W E D N E S D A Y
January 3, 2024 Vol. 44, No. 27
$2.00 @wednesdayjournalinc
@wednesdayjournal
JOURNAL @oakpark
of Oak Park and River Forest
Village president Vicki Scaman shares projects she’s most excited about for the coming year By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter
Hila Ratzabi practices ways to repair and improve the world. Her poems show it PROVIDED
By JACK HELBIG “Go outside.” Oak Parker Hila Ratzabi writes in her poem, How to Pray While the World Burns, “Find a patch of grass, sand, dirt/Sit, kneel, place a hand or just/A finger to the soft earth/Feel it pulse back.” The piece is from Ratzabi’s first collection of poems “There are Still Woods,” a collection of 48 clear-eyed,
Page 3
What’s next for Oak Park in 2024?
Oak Park poet offers words for troubling times Contributing Reporter
What’s WJ’s most read story?
open-hearted, well-tuned ruminations, spond to the catastrophic forest fires in California. Other of her poems meditations, and other assorted bits of autobiographical encounters with na- comment on climate change and the ture and God, and on-going search for a “End of the Anthropocene” (literally wholeness in an aching, broken world. the title of one of her pieces). Ratzabi conducts regular poetry This is hardly surprising. Ratzabi has been an active environ- workshops in Thatcher Woods and at mentalist from childhood; her poems the Chicago Botanic Garden. multiple “I take people on an eco-poetry are steeped in an appreciation of na- companies qualitywalk,” coverages she said. “I give them a packet ture and awareness of the environmultiple companies ment. “How to Pray While the World educated agents coverages See RATZABI on page 6 Burns” was written, in part, to quality re-
Oak Parkers can expect continued work toward making the village a more affordable, equitable and enjoyable place to live in 2024. That’s according to Vicki Scaman, Oak Park’s village president. In 2023, Oak Park received an “A” for climate change adaptation, helped shelter asylum-seekers, approved a new capital improvement plan, introduced a study evaluating racial equity and more. For 2024, Scaman said she’s excited about continuing to work toward the village’s climate change goals, alternative response for mental health calls, implementing more affordable housing and so much more. “What we’re seeing today is people that are willing to, with my leadership, take that work and see it come forward in village board agendas in very tangible ways,” Scaman said. See OAK PARK on page 8
educated agents
Delivering best-in-class coverage andand service—since 1957! Delivering best-in-class coverage service—since 1957! AUTO | HOME | PRIVATE CLIENT | BUSINESS | LIFE AUTO | HOME | PRIVATE CLIENT | BUSINESS | LIFE
www.forestinsured.com 383383 9000 www.forestinsured.com| 708 | 708 9000
2
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Athletico team gives $1K grant to Beyond Hunger The team organized a 6-week long food drive for the nonprofit By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter
The Oak Park Athletico Physical Therapy clinic, selected to allocate a $1,000 grant to a community nonprofit of their choice, awarded it to Beyond Hunger, a local hunger relief agency/food pantry. Teri Miller, director of development for Beyond Hunger, said the $1,000 grant was a huge surprise and was stunned when presented with the check. “One thousand dollars for a pantry like ours goes a long way,” she said. “We usually say $1 equals three meals, so that’s 3,000 meals from their very generous donation.” Beyond Hunger works to provide the most healthy and nutritious food possible for the people they serve, she said, including fresh
fruits and vegetables as well as food low in salt and sugar. The organization also tried to collect food specific to the dietary preferences of the populations they serve, Miller said. Athletico teams across the country participate in a “PT Day of Service” initiative, which encourages employees to donate their time and give back to the community they serve. The Athletico Cares Foundation then randomly selects five of those teams to each donate a $1,000 grant to a 501(c)(3) community nonprofit of their choice, said Dana Andreoli, director of external communications and public relations at Athletico Physical Therapy. “All these organizations benefit the health and wellbeing of their communities in some fashion,” she said. The Oak Park north Athletico team decided to have about a 6-week food drive in August and September for Beyond Hunger, Krebsbach said. It can be difficult to coordinate all the staff ’s schedule for a day of volunteering, Krebsbach said, but the food drive allowed everyone to participate and
get involved. “We did that actually last year for the first time, and it was really successful,” she said. “They’re [Beyond Hunger] a great organization to work with.” The team was able to collect and donate non-perishable food and personal goods such as feminine products for Beyond Hunger, Krebsbach said. Athletico’s total donation amount was 160 pounds of food, Miller said. It’s not unusual for local groups to do fundraisers for Beyond Hunger, Miller said, and the organization sometimes suggests groups focus donations on specialty items, such as feminine products or toilet paper, that can be expensive and not donated as often. The $1,000 check was presented to Beyond Hunger in early December, Krebsbach said. “Everyone there was really thankful and excited about this donation,” she said. Although the team at Athletico was unable to coordinate a day for volunteering this year, Krebsbach said she hopes next year the staff can attend the nonprofit’s training program and volunteer together.
Beyond Hunger will occasionally have abbreviated versions of the training process for groups who want to volunteer together, Miller said. The Athletico team also intends to organize the food drive again next year, Krebsbach said. “It was fun, and it always feels good to give back,” Krebsbach said. The Athletico Cares Foundation was established in 2020, Andreoli said, to help its employees undergoing hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has since evolved to also support healthcare workers and the communities the organization serves. “This past year, [I was] super, super pleased to see over 700 of our employees participate in 52 projects,” she said. “They contributed over 450 hours of service.” The foundation ensures the organizations receiving the $1,000 grants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, Andreoli said. The money for the grants comes from fundraising done by the foundation, she said. “We’re super excited to continue to grow the foundation and our impact,” she said.
Quality, Affordable, Independent Housing for Seniors
O
ur beautiful 6-story building provides quality, affordable, independent housing for seniors. The Oaks offers studio and one-bedroom apartments, with kitchens and private bathrooms. Amenities include an award winning interior landscaped atrium, central meeting room, library, laundry facilities, computer learning center, internet access, electronic key entry system, and parking. On-site management includes 24/7 emergency maintenance service and a senior services coordinator who is available during business hours to assist residents in accessing service
agencies and programs designed specifically for seniors. The Oaks is owned and operated by the Oak Park Residence Corporation and is funded by the US Department of Housing and Ur-ban Development through the 202/ Section 8 Program. Monthly rent is based on the resident’s income, with individuals paying approximately 30% of their monthly income toward rent. For more information, please visit us at www.oakparkrc.com or contact us at 708-386-5862.
114 South Humphrey • Oak Park, Il 60302 • 708-386-5862 • oakparkrc.com
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
3
Journal stories you couldn’t live without in 2023 Here are the stories you read the most online last year
3
By ERIKA HOBBS
Oak Park parents feel betrayed by pediatrician’s tweets by Amaris E. Rodriguez; Oak Park Pediatrics announces Dr. Thompson’s ‘extended leave’ Our education reporter wrote that Dr. Elizabeth Thompson, or “SuzySidewalk” as she was known on Twitter, was put on “extensive leave” from Oak Park Pediatrics after the practice became aware of her homophobic, anti-immigrant, antimask and anti-trans tweets.
Editor
What would January be without a good roundup? We decided to have a little fun and poke into our website to see which stories you liked the most. Sorry, print readers, there’s no way for us to do that for you. If you want to weigh in, just email me. In the meantime, let’s take a walk down memory lane to see what piqued your interest.
10
Midnight music blasts rouse hundreds of Oak Parkers by Stacey Sheridan; Over 350 calls made to police, also complaints in Austin. Mystery music sent hundreds of Oak Parkers complaining to police. But where did it come from?
9
Frustrated Roosevelt Road neighbors meet with police by Dan Haley; Worries over violence at Mike’s Place spilling into Oak Park Our publisher’s story chronicled the discontent over the Berwyn bar’s problems that affected its neighboring village. Mike’s had gone
COURTESY OF BOB EUL/FACEBOOK
FILE
Gina’s 40th year in 2017.
Mike’s Place roused anger. from being a “nuisance to being a public safety issue. … No one should have to live with the fear of a bullet through their window after a party [at Mike’s],” Chief Shatonya Johnson said at the time.
8
Man found dead in car in Oak Park by Stacey Sheridan; No signs of foul play During a welfare check, police found a man in a car with a gunshot wound to his head. No foul play was suspected.
7
Unhoused encampment takes root near Oak Park Metra station by Stacey Sheridan; Encampment is roughly two months old with five to a dozen residents Former Journal reporter Stacey Sheridan explored the camp that had been established about two months earlier. “There’s just simply not enough beds, and it forces people outside into dangerous situations,” said Lynda Schueler, Housing Forward’s executive director.
6
Tank Corner, beloved OPRF security guard and coach, dies unexpectedly by Bob Skolnik; ‘Our building is grieving,’ says communications chief This one goes straight to the heart. The beloved staffer died from pneumonia while recovering from back surgery. “He was just such a good man,” one teacher said.
5 (Left to right) Ezekial Wells, Nadya Dhillon, and Heidi Enger.
420 N. East Ave.
2
Oak Park architectural icon hits the market by Lacey Sikora; North East Avenue home offers 5,500 square feet of living space on four floors Oak Park and River Forest may love a feel-good story, but they really love articles about homes: Frank Lloyd Wright homes, Tudor homes, Prairie homes – you name it. When this home hit the market, you hit our site to get all of the details. We were glad to oblige.
SEE THE BEST OF HOMES ONLINE
Trio of OPRF grads head to Harvard by Bob Skolnik; ‘Normal kids with amazing OPRF teachers,’ they say Oak Park loves feelgood stories, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Getting into Harvard is, of course, not easy. Its acceptance rate is about 3.4%. Nevertheless, three stars from OPRF made the cut.
1
Oh, no! Gina’s Italian Ice goes up for sale by Lacey Sikora; After 46 years, Gina Tremonte is ready to sell building and business When summer was in full swing, the line for Gina’s Italian Ice could stretch down the block. Gina made her first lemon ice from an old Italian recipe. It sold for 15 cents. Oak Park wasn’t ready to let it go.
We hope you enjoyed reminiscing. We’re happy to serve you and promise you even better stories in the year ahead. We couldn’t do it without you. Come back, read often and drop me a line, if you’re so inclined. erika@GrowingCommunityMedia.org
4 PROVIDED
©VHT STUDIOS
And now, the moment you were waiting for:
Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store to close Sunday by Luzane Draughon; Nearby locations include Elmhurst and Western Springs Oak Park sure hates to lose its frozen treats. This story by our new Journal reporter Luzane Draughon scored more than 29,000 pageviews – and it was only 155 words long!
4
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
BIG WEEK January 3-10
Family Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire
Love City Premiere Screening
Thursday, Jan. 4, 1 - 2:30 p.m., Trailside Museum of Natural History Experience a winter afternoon on a self-guided scavenger hunt. After the hunt is over, you can enjoy refreshments around the campfire. 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest.
Sunday, Jan. 7, 6 – 8 p,m., Classic Cinemas Lake Theatre Experience Marcus Rosales’ directorial debut with a revenge tale inspired by his music video “Love You.” Watch Jayrock win respect for his city. Tickets are only $15. 1022 Lake St., Oak Park.
Bach’s Paradox
Harold Dawson Live! At Encore by Little Gem Cafe Friday, Jan. 5, 7:30 – 10 p.m., The Little Gem Café Encore!! By Little Gem Cafe features live music by smooth jazz saxophonist Harold Dawson. Dine in and enjoy your evening. 189 N. Marion St., Oak Park.
Friday Morning Walk Friday, Jan. 5, 9 a.m., Oak Park Public Library Join in for a one-hour walk through Oak Park. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover & PJ Storytime
Thursday, Jan. 4, 6 – 7 p.m., Oak Park Public Library Join us for a special PJ story time. This event is followed by a sleepover at the library for your stuffie. Come back for your stuffed friend the next day and see what kinds of hijinks they got up to overnight. The library recommends that caregivers not bring the stuffies their child needs for a smooth bedtime. Let the second-tier toys have a chance. This event is intended for children between 3 and 8. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.
Sunday, Jan. 7, 8:30 – 10 p.m., Pleasant Home Experience the magic of Gigantic Music on One Small Violin with soloist Uli Widmaier. Enjoy a warm atmosphere as he performs a selection of JS Bach’s sonatas and partitas. This experience will transport you through the world of classical music. 217 Home Ave., Oak Park.
Listing your event Wednesday Journal welcomes notices about events that Oak Park and River Forest groups and businesses are planning. We’ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper. ■ Send details to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302 ■ Email calendar@wjinc.com
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
5
Art teacher brings a Ukrainian folk tale to life this winter
to illustrate the book depending on Using ‘The Mitten,’ she shows chosen the story,” Kozbur said. “The story doesn’t the characters change.” how art can help students change, Kozbur also uses the different illustrations to speak deeper about the imporunderstand the world tance of certain shapes, textiles, and oth-
By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter
er design choices. “They can see that they are not just learning about patterns but about patterns from different cultures,” she said. Henry Metzger, 8, said he practiced a lot before drawing the final version of his mitten, talking a lot with Kozbur about the patterns used in the illustrations and in different variations of the story. “When all the animals were going into it,” Metzger said. “Some of the books had really cool illustrations of what the inside of the
Bringing together world affairs and art is how Lincoln Elementary’s art teacher AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ helps her students learn about the world Marta Kozbur, art teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, worked with second grade around them. students on their illustrations of ‘The Mitten,’ a Ukrainian folk tale. This winter season, second graders are discovering the magical world of “The Mitten,” working on her mitten project was coloring “It gets them talking about this at home a Ukrainian folktale. the drawing of her mitten all different colors. and getting answers and being inquisitive In her second-grade art class, Marta KozThe story has also given Kozbur a chance about their own heritage,” Kozbur said. bur, art teacher at River Forest School to connect with students on a personal “When you start talking about these things, District 90 for the past 26 years, level, as she is able to represent her it piques their curiosity.” ties together what her students are roots and share a tale that was read to Holding back tears, Kozbur said speaklearning outside of the art classher when she was a child growing up ing about world events through art can help room, world events, and of course, in the Ukrainian Village of Chicago, drive those types of conversations forward art, into her lesson plans. and one she passed on to her own now and bring events into terms and ideas that This winter season, as her students grown children. are age appropriate. learn about folktales and fairytales in “It is a nice memory for me because “When the war broke out [in Ukraine], this their reading classes, Kozbur brought my grandmother, she was a great sto- building was covered in sunflowers because I in “The Mitten,” a Ukrainian folktale ryteller, and in the winter that was asked our principal, Mr. Godfrey, I said ‘Sunpopular in the winter season. one of her favorite stories,” Kozbur flowers are the flower of Ukraine. Can we do a “The Mitten” is a Ukrainian folksaid, adding that her passion for the project for sunflowers?’ He said ‘Marta, go for tale that has undergone variations story comes through when she is read- it,’” Kozbur said. “We probably had a couple that can feature different animals ing it to students. thousand sunflowers all over the building.” but in general, the tale tells the story “I get very emotional with all these Kozbur rearranged her plans when the of various animals who one-by-one things because it reminds me of my tsunami and earthquake hit Japan in 2011, seeks out warmth inside of a mitten wonderful childhood and I think I creating new lesson plans for every grade dropped into the snow during a cold can better convey the story to them level. When the Haitian earthquake hit, she winter night in the forest. Eventually, AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ because I think I have more feeling did the same thing. the mitten cannot hold all the ani“It’s so the kids can see, in a kid way, and in the story than someone who would mals and it splits open, spilling the Marta Kozbur, art teacher at Lincoln Elementary so they can stay current with some of the just pick up the book,” she said. animals into the cold. School, worked with second grade students on their Kozbur said she feels as passionate major current events that are happening,” For Kozbur, her passion for the be- illustrations of ‘The Mitten,’ a Ukrainian folk tale. about ensuring her students are ex- Kozbur said. loved folktale can be seen in multiple posed to various cultures. Seeing her students’ creativity and imagcopies she collects, all from different “We have a lot of kids who speak a lot of ination shine through their work, which illustrators and different telling of the clas- mitten looked like, some even had chimneys.” By showing her second graders the dif- different languages,” Kozbur said. “I always are all different, is part of the beauty of her sic story. Using this as a segway to speak with students about the different jobs in art that ferent ways various illustrators choose to try to bring that into the fold as well. It is good job, said Kozbur. “It comes front of their heart and the people hold, Kozbur brings various versions portray the folktale, Kozbur opened a door to know another language.” By teaching other cultures through art, stuff I get back brings smiles to my face beof the story to allow students to see the many to allow students to make their own mitten projects in various ways, each special and Kozbur said it exposes students to other per- cause it is all different, it’s all beautiful, and ways it has been illustrated. spectives and takes them outside the bubble it is all representative of their little person“We talk about the different illustrations unique to themselves. Emery O’Dell, 8, said her favorite part of they sometimes can live in. alities,” she said. in the books and how each illustrator has
6
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
HILA RATZABI
“My father’s side of the family originally came from Yemen to Israel.” Her ancestors were originally from a small town called Rasab in Yemen. “Many Jews with my last name came from page 1 from that town,” she said. They relocated to Israel four generaof poems, we read the poems we discuss then, and then they get sent out on an ex- tions ago. Her father was born there in ercise to go out into the woods and to write 1943, five years before the founding of the something based on a prompt and then state of Israel. Ratzabi was born in Israel come back and share.” but moved with her family to Ratzabi is a great believer the Borough of Queens in New in tikkun olam, the concept in York City when she was three modern Judaism, referring to years old. performing actions that repair They spoke Hebrew in the and improve the world. “Tikhouse, but English was the main kun Olam is a value that guides language spoken outside of my life,” she said. home. That may be why her poet“How to Pray…” ends with ry glitters with the keen, precise these healing words: “The expertise of someone nimble in earth hears your prayer…You two languages. are held/You are heard./The HILA RATZABI As a kid, Ratzabi loved readwind pulls its blanket over your ing, especially poetry. She said back/Smooths the hair from your face/Touches your cheek/With its she remembered especially liking the poetry cool, trembling hands.” Reassuring lines Jack Perlutsky wrote for kids. Here is a sample Perlutsky poem: “Be glad for a troubled, troubling time. Ratzabi grew up in a bilingual house- your nose is on your face/not pasted on some hold. Her mother was American, her father other place/for if it were where it is not/you Israeli. might dislike your nose a lot.”
Reassuring lines
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES HOME SERVICES
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL
A&A ELECTRIC
Ceiling Fans Let an American Veteran do your work Installed We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.
708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area
PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat • Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost - 708.749.0011
FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.
New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com
HANDYMAN
Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do
708-296-2060
PROVIDED
Hila with group. “There’s videos of me as a little kid reciting poems by heart,” Ratzbi said, “cute little funny poems about animals and things like that. From a young age, I loved the play of the language; there was something about the musicality and the sounds and the playfulness [in poetry] that appealed to me.” Ratzabi’s earliest memory of writing poetry was in elementary school. “I wrote a poem for a contest in a local Queens newspaper.” She came in second place. “My mother saved the poem. I still have the little clipping. She framed it.” Ratzabi went through an obligatory “bad high school poetry phase” (as many of us did) but grew out of it in college. Ratzabi mentioned two readings in particular — featuring novelists Jhumpa Lahiri and Mary Gordon — that opened her eyes: “I was just, like, oh, wow, I didn’t know you could really be an author.” College was also when she took a “real poetry workshop for first” with poet Marie Howe. “It just really opened everything up for me.” Later, Ratzabi went to graduate school at Sarah Lawrence, where Howe taught. I asked Ratzabi if that was where she found her calling as a poet. She answered: “I don’t know if poetry is a calling but rather something that has followed me around all my life like a lost dog.” Ratzabi moved to Oak Park in August 2020, with her husband and two boys. This
is her first foray into the Midwest. Before that, she lived primarily in the East, in New York City and Philadelphia. When I asked her, like a good Oak Parker, how she likes our village, she said: “It’s great! I mean, it’s cold, but I love the culture. It’s more relaxed. People are very friendly. I love New York, too, but it’s different. It’s just very crowded, and it’s dirtier, and there’s garbage on the street, and things like that. So, this is just a little bit more laid back for me. And I like being close to Chicago. I like having access to the culture, the arts, and the music. Oak Park reminds me a lot of Queens, actually — houses with small backyards.” Is that enough for a poet with an environmental bent? “It’s not the most lush environment,” she acknowledged, “But being here dovetails with this point in my life where I want to learn more. I love nature, but I didn’t study nature. Now I’m learning to garden and grow vegetables, and I’m learning the names of all the native plants in my garden and going out on hikes and seeing all the wildlife that we get. You know. The foxes that are in my backyard sometimes, and the hawks, and the different types of birds.” Ratzabi practices what she preaches. This spring, you may just find her kneeling in her garden, placing a hand or just a finger in the soft earth to feel it pulse back.
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Fenwick sprinkles Christmas cheer with Sophomore Service Day
of knowing how to love others in action. Small groups of sophomores We see a day like today as a really important part of that.” will continue to participate The program was redesigned from its version, where students were diin service days each month original vided into five groups, each with about 60
Colin Fane, Agent
Mickey’s is the place! Mickey’s Rib Special 1/2 Slab Dinner
$15.49
B.B.Q. RIBS & CHICKEN BURGERS & HOT DOGS
Full Slab Dinner
$22.99
includes fries or baked potato, coleslaw and garlic bread
525 N Harlem Ave, Oak Park (708) 848-3333 11am - 9pm Daily Italian Beef Sandwich w/ Fries .99 $
Right coverage. 10 10 Wednesday Right price. Right here in town. Big$Mickey! 3
students, and were assigned a location to service for the day. Staff Reporter Now, post pandemic, students have been “A friar is someone who leads, someone divided into smaller groups of eight to 10 who achieves, and someone who services,” students and go to two different local comsaid Hope Zelmer, director of the sopho- munity partners: Bishop Goedert Residence more service program at Fenwick High and Beyond Hunger, a local food pantry. EvSchool. For the month of December, a ery sophomore will participate in one service group of sophomore students continued to day, Zelmer said. Sophomore Service Day is part of a stuembody those qualities, but with a sprinkle dent’s graduation service requirement. of Christmas cheer. The revamping of the program also has As part of the Sophomore Service Day, a group of sophomores visited Bishop Goedert allowed the high school to strengthen their Residence, a local retirement home in Hines, relationship with community partners, and incorporated a bit of holiday “flair,” to allowing for more reliability, rather than just “dropping in” for one big service day, this month’s visit. “We brought Santa hats, we usually Zelmer said. At the retirement home, students had bring coffee and donuts for the residents, and we played Christmas music,” Zelmer quality time with the residents, allowing for said. “We help students think about things a genuine conversation as they partook in and activities. to talk about the seniors before we 212with S Marion Street FlarG games Brooks Kooken, 16, said speaking with resirive at the retirement home so we suggestPark, IL to60302 ed that it Oak might be a fun day ask what are dents at the retirement home was rewarding their favorite holiday movies or traditions and he enjoyed hearing all the wisdom while Bus: 708-383-3163 they celebrated the holiday season together. that are meaningful to them.” www.colinfane.com Later that same day at the food pantry, stuThe service day is a continuation of the dents learn about local food insecurity and high school’s service-learning program, Monday & Friday 9am-5pm which students begin during their fresh- work together to unload pallets and shelving 9am-7pm food so that the pantry can continue to serve. man yearTues/Wed/Thurs through giving and the sponsor“I think it’s important because we see how ship of a child’s Christmas list. The priSaturday 9am-12pm vate Catholic preparatory school hopes to much of an impact we are having and in doinstill values that students will carry with ing that we are helping so many people who them after graduation in hopes they will struggle to find food,” said Duffy Monahan, Colin Agent I amFane, learning right now continue to serve others, not for the sense 16. “It parallels what Colin Fane, Agent 212 Spreach Marion Street Fl Gpeople and help of obligation, but for the sense of loving in theology, how they 212 S Marion Street Oak Park, IL 60302 Fl G helping benefits other their neighbor, Zelmer said. As students and show others how Oak708-383-3163 Park, IL 60302 Bus: the of Jesus.” Bus:life 708-383-3163 move through their academic career at people. It is living www.colinfane.com www.colinfane.com Beginning and ending the day 9am-5pm with prayer Fenwick, they take on more responsibility Monday & Friday Monday &the Friday 9am-5pmbeconnection Tues/Wed/Thurs 9am-7pm in their service to the community. In their helps students understand Tues/Wed/Thurs 9am-7pm Saturday do to 9am-12pm help their commujunior year, students will complete an inde- tween the work they Saturday 9am-12pm nity and the teachings of Jesus, Zelmer said. pendent Christian service project. “Every person is made in God’s image and “Our hope there is that it is a first example of group community service together,” likeness, grounding that in prayer is who we are and what we do,” Zelmer said. “Our love Zelmer said. “Some have had experiences of community service with their families but as for each other, our love of God and love from a school, we want them to have an experience God then flows out into the world in service.”
By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ
Enjoy a RibFilled New Year! Year!
3 Vienna
Hot Dogs w/ Fries
$
.99
Gyros Plate Dinner 1 lb meat, 2 pita breads, fries & 3 cups sauce $14.99
Every day Special!
1/4 Lb Double Cheeseburger
.99
Gyros with fries $9.99
Here’s the deal. The right insurance should Good neighbor. help you feel confident and comfortable. I’m the right good neighbor for that. Great auto rates. Right Right coverage. coverage. Call me today.
Right Right price. price. Right here Like a good neighbor, Right here in in town. town. Colin Fane, Agent ® State Farm is there. 212 S Marion Street Fl G
With safe driving discounts and options to personalize your Bus: 708-383-3163 Here’s the deal. The right insurance policy,should I can help you get an Here’s the deal. The right insurance should www.colinfane.com help you feel confident and comfortable. help you feel confident and comfortable. auto I’m the right good neighbor for that. rate that fits your budget. Monday & Friday 9am-5pm Oak Park, IL 60302
I’m the right good neighbor for that. Tues/Wed/Thurs Call me today. 9am-7pm Call me9am-12pm today. Call, click, text Saturday Like a good neighbor, Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®® State Farm is there.
1901978
or stop by for a quote!
State Farm Bloomington, IL
7
8
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAK PARK Crystal ball from page 1
Alternative Response Plan In 2023, a taskforce created a report with recommendations on how best to respond to calls from individuals suffering from a mental health crisis. In the 2024 fiscal year budget, the village board allocated $1.1 million to the pilot program for alternative response. In late January, the village board will likely hear about implementation measures for the program, Scaman said, which could include having mental health professionals respond to calls about mental health crises, ensuring quick responses and access to necessary follow-up. “Our community has a history of being ahead of the curve when responding with compassion to mental health calls,” she said.
Climate change goals Continuing to address climate change is a priority for the village board in 2024, Scaman said. Climate Ready Oak Park lays out goals for the village, including reducing the community’s greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The electrification ordinance passed in 2023 will require any building constructed after Jan. 1, 2024, to be fully electric. Also, the 2024-2028 Oak Park capital improvement plan includes the biggest investment
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM so far in active transportation for the community. The village plans to continue working toward and investing in creating a bikeable and walkable community, Scaman said. Continuing education about changing individual behaviors, such as swapping driving for biking, encouraging residents to switch to electric vehicles or making one’s home more sustainable, is an important goal for the future, Scaman said.
Affordable housing
“Twenty-twentyfour is going to be a year where we continue to engage our community and have these very brave but vital and exciting conversations identifying what our true affordable housing needs are
that there may not be enough affordable units for single mothers, or for people with disabilities or for those who need multiple bedrooms. “It’s not just about reaching a certain percentage of number of affordable units,” she said. “It’s about matching that up with the community that we want to be and the population that we want to support and have because it makes us all better and stronger.” Concentrating on creating strategic plans to reach those affordable housing goals will allow Oak Park to remain an economically diverse community, Scaman said. The challenge in meeting those goals is identifying sustainable funding sources, which she said she hopes to work on in 2024.
In February 2023, the village board agreed to have a comprehensive housing study done, the final results of which are expected to be available in March. The study will help identify where Oak Park’s gaps exist in maintaining socio-economic diversity and integration, Scaman said. “Twenty-twenty-four is goEarlier in 2023, Oak Park ing to be a year where we conapproved a contract with the tinue to engage our commuGreat Cities Institute of the nity and have these very brave University of Illinois at Chibut vital and exciting convercago to conduct a racial equity VICKI SCAMAN sations identifying what our assessment. The results of the Oak Park village president true affordable housing needs assessment will help ensure the are,” she said. village’s policies and programs On paper, the village has are equitable, Scaman said. more affordable housing op“It’s an overarching goal that our commutions than one might expect, she said, but nity is truly embracing, working towards livshe anticipates learning from the study ing and supporting our values,” Scaman said.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
The assessment will potentially help Oak Park evaluate policies that have either unintentionally created barriers to racial equity or been previously ignored, Scaman said. “I’ve witnessed, across the board, real effort being put towards challenging ourselves to be more racially equitable,” she said.
Access to government Scaman said in 2024, she expects more discussion about access to government. “Which, from my perspective, is re-engaging in the conversation of ‘What does open government mean in 2024?’ versus [1975], when this building [Village Hall] was built,” she said. The village board will have to make a difficult decision about whether or not the village hall can continue to be adequate for serving the community, Scaman said, and she’s prepared to move offices if necessary. Moving would not negatively affect the day-to-day services the village provides, Scaman said, but she said she cannot predict what will happen. The facility review committee intends to maintain historic integrity of Village Hall while modernizing it to increase access in the spirit of open government, according to the Village of Oak Park website. Voices from the historic preservation community and disability access community, as well as others, will be necessary in those decisions, Scaman said. “I’m very proud of that path forward because not only does it just respond to ‘How do people access government?’” she said. “But it also will expand that sense of ownership over our government that encourages healthy civic engagement.”
OPRF school board approves annual tax levy It will not tax to the max again this year By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
At its Dec. 21 meeting, the Oak Park and River Forest High School Board of Education unanimously approved an increase of 4.36%, 3.5% if the value of new property in the district is not considered, in its annual property tax levy. That’s an increase from the 3.96% levy increase approved last year, but only be-
cause the value of new property in the district is estimated to be higher this year. The total amount of the levy is $81,196,400. The OPRF school board will levy 1.5% less than it is allowed to by law. The base rate of the levy increase is 3.5%, the same as it was last year. Tax cap laws in Illinois limit a levy increase to a maximum of 5%, plus the value of new property, or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower, so the maximum OPRF could levy this year is 5% plus an allowance for the value of new property coming on to the tax rolls. For the past decade, OPRF has been levying less than the maximum allowed by law in an attempt to bring down
a cash reserve that reached nearly $130 million in 2013. “Since that time, this is now our 11th consecutive levy where we have not taken the max when you add in all the different levy components,” said OPRF District 200 School Board President Tom Cofsky in a telephone interview with the Wednesday Journal. Cofsky said that despite some steep increases in transportation and health care costs, the district can maintain the base 3.5% levy increase of recent years. “We have committed to or planned on a three-and-a-half-percent increase, and we are able to stay with that,” Cofsky said.
“The norm in schools is to take the maximum levy and that was the norm in District 200 when I joined the board in 2013.” For the third consecutive year, the school board is not expected to levy for the roughly $800,000 in revenue that it is entitled to levy for to account for past uncollected property taxes. Because of that decision, the owner of a home worth $400,000 will save an estimated $28. This year’s levy increase is projected to cost the owner of a home worth $400,000 an additional $137 in property taxes next year according to a memo to the school board Continued on page 9
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
9
‘A lot going on’ in River Forest in 2024
Village president cites economic development, infrastructure investment
Regarding economic development opportu“We’ve got a lot going on,” said River Forest village president Cathy Adduci as she and nities, Adduci pointed to the village’s efforts to attract developers to the former Lutheran the village start 2024. Village president since 2013, Adduci noted Child and Family Services Building at 7612efforts to spur economic development and 7620 Madison Street and adjacent singlefamily homes at 11 Ashland Ave. investments in infrastructure as and 10 Lathrop Ave., which were examples. demolished. Adduci credited members of “I’m really happy about knockthe village administration and ing those buildings down,” she members of the village board for said. “I hope we get a lot more continuing the village’s forward looks at the property.” progress. Officials also are exploring “As village president, I am conchanges to the zoning code to fident and pleased with our vilencourage development on Madilage board and staff for what we son Street, as well as on North have accomplished 2023 and what Avenue. Possible changes inlies ahead for our village in 2024 clude increasing building height and beyond,” she said. to accommodate an additional Leading the administration is story, increasing allowed resiMatt Walsh, who was appointed dential densities and decreasing village administrator in April parking requirements for resiafter Brian Murphy’s surprise dential uses. resignation in January. “The purpose is to allow us to “Although we had some turngenerate more interest in develover going into 2023, in 2024 we opment,” Adduci said, adding have a strong, young, bright new that any developer would still be administration led by village required to go through the zonadministrator Matt Walsh,” she ing process. said. “Matt and his team have She also said officials are hopthe board’s full confidence going ing to attract new tenants to the CATHY ADDUCI into 2024. “Additionally, we have experi- River Forest village president Town Center at Lake Street and Harlem Avenue, noting they enced, qualified and proven Pubwould be “excited to see some lic Safety department leadership new tenants there.” with police Chief Jim O’Shea Another target for economic and fire Chief Tom Gaertner. And our finances are managed by a seasoned, development is the property at Lake and experienced and proven department under Lathrop, where a planned four-story, mixedthe leadership of our finance director, Rosey use development containing condominium units and retail space never came to fruiMcAdams.”
tion. In September, Beverly Bank and Trust, affiliated with Wintrust Bank, foreclosed on the development, ending the project that had lurched along since 2016. “The good news is Wintrust is managing the property appropriately,” Adduci said. Noting the village “is not in the development business,” she said the concern of officials was to clean up the contamination on the property that was moving toward residences. “We invested in getting the property clean and we accomplished that,” she added. Regarding infrastructure improvements, Adduci pointed to the plans to use grant funding to improve crosswalks and sidewalks not compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations and completion of the green alleys project, which she called “a wise investment” that will reduce flooding. The village also is offering residents assistance with replacing lead service lines with a subsidy program similar to the sewer repair and sidewalk replacement programs. “We have a lot of programs,” Adduci said. “We try to make it as easy as possible for residents.” She also said officials will inventory village-owned lead pipes and address any needs. Adduci said she wants to continue to provide a safe community. “Residents feel safe here, “she said. “It’s a great community. People look out for each other and I’m happy about that.” Major contributors to that safe feeling are the police and fire departments, which Adduci noted are fully staffed. “We have a young police force and fire force and they enjoy working in River Forest,” she said. “And we’ve added to management in both departments.” She said the village is continuing to invest in both departments. For example, all police officers will be issued body cameras in 2024, something she said the officers want and that she is “excited” about, and the fire department is awaiting delivery of a new quint.
In addition to considering changes to the zoning code, officials will be addressing the recommendations of the village-wide traffic study in 2024 and continuing to monitor the traffic issues in the northeast section of the village. In addition, recommendations of the Age Friendly Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group will be considered in 2024. Adduci said the ability to secure grant funding has contributed to the village finances being on firm footing, referring to a “robust” budget. “We’ve done a great job of finding grants to fund our programs and that’s important,” she said. Included in grant funding is a $1.9 million grant received by West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch Center from the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator to be used to facilitate and enable additional consolidation efforts. River Forest is a member of the dispatch center along with Forest Park and Oak Park. Adduci said River Forest “will continue to lead” in the area of sustainability and predicted an increase in electric vehicles, use of solar energy and composting in 2024. She also cited the progress of the CrossCommunity Climate Collaborative (C4) which she helped found in 2022. The C4 initiative was created in June by officials from 12 west suburban municipalities and spearheaded by Adduci, Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson and Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman. It is designed to bring together Black, indigenous and people of color and non-minority communities across income lines to share ideas, secure resources and drive large-scale projects within and across communities that achieve agreed upon greenhouse gas emissions reductions, equity and sustainability goals. “It’s all about environmental equity and sharing ideas,” Adduci explained. “We’re working together instead of solo. There’s been a lot of progress and we’re really excited about that.”
just over $94.4 million. About $6.2 million of that surplus is expected to be used for the initial expenses for Project 2, the estimated $102 million plan to tear down and reconstruct the southeast portion of the school. Construction work on Project 2 is expected to start this summer. The district projects that its cash re-
serve at the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year will be approximately $62.5 million, which is about 73% of annual operating expenditures. That cash reserve is projected to be whittled down to about $36.5 million, or 38% of annual operating expenditures, by the end of the 2026-27 fiscal year as cash reserves are used to pay for
about $44.2 million of the cost of Project 2. OPRF is also expected to borrow about $45.3 million to pay for Project 2 and get about $12.5 million in charitable contributions for Project 2. That borrowing, which has not yet begun, will be in the form of debt certificates which will be paid back out of the regular tax levy.
By ROBERT J. LIFKA
Adduci noted the ethnic diversity of the village board. Of six trustees, three are men and three are women; two are Latino, one is Black and three are white. “We are the most ethnically diverse board in River Forest’s history,” she said.
Development this year
Contributing reporter
“Residents feel safe here. It’s a great community. People look out for each other and I’m happy about that.”
written by assistant superintendent for business services Tony Arbogast. Property taxes account for nearly 80% of revenues for OPRF. In September the school board approved a budget which projects operating expenses, before building maintenance and construction costs, of just over $86 million and revenues of
10
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
MY TRAUMATIC NEAR MISS
I
do not enjoy driving. If I could have any boujee service, it would be a personal driver. This was especially true when I worked the nighttime shift driving back and forth to police stations in my role as a prosecutor. I made numerous trips up and down Lake Shore Drive. Luckily, most of these trips were uneventful. All but one. One night at 3:00 a.m., I was driving south on Lake Shore Drive. I noticed two cars drag racing behind me a couple of lanes over. I slowed down, stayed in my lane, and tried to steer clear. Once they passed me, I thought I was in the clear. I was wrong. One of the cars crossed into my lane about a block in front of me and lost control. It started to donut between my lane and the lane to my west. I thought this was the end of me. But, as I went to avoid a crash, the car veered out of my lane and swerved across three adjacent lanes. It then exited via the off ramp. Not a single car was stuck. It was like a slow-motion dream. Although that near-miss experience caused me to feel overwhelmed, it did not appear to have any impact on anyone around me. Traffic went right back to normal, as if nothing ever happened. I think this experience is instructive about today’s economy. And why we Americans feel so lousy despite good economic numbers.
Sponsored Content
Covid was traumatic and low unemployment, for all of us and at times and strong consumer also for our economy. spending, retail sales and Initially, the economy existing-home sales. A cratered, but then weak economy has the stimulus money kept opposite. it afloat. Eventually, we Right now, America’s all felt great and had economic factors mirror money in the bank and the strong economic often a higher salary. scenario. In November, THERESA CLANCY However, demand for the GDP was 5.2%. Better Estate Planning Attorney goods and services than the ideal of 2%-3%. rose, giving birth to Inflation is now down high inflation and incredible price to 3.2%. Not the 1.81% we had in increases. 2019, but close to the Fed’s desired Now, post Covid, like after my near miss accident, we think everything will return to the way things were before Covid. With shedding our Covid masks, we assumed gas and grocery prices would decrease, homes and rents would become affordable again, and we would return to feeling prosperous. Even though the economy is now considered to be in good shape by the economic data, for many of us it does not feel like it did pre-Covid. We do not feel prosperous. We feel stuck and sinking. What exactly is meant by good economic numbers? There are several data points that factor into an economic analysis. They consist of gross domestic product (GDP), inflation, unemployment, money supply, consumer spending, retail sales, and existing-home sales. A good or strong economy has an increasing GDP, low inflation
2%. Unemployment is still almost historically low at 3.1%. Consumer spending and retail sales are still strong. Although existing home sales have dropped, home prices have increased 3.4%. A rosy picture especially considering the economic craziness of the pandemic. So why don’t we feel better about the economy? For one, experts have been forecasting a recession for two years. Two years of waiting for the other shoe to drop weighs on our psyche. Also, since wages have risen, we are making more money. Consequently, it seems we should be able to afford a better life. With higher prices we are just breaking even or worse. Some researchers say we just have not gotten used to our postCovid price hangover. Prices rarely come down once they go up. Ironically, we are better off if prices don’t decrease. Falling
prices could trigger deflation – a situation where we keep waiting to make a purchase until prices stop dropping. Waiting to purchase goods and services stifles the economy and creates a vicious cycle. It may be helpful to think about what would have happened to the economy if we had not received stimulus checks, child tax credits, and a pause on studentloan payments, which indirectly contributed to inflation. The original post Covid economy predictions were dire; experts predicted a depression not a mild recession. Frankly, we escaped pretty unscathed. What is it going to take to make us feel better? Perhaps, it is just time. Time for us to stop consuming so much. Time for inflation to drop to the 2% target. Time until interest rates can be reduced. Time for the housing market to start percolating again. Sadly, we Americans are not patient people. But perhaps, we need to relearn that skill. Unlike the economy, time is not a friend to estate planning. Life is just too unpredictable. Don’t wait, create an estate plan today!
708-819-1580 www.theresaclancylaw.com theresa.clancy@theresaclancylaw.com
This content is made possible by our sponsor and is independent of GCM’s editorial staff.
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
$150 OFF
WESTWORK Painting & Remodeling
INTERIOR HOME PAINTING, WOOD RE-FINISHING & PLASTERING ($500 AND OVER)
“Professionals at Affordable Prices”
708 848-4800
Email: westworkpainting@att.net
Exterior & Interior Painting & Staining SPECIALISTS!
Serving the Forest Park Community for over 35 years!
HOME IMPROVEMENTS:
TURN YOUR ATTIC OR BASEMENT INTO NEW LIVING SPACE • EXPERT DRYWALL & PLASTERING INSURED • FREE ESTIMATES • ALL WORK GUARANTEED
Custom Stair Runners, Rugs, Carpet, Hardwood, LVP & LVT
Located in the North Ave Business District
7040 West North Avenue 773.889.7500
11
Since 1906 Chicagoland’s Oldest Floor Covering Store Hours Monday-Thursday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm • Friday-Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
12
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
OPRF hires Oak Park officer as new safety director
Traccye Love was a sergeant in the community policing unit By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
Oak Park and River Forest High School has hired Oak Park police sergeant Traccye Love as its new director of campus safety and support. Love will begin working at OPRF Jan. 5. She has been a sergeant for the community policing unit since June 2023. Love, a resident of Oak Park, joined the department as a patrol officer in 2011. She served as a patrol officer and a sergeant in that division. Love’s hiring was part of the consent agenda at the Dec. 21 meeting of the OPRF Board of Education. Love has worked closely with OPRF in her role as part of the community policing unit. In 2017, Love filled in intermittently as the school’s school resource officer during the time when an Oak Park police officer was sta-
an intermittent school resource tioned at the school daily. officer, or if I had to respond to Love, 40, told the Wednesday the school for different calls for Journal that it is was a difficult services and reports. So, I’ve gotdecision for her to leave the deten to know them pretty well, so partment, but she is passionate I’m really excited to be working about school safety. with them in a different capacity,” “I’m very excited to start a new Love said. chapter of my career,” Love told Love grew up on the south side the Wednesday Journal in a teleof Chicago in the Chatham neighphone interview. “I feel like right TRACCYE LOVE borhood and earned a bachelor’s now school safety is such a huge degree from Millikin University, topic of concern for a lot of people for a lot of valid reasons. I am a mother. My and later, a master’s degree in criminal and two sons, Brett and Bryce, are students at social justice from Lewis University. Love joined the police department as a paOak Park and River Forest High School, so I have the same desires to keep them safe just trol officer in 2011 after working for nearly five years as 911 dispatcher for the Downers like every other parent.” Love said she likes the idea of having an Grove police department. Love said that it was a hard decision to active role in keeping her sons and all OPRF leave this department. students safe. “It’s with mixed emotions because I have “I felt like working at the high school will give me a direct seat at the table to be a part really enjoyed being a police officer here,” Love said. “I’m going to be really sad but I’m of that initiative,” Love said. Loves knows some of the current security also not far away.” School officials have said they hope that officers at OPRF. “I’ve had an opportunity to work with them Love can provide some stability at the camover the years, whether it be when I served as pus safety director position. Love is replacing
Cindy Guerra, who resigned for personal reasons in November after being hired last summer. Guerra’s predecessor, Cherylynn JonesMcLeod, held the position for only one year. Supt. Greg Johnson said that Principal Lynda Parker made the recommendation to hire Love. “We’re really excited to have her coming on board,” Johnson said. Johnson said that Love’s familiarity with the school was a plus for her in the hiring process. “She knows our school and our students and she’s excited about working with them,” Johnson said. “Because of her recent experience at the Oak Park Police Department, she certainly knows the community very well, so that helps to further our collaboration and we’re excited about being in this situation considering especially because hiring somebody at this time of year for such a job can be challenging, but we’re really excited about where this ended up.” Love’s salary will be $120,000 annually meaning that her pay for the remainder of the current fiscal year ending on June 30 will be $58,153.85.
Infant Welfare Society connects children with books
A donation of 500 books from Dominican University offers kids more reading opportunities By JESSICA MACKINNON Contributing Reporter
Children visiting the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society’s Children’s Clinic leave with gifts more valuable and long-lasting than the typical stickers or suckers. Each child has the opportunity to take home and keep one to two new or gently used books from the society’s warm and cheery library. And with a recent donation of 500 books from Dominican University’s Rebecca Crown Library, they will have a lot more books to choose from. “One of the things that those of us who are not trained in any of the medical fields can do to help promote IWS’s mission is to focus on this library,” said Nancy Van Der Griend, chair of IWS’s volunteer-led Giving Library
Committee. “Connecting children with books and developing a love of reading is one of the ways we can help kids thrive, complete school and have the kinds of life we hope they will have.” “It’s not often that children look forward to going to the doctor or dentist but our library, which is bright and colorful and doesn’t feel clinical, adds value and helps create a positive experience for kids,” said Rowena Abrahams, IWS director of marketing. The IWS has been providing comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health and social services to low-income children from Chicago’s west side and several communities surrounding Oak Park and River Forest for more than 100 years. The nonprofit organization serves more than 3,500 children from birth to 21 years old, as well as their families each year. Its library, which occupies a prominent space adjacent to its waiting room, gives out approximately 15,000 children’s and young adult books every year. The library also contains a parents’ resource section with books on healthy parenting. The IWS depends primarily on individual
donations to replenish its library collection, including neighborhood book drives, church youth groups, and collections from children’s birthdays and special occasions. Recently, it received a donation of 10 boxes of books from a woman who was celebrating her 50th birthday by doing 50 generous things. The library also receives book donations from Bernie’s Book Bank and Our Future Reads, Chicago organizations dedicated to providing free books to nonprofits. Last year, it was awarded a grant providing funds to buy 2,700 books through the online First Book Marketplace and Oak Park’s Book Table. Dominican University’s Rebecca Crown Library last month donated 15 boxes of books from its children’s and young adult collections to make room for new titles. The books were no longer needed for the School of Library and Information Studies’ curricula. “We were looking for a place that would use and appreciate the books. IWS, with its focus on serving children and youth, was the perfect recipient of the books,” said Mary Pat Fallon, interim director of the Rebecca Crown Library. The IWS’s Giving Library Committee,
which includes a retired elementary school teacher and a retired college professor of reading, researches recommended book lists from educational associations and uses The Book Table as a resource for book purchases. According to Van Der Griend, graphic novels, Spanish language and bilingual books, and books with diverse themes and written by diverse authors are particularly desired. And the Harry Potter books are still in great demand by their patients and families. The committee also provides bags of holidaythemed books for families to take home. In the future, the committee would like to offer more literacy programs in IWS’ waiting room, which, after all, has a captive audience. Members are looking into the possibility of offering recorded readings on the television, with copies of books that children can take home to read if they are pulled into a doctor’s appointment before the book ends. These recorded readings would also serve as good role modeling for parents about the importance of reading to their children. To donate new or gently used books for the Infant Welfare Society’s library, contact info@oprfiws.org.
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
13
ART BEAT
Oak Park sisters dance in ‘The Nutcracker’ The Baker sisters leaped across the Lyric Opera House stage By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter
The world-renowned Joffrey Ballet brought to the Chicago stage the beloved winter classic “The Nutcracker,” showcasing talent of their Chicago ballet dancers, including two young sisters from Oak Park. Mabel and Poppy Baker, both students at Irving Elementary, shared the stage in this December’s production, which ran at the historic Lyric Opera House in Chicago. The production was choreographed by Tony Award winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, who earned his second Tony Award for best choreography for “MJ: The Musical.” “The Nutcracker” tells the story of a young Marie who goes on an “unforgettable” journey through Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair and is set to Tchaikovsky’s classic score. For the Baker sisters, dancing in the production was an exciting dream come true. Poppy, eight, said she was inspired by “Leap!,” a 2016 animated film of a young orphan, Felicie, who dreams about becoming a ballerina and she began dancing around the age of two. Mabel, 10, also began around the same age. Classically trained in ballet, Mabel said dancing in a Joffrey production is really cool because of how wellknown the company is and the reputation it has for producing great dancers. But this is not the first time Mabel danced with the Joffrey Ballet. She performed in last year’s production as well. “I made a lot of friends that I still talk to, and a lot of my family came to see me so that was pretty special,” she said. Being lifted in the air was also a highlight of performing, Mabel said. “There are only a few people who get lifted up, you get to see the audience and the snow is falling at the same time,” she said. “It’s pretty cool when you are on the person’s shoulders.” Poppy, who played a snowflake, auditioned for this year for the first time. However, after being cast, those nerves turned into excitement as she began attending rehearsals. “My favorite part about practice was learning the choreography and all of the moves we are supposed to do as a snowflake,” Poppy said. All that practice paid off on opening night as the sisters danced on the same stage as some of the most seasoned
PROVIDED BY ANDREW AND ASHLEIGH BAKER
Oak Park sisters Mabel and Poppy Baker shared the stage in the Joffrey Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” dancers with the Joffrey Ballet. As expected, there were some pre-show jitters. To calm the nervous, Poppy said she tries to talk herself down by telling herself to not worry about something that hasn’t happened, and Mabel draws from her previous experience in last year’s performance. But it isn’t all work and no play, as both sisters said the community and friends they have built around ballet is one of their favorite parts about dancing. Their family has also been a pillar of support because the girls are often busy with ballet lessons. To manage what can sometimes be a hectic schedule, Andrew Baker and Ashleigh Baker, parents to the sisters, work together to tag-team the drives in and out of downtown Chicago, where the sisters dance.
“It is not easy,” said Andrew Baker. “Neither my wife or I work a traditional 9 to 5, so we have to get pretty creative on how we shuffle kids downtown and back, and there probably isn’t a week that goes by that we are not touchand-go but you find a way.” But those sacrifices are worthwhile, they said, when mom and dad get to see their daughters’ hard work showcased on the big stage. Ashleigh Baker, mom to Mabel and Poppy, said she was in awe of her daughters. “It takes a lot of confidence, particularly at age eight and 10, to dance alongside professional company members,” Ashleigh said. “I teared up with joy seeing them execute with poise and beaming smiles. Opening night was an incredibly memorable moment.”
14
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
multiple companies multiple companies quality coverages multiple companies educated agents quality coverages quality coverages educatedagents agents educated
Chicago Magazine’s five-star winner
7310 Madison St.
7310 Madison St.St. Forest Park, IL 60130 7310 Madison Unrivaled Insurance Expertise forestinsured.com Forest Park, ILIL60130 Forest Park, 60130 7310 Madison St. Ourforestagency.com Professional Designations forestinsured.com Forest Park, IL 60130 Include:
forestagency.com
Certified Personal Risk Manager Certified Insurance Counselor Accredited Adviser in Insurance
708.383.9000 Certified Professional Ins. Agent
(70 8Master ) 3 8 3Service -9 0 0Rep. 0 Certified
Certified Insurance Service Rep.
708.383.9000 Associate in Management
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
C R I M E
Man arrested after breaking CTA train windows A man from Clarendon Hills was arrested for felony criminal damage to government property. The person broke two train windows on the Chicago Transit Authority. He was then charged with a second felony criminal damage to government property after breaking a light fixture while in custody at the Oak Park Police Department. The arrest occurred during the afternoon of Dec. 21 at the 300 block of South Boulevard.
Armed robbery A man approached the register at an Oak Park business on the 300 block of Madison Street and pulled out a silver and brown handgun from his pocket. He demanded the contents of the register. The victim removed the cash drawer and gave it to the man, who then took the money and fled. The incident occurred Dec. 28 and the estimated loss is $200.
(70 8 ) in3Insurance 8 3 -9Services 000 Associate
Residential burglary
Motor vehicle theft
Theft
Associate in General Insurance
An individual broke into an Oak Park resident’s home on the 1000 block of North Boulevard by removing the air conditioner unit from the living room window. The person stole $1,000, two Yves Saint Laurent purses and a black 9mm handgun with an unknown make, model and serial number. The incident occurred Dec. 28 and estimated loss is $2,300.
■ Someone stole an Oak Park resident’s black 2019 Kia Forte while it was parked on the 200 block of North Marion Street. The incident occurred between Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 and resulted in an estimated loss of $15,000. ■ Someone stole an Oak Park resident’s white 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee while it was parked on the 500 block of South Boulevard. The incident occurred between Dec. 23 and Dec. 24 and resulted in an estimated loss of $40,000. The vehicle was entered into the Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science database. ■ Two individuals were observed approaching a Maywood resident’s silver 2017 Kia Sportage on the 700 block of Ontario Street. One of the individuals used on object to break the rear driver’s side window and gain entry to the vehicle. The suspects then drove away in the Kia and a black Ford in an unknown direction. The incident occurred Dec. 24 and the estimated loss is $19,000. The vehicle was entered into LEADS.
Someone stole an Oak Park resident’s 2020 black Surly Cross Check bicycle, a 2016 orange and black Fuji Declaration bicycle and a silver specialized women’s Cruiser bicycle from an Oak Park resident’s locked shared storage space. The incident occurred between Dec. 2 and Dec. 22 on the 100 block of Washington Boulevard. The estimated loss is $3,300.
Associate in Personal Insurance
coverages Whatquality education educated agents does your agent offer? multiple companies
7310 Madison St. Forest Park, IL 60130 7310 Madison St. forestinsured.com Forest Park, IL 60130 7310 Madison St. 708.383.9000 forestinsured.com Forest Park, IL 60130 forestagency.com
708.383.9000
(70 8 ) 3 8 3 -9 0 0 0
Criminal damage to vehicle ■ Someone broke the rear passenger side window of an Oak Park resident’s red Kia Soul. The person damaged the steering column in an estimated total of $2,000. The incident occurred Dec. 24 on the 1100 block of Washington Boulevard. ■ Three men threw bricks at a Norridge resident’s blue 2014 Lexus vehicle while the victim was driving on North Avenue. The bricks caused damage to the hood of the car in an estimated total of $3,000. The men were last seen in the alley south of North Avenue. The incident occurred Dec. 27.
■ These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department reports dated Dec. 19, 2023 through Dec. 29, 2023, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.
Compiled by Luzane Draughon
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M. Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com
I
My three ages
am three ages; my chronological age, the age that I feel, and the age that I look. Of these, chronology is the objective one. It’s just math, right? But what does the number of the Earth’s revolutions around the sun since I was born have to do with anything? The age I feel and the age I look are both subjective. Indeed, for the most part, my looks depend upon what somebody else thinks. We all age differently — there is no template. There’s probably no more heterogeneous group than older people. Yes, changes are inevitable as we age, but not necessarily at the same time or in a similar order, or even of the same type for everybody. When somebody quips, “You look great for 75!” I respond, “This is what 75 looks like!” I recently saw a guy I’d worked with for quite a few years, whom I hadn’t seen since pre-COVID days. I stared at him momentarily. To me, he looked like he was his own father — frail, more sagging, more wrinkles. It made me wonder, how do I look? Underneath that thought is the ageist, “I hope I don’t look like that.” The other day, as I was driving, I had to slow down for a woman shuffling across the street, walking with a cane. As I drove past her slowly, I recognized that we’d been in a neighborhood walking group together about 15 years ago. She had changed significantly. Back when we walked together, she told great jokes, always making me laugh. It made me wonder if she’d still bring a smile to my face. Really, what does her mobility have to do with her sense of humor? There’s a guy in one of my social networks who seems to be having some difficulties staying focused. When he runs a meeting or joins a get-together, he’s not very well organized. He just doesn’t seem as sharp as he used to be. It made me wonder if he knows he’s changed and if he ever talks about it with anybody. How should we treat our family or friends or acquaintances who don’t seem as sharp as they used to be? Most of us learn at an early chronological age to dismiss them as just getting old, an example of unconscious bias. But which age are we dismissing them for, the way they complain about how they are feeling or the way they show their age or their mathematical revolutions-around-the-sun age? Perhaps we can learn to treat them with empathy and kindness no matter what their age, rather than to just make them invisible. After all, we’re all in this together. These are not things we usually talk about. There seems to be a social taboo regarding honest talk about the inevitable changes we all go through as we age — both the difficulties and the opportunities. Difficulties like compromised balance, weaker muscles or just not as sharp as we used to be. Opportunities like the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself or getting closer to being the person we’d like to be. No matter which of my three ages other people choose as my calling card, I will still have the opportunity to be who I am and to be present with them.
MARC BLESOFF One View
VIEWPOINTS
15
ComEd to the rescue!
19
One trustee’s rear-view mirror look at 2023
A
s I complete another year as trustee on the Oak Park Village Board, I share my reflections with a mix of pride and concern. My campaign focused on three key areas: Affordability & Fiscal Discipline, Community Safety, and Sustainable & Equitable Economic Development. Under Village Manager Kevin Jackson’s thoughtful leadership we’ve made strides, but challenges remain.
Affordability & Fiscal Discipline: navigating challenges
based on our past fiscal responsibility and robust financial reserves offer a cushion and a glimmer of hope. However, the diminishing revenue sources and the end of ARPA funds, coupled with the board’s hesitance to examine our expenses rigorously, is a growing concern.
Community Safety: strides toward a safer future Significant strides were made in enhancing community safety. ■ Berry Dunn Study Implementation: The adoption of the comprehensive Berry Dunn Community Safety study recommendations under Chief Shatonya Johnson’s leadership marked a significant step in modernizing our police force. ■ Alternate Mental Health Response Pilot: The initiation of a two-year Alternate Call Response program pilot for emergency calls that involve mental health issues aims to alleviate the burden on police resources and ensure appropriate care in relevant situations. ■ Safety Technology and Policies: The effectiveness of the limited deployment of FLOCK (Automated License Plate Reader) technology makes a strong case for village-wide deployment. While it’s still early days, the restriction of overnight gas station operations has helped improve safety. ■ Vision Zero Initiative: Beyond crime prevention, the board-approved Vision Zero study underscores our commitment to pedestrian and traffic safety. While awaiting study results, various traffic-calming measures have been implemented. Despite ongoing crime and road safety concerns, these initiatives signal our comprehensive approach to safety. Moving forward, we need to emphasize enforcement and address the police department’s staffing shortage.
RAVI PARAKKAT
This has been at the forefront of my concerns. ■ Village Hall Reconstruction Debate: The board’s consideration to demolish and rebuild village hall, a historic yet fairly young building (50 years old), without a thorough needs assessment is concerning. This idea, with a $100 million price tag, sparked debates over sustainability (financial and environmental). It also stalled our ability to progress the long overdue and carefully assessed need for a new police facility. I remain concerned about the direction this topic will take in the new year. ■ Tax Levy Increase Policy: Limiting the tax levy increase to 3% annually has been a useful board goal to set and manage everyone’s affordability expectations. The board’s decision to drop the 3% tax levy increase guideline in our board goals (to be officially adopted in January 2024), without establishing a new framework, casts uncertainty on future fiscal planning. Although we managed to restrict the levy increase to 0% for 2023 and 3% for 2024, the long-term fiscal outlook remains a point of concern. ■ Local Resources for Migrant Care: Allocating resources for migrant care is a role typically undertaken by federal agencies. Any municipal response raises issues of efficiency and equity that are hard to address. Moreover, Oak Park’s response does not offer a path to effective assimilation for eligible migrant families. Hence, I was against using local resources and an approach that risked depriving the migrant families of Chicago’s broader and better funded efforts, potentially limiting their access to employment and permanent housing. Our decisions to accept ownership and then extend care, while well intentioned, do not serve the migrant families and their long term aspirations. We have set the wrong precedent for our village. I sincerely hope that we are able to resolve this situation in the new year with thoughtful compassion. Despite these challenges, our improved credit rating
One View
Sustainable and Equitable Economic Development: a work in progress The year also brought challenges and progress in economic development. ■ Restructuring Economic Development: Following the departures of key personnel, we consolidated economic development within the village. This restructuring resulted in the closure of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation. While necessary, this delayed the creation of a comprehensive economic
See RAVI PARAKKAT on page 18
16
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
O U R
I
V I E W S
The year ahead
n today’s Journal, we open this new year by interviewing the presidents of our two villages, Cathy Adduci in River Forest and Vicki Scaman in Oak Park. Our reporters asked them to explain their top priorities for 2024. Adduci had a lot to say about economic development and next steps to spur such development on the village’s three key east-west commercial strips: Madison Street, Lake Street and North Avenue. For Madison and North Avenue, the south and north borders of the village, moving ahead on more welcoming zoning will be key. Greater density (more height) and less stringent parking requirements for mixed-use residential are logical and reasonable concessions. The village ought to also continue its efforts to expand the depth of developable commercial lots by seeking opportunities to purchase homes adjacent to such sites. River Forest did a good job in growing the old Lutheran Child and Family Services lot by purchasing, and now demolishing, two homes. There is finally resolution of the cursed Lake and Lathrop development site. Wintrust Bank now has control of the property. We get Adduci’s comment that the village “is not in the development business.” That said, it has the strongest interest in working effectively with the bank and potential developers to make a project on this most critical and barren commercial site in town. And we understand that the real estate market will need to thaw some before anything happens. Adduci is right to laud the village government’s talented young administration, to note that the village’s police department is fully staffed (what’s up, Oak Park?), and to herald the arrival this year of body cameras for cops. River Forest’s efforts on climate issues and its coming reports on equity and inclusion are also notable. In Oak Park, Scaman rightly takes credit for leading village government to the verge of substantive change in several essential areas where it has made more noise than progress over the past many years. The new year will bring action on well-planned alternative police response recommendations focused on better care for those with mental health challenges. Money has been allocated to pilot a program that brings mental health professionals to this critical intersection of policing and mental health. Simultaneously, the village needs to find a solution to chronic staffing shortages on its police department. The village will also receive an assessment commissioned last year on racial equity, a critical step in an area where village government, over decades, has fallen far behind other local government entities in intentionally acknowledging its shortfalls on equity. A half-century ago, Oak Park’s village government was a national leader on issues of race and integration. It has been coasting on that reputation ever since. Time’s up. Final thought: The village board ought to pivot quickly to a plan to update and restore its village hall while building a state-of-theart police station. Take demolition of this essential and historic building off the table now.
V I E W P O I N T S
Measuring a year in life Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes, 525,000 moments so dear, 525,600 minutes, how do you measure a year? In daylights? In sunsets? In midnights? In cups of coffee? In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife? … How about love? Seasons of love … In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried? In bridges he burned, or the way that she died? It’s time now to sing out, though the story never ends. Let’s celebrate, remember a year in a life …
Precisely measured, yes, in bridges burned — but also in bridges that magically reappear, reachable through misty memory across the chasm of years, thanks to forgiveness and living long enough to find our way back to them. And yes, measured in departures. More frequently now as we age onward. The passings surprise, even when anticipated — a grammar school classmate, an ex-spouse, a wizened and wise centenarian. We grieve and celebrate and miss them in the heartspace where our holiest holograms simulate the living. And yes, above all, in seasons of love — love for those who fill us with admiration and wonder and worry and relief and delight, always delight, even as other, bothering emotions cling like barnacles. Loving more than we know and more than we understand. It is an awesome thing, surely, to love a human being, yet as natural and nourishing as breath. But only half the equation because after loving comes the awesome power of being loved. Think of how many you have loved this year and how many loved you. Too many to count, I hope. Different loves, different intensities. Wealth can be measured only in loving. A year to remember. A year to celebrate. A time to sing out our story, which never ends. And how will we measure 2024? My grandson Bryce set the tone in the waning days of 2023, when he and Tyler turned into leprechauns, which is easy when you’re 4-feet-plus in stature and crowned with amber locks galore and glorious. It is their tendency, when set free temporarily from the leash of schooled routine, to enter the preferred realm of enchanted imagination. Being one of the Big People, I was pressed into service, giving chase and trying to capture them in the municipal park outside the local public library. Bryce, self-proclaimed leader of the Little People, informed me from his perch on a rock in the selfproclaimed “safe zone,” that they had to elude all efforts to detain them because “Leprechauns need three things — hope, laughter and luck — in order to survive.” Not the kind of pronouncement one would expect to issue from the mouth of a 10-year-old human, or leprechaun, or both, but he may have been inspired by a late-afternoon shaft of sunlight piercing the Celtic clouds and mist, glowing with the magic of make-believe. Bryce is right. Hope, laughter and luck are what all of us need as we enter 2024, a year perilous with opportunity, if democracy is to survive. This new year will be measured in hope, laughter, luck … and our votes.
KEN
TRAINOR
Jonathan Larson
‘Seasons of Love’ from the musical ‘Rent’ December is our designated month for measuring a year in life. Fewer Decembers left with each go-round, therefore all the more prized and poignant. Each year is bittersweet at its best, love-locked on emotion’s spectrum. Never one without the other. At its sweetest, still bitter; at its bitterest, still sweet. Can we measure a year in minutes? Too many to monitor. In hours? To be sure we are creatures of the clock. We loathe losing anything, though much is lost anyway. Seldom comes the best loss of all, losing track of time. Some measure the year in daylight, marking the lengthening light from January through June, and the fading light from July through December. Sixteen hours of daylight on one solstice, eight hours on the other, when December’s dark is offset by millions of shining facsimiles of distant, gascompressed, far-flung, deep-sky furnaces, brilliant against the background of eternal night. Many measure it in the cleansed expectation of mornings and the sad farewell of setting suns? In laughter and strife? The former leavens the latter — confessed, processed, deliberated and contexted over cups of coffee or tea with friends, in the luxury of long walks, or moments of candlecompanied solitude. The world is full of strife these days, but we make hard-earned progress each year in inches, in contrast with our accumulated frequent-flyer miles. In truths learned? Yes, and relearned, and learned yet again. Lessons ingrained through repetition because life, that great stone-faced teacher, is generous with reminders in the wake of recurring mistakes, a frequent occasion for our tears. But let’s not forget joy, and the pent-up day-to-day sadnesses that build over time, stirred to overflowing by music’s soulful lyricism and beauty’s mysterious alchemy.
V I E W P O I N T S
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024 W E D N E S D A Y
D
A new housing ordinance
iversity Oak Park (DivOP) believes it is time to revise and strengthen Oak Park’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO). The current ordinance is outdated, limited in its scope, and has failed to significantly increase affordable housing in Oak Park. To fully recognize the full potential benefits of the ordinance, it must be updated to reflect Oak Park’s present realities of declining racial and economic diversity in housing. Consider some alarming data. Between 2000 and 2007 the village lost 3,317 affordable housing units (Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, 2010). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, half of Oak Park tenants are also “cost burdened,” meaning they spending 30% or more of their income on housing. One quarter of Oak Park renters are “severely cost burdened,” meaning they spend 50% or more of their income on housing With respect to home ownership, the financial collapse of 2008 was disastrous for Oak Park mortgage holders. The Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University reports that over 1,300 home and condominium owners’ had their mortgages foreclosed from 2009-13. If we can infer from national foreclosure data during this same period, it is likely that Oak Park foreclosures had a disparate impact on our Black homeowners. Contributing to this unexamined financial devastation in Oak Park is the fact that nearly 30 percent of village’s mortgage-holding households were “cost burdened,” and 18 percent were “severely cost burdened,” according to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Analysis, 2010-14. The alarming metrics on affordability and mortgage foreclosures sadly correlate with our diminishing Black population. Our community has lost nearly 1,500 Black neighbors since 2016 and the percentage of Blacks living in Oak Park has declined from a high of 23.5% in 2009 to 18.2% in 2020, according to American Community Survey estimates, from the U.S. Census Bureau. A stronger IHO that includes strong affirmative marketing requirements can help reverse this trend in racial diversity. A stronger IHO will also make it easier for households of modest incomes like teachers, nurses, small business owners, librarians, village staff, retired seniors, and others who work here to actually live here. A stronger IHO will provide housing they can afford — housing that
costs less than 30 percent of their monthly income. The opportunity to strengthen the IHO is now before us. With community input, the village is crafting a new Oak Park Housing Plan. It is a plan that consultants from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus say will bring all innovative possibilities forward for consideration. Strengthening the IHO offers a policy option that reinforces our community’s vision of economic and racial integration as emphasized by participants in the community housing survey conducted by the village this fall (https:// engageoakpark.com/search?query=housing+sur vry+results) A more effective IHO should: ■ Require 20% of all new units to be affordable. Developers should be required to include at least half of those affordable units onsite, only opting out with fees in lieu for no more than half of the required units. ■ Cover all residential development of 5 units or more. The current ordinance applies to development of 24 or more, which severely limits its impact. ■ Apply to the entire village. Affordable housing set-asides should be required everywhere, because we can’t predict where the next development boom will happen. ■ Require approximate market-rate fees in lieu for affordable units. The current $100,000 fees in lieu do not cover the actual cost of building new units. The current opt-out fee should be substantially increased to approach the actual market rate of building units in Oak Park. ■ Establish density bonuses. The formula for affordable units should be set to allow a developer to build more market-rate units than otherwise permitted in exchange for including the required affordable units in the building. Today Oak Park is at an inflection point, similar to where it was in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Oak Park must again act intentionally. Revising and strengthening the IHO today is fundamental to living up to Oak Park’s commitment to the racial and economic diversity we hold as a core value and have worked so hard to preserve. That is a legacy we must continue today with major revisions of the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. The Steering Committee of Diversity Oak Park includes Rob Breymaier, John Duffy, Henry Fulkerson, Burcy Hines, Ralph Lee, and Paul Sakol.
DIVERSITY OAK PARK One View
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
Editor Erika Hobbs Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Staff Reporter Amaris Rodriguez, Luzane Draughon Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Special Projects Manager Susan Walker Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs Publisher Dan Haley
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer
About Viewpoints Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government, schools, businesses and culture of Oak Park and River Forest. As we share the consensus of Wednesday Journal’s editorial board on local matters, we hope our voice will help focus your thinking and, when need be, fire you to action. In a healthy conversation about community concerns, your voice is also vital. We welcome your views, on any topic of community interest, as essays and as letters to the editor. Noted here are our stipulations for filing. Please understand our verification process and circumstances that would lead us not to print a letter or essay. We will call to check that what we received with your signature is something you sent. If we can’t make that verification, we will not print what was sent. When, in addition to opinion, a letter or essay includes information presented as fact, we will check the reference. If we cannot confirm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay. If you have questions, email Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR ■ 250-word limit ■ Must include first and last names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)
‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY ■ 500-word limit ■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,
your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left
Email Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com or mail to Wednesday Journal, Viewpoints, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302
H O W
T O
R E A C H
U S
ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-524-8300 EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $2.00. A one-year subscription costs $48 within Cook County and $60 outside of Cook County. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2024 Growing Community Media, NFP.
17
18
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
V I E W P O I N T S
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Speak out against Trump, Hamas, Israel and free speech anti-Jewish speech and action
A
recent One View [No one wins the blame game, Viewpoints, Dec. 13] on the Israel-Hamas conflict, failed to provide any realistic recommendations for Israel to deal with a neighbor who calls for the destruction of Israel and Jews worldwide. Hamas leadership has said, in effect, that they do not care about the welfare of the people of Gaza. The care of the people is the responsibility, in their view, of the rest of the world. The writer fails to recognize that the latest war is the fifth time in 15 years that Hamas has provoked armed conflict. Like other writers in Wednesday Journal, she calls on Israel to follow the teachings of Gandhi and Martin Luther King on nonviolence. But why did they not quote what King said about Israel in 1968: “I think it is necessary to say that what is basic and what is needed in the Middle East is peace. Peace for Israel is one thing. Peace for the Arab side of that world is another thing. Peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all of our might to protect its right to exist, its territorial integrity. I see Israel, and never mind saying it, as one of the great outposts of democracy in the world, and a marvelous example of what can be done, how desert land can almost be transformed into an oasis of brotherhood and democracy. Peace for Israel means security and that security must be reality.” (Source: A Conversation with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Rabbinical Assembly, March 25, 1968) Ken Trainor, in a recent column, said the conflict is 75 years old. This puts its start in 1948 with the War for Israeli Independence. But the conflict goes back to the Sixth Century. Hamas’ virulent anti-Jewish hatred follows a long line of Muslim thought and action, going back to the founding of Islam. Our local community is not immune to anti-Jewish acts or speech. In River Forest a resident put a blue ribbon around a parkway tree in support of Israel. Someone complained about her ribbon, but not about dozens of other ribbons on other trees for other causes. Also, a pastor of a church in Oak Park, in a separate One View, blamed military aid to Israel for the problems of people of the Austin neighborhood. Unnamed were Egypt, which maintains a blockade against Gaza along with Israel, and other Arab nations that receive similar aid. I call on my neighbors to not be silent about possible anti-Jewish speech and action. Speak up, as you would do if it was directed against other ethnic, religious, national and racial groups. Alan Peres is a resident of Oak Park.
ALAN PERES
One View
Free speech is a constitutional right. Fine. As one letter from a recent Viewpoints section points out, in the case of Donald Trump, his right to speak needs to be muted, if not shut down. Certainly. He is a danger to this country and beyond, spewing toxic threats to the press and the very government he is (inexplicably, stupefyingly) a candidate to hold its highest public office. And clearly the corporate media will never stop fawning over his sociopathic persona. Then another letter writer uses his/her freedom of speech to weigh in on the now two-month-long conflict related to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The writer focuses on Hamas as a terror group. And they are. The writer says the recent “humanitarian pause” only emboldens Hamas and their terror tactics. Thus, Israel should keep
on hitting back. Really? As of Dec. 7, over 17,000 Palestinians have been killed in response to the Hamas attack. Several thousand of them children. Not to mention Israel cutting off electricity and water to Gaza. The “pause” is over, and the attacks on Gaza continue. Hospitals, schools, mosques bombed. Does not that not make Israel a de facto terrorist state? Let’s stop the pretzel logic used to defend what is going on in this matter. Palestinians have no army, no fighter jets, tanks, or any type of modern weapons of war other than rockets. This is genocide, and the better part of the world sees it as that sickening reality.
Joseph Harrington Oak Park
Support GCM with monthly pledge
Paul Beckwith is a member of Growing Community Media’s Development Steering Committee. As GCM wraps up our end-of-year campaign and starts a new year, Paul asks you to consider becoming a monthly donor in support of local news: I am and will always be a large cheerleader for our greater Oak Park/River Forest community and quite frankly could not have chosen a better place to call home. In addition to calling this my home, I want to do all I can do to make our home the very best that we can make it. Not only for me, but for those who are a part of our greater community. It is important to consider that there are some things within our home that must work in order for us to be most effective. For example, could we imagine not having a local newspaper where we get information pertaining to local political news, various school happenings (especially if your grandchild or child is involved), or new businesses opening (new restaurants or comedy clubs), church and nonprofit ac-
tivities, or even reviewing various people’s viewpoints, plus perusing the weekly obituary section? I am a firm believer that we need a reliable vehicle to communicate with each other about our great community. For now, this could be a print newspaper, but we need also to work to create other ways, including digital platforms, to tell our story or to bring “connecting information” to our residents. This is why my wife Leah and I have committed to donation this year, plus a monthly payment to GCM (Growing Community Media) for the next five years. We love and appreciate our home and want to make it even better. This is one way we want to help others so that they can come to feel as strongly as we do, and thus have it become their cherished home.
RAVI PARAKKAT
make new developments all-electric, and building energy benchmarking that will measure the energy use and efficiency of our buildings, are critical, especially given that 70% of our emissions come from older buildings. ■ Styrofoam Ban: The phased ban on Styrofoam packaging, with enforcement starting in 2025, allows restaurants time for a just transition. As the year concludes, the diversity of perspectives on the board and the unwavering dedication of our village staff gives me hope and optimism for the future. I’m proud of the votes I have cast this year at the board table. As we approach the holidays, my gratitude and wishes extend to every Oak Park resident. Your trust and support have been the driving force behind my efforts to uphold our shared values and aspirations. I’m also excited about the challenges the New Year will bring and look forward to navigating them with renewed vigor and collaborative spirit. Until then, I wish you very happy and restful holidays.
A look back at 2023 from page 15
development vision and plan for our village. ■ Business Growth and Parking Fees: We’ve attracted a record number of small businesses, and parking fee changes have improved the parking fund deficit without adversely affecting these businesses. ■ DEI Initiatives: Under Danielle Walker, our DEI team expanded inclusive events and launched the Racial Equity Impact Assessment, paving the way for a more equitable community. ■ Climate Action Goals: Our climate action plan, though ambitious, provides a roadmap toward our 2050 goals. Initiatives like the electrification ordinance to
Paul Beckwith Oak Park
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
V I E W P O I N T S
Preventing unwanted pregnancy
Contraception should be available to everyone as a matter of public health, but last week, one of our classes learned that it is not always so in Oak Park. Our organization runs comprehensive and inclusive sexuality education classes for kids in first through eighth grade. As part of teaching eighth-graders about contraception, we give them an optional challenge to obtain a condom and bring it to class. Last week, one of our classes got an unexpected additional education when a student attempted to buy condoms from the Walgreens on Madison and was refused. The clerk refused to sell condoms to this student. When the manager was told about this, the response was that this is a matter of employee discretion. This is troubling. Anyone should be able to purchase condoms. Condoms are an effective and lowcost protection against transmission of infections and unwanted pregnancy. Teenagers in particular should not be refused, both because of additional risk and because of the injustice of treating them differently. Drugstore employees play a part in the public health system and their actions have consequences for all of us. In our program, we are clear in our position that
it is healthier for young teens to postpone sexual intercourse. In fact, strong data supports that comprehensive sex education, including teaching accurate information about contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy is associated with outcomes that include: delay in first experience of sex, reduced likelihood of teen pregnancy, reduced rates of sexually transmitted infections, reduced frequency of sex and number of sexual partners. Teaching kids about condoms does not encourage sexual activity; in fact, just the opposite is true. Fortunately, Oak Park has alternative ways to obtain condoms. They are available for free at both Brown Elephant Resale Shop and at the Oak Park Health Department (internal condoms, external condoms, and lubricant packets). This does not reduce the responsibility of Walgreens and other drugstores to make them available to everyone. We call on the health department and all our local drugstores to ensure that all employees have the facts about comprehensive sex education and are prepared to do their part in preventing unwanted pregnancy and disease transmission.
Nina Brewer-Davis
Director, Oak Park Our Whole Lives
Welcome our new neighbors, don’t evict them!
It started with popsicles. Huskies for Hope, an OPRF club, was looking for volunteer opportunities. We connected with a group helping asylum-seekers at the District 15 Chicago Police Station, who suggested we start with a simple treat. Saturday, Sept. 9, was a hot summer day. There were young kids zooming around the sidewalk on scooters and tricycles. The residents of Dist. 15 lined up to get their popsicles, children first. We introduced ourselves with a combination of Google Translate and Spanish and played soccer with the younger children. We brought weekly meals and organized a quarter drive at school. We went to St. Catherine-St. Lucy to help move clothing in preparation for the showers, breakfast, and a free store the Migrant Ministry ran bi-weekly. The situation was in constant flux. One weekend we would bring meals for 40 people; the next for 110, some living in tents in a lot across the street from the station. On a snowy day in late October, the village and local churches agreed to take them in, with the village board covering the cost of housing for some at the YMCA and Carleton Hotel. We welcomed our new neighbors and later made holiday treat bags. When we delivered them, a family sent their son
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
19
Migrant missteps & missed opportunities
Like many Oak Parkers, I was grateful the village, after much advocacy, declared an emergency to support our new neighbors living in dangerous conditions at a police station on Chicago’s West Side. What I am not thankful for is how the village support has become a war of words, completely hijacking the mission of supporting migrants, and resorting to finger-pointing, vilifying supporters and activists. Why were volunteers excluded? I filled out a form but was never contacted, nor were any others I know. The village asked residents to voice our opinions; I did. I spoke at meetings, emailed the board, attended and watched board meetings. I was guardedly optimistic, as I knew this was going to be challenging. In my opinion, even more reason to reach out for help. Task forces were suggested, though one trustee at one board meeting discussed the idea of a task force as something to be avoided. The village paid partners to help, allowing just meal sign-up as an option for volunteer support, and a sign-up that was just recently circulated. This is December. Migrants arrived in October. As migrants desperately needed resources, there appeared to be a war of words from village trustees (mainly Ravi Parakkat) alleging that the community is ungrateful, misguided (alleging volunteers misled migrants), and stating it cannot sustain support. Yet volunteers are here, still doing the work at this point, around the village. Trustees even vilified volunteers, likening them to Governor Abbott at board meetings. Trustee Parakkat’s comment in Viewpoints, “We need to reject false narratives that divide us … come together to seek solutions” seemed unreal. He has repeatedly done exactly what he is asking the community not to do. The village missed an opportunity to create a meaningful, effective system and instead chose to wage a war of words, delaying the onset of any services outside of housing as a way of bowing out of continued support. Isn’t it interesting that those accusing a populus of division are usually the dividers?
out. He delivered the news: they would be leaving the YMCA on Jan. 31. We later learned they are to work with village employees and caseworkers to find shelter, but if they “are unable to identify another option, the village government will help [them] enter the Chicago shelter program in January.” This is the same Chicago system that halted construction of a shelter after Governor Pritzker shut it down over environmental concerns. A shelter near Halsted and Cermak, originally meant for 1,000, was housing 2,300 people when a 5-year-old boy recently died. The asylum-seekers we met in September at District 15 are now our neighbors and friends. They have students in our elementary, middle, and high schools. They are still looking for work and trying to save to pay their own rent, which is next to impossible without work permits. To evict our new neighbors on Jan. 31, in the middle of a Chicago winter, is cruel and inhumane. We cannot allow the village to refer them to the hazardous, overtaxed Chicago shelter system. We implore them to reconsider and give volunteers and the migrants themselves more time to find shelter.
I discovered our cat Edgar (the mayor of the northeast corner of Oak Park) at the top of a phone pole in the alley the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 27. We think he spent the night there after being chased by a loose dog the night before. I called ComEd after a fireman told me this was beyond them since he was on a power line. The person I spoke to at ComEd was so kind, and told me they would send out a team to get him down. I’m sorry to say we missed the actual rescue. After standing in the alley trying to coax him down for a half-hour we finally went inside to eat breakfast! I came out just in time to thank the ComEd team and ask if we would be getting a bill for this service. The man said no and told me this does happen somewhat regularly. We are so happy Edgar was rescued; thanks again, ComEd!
Oak Park
Oak Park
Eva O’Keefe
Zerrin Bulut Oak Park
ComEd to the rescue!
Kerry Vitali
20
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
Jack Gaynor, 78
Co-founded the Boler Company John “Jack” Gaynor, 78, died suddenly in his River Forest home on Dec. 18, 2023. He was a founding member of the Boler Company, where he served as a CPA until the time of his retirement. John was the husband of Mary Ann (nee Janecek); the father of Michael Gaynor and Anne Gaynor; grandfather of Maeve and Quinn Gaynor; and the brother of Ellen Gaynor, O.P.; and the uncle of many He was preceded in death by his siblings, Mary (the late Sean) Coyle and Irene (the late John) Donahue. Visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 from 9:30 until the Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Old St. Patrick Church, 700 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661 (Free parking for Old St. Patrick Church is available in the parking garage at 625 W. Adams. An elevator is accessible on the north side of the church). Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to Leo High School, 7901 S. Sangamon St., Chicago, IL 60620. Arrangements were handled by Peter B. Kennedy & Co. Funeral Directors.
Dean Hogenboom, 89 OPRF math teacher
J. Dean Hogenboom, 89, of Lombard, formerly of Oak Park, died on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Born on May 25, 1934, in Fairview to the Rev. Josh and Dena (Habink) Hogenboom, he graduated from Holland (Michigan) High School in 1952, and from Hope College in Holland in 1956 with a mathematics major. He also completed a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Michigan in 1960. He began his career teaching mathematics and physics in southeast Michigan. He
V I E W P O I N T S taught mathematics at Oak Park and River Forest High School from 1965 until retiring in 1989. He and his wife, Marion (Ellsworth), who survives him, were married on Aug. 22, 1959. They were longtime members of First United Church of Oak Park. Survivors also include their three children, Karen Hogenboom, Kathy (Greg) Olgers, and Mark (Maryann) Hogenboom; five grandchildren, Eric (Elena), Alex, Kyle, David and Amy; two sisters-in-law, Irene Hogenboom and Doris McCullagh; and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Dana Hogenboom; his brother, the Rev. Kermit Hogenboom; two brothersin-law, Pat McCullagh and Byron Powers; and a sister-in-law, Wilma Powers. Arrangements were handled by BlakeLamb Funeral Home of Lisle. In accordance with his wishes, he was cremated. No visitation is scheduled. A celebration of life will be scheduled for the spring at First United Church of Oak Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to the Alzheimer’s Association of America.
Tom Hosty, 79
Chicago Board of Trade member Thomas Edward Hosty III, 79, of St. Joseph, Michigan, formerly of River Forest. He was a member of the Chicago Board of Trade and a proud graduate of St. Luke School, Fenwick High School and St. Norbert College. Tom was the husband of Susan (nee Cox) for 55 years; the father of Thomas E. IV (Kathleen) Hosty, Joan (Michael) Beacom, Edward (Laura) Hosty, Luke Hosty and Susan Hosty; grandpa of Hannah, Eileen, Tommy and Emmett Hosty, Mary Helen, Mike, Dave and Grace Beacom, E.J., Frankie and William Hosty, and Luke, Cici and Claire Hosty; older brother of P.J. (Kathy), Terry (Ellen), Johnny (Lissa), Della Hosty, the late Larry (Nancy) and the late Robert (Peggy) Hosty; brother-in-law of Bill (Carol) Cox, Martha (the late Bob) Morris, Maureen (the late Jack) O’Doherty, Jim (Sue) Cox, the late Ed (the late Rose) and the late John (Barbara) Cox; and the uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester, on Dec. 29. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Luke Church on Dec. 30, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Thomas’ name would be appreciated to the Fenwick High School Fathers Club, 505 Washington Blvd., Oak Park 60302, or www.fenwickfriars.com. Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko - Director.
Shirley Spear, 84 Teacher, volunteer, sailor
Shirley Spear (nee Wagner), born in June of 1929 to Mary and Vernon Wagner in their ancestral home in Seneca County, Ohio, died on Dec. 22, 2023 at home in Oak Park. Shirley graduated from Old Fort High School, Ohio. She and Walter were college sweethearts at Bowling Green State University. After Walt returned from serving in Japan, they settled in Cleveland, where she taught and raised two children. In 1979, they moved to Nashville and took up sailing on Kentucky Lake as a hobby. Some winters they chartered sailboats in the Virgin Islands with other couples. The couple became co-presidents of their square dance club. She taught in Dundee, Michigan; Nashville; Tiffin, Ohio; and Cleveland). She also served as a camp song director and a tour guide of Nashville’s Parthenon. She enjoyed singing throughout her life, church and college choir included. She was a lifetime member of the Nashville Symphony and gave private piano lessons in her home. She was a literacy teacher in Cleveland. The couple was active in church, YWCA, League of Women Voters, and the Red Cross. In 2003, she moved to Oak Park to be near family and became a member of River Forest United Methodist Church and their choir. At Brookdale retirement home, she wrote for the newsletter, was on the Resident Board of Directors, tutored English as a Second Language to students, and traveled with family and friends.
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM Shirley is survived by her son, Greg Spear (Mary Kelly); her daughter, Jill Spear; her five grandchildren, Matthew Gonce (Anna), Aubrey Gonce, Bill Spear, Erin Spear, and Scott Spear; and her four great-grandchildren. Going before her were her husband of 39 years; her brother Ellis and wife Judy; and her sister Annette and husband Bill Franklin. Gifts may be given to the River Forest United Methodist Church, River Forest, IL. A memorial service will be held at Brookdale Oak Park in late January of 2024.
Dorothy Vandervoort, 89
Member of First Baptist Church Dorothy J. Vandervoort, 89, longtime resident of Oak Park, died on Dec. 28, 2023. Born on Sept. 3, 1934 at West Suburban Hospital, she was raised in Oak Park and was a 1954 graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School. She earned a degree in Mathematics from the University of Illinois and was accepted into the Phi Betta Kappa honor society. A homemaker when her children were young, she worked in engineering computing departments and later was a tax consultant for H&R Block. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Oak Park. Her interests included reading, gardening, and traveling, in particular her four trips to Israel and the Holy Land. Dorothy was the wife of the late Robert B. Vandervoort; the mother of James (Kimberly) Crispin and Stephen (Kimberly) Crispin; the step-mother of Kimberly Gremillion, Tammy Stroh and Gus Vandervoort; grandmother of Birjan, Audrey, Sean and Ryan; great-grandmother of Gianna and Stella; and sister of Elizabeth Papierski. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Oak Park, 820 Ontario St., Oak Park, luncheon to follow. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to First Baptist Church of Oak Park are appreciated.
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
21
SPORTS OPRF, Fenwick boys basketball show well during holidays Ducree, Vincent make All-Tournament teams
By MELVIN TATE and BILL STONE Contributing Reporters
The Oak Park and River Forest High School boys basketball team had a solid showing downstate at the 92nd Pontiac Holiday Tournament Dec. 28-30. The Huskies (5-7) started the tournament well, defeating St. Charles North 7972 on Dec. 28. Alex Vincent led OPRF with 19 points and seven rebounds. Alex Gossett added 18 points and seven rebounds, plus Max Johnson 17 points and four assists, and Justin Bowen 11 points and nine rebounds. The following day, the Huskies fell in the quarterfinals to Benet Academy 60-48. Johnson led scoring with 16 points, while Vincent had 13 points and nine rebounds. In a consolation game on Dec. 30, OPRF led Simeon most of the way. But the Wolverines staged a late rally to prevail 48-46. Vincent led the Huskies with 17 points and seven rebounds. Bowen had a doubledouble with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Johnson added 10 points. Vincent received Honorable Mention for the All-Pontiac Tournament Team, averaging 17 points and 8.3 rebounds over three games. Gossett suffered a foot injury during the Simeon game and couldn’t finish. OPRF coach Phil Gary thought losing him made the difference down the stretch. “He’s averaging 14 points and eight rebounds, and it really hurt us not having him out there,” he said. “He’s athletic, can shoot, and does a lot of things for us, especially defensively.” Overall, Gary felt OPRF played well in spurts and showed how good they can be. But going forward, he said, the Huskies
need to be able to finish close games. “We’re still growing and getting better,” Gary said, “but we’ve got to figure out ways to complete games. That’s been our issue, and that’ll be our emphasis going into the New Year. A rebound you don’t grab, a free throw you miss, those are things we can’t take for granted.”
Fenwick Fenwick (9-5) tied for 11th at York’s 32team Jack Tosh Holiday Classic with a 2-2 record. After a 56-49 overtime victory over Naperville North, Dec. 26, the Friars lost to eventual champion Metamora 54-48 on Dec. 27, beat Batavia 48-45, Thursday, and lost to defending champion Rolling Meadows 60-57 Friday. “This was one of the better tournaments I’ve been a part of as a player or a coach,” first-year Fenwick coach Dave Fergerson said. Junior guard Dominick Ducree was named to the 20-player all-tournament team after averaging 14 points, with 11 three-pointers and 5.5 rebounds. He reached double figures every game, including 20 against Rolling Meadows. Nathaniel Marshall and Ty Macariola scored in double figures twice. Marshall had 12 points and 10 rebounds against Naperville North. Kamren Hogan had a team-high 16 points against Metamora with three 3s. Fenwick led the Cardinals 25-20 at halftime but were outscored 16-3 in the third quarter. “That’s where the game was won and lost,” Fergerson said. “We played hard in the first half and opened some eyes that Fenwick basketball is here and we’re just
CAROL DUNNING
Fenwick guard Dominick Ducree (0 in white) brings the ball up against Naperville North at York, Dec. 26. Ducree was named to the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic All-Tournament team, averaging 14 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as the Friars finished 2-2. trying to put one foot in front of the other and play well.” Metamora (12-3), which edged Bolingbrook 72-71 in overtime Saturday for the championship, is the defending Class 3A state champion. “We got to see that we can hang with the best. I feel like it just builds our confidence,” Macariola said. “Our first half against Metamora, we came out with a lot of energy and we were super close to such a good team. That was our best half this year, honestly. The third quarter killed us.”
Fenwick dominated Naperville North (8-8) 9-2 in overtime. Fenwick outscored Batavia (11-4) 19-11 in the third quarter to lead 37-36. The Friars faced multiple double-digit deficits against Rolling Meadows (12-2). Ducree’s last-second three to force overtime went off the rim. “I keep saying the same thing. We’re always down and coming from behind,” Fergerson said. “When you’re down, you have to scrap harder, and playing four games in four days, scrapping like that is extremely tough.”
22
S P O R T S
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OPRF, Fenwick, Trinity show progress in tourneys Blazers, Friars, Huskies gain experience to build on
By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter
The Oak Park and River Forest High School girls basketball team went 2-2 at the Loyola Academy Christmas Tournament, Dec. 26-29. “I think our girls really locked in and competed every game,” said OPRF coach Renee Brantley. “They’re starting to understand the level of confidence they have, and they’re excited to improve and hit their stride at the right time.” After losing the opener 51-19 to Joliet West, Dec. 26, OPRF (3-14) defeated Simeon the next day 46-38. Genevieve Simkowski had a team-high 12 points for the Huskies. Following a 52-35 loss to Taft, Dec. 28, OPRF ended the tournament on a high note the next day, defeating Lincoln Park 50-21. Jada Noyes had a team-high eight points, and Taylor Smith added seven. Brantley believes her team, 3-3 in their last six games, need to limit turnovers, rebound well, and continue their defensive improvement. “They’re playing together and communi-
cating well,” she said. “We just need to not dig ourselves deep holes in the first quarter. If we compete defensively, it gives us opportunities to succeed.” OPRF returns to action Jan. 5 at Proviso West (6 p.m.) and Jan. 6 at home versus Lyons Township (1:30 p.m.).
Fenwick Fenwick (4-13) went 2-2 in the 40th Komaromy Charger Classic at Dundee-Crown, Dec. 26-29. “I thought we made a lot of progress,” said Fenwick coach Lenae Fergerson. “I think they’re coming along. We’re starting to close some games and defend better as a whole, and I’m proud of them.” Fenwick dropped the tournament opener on Dec. 26 to Rockton Hononegah, 5441. Cammie Molis led the Friars with 12 points, and Grace Kapsch and Darryelle Smith (five rebounds) each added seven. The following day against Naperville Central, Molis scored a team-high 14 points, Heaven Lee added 12, and Kapsch had seven assists and four steals. But it
CAROL DUNNING
Trinity forward Lauren Miller takes a shot against Peoria Notre Dame at the Morton College Christmas Tournament Dec. 27. Miller scored 26 points in the Blazers’ 64-38 defeat. wasn’t enough as Fenwick fell 47-45. However, the Friars rallied to win the final two games. Kapsch (five steals) and Molis each scored 15 points and Lee added nine in a 45-34 victory over South Elgin, Dec. 28. The next day, Kapsch, named to the All-Tournament Team, had 12 points and Molis nine in Fenwick’s 47-16 rout of Dundee-Crown. “Grace was solid. She runs our team and is doing a great job,” Fergerson said. “Cammie was deserving [of all-tournament] as well, but I think it’s because of where we finished that she didn’t get it. She’s playing really well.” Fenwick has home games with Wheaton St. Francis, Jan. 6, at 1:30 p.m. and DePaul Prep, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.
Trinity CAROL DUNNING
Trinity forward Zaria Goins drives to the basket against Peoria Notre Dame.
Trinity went 1-3 in the Morton College Christmas Tournament, Dec. 27-30. But coach Kim Coleman feels the high-quality competition the Blazers faced was valuable. “We were definitely challenged,” she
said. “But it was good for our young kids to get experience against elite competition, and I was happy we could end things on a high note.” Trinity (7-9) lost the opener on Dec. 27, 64-38 to Peoria Notre Dame. Lauren Miller led the Blazers with 26 points. The next day, Miller had 14 points and five assists in a 5837 loss to Lake Zurich. On Dec. 29, Luz Kwiatkowski-Perez’s 10 points and two steals weren’t enough in a 43-35 loss to Marist. But Trinity ended the tournament with a 44-34 victory over Sycamore. Zaria Goins had a team-high 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Blazers. Miller added 13 points and eight rebounds, and Chloe Santos had nine points and eight rebounds. “I’m feeling optimistic,” Coleman said of her team. “I’m excited to see how this experience helps us the rest of the season.” Trinity plays two games in this week’s Grow the Game Showcase, facing Mundelein at Stevenson on Jan. 4 (11 a.m.) and Yorkville at Glenbard West on Jan. 5 (12 p.m.).
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024 23
Let the sun shine in...
HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI
PUBLIC NOTICES
Deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.
PUBLIC NOTICES
Your right to know...In print • Online LEGAL NOTICE
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNIT YMEDIA.ORG
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICE The River Forest Township Board of Trustees approved the following meeting dates for 2024 at the November 14, 2023 meeting:
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for:
Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for:
2024 Street Patching Program
2024 Street Improvement Program
RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETINGS THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH EXCEPT SECOND TUESDAY IN FEBRUARY, APRIL AND DECEMBER Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Tuesday, March 19, 2024 Tuesday, April 9, 2024 (also Annual Meeting) Tuesday, May 21, 2024 Tuesday, June 18, 2024 July 16, 2024 August 20, 2024 September 17, 2024 October 15, 2024 November 19, 2024 December 10, 2024 All meetings will take place in person at 6:00 PM at the River Forest Civic Center Authority Building 8020 W. Madison Street, River Forest, IL 60305. The River Forest Civic Center Authority Board of Managers approved the same meeting dates. The meetings of the River Forest Civic Center Authority Board of Managers will take place in the same location immediately following the River Forest Township Board of Trustees meetings. Any changes in time, date or location as well as Zoom remote participation information will be posted in advance on the River Forest Township website (www.riverforesttownship.org), at the River Forest Civic Center Authority Building and at the River Forest Library. Published in Wednesday Journal January 3, 2024
This project consists of the patching of approximately 4,000 square yards of existing, defective asphalt pavement at various locations throughout the Village, as designated by the Department of Public Works. The bidding documents are available for download starting Thursday, December 21, 2023 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 10:10 a.m. at: Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work. No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening. Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: HMA Paving The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids. Published in Wednesday Journal January 3, 2024
This project includes the replacement of curb and gutter, sidewalk and driveway aprons, hot-mix asphalt surface removal, frame/lid adjustment, resurfacing, and other associated work. The bidding documents are available for download starting Thursday, December 21, 2023 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at: Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work. No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening. Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: HMA Paving The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids. Published in Wednesday Journal January 3, 2024
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION HEARING DATE: January 18, 2024 TIME: 7:30 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 Historic Preservation Commission will conduct a public hearing on an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness filed by the Applicant, March Risch, to demolish the residence at 125 S. Lombard Ave., Oak Park, Illinois, P.I.N. 16-08-302-0150000, which is located in the Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic 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. The public hearing may be adjourned by the Commission to another date without further notice other than a motion to be entered upon the minutes of the hearing fixing the time and place of the date. The Commission shall issue or deny the Certificate of Appropriateness within 15 days following completion of the public hearing. Published in Wednesday Journal January 3, 2024
All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby 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.
HEARING DATE: January 24, 2024 TIME: 6:00 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 CALENDAR NUMBER: 01-24-DRC APPLICANT: Donald Madia Gianfrancisco ADDRESS: 211 Harrison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 REQUEST: The Community Design Commission will hold a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Donald Madia Gianfrancisco, on behalf of Publican Quality Bread, seeking variances from the following sections of the Oak Park Sign Code relative to increasing the size of a wall sign, allowing a sign to be painted on the building’s exterior façade and allowing a wall sign to be located on the side of a building without public street frontage for the establishment located at the premises commonly known as 211 Harrison Street, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-17-302-030-0000 (“Subject Property”). 1. Section 7-7-15 (D) (1) (a), requiring that the maximum size of a wall sign shall be established at one (1) square
foot per lineal foot of zoning lot frontage as measured along the front lot line; whereas the zoning lot frontage of the establishment is approximately 36 lineal feet and the proposed wall sign is approximately 558 square feet; and 2. Section 7-7-15 (D) (3), requiring that no aesthetic sign elements may be affixed or painted directly on a building’s exterior façade; whereas the proposed sign is proposed to be painted on the building’s exterior façade. 3. Section 7.7.15 (D) (1) (a), which section requires that wall signs for buildings located on interior lots shall only be placed along the front lot line; whereas the proposed sign would be located on the west elevation of the building alongside an alley and no street. 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 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except holidays. The public hearing may be adjourned by the Commission to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA
Our Community Needs Community Journalism It’s not just about crime reports and board meetings. We also need inspiring, funny, heartwarming and, at times, heartbreaking stories about our friends, neighbors and children. Perhaps now, more than ever.
Partner with us. Donate at GrowingCommunityMedia.org Growing Community Media NFP is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization
Let the sun shine in...
Public Notice:
Your right to know...In print • Online Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com•RBLandmark.com ForestParkReview.com•AustinWeeklyNews.com
PublicNoticeIllinois.com
24
Wednesday Journal, January 3, 2024
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
NEW PRICE!
THE MACLEAN HOUSE AT CALEDONIA SENIOR LIVING.
They will never forget the feeling of being loved. IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY FOR MEMORY CARE SCHEDULE A PERSONAL TOUR TODAY!
139 S GROVE, OAK PARK $1,059,000 :: 6 BED :: 4.5 BATH Majestic Victorian Central Oak Park Historic District
KATHY & TONY IWERSEN
708.772.8040 708.772.8041 tonyiwersen@atproperties.com
2800 Des Plaines Avenue North Riverside, IL 60546 (708) 477-5092 | CaledoniaSeniorLiving.org
Growing Community Media a non-profit newsroom
LocalEats?
We’ve got YOU covered.
Follow local art at OakPark.com/oak-park-eats/