, 7:00 pm at Ascension Church Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass Times and Locations: Saturday, December 17 5:00 pm at Ascension Church (Confessions at 4:00 –4:45 pm) 5:30 pm at St. Edmund Church (Confessions at 4:30 pm) Sunday, December 18 8:00 am and 10:30 am at Ascension Church 11:00 am at St. Edmund Church Christmas Eve Mass Times and Locations: Saturday, December 24 3:30 pm Mass with the Ascension Schola at Ascension Church 4:30 pm Mass with the St. Edmund Choir at St. Edmund Church 5:30 pm Mass with the Ascension Choristers and String Ensemble at Ascension Church 10:30 pm Mass at St. Edmund Church 11:00 pm Mass during the Night with the Ascension Choir at Ascension Church - Carols begin at 10:30 pm The Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Day, Mass Times and Locations
The Parish of St. Catherine of Siena - St. Lucy and St. Giles
of
5:00 p.m. Mass with Teen Choir at St.
7:30 pm Mass
Mass Community)
the
Gym –
pm 10:30 pm Vigil Mass with Adult
Bell Choirs
8:00 am
am
9:00 am
Catherine
Siena-St. Lucy Church
Giles Church
(Family
in
St. Giles School
Carols begin at 7:00
and
at St. Giles Church
Carols begin at 10:00 pm The Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Day, Mass Times and Locations: Sunday, December 25
and 10:30
at St. Giles Church
at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church “Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church 38 N. Austin Boulevard, Oak Park St. Giles Church 1045 Columbian Avenue, Oak Park Ascension Church 808 S. East Avenue, Oak Park St. Edmund Church 188 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park

Advent and Christmas Services at Grace Lutheran Church

Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 18

Two services of Holy Communion 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Longest Night

Wednesday, December 21

On the longest night of the year, we will gather around the light of the Christ Child for quiet, contemplative worship. If you are coping with grief and loss or simply need some quiet time, come to this service of quiet song and prayer. All are welcome.

7:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24

Two children-led services with music

4:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

A service of Holy Communion 8:00 p.m.

A candlelight service of Holy Communion 10:45 p.m. Prelude music at 10:30 p.m.

Christmas Day Sunday, December 25

A service of Holy Communion in celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord 10:00 a.m.

7300 Division Street, River Forest, Illinois, 60305 gracechurch@graceriverforest.org 708-366-6900

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF OAK PARK

Sunday, December 18

A Concert of Holiday Favorites 4:30 pm

Featuring Julian Davis Reid on piano and vocalist Tramaine Parker sharing religious and secular favorites with a gospel and jazz air! Free-will o ering to be received to support Housing Forward in their mission to end homelessness in western Cook County.

Monday, December 19

Blue Christmas Observance 6 - 8 pm Not feeling “merry and bright” this holiday season? Join us for this special gathering which will be during our normal prayer and praise time. The sanctuary and chapel will be open for private prayer and meditation starting at 6 pm. At 6:30, the Pastor will lead prayers and scripture reading in a service of hope for the heavy hearted. You are not alone.

Saturday, December 24

Christmas Eve 6:00 pm

Welcome the newborn king! Our Christmas Eve service starts at 6 pm and will feature our diverse music ministry (including traditional pipe organ, handbells, choir, contemporary and gospel selections by our Praise Team) during our candle-light service.

Sunday, December 25

Christmas Day 10:00a

Merry Christmas! Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Join us for casual worship on this special Sunday!

OAKPARK.COM | FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM December 14, 2022 17 CHRISTMAS CHURCH GUIDE holidayservicesat Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Christmas Eve Services Saturday, December 24, 2022 3pm Christmas Pageant and Worship for All Ages 6pm Choir & Candlelight Service Services will be both in-person and live streamed. To learn more go to: www.unitytemple.org
ChristmasMassSchedule 8:00amatSt.BernardinewithCantor/trumpetandfestiveinstrumentalmusicbeforeMass 9:30amatSt.LukewithContemporaryChoir,flute,violinandcarolsbeforeMassat9:15am 11:00amatSt.LukewiththeFestivalChoirandtrumpetandcarolsbeforeMassat10:45am Sunday,December25-ChristmasDay 4:00pmatSt.LukewiththeChildren'sChoirandCherubChoirandcarolsbeforeMassat3:30pm 6:00pmatSt.Bernardinewithavocalensemble/trumpetandcarolsbeforeMassat5:45pm 10:30pmatSt.LukewiththeFestivalChoirandtrumpetandcarolsbeforeMassat10:00pm Saturday,December24-ChristmasEve MerryChristmasfromSt.Lukeand St.BernardineParish! St.LukeandSt.BernardineParish
324
rstumcoakpark.org
N. OAK PARK AVE., OAK PARK, IL 60302
www.
18 December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM CHRISTMAS CHURCH GUIDE Saturday, December 24—Christmas Eve 4:45 pm Carols and Organ · 5:00 pm Festive Worship for All Ages especially kids! 10:30 pm Carols and Choir · 11:00 pm Festive Choral Eucharist with incense Sunday, December 25—Christmas Day 10:30 am Holy Eucharist In person — 924 Lake Street · Oak Park, IL 60301 And online — GraceOakPark.org Come together for Christmas at Grace

21 area organizations received Community Grants

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation awarded $228,000

Earlier this month, the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation announced that 21 nonprofits in Oak Park, River Forest and neighboring communities were the recipients of its 2022 Community Grants

This year’s grants, which total $228,000, were designed to advance the Foundation’s “strategic priorities of addressing education; health care; mental health; wealth and representation; and safety and housing through a race and equity lens,” Foundation officials explained.

The Foundation last distributed the grants in 2019.In 2020 and 2021, the Foundation pivoted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and awarded Rapid Response and Recovery Fund grants to a variety of social impact organizations “that were on the front lines providing daily, ongoing support to the community’s most vulnerable members during the pandemic, including the elderly, the economically at-risk and those with health concer ns,” Foundation officials explained

Tony Martinez, Jr., the Foundation’s president and CEO, said area nonprofits are still experiencing demand for their services and that the Foundation received more applications for the Community Grants than ever before

“It is very important during these stressful times to continue supporting the organizations that uplift our community and provide essential resources to so many in need,” Martinez said.

“The Community Grants recipients help maintain and enrich the social fabric of our communities, and we are grateful to the generous donors who have entrusted us with their philanthropic legacy, which makes these grants possible,” said Denise Bur ns, the chair of the Foundation board’s Grants and Programs Committee “This is

a powerful measure of how we can work together to positively affect the lives of residents throughout the west Cook region.”

The following are the 2022 Community Grant recipients:

Education

■ African-American Parents for Purposeful Leadership in Education (APPLE)

■ Chicago West Community Music Center

■ Race Conscious Dialo gues

■ Silk Road Rising (Fiscal Sponsor: Gilloury Institute)

■ Welcome to Fatherhood (WTF)

Health Care/Mental Health

■ African American Christian Foundation

■ Proviso Par tners for Health (PP4H)

■ Resilience

■ Youth Crossroads, Inc.

Housing

■ Chicago Funders To gether to End Homelessness (Fiscal Sponsor: Michael Reese Health Trust)

■ New Moms, Inc.

Wealth Inequality

■ Defy Ventures, Illinois Chapter

■ Equity and Transfor mation (EAT)

■ Iskali

Youth Development

■ West Cook YMCA, Inc.

■ Y.E.M.B.A., Inc.

Cross-Cutting Themes

■ Austin Coming To gether (ACT)

■ Cicero Independiente

■ Friends of the Children – Chicago

■ Pro Bono Network (PBN)

■ Revolutionary Oak Park Youth Action League (ROYAL)

Special deliver y

Santa (above) greets a group of students at Dominican Universit y in River Forest. Jakub Kaminski (le ), a senior, tosses a T-shir t to the crowd.

OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 19
PHOTO S BY ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

e rollercoaster life of master bluesman Lurrie Bell

A new album, back on tour, safe at home in the Oak Park Arms

It’s probably safe to say most residents ofthe Oak Park Arms retirement community had no idea that a legend was living among them — until a couple months ago when masterful blues guitarist Lurrie Bell joined a performance in the Arms’ parking lot. The event was the Arms’ first public concert since the start of the pandemic.

“When Lurrie performed at the concert, it brought the show to a whole new level,” said Renee Steingard, the Arms’ director ofleasing and resident eng agement. “It was special to have a concert with the Oak Park community again. Having one of our residents perform, who is a friend and neighbor here, was the icing on the cake.”

The Arms has provided much-needed

stability for Bell, whose life has been a dramatic roller coaster ride, with periods ofastounding musical success alternating with years of debilitating challenges. But he is in the midst ofa relatively steady chapter, with the support ofa compassionate manager, Amberly Stokes ofRiver Forest. Stokes has been a nur turing resource for Chicago’s blues community for many years. Bell turned 64 this week.

20 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer SWEET HOME OA K PARK: Lurrie Bell talks about his career as a musi cian

The son of revered har monicist Carey Bell, Lur rie grew up sur rounded by blues greats such as Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and Buddy Guy At the age of five, while watching one of his father’s rehearsal sessions, he picked up a guitar and set his mind on being a blues man like his father and friends However, at the age of seven, his parents, both of whom left the Jim Crow South during the Great Migration, sent him to live with his grandparents in Mississippi and Alabama. They felt the south they had escaped was preferable to an unhealthy environment on Chicago’s West Side.

Bell’s grandfather was a deacon in the Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God. Bell played guitar with the church’s gospel choir — his first paying gig.

“Living down south was a blessing,” said Bell. “People down there taught me how to act, how to say ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘no, sir’ and I went to church and revival meetings

re gularly The church didn’t allow us to play the blues because they thought it was devil’s music.”

In his early teens, Bell retur ned to Chicago — and the blues He played with a band fronted by boogie-woo gie pianist and Muddy Waters’ accompanist Lovie Lee, who became a quasi-g randfather to the young prodig y. But it was while playing with Willie Dixon’s Chicago Blues All-Stars that Bell realized he wanted to dedicate his life to playing the blues Still a teenager, he embarked on an inter national tour with “Queen of the Blues” Koko Taylor and cofounded a band called Sons of Blues with Billy Branch and Freddie Dixon, son of Willie Dixon. He made his recording debut at 19, on his father’s album Heartaches and Pain, followed by an appearance on Eddie C. Campbell’s King of the Jungle His incendiary guitar playing and passionate vocals attracted attention from Rolling Stone and the New York Times

Though Bell’s career seemed to be on a meteoric trajectory, in the 1980s he suffered setbacks, including mental illness, drug abuse and homelessness. He admitted himself to a psychiatric institution, where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and received medications that helped keep his personal demons at bay.

In 1995, Bell recorded a well-received comeback album, Mercurial Son, the first of several albums on the Delmark label. He electrified the crowd at the 1996 Chicago Blues Fest and, in 2001, released the critically acclaimed Cutting Heads.

But Bell faced unimaginable tragedies in the early 2000s, including the deaths of his premature twins in 2003 and his wife, Susan Greenberg, and his father in 2007. He persevered through these losses, recording the hear tfelt Let’s Talk About Love, and gar nering Living Blues Mag azine’s Most Outstanding Musician Award in 2007. He received a 2009 Grammy nomination for

Chica go Blues: A Li ving History, which was recorded with Billy Boy Ar nold, John Primer and Billy Branch. In 2012, his The vil Ain’ t Got No Music, a collection acoustic blues and the gospel songs his childhood, received the Prix du Blues Award from the prestigious French ’Academie du Jazz. He was named Best Traditional Male Blues Ar tist in 2015 by the Blues Foundation.

However, about five years ago, Bell’s life and career were knocked of ftrack again. was homeless and missing gigs, which professional suicide for a musician. Fortunately, Amberly Stokes became his personal manager. Stokes has a re putation for helping blues ar tists and their families by anizing benefits and funerals.

“To know Lur rie is to love him. He is a brilliant genius, sweet and good, he radiates goodness. But he has suf fered a lot,” she said.

Stokes took him to his doctors’ appointments and made sure he was taking his medication. Perhaps, most impor tantly, she got him into the Oak Pa rk Ar ms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

“The Ar ms has been vital to Lur rie’s survival and well-being. They are a pa rt of our team. When I saw the music set-up they had, with a piano in the lobby, I knew that it was the right place for him.”

Bell’s career is once again on an uping. He is back to playing gigs at Chicago blues clubs and testing the touring waters. Last year, he played in Kviv, Ukraine and this fall he was in Romania for the Transylvania Music Fest and in Canada for the Calg ary Inter national Music Fest. Next month, he has gigs in New York and Ohio.

Bell has recorded an album, She’s a Burglar, his first in 7 years, with L.A. funk band Orgone, and featuring Steve Ferrone, drummer for Tom Petty and the Average White Band, and Benny Tur ner, the bass guitarist for the Freddie King Band. The album cover was designed by renowned Chicago ar tist, writer and actor Tony Fitzpatrick.

“Lur rie still has many challenges and he needs help with the costs of producing and marketing the album,” said Stokes. “We really need to keep this le gendary musician working, to keep him on the straight and nar row.”

“Music has been my whole life. Through all the changes, it has been the one constant. It’s always led me out of the darkness. If I wasn’t playing music and touring, I don’t know how I’d survive,” Bell said.

Stokes encourages anyone interested in helping Bell release his new album to contact her at amberlystokes@hotmail.com.

OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 21
ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer Lurrie Bell (le ) w ith his manager, Amberly Stokes, at the Oak Park Arms.

GET LOST ALONG THE WAY – STAND UP FOR VIBRANT RESPONSIVE COMMUNITY JOURNALISM THAT WORKS FOR YOU!

Here at Growing Community Media, we understand news. And we know that, these days, the news can feel especially unpredictable and relentless. From major changes to legislation, the climate change crisis, and our upcoming local elections there’s one breaking news story after the other.

We also know it can feel overwhelming trying to keep up with all that news. And that’s why we exist. We want you to relax for a moment –complete the crossword or share Donor

Doe’s adventure with your child knowing the journalists at The Wednesday Journal are here to untangle swirls of misinformation and keep you up to date on the issues that matter most to you. As a nonprofit news organization, we’re committed to telling fact-based stories about Oak Park and River Forest that might otherwise go untold. But we need your help. Our newsroom can’t run without support from readers like you. Can we count on you to help your local newsroom thrive?

22 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM 1. Strike inspired musical 2. Scan to donate (2wds.) 3. Precise 4. Emotional commitment 5. GCM publisher (2 wds.) 6. 501c3 email address ending 7. Journalist who opines regularly 10. Free from favoritism 12. GCM’s current campaign (4 wds) 19. Seven day adverb 20. Satirical drawing 8. Blood flow 9. Explorer of the “neighborwood” (2 wds.) 11. Prohibition cocktail made with gin and orange curaçao (2 wds.) 13. Writer’s credit 14. Digital home 15. Real; actual 16. Person who receives a publication and pays in advance 17. Threat to local media (2 wds) 18. “Stop the ______!” 20. Beach boys tune, “_____ the news” Donate Today! Down Across Crossword Puzzle 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Across: inspired musical donate (2wds.) 4.emotional commitment 8.blood flow 9.explorer of the “neighborwood” (2 wds.) 11.prohibition cocktail made with gin and orange Curaçao (2 wds.)
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Oak Park among 16 suburbs to join EV Readiness program

ComEd, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus team up to launch program designed to prepare municipalities for anticipated EV, charging station boom

Last month, ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus announced that 16 suburbs will comprise the inaugural cohor t of communities to participate in their EV Readiness Progr am, an initiative launched earlier this year “to help local gover nments prepare to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging infrastructure,” according to a statement the entities released Nov. 30.

Oak Park and nearby Maywood were the only two west suburbs included in the inaugural cohor t.

ComEd of ficials described the new EV progr am during the June 23 signing ceremony of the Cross Community Climate Collaborative (C4) at T riton Colle ge. T he C4 initiative is a coalition of a few do z en west suburbs that have pledged to cut greenhouse g as emissions

by 100% by 2050.

“Your communities are preparing meet the demand for EV infrastructur said Michael Fountain, ComEd’s president of gover nmental af fairs Fountain said the $225,000 ComEd will spend to fund the new program will “provide the training and support needed to implement safe and smar t EV policies and practices.”

ComEd and Caucus of ficials said in their joint statement that the EV Readiness Program will “focus on policy development related to EV infrastructure, permitting, and safety, and support community eng agement.

“Additionally, by building local capacity for EV inte gration, this program will help remove bar riers that smaller communities may face in vying for state and federal funding to expand EV charging infrastructure – a key component to ensuring equitable access to EVs for

residents across the re gion.”

Of ficials said cohor t members will star t work early this month and are expected to achieve “EV Ready Community” designation status within six to nine months. The Caucus expects the second cohor t of municipalities and counties to star t in 2023.

Electric vehicles currently account for roughly 6% of new car sales in the country, according to Cox Automotive, with some exper ts expecting EV sales to account for roughly half of new vehicle sales by 2030.

The growth will largely be due to state and federal policies, such as the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) that passed the Illinois le gislature last year

and President Joe Biden’s climate bill that passed earlier this year

In addition, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle recently announced $5.5 million in funding for the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Program, designed to increase public EV charging stations throughout the suburbs.

To help residents navig ate their EV options, ComEd has created an EV Toolkit — “an all-in-one resource providing information and tips on available resources and rebates, rate plans and cost savings options, where to find charging stations, and more.”

CONTAC T: michael@oakpark.com

HEATHER MACK

Still a ight risk

from page 10

judge’s decision, their pleas were emotionally compelling. Both characterized Mack as a cold and calculating person and congenital liar who could not be trusted.

Mack, Wiese said, was “well-traveled, savvy and resourceful,” and would be able to talk people of means into helping her He also noted that Mack had the phone number of her mother’s estate lawyer and had called him from jail in Indonesia to inquire into accessing the trust.

“What 18 year old has the phone num-

ber of her mother’s estate lawyer,” Wiese asked.

Calling his niece “brutal, manipulating and narcissistic,” he told the judge, “To release Heather would shatter our sense of security.”

Debbie Cur ran’s daughter has been granted temporary custody of Mack’s daughter Stella by a Cook County cour t and lives with her in Colorado. Curran’s voice quavered as she fought back tears while testifying about the trauma and despair her sister endured in the years leading up to the murder

But despite her tears, she too was withering in her characterizations of her niece. Mack, she said, “will appear frail and weak,” but it is, she said, a ploy “She is a master manipulator and can come up with

this look on command.”

Mack sat stoically within eight feet of Wiese and Curran as they spoke. The only time she appeared to show any emotion was when Curran told the cour t that she feared Mack might har m her and other family members if released

“I fear for the safety of my daughter and two grandsons,” she said.

In his response to Wiese and Curran’s remarks, Leonard argued that Mack “has an eight year track record of following rules,” and told the judge, “she will do whatever the cour t tells her.”

But Kennelly was unpersuaded. While careful to make clear he didn’t question Rouque Ellis’s basic personal qualifications, he said, “I do n’t think she’s up to the job in this situation.”

In remarks to the media afterwards, Leonard called Kennelly “the gold standard in this building,” and said he respected the judge’s decision, but was disappointed.

Of Mack, he said, “her hopes were certainly up going in,” to the hearing, and that the denial was “very, very hard on her.”

Mack, he said, was “very, very despondent at not having the oppor tunity to be out” and not being able to be with her child.

Wiese and Curran spoke briefly with the media afterwards. He said he and Curran wanted to be present in cour t “to give our sister a voice.”

Facing Mack at the hearing, he said, “is one of the necessary ste ps for justice and healing for our entire family.”

“It was dif ficult, but it was a process we have to go through.”

24 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Oak Park woman killed in West Town

Cause of death repor tedly a gunshot wound to the head

A 31-year-old Oak Park woman was found dead Wednesday by Chicago police officers in the city’s West Town neighborhood. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified her as Brittany Wooten, of the 1100 block of North Humphrey Avenue.

The victim was discovered with a gunshot wound to her head in the 1500 block of West Hubbard Street, according to a spokesperson from the Chicago Police Department. She was pronounced dead on scene at 8:32 p.m., Dec. 7.

No suspects are currently in CPD custody. Detectives are investigating.

Armored car driver robbed at Madison Street Chase Bank

Two cars repor tedly used in escape

The driver of an armored truck was re por tedly robbed at gunpoint Monday mor ning in Oak Park

While limited details are available at this time, Village Trustee Ravi Parakkat posted to Facebook that masked men had robbed the driver of an armored truck at approximately 8:45 a.m., Dec. 12, while the driver was making a delivery to ATMs at Chase Bank, 933 Madison St. The FBI confirmed that three men carried out the robbery.

The driver was re por tedly struck in the head with a firearm before the offenders fled in a black Audi SUV,

Chase Bank, 933 Madison St.

which was soon abandoned at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Adams Street, according to Parakkat’s post. Witnesses re por tedly then saw the two men get into a white Jeep Wagoneer.

“I hope the perpetrators are apprehended soon,” Parakkat wrote.

Wednesday Journal has reached out to the FBI and the Village of Oak Park for further detail. Oak Park spokesperson Dan Yopchick previously confirmed that an incident involving an armored vehicle had occurred shortly before 9 a.m. at that particular Chase Bank location.

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 25 CRIME
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Holiday season: To sell or not to sell?

Depending on your circumstances, the time might just be right

Arecent column from the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors posed the question, “Should you sell your home this holiday season?” Traditionally, there was a belief that the real estate world ground to a halt between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

Sellers didn’t want people walking through their homes during a season of parties and family gatherings, and potential buyers were assumed to be out enjoying the festive season. The old adage was to wait until after the Super Bowl to list or shop for a home

However, according to association and some Oak Park and River Forest-area real estate agents, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to selling or buying during the holidays Elissa Palermo, president of the OPAAR, says it might be time to rethink what we’ve been told

“Listing a home during the holidays can be extremely advantageous to homeowners, and it doesn’t have to ruin any holiday cheer,” Palermo said.

A different selling experience

According to Palermo, since most sellers find it too much of a hassle to list during the holidays, they may take their home off the market for a month or two, or wait to list until the weather warms up

She points out that this creates an inventory shortage which can be good news for the seller who chooses to stay in the market.

“Since there are limited choices for buyers, the homeowner could have a higher asking price,” Palermo said.

The Gillian-Baker Team of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago/Oak Park, which is made up of April Baker, Dorothy

Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 27
See
HOLIDAYS on pa ge 30
THE GILLIAN BAKER TEAM Homes
28 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM WE’RE BY YOUR SIDE Source: BrokerMetrics® LLC, 1/1/2019 - 12/ 31/2019Detached and Attached only. Chicagoland PMSA 1200 N East Avenue Oak Park | $825,000 Hannah Gillespie 324 N Taylor Avenue Oak Park | $675,000 Catherine Simmon-Vobornik 1009 Bonnie Brae Pl 2B River Forest | $629,000 Kim Wojack | Anne Ferri 416 Washington Blvd Oak Park | $600,000 Michael Lennox 544 S Grove Avenue Oak Park | $525,000 Saretta Joyner Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest | 1037 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 | 708.697.5900 | oakpark.bairdwarner.com 3742 Gunderson Avenue Berwyn | $479,000 The Dita Group 203 N Kenilworth Ave 2J Oak Park | $369,000 Ann Keeney 827 Dunlop Avenue Forest Park | $350,000 Arrick Pelton 1409 Cuyler Avenue Berwyn | $349,000 Margarita Lopez 2109 Highland Avenue Berwyn | $345,000 The Dita Group 912 S Maple Avenue Oak Park | $325,000 Swati saxena 1616 Gardner Road Westchester | $295,000 Bobbi Eastman 717 Hayes Avenue Oak Park | $285,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik 2410 Oak Park Avenue Berwyn | $265,000 The Dita Group 923 Dunlop Avenue Forest Park | $259,000 Hannah Gillespie 917 S Oak Park Avenue Oak Park | $239,900 Thurston Gayle 6445 18th Street #2 Berwyn | $121,000 William Geldes 938 Ontario Street #9 Oak Park | $119,000 Ann Keeney 104 Austin Blvd #3C Oak Park | $105,000 Swati Saxena 1227 S Harlem Ave #507 Berwyn | $84,500 Sheila Price

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Loved by her clients, respected by her colleagues, with an impeccable work ethic, it’s no surprise to us that she’s ranked #1.

We’re proud of our very own Swati Saxena for selling more homes in Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park than any other agent in 2022*!

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OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 29
*MRED data from Jan 1, 2022 - Nov 16, 2022
*MRED data from Jan 1, 2022 - Nov 16, 2022

HOLIDAYS

many sellers shy away from the holidays because they will be distracted by other events

Gillian, Anna Gillian Cramer and Cara Carriveau, ag rees that the lack of competition can be a boon to sellers who choose to list during the holidays.

T hey point out that because shopping for a home in cold weather is not something most people do for fun, those buyers that are out during the holidays tend to be more serious and ready to make a decision quickly.

“As a seller, you will g enerally experience fewer showings, while having a higher likelihood that a showing will turn into an offer,” the team responded in an email.

Baird and War ner’s Vanessa Willey says that she always tells her clients, “Houses sell year-round, and the best time to sell is when you’ re ready.”

She notes that because choosing to sell a house can be an emotional decision,

Sometimes, sellers here don’ t want to list when their yards are barren and snow-filled, but Willey notes that weather is not as important as people think and the period between T hanksgiving and New Year’s Day can be sur prising.

She recalls December 2012 was one of her busiest seasons as the real estate world emerged from the recession of 2008.

“I put on an open house in January 2013, and the line was out the door,” she said, adding that the housing market is closely tied to the economy and that the economy can be more of a factor than the season.

T he agents all say that it’s not uncommon to see less serious buyers drop out of the market during the busy holiday season, but those who remain are often there for a reason.

“If someone is touring homes instead of celebrating the season with friends and f amily, they likely need to buy a home quickly and could be willing to pay more,” Paler mo said.

“Buyers who are out there are very serious and ready to pull the trigger,” Willey added.

Decorate with a light hand

Palermo says that staging a home during the holidays can be tied into holiday decorating if sellers keep it simple.

“Just be careful not to overdo it, as décor that is too large or over the top can distract buyers,” she said.

Willey ag rees that sellers should tone it down if they are selling during the holidays.

“It’s not optimal if the house is fully decorated, she said. “It can make it harder for buyers to envision themselves in the house.”

The Gillian-Baker team also advises adding subtle touches to your home during the holidays if you want to sell. While warm and cozy accents are good, they caution sellers not to overdo it as they want potential buyers to focus on the home not the holiday décor.

In general, Willey notes that April is the busiest month for real estate sales, and that June tends to slow down as buyers get busy with graduations, the end of the school

year and weddings.

She says that next year, a lot of factors will go into the market. Houses were in short supply during the busy spring market of 2022, so it’s possible there will be more early buyers out there who are very motivated to buy. The economy will weigh on buyers’ minds as well.

“There’s a lot of psycholo gy involved,” Willey said. “If buyers are worried about the economy, that could slow things. Right now, there’s some worry but not as much as the last recession.”

The agents with the Gillian-Baker Group note, “Higher interest rates have added an extra chill to the real estate market this holiday season as buyers adjust to the new normal. Interest rates changed rapidly this year, which caught many off-guard and understandably have taken a moment to adjust their expectations. We fully anticipate the market to pick up in the New Year.”

Willey ag rees that interest rates are a factor, and stresses that sellers should not try to market-time what is a deeply personal decision. If she had sellers who were ready to move, she might advise them to list on Dec. 27 to take advantage of there being fewer houses on the market and to get those motivated buyers in the door.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

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A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues. We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours. Immediate

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

30 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
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OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 31
Realistic Expectation–Proven Results
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32 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM 708.524.1100 114 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60301 COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM Please Like Coldwell Banker Realty - Oak Park Formerly Gloor Realty On Facebook laurie.shapiro@cbrealty.com Laurie Shapiro 708.203.3614 andrea.bonnie@cbexchange.com Andrea Bonnie Routen 708.544.8440 deborahsellsoakpark4u@gmail.com Deborah Wess 708.212.1122 stephanie.eiger@cbexchange.com Stephanie Eiger 708.557.0779 sara.faust@cbexchange.com Sara Faust 708.772.7910 teamgo2girls@gmail.com Lisa Andreoli 708.557.9546 Meredith Conn 708.743.6973 Team Go2Girls sgraves@cbexchange.com Sandi Graves 708.752.6540 shea@cbexchange.com Shea Kiessling 708.710.5952 suecanepahomes@gmail.com Sue Canepa 312.203.0848 lisa.grimes@cbrealty.com Lisa Grimes 708.205.9518 Happy Holidays! Best wishes for health, togetherness and peace in the new year. The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2022 Coldwell Banker Realty. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Realty fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Realty LLC.
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 33 KEEPYOURHOLIDAYSHOPPINGLOCAL! Didyouknow??? Whenyoushoplocal,approximately 67%ofeverydollaryouspend remainslocal.Shoppinglocal supportsyourfriends,your neighbors,yourtown,especially inOakParkandRiverForest. Justdoit!Itmakessense. Scanthecodetolearnmore aboutyourlocalbusinesses. Your Guide to Holiday Shopping & Dining in Oak Park, River Forest & Forest Park Holiday Spectacular! 2022 Scan to see tons of local shopping options

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Festive fare and holiday dishes at Donny G’s

Elmwood Park eatery ready to help you celebrate in style

As the holidays draw near, hungry folks looking to gather around the table often turn to the hearty homestyle dishes that make the season bright.

Donny G’s Ristorante and Bar, 7308 W. North Ave., brings fine dining fare with an Italian flair to Elmwood Park. Their refined menu of appetizers, pastas, and seafood shines during this merry time of year.

George Diamond is eager to welcome guests into the restaurant located on the threshold of Restaurant Row in Elmwood Park and personally promises to make “your time at Donny G’s the best” it can be. The mainstay restaurant has made a name for itself by serving simple Italian home-style fare and offering regular musical entertainment. They have grown to be known for serving up cocktails from two top shelf cocktail bars and offering space for both private events and intimate meals. And now they are poised to bring a festive feel to your holi-

day meals by offering on-site dining and catering.

Diamond assures his friendly and accommodating staff will make any visit to Donny G’s feel like a special event and his trio of chefs are whipping up a diverse array of Italian American specialties based on old world family recipes. He recommends starting your meal with an order of their best-selling artichoke hearts. They serve up the popular appetizers by the hundreds during the annual Taste of Elmwood Park and serve them six to an order in house. The olive oil packed hearts are stuffed with breadcrumbs and Parmesan and served in a lemon butter sauce. This is knife and fork fare worthy of a special occasion.

Pasta lovers can commune over a bowl of four corners pasta featuring rigatoni with mushrooms, peas and sausage in a light tomato cream sauce.

The offering is among the most popular on a menu of favorites that includes mellow pasta blanca, spicy penne arrabbiata, and niche neck bone gravy.

“All of our pastas are delicious,” said Diamond. “But if you want to try the one that Donny G’s is best known for, the four corners rigatoni is the one you want.”

Bonnie and Kim will be performing live at Donny G’s on Dec. 23 and the restaurant is open with limited hours on Christmas Eve. Call the restaurant for a reservation. In addition, Diamond was quick to point out how easy it is to host your own “Feast of the Seven Fishes” with support from Donny G’s. Their robust catering menu includes seabass, whitefish, clams, shrimp and lobster dishes suitable for making a Christmas Eve seafood celebra-

34 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
George Diamond, general manager at Donny G’s takes pride in his staff, loyal customers and menu of traditional Italian dishes. Four corners pasta is an indulgent favorite at Donny G’s in Elmwood Park. Whitefish as served at Donny G’s with lemon butter sauce.

tion with ease.

“We easily have hundreds of catering orders for the holidays,” said Diamond. “We can still take more and look forward to helping people have a memorable meal.”

Known for great food, thoughtful service and a welcoming atmosphere, Donny G’s is a delight any time of year, but their fes-

tively decorated dining room offers a little something extra during the holiday season. If you’re looking for some Christmas cheer, you’ll find it at Donny G’s in Elmwood Park.

Happy holidays from George Diamond and the entire staff at Donny G’s!

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 35
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Struggles continue for OPRF girls basketball

Huskies winless heading into Hinsdale Central, Trinity contests

With just one returning starter from last season, things figured to be challenging for the Oak Park and River Forest High School girls basketball team.

The Huskies under second-year coach Carlton Rosemond have yet to get into the win column, and the season-long struggles continued Dec. 9 as OPRF fell 60-31 to visiting Downers Grove North and on Dec. 12 to Mother McAuley by a score of 59-23.

“They executed a lot better than we did,” said Rosemond of thenHuskies’ gam,e against Downers Grove North. “A the beginning of the game, we followed the game plan and gave them a hard time defensively, but we’ve got to do that for the entire 32 minutes and not just for three to four minutes in a quarter.”

OPRF (0-9, 0-3 in the West Suburban Silver) had some offensive troubles as well. The Huskies passed up a few good open looks and shot 31 percent (11-of-35 field goals) for the evening, including just two field goals in the first half.

“As a coach, I tell every girl, ‘If you’ re open, take the shot whether you’ re a great shooter or not,’” Rosemond said. “To pass up an open shot is an empty possession, because there’s a good chance we’ll turn the ball over or have a tougher shot. It’s very frustrating.”

Junior Taylor Smith was OPRF’s sole player to reach double digits in scoring against DGN, tallying 11 points. Senior Angela Sunardio had six points and senior Libby Majka five points, while senior Teshell O’Neal grabbed six rebounds.

The Huskies have a young roster and Rosemond recently added two freshmen (Gabriella Chesney and Leia Hammerschmidt) and a sophomore (Anna Breuer) to the roster in hopes of providing a boost. But he cautioned that while the newcomers have talent, they’ve got a tough transition to the varsity level.

“It’s a big task for them,” he said. “They’v e been thrown into the fire a little bit and they’re not used to the game going this fast. All I’m asking them to do is to play and keep developing.”

Rosemond admits it’s not easy for OPRF to remain positive given its rough start. But he remains optimistic the Huskies will eventually turn the corner and see tangible progress.

“It’s difficult, I can’t lie and say it’s not,” he said. “One of the things I’m trying to get them to understand is that we have to trust that if we continue with the process of trying to develop, we’ll see some more ability out of us. The only way to build up confidence is to keep working, and I’m con-

Oak Park River Forest High School senior Angelina Sunardio guards a Dow ners Grove North opponent during the Huskies’ 60-31 loss on Dec. 9 in Oak Park. e Huskies have strug gled out of the gate, falling to 0-9 overall.

fident that the team we have can start competing better.”

OPRF has back-to-back home games with Hinsdale Central on Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. followed by neighborhood rival Trinity on Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Fenwick fells Oak Forest

Grace Kapsch had 14 points to lead Fenwick High School to a 50-37 victory over Oak Forest on Dec. 10 at the Marian Catholic Holiday Tournament.

Allie Heyer scored 13 points and Cam Brusca added 11 points for the Friars (4-6), who play Neuqua Valley on Dec. 14. Fenwick has its final tour nament game Dec. 16 with its opponent to be determined.

Trinity drops a pair

Poor free-throw shooting doomed Trinity High School in a 50-46 Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division home loss Dec. 6 to St. Ignatius. The Blazers (5-3, 1-1 GCAC Red) went just 9-of-22 from the charity stripe.

Lauren Miller posted another double-double for Trinity with 18 points and 13 rebounds with three steals. Cierra Richardson had 12 points and eight rebounds while Maeve Lundt added seven points and five rebounds.

After falling at Waukesha (Wisconsin) West 68-38 on Dec. 10, the Blazers faced visiting Rosary on Dec. 13, after the Wednesday Journal’s press time. They’ll then go to neighboring OPRF on Dec. 17.

Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 37
SPORTS
APRIL ALONSO/Contributor

OPRF gymnasts o to strong start in new campaign

Huskies follow win over LTHS with 5th place at Hinsdale Invite

Oak Park and River Forest High School junior Violet Ruff nearly qualified for the 2022 girls gymnastics state meet on vault.

“I want to really focus on vault [this season],” Ruff said. “I want to really perfect my vault so I can make it [to state].”

On her first competitive vault of the season Dec 10, Ruff showed why she’s among the Huskies’ many sectional and state hopefuls Ruff solidly landed her tuck Yurchenko for a fourth-place 9.3 at the Hinsdale Central Invitational.

“I think that’s the highest [score] I’ve gotten in high school with that vault,” Ruff said. “I was really nervous but then I just kind of

pulled it out and landed it.”

OPRF (132.225 points) finished fifth as a team in their second meet with a regularscoring format

Senior Maya Lim finished sixth on floor exercise (8.725) as the Huskies competed with five all-arounders – Lim (34.125, 11th), Ruff (33.55, 12th), senior Caroline Raducha (32.55, tied for 14th), freshman Maisie Hoerster (31.50, 19th), and junior Gabby Morales (31.30, 20th).

The Huskies improved upon their 128.85 to 125.60 victory at Lyons Township on Dec 7. Ruff missed that meet and junior all-arounder Grace Walker was absent at Hinsdale Junior Eleanor Wolski remains sidelined by an ankle injury

“Once we get them all together for a meet, that would be interesting,” OPRF coach Kris Wright said. “We’re getting cleaner, connecting [skills], staying on our equipment better I’m happy where we’re at right now. As the season goes on, we keep getting better That’s the goal.”

At the 2022 Oswego Sectional, Ruff ’s 9.0 vault tied for seventh, only 15 points from advancing to state automatically with a topfive sectional finish. The at-large state cut was 9.225.

Much to Wright’s delight, Ruff wants to upgrade her vault to a pike Yurchenko, which has a higher scoring potential.

“I’ve worked on them in the past, like last year. But I will resume,” Ruff said.

Lim has strong postseason chances on

floor, where she was especially pleased with her first tumbling pass, vault and all-around at Hinsdale Central.

“I think [state is] doable,” Lim said. “We have a lot of freshmen, new people who have never done high school gymnastics before Together I feel like we have a chance at making it, even past sectionals.”

Lim tied for 11th on vault (8.95) and also had the Huskies’ highest scores on uneven parallel bars (8.15, 13th) and balance beam (8.3, 17th).

At LTHS, Lim won vault (8.8) and beam (8.4) with a second-place 32.70 all-around

“I just tried to do my nor mal routine [on uneven bars at Hinsdale] and I ended up getting a decent score,” Lim said. “[On beam] nor mally I kind of wobble a little bit or fall, but today I was just solid.”

Other top-15 finishers at Hinsdale Central were Raducha on vault (8.8, 13th) and Ruff, who shared 14th on uneven bars (8.1) and 15th on floor (8.3). At LTHS, Raducha (8.3 on beam) and Morales (8.7 on vault) were second

OPRF wrestlers win two of three at quad meet

The Oak Park and River Forest High School wrestling team went 2-1 in a quadrangular meet it hosted on Dec. 10.

The Huskies defeated Neuqua Valley 5024 and Riverside-Brookfield 42-25, but lost to DeKalb 52-21.

OPRF had five wrestlers win all three of their matches: Zev Koransky at 113 pounds, David Ogunsanya at 126, Joe Knackstedt at 132, Vance Domenz at 182 (all via pin) and Eric Har ris at heavyweight.

The Huskies will spend this weekend at

Hinsdale Central. They’ ll take on the host Red Devils in a dual Dec. 15, then participate in the Rex Whitlach Tour nament Dec. 16-17.

Boys basketball

Darshan Thomas had 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists to lead Fenwick (5-4, 1-2 in the Chicago Catholic League) to a 62-56 home victory over Mar mion Academy Dec. 7.

Ty Macariola had 18 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Damion Por ter Jr. added nine points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Friars

After losing at Loyola Academy 4227 on Dec 9, Fenwick has road c ontests at Providence Catholic on Dec 13 (after We d nesd ay Jour nal’s press time) and St. Ignatius on Dec. 16 before retur ning home to meet Bulls Prep on Dec. 20.

T he OPRF boys f ell to 3-4 for the season with a 59-56 loss at Glenbrook S outh on

Dec. 10.

Justin Bowen led the Huskies with 14 points and eight rebounds. Christian Marshall had 12 points and Max J ohnson a dded 11.

OPRF hosts Hinsdale C entral in the West Suburban C onference Sil ve r Division opener Dec 16. Tipo ff is scheduled for 6pm. T he Huskies then tr avel to La ke Fo rest on Dec. 17 for a non-conference affair.

38 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM SPORTS
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The Environment is Fundamental to Equity in the Community

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is honored to be among the people and organizations nominated for Oak Park’s first-ever Green Awards. We were recognized for providing critical support for the Village of Oak Park’s Climate Ready Plan, a comprehensive and long-range plan to respond to the global climate crisis.

In our recent community needs assessment, summarized in the Community Voices report, we learned that access to green spaces was among the priorities identified by underrepresented communities in our region. Urban green spaces — such as parks, forest preserves, sports fields and gardens — give people room for relaxation, physical activity, peaceful reflection and escape from summer heat. Multiple studies have shown that they reduce stress and enhance both mental and physical health. Through its PlanItGreen initiative, the Foundation has provided funding for extensive outreach to Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) and low-to-moderate income residents and youth to provide input into the development of the Climate Ready Plan. Consultant Sydney Jackson reached out to BIPOC organizations, established affinity groups with Village Sustainability Coordinator

Marcella Bondie, and conducted outreach to youth via It’s Our Future and other avenues. Additional outreach includes a “house party” strategy to engage BIPOC residents and those living in low- to moderate-income apartments to take advantage of energy efficiency opportunities linked to the plan.

PlanItGreen has also worked beyond Oak Park and River Forest to support communities in the west Cook County region with initiatives around greenhouse gas emissions reductions, equity and sustainability. To date the project has supported the Village of Broadview with its Solar Corridor initiative; the development of an Illinois Solar for All community solar array in Maywood; and analysis of Bethel New Life buildings in Austin for potential solar arrays. In addition, PlanItGreen collaborated on the development of the Cross Community Climate Collaborative (C4) with 15 mayoral commitments designed to drive climate, equity and sustainability outcomes in black, brown and white communities in west suburban Cook County.

The Foundation’s mission is focused on uniting community members and mobilizing resources to advance a racially just society and equitable outcomes for residents

of west Cook County. Advocating for increased access to green space is just one of the many ways we are working to create a world in which all members of our community have the ability to thrive and prosper. Join us in this work by making a donation to the Foundation today.

40 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
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Tax bill bring modest increases to most homeow

The recently mailed second installment property tax bills reflect modest annual changes compared to last year’s bills, with business taxes increasing by 2.5% and most residential properties experiencing smaller tax increases or These changes are primarily due to a tax levy increase of 1.4% from the taxing districts that serve Oak Pa

This year was heavily influenced Illinois’ Tax Cap La is designed to match re owth with increases in the cost of gover nment operations and taxpayers’ ability to pa done by limiting most tax levy increases to the rate of inflation. Since inflation in the United States has recently reached the highest levels in 40 years, one might wonder how the Tax Cap Law limited local spending increases to just 1.4% this year. The reason for this is that we pay property taxes in arrears. So even though this is calendar year 2022, we are paying 2021 taxes. And under the Tax Cap Law, 2021 tax increases are based on inflation for the one-year period that ended in December of 2020. In 2020, inflation was low as the economy struggled with the effects of the pandemic. In 2021, however, the economy started to expand and for a number of reasons, inflation spiked. For the one-year period that ended in December of 2021, the rate of inflation was 7.0%. Taxpayers should be aware that under the Tax Cap Law, 2021’s higher rate of inflation will influence the calculation of 2022 property taxes that will be paid in calendar year 2023.

If inflation w as 7% in 2021, does that mean property taxes will increase by 7% ne xt year?

Not necessarily. The Tax Cap Law allows most taxing

Wednesday Journal’s Dec. 7 cover story on OPRF’s Imagine Project 2 includes the charge that the Imagine OPRF Working Group was “stacked with aquatic team parents,” as if the Imagine process were rigged from the star t.

Fo r those of us who ser ve d, the claim that the 40-person team was actually a colossal p ool conspira cy with a single agenda is n’ t so much i nsulting as simply uninfor med. Pe rhaps a quic k refresher is in orde r.

In 2017, the District 200 school board tasked 30 c ommunity members and 10 OPRF High School fac-

ulty and staf f — a dive rs e, re presentative cross-section of Oak Pa rk and Rive r Fo rest — with an immense but clear mission: investi gate and analyze ever y space within the million-square-foot building, identify space needs and safety c oncerns, and prioritize those need s.

We we re deter mined to perform our wo rk through the lens of equity; to consider ever y stakeholder; to investi gate and analyze info rm atio n without prejudging it; and to be completely transparent with the board, students, faculty, families,

Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 41
What Lola doesn’t want p. 43
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OUR VIEWS

Sadly, rallying against hate

Adiscouraging moment when two Oak Park village trustees feel it necessary to host an “anti-hate” event in Scoville Park. But that is the circumstance we find ourselves in as Americans, where a vocal minority spews hate and fear of a widely defined “other” and has its voice amplified across right-wing media and social media. We now see this “speech” being transformed into active violence and, in some places, even into public policy Chibuike Enyia and Susan Buchanan will host this event on Dec. 21 at 3:30 p.m. This is the winter solstice, the year’s shortest day, and one in which we might all turn toward light.

Active countering to the rhetoric being hurled at neighbors based on faith, race, gender, and sexual orientation is essential even in a community that works intentionally toward inclusion. The hate cannot be left unchallenged. It cannot be normalized in any moment, in any place.

We’ll be in Scoville Park on Dec. 21. Stand up to this assault on American values.

OPRF’s big decision

It is hard to celebrate a property tax increase just because it is lower than state tax cap laws would allow. But we give credit to the school board at Oak Park and River Forest High School for holding its annual hike to 3.96%. That’s the action we anticipate from the school board when it meets this week.

In an inflationary moment, this is about a point-and-a-half less than OPRF might have levied. More notably, it continues a very intentional taxing approach over the past 10 years for the school to not tax to its maximum. Of course, that came after a decade of intentionally overtaxing River Forest and Oak Park taxpayers while building up an absurd cash reserve of well over $100 million.

That greedy albatross understandably demolished good will toward the school even as the reserve has been thoughtfully diminished through smart policy. It continues to haunt discussions about the massive but overdue Imagine OPRF renovation projects. And it will be central to discussions of how to fund a next phase with the gargantuan $100 million price tag.

In our news report this week, Tom Cofsky, the OPRF school board president, and an architect of gradually reducing the reserve and limiting tax hikes, thoughtfully makes the case that property tax hikes ought to be used to fund ongoing school operations. Funding major overhauls of the campus after 50 years of not investing in the school’s facilities need other methods and approaches.

In the early months of 2023, the school board will need to decide on that funding. The cur rent for mula would likely include a major drawdown of the remaining reserve, some notable portion raised through philanthropy, and then rightly, some form of long-term debt. These are improvements for the generations of OPRF families and these villages. That debt will be re paid from funds raised from those future beneficiaries only makes sense.

The issue will be the form of debt incurred and whether taking on that debt is a decision approved via referendum by taxpayers. Increasingly we are certain that the only way past the albatross earlier boards and administrations created is through this school actively, confidently, enthusiastically making its case to voters and winning a referendum.

One day, two anniversar ies

Two anniversaries today, the first as painful as can be: Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, 10 years ago (Dec. 14, 2012). Twenty firstgraders and six staff (including the principal) gunned down by a lost soul with an assault weapon.

Twenty first-graders … let that image steep in your mind a while … because we need to remember it. On Memorial Day each May, we hold it to be our sacred duty as citizens not to forget those who gave their lives in war, defending our liberty. One of those liberties is enshrined in the Second Amendment: the right to keep and bear ar ms. It is likewise our sacred duty to remember those who gave their lives as a result of that largely unregulated liberty.

KEN TRAINOR

tended Proviso Township High School (now Proviso East). A graduate of Purdue University (also Neil Ar mstrong’s alma mater), he became a U.S. Navy fighter pilot, then entered the astronaut corps in 1963.

Cer nan flew in space three times, twice to the moon (one of only three astronauts to do so). In 1966, he became the third American to walk in space.

With Apollo 10 in 1969, a few months before Apollo 11’s famed first landing, Cer nan and Tom Stafford tested the lunar module (Snoopy) flying within nine miles of the moon’s surface, which must have been tantalizing. They perfor med everything except the final descent.

By a strong majority, Americans want something done about the almost daily occurrence of mass murder in this country using firearms. In Oak Park in 2014, over 92 percent of voters approved a nonbinding referendum calling for a nationwide background check system, no loopholes, no exceptions, one system that everybody follows. Cook County voters, in the same election, approved a much broader non-binding referendum that included an assault weapon ban, with roughly 80 percent voting in favor (85 percent in River Forest).

We know we’re the majority, but our will is not a priority among Congressional Republicans.

After the massacre of the innocents at Sandy Hook, their parents traveled to Washington DC to make impassioned pleas to do something about this national nightmare. One father said they were going after the “low-hanging fruit” of national background checks. “I figured we’d at least get that,” he said. The Republicans voted it down.

You’ve got to be pretty hard-hearted to face the parents of murdered first-graders and say No. Dec. 14 should be declared a national day of mour ning — our second Memorial Day — for all the victims of this country’s shameful legacy of mass shootings.

A Candlelight Peace Vigil and Day of Remembrance will be held tonight at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., at 6 p.m., in partnership with hundreds of vigils nationwide (#HonorWithAction, #EndGunViolence). And please support House Bill 5855 (which includes an Illinois assault weapons ban) as it makes its way through the state legislature.

Then he was assigned to what tur ned out to be the final moon mission, Apollo 17, during which he spent 22 hours, over three days, walking (or driving the lunar rover) on the moon before leaving the last human footprint on its surface — 50 years ago today Before climbing the ladder to depart, he had this to say:

“As I take man’s last step from the surface, back home for some time to come — but we believe not too long into the future — I’d like to say what I believe history will record: that America’s challenge of today has forged man’s destiny of tomorrow. And as we leave the moon at Taurus–Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17.”

What was it like to have been to the moon — twice, no less, in three years — by the age of 38, then live another 44 years back on Earth with the memories of it?

Gene Cernan knew the moon better than any man alive. He died in 2017 at the age of 82. Only four of the 12 men who walked on the lunar surface are still living. Locally, he is being remembered by the Cer nan Space Center at Triton Colle ge, which has a special exhibit running through April.

Cer nan and Apollo 17 are also on many minds this week because of NASA’s first return trip to the moon in 50 years with Artemis 1, a program that will carry humans back to the lunar surface and eventually, if all goes well, to Mars. The unmanned capsule successfully landed in the Pacific this past Sunday. The timing was no coincidence.

On this day of two anniversaries, there is hope on two fronts: that we will continue our manned exploration deeper into space and, equally important, we will begin at long last to reduce the horrific toll taken by gun violence in this country.

The second anniversary is brighter — as bright as the moon: Dec. 14, 1972 was the last time a human being walked on the moon. The last man was Eugene Cer nan, who grew up in nearby Bellwood and at-

That would make Dec. 14 each year a day of solemn remembrance … but also an occasion for celebration.

Our second Memorial Day.

VIEWPOINT S 42 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022
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When Swan Lake turns into Night on Bald Mountain

Ado g ballet is perfor med every mor ning in Oak Park — really all day, every day. The choreographed canine-and-walker dance goes like this: A dog and its owner walk down a block. Looking ahead to the next corner, they see … another dog and its owner.

Do g-walk-dance etiquette is clear. The do g and person nearest to a cor ner should take the next tur n and clear a path for the approaching dog and owner

O ccasionally, do g walkers who are not payin g attention ignore the protocol and end up playin g chicken, two do gs headin toward one another. Do gs are optimists. How could a little sni ff hur t? It ’s the owners who know when a do g doesn’t play well.

WEDNESD AY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Michael Romain

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Publishing and Technology Manager Briana Higgins Staff Repor ters Stacey Sher idan

Staff Photographers Alex Rogals, Shanel Romain

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Big Week Editor James Porter

Columnists Marc Bleso , Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Harriet Hausman, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Donor Relations Manager/Food Editor Melissa Elsmo

S ales & Digital Development Manager Stacy Coleman

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JACK CROWE

A breach of protocol and an advancing do g c an require a mid-block reassessment. Do I do the p olite thing and cross the street? The problem is tha do gs, li ke people, can ca rr a lot of bagg ag e.

Ta ke Lola, my daughter ’s mixed-pointer wh o visits Oak Pa rk from Ann Arbor, Michig an. Sh e c ould care less about people, including me. Lola’ DNA has her progr ammed for hunting squi rrels Just tod ay, she nearly triumphed. She isolated a squi rrel on a bench at Lindberg Pa rk . The squi rrel made a nar row escape — zigzagging to a tree, L ola in hot pursuit.

S he continued to the next bush, hoping to flush a rabbit

A lso, Lola has something da rk in her past, wh at I call do gg y PTSD. Her playing, especially with big do gs, tur ns first to roughhousing, then growling, and then out-and-out do g-fighting L ola has a past. She was a rescue, a str ay found in a far mer ’s field in winter, with puppie s, and next to a deer carcass she had been feeding on. L ola does not react well to being charged by other do gs. So I go out of my way to avo id oncoming do gs

Exce pt for this one woman who always has her do g of f leash at Lindberg. Eve ry pa rk has someone li ke her. They are convinced that their do g’s ps ycholo gical well-being demands freedom from a leash. They beli eve their do g is elite, triumphant, and more moral than all the leashed do gs.

Her do g, a big yellow lab, runs up to other do gs

Lola has some bag gage.

on leash at Lindberg. Usually the woman shouts, “Don’t wo rr y. He’s friendly. He wo n’ t hur t you. ”

T he unleashed yellow lab ran toward Lola. Uh-oh.

I put myself between Lola and the yellow lab. L ola gave her most ferocious growl, bared her teeth, snapping.

T he yellow lab, oblivious, ran into the vo r tex and after a few snaps from Lola, it retreated. It upset Lola and me.

T he woman came up to her dazed do g. I sugg ested that since all the other do gs we re on leashes her do g should do the same

S he said her do g was fin e. It was other do gs that we re the problem.

And that, friends, is how Swan La ke can bec ome an alley fight.

Jack Crowe is an Oak Pa rk resident and a ve ry o ccasional columnist for Viewpoints

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, re 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 ling.

Please understand our veri cation 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 veri cation, 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 con rm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay.

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

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Village board: Too quick to congratulate itself

In our time of economic uncer tainty, recession, and spiraling debt and pension costs, our village board has made the baffling decision to cong ratulate itself for 0% levy growth. That 0% is solely based upon one year’s expenditure of ARPA funds

During this budget session, we decided to only think shor t-ter m and add $3 million of expenses to the village budget and 9 (8.75) heads to the employment rolls. Most of which went to the (arguably of little value) health depar tment, doubling its headcount and budget. Unfortunately math is dif ficult and compounding costs are not taken into account on out-year expenditures. We’ ll have to pay for those nine people for a long time Their salaries, cost-of-living increases, their benefits, and pensions. This is another case of le gacy/empire building that only leaves behind a wake of fiscal ir responsibility. As evidence of the past is a great predictor of future perfor mance, we expect this to be the new baseline of village expenses and head counts People wonder why our taxes continue to grow and lower income/ seniors continue to be pushed out of Oak Park. Look no fur ther than our own village

Shor t-ter m thinking with long-ter m implications

Add sustainable quality to green dining

I’ve been an environmental advocate since 1968. I am also a natural foods educator and certified wellness and health coach. It doesn’t seem that food quality was mentioned as part of the criteria to be a green restaurant with Takeout 25. Saving energy and having sustainable packaging are impor tant, but food quality is a vital sustainability issue for personal and planetary health.

Sustainable foods are those raised org anically. Big Ag chemicals are destroying the soil and its natural microbiome, diminishing the soil’s ability to sequester carbon. Also, Monsanto/Bayer’s GMOs (no longitudinal studies have been done) and their disastrous RoundUp/glyphosate are destroying the soil’s microbiome, preventing nutrient uptake in the food, and also reducing the soil’s ability to sequester carbon. It is damaging our human microbiome and thus is a root cause of chronic diseases since about 85% of our immune system is in our gut (our microbiome) and those amazing critters inside each of us

say “Yes” to ear th and water and sky and far mers and all those w ho pick, haul, handle, cut, cook, deliver, and eat foods.

Eating and supporting Big Ag chemicals and farming is not sustainable. Let’s eat truly green and sustainably. Let’s eat org anic. Let’s eat foods even from re g enerative farms.

As we say “No” to Monsanto and Big Ag and how they have dominated the food supply, we can create a more sustainable food supply even in restaurants This ef fort is a significant one to help heal T he Mother. That would mean no Monsanto oils like canola, corn or soy, or other GMO and chemicalized foods. Most restaurants have caved in and use these de graded and toxic oils and ingredients.

So as part of the green initiative of Takeout 25, could each restaurant of fer even one menu item (more would be great, of course) that is org anic, local when possible, and free of pesticides, herbicides and Monsanto/Bayer GMOs and Glyphosate/ Roundup?

All these Big Ag pesticides and herbicides add toxic chemicals to soil, air, water, food, and people T hey are part of the fossil fuel industry. T hey are the fossil fuel industry.

We can do better We can say “No” to them and

Creatively add in allergen-free and you have a way to educate as well as to grab new customers. I would love to eat out in restaurants again.

44 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM VIEWPOINT S
WEDNESD AY JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest December 7, 2022 Vo 43, No 19 $2.00 Critics and supporters of OPRF’s $100M project speak up The pool, equity and nancing spark debate By BOB SKOLNIK ontributing Reporter ot surprisingly the un iling of the schematic esign and projected $99.5 million ost for wh is alled Projec at Oak Pa and Ri Fo est High School has pr oked umerous public omments recent meetings of the OPRF District 200 Board of Education and at the Nov. meeting of the district’s ommunity Finance ommittee The plan demolish the southeast po ion of the cu rent building and build new physical education facilities, including new 10-lane, 25-by-40-yard swimming pool with three diving stations and 420-seat observation galler lus some theater and dance space upgrades, ambitious and expensi “This is the biggest project in the history of the rl around her said one member of the Community Finance Committee at the committee’s No meeting. Supporters Project say the current physical education facilities including two nearly century-old imming pools, are woefully outdated and impr ements are long erdu See PROJECT on page Drones over Scoville Holida light show in Oak Park makes up for lack of July 4 fireworks SEE MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7 T M T WO DERFU U D O HE N E 36 Wednesda Journal, December 7, 2022 Give the Gift that’s Delivered all Year! SUBSCRIRIBE for $30 Visit OakPark.com/subscribe Use Promo code: ELFDEAL New subscriptions in Cook County. O er valid thru 12/31/2022

Are foxes guarding the hen house?

Imagine a Supreme Court wherein the justices make their own rules for decisions with rare limitations and minimal use of Constitutional guidelines. Is this fair?

I have grave concerns that our some of our SCOTUS justices look at opposing questions and make rulings with a seemingly partisan bias.

Precedence in the law has little value to some of these current justices. Just look at what is being debated in our Supreme Court this very day. Our Supreme Court justices are now discussing allowing state legislators the power to decide election results re gardless of the outcome of the actual vote in their respective states.

HAUSMAN

His behavior is inappropriate and he should be admonished. His wife was involved with the ation and continues to be an ardent 2020 vely and ing the

As an American citizen, Mrs. Thomas has the right to her own opinions and choices, but she should not be on the frontlines of partisan politics while her husband serves as a supposedly non-partisan Supreme Court justice. Longstanding tradition holds that justices must not demonstrate even the appearance of bias or partiality.

This outrageous proposal is impossible to fathom, and it is frightening that this court might rule, moving forward, that legislators have this right.

By Constitutional law, only Congress can initiate an investigation of the Supreme Court — and only with sufficient evidence of concerns to do so. Legal finding that this court is biased would be a difficult process because intent must be proven.

Yet the Hon. Clarence Thomas is an example of one justice who has displayed a partisan bias via his voting record, public comments, and written judgments.

With ex-President Trump’s appointment of three justices to the Supreme Court and the appointment of three previously appointed justices by Re publican presidents, there is an appearance of partisan bias. This needs to be closely examined.

It is extremely important that we contact our re presentatives in Congress and voice our concerns. Perpetuating a strong democracy, rooted in the Constitution, requires our justices to make judgments that are wise and fair, and not influenced by personal political biases.

Please join me in this ef fort

Harriet Hausman is a longtime River Forest resident and a re gular columnist for Growing Community Media.

Pool renovation should be modest

In re ga rd to last week’s article on the proposed c onstruction at OPRF [ C ritics and supporters of OPRF’s $100M project speak up , News, Dec. 7], I f eel I c an provide an important, and so far unheard, viewpoint: that of the students.

T hough I find the p lan to be excessive, up gr ades to the school’s existing facilities need to be mad e. T he cu rr ent p ools are difficult to use for normal sw im meets, and dive meets c annot be held because OPRF d oes not have a divin g b oard.

As for t ypical p ool use by the Physical Education De par tment, the pools are fa r b elow those of schools in c omparable districts.

T he article mentioned the funds OPRF cu rr ently has at its disposal. I think that money should be p ut toward a muc h more modest r enovation that impr oves the p ools themselves as o pposed to r enovating the entire section of the school that holds the pools

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 45 VIEWPOINT S
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An outrageous Forest Preserves whodunit

I’m normally a fan of the Cook County Forest Preserves. But this holiday season, I’m tempted to send headquarters a stocking of coal. I’ve wandered many trails in Thatcher Woods since the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. Suffering from the angst and depression that COVID brought to us, I found peace being outside in the woods. I was not the only one. In winter of 2020, Thatcher Woods trails slowly filled with parents and children looking for relief from the boredom and anxiety caused by COVID.

SUSAN SCHROERING

One View

primitive village. I am not a professional, but I photographed these structures because I recognized they represented a unique time and place in our local and world history. At the same time, I thought about how often creativity comes from despair.

creative touches, far too numerous to recount here.

But most impressive to me, was the wizard’s memorial to COVID causalities More than 50 COVID face masks of all kinds, colors, and messages hung in display with a sign stating, “Each mask honors 5,000 Americans that we have lost to corona virus.”

To my delight, I noticed what I call, “COVID cabins,” springing up alongside the trails These were simple structures created by family teamwork, imagination, and minds free of computers, TV and, temporarily, worry. They were arranged with dead branches and logs to resemble a tepee or sometimes a domed structure.

As time passed, some budding builders added log stools, welcome signs, and other fun features. At one time, the Trailside Museum path was lined with nearly 10 of these structures, creating the illusion of a long-ago

One cold, snowy March day, I discovered a very special COVID cabin off the beaten path, not far from Trailside Museum. It stopped me in my tracks. It was as if some woodland wizard, noticing our crushed spirits, had created a magical place of respite. The wooden doorway threshold read in handdrawn balloon letters: Chur Shangri La. The flooring was neatly lined with discarded tree bark from the woods. Words of inspiration (Love, Grateful, COVID Retreat), adorned with carved and stenciled dragonflies and birds were placed whimsically among the carefully laid wall of branches

There was a rope swing inside, a bucket of tennis balls, a doggie water bowl, a collection of walking sticks with a carved note saying, “Take one or add one.” There was even a guest book and pen for visitors to leave their thoughts. There were many other thoughtful,

I visited this COVID Retreat often that spring, witnessing the evolving touches made by the woodland wizard: a glass garden, springtime jonquils growing in the hollowed shell of a tree trunk, a branch-lined walkway. I was impressed that someone took the time and energy to make such a special place. I wished to meet this wizard but never did.

Then one day — to my horror — it was all gone. Someone dismantled all the COVID cabins, including the Chur Shangri La COVID Retreat — sometimes using chainsaws. Who would do such a thing? Was it meanspirited vandals? Surely the Forest Preserves wouldn’t condone the destruction of natureinduced creativity, spawned as a refuge from a deadly virus. I never asked the folks at Trailside Museum. I was too sad and upset to say anything then.

I still think about that senseless destruction of creativity meant to bring peace and quiet joy to a world filled with panic. Recently, I’ve noticed a few brave COVID cabins have resurrected further in the woods. I even spotted one in late summer that struck me as familiar Words of inspiration (Humble, Grateful, Blessed) carved into the graceful curve of a large log. The beginnings of a bark floor. A chairback and seat, somehow molded onto a higher log for a lofty view of the woods. I knew instantly, it was the work of The Wizard. And yet, this past week, it has been laid to bare — yet again dismantled for no apparent reason! Mean-spirited vandals again? Or mean-spirited Forest Preserves bureaucrats?

It’s a real “whodunit?” And why?

Though I can’t be sure, my suspicions point to the Forest Preserves, which is why I’m sending them coal this holiday season. I hope I’m wrong. As for the Woodland Wizard wherever you are: Thank you! May you find a more grateful environment for your creative efforts.

It would be too sad to have a Wizard defeated by the chainsaw of bureaucracy. Instead, you should be awarded a grant from the Forest Preserves to create a program about woodland wizardry

Susan Schroering has been an Oak Park resident for 23 years.

46 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM VIEWPOINT S
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OPRF’s Project 2 is about more than a pool

Iappreciated Wednesday Jour nal’s ar ticle on OPRF’s proposed Project 2 and the attempt to provide perspective from residents both against and in favor of Project 2 [Critics and supporters of OPRF’s $100M project speak up, News, Dec. 7]. There is a lot at stake for the high school and our communities and moving forward will require a tr ue community ef fort.

Where I dif fer with the ar ticle is the characterization of Project 2 as being solely about a pool rather than describing a more complete and accurate picture of the scope and spaces included, and how improvements will benefit physical education as a whole for every student who attends OPRF We all acknowledge that aquatics will be a part of Project 2. That said, there are other equally important and needed improvements also deserving focus. Project 2 pro-

ELSAFFAR

vides larger multi-use gyms that can also be competition spaces, replacing current gyms where boundaries extend dangerously close to walls and low ceilings interfere with activities.

PETER RYAN One View

The current dance studio with its interior columns and poor flooring will be replaced by a safe and moder n multi-pur pose dance gym actually suited to its pur pose

In place of a weight room straining with capacity limitations, Project 2’s weight room is large enough to accommodat e increased demand from PE and athletics and will greatly improve student experiences. Cramped and inadequate athletic training facilities will be similarly expanded and improved

If that seems like a lot, there is still more. Outdated boys locker rooms with

poor ventilation and infrastructure will be moder nized for the 21st centur y. Girls locker rooms will be renewed with additional space and privacy All-gender locker rooms will be available for gender nonconfor ming students

Critically, there will be an elevator in the new building providing real accessibility for anyone with mobility challenges and cor recting a glaring inequity in current facilities.

In summary, distilling Project 2 down to a single component barely scratches the surface of revealing its true impact.

I also wish the writer had questioned more deeply the motivations of the small number of people cited in the ar ticle who appear to oppose a pool but who are not so adamantly opposed to other physical

education upg rades We get it, some people don’t want to fix the failing pools and we have heard from them over and over. Why interview them yet again?

Finally, while I understand how the proximity of the high school to Ridgeland Common seems like an oppor tunity from cer tain perspectives, the list of needs addressed by Project 2 emphatically underscores why that supposed possibility does not work for OPRF Project 2 is about addressing a far greater and more significant range of issues than a simple enclosure can solve, not to mention the complication of River Forest tax dollars being directed to a project in Oak Park

Thank you for your continued coverage of this impor tant project and I look forward to more as District 200 decides how and when to move forward with Project 2. Peter Ryan is an Oak Pa rk resident.

Why were second installment tax bills issued so late this year?

from page 41

districts to increase their levies by the rate of inflation, but only up to a maximum of 5%. Thus despite an inflation rate of 7%, most taxing districts will be limited to 5% levy increases. Exceptions to the Tax Cap Law, however, may result in additional increases that cannot be predicted at this time. Notwithstanding this uncertainty, it is clear that next year’s tax increases will be noticeably higher than this year’s

Let’s get back to this year’s taxes. Did any taxpayers have above average tax increases? Most people receiving the Senior Freeze, an exemption that provides significant savings for low- to moderateincome senior citizens, experienced tax increases of about 10%. This increase is due to the complicated relationship between the Senior Freeze and property tax rates, which can lead to tax increases for qualifying seniors in some years and tax reductions in other years.

Can I do anything to reduce my current tax bill? If you are eligible for a homeowner, senior citizen, or disability exemption but did not receive one, the Township Assessor’s Office can assist you in obtaining

a revised bill for a smaller amount. If you received all exemptions for which you are eligible, however, you likely will not be able to reduce your current tax bill.

Can I do anything to reduce next year’s tax bills?

Oak Park taxpayers can file appeals with the Cook County Board of Review through Dec. 20, 2022. If successful, those appeals will impact the taxes due on next year’s second installment bills. Residents may call Oak Park Township at 708-383-8005 to get help in preparing appeals.

Cook County’s second installment tax bills are supposed to be paid by Aug. 1 each year, and the county met this due date for most of the last decade. But this year’s Dec 30 due date has set a dubious record — the latest-ever due date for second installment tax bills in Cook County. The reason for this relates to the county tax appeal system.

Second installment property tax bills cannot be issued until all Cook County tax appeals are decided, first by the Cook County Assessor’s Office, and then by the Cook County Board of Review. This year, a computer moder nization project created compatibility problems between these agencies that led to a months-long delay in getting correct data from one agency to the other. As a result, the mailing of second installment property tax bills was delayed.

Do I have to pay another tax bill by March 1?

Probably not. During the legislative session that ended on Dec. 1, 2022, the Illinois legislature passed a bill for Cook County that changed the due date for the upcoming first installment tax bills from March 1, 2023, to April 1, 2023. The bill, endorsed by the Cook County Township Assessors Association and other county and local government entities, won overwhelming support in the legislature. As of the writing of this article, the gover nor has not yet signed the bill, but he is expected to do so

OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 47 VIEWPOINT S
Second installment

Caring for the homeless and mentally ill

Dan Bailey, the editor of the Poplar Park Times, was able to get Police Chief Caleb Johnson’s Op-Ed piece into last Wednes day’s i ssue j ust ahead of press time.

Johnson was responding to the announcement made by New Yo rk ’s Mayo r Eric Adams that he i ntends to implement a policy of moving homeless people “deemed to be in psychiatric crisis” from the subway trains to mental health facilities for evaluation, ag ainst their will if necessary.

Poplar Pa rk’s top cop sympathized with the New York mayor’s asser tion, “If severe mental illness is causing someone to be unsheltered and a danger to themselves, we have a moral obligation to help them get the treatment and care they need,” but he objected to requiring the police to pa rticipate in the action.

“The police,” the chie f argued, “are already asked to do everything from resolving domestic disputes to administering Narcan to opioid overdose victims. Mayor Adams is asking New York cops to do one more thing that is not what they signed up for when they graduated from the academy.”

When Pastor Walter Mitty read that letter to the editor, he resolved to sit next to Sharissa Hawkins at next Sunday’s coffee hour after the service because he remembered the social worker saying that almost everyone

BRANDHORST

from page 41

and com muni ty. Our wo rk ranged across many fronts simultaneously:

■ We toured the entire building mult iple times, and toured specific spaces with the faculty members who taught there, to see firsthand how classrooms f unctioned and/or presented challenges.

■ We toured peer high schools that had recently completed capital improvements, to see how other schools approached similar challenges (and bring ideas and solutions back to OPRF).

■ We met with stakeholder s. We

who chooses to live on the street instead of going to a shelter has mental illness issues

And sure enough, the next day Henry the homeless man whom Pastor Walt had been helping for years stopped in at the of fice of Poplar Pa rk Community Church to ask if “the Rev” had any of those McDonald’s gift cards left in his desk drawer.

Mitty had been visited by the homeless man fo r years and even though he was a lay person, he had decided that his friend was one of those in psychiatric crisis. He got along better with his imaginary animal friends than with people.

He resolved to talk to Sharissa after wishing the homeless man ‘good luck and stay warm’ as Henry went back out into the cold.

“So, Sharissa,” Mitty be g an as he pulled up a chair next to the social worker at that Sunday’s coffee hour, “what do you think about Mayor Adams’ idea of forcing the mentally who are living on the street into treatment for their own good?”

Sharissa rolled her eyes before re plying, “Pastor, some of these homeless people do have real mental health issues and because of that some choose to stay

held 29 student focus groups (ove r 650 pa rt icipated). We held at least 29 meetings with de par tment heads and administrators, at least 21 wo rk team listening meetings with faculty, and c ountless additional co nversations We conducted sur ve ys of stakeholder s, including faculty, students, coaches, club sponsor s, and athletes.

■ We considered engineering, architectural, and consultant re por ts from previous decade s, to ga in an understanding of previous assessments and recommendations

■ We showe d our wo rk . At public town halls we presented initial info rmation gathered, initial assessments, draft conclusions, draft recommendations. Hundreds attended. The incredibly helpful community feedback was

on the street even when I offer to take them to a shelter.”

Just then Carla Her nandez sat down across the table.

“You look deep in conversation,” she said.

“You’ re right on time,” said Mitty, greeting his parishioner with a smile and then a sigh.

“We were just talking about Mayor Adams’ idea about forcing the mentally ill homeless into treatment,” Sharissa explained “Well you know all about the issue of homelessness, Sharissa,” said Carla, who worked for the Suburban Coalition for the Homeless

“As you know and maybe our pastor knows,” Carla continued, “when our outreach workers approach the homeless living on the street, many take us up on our invitation to come to our shelter that evening, but some don’ t.”

“And most of them are the folks Adams is talking about,” Sharissa added. “Right, and 70% of those who enter the shelter stick with our pr ogr am, eventually get back on their feet, and be gin independent living ag ain.”

“But the remaining 30%?” asked Mitty.

“I’m afraid that even though they acce pt our invitation to come to the

shelter,” Carla said, “and even though they really want to succeed, they have so many issues beyond our resources to help that they wind up back on the street.”

“So what about forcing those folks into treatment, for their own good.”

Carla and Sharissa responded with r ueful frowns. “You’ re the one who is trained to think about ethics,” Carla be g an. “You tell me. Is it ethical to force someone to do something they don’ t want to do, even if you think it’s for their own good?”

Sharissa added, “I’ll never forget what one homeless man in our progr am said: If you are not mentally ill when you become homeless, just being on the street for a few months will make you crazy.”

“And that’s why both of us ag ree,” said Carla, “that the first priority has to be getting people into housing. Without that stability, treatment doesn’t help much, especially if you are forced into it.”

“And that costs money,” said Sharissa.

“Money from either residents paying higher taxes,” added the pastor of Poplar Pa rk Community Church, “or church members voluntarily putting more in the of fering plat e.”

After another sigh, he added, “And what are the chances of either one happening. Or both?”

Tom Holmes writes a column fo r our sister publica tion, the Forest Park Re view.HoHolm

inco rp orated into the team’s analysis. As our team of volunteers wo rked over the months, I learned that many of the other members had a wide rang e of experiences and points of view: some had voted for the 2016 referend um, some — li ke me — voted ag ainst it, but all volunteered to serve because they of fered a valuable skill or had a useful back ground. Architects, project managers, engineer s, banker s, educator s, elected of ficials, and more — each of us thought we could contribute to a process the community could trust. Nobo dy re presented an interest group Nobo dy pushed a personal agenda.

T he only members of the team openly known to have been for or against the 2016 referendum were our two co-chairs, Ly nn Kamenitsa and

Mi ke Po irie r. Each had been a leader on opposite sides during the referend um campaign. They put that fight behind them and we re wonderful leader s of the team throughout the gr ueling process

In 2018 the team’s final re po rt , still available at the D200 we bsit e, ser ve d as the basis for the now nearly complete Imagine Project 1 and the remaining multiple phases of capital improvements to come.

Our process to create that plan may not have been perfect. But it ’s hard to imagine a process that would be more transparent, more inclusive, more thorough, and more wo rt hy of our c ommunity ’s trust.

Tim Brandhorst is a resident of Ri ve r Fo rest .

48 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM VIEWPOINT S

Dreams can come

true…just ask the many foster children who have found their forever family with the help of Hephzibah Children’s Association.

For Oak Park resident Molly Hamilton, her decision to foster children through Hephzibah was simple: she had love to give, space in her life, and there was a need. Becoming a foster parent as a single, working woman may sound difficult, but for parents like Molly, Hephzibah offers an enormous amount of support to ensure a successful foster experience.

After fostering 20 children over 6 years, Molly decided to adopt not one, but two children in her care, who happen to be sisters. Molly believes, as we do, that there will never be a more opportune time to help than this very moment, and potential foster parents shouldn’t wait.

Hephzibah offers support to foster families by providing 24/7 crisis support, intensive training, childcare during emergencies, monthly parents-night-out events, info sessions and training, sibling summer camp and more. In order to provide these services, we need your support.

We are dedicated to

helping the families we work with navigate their journey of fostering and adoption. We tell each foster family the same thing we tell each child placed in our care. We say: “We’ve got this”, and so do you.

Discover the power of giving. Whether it be by learning more about what how to become a foster parent, or by making a donation, you can be the reason a child thrives.

Donate today: www.hephzibahhome.org/donate-now

Hephzibah Children’s Association • 708- 649-7140 • hephzibahhome.org

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 49  Build your own custom worksheet at education.com/worksheet-generator © 2007 - 2022 Education.com Crossword Puzzle N 1 2Q A 3 E 4 E R C N W D 5 C O 6 C G S A O C 7 C 8 I R C U L A T I O N D 9 O N O R D O E G R G E H E L F 10 A E S A T 11 H E J O U R N A L I S T M L M I E E E N R L 12 N Y B 13 Y L I N E W 14 E B S I T E S T A 15 U T H E N T I C S 16 U B S C R I B E R M F 17 A K E N E W S K P 18 R E S S E S A W 19 M C 20 E L E B R A T E A E T R K C T L H O Y O N Down: 1.strike inspired musical 2.scan to donate (2wds.) 3.precise 4.emotional commitment 5.GCM publisher (2 wds.) 6.501c3 email address ending 7.journalist who opines regularly 10.free from favoritism 12.GCM's current campaign (4 wds) 17.threat to local media (2 wds) 18."Stop the ______!" 19.seven day adverb 20.Beach Boys tune, “_____ the news” 20.Satirical drawing ® from page 22 Solutions! Sponsored Content
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e rst light of dawn

Getting Ready

Heel

pain is one of the most common conditions I treat" says Dr. Linda Lambert of the River Forest Foot Clinic. If you wake up having di culty putting your feet on the oor, Dr. Lambert can help.

Heel pain or plantar fascitis is caused when the foot attens out with weight bearing. Sometimes a heel spur forms where the plantar fascia

attaches to the heel bone. A heel spur can be diagnosed with an in o ce x-ray.

ere are many ways to treat heel pain without doing surgery. Rest, ice, anti-in ammatory medication, supportive shoes and stretches help in most cases. Custom made orthotic devices or cortisone injections may also be needed.

May his name be blessed fore ver; As long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; All the nations shall proclaim his happiness.

Psalm 72:12-13

Advent holds us in the darkness, in the quiet, in the promise before dawn. The readings tell of our need for God Our hope is assurance; It embraces faith; It is not passive; It asks much of us

The Baptist said: “The one who follows is mightiest. All must prepare.” (Matt 3:1-12) Paul said: “With one voice we glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 15:4-9) Be ready! Be open! Something new is about to happen!

Even our theolo gy and 20 centuries of religion do not prepare us for God’s sur prises, always more than we expect. But we do know we will be drawn into the same mystery as the way of the cross.

We hope we will meet every trial and God will always be with us.

Liturg y calls us to do our best, to listen to the Spirit, act on what we hear. Advent is good news: God is coming closer to us

Let’s meet him in the de pths of our human struggl e, where the Word appears like the first light of dawn.

50 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK .COM | RIVERFOREST.COM VIEWPOINT S
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Steve Clarke, 75

Baseball fan, coach and sherman

Stephen “Steve” R. Clarke, 75, of Lombard, for merly of Oak Park, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Dec. 5, 2022. An avid baseball player and fan, he was a patient and fair coach and umpire over the years for Oak Park Youth Baseball.

He was a fan of all Chicago sports teams In his free time, he loved to golf, read and do crossword puzzles. Whenever possible, he enjoyed going to Wisconsin and being outdoors, fishing.

Steve was the husband of the late Colleen E. Clarke (nee Domrose); the father of Matthew (Emily) and Kelly (Aaron) Fankhauser; son of the late Robert and the late Grace; brother of the late Dennis, the late Phillip, the late Brian, and Gregory; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are private

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Stephen’s name to the American Heart Midwest Affiliate, Attn: Memorial/Tribute Processing Center, 3816 Pa Chicago, IL 60674, are appreciated

Arrangements were handled neral Home

Shirley Hamilton, 91

St. Bernardine parishioner

Shirley Ann (Nemmers) Hamilton, 91, of Oak Park died on Dec. 5, 2022. Born on May 30, 1931 in Portsmouth, Virginia at the Portsmouth Nava Hospital, her family moved to Iowa and around 1937 to North Carolina where she spent the next 18 years. In 1955, she met the love of her life, Robert M. Hamilton, who was serving in the military. After a short few months, they were married in Raleigh, in August of 1955 and moved to Chicago, eventually settling in Oak Park in 1968.

The Maple Park neighborhood in Oak Park, and St. Bernardine Parish in Forest Park became the center of the universe for raising and nurturing their 11 children. She volunteered as minister of communion and served on Mother’s and Women’s Clubs for years. She spent many happy years in Oak Park although they also experienced the loss of son and brother, John, in a tragic accident.

In the next phase of her life, she became mother in-law, grandma, and great grandma to many. She loved the baptisms, communions, birthdays and weekly visits in her home from her new extended families.

She ame from a large family of nine, and elations through long, longccasional visits. humor and the abilrred to North

she became secretary at St

Bernardine Grade School. She felt fortunate to be able to positively impact many children and their family’s lives.

She made friends easily among neighbors, fellow parishioners and those at work.

Shirley leaves behind her children, Mary Griffith (Robert), Catherine O’Leary (John), Margaret Barry (Jack), Elizabeth Allabastro (Paul), Robert Hamilton (Bridget), William Hamilton (Gretchen), Peter Hamilton (Laura), Ellen Hamilton (Steve Glinke), Michael Hamilton (Lisa), Matt Hamilton (Jackie), along with 31 grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren. She is survived by her brothers and sisters, Robert Nemmers, Raymond Nemmers, Catherine Booth, Karen Jackson and Michael Nemmers, and she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. Hamilton (2010); her son, John Stephen (1975); her brother, Peter Nemmers; and her sisters, Elizabeth De Angelis and Evelyn Szuchan.

Visitation was held on Dec. 10 at St. Bernardine Church, 7246 Harrison, Forest Park IL 60130, followed by the funeral Mass and interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

Loretta Quirk, 95

Former Oak Parker

Loretta J. (Sarnowski) Quirk, 95, of St. Charles, for merly of Oak Park, died on Nov. 30, 2022. Bor n on June 10, 1927, she was the wife of the late William E. Quirk; daughter of the late Helen (Przybyla) and the late Stephen Sarnowski; sister of the late Emily (the late Tony) C (the late Shirley) Sa line Sarnowski and Michael (the late Sarnowski; and sister-in-law to the late Mary Helen Quirk. She was mother of the late Patricia (the late Wayne) Banta, Paul (Karen), James (Sandra), Robert (Tammy) Quirk, and Judith (John) Chitwood; grandmother of the late Lisa, Mark and Laura Quirk, Sinead and Ciara Quirk, Michael Quirk, Holly (Arek) Golonka, Jamie Quirk, Katharine (Joseph) Sarko and Jeffrey Chitwood; and the aunt of many.

Visitation was held on Dec. 5, followed by funeral Mass at Ascension Church in Oak Park and inter ment at Mt. Car mel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Sisters of Notre Dame are appreciated.

Jeanette Showalter, 77

School nurse, active church member

Jeanette Ann Showalter, 77, formerly of Oak Park, died peacefully in her sleep on Dec. 2, 2022 in the assisted living apartment she shared with her husband, Ver non, in Palm Coast, Florida

Born in Chicago to James and Libby Mach on May 4, 1945, she cero and graduated from Morton East High School in 1963.

After high school, she became a Registered Nurse, then went on for her MSN degree and eventually her school nurse certification. From visiting nurse on the South Side of Chicago, to nursing instructor, to school nurse, she loved each path of her work journey

Jean and Ver non married on April 22, 1972. Soon after they moved to Oak Park from Chicago and spent the next 12 years there. They were active in both First United and Calvary Memorial churches in Oak Park Jean was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for Rebecca and Cub Scout leader for David and Philip. he was involved with the schools and women’s club and filled in as a substitute nurse for Holmes Elementary School.

When they moved to Oregon, Illinois in 1989, they became very active in the Mt. Morris Church of the Brethren and were instrumental in establishing their community food antry. She worked full time as the Oregon ommunity School District nurse for over 20 ears. They remained active in both church and community throughout retirement and even upon their move to the Windsor Assisted living facility in Palm Coast, Florida in 2016.

Jeanette is survived by her husband, Ver non Showalter; their children, Rebecca (Christian) Ginter, David (Jennifer Vianello) Showalter, and Philip (Kristi) Showalter; her grandchildren, Benjamin and Vonn, Olivia and Libby; her sister, Marcy (Charles) Jahr; and many other family and friends.

A celebration of life will be scheduled for spring or summer of 2023 in Cadott, Wisconsin, where she will be laid to rest in the Bohemian National Cemetery with three preceding generations of her family, including her parents

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 51
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Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.

Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential duties and responsibilities

1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture.

2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays.

3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers.

4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management.

5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software.

6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system.

7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review.

8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning.

9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs.

10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,

HELP WANTED

software and other forms of systems and data.

11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training.

12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling.

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties

1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures.

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems.

5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations.

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis.

Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android.

Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology.

Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down.

Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant.

Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and

VB scripts.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages.

Ability to:

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:

- Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time

- Operating assigned equipment

- Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance

- Working in and around computer equipped vehicles

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

- Making observations

- Communicating with others

- Reading and writing

- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others.

Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking.

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment.

Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Administrative Assistant in the Public Health Department. This position provides a variety of responsible administrative and analytical functions; records and monitors department budget and fiscal requirements of grant-funded programs; oversight of Accounts Payable process; prepares reports and serves as a resource for computerized office applications. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

Associate, Database Administrator (ABN AMRO Clearing Chicago LLC, Chicago, IL - F/T) Provide support for a highly available global SQL Server envrmt; troubleshoot time sensitive production issues in a timely manner. Rqts: Bach deg or foreign equiv in Comp Sci, Comp Engg, or a rel fld + 4 yrs of progressively resp exp in the position offd or as a D/base Administrator, D/base Analyst, or a rel position. Employer will accept a Master’s deg in the stated field of study in meeting the Bach deg reqmt. Employer will accept pre- & postMaster’s deg exp. Must have 4 yrs of progressively resp exp w/all of the following: Ensuring stable operation, performance, & availability of production MS SQL Server envrmts through proactive monitoring, maintenance, & mgmt; Supporting & dsgng data warehouse load, master data mgmt, & data quality control processes; Installing & configuring SQL Servers, AlwaysOn Availability Groups, Virtual Machines, & PhysicaL servers according to specs & best practices; Performing code reviews to troubleshoot & optimize T-SQL code & proposing data structure; & able to create stored procedures; Configuring & managing SQL-specific monitoring tools to provide high availability to all the d/bases being managed; Configuring & managing SQL backups & restorations of data as reqd; Dsgng & administering of remote (global) disaster recovery d/base envrmts to incl clustering of servers; & Upgrading d/base envrmts w/ very minimal downtime. To apply, email resume to DL-AACB-CH-Recruitment@abnamroclearing.com & indicate job title. EOE

Qualifications:

• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement in School Psychology.

• Prefer at least 5 years of successful educational experience in both general and special education; and at least five years of successful experience in evaluating students, collaborating, and problemsolving with school and District teams.

• Master’s Degree preferred.

Demonstrates knowledge of special education legislation and acts in accordance with those mandates; follows policies and procedures of the District. Develops and implements activities that encourage students to be life-long learners. Identify and assess the learning, development, and needs of individuals and groups, as well as, the environmental factors that affect learning and school success. Uses assessment data about the

students and their environments in developing appropriate interventions and programs. Conducts appropriate individual psychoeducational assessments for children who have or are suspected of having a disability and provides written reports of assessment results.

Participates in all staff conferences of students having received psychological evaluation or reevaluation, including hospital discharge. Provide support to special education personnel including assisting staff with development of functional behavioral analysis and behavior intervention plans, modeling “best practices” and assisting special educators with instructional practices.

For a complete list of duties, please visit our website at https://www.district90.org/about/ employment

Interested candidates should complete the online application available at www.district90.org.

Shipping Manager

FINANCE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Finance Coordinator. The ideal candidate will perform a wide variety of responsible and complex administrative, secretarial and clerical duties for the Finance department; and will provide information and assistance to the public regarding department to which assigned. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled.

COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Community Health Advisor. The professional in this position is responsible for a variety of tasks including; promoting a safe health care environment; including health education, outreach and promotion which includes disseminating information, making referrals, and counseling as well as managing caseloads, and performing a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications December 19, 2022.

FULL-TIME POLICE RECORDS CLERK

FOREST PARK, IL

The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Full-Time Civilian Information Management Records Clerk reporting to the Lieutenant of the Criminal Investigations Division. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include excellent organizational skills, computer skills, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines,

good knowledge of English language, and adherence to all police department policies and procedures. Responsibilities and duties include subpoena fulfilment, evidence room duties, data entries, general office functions, report creation, and other duties as needed our assigned. Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark. net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Oak Park, Illinois (Chicagoland) www.collab4kids.org

Since its beginnings in 2002, the Collaboration for Early Childhood (the Collab) has embraced the vision that all children should arrive at kindergarten safe, healthy, ready to succeed and eager to learn. The Collab’s focus has always been on how much impact the organization could have on the youngest among us in the community.

The Executive Director will be charged with taking the organization into its next phase of organizational life. He/She/They will have the opportunity to leverage the organization’s expanded influence and funding, potentially beyond the state of Illinois. The Executive Director will enhance the organization’s advocacy profile and will help shape a policy agenda for early learning. He/She/ They will help expand the organization’s opportunities for revenue generation, diversification, and strategic partnerships. Most significantly, the Collab will continue to serve as one of the state’s primary thought leaders in early childhood education.

The minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, though a master’s or advanced degree is preferred.

The salary range for this position is between $120,000 and $140,000

and will be commensurable with experience. The Collab offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to 12 paid holidays, vacation days and group health insurance, as well as a retirement plan.

It is the policy of the Collaboration to afford equal employment opportunities regardless of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. This policy of equal employment applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including but not limited to: initial consideration for employment; job placement and assignment of responsibilities; performance evaluation; promotion and advancement; compensation and fringe benefits; training and professional development opportunities; formulation and application of human resource policies and rules; facility and service accessibility; and discipline and termination.

Applications are being received by Kittleman & Associates, LLC. For more information or to apply, please visit https://bit.ly/3tBKpLu (click on the Apply button at the bottom of the page to upload a current resume and letter of interest).

52 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022
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PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

SUMMONS (Family Law) CITACIÓN (Derecho familiar)

CASE NUMBER (NÚMERO DE CASO): HF22130927

NOTICE TO RESPONDENT (Name): AVISO AL DEMANDADO (Nombre): ANGELO C GALLARDO

You have been sued. Read the information below and on the next page.

Lo han demandado. Lea la información a continuación y en la página siguiente.

Petitioner’s name is: Nombre del demandante: MERCEDITA M. GALLARDO

You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, phone call, or court appearance will not protect you.

If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs.

For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courts.ca.gov/ selfhelp), at the

California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.

Tiene 30 días de calendario después de haber recibido la entrega legal de esta Citación y Petición para presentar una Respuesta (formulario FL-120) ante la corte y efectuar la entrega legal de una copia al demandante. Una carta o llamada telefónica o una audiencia de la corte no basta para protegerlo.

Si no presenta su Respuesta a tiempo, la corte puede dar órdenes que afecten su matrimonio o pareja de hecho, sus bienes y la custodia de sus hijos. La corte también le puede ordenar que pague manutención, y honorarios y costos legales. Para asesoramiento legal, póngase en contacto de inmediato con un abogado. Puede obtener información para encontrar un abogado en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en el sitio web de los Servicios Legales de California (www.lawhelpca.org) o poniéndose en contacto con el colegio de abogados de su condado.

NOTICE—RESTRAINING ORDERS ARE ON PAGE 2: These restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.

AVISO—LAS ÓRDENES DE RESTRICCIÓN SE ENCUENTRAN

EN LA PÁGINA 2: Las órdenes de restricción están en vigencia en cuanto a ambos cónyuges o miembros de la pareja de hecho hasta que se despida la petición, se emita un fallo o la corte dé otras órdenes. Cualquier agencia del orden público que haya recibido o visto una copia de estas

órdenes puede hacerlas acatar en cualquier lugar de California.

FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.

EXENCIÓN DE CUOTAS: Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario un formulario de exención de cuotas. La corte puede ordenar que usted pague, ya sea en parte o por completo, las cuotas y costos de la corte previamente exentos a petición de usted o de la otra parte.

1. The name and address of the court are (El nombre y dirección de la corte son): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, 24405 AMADOR STREET, HAYWARD, CA 94544 - FAMILY LAW DIVISION

2. The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, are: (El nombre, dirección y número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante si no tiene abogado, son): SATNESH S. PRASAD, 607 LONGWOOD AVE., HAYWARD, CA 94541

Date (Fecha): OCT 21, 2022

CHAD FINKE, Clerk, by (Secretario, por) SARAH GOUVEIA, Deputy (Asistente)

[SEAL]

Published in the Wednesday Journal November 23, 30, December 7, 14, 2022

Public Notice

STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK, ssCircuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division

In re the Marriage of: Nina Obi, Petitioner, and Innocent Obi, Respondent, Case No. 2022 D 005212.

The requisite affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Innocent Obi, Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, Nina Obi, for Dissolution of Marriage and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent file your Appearance and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before January 4, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage Entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

IRIS Y. MARTINEZ, Clerk.

Published in the Wednesday Journal December 14, 21, 28, 2022.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of Ryan Cavario Isom Case Number 20224005929

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Ryan Cavario Isom to the new name of: Rian Isom

The court date will be held: On January 31, 2023 at 11am at FOURTH MUNICIPAL DISTICT COURT OF COOK COUNTY 1500 MAYBROOK DRIVE, MAYWOOD, COOK COUNTY, IL via Zoom. ZOOM ACCESS CODE: 914 3462 0283 PASSWORD: 988648

Published in Wednesday Journal December 7, 14, 21, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive proposals from qualified general contractors for the Public Works Center Wash Bay Drainage Improvements Project. Proposals will be accepted at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 11:00 a.m. local time on Friday, January 13th, 2023.

Request for Proposals

Village of Oak Park Public Works Center Wash Bay Drainage Improvements Proposal Number: 22-134 Issuance Date: 12/14/22

There will be a pre-bid meeting at the Public Works Center, located at 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL on Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Bid forms may be obtained by calling 708358-5710 or by e-mailing vics@ oak-park.us between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. M-F.

The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening.

Published in Wednesday Journal December 14, 2022

Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 53 CLASSIFIED BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG CARS WANTED CLASSICS WANTED Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars $$ Top $$ all makes, Etc. Collector James 630-201-8122 CLASSICS WANTED Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars $$ Top $$ all makes, Etc. Collector James • 630-201-8122 CLASSICS WANTED Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars $$ Top $$ all makes, Etc. Collector James 630-201-8122 MARKETPLACE OFFICE/RETAIL FOR RENT ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL A&A ELECTRIC Let an American Veteran do your work We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est. 708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area Ceiling Fans Installed FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC. New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 • www. klisflooring.com 708-296-2060 Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do HANDYMAN RENTALS PAINTING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/ Plaster Repair Low Cost • 708.749.0011 BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Lawn Maintenance Fall Leaf Clean-Up Sodding/Slit Seeding Bush Trimming Senior Discount brucelawns.com 708-243-0571 LANDSCAPING 708-38 6-7 355 Best Selection & Service STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR OAK PARK & FOREST PARK PETS cat calls Oak Park’s Original Pet Care Service – Since 1986 Daily dog exercising Complete pet care in your home While you’re away, your pets are okay . . . at home WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400
BERWYN DELUXE 1 BD 32nd st and Oak Park Ave. Huge apartment. Deluxe 3.5 rooms, 1 bdrm. Includes heat, water, storage, parking, appliances, laundry facility, etc. Freshly painted. Close to shopping, parks, hospital, train, stores. 1 month security deposit. 1 year lease. $995 per month. No pets, no smoking. Avail Nov or Dec. Broker 708-347-2500
HOME SERVICES GENERAL CONTRACTOR DAVID FIGUEROA GENERAL CONTRACTOR (Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling, Installation of Countertops, Electrical Services) Licensed and bonded. 773-587-6142 Figueroa.dave23@gmail.com 708-488-9411 CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair Free estimates Excellent References No Job Too Small HANDYMAN OAK PARK THERAPY OFFICES: Therapy offices available on North Avenue. Parking; Flexible leasing; Nicely furnished; Waiting Room; Conference Room. Ideal for new practice or 2nd location. 708.383.0729 Call for an appt. ITEMS FOR SALE
Forest Park HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE 1326 MARENGO AVE SATURDAY DEC 17 11AM-3PM Department 56 Snow Village and collectible Hallmark ornaments. Cash or Zelle only. Wear a mask please!

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

HEARING DATE: January 4, 2023

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits

CALENDAR NUMBER: 21-21-Z

APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, Prosperous Platforms LLC, to operate a day care center (Baby Genius Academy) pursuant to Section 8.3 (Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 326 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Numbers 16-08-118-0031-0000 (“Subject Property”) in the NC Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The hearing will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical

or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the main entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 4, 2023. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. Individuals who sign up to participate in-person will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

HEARING DATE: January 4, 2023 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits

CALENDAR NUMBER: 21-21-Z

APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, Prosperous Platforms LLC, to operate a day care center (Little Leaders Academy) pursuant to Section 8.3 (Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 404 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Numbers 16-08-118-0031-0000 (“Subject Property”) in the NC Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The hearing will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19

outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the main entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 4, 2023. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. Individuals who sign up to participate in-person will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Property Index No. 16-18-326-0020000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $130,513.82.

title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003. Please refer to file number 314605.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003

E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw.

com

Attorney File No. 314605 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 2022 CH 02068 TJSC#: 42-4397

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2022 CH 02068 I3208865

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CASCADE FUNDING MORTGAGE TRUST HB5 Plaintiff, -v.-

UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW AND LEGATEES OF WILLIE L. ADAMS, DONNY ADAMS A/K/A DONALD ADAMS, THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THOMAS QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIE L. ADAMS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants

2021 CH 05255

cluding the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2021 CH 05255 I3208368

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION Nationstar Mortgage LLC Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LACEY WILLIAMS AKA LACEY A. WILLIAMS; ARTIST SQUARE

CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; OLIVE MARIE RIVERA, A MINOR, BY LANGSTON WILLIAMS, JR. AND ALTHEA WILLIAMS, HER GRANDPARENTS AND NEXT FRIENDS; ALTHEA WILLIAMS; LANGSTON WILLIAMS, JR.;

JULIE FOX AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF LACEY WILLIAMS AKA LACEY A. WILLIAMS; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 21 CH 5815

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, January 9, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-07-323-055-1011.

Commonly known as 1041 Susan Collins Lane, Unit 304, Oak Park, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455. W20-0232 ADC

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 6, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1152 HOME AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY

806 S. TAYLOR AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 23, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 5, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 806 S. TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-129-0050000; 16-17-129-006-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $470,390.58.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in-

For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 21 8680.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 21 8680 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2021 CH 05255 TJSC#: 42-3674

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

intercountyjudicialsales.com I3208202

54 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 CLASSIFIED BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
Published in Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022
-v.-
COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2018-G-CTT Plaintiff,
ANN W. BELL, MARTIN F. BELL, COMMUNITY BANK OF OAK PARK RIVER FOREST Defendants 2022 CH 02068 1152 HOME AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2007-23CB MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-23CB

Plaintiff, -v.-

RORY L VALENTINE, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2022 CH 05449 1178 S SCOVILLE AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 5, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1178 S SCOVILLE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304

Property Index No. 16-18-427-0150000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000

or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the le-

gal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-22-04053 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2022 CH 05449 TJSC#: 42-3886

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2022 CH 05449 I3208571

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

TOWD POINT MORTGAGE TRUST 2016-4 US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE; Plaintiff, vs. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; ERIC STARKS, JUSTIN STARKS, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF THE ASPEN G3 TRUST, A DELAWARE STATUTORY TRUST; UNKNOWN OWNERS, GENERALLY AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 22 CH 5335

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-06-222-018-0000. Commonly known as 464 Lenox Street, Oak Park, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Matthew C. Abad at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Kluever Law Group, 225 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 236-0077. SPS001394-22FC1

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3207850

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK NA AS TRUSTEE FOR WAMU MORTGAGE PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-PR1 TRUST; Plaintiff, vs. MARY WOLFE; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FKA WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA; CITY OF CHICAGO, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 10876

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at the hour

of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-17-331-015-0000. Commonly known as 1028 South Austin Boulevard, Oak Park, IL 60304.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act.

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 21-009135

F2

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3207815

Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 55 CLASSIFIED BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG Let the sun shine in... Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year • OakPark.com • RBLandmark.com • ForestParkReview.com • AustinWeeklyNews.com PublicNoticeIllinois.com
Starting a New Business? Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice in • Austin Weekly News • Village Free Press • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brook eld Landmark Call the Experts Before You Place Your Legal Ad! Contact Stacy for details: scoleman@growingcommunitymedia.org

Anything but ordinary.

Access to Duly Health and Care Oak Park for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Medicare members

Now more than ever, it’s important to get the most out of your health care benefits and manage your health. That’s why Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Duly Health and Care are working together to provide benefits and services centered around patients on Medicare. At Duly Health and Care Oak Park, adults on Medicare will experience personalized relationships with Duly providers who deliver care tailored especially to their health needs, like maintaining healthy blood pressure, managing diabetes, and keeping physically strong.

Kristen Vealey, MD Oak Park 1121 South Blvd.

Begin your journey to a healthier, happier you, call 708-745-5744 or visit: dulyhealthandcare.com/OakPark

56 Wednesday Journal, December 14, 2022 OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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