Wednesday Journal 122822

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Fenwick defeats Farragut in Proviso West Holiday Tourney Page 18

A year to remember

head into 2023, let’s remind ourselves what happened in 2022

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

You are not alone if you have found yourself scratching your head, wondering, “What even happened this year?” back-to-back-to-back holidays, it’s hard to think of much else this time of year but the next celebration. Memories from the previous months seem to fall from the brain like snowflakes from the sky, leaving vague confusion in their place.

A lot did transpire in 2022, however, and for those trying to piece together all that happened, Wednesday Journal has made it easy for you. Let’s revisit some of the year’s top stories, beginning, of course, with the year’s beginound itself in the national spotlight in Janurld mourned the death of beloved icon Betty White, who was born at West Suburban Medical Center on Jan. 17, 1922 and died Dec. 31, 2021. To celebrate her life ould have been her centennial birthday, roughly 500 fans of the comedic actress flocked to downtown Oak a special event in White’s honor sponsored by ing Community Media, Wednesday Journal’s parent The “Be Li ke Betty” event included a pop-up pet adoption by the Animal Care League and a rendition of “Thank You for Being a Friend” by River Forest resident

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

FACE TIME: Betty White was the virtual guest of honor dur ing the Be Like Betty celebration at the Lake eatre on Jan. 15, honoring the Oak Park native’s centennial

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New year to bring new laws in Illinois

Elimination of cash bail one of many changes taking e ect Jan. 1

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois

By now, almost everyone in Illinois has heard that Jan. 1 will mark the beginning of a significant change in the state’s criminal justice system – the elimination of cash bail.

It’s an issue that dominated the 2022 campaigns and has been both praised and criticized on editorial pages in newspapers across the state It essentially means that starting Jan. 1, the decision as to whether a criminal suspect should be held in jail while awaiting trial will be based on public safety and the likelihood the suspect will flee rather than their financial ability to post bond

And while that criminal justice reform has received widespread attention, it is by no means the only new law that will take effect when the calendar tur ns over to 2023.

For most people who work a minimum wage job, the new year will bring a pay raise to $13 per hour, a $1 increase over the current wage. That’s the result of a law Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed in 2019, his first major legislative victory after being swor n into office a month earlier. The law will eventually raise the wage to $15 an hour on Jan. 1, 2025.

The new $13 hourly rate does not apply to all minimum wage ear ners. People who receive tips at work will see their base wage rise to $7.80 an hour And people younger than 18 who work fewer than 650 hours per year will see their wage go up to $10.50 an hour

The higher wage will probably come as welcome news for those who drive a car to and from work That’s because the new year will also bring higher motor fuel taxes

The same year Pritzker signed the minimum wage bill, he also signed a multi-year, $45 billion transportation and capital improvements bill known as Rebuild Illinois, which is funded in part with higher motor fuel taxes that are scheduled to increase with inflation each year.

The adjustment in the tax rate is supposed to take effect on July 1 of each year, the first day of the state’s fiscal year But last spring, in the face of rising inflation and healthy state revenues, lawmakers authorized a sixmonth delay in the scheduled increase, put-

ting it off until Jan. 1.

As a result, starting Jan. 1, the motor fuel tax people pay at the pump will go up 3.1 cents per gallon, and then it will increase again when the next regular adjustment date comes around on July 1, 2023.

Criminal law

Several new criminal laws will go into effect Jan. 1, including three that deal with sex of fenses.

One of those prevents people who solicit sex from a minor or a person with a se vere or profound intellectual disability from asser ting a defense that they simply did not know the person was underage or intellectually disabled. House Bill 4593, signed into law May 27, puts the burden of proof on the defendant that they did not know the age or disability status of the other person, rather than the other way around Another new law changes the definition of when a person is “unable to give knowing consent.” Under cur rent law, a person cannot give knowing consent when the accused person “administers any intoxicating or anesthetic substance or any controlled substance” that causes the victim to lose consciousness of the nature of the act.

House Bill 5441, signed June 16, broadens that definition to include when the victim has taken any intoxicating or controlled substance causing them to lose consciousness of the nature of the act, even if the substances were administered by someone else.

Another bill expands cer tain employment restrictions that apply to convicted child sex of fenders. Currently, they are prohibited from being employed by, or even being present at, child day care centers, schools that provide before- and after-school programs for children or any facility that provides programs or services exclusively for people under age 18.

Senate Bill 3019, signed May 27, expands that to prohibit convicted child sex of fenders from working at carnivals, amusement enter prises, county fairs and the State Fair when people under age 18 are present.

Another new law expands the list of professionals who are required to re port suspicions of child abuse or ne glect. Star ting Jan. 1, under Senate Bill 3833, signed May 13, occupational therapists and assistants, physical therapists and assistants, and athletic trainers will be added to that list.

Carjacking

Three new laws taking effect Jan. 1 are intended to address a spike in carjackings around the state. All were signed on May 26.

House Bill 601 expands the crime of possession of burglary tools to include possession, with the intention to enter and steal a vehicle, of devices to unlock or start a vehicle without the key to that vehicle, or devices that capture or duplicate a signal from a key fob to unlock or start the vehicle.

House Bill 3699 expands an existing state council charged with providing grants and financial support to law enforcement agencies to aid in identifying, apprehending and prosecuting carjackers and recover stolen vehicles

And House Bill 3772 ensures that victims of carjackings are not liable for costs and fines associated with impounding a vehicle that was stolen or hijacked, provided the owner files a police report in a timely manner.

Education

To address a shortage of substitute teachers throughout the state, House Bill 4798, signed April 27, allows students enrolled in approved teacher training programs who have ear ned at least 90 credit hours to obtain a substitute teaching license Before, applicants had to hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education.

House Bill 4716, signed May 27, calls on the Illinois State Board of Education to adopt “rigorous lear ning standards” for classroom and laboratory phases of driver education programs for novice teen drivers. Those will include, at a minimum, the Novice Teen Driver Education and Training Administrative Standards developed by the Association of National Stakeholders in Traffic Safety Education in association with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Higher education

In an effort to get more people to pursue careers in human services, Senate Bill 3925, signed June 10, establishes a student loan repayment program. Subject to appropriations, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will award loan repayment grants to qualified individuals with an associate degree or higher who works for a human services agency that contracts with or is grant-funded by a state agency that provides “direct or indirect

services that ensure that individuals have essential elements to build and maintain physical, emotional, and economic well-being at every phase of life.”

Awards can be made for a maximum of four years. Maximum amounts are $3,000 per year for someone with an associate degree, $15,000 per year for a person with a bachelor’s degree and $25,000 per year for a person with a master’s degree or higher, with a $5,000 peryear add-on if the applicant holds certain professional licenses.

Meanwhile, students currently enrolled in any program at a public university or community college will have access to trained individuals who can help them apply for federal, state or local assistance based on their financial need. House Bill 4201, signed June 7, requires those institutions to designate a “benefits navigator” to help students identify and deter mine their eligibility for various benefit programs

Alzheimer ’s care

Senate Bill 3707, signed May 27, requires all employees and people who work for agencies that contract with the Illinois Department on Aging who provide direct services to individuals participating in its Community Care Program to receive at least two hours of training in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as safety risks, communication and behavior associated with the disease.

State symbols

Illinois will have two new official state symbols effective Jan. 1. House Bill 4821 establishes the easter n milksnake as the official state snake. That was an initiative of Gentry Heiple, a snake enthusiast and Carterville Junior High School seventh grader And House Bill 4261 establishes dolostone as the official state rock. That was an initiative of a group of students from Pleasantdale Middle School and Maplebrook Elementary School.

Vehicles

People who own vehicles that were manufactured in Illinois will be able to apply for a slight break on their re gistration fees star ting Jan. 1. Senate Bill 3609 allows those drivers to apply for a one-time $25 rebate, “if the vehicle is manufactured in this state and the application for title is made no more than one year after the month in which the vehicle was manufactured.”

Wings of Fire Fan Part y

Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2-3 p.m.,

Oak Park Public Librar y

This special celebration is for Wings of Fire fans to celebrate the new graphic novel in the series. There will be dragon crafts, trivia, and more, including a chance to win the newest book. Register now at oppl. org/calendar.

Craf ternoon

Thursday, Dec. 29, 2:30-4:30 p.m.,

Oak Park Public Librar y

The librar y supplies the supplies, you bring the creativity. Adult suppor t required for younger kids. For grades preK-5. Register now at oppl.org/calendar

Little Miss Ann

Kids Music Concer t

Friday, Dec. 30, 10-11 a.m.,

Oak Park Public Librar y

Get ready to sing and dance with Little Miss Ann. Best for kids up to age 5 with their caregivers Register now at oppl.org/calendar

Free Blood Pressure Screenings Q&A

Wednesday, Jan. 4, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.,

Oak Park Public Librar y

Duly Health and Care will schedule a free blood pressure reading. A licensed physician will be present to discuss your results. Register now at oppl org/calendar.

Listing your event in

Egg-Nog-Palooza with the Dozen Buzzin’ Cousins

Wednesday, Dec. 28, 7 p.m., FitzGerald’s Egg nog...one of the world’s sweetest taboos! Since it’s only available two months out of the year, Egg-Nog-Palooza is a good place to get your yearly swig on. Gary Cleland and Molly Hanrahan have been hosting this event for 12 years now, and will be joined by the music of the Dozen Buzzin’ Cousins Nog will be provided courtesy of Gary ’s special homebrew. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

Robbie Fulks: Duets!

Friday, Dec. 30, 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 31, 9:30 p.m., FitzGerald’s This legendar y countr y troubadour is going to be the one to end 2022, and he won’t be alone. On Friday night he’ll be joined by Howard Levy, Nora O’Connor, Robbie Gjersoe, Gerald Dowd, and Laura Orshaw. Come Saturday, he’ll have Redd Volkaer t, Dallas Wayne, Paul Carestia and Gerald Dowd along for the ride. $35 - $50, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

Winter Break Open Skate

Wednesday, Dec. 28; Thursday, Dec. 29; Friday, Dec. 30, 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 30, 6:25 - 8:15 p.m., Paul Hruby Ice Arena

Winter’s back, and now’s the time to get back on the ice. $8 per session or free with pass; $3 skate rental. 415 Lake St., Oak Park.

Anne Bradley and second families

Iwas reading the section in the Trib, 28 years ago, and there was a story about a I knew, Anne Bradley, a wonderful local po to grapher who speciali in black-and-w of children — including our son, Ben.

The story re ported that Bradley had become a foster mom in a new pr crafted by Lutheran Social Services out of its offices on North Avenue in Oak Pa Very focused, ve the Second Families program was intended to place babies who had been bo HIV-exposed into foster car based on then-current reality that birth parents with AIDS were not expected be able to raise those children.

It was a different moment. AIDS was still imminently deadly. We were on the very cusp of new and aggressive drug treatments — the cocktail — which offered longer lives for both adults and, boldly, for kids and babies.

I ripped the piece out of the paper and brought it home to show my wife Mary. “Isn’t this remarkable? What a woman Anne Bradley is,” was my remembered comment as I handed the story to Mary.

“We’ve got to do this. How do we start?” was Mary’s response.

“Her daughter Lisa Green, also a photographer, wrote a loving and vivid post on Facebook describing a mother ’s love and recalling her mom as a nurse, photographer, artist and race car driver. I’d missed the race car era.”

This sort of determinedbut-impetuous reply is how we’d wound up buying a stick-shift Honda we couldn’t drive of f the lot of a dealership in the far west suburbs. And more notably how we bought a two-flat with my folks when they announced they were selling the family home on Taylor. We were driving down the alley to see them after getting the news when Mary said, “We need to buy a two-flat. Let’s go talk about that

ever made. eat years of ving and care-receiv-

This all comes to mind now with the news of Anne Brad-

Her daughter Lisa Green, apher, wrote a vid post on Facebook describing a mother’s and recalling her mom as apher, artist I’d missed

In an email to me later, Lisa remembered the life-bending us felt. She and her husband adopted Anne had fostered. He’s 26 now and eng aged, ported. The parents of Nancy Sward, our LSSI social , also adopted a child. way down our path to becoming state-licensed foster parents, casually said, “Did I mention 80% of our fosters turn into adoptions?”

Which brings us to Mariah, our daughter who recently turned 27. We unbundled her from her car seat after she had been delivered from Prentice Women’s Hospital to an LSSI of fice upstairs at the old Marshall Field’s on Lake Street. It was love that day and every day since.

As an infant, she struggled through withdrawal from opiates and was given the strong HIV drugs that saved her life, and the lives of so many of the babies in that moment in Second Family. Gave her a will of iron though she may also have gotten some of that genetically from her birth mom who, miraculously, is still alive and making her way.

These paths would never have crossed except for the loving and pioneering path of Anne Bradley, whom we think of with joy and appreciation.

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

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

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

A safe & smart choice.

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.

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

99% OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

1

Cindy Fee, whose cover of the tune served as the “Golden Girls” theme song.

February saw both the ar rival and de parture of some major taxing body administrators in Oak Park After nar rowing down the search to three candidates for Oak Park village manager, a fourth finalist was announced Feb. 1 in a move that took the public by sur prise. That fourth candidate, Kevin Jackson, acce pted the job less than two weeks later, beating out the inter nal candidate, De puty Village Manager Lisa Shelley, who had been serving as interim village manager. Jackson was swor n in Feb. 22. As Oak Park welcomed Jackson, the community bid adieu to the Oak Park Public Library’s long-time executive director David Seleb announced he was retiring from the position, which he had held for almost a decade Seleb, who was inte gral in establishing the OPPL’s equity and inclusivity ef forts, served his last day as executive di-

rector on Feb. 25.

While the Oak Park village board spar red over plans for a sustainability incubator and made ef for ts to eng age the community in developing the village’s climate action plan in March, more staf fing shakeups were on the horizon. Oak Park Police Chief LaDon Reynolds announced March 25 he was retiring from the de par tment. He would later go on to acce pt a position as a U.S. Marshal, but at the time, he was characteristically tacitur n about his future plans.

The Oak Park village board also set to work dishing out its share of American Rescue Plan Act funds to community groups. Roughly $3.5 million of the $38.9 million provided to Oak Park village gover nment was committed March 14 to various org anizations, including $1 million to the Park District of Oak Park Not long after, the park district broke ground March 22 on its net-zero community recreation center

Oak Park had a police-filled April. Re presentatives of Ber ryDunn, the consulting

fir m hired to conduct an assessment of the Oak Park Police De par tment, told the village board on April 4 that the final re port would be released sometime in late August – a deadline they ultimately did not meet. At that same meeting, the village board voted to set up eight controversial automatic license plate reading cameras in Oak Park The decision was made without the input of Ber ryDunn, citizen commissions or the public

Reynolds retired from the Oak Park Police De par tment April 15. The previous day, De puty Chief Shatonya Johnson, already the de par tment’s highest-ranking female of ficer, was named interim police chief.

First United Church of Oak Park got some police action in April too Several conservative media outlets spread the news that the church was “fasting from whiteness.” The church’s clergy and laity received such significant harassment for its Lenten theme that Oak Pa rk police cars were stationed outside the church

Things war med up in May, star ting with Oak Park village board members’ tempers over the possibility of putting in a public restroom somewhere downtown. While the proposed self-cleaning models ranged in cost from around $181,300 to million Trustee Ra kkat told his board members expense w der Oak expensive making it the trend push [residents] of the community Parakkat fur ther critiqued the plan by questioning staf f’s lack of metrics for measuring the commode’s success. This prompted an incredulous reaction from Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla, who responded, “I don’t know what the success metrics for this are – how many people go pee in a bathroom?” Walker-Peddakotla said. “That’s just a wild question to me.”

Hear ts were war med by beloved postal car rier Re ggie Love, whose retirement spur red an outpouring of love and displays of appreciation. Love spent 28 of his 30-year mail delivery career car rying mail in Oak Park

Later that month, just around midnight

on Memorial Day, a shooting broke out among patrons of Berwyn bar Mike’s Place, that car ried over into Oak Park, ter rifying residents. One man, a re gistered gun owner, was ar rested for reckless discharge of a weapon after he shot after another v ehicle, chasing it from Berwyn through Oak Park He gave up the chase to take his companion, who had been shot twice in the le g

shell casings were recovered June 6 from a dif ferent shooting, this time near Austin Gardens at Forest Avenue and Ontario Street. No injuries were re por ted Later that month, hear ts were broken by the murder of recent Oak Park and River Forest High School graduate Jailyn Log anBledsoe, who was fatally shot in the head at 1:45 a.m., June 22 in the parking lot of the BP g as station at 100 Chicago Ave. The 18-year-old was a passionate activist, who was described as a “fierce and brilliant young leader.”

Two siblings, respectively 21 and 17 years old, were charged in July with first-de gree murder for Lo g an-Bledsoe’s death, but

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Communit y members and o cials broke ground on Saturday, March 19, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Park District of Oak Park’s new Communit y Recreation Center on Madison Street in Oak Park.

VILL AG E OF OAK PARK

Chief Shatonya Johnson

KEVIN JACKSON

Oak Park re ghter injured in pre-Christmas blaze

Has since been released from the hospital

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

A structure fire broke out at 227 South Blvd. in Oak Park two days before Christmas, resulting in one Oak Park firefighter being injured. No citiz ens were injured in the blaz e. T he origin of the fire is under investigation.

Oak Park firefighters ar rived onsite at 12:23 a.m., Dec 23 to find smoke visible from a vacant first-floor storefront. The flames spread through the walls up to the building’s second- and third-floor residences and moved to sur rounding units, according to a news release from the vil-

that was not the last of the discussions surrounding the safety of 24-hour gas stations Logan-Bledsoe’s murder served as a catalyst for those fed up with the violent crime occurring at 24-hour gas stations to demand change.

Later in July, Oak Park police were busy investigating another shooting death, that of 41-year-old Chicago resident Terrence Roebuck, who was found unresponsive in the 100 block of Lake Street on July 23.

In August, Oak Park was abuzz with the news that a new Dom’s Kitchen and Market was expected to fill the beautiful and historic, but long-vacant Marshall Field and Company store, 1144 Lake St

Danielle Walker made Oak Park history Aug. 16, coming on board as the village’s first ever chief diversity, equity and inclusion of ficer. The St. Louis native was chosen after a lengthy search that began in April. The good news was perhaps overshadowed by the resignation of Trustee Arti WalkerPeddakotla, who handed in her notice Aug. 18, citing mental and physical health problems related to her being in elected office. Defiant or resolute, depending on who you asked, Walker-Peddakotla was known for her dedication to mental health services, racial equity and the abolition of police.

To sweeten a deal for Dom’s Kitchen and Market, the village board entered into a 20year sales tax sharing agreement Sept. 6

lage of Oak Pa rk

T he fire was deemed under control by 3:30 a.m., with the assistance of firefighters from Berwyn, Cicero, Forest Park, Nor th Riverside, Franklin Park, Broadview, Stickney and Elmwood Pa rk.

T he injured Oak Park firefighter was transfer red to Loyola University Medical Center and has since retur ned to full duty.

A total of 36 units in and near the building were impacted by fire and smoke, as well as from water damage and utilities being shut of f. All residents af fected by the fire were safely evacuated and relocated to safe and war m locations, with many displaced residents making temporary living ar rangements with f amily and friend s.

T he American Red Cross assisted in finding shelter for the others

Fire consumed the building at 227 South Blvd. on Dec. 23.

Se pt. 30.

October was a time for new faces in Oak Park Joslyn Bowling Dixon became the new executive director of the Oak Park Public Library and Cory Wesley was appointed to the village board to fulfill the remainder of Walker-Peddakotla’s ter m. Wesley previously ran for village trustee in 2019.

In a lighter piece about Oak Park village board members, Wednesday Journal explored Trustee Jim Ta glia’s love of clocks T he veteran trustee has about 30 dif ferent clocks, including an antique 7-foot-tall grandfather clock.

would split local sales tax revenue 50-50. Sadly, it was announced Sept. 30 that Dom’s had backed out of the deal and would not be opening an Oak Park location.

Not forg etting what happened in June, the Oak Park village board made stride s to eliminate violent crime at g as stations by passing an ordinance Se pt. 19 that effectively banned them from operating 24 hours a day. Gas station owners are currently disputing the ordinance in a lawsuit against the Village of Oak Park filed

Early Oct. 14, the Oak Park police force successfully ended an 18-and-a-half-hour standof f with an at-risk individual who had been experiencing a mental health crisis. Patience paid of f when the individual sur rendered himself and was taken to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation. Neither the individual nor any citizens or police were har med during the standof f and the areas sur rounding the 1100 block of Harlem Avenue were reopened to traf fic.

Resilience Healthcare took over operations of West Suburban hospital Dec. 3, after reaching a final sales ag reement with Pipeline Healthcare. T he process of selling the hospital, along with Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, to Resilience Healthcare be g an back in March.

YEAR IN REVIEW

Right before Christmas , another shooting caused a frenzy in Oak Park T he gunfire stemmed from an altercation between patrons of Distro Music Hall in Berwyn. Two were injure d in the shooting, several individuals were detained, and one firear m was recovered.

Not long after, Interim Chief Shatonya Johnson was appointed chie f of the Oak Park Police De par tment.

A temporary restraining order preventing the Village of Oak Park from enforcing its ban on 24-hour g as stations was rescinded Nov. 11 by a Cook County Circuit Cour t judg e. T he restraining order had been issued 11 days after the village adopted the ordinance back in Se ptember

If you’ re exhausted from reliving 2022, who could blame you? COVID-19 has seemingly loosened its g rip, but the year wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, despite Oak Park resident Jasmin Washington placing second in a sailing championshi p last August. Allow yourself a moment of respite. A nap never did hur t anyone. And if 2023 proves to be anything like i ts predecessor, rest will be needed

FILE

Joslyn Bowling Dixon

PHOTO BY MARK FISHER

WEDNESD AY JOURNAL PHO TO S IN RE VIEW 2022

1. Students during the varsity homecoming football game on Sept. 30, at Huskies Stadium. 2. OPRF’s Sadie Murphy competes in the 200-yard individual medley on Nov. 5. 3. Attendees in the photo booth on Sept 11, during the annual LemonAid fundraiser in River Forest. 4. OPRF quar terback Jack Gooch (2) runs for a touchdown against Fenwick at SeatGeek Stadium on Aug. 27. 5. Attendees listen to live music Oct. 29, during at dedication ceremony for Mt. Carmel Baptist Church memorial plaque on Westgate in Oak Park

Photos by ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

PHO TO S

School crossing guard Cheryl Haugh helps students cross Lake Street from Harvey on Sept. 15 in Oak Park. 7. OPRF tennis player Maeve Marzec ser ves the ball Oct. 15 during a match against York at Oak Park and River Forest High School 8. Belia Giannotti, tosses a pumpkin in the bin on Nov. 5 dur ing the pumpkin smash recycling event at Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest. 9. Concordia University student Holly Hanrahan helps the kids draw with chalk at the daycare on Aug. 12 at Concordia University in River Forest

Photos by ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Man in car points gun at passerby

A Chicago resident got a terrible wakeup call at 7:40 a.m., Dec. 21, when a man pulled up near Jackson Boulevard and Clinton Avenue and pointed a gun.

The offender was last seen traveling westbound on Jackson Boulevard in a brown Buick Re gal with front-end damage and tinted windows.

Aggravated discharge of a firearm

An Oak Park resident told police she found her rear screen door and rear door had been struck by bullets around 9:30 p.m., Dec. 20, in the 800 block of South Austin Boulevard. Shell casings were found at the scene.

Burglary

Someone removed a red Milwaukee hammer drill, a red Milwaukee Hole Hawg drill and a Milwaukee saw kit from a wh i te 2020 Fo rd Transit 2500 with an un-

locke d d oor b etween 12:30 and 1 p. m ., Dec 19, in the 7100 block of Roosevelt Road

Motor vehicle theft

■ A 1996 Chevrolet GMT 400 dump truck was removed around 9 a.m., Dec. 23 near the intersection ofGarfield Street and Wesley Avenue. Two Toro snow blowers and deicing salt were inside the truck. T he estimated loss is $5,750.

■ An unlocke d and r unning 2015 To yota C amr y, pa rked in the 100 block of Fo rest Avenue, was taken b etween 6 and 6:35 p. m ., Dec. 24. T he estimated loss is $20,000.

Attempted motor vehicle theft

S omeone broke the rear p assenger s ide wind ow ofa blue 2015 Hyundai E lantra, then d amaged the vehicle’s steering c olumn b etween 2 p. m ., Dec. 18, and 11:35 a.m., Dec. 19, in the first block ofIowa Street.

Theft

■ Two A mazon packages we re r emo ve d from a front porch in the 1000 b lock of S outh Wenonah Avenue at 4:42 p. m ., Dec 15. T he packages c ontained oatmeal, a gi rl ’s b lack jack et, a dinosaur- printed co ff ee mug and a men’s T- shi rt featuring a street fighter. T he estimated loss is $85.

■ Someone removed a Walmart package, containing a 40-pack oftoilet paper rolls, from a front porch in the 1100 block of North Marion Street between 7:21 and 7:25 p.m., Dec. 19.

■ An Amazon package was taken from outside a front door in the 200 block ofChicago Avenue between 4 and 4:45 p.m., Dec. 18. The package contained a baby drum set, a musical baby mat and a wig.

■ A FedEx package, containing a Samsung Galaxy S21 mobile phone, was taken from the front ofan apar tment building in the first block of Harvard Street between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m., Dec. 10.

Criminal proper ty damage

■ The front driver side window ofa 2017 Ford Cargo was shattered between 12:45 and 1:38 p.m., Dec. 26, in the 1000 block of Woodbine Avenue.

■ The rear passenger side window ofa 2022 Kia Spor tage was broken between 6 p.m., Dec. 23, and midnight, Dec. 24., in the 700 block of South Highland Avenue.

■ Someone cut a Comcast internet line in the 100 block ofNorth Austin Boulevard between 11:55 p.m., Dec. 15, and 8 a.m., Dec. 16.

These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department reports, Dec. 20-26, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest

by Stacey Sheridan

Compiled

Savory and Sweet: Sixteen standouts from 2022

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

2022 was a downright delicious year inside our Oak Park Eats communities – I enjoyed a massive number of delicious things in our little foodie alcove. We welcomed newcomers like Fritzi’s Delicatessen and Betty’s Pizza and bid farewell to Small Batch Barbecue, Eastg ate Café and Kalamata Kitchen. We watched food-focused events draw crowds once again and witnessed restaurants redefining themselves in the face of post-pandemic nor ms As hard as it was, I picked 16 of my very favorite local sips and nibbles from the past year Enjoy this delicious look back at some of 2022’s best bites!

1. Delicate Dumplings from Na Siam, Oak Park: An ownership transition at Na Siam, 6851 W. Nor th Ave., inspired a visit to this North Avenue District spot. They still have a notable way with Pho, but their shumai style meat and seafood dumplings are full of flavor

2. Branzino al Fresco at Amerikas, Oak Park: When Chef Ar mando Gonzale z presented branzino during a summer dinner at Amerikas , 734 Lake St., I knew we were in for a treat. The whole roasted fish, with crispy soyglazed skin, was as visually ar resting as it was delicious

3. Shrimp from Big Shrimpin’, Chicago: Prentiss Harris is chur ning out some seriously good fried shrimp at Big Shrimpin’, 5963 W. Madison St. These hand battered morsels are fried up to a crispy golden brown and served piping hot with mild sauce. And get ready – Harris is the same person who is bringing Chubby’s Hot Chicken to Forest Park

4. Cake for a crowd made by Turano Baking Co. Berwyn: GCM threw a nationally reco gnized bir thday party/memorial for Betty White last January. It was a free zing day, but the crowd of people gathered in front of the Lake Theater was war m and welcoming. Our friends at Turano Baking Company, 6501 Roosevelt Rd., served up cake to hundreds of people to mark the uniquely Oak Park occasion.

5. Anniversary Samosas at Khyber Pass, Oak Park: The pandemic capsized Malik Jawid’s 25th anniversary celebration plans, but he treated Khyber Pass’s 27th anniversary like the milestone he missed. We dined on samosas while Jawid shared his pathway to owning the restaurant that has become synonymous with Indian and Pakistani fare in Oak Park at 1031 Lake St

6. Blackened whitefish taco from Taco Mucho, Oak Park: There is much to love about Taco Mucho in the Oak Park Ar ts District. This small and mighty taqueria, 220 Har rison Street, is serving a blackened whitefish taco on a handmade tor tilla that is beyond good.

7. Pasta tossed with Capuliato at the Carnivore/Anfora Etna Wine Dinner, Oak Park:

This one-time-only event was a celebration of big bold wines from the mountains of Italy. The meal, designed by Chef Brad Knaub, was intended to let the wines shine –he succeeded; the pairings were perfect, but this bowl of pasta tossed with a traditional Sicilian condiment based on dried tomatoes was more than memorable.

8. Chili crisp biscuit from Broken Tart, Oak Park: Run to get your hands on this oneof-a-kind biscuit from Broken Tart, 1108 Chicago Ave. Everything at the bakery is divine, but this rare combination of ar tisan chili crisp and cheese on a buttery biscuit is otherworldly.

9. Cocktails at Kettlestrings Grove, Oak Park: We love all the drinks at the newest cocktail bar in Oak Park, 105 S. Marion St., but we clamor for the Euclid Treasure made with Soul Cachaca and Pistachio Orgeat.

10. A Reuben from Fritzi’s Delicatessen, Oak Park: People were giddy with anticipation for the opening of Fritzi’s, 113 N. Oak Park Ave. and their Reuben, crafted with house-made cor ned beef, is a sandwich that was totally wor th the wait.

11. An assor tment of sushi from Oakami, Chicago: Tom Uiprapassor n, chef and co-owner of Okami Sushi, 6818 W. Nor th Ave., Chicago, combines his love for Japanese anime and architectural sushi at his restaurant nes-

tled in the Nor th Avenue District. We like to let the chef pick for us!

12. All the gummy candies at Candycopia, Oak Park: This sweet shop, 717 Lake St., opened in 2022 and their mixand-match gummy candy, sold by the pound from apothecary jars, can bring out the kid in just about anyone

13. A Taste the Town Bite: Takeout 25 tur ned two this year and when they throw a party no one leaves hung ry. Their first in-person fundraiser to support local restaurants was no exception — multiple eateries put up delicious dishes and this surf and turf cup from the chefs at Babygold was unforgettable!

14. GCM jars, Private residence, Oak Park: Growing Community Media hosted a donor event in 2022 where we gifted cher ry filled cheesecake jars to our guests. They were darn delicious!

15. A double smash burg er from Circle Tavern, Elmwood Park: Served tavern style, this unassuming burger ticks all the boxes when it comes to g riddled indulgence. Don’t underestimate this of fering – Circle Tavern, 18 Conti Pkwy, burgers are among the best around.

16. Juneteenth BBQ fare by Robinson’s Ribs in Taylor Park, Oak Park: A community centered Juneteenth celebration drew crowds to Taylor Park on a gorgeous after noon. The smell of barbecue car ried the promise of delicious things and Robinson’s delivered a perfect picnic vibe on a meaningful day. Robinson’s is located at 848 Madison St.

19th Century Club reconsiders the Black Panthers

Tara Stamps gives a fuller picture of the Black empowerment par ty

By SHANEL ROMAIN Community Narrative

Tara Stamps, social activist visited the Nineteenth Century Association, 178 Forest Av on Dec 12 to talk about Marion Nzing a Stamps, org anizer and for mer Black member.

“By the time I was brought up and a of what was going on, Fr already been killed,” she my late mother worked Cabrini Green to bring programs to the community Those programs, Stamps directly related to the Party’s 10-Point Program Freedom … 2. We Want Full For Our People …”).

Stamps said her mother came to Chicago from Mississippi “with ar m and another one in her grandmother put her on a the night Medgar Wiley Ev

CORREC TING HISTORY: e Nineteenth Century Charitable Association hosted Tara Stamps, a social activ ist, whose mother, Marion Nzinga Stamps, was

anther Party.

“The media did a very poor job of vering what the Black Panther Party was about,” said Judy Eckberg, 79, chair of the Nineteenth Century Committee. “I got the impression that it was a gang and that they would do bad things.”

Sheila McNary said she was a member of the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther rty, joining after Hampton was murdered on Dec. 4, 1969.

“The party was about empowering Black people,” McNary said. “I worked the free breakfast for children program in Cabrini Green. Sickle Cell Anemia was also something that people are not aware of and that the Black Panther Party educated the ommunity about. But the media portrayed us as thugs.”

Stamps concluded her address by urging those in attendance to “leave with a thirst for truth and to know more about what happens in our country when many Black eople stand up for Black people and try to org anize for Black people.”

ONTACT: shanel@growingcommunitymedia.org

OPRF adds mental health workshops to lessen st ress

Positives and some concerns over rollout of new program

By ASHLE Y BROWN Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School added wellness workshops to its school schedule this year with a goal of helping students better manage their mental health while simultaneously managing school work, activities and complex social lives.

The wellness workshops were created with the intention of helping students manage stress The workshops consist of one period of meditation and class discussion about what stresses students out -- whether in or outside of school.

Lynda Parker, OPRF’s principal for two years, says the idea paired with the school’s committee on multi-tiered suppor t for social, emotional, and behavioral issues They wanted to show support for

students in order to address the mental health concer ns from both students and teachers that became very prevalent during COVID-19 and Zoom lear ning. Parker said, “the thought is to take a pause during the school day and to have a conversation about the topic of the month.”

After each workshop a survey is sent to students to get feedback on what they found most beneficial and of fer comments for the administration. The workshops will continue to take place once a month for the foreseeable future, said Parker.

The principal said students have re ported that the workshops have benefited them. It has given them a space to talk about their wor ries with other students who understand what they too are going through.

The workshops take place during re gularly scheduled classes and are led by teachers who may or may not have exper-

tise in leading such discussions

Jose ph DiMaso an 18-year-old senior at OPRF says, “these activities can be helpful but it just appears that some teachers just don’t want to do it.”

OPRF has taken other actions to support students and their mental health needs. The school allows for mental wellness days to count towards excused absences so that students aren’t “punished” for taking care of their mental health.

The goal of the wellness workshops is not just to allow a space for students to take a pause and breathe but to take these skills and put them to use in real life circumstances --s whether submitting college applications or right before a job interview. Coping strategies taught include 5-4-3-2-1, square breathing, and Being Your Own Best Friend

Asked if the school should address underlying school-based stressors such as

homework overloads or test-taking anxiety, Parker said, the wellness workshops are intended to teach students how to handle their emotions in overwhelming situations.

Needless to say there is still progress to make. Some students have requested that the wellness workshops take place during advisory periods, which for those who don’t know, are akin to homeroom. Having these workshops take place during advisory would give students the oppor tunity to be with students they have known since freshman year while not missing out on academic time that they will have to make up later.

DiMaso adds that “mental health activities are on the right track to consider mental health as being impor tant at OPRF.”

Ashle y Brown is an OPRF student and a contributing re porter for Wednesday Jour nal.

SHANEL ROMAIN/Sta Photographer

a community activist and Black Pantr y Party member.

To all of our residents, neighbors and friends, To all of our residents, neighbors and friends,

Wishing you Hope, Joy and Peace in the New Year

Wishing you Hope, Joy and Peace in the New Year

For over 37 years, Oak Park Apartments has been restoring and modernizing many of the area’s most beautiful and classic apartment buildings. In 2022, we welcomed over 800 new residents to the community. We are committed to making a home for them here in Oak Park and the near western suburbs.

oakpark.com/real- estate email: buphues@wjinc.com

Chronicling a year in Homes

Market boomed in early 2022, housewalks returned in person

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

It’s been an active year in local real estate sales, with a busy spring market that saw homes selling with multiple of fers and above asking price. Housewalks returned in person, and renovations continued throughout Oak Park and River Forest at a healthy pace. What’s in store for 2023 is anyone’s guess, but with a richness of architecture and personalities, the stories will keep coming.

YEAR IN REVIEW

January

In January, we looked into the world of Chicago architecture through the eyes of Oak Park-based writer Pat Cannon. A veteran Frank Lloyd Wright Trust volunteer, Cannon teamed up with long-time collaborator, photo grapher James Caufield on their sixth book, “At Home in Chicago: A Living History of Domestic Architecture.”

Cannon showcases more than 50 homes in the Chicago area from the 1830s to the present. With the criteria that the homes had to still be standing, he starts with structures as simple as long cabins and moves towards landmarks such as Wright’s Heurtley House in Oak Park, examples of the iconic Chicago bungalow and a net-zero house as well.

John and Elisabeth Muhlenberg decided to remain in their home rather than opt for communal living, a decision that resulted in them making some main- oor alterations.

February

February brought a look into what it takes to age in place in Oak Park’s historic houses. Elizabeth and John Muhlenberg loved their family home, a four-square home built in 1910, but with John’s Parkinson’s advancing, the couple knew they needed a first-floor bathroom that their house did not have. Loath to move, they reached out to contractor Tony Roeder of Marion Street Services who helped them make their home a place where they can comfortably age in place.

March

In March, we examined a contentious topic: parking in Oak Park. Everyone has an opinion on the topic, and most of those opinions are not positive

While residents love to lament the parking situation, village re presentatives point out that there are many options for people whose homes don’t come with a dedicated parking place. From village-owned garages, to permits for street parking to privately rented spots, a number of solutions exist with on-line payment and applications making the process easier.

April

A church for sale graced our pages in April. Parkview Church on South Oak Park Avenue was listed for sale for $650,000. Marketed by agent Matt Messier, who specializes in the sale of religious properties, the building spans over 13,000 square feet and of fered possibilities for rehab by an institution or more likely by a developer interested in renovating the building into a residence. The price of 641 S. Oak Park Ave. was recently lowered to $595,000, but it remains on the market.

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

May

In May, we looked inside an Arts & Crafts cottage with style galore at 454 Iowa St. in Oak Park. Designed by architect Lawrence Buck, the home was featured in the Ladies Home Journal and House Beautiful.

Listed for $925,000 by Sheila Kiesling of Coldwell Banker Realty, the stucco and shingled home sold for $1.1 million.

June

We took a walk down memory lane in June with Nora Natof. The granddaughter of Frank Lloyd Wright now lives in Oak Park in Mills Tower. Natof ’s mother, Frances Wright Caroe, was one of Wright’s daughters with his first wife Catherine. Natof says her mother was estranged from the famous architect for much of her childhood. After first meeting her grandfather at the Plaza Hotel at the age of 12, Natof later spent summers at Taliesin in Wisconsin.

July

In July, we focused on River Forest with a feature on Lorrie and Tom Michael. The couple spent much of their 60 years of married life in their home on Ashland Avenue, but Lorrie’s tenure in the house was even longer.

Her parents built the brick home in 1934, and Lorrie and Tom took it over in 1962. They raised seven children in the home and were active in the community, the Kiwanis Club and River Forest parades. In 2016, the village honored Tom with an honorary street sign that reads: Tom “Big Guy” Michael Way.

ALEX ROGALS/Sta

Photographer

Nora Natof

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Tom Michael Lorrie Michael

August

In August we tur ned the spotlight on architect Henry Fiddelke. In Oak Park, his Hales Mansion on the cor ner of Oak Park and Chicago avenues is one of the largest estates in town. He also left his mark the commercial districts of Forest Pa and Oak Park, and designed the original Holmes School in Oak Park

September

September brought the continued story the empty lot at 329 Home Ave. in Oak Park After rehabbing the existing four-unit apar ment building at 327 Home Ave., the ne owners sought village approval to chang the zoning on the empty lot from two-family to multi-family, with the stated intention to build four townhomes on the lot.

Many neighbors contested the proposed zoning change, which would have permitted the developer to build more than four units on the lot.

Oc tober

In October we looked at the rehabilitation of a multi-family building at 617 S. Lombard Ave. The building had fallen on hard times when real estate investor Owen Li purchased it prior to the star t of the COVID-19 pandemic

He intended to rehab the building and live in one unit with his family, but the delayed pace of construction during the pandemic and skyrocketing construction costs

changed his plans.

After a long process of construction, he listed the entire building for sale, while also listing the units for rent in the fall of 2022.

November

A mobster’s for mer home made the news in November, when the bungalow once owned by Sam Giancana hit the market. Listed at $1.1 million by Zak Knebel and Camille Hoover of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, the Mediterranean style bungalow at 1147 Wenonah Ave. in Oak Park was the site of the mobster’s death in 1974.

December

In December, local real estate agents opined on whether or not the holiday season was a good time to buy or sell a home and hazard guesses about what the real estate world might look like in 2023.

Happy Holidays!

PROVIDED

Hales Mansion at 509 N Oak Park Ave.

Ducree’s three takes Fenwick over Farragut at Proviso West

Win set up match against tough Kenwood squad in second round

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Fenwick High School boys basketball team opened the Proviso West Holiday Tour nament on Dec 26 with a 4846 overtime victory over Farragut. Dominick Ducree’s threepointer with 50 seconds left in the extra period proved to be the game-winner

Darshan Thomas led the Friars (8-5) with 13 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks Ty Macariola added nine points and J.T. Pettigrew had eight points and 10 rebounds.

“At the end of the day, the mission was accomplished,” said Fenwick coach Tony Young. “It wasn’t pretty, but we survived and advanced.”

The Friars managed to prevail despite committing 23 tur novers and missing several layups in re gulation.

“We’re a young group that’s got a lot of growing to do,” Young said. “But I’m proud of the strides we’re taking.”

The consistent play of Thomas is one reason why Fenwick has had a solid season. But Young feels the junior can reach another level.

“Darshan’s got to keep it going,” Young said. “He brings great energy. Once he realizes the things he can do, he’s only going to get better.”

Young has asked so much from his young players this season, and for good reason.

“I demand a lot out of them and coach them hard because they have to grow right now,” he said. “It’s only going to help them in the long run.”

Fenwick met Kenwood, ranked second in the Chicago Sun-

Times day ent and are considered the fa K 122-47, with K “Y great said. “W T ball Academy Thanksgi But Classic mar Huskies nament on Dec “W do ing ha T emy rank

It’s quite a difficult draw for OPRF (3-6).

“That’s the good thing about P ontiac,” Gary said. “No firstround game is a good draw for anybody. That’s how competitive and good it is.”

Other top teams at Pontiac include Aurora West, Bloom, Curie, Joliet West, New Trier and Simeon, the Sun-Times’ top-ranked team and defending tour nament champion.

“We’re trying to go down and win as many games as we can,” he said. “We want to clean up the small things we’ve

Fenw ick guard Dominick Ducree takes a shot during a recent game. e sophomore’s three-pointer w ith 50 seconds le in overtime gave the Friars a 48-46 rstround victor y over Farragut Dec. 26 at the Prov iso West Holiday Tournament

been focusing on. We want to get something we can hang our hat on and build from there.”

OPRF also hopes to get a boost from the retur n of senior point guard Christian Marshall, who has missed the last few games.

“I told him you’ve got to fight through adversity to get to where you want to go,” Gary said. “He’s lear ning from it, and having him back is going to help us tremendously.”

Trinity hopes to stay hot at Montini Tourney

Blazers enter competition on a 4-game win streak

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Trinity High School basketball team entered this week’s Montini Christmas

Tour nament on a roll, having won four consecutive g ames.

The Blazers’ latest victory came on the road Dec. 21 at Payton Prep. Lauren Miller had 16 points, nine rebounds, and four assists as Trinity (9-3) ran past the Grizzlies 61-38.

Zaria Goins tallied 13 points and six rebounds and Cier ra Richardson added 12

points, six assists, and five steals for the Blazers.

“I’m excited,” said Trinity coach Kim Coleman. “We’ve had to make some adjustments because we have two star ters [Killian Gitterle and Maeve Lundt] down due to injury But we’ve had a few g ames where we found out who our next people up were going to be.”

Coleman believes Trinity can fare well at Montini as long as Miller, who’s had numerous double-doubles this year, continues her consistent play.

“She’s been super pivotal,” she said. “Lauren is our leader. When she scores and rebounds, most of the time we wind up on the (win) side of the column.”

Trinity opened up with Plainfield Central on Dec 27, after Wednesday Jour nal’s print deadline Assuming a victory, the Blazers would likely meet the tour nament host Broncos in the quar terfinals on Dec 28.

C AROL DUNNING/Contributor

Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com

A new appreciation of Mary

Growing up as a Baptist, I saw Mary as not much more than a side note to the ultimate story of Jesus. However, I have recently become obsessed with this woman. As a Christian, I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe in the Immaculate Conception. I believe that Jesus was born to save humanity through his wisdom, miracles, and ultimate sacrifice.

VIEWPOINTS

SHARHONDA

DAWSON

One View

But outside of Christmas, and mostly because of the nativity scenes, I really hadn’t given Mary much thought. When I did think about her, it wasn’t very positive — largely because so much of what was taught to me about Mary had to do with her being a virgin. That’s what they called her, “The Virgin Mary.” And no offense to other virgins, but her virginity, didn’t make me think of her as special. To me, the term, “Virgin Mary,” is no different than describing her as “tall Mary, or short Mary, or Brunette Mary”; none of those are adjectives that describe a person’s character.

However, recently I be g an to reread the story with a new lens, and the wholeness, the awesomeness, and the greatness of Mary began to become clear to me. Mary was a young immigrant, living under Roman rule. She was probably illiterate, poor, and very low on the social strata. She was also betrothed to Joseph. Jewish people during that period had a multi-step mar riage process: Mary was intended to marry Joseph but had to wait until she was older, probably puberty.

Anyway, so God — the God of the Universe, the God of creation, the one true God — had to find a way to bring his son to earth. Now as a believer in the Bible, God could have created Jesus in any way he wanted, using anyone he wanted. But instead of creating Jesus from scratch (like the Genesis story), or choosing someone in the royal Jewish class, or someone rich, God chose Mary.

And by every account, she was nothing “exceptional.” Unlike other women in the Bible, there is no mention of her beauty, charisma, intelligence, or other characteristics that we use to identify great women.

What is mentioned is so simple and so profound,

A glimmer of light in the darkness

As Hanukkah passes and the New Year approaches, my thoughts drift back to Grandma Kima.

Kima Nemkovskaya wasn’t ally my grandmother — she was grandpa’s cousin. But when my great-gr father was executed and my great-gr mother was sent to the labor camp as pa Stalin’s 1938 Great Purge, her mother took my grandpa and my great-uncle in. Grandma Kima became their honorary older sister, and it only seemed natural that their kids would call her “Aunty Kima” and their grandkids would call her “Grandma Kima.”

She was born on Jan. 1, and, by the time I was bor n, the entire family gathering in her apar tment to celebrate it was a well-established tradition.

STUDENKOV One View

Growing up, I knew that Grandma Kima was Jewish, and so were some of my other distant relatives. But it didn’t seem to ma tter that much to me — at least until I came to United States.

In Chicago, much of the Russian-speaking diaspora was made up of Jews who fled Soviet state-sanctioned

antisemitism. If you spoke Russian, you almost assumed as being a Russian Jew until proven otherwise.

r the first time in my life, my Jewish were an asset, a way to bond. And immigrants I talked to were asking questions I never thought to ask as a kid. If your andma’s cousin was Jewish, wouldn’t that your great-grandma Jewish? And, if great grandma is Jewish, wouldn’t that your grandpa and your great-uncle wish?

Jewish roots suddenly didn’t feel so distant after all.

As I went to colle ge, I started filling in the gaps. The publication of my great-uncle’s book about my great-grandmother, which traced the family history back several generations, helped to put a few things in place, and so did some conversations with my relatives.

I learned about my great-great-grandparents surviving po groms in what is now Ukraine. I learned how,

OUR VIEWS

New year, new leaders

As 2023 opens, it is striking how many critical local leadership posts have changed hands over the past year to 18 months. The year just past has been one of enor mous transition in top posts, some critical settling in, listening tours, and now the start of taking action on hard issues

In Oak Park we have a new superintendent, Ushma Shah, at the District 97 elementary schools; a still new leader, Greg Johnson, at Oak Park and River Forest High School; a new village manager, Kevin Jackson; and a new police chief in Shatonya Johnson. River Forest has a new administrator, Brian Murphy.

In every case those new leaders are already beginning to reshape their own inter nal leadership teams. And elected officials, where boards will be reshaped to a degree through April elections, will be more ready to expect the new leaders to implement critical 2023 goals.

We’d also mention another staggering transition that we’ll be watching as West Suburban Hospital has yet another new owner. This time it is not an out-of-state health-care chain but a more entrepreneurial and locally based leadership. This, too, is critical.

Gratitude fuels our progress

With the close of 2022, all of us at Growing Community Media, the nonprofit parent of Wednesday Jour nal, are enor mously grateful to our communities for the support we have received this year

As we write this note on Dec. 27, we have surpassed the original fundraising goal of $150,000 and are now working to add 100 monthly donors by Dec. 31. That represents hundreds of individuals who have donated anywhere from a few dollars to many thousands. Each of you has fueled our determination to continue building our nonprofit newsroom, which now includes five flags across the Greater West Side — from Garfield Park to Oak Park, from Maywood and Proviso to Forest Park and Riverside.

Thanks also to the thousands who subscribe to our vital print editions and the thousands more who read us digitally. A special thanks always to our hundreds of advertisers who continue to invest in us and in their businesses by connecting with our readers.

We have big plans for 2023, important and contested elections to cover ahead of the April vote. While as a nonprofit we may no longer endorse candidates under IRS regulations, we will overperform in providing all of our readers with extensive coverage of the candidates and the issues in every race Planning for that coverage — digital and print, and a retur n to live candidate forums — is already underway.

Also, we are actively hiring for full-time reporting positions If you, or someone you know, wants to be part of this newsroom, now is the time to reach out.

Finally, always, gratitude for recognizing that strong community jour nalism is the essential glue that builds neighborhoods. While we are building a new model to fund our work and adapting how we tell stories on many platforms, the core effort of explaining, demanding accountability, and connecting is the same as it has been since we launched our first paper, Wednesday Jour nal, 42 years back

Iwill remember 2022 fondly as the Year of Heroes. It was the year my grandsons introduced me to the world of Harry Potter. I’m surprised, actually, that these books and films are so popular among children because they transport us to a dark and often fearsome world. J.K. Rowling is a wildly imaginative fabricator of the shadow side of a magical universe. There are eight books in the series, so we know Harry will survive at least until the eighth, which hardly seems likely considering that Lord Voldemort and his minions are so deeply dedicated to his demise. He is one unflappably heroic kid. The books and movies give my grandsons and me plenty to talk about. And speaking of dark universes, I binge-watched the first few seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale Yikes. Yet the main character, June, becomes progressively more heroic with each episode. Our reactionary Supreme Court majority would feel right at home in that dystopia

Heroes of 2022 KEN TRAINOR

seditionists to squeeze out the barest of majorities so they can pursue their highest domestic priority: impeaching the president for the high crime of being the father of Hunter Biden.

None of that, however, takes away from the heroism of the quiet majority of American voters — left and center right — who defeated election deniers, liars and democracy despisers, despite the national media’s hammering, yammering predictions for two full years that Democrats, and democracy, would suffer devastating losses in the midter ms. It would be lovely if we could persuade the pundits and pollsters to take a muchneeded vacation from the suffering succotash of their shallow sophistry during this next election cycle, because defenders of democracy have now won two of the three elections necessary to save our system (SOS) and we really need that three-peat We have to win one more time in 2024 to drive the stake into the vampire heart of the MAGA Authoritarian Movement.

By comparison, the real world seems a remarkably bright, promising and positive place.

Unless you live in Ukraine. What a heroic and inspiring people, led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But if Donald Trump had won the 2020 election, Ukraine would no longer be an independent nation. I can’t help wondering why the national media doesn’t point that out more often. God bless Joe Biden, the Democrats, the NATO alliance and the American people for supporting the Ukrainians and exposing Voldemort Putin, Trump’s leadership model, for the war criminal he is.

In this country, we still have a democracy, thanks to millions of American voters who rose to the occasion in the November midter ms. Let’s hear it for young voters, women, and especially the citizens of Georgia who elected Raphael War nock as their senator for the fourth time in two years! Black Americans often say they have to be twice as good as white Americans in order to get where they want to go, but four times better? Whatever it takes, I guess, which makes Sen. War nock a hero — as is Sen. John Fetterman, who battled through a stroke, for heaven’s sake, to flip a Senate seat, plus the Pennsylvania voters who recognized quality over yet another Trump imposter

Democracy did not go unscathed — carpetbagger J.D. Vance in Ohio, for instance, sold his soul to win a Senate seat that should have gone to the far more impressive Tim Ryan. Good luck to Vance going forward, minus his humanity. And the Republican Clown Show is back in control of the House of Representatives thanks to unlimited gerrymandering of districts in Red states and restricted gerrymandering in California and New York, which enabled the

Nonetheless, two heroic wins in two years warrants celebration and American voters have richly ear ned 2022’s Citizens of the Year Award. We proved that democracy still has a pulse.

And speaking of proof, the January 6 Commission, heroes all — especially Republicans Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger and the Republican witnesses who testified — built an ir refutable case against Trump and his traitors. Let’s hope the Justice Dept. proves equally heroic by indicting them in 2023.

But the final word on democracy this year goes to Raphael War nock, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist (MLK’s church), who prevailed by taking the high road throughout his four-part electoral marathon. As Economist magazine put it in their recent profile: “[War nock] likes to say that ‘democracy is the political enactment of a spiritual idea, the sacred worth of all human beings’; that ‘a vote is a kind of prayer for the world we desire’; that ‘legislation is a letter to our children.’ ‘And if we ask ourselves what we want that letter to say,’ he told rapt students at the Georgia Institute of Technology the day before the election, ‘we might actually get it right.’”

Amen to that, Rev. War nock.

And speaking of “the sacred worth of human beings,” nothing (in my 2022) highlighted that more than the arrival of granddaughter Charlotte Trainor, aka Charlee, born on Nov. 4, a perfect gift heading into the holidays. She is gold, frankincense and myrrh, all tied up in one beautiful bundle as she be gins her heroic jour ney through life.

With notable exceptions, may 2023 be kind to those mentioned above, and to the rest of us as we pray — and keep voting — for democracy, and a better world.

2022 - A YEAR IN SHRUB TO WN by Marc Stopeck

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 Sheridan

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

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

Sales & Digital Development Manager Stac y Coleman

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

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Judy Gre n Treasurer Nile Wendor f Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

About Viewpoints

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

LET TER TO THE EDITOR

■ 250-word limit

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

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 500-word limit

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself, your connec tion to the topic

■ Signature details as at lef t

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

HOW TO REA CH US

ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-524-8300

EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com

Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP

The newspaper is available on newsstands for $2.00.

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

Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address correc tions to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2022 Growing Community Media, NFP.

Getting Oak for a gas-f e y iceucts

New York, L.A., San Francisco Seattle, Chicago what’s stopping Oak Park from joining these and many other U.S. cities moving ward requiring new buildings to be g as-free?

From extraction to combustion, the g as powering our fur naces, hot water heaters, stoves, and dryers a major contributor to toxic indoor air pollution as well as climate heating. Methane released into the atmosphere from g as leaks has 86 times the war ming potential carbon dioxide.

That’s why Climate Ready Oak Park, the climate action plan the village adopted last summer, commits Oak Park to “transition natural g as units in all existing buildings across the village to electric units.”

Let’s get star ted!

Mandating new buildings to be all-electric is the low-hanging fruit in this transition away from fossil fuels Designing all-electric build-

to energy sustainability as soon as possible. The Oak Park Village Board needs to follow the lead of major U.S. cities and require us to build now for a g as-free 21st century.

Wendy Greenhouse Oak Park

DAWSON Mary’s feminism

from page 19

the angel Gabrielle simply said to Mary, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Then he asked her to risk her life, re putation, and future for a mission. Now this doesn’t get highlighted in church, but it is important to be very

STUDENKOV

Perseverance vs. oppression

from page 19

when my grandfather and great-uncle were released from their own imprisonment in a labor camp, their grandmother told them that, when they got their identification papers back, those papers better say that they

4-mile-a-day of Oak Park only pet-friendge sidewalks request since wners with them to shovel non-compliant.

Mark Schlosser, Oak Park

test scores

I enjoyed the ar ticle about Lar ry Ritser t, a fellow Oak Park biker [Cyclist logs ov er 6,000 miles in one year, News, Dec. 21]. But, by not conver ting his annual mileage to metric, you missed out on why we call him the Million Meter Man!

Charlie Ruedebusch Member, Oak Park Old Pharts

Concer ning the Dec 21 article by Bob Skolnik [OPRF test scores still split on racial and income lines, News]: I think this sad and frequent story could benefit if the results were reported by gender So within each race/ ethnic group, report female and male (and maybe other), showing the percent distribution across each of the four achievement levels.

John Leav y, Oak Park

clear about what God was asking her to do He asked her to:

1. Get pregnant, not by her fiancé, while not yet mar ried

2. Risk her family’s re putation

3. Risk the punishment (often beatings or death) for women who are “adulterous”

4. Raise the Son of God and prepare Him to save the people of the Earth

For sure, Mary understood what the Lord was requesting of her; her re putation, her relationship with her family, and her life, yet, without hesitation, Mary

were ethnically Russian.

I lear ned how, in spite of that, my mom ran up against the quota system that limited college admissions to a small number of Jews and “halfies” like her She got admitted, but many of her Jewish friends didn’t, and she could only swallow her anger and watch.

But what really brought it all into sharp relief was when my Jewish relatives died, one by one, of natural causes. When Grandma Kima died 10 years ago, I realized that I had no idea what was the right way, the

answered, “I am the Lord ’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Every day, I am beaten down with fear by society’s expectations of what I should look like, talk like, behave like, and so on. When I get overwhelmed, I think of the courage and braveness of Mary of Nazareth, and I try to channel one ounce of her courage and faith. Through choosing Mary for the ultimate holy mission, God demonstrated whom He finds favor with, and God favors those who are faithful and fearless

Mary, mother of Jesus, thank you for your obedience and for being my role model of someone whom God highly favors. I hope that I, too, will favor God.

Mer ry Christmas, and thank you, Mary, for saying, yes, and giving the world the greatest gift of all, your son, Jesus Christ.

ShaRhonda Knott Dawson is a west suburban resident involv ed in multiple service organizations and projects centered on racial justice and equity in and around Oak Park. Her writing can be found on her blog, sharhondatribune.com.

proper Jewish way, to mour n her. When my great-uncle, then my grandpa, died, I was left with the questions I never got to ask, the things I never got to lear n.

There are plenty of Russian-speaking Jews all over the world, even here in Oak Park, who don’t know much about Judaism, who may not follow many Jewish cultural traditions, but who are still haunted by the world’s oldest hatred.

To me, the ritual of lighting the menorah is ultimately a symbol of perseverance in

the face of oppression. And it reminds me of how, even though Grandma Kima never talked to me about Judaism or being Jewish, she used to make me challah bread. I didn’t understand the cultural significance as a kid, but it was special to me because it was her bread, and she was the only one who made it

In spite of everything, a little piece of my Jewish heritage got passed down to me

A little ray of light in the oppressive darkness.

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer Larr y Ritsert

IN MEMORIAM 2022

In 2022, we said farewell to many who made Oak Park and Ri v er Forest what they are today. Here are just a few of the many we remember:

■ Betty White, 99, the “Golden Girl,” TV and enter tainment personality who became a cultural phenomenon. She didn’t live here long, but she was an Oak Park native

■ Jerry Koenig, 84, longtime teacher and principal of Grace Lutheran School in River Forest.

■ Tesse Donnelly, 91, founding member of Arbor West Neighbors senior living group, St. Giles Family Mass group, and the Experimental Program at OPRF High School.

■ Cliff Augustine, 82, for mer priest, banana far mer from Belize, and teacher at Malcolm X City Colle ge

■ Lar ry Christmas , 86, Oak Pa rk village president (1993-97),

longtime re gional p lanner fo r the Nor theaster n I llinois Regional Planning C ommission (NIPC), and active member of the Hemingway Foundation.

■ Frank Limentato, 78, barber who lear ned to cut hair as a child in Sicily, ran the Oak Park Avenue Barber Shop for over 35 years.

■ Glenn Leonhar t, 93, restored Frank Lloyd Wright-designed furniture for the Home & Studio

■ Rich Gloor, 84, longtime Realtor who owned Gloor Realty for decades, active in The Avenue (now Hemingway) business district.

■ Hanny Leitson, 96, therapist and social justice activist who fled Nazi Ger many on the Kindertranspor t.

■ Rich Cozzol a, 69, longtime Le g al Aid attor ney, singer-songwriter

■ Tom Monaco, 73, coach and suppor ter of Oak Park Youth Baseball/Softball.

■ Patricia Braxton Wills, 72, St. Catherine-St. Lucy parishioner, choir member, sister and confidante of Bishop Ed Braxton.

■ Randall Stoklas, 76, respected child psychologist.

■ Flora Green, 79, principal at Longfellow and Brooks schools in Oak Park, District 97 special education administrator.

■ Ann Shalla, 84, made a living laughing (in TV studio audiences), held the world record for continuous laughing (4 hours, 6 minutes), owned the B&B Ann’s Laf f Inn.

■ Cor rinne Blackman, 97, of River Forest, an avid bowler into her 90s.

■ Jim Grosso, 73, musician, survived the Our Lady of the Angels fire in 1958.

■ Cliff Johnson, 70, talented rock musician, singer, songwriter who struggled with mental health issues

■ Carolyn Poplett, 92, chronicler of 19th Century Club history, author of The Gentle Force, volunteer at the Economy Shop resale store.

■ Rick Carter, 62, pedicab operator with the gift of gab on Oak Park streets, known as “Rickshaw Rick.”

■ Gerhar t Schmeltekopf, 80, musician, historian of musical instruments, owned the Early Music Center on Garfield Street.

■ John Eckenroad III, 78, city manager of Northfield who became the executive director of the Oak Park Development Corporation in the 1990s.

■ Harry Steckman, 76, co-founder and longtime head of the Steckman School of Music.

■ Dale Rider, 90, longtime River Forest village trustee

■ Judy Tenuta, 72, comedian and author who branded herself “the Love Goddess.”

■ Gerald Clay, 81, educational equity advocate who founded African American Parents for Purposeful Leadership in Education (APPLE), and co-founded Black-White Dialogues

■ Christine Burdick, 72, longtime head of the Downtown Oak Park business district.

■ Barbara Ballinger, 97, longtime Oak Park Public Library director, head of the Hemingway Archive, poetry lover who could recite many by heart.

■ Jay Champelli, 80, longtime VMA member, community activist, Ascension parishioner.

■ Rev. Bennie Whiten Jr , 89, United Church of Christ minister and administrator

BET TY WHITE

TO M MONACO

GERHART SCHMELTEKOPF

TESSE DONNELLY

RANDALL STOKLAS

HARRY STECKMAN

L ARRY CHRISTMAS

ANN SHALLA

JUDY TENUT

CHRISTINE BURDICK

JERRY KOENIG

PATRICIA BRAXTON

JOHN ECKENROAD III

CLIFF AUGUSTINE

FLORA GREEN

DALE RIDER

FRANK LIMENTATO

CORRINNE BLACKMAN

GERALD CLAY

RICH GLOOR HANNY LEITSON RICH COZZOL A

RICK CA R TER

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,

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.

Software Engineer sought by Pangea Transfer Company LLC in Chicago, IL. Dsgn, dvlp & bld ftrs for Pangea’s iOS app. Apply @ JobPostingToday. com, REF#99149.

Project Mgr, Civil Engineering (Chicago, IL) coord & execute Streetscape & Infrastructure improvement projects; determine sched, resources, staffing & procedures; prep/document submittals, RFIs & RFIM’s; ensure project executed in accordance w/ stds/designs, scheds, budgets & regs; manage fin’l aspects of contract. Reqs MS in Civil or Transportation Engg & 2 yrs exp as Civil or Project Engineer. Resumes to H. Mangrola, Sumit Construction Co, 1450 W Wrightwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60639

Business Operations Analyst (Chicago, IL) Duties: review & analyze fin’l statements, sales & activity reports to measure productivity & achieve sales growth & targets. Dvlp key sales & performance goals. Create & implmt strategies for operational efficiency & business dvlpmt; identify areas needing cost reduction or improvement; identify ways to expand customer base & grow mkt share; identify prospective customers’ needs. Compile data regarding customers’ practices & preferences & internal procedures; maintain relationships w/ existing & potential customers. Reqmts: Bach deg in Business, Econ, Mgmt or closely rltd field or foreign educational equiv & 3 yrs exp in job duties or in a position involving administrative or operations mgmt for a wholesale distribution business. M-F 8am-4pm. Email resumes to Covemex Corporation; Attn: R. Passarini; covemex@ yahoo.com

Shipping Manager

Manufacturing

Top rated firm Alpina Manufacturing LLC founded in 1992, locally owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals, CTA Apply in person M-F 8am to 4pm • Alpina • 6460 W Cortland St Chicago, IL 60707 www.fastchangeframes.com

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

HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, County Division.

In re Nicholas J. Russo and Isui Dawn Russo, Petitioner and JeanCarlo Munoz-Ordaz, Respondent, Case No. 2022COAD000505.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Adoption and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before January 20, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Adoption entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal December 21, 28, 2022, January 4, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y22009963 on December 16, 2022. Under the Assumed Business Name of SLOAN COFFEE ROASTING with the business located at: 261 HERRICK RD, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: MATT SLOAN 261 HERRICK RD RIVERSIDE, IL 60546, USA.

Published in RB Landmark December 21, 28, 2022, January 4, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

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 NOTICE

BID NOTICE

The Village of Riverside will be receiving sealed bids for the 2023 Cyclic and Demand Tree Pruning Services. The Village of Riverside requires the payment of prevailing wages in accordance with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, when applicable. Bids will be accepted at the Riverside Public Works Department, 3860 Columbus Blvd., Riverside, un-

PUBLIC NOTICE

BID NOTICE

The Village of Riverside will be receiving sealed bids for the 2023 Tree and Stump Removal and Emergency Storm Damage Response services. The Village of Riverside requires the payment of prevailing wages in accordance with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, when applicable. Bids will be accepted at the Riverside Department of Public Works, 3860 Columbus Blvd., Riverside, until 10:00 a.m. January 18 th , 2023 at which time the bids will be opened and read aloud. Bid Packets and Specifications may be obtained at the Department of Public Works between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Questions may be directed to the Public Works Department at (708) 442-3590. The Village of Riverside reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive technicalities, and to accept any bid which is deemed to be in the best interest of the Village of Riverside.

in RB Landmark December 28, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified vendors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2023 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2023 Street Lighting & Traffic Control Materials Pricing Bid Number: 23-108

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal December 28, 2022

Published

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

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

CALENDAR NUMBER: 01-23-Z

HEARING DATE: January 18, 2023

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

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302

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.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a crossexamination form or by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.

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.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park—Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302—will receive sealed proposals until Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 11:00 A.M.

At that time, sealed proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud for the following Village project: 2023 Division Street Resurfacing, MFT #22-00266-00-FP. In general, the improvements consist of the removal and replacement of portions of curb and gutter, ADA ramps, select driveways, minor drainage improvements, installation of Hot-Mix Asphalt Binder and Surface Courses, drainage structure adjustments, pavement striping, parkway restoration, installation of RRFB system, bicycle detector loops, and all appurtenant work thereto.

Plans and proposal forms may be obtained from the office of the Village Engineer starting on

Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications to only those contractors deemed qualified. No plans will be issued to prospective bidders after 4:00 P.M. on the working day preceding the opening of bids.

All prospective bidders must prove they are pre-qualified in the HMA Paving category by the Illinois Department of Transportation by providing a certificate of eligibility to the Engineering Division prior to receiving bid documents.

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

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

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

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.

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

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAA HOME EQUITY TRUST 2006-14, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-14 Plaintiff, -v.-

ELIZABETH SMITH, LARRY E. SMITH Defendants 2018 CH 03138 646 LYMAN AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

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

CALENDAR NUMBER: 02-23-Z

HEARING DATE: January 18, 2023

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

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302

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 Number 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.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a crossexamination form or by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.

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 28 2022

Published in Wednesday Journal, December 28, 2022

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2018-G-CTT Plaintiff, -v.-

ANN W. BELL, MARTIN F. BELL, COMMUNITY BANK OF OAK PARK RIVER FOREST Defendants 2022 CH 02068 1152 HOME 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 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

Property Index No. 16-18-326-0020000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $130,513.82.

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.

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

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 SELENE FINANCE LP Plaintiff, -v.-

LARSENIA HORTON, NEIL SMITH, ASSURANCE RESTORATION & CONSTRUTION, INC., PRAIRIE HOUSES OWNERS ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 12736

14 DIVISION STREET, # 14 OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 16, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 9, 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 14 DIVISION STREET, # 14, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-127-0480000

The real estate is improved with a brown brick, three story townhouse, attached one car garage. 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

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.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

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.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 20-04687IL_613739

Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 18 CH 12736 TJSC#: 42-1079

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 # 18 CH 12736 I3208765

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 27, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 19, 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 646 LYMAN AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-114-0150000

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.

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,

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer

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) 236-

SALE

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

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

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-18-00602 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 03138

TJSC#: 42-4547

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 # 2018 CH 03138 I3209538

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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

e Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. is newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800669-9777.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA