Wednesday Journal 040319 by Wednesday Journal

W E D N E S D A Y

April 3, 2019 Vol. 39, No. 34 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

SAY Connects Page 17

Oak Park to patch failing bridges More than $600,000 to be spent on repairs, repaving of decks By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

Concrete falling onto the Eisenhower Expressway has, in part, prompted Oak Park to spend $136,000 on bridge and deck repairs at Home, East and Lombard avenues. The Oak Park Board of Trustees unanimously approved the contract to BLA Inc. for the project set to take place this summer and into fall. “They are definitely in need of work,” Village Engineer Bill McKenna told trustees at the March 18 meeting. “It’s not something I suggest deferring at all, and I don’t think the state would allow us to, honestly, on some of the bridges.” The project will also include installing wood paneling under the bridges to catch falling debris, so it does not hit motorists below, McKenna said. BLA also will repair sidewalks, bridge joints, pavement and make improvements to the bridge decks. McKenna told trustees that the Illinois See BRIDGES on page 12

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

COMEBACK: Rev. Kathy Nolte, pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Oak Park, surveys the damage in a second-floor room where the September 2018 fire started. Six months later, members of the congregation are about ready to begin renovations, which they hope will be complete by October.

Good Shepherd Church rallies after trial by fire Reconstruction on track to begin this month after devastating blaze

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

The heat of a fire at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Sep. 5, 2018, was so intense that it compromised the material in the building’s cinder blocks, and the weight of the water used to put the fire out was so great that the ceiling over the sanctuary

collapsed onto the pews. Six months after the fire, what happened to the building and to the faith community has come into clearer focus. While the fire was devastating to the bricks and mortar structure, it also was a “trial by fire,” if you will, that revealed the character of the congregation. Regarding the bricks and mortar, an as-

SEE COMPLETE ELECTION RESULTS FROM APRIL 2 AT OAKPARK.COM

sessment of the extent of the damage revealed that the congregation would not be “back home” for about a year. Every wall made of particle board or plaster had to come down. Each of the organ’s pipes had to be cleaned individually. Paul Schlichting, a Good Shepherd memSee GOOD SHEPHERD on page 15

SPRING SPECTACULAR OPEN HOUSE EVENT Pages 27-33

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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Men in Nursing Rammie ‘18

Male nursing professionals talk about their experiences as nurses. What is it really like for men to build nursing careers? This is your chance to hear for yourself. Resurrection University is proud to present Men in Nursing. Hear from male nursing professionals about the advantages, challenges, and everything in between when it comes to pursuing a nursing career. It’s one of the fastest growing healthcare careers for men — join us to

MEN IN NURSING Saturday, April 6, 2019 10 am – 12 pm Resurrection University 1431 N. Claremont Ave., Chicago RSVP: ResU.edu/meninnursing

discover why and learn more about how to become a nurse.

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Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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I N S I D E

R E P O R T

The 95ers Harriet Hausman, grande dame of River Forest, turns 95 on April 8, and at her birthday party last Saturday at Maya del Sol, she served notice to keep the date open in 2024 because she’s already planning her centennial. She’s in good company. Virginia Cassin, longtime village clerk and erstwhile grande dame of Oak Park, is turning 95 on April 13. Ginie moved up to Minnesota last year to be closer to family, and the venerable family home on Grove Avenue sold on Feb. 19, so a new family is filling it with warmth. Daughter Sheila MacLaughlin says Ginie misses Oak Park greatly, but she’s upbeat as always and on the

HARRIET HAUSMAN

VIRGINIA CASSIN

mend following a fall last … well, fall. They’re planning a birthday bash at the local arboretum, so if you’d like to send a card, her new address is: 8182 Excelsior Road, Apt. 306 Baxter, MN 56425-8849 According to Sheila, “Her new apartment has windows galore, which she loves, and across the street we have geese and ducks arriving to enjoy the wildlife pond as it thaws in the warmth of our spring sunshine.” You think we had a long winter? Anyway, Ginie is hoping to be well enough to visit to Oak Park sometime this summer. Can’t be soon enough.

Ken Trainor

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Early voting, by the numbers

On Monday afternoon the total number of registered voters in suburban Cook County was up compared to previous years, and so were the number of locals exercising their right to vote early. At Oak Park Village Hall, 2,051 voters had cast their ballots early, up from 1,019 early voters in April 2015, the most recent comparable election. In 2015, the Oak Park offices up for election were village trustee and library trustee. With early voting, suburban voters can visit any suburban Cook County

site, as well as the clerk’s office downtown, so River Forest and Oak Park early voters don’t necessarily vote in Oak Park. And not all early voters are necessarily from River Forest and Oak Park. But the number of early voters doubled in four years. In March 2018, the last election— where residents decided who their congresspeople would be—3,438 residents cast their ballot early at Oak Park Village Hall, up 40 percent from what early voting looked like this year.

Nona Tepper

Meanwhile, back Adler Planetarium coming to Oak Park at the Arms … Oak Park’s Telescope Night, organized by the village’s first NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Solar System Ambassador, Mark Benson, has made its first trip around the sun. To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Telescope Nights, Benson is bringing a team from Adler Planetarium to Scoville Park, 800 Lake St., on Thursday, April 25 from 8 to 9 p.m. “Over 1,500 people have come out and looked up at the night sky with me (over the last year),” Benson said in an email. “I’m so grateful for all of you for sup-

porting these programs and spreading the word to neighbors and friends.” He said the Adler team will provide “extra telescopes, space rocks to touch and expertise to tap into!” Also, an Oak Parker high-schooler who is in the Adler’s Teen Program will be at the event to help facilitate. Benson noted he has reserved space inside the Oak Park Main Library to host NASA presentations, give participants a chance to touch space rocks and answer questions.

Timothy Inklebarger

If you want to rub elbows with more nonagenarians, we received this recommendation from Oak Parker Joanne Selden: “I was delighted to view the artwork produced by the Friday Art Class at the Oak Park Arms on the theme ‘If Trees Could Speak,’ a fitting theme for Oak Park, which is deemed an arboretum due to the variety of trees in the village. The class, under the direction of wellknown artist Nancy Fong, has created inspired landscapes on this theme. The exhibit can be seen in the Narrow Gallery through May 10. Nancy Fong is also

exhibiting paintings, one of which is a tender portrait of childhood friendship. This exhibit is truly an uplifting experience and made my day.” The Arms has a surprisingly fine array of fine arts programming. Check out their marquee at the corner of Oak Park Avenue and Washington Boulevard for musical performances.

Ken Trainor

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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Pharlis James Trio

America Sings! Saturday, April 6, 7:30 p.m., Grace Episcopal Church, and Sunday, April 7, 4 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church: Listen to Heritage Chorale perform choral music written or arranged by American composers, including Aaron Copland, Norman Dello Joio, Joseph Jennings, Moses Hogan, Leonard Bernstein and Robert Ray, whose Gospel Mass is the featured work. $21.50; $16.50, seniors; $11.50, college students; free, students through high school. Tickets/ more: heritagechorale.com. Grace Episcopal: 924 Lake St., Oak Park. St. John: 305 Circle Ave., Forest Park.

Saturday, April 6, 2 to 4 p.m., Veterans Room, Main Library: Groove to jazz with baritone balladeer Pharlis James, pianist Bobby Schiff and bassist Scott Mason as they play songs of Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Nat “King” Cole, Bobby Darin and more. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Civic Orchestra of Chicago – Celebrating 100 Years of Civic Engagement Monday, April 8, 1:15 p.m., Nineteenth Century Club: Learn about the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s prestigious training program for young professionals, its history and hear a performance by four Civic Orchestra members. $15, requested donation. More: nineteenthcentury.org. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

April 3 - 10

BIG WEEK

“The Tale” Showing and Panel Discussion

“Breaking Boundaries” Student Fashion Show

Sunday, April 7, 2 to 5 p.m., Veterans Room, Main Library: Attend a screening of HBO’s film to gain a better understanding about sexual predators who target children, their tactics and settings where this may occur. Adults only. Free. Brought by Parents Against Child Sex Abuse (P.A.X.A.). Register/more: eventbrite.com/e/ paxa-presents-hbos-the-tale-film-screeningtickets-54353484736. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Saturday, April 6, 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 7, 3 p.m., Lund Auditorium, Dominican University: See more than 90 pieces, designed by 30 students, including business wear, little black dresses, designs for the musical The Color Purple and “reinvigorated” medical uniforms. $15; $10, students. Tickets/more: events.dom.edu/2019-spring-fashionshow. 7900 Division St., River Forest.

Recovery Slam Friday, April 5, 6 p.m., Nineteenth Century Club: Celebrate recovery through music, comedy and inspiration while enjoying cocktails and small plates in a club-like setting. Brought by National Alliance on Mental Illness Metro Suburban. $80. Tickets: bidpal.net/nami. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

River Forest Sustainability: Village in a Garden Wednesday, April 10, 1 p.m., Cheney Mansion: River Forest President and Oak Park and River Forest Garden Club member Cathy Adduci will speak to the group. Noon social time followed by a brief business meeting. All welcome. More: gcoprf. org. 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park.

Stephane Wrembel on Guitar

Avanti Guitar Trio Saturday, April 6, 8 p.m., Open Door Theater: Take a musical journey from the Baroque fugue to Spanish fandango, Bach to Beatles and more. $20. Tickets: opendoortheater.net, 708-386-5510. 902 S. Ridgeland, Oak Park.

Nearby Nature Series Saturday, April 6, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Austin Gardens: Explore emerging spring while on a walk through Oak Park’s forest with Laura Derks from Flybird Experiences. All ages. Register: oppl.org/calendar. 167 Forest Ave.

Thursday, April 4, 7 to 9 p.m., Ernest Hemingway Birthplace: Relax at a House Concert as you listen to a French musician who has made his mark as one of the most original guitar voices in contemporary music. Tickets/more: hemingwaybirthplace.com/programsevents. 339 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park

The Long Term: Prison + Neighborhood Arts Project Opening Saturday April 6, 5 to 8 p.m., Compound Yellow: This traveling exhibition is prompting discussions about life and long-term sentencing, with the voices of incarcerated artists and writers at the center. See a hand-drawn animation and works on paper by imprisoned artists, videos of those impacted by long-term sentencing, art prints and more. More: facebook.com/events/2180894575507920. Through May 10. 244 Lake St., Oak Park.

Blood Drive Monday, April 8, 4 to 8 p.m., First United Methodist Church: Help those in need and receive a Chicago Blackhawks hat on April 8. Recurring the second and third Mondays each month. Next date: April 15. Schedule/more: 877-258-4825, vitalant.org. 324 Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.

Spiritus Jazz Program Friday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., First Baptist Church: Hear new sacred works, improvisations inspired by sacred texts, works based on original poetry along with traditional jazz. $10, requested donation. 820 Ontario St., Oak Park.

Jubilate Sunday, April 7, 4 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church: Hear the Oak Park Concert Chorale explore themes of peace, serenity and joy with works by composer-in-residence Michael Wolniakowski, chorale member Barbara Brotman and a collaboration between poet Jill Peláez Baumgaertner and local composer Carl Schalk. $18, advance; $20, at door; $10 advance seniors/students 13+; $12, at door. Tickets/more: eventbrite. com/e/jubilate-tickets-56454025510. 7300 Division St., River Forest.

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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ART BEAT

Chronicling the human comedy By MICHELLE DYBAL

Contributing Reporter

ecoming a playwright is not the easiest path. But when a year-long opportunity comes along to develop a script, with input from peers and theater mavens, that path gets a bit smoother. For Oak Parker Dianne Nora, becoming part of Goodman Theatre’s Playwrights Unit for 2018-2019 is a chance to hone her writing, complete valuable research, and, ultimately, workshop her completed play. Nora said she was “delighted and a little terrified” when her application was accepted. She now meets every other week with three other Chicago-area playwrights in the program along with Goodman’s literary team. She spends her time on “A Work in Progress about the Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” (working title), her play about a character staging a production of RBG’s life, with comic elements and nine women representing the justices. “In the past few years, I’ve been really interested in stories that focus on women and girls,” she said. “I’m definitely interested in politics. I like to say it’s at the intersection of the personal and the political — not just politicians sitting in a room debating things, but how that affects people’s actual lives.” Nora’s actual life started in Oak Park. She attended Ascension and attended acting classes at Village Players from age 7 to 14. When she went to Oak Park and River Forest High School, Nora acted in plays and musicals and sang in choir, graduating in 2006. Deciding auditions were not her thing, but wanting to be involved in theater, she majored in Dramatic Literature at New York University, which prepared her for work as a dramaturg, something she currently does along with playwriting. After studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland, and taking a playwriting class, she “fell in love” with Irish theater. She pursued graduate-level education, getting an MPhil degree from Trinity College, Dublin, in Theater and Performance with a playwriting concentration. Nora then earned her Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from Columbia University. For her thesis play, she worked with Tracy Letts in New York and continued to partner with him back in Chicago at Steppenwolf Theater on three plays he penned. “It’s almost like apprenticeship work, where you’re watching someone who’s more masterful at something. … How do they interact with actors, how do they give notes, what is their relationship with the director?” Nora said. “It was really helpful to see with new play development that you don’t just finish the script, hand it over and you’re gone.”

Join us for

Easter Sunday Brunch Sunday, April 21, 2019 10:30am – 3:30pm Breakfast Specialties, Omelets made to order, Slow Roasted Prime Rib, Bone-in Ham, Leg of Lamb, Smoked Salmon Platter, Shrimp Cocktail, Pan-Seared Walleye, Salads, Assorted Desserts & much more! Come meet the Easter Bunny! Photo by Juli DelPrete

PLAY-FULL: Oak Park playwright Dianne Nora is part of Goodman Theatre’s Playwrights Unit for 2018-2019. While Nora has written several plays, only a couple have been staged to date. But that is changing. In August, at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland, her play Monica: This Play is Not about Monica Lewinsky will be put on by Via Brooklyn. Contrary to the title, the work is a dark comedy with “scenes of Monica Lewinsky with different imagined lovers” and “asks what the cost of intimacy is.” Nora said comedy and satire runs through much of her work. In fact, she is also a comedy writer, collaborating with the founding editor of The Onion, Scott Dikkers, who was her teacher at a satire writing class at Second City. She contributed to Welcome to the Universe Which is Mine by (Not) Elon Musk and is currently working with Dikkers on a parody of the Bible, which she admits is not for every audience. The Playwrights Unit writers had a workin-progress reading of their scripts in February in front of a small, invitation-only audience, including Goodman and other theater-community guests who gave feedback on how the plays might develop further. As part of the Playwrights Unit, Nora’s work is commissioned and the financial support she receives is proving useful as she completes research and continues to write. “I quickly realized you can’t watch video of the Supreme Court,” she said. “I asked for some help, so last week I was in DC watching oral arguments at the Supreme Court. … I got to visit the Library of Congress where some of [Ginsburg’s] papers are. When I’m working on my own, I probably wouldn’t be able to do that.” A concert reading of all four playwrights’ completed works from the Goodman’s Playwrights Unit will take place this July 5-8.

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West Side’s seat at the table

dds and ends with some a bit odder than others: The West Side Calls for a Seat at the Table: That was the headline of the mayoral forum sponsored last week in Austin and it was a singular, powerful message. If one thing shifts with a new mayor of Chicago, it had better be that the West Side and South Side of the city get taken very seriously. Very quickly. In demonstrable ways. Decades of active disinvestment by the city across schools, jobs and infrastructure; a history of weak and self-interested ward leadership; preachers and nonprofits focused mainly on silo protection; predatory policing; media that covered only violence; and a worn-out citizenry that didn’t make demands loud or clear enough, and you have a West Side with declining population, staggering incarceration and joblessness at rates that foster hopelessness and inertia. In this moment when a black woman is sure to be the next mayor, they will find changed energy in Austin, Garfield Park, and North Lawndale as demands are becoming much clearer, collaboration is taking hold, and confidence is building. Austin Coming Together and the West Side NAACP played the lead roles in organizing last Thursday’s mayoral forum

Join the A.L.M.A. Social Extravaganza! April 13 10-4 pm Registration required: cfi.alma@ gmail.com Free!

with a range of neighborhood associations and local media, including our own Austin Weekly News in support. In yet another strategic campaign error, Toni Preckwinkle did not attend the event, her campaign saying she had a conflict in scheduling. But Lori Lightfoot was there and took full advantage in commanding the stage. In this moment of perpetual balderdash from our president, it is calming and inspiring to listen to a candidate such as Lightfoot who speaks clearly, in paragraphs, with detail about complex issues which she has certainly studied and considered. She promised the hundreds in attendance her focus on the West Side, her presence on the West Side, her appointment of West Siders, her respect for the West Side. And in a moment that resonated, she told the audience to demand much more from aldermen, to hold them accountable for change. What a venue: The mayoral forum was the first public event held in the Kehrein Center for the Arts in Austin. This is a terrific auditorium situated at Washington and Central in the Catalyst

Circle Rock School. This space has been dark for 45 years. Last active as part of the old Siena High School, it has been used for storage, if at all, as various entities have been housed in the larger building. Catalyst Circle Rock and Rock of Our Salvation Church have been planning the auditorium’s rebirth for a decade. The school had other more pressing priorities in the old building until recently. Now $4 million plus dollars later, this 1,000-seat mid-century space has been reclaimed, burnished and upgraded. Circle Rock says its facility is there for the full West Side community to use and, in addition to its own arts programming, Austin groups should use the space. That is a great community building offer. Signature ads: With the blizzard of candidates in Oak Park and River Forest elections this spring, there has been a lot of advertising. Happily, the Journal has gotten a good share both in print and digitally, though some of our candidates will be writing nice checks to Mark

DAN HALEY

In this moment of perpetual

balderdash from our president, it is calming and inspiring to listen to a candidate such as Lightfoot who speaks clearly, in paragraphs, with detail about complex issues which she has certainly studied and considered. Zuckerberg. What I’ve missed until last week was a good “signature ad.” Finally, Susan Buchanan, an Oak Park village board candidate, came through with a halfpage of names of locals who endorsed her. And, as I always do, I scoured the ad looking for names and connections. My conclusion is that if the VMA had survived another cycle, Dr. Buchanan would have been on their short list and for all the right reasons. My second conclusion is that in this social media era, a lot of voters are self-selecting into Facebook groups that have chosen their own issues and candidates.

Congratulations to Arts Language Music Alliance (A.L.M.A., The Carroll-Farwell Institute) on their opening! 109 S. Elmwood #8, Oak Park * (708) 769-4853 * alma-cf.org

Among the celebrants at the ribbon cutting: Lorenzo; Juliana Lyman; Krizia Collins, Community Bank of OPRF; Tracy Litsey, The Children's School; Susie Goldschmidt, MB Financial; Charlene Witkowski, Community Bank of OPRF; Rita Cassiano, A.L.M.A.; Kim Goldschmidt, AXA Advisors; Joe Farwell, A.L.M.A.; Helena; Marilia Ribeiro; Gingi Lahera, A.L.M.A.; Pat Koko, For yourClifford own ribbon contactRealtors; us on oprfchamber.org Celebrating Seniors Coalition; Osborn,cutting Jack Carpenter and Vicki Scaman, Village of Oak Park.

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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H.J. Mohr & Sons liquidating property

Company likely to go up for sale in the coming months By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

It’s been about a year since it became public knowledge that Oak Park’s oldest business was on the rocks. Now, H.J. Mohr & Sons Co. is liquidating the remainder of its stock and equipment and planning to sell the nearly 3-acre property where the concrete manufacturer is located at Harlem Avenue and Garfield Street. Karen Richards, a principal of Mohr & Sons, said in a telephone interview that the company recently sold all of its trucks and is selling the remainder of its goods. “We have some tools and there’s some truck parts, and we do have some China clay and some bagged goods,” she said. She said the property, which takes up more than a full block near the Eisenhower Expressway, is not officially on the market, but there have been interested buyers. Richards revealed that another concrete manufacturer was interested in purchasing the property over the summer, but the deal ultimately fell through. She said it’s been hard seeing the business

close, adding that it’s “sad” since Mohr has been in operation since 1893. Mohr also owns the shopping center north of the concrete business, but Richards said she’s unsure what will happen to that property. Viktor Schrader, of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation, said it is uncertain when the property will go on the market. “We’ve been in touch with ownership, but as far as we know they’re deciding what their next step is,” he said. Schrader said there has been some interest from a diverse group of developers but it is unknown what will ultimately become of the property. “I think it runs the gamut,” he said of the possible uses for the property. “People recognize that it’s an opportunity, but they’re exploring what the potential is.” Schrader noted that the property is zoned for general commercial use. The company ceased operations in 2018, and it’s not a modern factory “so it’s less likely it stays a concrete company,” Schrader said. He added that there is a “preference for it to be turned into something else, whether it is residential or office or some other commercial use.” tim@oakpark.com

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

SANDMAN GOETH: Oak Park’s longtime industrial plant, reportedly, will be gone soon.

Spring Spectacular Open House Event This Saturday, April 6 Dozens of Open Houses to choose from!

Starts on page 27

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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Springfield takes action on Westlake Hospital closure

Welch, Lilly support bill to override closure of West Sub’s sister hospital By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Although the new owners of Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park announced last month their intentions to close the nearly century-old institution later this year, a bill filed recently in Springfield by area lawmakers could, at the very least, complicate the closing process. State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-7th), who chairs Westlake’s community advisory board, and state Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-77th), along with two other House members, sponsored a bill that would give the governor the ability to reverse any decision regarding a hospital’s closure made by the Health Facilities Services Review Board. The bill would make a variety of changes to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, such as requiring the review board to suspend action regarding a pending application to close a hospital until any lawsuit related to the closure is resolved, among other modifications. The law was last changed in 2015, when former governor Bruce Rauner was in office, in order to streamline the process of selling and purchasing hospitals. Welch, Willis, village of Melrose Park

officials and others have argued that Pipeline Health, which purchased Westlake, along with two other hospitals — Weiss Memorial in Chicago and West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park — from Tenet Healthcare last year, exploited the modified law and lied in their application to the review board about their real intentions for Westlake. Ahead of purchasing the hospital, Welch and others have claimed, Pipeline officials repeatedly said that they planned on keeping Westlake open and continuing the critical medical services it provides to a patient population that is predominantly poor and minority. Two weeks after the purchase was finalized, however, Pipeline announced that they planned on closing the hospital. Since the announcement, the village of Melrose Park filed a lawsuit alleging that Pipeline engaged in fraud and conspiracy. Currently, Pipeline’s application to close is still under consideration by the review board. The new proposal, HB 123, passed the House Appropriations-Human Services Committee on March 21 by a party line vote of 12 to 6. The bill now awaits future action on the House floor. Rep. Camille Lilly (D-78th), whose district includes West Suburban and who sits on the committee, said she’s “paying very close attention to this situation” before casting her vote in support of the measure. During the March 21 hearing that preceded the vote, committee members heard supporters and opponents of the proposal. Supporters of the bill included

representatives from PASO-West Suburban Action Group, a Melrose Park-based immigrants’ rights organization; the village of Melrose Park; and Westlake employees. Opponents of the bill include representatives from the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, Advocate Healthcare, Northwestern Medicine, the Health Facilities and Services Review Board, and Southern Illinois Healthcare, among other large medical institutions and trade groups. No Pipeline officials were present during the March 21 hearing; instead, they submitted a letter to the committee. “This bill is very, very important,” Lilian Jimenez, PASO’s associate director, told lawmakers during the March 21 hearing, held across the street from the state capitol building. “If this bill doesn’t pass, we don’t know what will happen,” she said. “Our community is up in arms.” John Bomher, the Illinois Health and Hospitals Association’s senior vice president of health policy, said his organization opposes the fact that the legislation allows the governor “unbridled discretion” to overrule the review board and that it introduces “more regulatory red tape” into the health-care business. But during the March 21 hearing in Springfield, many Democratic committee members said it appears that Pipeline exploited the 2015 law change and put profit-oriented considerations before the considerations of the people who may be affected by Westlake’s closing.

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-12th) lamented that Pipeline, which is based in California, didn’t appear to do a community needs assessment to effectively evaluate the impact of Westlake’s closing. Feigenholtz said state policy regulating hospital change of ownership applications should be driven less by concerns about sales transactions than by “community need because” private companies receive state and federal resources. “It’s about us permitting [these companies] to do business in our state and taking care of our citizens,” she said. “I would really like solid data on what the community needs and what some of the obstacles will be if this institution closes, the social impact of it [and] what it means to West Suburban.” Although all of the Democratic committee members voted in favor of passing the proposed bill to the full House, most expressed concern about the aspect of the bill that gives the governor the authority to override the review board’s decision and said that they’d be willing to work with the bill’s co-sponsors to change that aspect of it. State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-58th) said that while he supported the bill, he had “concerns about process that we’re setting forth here because this is quite an extraordinary remedy.” Morgan added that he’ll work to “restructure this legislation to make sure that future [review board] decisions don’t have the same recommended authority from the governor.” CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

OPRF creates 5 new staff positions

The board votes 4-3 in favor of full-time hires, some members warn about long-term costs By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

During a regular meeting on March 21, the Oak Park and River Forest High School Board of Education approved the creation of five full-time staff positions for the 2019-20 school year. Those positions include a secondary pathway coordinator, inclusion facilitator, testing coordinator, security supervisor and food service supervisor. The board voted 4-3 in favor of the new staff positions. Board President Jackie Moore, along with members Craig Iseli and Tom Cofsky voted against the creation of the positions. “I will not be voting in favor [of the positions], not because I don’t think they

are valuable, but given the changes coming forward this upcoming year, we need to take a step back in terms of trying to do too much at one time,” said Moore during the meeting. Earlier during the same meeting, Supt. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams presented her proposed administrative realignment, which included phasing out the principal position at OPRF and promoting Greg Johnson, the district’s current assistant superintendent, to the role of associate superintendent. Outgoing OPRF Principal Nathaniel Rouse announced last month that he would be leaving after the end of this school year to pursue another job opportunity. District officials said that the new positions will help enforce its overall equity goals, most of which are encapsulated in a racial equity policy that the district will finalize in the coming weeks. The secondary pathway coordinator would be responsible for administering and coordinating career development services to students. The estimated salary for the position is $72,570, with roughly $18,000 in benefits.

The inclusion facilitator, which would help students with disabilities more effectively navigate the educational environment at the high school, would bring in the same salary and benefits as secondary pathway coordinator. District officials said that the high school critically needs a supervisor to oversee the operations of its Testing Center. Salary and benefits for that position, which is not affiliated with a union, would come to approximately $65,000, officials said. The costs to the district of adding a campus safety supervisor and kitchen supervisor — both unaffiliated positions — would range from around $55,000 to $73,000, and from roughly $48,000 to $64,000, respectively. The total cost of the new staff positions is around $270,000, officials said, adding that around $15,000 in additional teacher stipends and $139,000 in salary increases for nonaffiliated staffers brings the total increase in administrative and non-affiliated staff payroll costs to nearly $424,000. During the March 21 meeting, Cyndi Sidor, OPRF’s interim chief school business

official, provided a preliminary reductions to the district’s upcoming budget that total $477,000 — more than offsetting the additional payroll costs. Sidor said that $250,000 of those offsets would come from the district reducing how much it spends on classroom furniture. An additional savings would come from the $62,000 consulting fee that the district doesn’t have to pay now that the Imagine OPRF long-term master facilities process is completed. Board members Iseli and Cofsky were concerned about the long-term costs of the additional staff positions. Iseli said that he applauds “the effort of the administration to go back and look at their expenses,” but cautioned that the short-term budget cuts the administration made to offset the new positions “may get us something for a year, for a little bit ... We can’t be adding [full-time] positions and cutting other expenses … This is a shortterm fix in terms of cutting some of those things.” CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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Second crash damages home near River Forest Metra By NONA TEPPER Staff Reporter

A car blew through the intersection of Thatcher and Hawthorne avenues at 2:05 a.m. of March 29, striking a house whose garage had been heavily damaged in a crash three days earlier. “I can’t believe it,” said Joe O’Connor, whose property in the 300 block of Thatcher Avenue was damaged in both incidents. In a statement, River Forest police said that officers attempted to pull a vehicle over for speeding on the 1500 block of Thatcher at about 2:01 a.m. on March 29. The Nissan Rogue refused to stop, traveled south on Thatcher Avenue at a high rate of speed and failed to navigate the T-intersection at Hawthorne Avenue. The car jumped the curb and drove through a wood fence and the backyard of 355 Thatcher Ave. before striking a maple tree and flipping into the rear bay window of O’Connor’s home at 351 Thatcher Ave. “There’s a lot of tow marks on the house from when they had to tow the car out of here,” he said. O’Connor said his wife, Joan, woke to the sound of the crash in the early morning, thinking a tree branch had fallen on their home. She walked from the bedroom downstairs and found a man and a woman fleeing

the Nissan Rogue that was standing on its side behind her home. “There is minor fracturing around the frame [of the bay window] but the glass is intact at the moment,” O’Connor said. Police found the female passenger of the vehicle at the O’Connor’s property, and transported her to the hospital for treatment of injuries, according to the police statement. The male driver fled the scene on foot. On social media, resident Dan Gill posted that police apprehended a man in connection with the incident. The man reportedly was hiding under Gill’s car in the 300 block of Keystone Avenue at about 2:30 a.m. The man had previously been hiding under Gill’s deck. “We picked it up on our security camera and the police were there by the time I got downstairs,” Gill posted. “They have been back searching for a possible weapon since 5 a.m.” A Chicago man, 22, was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. Charges are pending. “It is suspected that [he] was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” police said in a statement. O’Connor said there should be anti-terrorist bollards -- which are waist-high concrete structures -- at the intersection to prevent vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed from going through his lawn or garage again. “You can put stop signs, do all kinds of things,

but anybody going at a high rate of speed is not going to stop at a stop sign,” he said. This is the second accident involving the same two properties in the last three days. Police apprehended a 39-year-old Skokie man at about 1:50 a.m. on March 26 on the River Forest Metra platform, after he jumped the curb on Hawthorne Avenue and drove through the garages at 355 and 351 Thatcher Ave. “It was definitely a horrific event. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vehicle pass through one garage and then completely enter a second and then destroy that and the two vehicles inside,” Police Chief James O’Shea said. In that incident, a Dodge Charger failed to again navigate the T-intersection, left the roadway and slammed into a frame garage on the south side of Hawthorne Avenue. The vehicle punched holes through both the north and the south walls of that garage and then barreled through the brick wall of O’Connor’s garage immediately to the south, where it crashed into his two vehicles parked inside. The Skokie man then fled the scene and ran up onto the Metra platform, where police eventually caught him. He was charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs, failure to reduce speed to avoid accident, failure to give information after striking property. “Anytime you have an intersection at a street that curves or creates almost like a T,

there is a need for increased awareness and definitely no distracted driving,” O’Shea said. “There’s no room for error in those circumstances.” Neighbor Marjorie Morningstar said nearby residents are “furious” over the two accidents. “We’re all very shook up. Maybe this will put a fire under people’s butts to get some answers, not just of the village, but from the police,” Morningstar said. “A lot of neighbors are furious. We think this is not a coincidence, that there is something going on that is causing people to accelerate at that intersection, some kind of criminal element.” She said these aren’t the first crashes to happen at that intersection. Last summer, Morningstar remembers another car running through the intersection and knocking down a portion of the backyard fence of the house on the corner of Hawthorne and Thatcher. Morningstar believes the village needs to install large yellow signs, a barricade or even speed bumps at the intersection to remind drivers to slow down. In February, River Forest trustees approved a plan to add nearly 70 stop signs to village streets, although officials are waiting to hear back about a state grant before implementing changes. “Maybe we just need more officers out there, considering we pay so much money in taxes,” she said.

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Oak Park’s Second City

Joak Park offers standup, improv at District Kitchen and Tap

Wednesday Journal wins 22 Illinois Press Association awards

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER

Staff Reporter

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER

Staff Reporter

The Oak Park Arts District on Harrison Street has undergone a transformation over the last few years, with new restaurants, shops and even new residential spaces sprouting up. More recently the commercial corridor has been gaining a reputation as a place for live comedy, due to the creators of Joak Park, a two-hour show that features improv comedians from around Chicago. The shows, which its co-creator Reuben Glaser describes as a “mixed bag,” are put on at District Kitchen and Tap, 220 Harrison St., from 9 to 11 p.m. on the last Friday of the month. There is no cover charge. Glaser said each show centers on an overarching storyline with an absurd theme, such as last month’s Joak Park, where his partner, Matt Henry, replaced Glaser with a new cohost – a clown with a skateboard. In another show, both Glaser and Henry were relentlessly mocked throughout by another comedian playing the role of Santa Claus. The show features five or six comedians who do short sets – in between the scheduled standup acts Joak Park has an open mic for those in the audience. Glaser is relatively new to Oak Park – he moved to the village a little over a

Wednesday Journal won over 20 awards for journalism excellence in the 2018 Illinois Press Association Awards it was announced this week. Congratulations to us and thanks to our readers. Add in our sister publications – Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark – and our independent community pubs won more than 40 awards. And, by the way, as long as we are boasting, just last month our Chicago Parent magazine was again named the top major metro parenting magazine in the county by the Parenting Media Association.

Photo by Brittany LaClear

JOAKING AROUND: Reuben Glaser (left) and Matt Henry performing at the monthly Joak Park at District Kitchen and Tap. year and a half ago from Milwaukee to pursue comedy in Chicago. It was in Milwaukee where he worked with Henry on a web series called “Friday Night Weekly,” which parodied television news. They worked with Milwaukee-area director Joseph K. Richards on the show for about two years. Richards played the straight man, and Glaser and Henry played the unprofessional newscasters who ruined the show every week. “More or less it was about a news show that spiraled out of control,” Glaser said.

Glaser said he lives near District Kitchen and Tap and walked past it on a regular basis while walking his dog. “If you want to drop [the dog’s] name – it’s Morty,” Glaser joked. He inquired about establishing a comedy night and said he was given “carte blanche” to develop the show, he said. The first show was performed in August 2018, and Glaser said attendance has steadily increased. More information about Joak Park can be found on online at www.facebook.com/JOAKPARKOakPark. tim@oakpark.com

Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea headed to District House

Shop expected to open this year will be company’s fourth Chicago location By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

Look out Starbucks, there’s about to be a new bean purveyor in town … and right across the street. Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea has announced it will be the newest tenant of District House, the five-story luxury condominium building at the northwest corner of Lake Street and North

Euclid Avenue. Fairgrounds owner Michael Schultz did not return calls requesting more information, but he did tell Chicago Eater that the new Fairgrounds in Fulton Market will offer “cocktails, giant swings and skee ball.” The chain of coffee shops already has locations in Bucktown and at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, along with shops in Minneapolis and downtown Los Angeles. Bob Ranquist, developer of the District House condo building, declined to discuss the Oak Park location but provided a press release from District House noting that the Chicago-based Fairgrounds offers “interesting, ele-

vating elixirs, all-day breakfast, and an incredible variety of coffee and teas.” The shop will be located at 702 Lake St. – right across the street from Starbucks. The message from Fairgrounds notes: “We’re always thinking on what’s next – come try a tea elixir or the latest roaster on tap to taste for yourself !” “We’re also committed to serving the high-quality, ethically-sourced ingredients to create flavorful, nutrientpacked meals, so you can get it all at Fairgrounds.” The press release gives no opening date but says the coffee and tea shop is expected to open later this year. tim@oakpark.com

Here are the awards the Journal earned: ■ Community Service, 2nd Place “SAY Connects” – Javier Govea, Linda Francis, Alexa Rogals, Cassandra West, Lacey Sikora, Michael Romain ■ Community Service, 3rd Place “Austin Coming Together 2018” – Jacquinete Baldwin, Darnell Shields, Shameka Turner, Lacey Sikora ■ Informational Graphic, 1st Place “The tale of the taps” – Javier Govea ■ Informational Graphic, 2nd Place “Must-have appetizers in Oak Park” – Jacquinete Baldwin ■ Informational Graphic, 3rd Place “Stella’s by the numbers” – Javier Govea ■ Informational Graphic, 4th Place “Libraries” – Javier Govea, Alexa Rogals, Jill Wagner ■ Single-Page Design, 1st Place “OPRF Historical Museum” – Javier Govea ■ Single-Page Design, 2nd Place “Back to the Future double-truck” – Jacquinete Baldwin ■ Special Section, 2nd Place “Maywood Community Guide 2018” – Javier Govea, Edwin H. Walker, Michael Romain ■ Special Section, 3rd Place “Community of Caring 2018” – Claire Innes, Lacey Sikora, Alexa Rogals ■ Series News Report-

ing, 1st Place “Remembering Tyler Lumar” – Timothy Inklebarger ■ Localized National Story, 3rd Place “Late Oak Park native tracked Golden State Killer” – Timothy Inklebarger ■ Original Column, 2nd Place “America to Me” – Michael Romain ■ Sports Column, 3rd Place “Curtain call a good one for RBHS” – Marty Farmer ■ General News Photo, 3rd Place “Rally for peace” – Alexa Rogals ■ Portrait Personality, 1st Place “Charles Donalson” – Alexa Rogals ■ Portrait Personality, 4th Place “Gabriel Paul Tetrev” – Alexa Rogals ■ Distinguished Coverage of Diversity, 1st Place “America to Me” – Michael Romain ■ Informational Graphic, 1st Place “WJ Property Taxes 2018” – Claire Innes, Marc Stopeck ■ Informational Graphic, 2nd Place “Find the Art” – Claire Innes, Marc Stopeck ■ Sports Section, 2nd Place “WJ Sports Section” – Marty Farmer, Claire Innes ■ Special Section, 1st Place “Wednesday Journal Answer Book 2018” – Jacquinete Baldwin, Javier Govea, Lacey Sikora, Jill Wagner, Marc Stopeck tim@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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Forty years of growth in landscaping firm

McAdam looking to incorporate new green technology By NONA TEPPER Staff Reporter

In January 1979, two brothers planted a landscaping business in a River Forest basement, with the aim of growing the firm beyond simply mowing their friends’ lawns. “You start something 40 years ago and you’re using a calculator that you punch in and pull the lever,” said Rob McAdam. “I’m not joking, that’s how I used to add stuff up, doing payroll by handwriting it up. Everything has changed.” Forty years later, McAdam Landscaping has grown to provide maintenance, design, installation work and much more. The firm comprises 18 full-time employees yearround—including two generations of McAdams—and, during high season, hires another 65 workers to help out. Fifty percent of the company’s client base is now commercial, stretching from the Indiana border to Wisconsin, although owners won’t gab about any famous gardens they’ve tamed. “I was in the insurance business, [my brother, Scott] was still in school. When you’re young you don’t really feel like you have anything to lose,” said Rob, now vice president of McAdam Landscaping, who founded the company with his younger brother, Scott. Scott had just graduated college when he came home for Christmas and reflected on his next step. During the summers he was in school, he had been cutting neighbors’ grass, and “I knew I was making decent money in the summer. I thought, ‘OK if I do this full time I can make OK money,” he said. It didn’t occur to him the challenge starting his new landscaping business in January would present. “That first year it was hard,” Scott said. But the next year, McAdam Landscaping moved to a tiny building on Lake Street in Oak Park. Three years later, in 1983, they moved to a larger space in Forest Park, next to Goldyburgers, where they stayed until the early 2000s. When the time came to move, Mayor Anthony Calderone helped them find a new space, connecting them with Woodlawn Cemetery, which he heard wanted to sell some their

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

GENERATIONAL: From left, Scott McAdam Jr., vice president of snow and ice management and commercial business development; Scott McAdam, president; and Robert McAdam, the vice president, at McAdam Landscaping on Desplaines Avenue in Forest Park. land. “We wanted to stay in town, but we were out of space,” Scott said. McAdam Landscaping moved to its current location, 2001 Desplaines Ave., and has been there ever since. Over the years, Scott McAdam, now president of the firm, said people would come in with plants in zip lock bags, asking employees to try and identify them. A customer once requested a colorful evergreen tree that would bloom yearround in the Forest Park area. “People just sometimes don’t have an idea of what a plant is,” Rob said, noting that that tree doesn’t exist. Another customer, an avid birder, once planted a hawthorn tree in her backyard, so it could offer fruit year-round. When winter came and there was no fruit, she complained to McAdam that the tree was dead. “The birds were always in the tree, which means they were eating the fruit,” Scott said. “I said, ‘Just wait in the spring and they’ll come back and it will be absolutely fine.’ It was. It was because nature was doing what it was sup-

posed to do.” Scott, a landscape architect, is also a trained horticulturist. His passion for horticulture passed on to his son, Scott McAdam Jr., who went into college at the University of Illinois with a plan to major in political science. A last-minute transfer landed him in the college of agriculture, where his sophomore year he enrolled in a dendrology course, where once a week he and his classmates studied trees by walking through a forest. “The connection to nature is kind of what drew me in, I was kind of like, ‘Wow, there’s going to be opportunity there,” Scott Jr. said. Now the business development director who also oversees corporate snow accounts, Scott Jr. decided to stake his claim in the family greenhouse he grew up in. “There’s such a negative stigma with landscaping,” he said. “When you say, ‘Oh he’s my landscaper,’ literally everyone thinks it’s a guy with a pickup truck whose there to cut your grass. Ultimately it’s so much more than that.” Scott Jr. named the recession as a turning point for the company, with the tough economic climate forcing McAdam Landscaping to rethink its business. While no one from the firm was laid off during this period, “it didn’t come without personal sacrifice.” Workers took a pay cut. “We looked at every single process. It didn’t matter what it was,” Scott said. “We spent money on stuff when people were not spending money. We brought in new software, we started looking at our efficiencies, everything changed, because it had to.” The family invested in new software, which allows the firm to illustrate for clients what a landscape design will look like down to the shadows. They’ve hired a new marketing person. And although McAdam Landscaping began investing in green initiatives about 30 years ago, the firm expanded the work, adding cleaner-burning fuels for its mowers, incorporating battery-powered equipment and recycling soil. “The way we’ve done business has changed over 40 years,” Scott said. “We’ve become more responsible, not because we’re getting older but we’ve realized that we have to be. I won’t see the results in my lifetime of us composting and doing all that, but I know it’s contributing in the smallest way and we all have to contribute.” CONTACT: ntepper@wjinc.com

Carroll Center expansion delayed until late summer Park district’s architect will handle construction management By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

After all of the bids for a proposed expansion of the Carroll Center, 1125 S. Kenilworth Ave., came back too high, the Park District of Oak Park’s board of commissioners agreed to reject them all and try a somewhat different approach. As the park did when bids came in high for the Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center, commissioners opted to have

the park district’s architectural firm oversee construction of the Carroll Center project and will seek bids from subcontractors individually. The decision, said park district Executive Director Jan Arnold, is expected to save the district about $300,000 compared to the low bid for construction services officials received last month. The park district budgeted about $1.7 million for the Carroll Center expansion, but the lowest of four bids received in March came in around $1.9 million. By having Oak Park-based Tom Bassett-Dilley Architects take on construction management, said Arnold, officials expect the project to come in around $1.6 to $1.7 million. “Instead of using a general contractor,

we’re going to be managing it with [the architectural firm’s] construction manager,” she said. “It requires more staff time to be involved, but it saves us approximately $300,000.” Board Vice President Sandy Lentz said what Arnold proposed made sense. “We have the experience of having done this before, so we’re not doing this in the dark,” she said. “I think if we can save a substantial amount of money, that’s the way we’d do it.” The park district will begin seeking subcontractor bids in the next week and plans to award contracts in May. The change in direction, however, means construction won’t begin in June as planned, but will be pushed into August.

Even with that delay, the aim is to finish work by mid-winter. Some $1.1 million in funding for the project is coming from the park district’s capital reserves. Arnold told park board commissioners last month that, ideally, the remaining money would come from a state grant. But if they don’t get the grant, or if they only get a partial amount, she would look into using operational reserves to bridge the gap. Arnold said the Carroll Center expansion was much needed due to the growth of before- and after-school programs. According to the park district website, they plan to build a two-classroom addition directly south of the current building. The project also calls for replacing the current tot lot with a new tot lot east of the center.

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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BRIDGES

Repairs needed from page 1 Department of Transportation (IDOT) maintains responsibility for bridges over I-290 at Harlem and Ridgeland avenues – both are state highways. IDOT owns and maintains responsibility for the structural components of the five other bridges and part of the bridge at Austin Boulevard. Oak Park is responsible for maintenance of the bridge decks. McKenna said IDOT conducts inspections on all the bridges and puts out a “sufficiency rating” for each structure that ranges from 0 to 100. “That’s the closest thing there is to an overall score for the bridge,” he said, adding that it takes into account the structural condition of the bridge, serviceability and how well traffic flows over the bridge. He said that the scores can be deceiving, though. “Oak Park Avenue has an overall sufficiency rating of 65,” McKenna said. “That number may scare you when look at school grades and say that’s near failure, but that’s looking at all those issues that aren’t just structural.” The village also plans to spend $515,000 in 2019 for repairs to the pavement on the bridge decks at the Home, East and Lombard avenue bridges. The village will use infrared technology and radar to identify areas of deterioration on the bridges, McKenna said. He said the plywood installed to catch falling debris is expected to last for about 10 to 15 years. The village also will replace parts of the sidewalk to make them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,

Photos from BLA, Inc.

FAILING BRIDGES: Deteriorating concrete fell from the The Oak Park Avenue bridge over the Eisenhower Expressway in February. McKenna said. The project is a temporary fix while the village waits for the state to secure federal funding for a major overhaul of the Eisenhower Expressway. That will entail complete replacement of all the bridges over the Eisenhower. Current estimates for the entire I-290 project are between $2.9 and $3 billion, according to McKenna. “Hopefully, these are the last major investments we have to make [before the Eisenhower reconstruction],” he said. Village Manager Cara Pavlicek said the village signed a letter of intent with IDOT in 2016, at which time IDOT said there was a hope that funding for the Eisenhower reconstruction would come in four to six years.

“I think it would be hard to see a 2023-2024 construction at this point,” she said. Trustee Bob Tucker said he walks the Lombard Avenue bridge every day and “it needs help.” “Falling concrete can be really dangerous, and I can’t even imagine the liability,” he said. Trustee Dan Moroney said he “begrudgingly” supports fixing the bridges because of the forthcoming Eisenhower reconstruction. “It always stinks to put money into something that you ultimately know is going to get ripped out, but it’s our obligation to maintain a safe village,” he said. tim@oakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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C R I M E

Oak Parker drives off from attempted carjacking Oak Park police are searching for two men who attempted to carjack an Oak Park resident in the 100 block of North Austin Boulevard at 9 p.m. on March 28. As the offenders approached the driver’s side of the victim’s 2012 Hyundai Tucson, one of them pointed a dark unknown object at the victim and demanded the vehicle. Police report that the victim drove off and the offenders fled in an unknown direction. The first offender was described as a black male between the ages of 16 and 18, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-7, thin and wearing a light gray hooded sweatshirt. The second offender was described as a black male between the ages of 17 and 20, 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-11, with long braided black hair and wearing a light gray hooded sweatshirt.

Two arrested in carjacked vehicle Oak Park police arrested two Chicagoans, an 18-year-old and a juvenile, after they were discovered in the Kia Forte that had been carjacked at gunpoint in Oak Park on March 24. Police arrested Jaylin M. Johnson, 18, of the 2600 block of West Washington Boulevard, Chicago, and the juvenile, in the 3600 block of West Fillmore Street, Chicago, at 12:19 p.m. on March 26. Police charged Johnson with criminal trespass to a motor vehicle and the juvenile with possession of a stolen motor vehicle. The police summary report from the March 24 carjacking noted that the offender was a black male in his 20s, 5-foot-8, with a thin build, and wearing a back hooded sweatshirt and jeans. He exited a white SUV with a broken rear window in the 600 block of South Humphrey Avenue at 6:18 a.m., opened the door to the 2018 Kia Forte, displayed a gun and demanded the vehicle. The driver complied and the offender

The victim was transported to Loyola Medical Center and questioned by police. Ruiz is being held in Cook County Jail on a $1 million bond. Ruiz’s next court date is 9 a.m., April 1 in room 103 of the Fourth Municipal District Courthouse in Maywood.

Battery and the SUV fled the area. Village spokesman David Powers said in an email that the arrest is connected to the Kia Forte but not necessarily the carjacking. “Johnson and the juvenile have not been connected to the vehicular hijacking, but the investigation is still ongoing,” Powers said. “These two subjects were taken into custody by Oak Park police detectives with the assistance of the Chicago Police Department.”

Man arrested for attempted murder Oak Park police arrested a Chicago man and charged him with one count of attempted murder and one count of aggravated battery with a handgun. Village spokesman David Powers said in an email that police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired about 2:30 p.m. on March 24 near the intersection of Austin Boulevard and Roosevelt Road. Police later discovered a 43-year-old man with a “wound to his arm” in front of an apartment building in the 1100 block of Austin Boulevard. Powers said in the email that police then took into custody Marcelino Ruiz, 39, of the 5900 block of Roosevelt Road, Chicago. They found him in the basement of a building in the same block. Police also discovered a handgun on the roof of Ruiz’s apartment building in the 5900 block of West Roosevelt Road.

A Riverside man was the victim of battery in the 100 block of Marion Street at 4:26 p.m. on March 30. Police report that a man exited his Jeep, began yelling at the victim and then struck him with a closed fist on the left side of his face. The offender then threw the victim’s phone and fled northbound on Marion.

Theft A silver 2003 Pontic Grand Am was stolen from a carport in the 900 block of North Humphrey Avenue at 6:30 p.m. on March 31. The estimated loss is $500.

Burglary Jordan Mullins, 21, of the 5200 block of West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, was arrested at his home at 9:41 a.m. on March 27 and charged with a motor vehicle burglary that was reported on March 10 in the 300 block of North Grove Avenue. These items, obtained from the Oak Park and River Forest police departments, came from reports, March 25-April 1, 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 Timothy Inklebarger

Fatal crash driver under the influence

Harrison also in possession of pills that tested positive for MDMA By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter

The driver of a vehicle that caused a car crash that killed two people in Oak Park on March 9, had been drinking and was under the influence of marijuana and methamphetamines, according to a police report. Oak Park police pulled over Kendall R. Harrison at about 10:30 p.m. on the night of the crash near the intersection South Boulevard and Humphrey Avenue. He fled in his white Volkswagen Toureg and at the intersection at Ridgeland broadsided the vehicle driven by Joy Tyus, who died of her injuries the night of the accident. Tyus boyfriend, Pierre Shelton, was critically KENDALL R. HARRISON injured and also died of his injuries a little over a week later. Harrison’s police arrest report, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the Journal, noted that his blood alcohol level was .038, which is under the legal limit of .08, but blood tests detected marijuana and methamphetamines. Police also noted in the report that a search of Harrison produced “two pink tablets shaped like poop emojis that tested positive for the synthetic drug MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy. The police report reveals that Harrison attempted to flee on foot after the crash but was captured by police. The report notes that Harrison’s license had been revoked and he could not produce proof of insurance. Harrison was charged with one count of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated driving under the influence. tim@oakpark.com

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GOOD SHEPHERD Appreciating‘home’ from page 1 ber who is video documenting what will be a more than year-long recovery process, said, “About a month ago I spent the afternoon shooting the inside of the church of the damage. I must admit it was a bit surreal.” Rev. Kathy Nolte, Good Shepherd’s pastor, explained, for example, that as long as a major makeover had to be done, it was important for the congregation to resist the temptation to “put it back together the way it used to be” and think about how the renovations could meet the needs of the church decades into the future. The last six months have been spent consulting with architects, getting bids from contractors and complying with village codes. Nolte hopes that demolition and reconstruction can begin sometime in April, which means that the congregation might be able to reenter its building again sometime in October. Nolte noted that the fire and the aftermath have revealed things about her congregation. For one thing, responding to the fire revealed to the congregation that it could express emotions like grief together and be a comforting community. The congregation held its first worship service after the fire in the basement of Euclid Methodist Church, which had opened their doors to the now homeless church. “We sat in a circle,” Nolte said. “We worshipped and lamented together. My sermon was about sharing that sense of grief together.” On the positive side, being homeless reminded the members about what they had sung back when they were in Sunday school: “The church is not a building; the church is not a steeple; the church is not a resting place; the church is the people.” They had a chance to understand that “home” is not necessarily a building. Deaconess Debbie Spear is the Good Shepherd staff member in charge of education for all ages. Looking back at the last six months she concluded, “As a congregation we’ve had to figure what it means to be church without our usual space. It also gave us an opportunity to look at what it means to be part of a community.” Good Shepherd held its first post-fire service at Euclid Methodist Church and the next Sunday they held their service at First Baptist Church where they have worshipped, set up a church office and done some of their programing, ever since. Spear said they have also used the Oak Park Public Library and restaurants for meetings and ministry. Nolte said she and the congregation have, from that first Sunday in a church basement, framed the experience in terms of the story of the Exodus. “It’s such a clear image,” she said, “of walking away from something familiar into something unknown, carrying only the

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

THE WAY BACK: The Rev. Kathy Nolte (above) said the congregation’s itinerant period has strengthened its sense of what it means to be part of a community. Meanwhile, the damage caused by the fire (below) will begin to be repaired this month, eventually ending Good Shepherd’s period of Exodus.

things that are most precious to you and sensing that God is walking with you or, perhaps, before you.” Nolte acknowledged that attendance has gone down during their First Baptist sojourn but that, perhaps counterintuitively, energy has remained constant, if not increased. Spear explained the high energy level by saying, “Experiencing something like a disaster might bring out more of who you are. We’ve been a healthy, vibrant congregation, and we haven’t lost that coming here [First Baptist]. We’re leaning more into who we have been.” Elaine Tuber, First Baptist Church’s financial secretary, in a way confirmed Spear’s statement. “It’s been an amazing experience working

with Good Shepherd,” Tuber said. “The two churches have worked very well together.” She said her congregation moved their service to 9 a.m. to allow Good Shepherd to begin at 10:30, with both congregations meeting for the coffee hour in between. Mary Lee Eneberg, the office administrator for First Baptist Church, added that Good Shepherd blessed her congregation by doubling the size of the choir for their Christmas Cantata. Perhaps the loudest shout out came from

Rev. Cheryl Henson, who was serving as the transition pastor at First Baptist when Good Shepherd began using the church’s space. “As a minister of 44 years, I have never seen two congregations work and share their space as effectively as Good Shepherd and First Baptist,” Henson said. “The partnership has energized both churches and given both congregations new perspectives on community. There is a new vibrancy at First Baptist because of our Lutheran brothers and sisters.”

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

America Sings West Suburban

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Photos by David Hammond

(Left) Chili Cheese Tamale at Parky’s, (middle) Oaxacan tamale at Maxwell Street Market and (right) Venezuelan tamale at Hilton Aruba.

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Hilton Aruba Caribbean Rey first tamales came in sort and Casino prepared for a paper bag splotched us some Venezuelan tamales with a greasy Rorthat were some of the most schach, which I complex versions of this food interpreted to signify we’ve had, filled with meat, deliciousness. My dad brought olives and raisins, fantastic, the tamales home from work; and illustrating how different they were given to him by Puerto cultures shape the tamale to Rican friends. These tamales their own tastes. were filled with pork and salsa, A few weekends back, my pillowed in mashed plantain. brother and I stopped by Love at first bite. Parky’s in Forest Park for Growing up, we enjoyed the a few hot dogs. I saw Chili now-defunct Derby brand tamales Cheese Tamales on the menu, that came in a glass jar. They Local Dining so I ordered one: It was a Chiwere served wet, in a sauce, a & Food Blogger cago corn roll tamale in a cup kind of “Delta tamale,” so named of chili, an absolute knockbecause they were believed to out, due in large part to the have been brought north during excellent chili. “I make the the Great Migration. African chili right here in the kitchen Americans may have learned just like we used to make it about tamales from Mexican in Texas,” said the nice lady migrants, fellow field workers. 329 S. Harlem Ave., behind the counter, “with just It’s possible, of course, that Forest Park a little hot chili pepper.” millennia before, indigenous I was destroying Parky’s Mississippian cultures enjoyed 708-366-3090 Chili Cheese Tamale when an tamales, which may have come older guy came to pick up his north through trade with Mayan order; as he left, he slipped on a mat, fell, and other more southerly cultures. It’s and smashed his head into a glass window, been estimated that people in what is now shattering it. My brother and I took a moMexico have enjoyed tamales for approximent to help him up and make sure he was mately 9,000 years. pretty much OK; police and emergency Over time, I learned that the tamale is an M Uvariable S I C & T H Ecarbohydrate AT E R AT W S T H Zplatform medical techs arrived within minutes; I infinitely went back to eating the Chili Cheese Tafilled with meat, vegetables or fruit. In the early 2000s, I discovered Oaxacan tamale, appetite unaffected. Parky’s Chili Cheese Tamale was so good, males at the Maxwell Street Market, which I went back for another one the next day. are large rectangles of finely ground corn This time, the server dropped a few sport meal, filled with salsa and pork or chicken, peppers on top of the chili, adding color steamed in a banana leaf, dressed with a and heat. dollop of crema. I wrote a poem about these National Tamale Day was March 23. If tamales that appeared in a college antholthere’s anything history teaches us about ogy; most recently, I wrote about these magtamales, it’s that they can be enjoyed in a nificent tamales for the Chicago Tribune. multitude of different ways. Last November, Chef Matt Boland at the

forest band April 6, 2019 8:30 pm Doors open at 8:00 pm West Suburban Temple Har Zion 1040 N. Harlem Ave. River Forest, IL 60305

Tickets $20 Ages 17 and under: $10 Call 708-366-9000 or go to www.wsthz.org

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JOURNAL

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

A YEAR-LONG SERIES FOCUSING ON COMMUNICATING OUR PRIORITIES FOR CHILDREN

INSIDE

GLOSSARY OF EQUITY TERMS

What is equity? Why is it important? By LACEY SIKORA

Contributing Reporter

s Oak Park and River Forest introduce equity policies in their schools and potentially in village government, striving to create a more equitable playing field for residents, three local thought leaders immersed in the work of equity express their thoughts on what equity means here at home and why working towards it is so important.

Equity in the community Lisa Pintado-Vertner, member of Oak Park Call to Action, notes that her family’s own multi-cultural background informs her activism and push for equity in the community that she now calls home. To capture her views on equity, she points to the often-used visual of three children, one short, one VISUALIZATION: A way to look at equity. (Interaction Institute for Social Change | Artist: Angus Maguire) medium-sized and one tall, attempting to look over a wall into a baseball dent, currently on the District 90 River game. When all three children receive more to do than celebrating cultures. Forest elementary school board and the same height stool, the short child People want to experience diversity “People come currently a candidate for the school can’t see over the fence, the tall child but they don’t want to make sacrifices. board at OPRF. He is also executive diis raised high above the fence, and the If you want to live in a diverse comhere for diversity rector of the Center for Tax and Budget medium-sized child’s view is perfect. munity, you might have to give up but don’t really care Accountability (“CTBA”), a bipartisan The children all have the best view something.” Pintado-Vertner wants think tank. of the game when they about equity.” Oak Park’s village governMartire says he defines equity in a are given stools geared — Lisa Pintado-Vertner, ment to adopt an equity way that crosses political lines and simtoward their individual policy. “The idea is that plifies the picture for many. Oak Park Call to heights. whenever you’re making “Look at the big picture. If the She says that levelling Action member decisions, you kind of American Dream means anything, the playing field doesn’t put on these racial equity the circumstances of a person’s birth mean throwing everyglasses. Look at things one together in a room current and historic need where they shouldn’t determine their ability to refrom that perspective the are and providing them both the op- alize the American Dream. Everyone with the same tools and whole time rather than portunity and the tools to be successful should be able to realize their potential looking for success. “Not and become an active participant in just tagging it on at the academically, financially, and socially.” everyone can take advantage of the same oppor- Lisa Pintado-Vertner end. It needs to be there Flournoy says that equity at home is the modern democracy. This is a very from the start. Our town reliant on government, schools, com- unifying definition that goes across all tunities and get the same is not all white. People munity, businesses and organizations world views. It’s what equity looks like outcomes.” Oak Park, Pintado-Vertner says pro- affected by village policies are not all working together to make equity a refrom a community standpoint.” He suggests ways a community can vides a unique perspective. “People white.” ality. She says a friend coined a phrase Mak Flournoy is co-founder and cur- that captures the importance of equi- evaluate its resolve. Is there a range of come here for diversity but don’t really care about equity. If you want to rent co-President of DivCo, the Oak ty work, “when we all do better, we all housing options: low, middle and high? Does the community present itself as a enjoy the benefits of not living in a to- Park PTO Diversity Council. For her, do better.” tally homogenous society, there’s a lot equity means “meeting those with a Ralph Martire is a River Forest resi- welcoming community? Do people of

In partnership with

different backgrounds feel alienated or included? What does the education system look like? Does it have policies that support diversity? What kind of arts programming is offered? Is there a range of races and ages? Does the community support aging in place? Are there activities for all people to engage in?

Equity in Education In the wake of the “America To Me” documentary series and with the adoption and proposal of equity policies in local schools, equity in education has been a focus of much attention. Martire, Pintado-Vertner and Flournoy are optimistic but agree that much work remains to be done. Pintado-Vertner says that there is a clear need for an equitable approach to resolve some of the disparities in our schools. “In some ways, people

See EQUITY on page 19

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Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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Why racial equity now? A look at intersectionality BY LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

s Oak Park and River Forest work to come to grips with the concept of racial equity – both in our schools and in the wider community – here’s another term to factor into the complex conversation and consciousness-raising ahead of us. Intersectionality. What does it mean? It means recognizing all the points of identity that can contribute to inequitable outcomes for an individual or group. The new equity policy in Oak Park’s District 97 public elementary schools lists race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, national origin, foster status, involvement with the juvenile justice system, IEP status, disability, learning difference, immigration status, or language. The new policy, titled “Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity,” is inclusionary says Terry Terry Keleher Keleher. He is an Oak Park resident and director of Strategic Innovation at Race Forward, a national nonprofit racial justice organization, that works in partnership with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity. Keleher, who was instrumental in developing the D97 policy, says that while inclusionary policies work to address all types of identities and inequities, an intersectional approach does something different. He points to Columbia Law School professor Kimberle Crenshaw who coined the term intersectionality to explain a unique kind of discrimination faced by African American women: a distinct combination of discrimination that is ignored or erased by taking in only the race component or the gender component.

According to Keleher, District 97’s new policy intentionally has an inclusionary, as well as an intersectional, framework. He says use of the inclusionary characteristics allows the district to embrace, “the notion that each student matters and every student has the right to an excellent and equitable educational experience.” grappled with inequity. “There’s been an under- tus and family status, the racial divide still exists. He goes on to state, standing for decades now that there are dispari- It says to me that we’re still dealing with implicit “Intersectionality rec- ties when it comes to students’ academic success bias in systems and that allows this to perpetuognizes that there are and discipline. It happens around the country ate.” multiple power dimen- and here in Oak Park and River Forest.” Keleher also sees implicit bias at work and says sions to our identities, Cassell says she is a firm believer in the idea it translates beyond the schools to the communiand there are differ- that all oppression is inter-rety at large. “If you look at any of the major quality ences in how we are lated, and says that research of life indicators in the U.S. situated in relationship shows that it is a false choice – from infant mortality to life to multiple power dy- to think that helping one expectancy and everything “If we are namics that can have group means that another in between, such as eduinteracting and com- group is not being helped. cational attainment, homeimproving and Carrie Kamm pounding impacts.” ownership, employment, “If we are improving and havhaving greater Carrie Kamm, Dis- ing greater levels of success income, health care access trict 97 senior equity director, says that Cren- for our students of color, it and net wealth -- there’s an levels of success shaw’s work informs her position at the district. will help all students.” overwhelming amount of for our students “Using intersectionality as a framework, we can evidence of deep and perShe points to research on look at the whole person and their entire identity. two points the school has sistent racial disparities.” of color, it will help From race, to gender to sexual identity, there are recently addressed to supHe points to statistics all students.” different biases. People have complex and over- port the theory that focusing provided by the Illinois Aslapping experiences.” sets Building Group that on racial equity — Jennifer Cassell, D97’s newly-adopted policy will shows that in 2011, the meprovides good OPRF school help guide the school board and dian white household had outcomes for all board member administration, and Kamm says they 16 times the wealth of Afristudents. She are already trying to work with intercan American households says that the sectionality as a guide. “Three times and 13 times the wealth of research shows a year, we do data dives with our that having more teachers of color Latino households in the state. The wealth divide school district leaders. Information provides a richer educational experi- among white and African Americans in Illinois is aggregated by race, gender and ence and better outcomes for all stu- quadrupled between 1986 and 2011. To Keleher, these statistics point to the strucother characteristics to better underdents and that creating more access stand how our students are experifor people of color to honors and tural racism at work in Illinois and here in Oak Jennifer Cassell encing issues. We are trying to gain AP classes does not water down the Park and River Forest. Embracing diversity is not enough, he says. “You can have diversity without a sense of understanding and look course content. for trends and then moving towards a root cause As the district works towards adopting an eq- equity. We have to go much further than diversity. analysis.” uity policy of its own, Cassell says it makes sense We have to specifically center race even when we At the high school level, Jennifer Cassell, a to start with a focus on racial equity. “Our re- have an intersectional lens. A society that focuses school board member at Oak Park and River For- search has shown that the greatest predictor of a on ‘color-blindness’ ignores our history with race. est High School District 200, notes that despite student’s success here is race. If the school’s goal We need to look at all the dynamics. A lot of the best intentions of board members and school is to have all students do their best, we’re not do- these are attached to systems of power that we administration and staff, the community has long ing that. Even accounting for socio-economic sta- really need to look at.”

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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The act of slaying ghosts BY MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

laude M. Steele, the prominent social psychologist, writes in his influential book Whistling Vivaldi: And Other Clues to How Stereotypes Affect Us that “the pressure to disprove a stereotype changes what you are about in a situation.” Steele explains that the act of trying to disprove a stereotype “gives you an additional task. In addition to learning new skills, knowledge, and ways of thinking in a schooling situation, or in addition to trying to perform well in a workplace like the women in the high-tech firms, you are also trying to slay a ghost in the room, the negative stereotype and its allegation about you and your group. You are multitasking, and because the stakes involved are high -- survival and success versus failure in an area that is important to you -- this multitasking is stressful and distracting.” For local school officials and education experts who have devoted good chunks of their lives to mitigating the implicit biases that contribute to classroom stereotyping, the act of slaying ghosts is not a task that ought to be assigned to students. As Steele argues, “this is not an argument against trying hard.” So the conventional wisdom of students trying “twice as hard” — comic book-herolike — despite the stress of dealing with stereotypes should be tossed out of the

EQUITY continued from page 17 who accept the current situation are actually arguing for eugenics. If you look at the population of OPRF high school and say that’s just how it all shakes out, you’re basically saying either that one race is inferior or that there’s something else going on in society.” For Flournoy, educational equity is an important focus. Because Oak Park claims both racial and socio-econom-

classroom window. “The focus here, instead, is on what has to be gotten out of the way to make these playing fields mere level,” Steele writes. “People experiencing stereotype threat are already trying hard. They’re identified with their performance. They have motivation. It’s the extra ghost slaying that is in their way.” Barb Hickey, a River Forest District 90 school board member, has undergone racial bias training and has read Steele’s book. In fact, the entire D90 school board has over the last several years been through ongoing racial bias training sessions, as have D90’s teachers and faculty. The great leap, local educators involved with racial bias work say, is getting from racial bias as theory to what racial bias looks like in reality. Hickey said that D90’s racial bias training, which is facilitated by the National Equity Project — a California-based organization that offers coaching and consulting on implicit bias for school districts across the country — taught her a deep truth about how bias expresses itself in reality. “Some of the NEP training really makes you recognize that bias is expressed in small ways that are often much more significant to the person on the receiving end than the person on the giving end ever appreciates,” Hickey said. “Disrespect is not necessarily intentional, but it certainly comes across to the person on the receiving end and I think our teachers have responded to a lot of that,” she added. “They rec-

ognize that the small things they do in their classrooms — the small, day-today ways they talk to their kids — this is what bias is in the real world.” Gina Harris, an elementary school teacher who has facilitated racial bias training in her role as a board member for the Illinois Education Association, said that the path to that realization — from learning about bias as a concept to understanding its real-world implications — is not an instant process. “It’s not an Aha!, light bulb moment for most people,” she said. “Just like how we teach math, we build out a concept, start with the small pieces and add to them so that eventually you know how to master the equation. That’s kind of similar to how we approach unconscious bias and racial education.” Harris, a graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School and a District 200 school board candidate in this week’s election, said that her training in unconscious bias “is very experiential” — not just theoretical. “I use a lot of video clips, because you’re practicing experiences,” she said. “You do this over time until people start to see, ‘Oh, wow! I noticed something when I was out in the world that I wasn’t aware of before.’ People begin to see where their own stuff is coming from, because they move through the process slowly over the course of time.” District 90 board member Calvin Davis said that he’s witnessed some of those realizations firsthand. “I’ve heard some of the teachers say, ‘I didn’t realize I was doing this or that,’” he said, adding that the NEP training “has really taken hold and a lot of teachers are accepting the fact that they may have a natural bias and they’re slowly overcoming it.” District 90 board member Rich

ference in outcomes for ic diversity, she says that students. There’s not one there is an expectation silver bullet, but if the disthat the schools should trict and the school board be farther along on the transform the way they move towards equity, think about engagement but they continue to with students, teachers struggle as do schools and the community, it can across the nation. She bring about significant praises the D97 equity change.” policy’s important comRalph Martire Martire uses educationponents, but says that al equity as an example of at the end of the day the policy is just a piece of paper. “It’s the how equity is a rising tide that lifts all doing of the work that will create dif- boats. “I think a lot of people don’t

Moore said that “the most striking thing” about the NEP training “was that teachers were very amenable to the training and ongoing professional development and they wanted practical examples of it.” Those practical examples, Moore said, were complemented by lessons in American history that are often glossed over, or totally omitted, in most classrooms. For instance, the training includes a lesson on racially restrictive housing covenants. Once in place, the collective understanding of unconscious bias permeates beyond a racial context and can benefit students suffering from a range of disadvantages, the D90 board members said. Davis said that the district has even

recognize but should recognize that if you build a truly equitable education system, you build a truly excellent education system. It means every student gets what they deserve. The most gifted get the challenges they need. The most challenged get the supports they need, and that’s what gets lost now. People who are already successful are worried it’s a zero-sum game. An equitable system is not zero-sum, it’s Both And.” Flournoy, like Martire, sees equity in the community as a benefit to ev-

changed some practices that might stigmatize children receiving free or reduced lunches. Hickey said that district teachers have even started to pay attention to how subtle classroom practices might contribute to undue stereotype-related stress for some students, such as “telling boys and girls to line up on different sides of the room.” Hickey, Davis and Moore were all candidates for reelection to the D90 school board in this week’s election. For Harris, the thing for educators to realize is that the act of slaying ghosts, in addition to being their responsibility, is that the work is hard and it’s personal. “This is internalized work,” she said. “You have to take it in and chew on it. It takes some doing. This can’t be done with just one-off training.”

eryone. “Imagine this. What if we invest in education for all, and if those students come back and raise their families here? What if we support the underserved, and purposefully help residents and businesses do better for themselves and be able to give back to their community? If we work together through community issues, we will get more done for Oak Park and build more capacity through increased efficiency and effectiveness. Equity means more and more and more for our village.”

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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A glossary of terms

“Bias” is prejudice in favor of or against a person or group relative to another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. “Demographic group” generally

refers to any group of people who share similar characteristics, such as, racial or ethnic identification, socioeconomic status, gender identification, physical or learning disabilities, or language abilities.

“Disaggregated data” are results obtained from examining system-wide data through the lens of demographic groups to uncover patterns and trends that may be true for some student groups, but not all students in the system. “Discrimination” refers to the unequal treatment of a person or group based on a protected characteristic such as race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or religion. “Diversity” means variety in race, ethnicity or beliefs.

“Ethnicity” is a social construct that divides people into smaller social groups based on characteristics such as shared sense of group membership, values, behavioral patterns, language, political and economic interests, history and ancestral geography. “Implicit Bias” is a bias of which

people usually are unaware or which operates at the subconscious level. Implicit bias is usually expressed indirectly.

“Institutional Racism” means social

policies, practices, procedures, and/or discourse that benefit people who are white at the exclusion of people of color, often unintentionally.

“Opportunity Gap” is the unequal or inequitable distribution of educational resources and opportunities on the basis of race and/or ethnicity; resources may include staffing, academic supports, social and emotional supports, high-quality curriculum, and other programs. This gap can contribute to or intensify lower educational aspirations, achievement, and attainment for members of affected groups. “Prejudice” is a preconceived opin-

ion that is not based on reason or actual experience.

“Race” is an applied categorization

based on a historic socially, economically and politically constructed set of beliefs, practices and behaviors that provide unfair advantages, power, social and political status to one group of people (whites) based on their assigned and constructed

racial identity. In the United States, race signifies and symbolizes social conflicts and interests by referring to different types of human bodies based on the lightness or darkness of an individual’s skin pigment.

“Racial Equity” means the systematic

fair treatment of people of all races and ethnicities that allows equitable outcomes. Once racial and ethnic inequities are eliminated, race and ethnicity are not a factor in outcomes. When there is racial inequity, race and ethnicity are a negative factor in outcomes.

“Racism” is a socially and politically constructed behavior which derives from the dominant culture’s ideology of race. Racism takes place in individual behavior, institutional practices, institutional structures, cultural beliefs and social discourse that unfairly advantages whites and disadvantages people of color. Racism

simultaneously and unfairly denies power, cultural respect, social status, human rights, dignity, and access to basic human needs to people of color (non-whites) including Black (wide variety of ethnic people part of the African diaspora), Latinx, American Indian, and Asian-American people. “Structural Racism” means a system in which public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations, and other norms work in various, often reinforcing ways to perpetuate racial group inequity. The term identifies dimensions of our history and culture that have allowed privileges associated with “whiteness” and disadvantages associated with “color” to endure and adapt over time. Structural racism is not something that a few people or institutions choose to practice. Instead it has been a feature of the social, economic and political systems in which we all exist.

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

NEED TO REACH US?

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

Homes C U R I O U S

C I T Y

Not in your front yard: Why ‘For Sale’ signs are banned in Oak Park BY STEVEN JACKSON Contributing Reporter

This presentation is a reissue of 2016 reporting by the Curious City project at WBEZ. Interested in more answers to questions about Chicago, the region, and its people? Subscribe to the Curious City podcast.

ast year, Elizabeth Brigham and her family were looking for a house in the Chicago area. They wanted to live in a suburb with good schools and an active community. And, it had to be diverse. So they went house-hunting in a place known for diversity: the suburb of Oak Park, just beyond Chicago’s western border on Austin Boulevard. “As we were driving around, I didn’t pay too much attention to it, but noticed that it was a bit curious or interesting that there weren’t any real estate signs in front of the homes that we were looking at,” says Brigham. “And I just assumed ... maybe our real estate agent just had the inside scoop and there wasn’t a sign out quite yet.” But at house after house, there were no For Sale, For Rent, or Sold signs. And Brigham, who works in marketing and product strategy, thought that was weird. You’d think real estate agents and homeowners would want to advertise in every way possible, right? So why aren’t there any real estate signs in the village of Oak Park? The answer to this question involves a story about how Oak Park used law and goodold-fashioned peer pressure to fight housing segregation. That story — still being played out today — partly explains how Oak Park became the diverse community that Brigham was attracted to in the first place.

Signs of the time Back in 1960s and ‘70s, Chicago was going through a period of racial change. For years, African-Americans had been leaving their segregated Chicago neighborhoods and moving to other parts of the city. This shift in neighborhood demographics led to a lot of social unrest — sometimes violent — and a huge, slow-rolling wave of white flight. (This

Photo courtesy of WBEZ Chicago

NO SIGN OF THE TIMES: Oak Park insists a decades-old rule to fight blockbusting continues to protect a precious suburban commodity: diversity. handy little GIF sums it up pretty well.) The process of racial change was helped along by the real estate practice of blockbusting. If you’re not familiar with this nasty little gerund, it worked like this: Real estate agents would knock on doors and suggest that African Americans were moving in and property values were sure to plummet. They’d hire black actors to walk down the street, or push baby strollers on the sidewalk. And they’d post plenty of real estate signs, so there’d be no mistaking that the neighborhood was about to flip from white to black. Once the white homeowners were good and

scared, the real estate agents bought those houses for a song, and sold them to AfricanAmericans for a profit. “It was going on a block by block basis, and a lot of fear and a lot of panic was generated,” recalls Roberta Raymond, a sociologist, housing activist, and the founder of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center. She was born and raised in Oak Park, and is often credited with spearheading integration and fair housing in the village. “Many families who lived in Oak Park had already moved from the West Side of Chicago,” she says. “And they did not want to see

this happen again.” According to The Oak Park Strategy: Community Control of Racial Change, by sociologist Carole Goodwin, the Chicago neighborhood of Austin provided an uncomfortably close cautionary tale. In 1960, Austin was about 99 percent white. Over the next several years, African-American families moved in at a rapid rate. By 1970, Austin was approximately 32 percent African American, and white residents were leaving en masse. See YARD SIGNS on page 23

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YARD SIGNS

Not in Oak Park from page 21 Between 1966 and 1973, Goodwin writes, an average of 37 blocks per year flipped from white to black in the neighborhood. Along with racial change came disinvestment and blight; businesses moved out, landlords stopped taking care of their buildings, and community services dwindled.

Oak Park’s strategy Instead of opposing African Americans from moving in, or doing nothing as white residents fled for far-flung suburbs, the leaders of Oak Park decided to encourage a diverse community. In 1968 — the same year Lyndon B. Johnson passed the federal Fair Housing Act — the village passed its own fair-housing ordinance. And unlike other communities with similar laws, Oak Park actually enforced theirs. “It was based on the idea that you couldn’t just let all of these forces control the housing market — that you had to intervene,” says Raymond. “We just developed one program after another to educate the Realtors, [and] to say to people, ‘If one black family moved into an apartment building, that doesn’t mean the whole building has to become all black, or that the building should be allowed to deteriorate.’” Over the course of several years, the Village of Oak Park, along with the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, created a comprehensive fair-housing strategy. They built a web of relationships between community groups, local government, landlords and real estate agents, and law enforcement. They provided housing counseling and

Logan Jaffe and Chris Hagan/WBEZ

LIVING COLOR: Comparison of the racial background of residents in Oak Park and surrounding communities, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in 1950 and 2010. encouraged newcomers to spread throughout the village rather than cluster by race. They bought ads in national magazines, and they promoted Oak Park as a well-run, safe, diverse place to live. Raymond says it was a delicate balance: They tried soothing the fears of white homeowners, while also attracting the very minorities that made those homeowners nervous in the first place. “There was a lot of hand-holding. ... And we had to prove that whites would move into neighborhoods that were integrated neighborhoods, if they felt — that on a longterm basis — that neighborhood would stay integrated.” As it turns out, a lot of white people did end up leaving Oak Park — about 10,000 of them during the 1970s — but racial change happened slowly. Instead of resegregation, there was integration.

The sign bans get banned

Photo courtesy of WBEZ Chicago

JOIN US: An early ad from the Oak Park Housing Center.

In 1977, just five years after Oak Park rolled out the ban on real estate signs, a similar sign ban in Willingboro, New Jersey, was challenged and taken all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the justices voted unanimously that such bans violate the First Amendment. Justice Thurgood Marshall wrote the majority opinion. (Yes, the same Thurgood Marshall who as an attorney brought the segregation-busting Brown v. Board of Education case before the Supreme Court, as well as the very same Thurgood Marshall who

would later become the first African-American Supreme Court Justice.) If dissemination of [for sale] information can be restricted, then every locality in the country can suppress any facts that reflect poorly on the locality, so long as a plausible claim can be made that disclosure would cause the recipients of the information to act ‘irrationally’...There is...an alternative to this highly paternalistic approach. That alternative is to assume that this information is not, in itself, harmful, that people will perceive their own best interests if only they are well enough informed, and that the best means to that end is to open the channels of communication, rather than to close them. In the years to come, sign bans in municipalities all over the country were overturned. But not in Oak Park. The village still wanted to do everything possible to promote integration; they kept the ban in the municipal code, but stopped enforcing it as an actual ordinance, knowing it would be defeated if challenged in court. Instead, the village began treating the sign ban as more a village norm than a law — not technically enforced, but strongly encouraged. (Neighboring Forest Park took a similar tack, continuing to honor their unenforceable local sign ban. But that’s a different story.) Today, local real estate agents have a longstanding agreement with Oak Park not to post signs. “I think many in the Realtor community have come to believe that the lack of signs has not particularly damaged their business,” says Jane McClelland, president of the

Oak Park Area Association of Realtors. “Especially now, when real estate apps can automatically identify all homes in proximity to wherever you are located.” McClellan adds that the local board complies with the sign ban because it is still technically a village ordinance. “I’m sure there are local real estate agents that would disagree and would prefer to post signs, but in general, the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors’ position is that we cannot pick and choose which ordinances with which we wish to comply,” she says. “Personally, it just doesn’t feel right to start dismantling, piece by piece, a human rights program that served our town so well, and helped to make it a desirable destination for many home buyers.” Cedric Melton, Director of Community Relations for the Village of Oak Park, says the only people who violate the unofficial ban are out-of-town real estate agents and the occasional homeowner selling their own house. That happens a few times a year, and when it does, it’s Melton’s job to call whoever posted the sign and persuade them to take it down. “I’ll explain to them that the local board does not put up signs because of the historic symbolism, and hopefully they’ll take it down. I let them know that the Supreme Court has ruled that you can put a sign up if you want to, but you will receive many, many calls from residents who will be in opposition to that sign,” says Melton. “And in almost all the cases they say to me ‘Well I’m going to do exactly what your local board is doing, I want to be in lockstep with them. ... I’m going to take it down and use alternative methods.’” See YARD SIGNS on page 24

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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Latino. Elmwood Park is mostly white. Some of these places have grown more segregated in the last 20 years. Other suburbs are projected to segregate even more in years to come. Meanwhile, Oak Park has become more diverse over the last few decades. While other towns’ populations tend to cluster by race, the village is geographically integrated. Demographically, its population mirrors that of the larger region, although Latinos are underrepresented. “The country hasn’t got it yet, so [Oak Park is] not going to have it all,” says Melton. “But I think we do quite a bit more than most municipalities and communities do, because we’re constantly pushing people.” In terms of policy, “constantly pushing” translates to: Oak Park’s one-on-one diversity training; the 4th of July Diversity Parade; the cross-cultural discussion program Dinner & Dialogue; housing counseling that discourages renters and homeowners from self-segregating; and a full-time village staffer (that’s Melton) to address rumors and conflicts that may stoke racial tensions between neighbors. “Look around the country. We still have race as our biggest factor that continues to divide us. That’s a reality,” Melton says. “And so that lets you know, you can’t stop this kind of work. You’ve gotta continue promoting diversity. It just doesn’t happen on its own.”

It’s hard to find Oak Parkers who are opposed to the sign ban, and even harder to get them to go on the record. But we found one resident who’s not very happy about it, and who was willing to speak on condition of anonymity. (He’s a corporate attorney and he doesn’t want his opinion reflecting on his boss in anyway; plus, he’s active in the Oak Park community and he doesn’t want to be that guy always complaining about the sign thing.) Let’s call him Max Signage. A few years ago, Signage moved from one end of town to the other. He wanted to put up a sign, but he knew that would lead to phone calls and complaints from neighbors, and he just didn’t want to deal with the backlash. To Signage, going without a sign felt like a missed opportunity. “The 1,000 or 2,000 or however many cars that drive by that very busy street in Oak Park every day would be exposed to thinking ‘Oh gosh, there’s a pretty nice house, I didn’t know that was on the market,’” he says. “The more people you have who are potential buyers, More about our questioner the more chance you have of getting a better price for your Elizabeth Brigham is the house.” ELIZABETH BRIGHAM mother of two young boys — In the end, Signage chalks up Oak Park resident ages two and seven months. the sign ban to good intentions When it came time to choose and a small town mentality. a new neighborhood, she and “It is an idea that the comher husband knew they wantmunity is a little bit more than ed to live in a diverse place. Oak Park immeyou. And some of that I understand, and diately sprang to mind. some of that, like with the ban, I have prob“I feel like diversity is embraced here. Not lems with,” he says. “It may have been that just racial diversity, but sexual orientation, the sign ban worked back in the ‘60s or ‘70s; I family makeup, cultural diversity,” she says. don’t know that it is doing much at this point, other than driving me crazy by having an un- “That’s something that we really want to afford our children.” constitutional law on our books.” Brigham is also a specialist in marketing and product strategy, which is part of what Long live the sign ban? drew her to this question. In a competitive The relevance of the sign ban today is up industry like real estate, the absence of adfor debate. Is it an outmoded relic of Oak vertising seemed strange. But after hearing Park’s diversity strategy? Or is it still a useful the full answer to her question, she’s not surtool for maintaining and promoting integra- prised that the ban has survived for so long. “The Realtors here really need to undertion? One thing is certain: The sign ban is not stand their market and their community,” the cornerstone of Oak Park’s diversity she says. “And as a marketer, it would be detstrategy. Rather, it’s one among many mea- rimental to your strategy to put out that sign sures taken to promote integration, and a because you don’t want to be seen as someone public symbol of the village’s decades-long who’s coming in and interrupting the flow. You want to be seen as someone who’s part of fight for diversity. That fight that is far from over, because that community.” Steven Jackson is a freelance reporter and while blockbusting may be a thing of the producer. Follow him @jeven_stackson. When past, segregation in the suburbs is not. Consider Oak Park’s neighbors: Maywood you’re done doing that (it won’t take long), check is mostly African American. Cicero is mostly out his work at www.stevenjacksonstories.com.

“And as a marketer, it would be detrimental to your strategy to put out that sign because you don’t want to be seen as someone who’s coming in and interrupting the flow. You want to be seen as someone who’s part of that community.”

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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6 br, 4.1 ba $1,400,000

5 br, 3.1 ba $899,000

4 br, 4 ba $849,000

5 br, 2.1 ba $799,000

5 br, 2.1 ba $638,000

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3 br, 2.1 ba $578,500

4 br, 2.1 ba $509,000

4 br, 3.2 ba $485,000

3 br, 2 ba $479,900

Cara Carriveau (Busch) 708.848.5550

Jeanette Madock 708.848.5550

Dorothy Gillian 708.848.5550

Susan Maienza 708.848.5550

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5 br, 2 ba $475,000

3 br, 2 ba $475,000

3 br, 1.1 ba $429,900

2 br, 2 ba $280,000

2 br, 1.1 ba $279,900

Cory Kohut 708.848.5550

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3 br, 2 ba $271,500

2 br, 2 ba $270,000

2 br, 1 ba $250,000

1 br, 1 ba $109,000

1 br, 1 ba $105,000

Janet Rouse 708.848.5550

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OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

Spring Spectacular Open House Event This Saturday, April 6

Dozens of Open Houses to choose from!

Check â€˜em out!

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Spring Spectacular Home Tour This Saturday, April 6

415 S. Maple Ave #201 • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

1020 Washington Blvd • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

415 S Ridgeland Ave. Unit 2 • Oak Park Open Saturday 12-2

2 BR, 1 BA.................................................... $119,900 Central & Convenient Condo

2 BR, 1 BA.................................................... $139,000 Beautifully updated!

Jan Kerr • 708-829-7752 • @properties

2 BR, 1 BA.................................................... $243,500 Many Special Features!

Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043 • Compass

Lois Bonaccorsi • 708-415-4802 • Baird & Warner

1046 N. Austin Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 12-2

622 S Cuyler Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-3

1188 Home Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

3 BR, 1.5 BA ............................................... $325,000 Immaculate Georgian!

3 BR, 1.1 BA.................................................. $339,900 Affordable Move-In Ready Home!

3 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $349,000 Well priced for Space!

Stephanie Eiger • 708-557-0779 • Coldwell Banker Residential

Swati Saxena • 847-477-3655 • Baird & Warner

Vanessa Willey • 708-473-2578 • Baird & Warner

601 South Blvd, Unit F • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-12:30

1153 Clarence Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 1:30-3

R E D N U T C A R T ON 1179 S. C Euclid Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-12:30

3 BR, 3.1 BA ................................................ $365,000 So sunny! Great location!

6 BR, 2 BA .................................................. $375,000 Just Reduced! So much for the money!

3 BR, 1 BA.................................................... $375,000 Picture perfect!

Deborah Wess • 708-212-1122 • Coldwell Banker Residential

Jane McClelland • 312-504-1146 • Remax in the Village

638 N Taylor Avenue • Oak Park Open Saturday 1:30-3

808 N Humphrey Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-3

1043 Clarence Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 2-4

3 BR, 2 BA ................................................. $384,000 Sweet bungalow, extra large lot!

3 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $389,900 Open Concept

4 BR, 1.1 BA ................................................. $399,000 Classic 4-Square!

Vanessa Willey • 708-473-2578 • Baird & Warner

Saretta Joyner • 708-697-5967 • Baird & Warner

Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025 • Beyond Properties

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Spring Spectacular Home Tour This Saturday, April 6

730 Augusta St • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-3

850 Mapleton Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 12-2

1015 S Elmwood Ave • Oak Park Open Satuday 12-2:30

3 BR, 1.1 BA.................................................. $410,000 Classic Mid Century Modern!

3 BR, 2 BA .................................................. $409,500 Beautiful Move In Condition

3 BR, 2 BA .................................................. $415,000 Gorgeous 4-Square in prime location!

Linda Von Vogt • 847-456-3376 • Baird & Warner

John Cochrane • 708-205-4504 • Jack Carpenter Realtors

Maya Puentes • 708-574-1383 • Baird & Warner

639 N Taylor Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1 3 BR, 1.1 BA.................................................. $419,900 Charming bungalow, gorgeous gardens!

1230 N Euclid Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-3 3 BR, 1.1 BA.................................................. $429,900 Bright, Airy & Open Georgian

156 North Oak Park Ave, Unit 1H Oak Park • Open Saturday 12-2 3 BR, 3 BA................................................... $430,000 Fantastic duplex condo!

Patty Reilly Murphy • 312-316-2564 • @properties

Tabitha Murphy • 708-674-7081 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Koenig Rubloff Realty Group

223 S Kenilworth Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

536 Clarence Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11 -1

438 Lenox St. • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-3

3 BR, 2 BA .................................................. $450,000 Great central location!

3 BR, 1.2 BA ................................................ $465,000 Beautiful Move-In Ready Home!

3 BR, 1.1 BA................................................. $469,000 Move right in!

Jan Raspatello • 708-476-6070 • @properties

Elizabeth August • 773-610-8000 • @properties

Kevin Calkins • 708-829-2112 • Gagliardo Realty Associates

1024 Pleasant St, Unit 6 • Oak Park Open Saturday 12-2

1021 S Kenilworth Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-3

3 BR, 2 BA .................................................. $475,000 Designer finishes on the park!

3 BR, 2 BA .................................................. $479,900 Lovely 4-Square. Remodeled Kitchen!

Victoria Witt • 708-790-1319 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Koenig Rubloff Realty Group

Tabitha Murphy • 708-674-7081 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Koenig Rubloff Realty Group

Bethanny Alexander • 708-697-5904 • Baird & Warner

711 N Taylor Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 1:30-3 4 BR, 2 BA .................................................. $489,000 Spacious bungalow!

Vanessa Willey • 708-473-2578 • Baird & Warner

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Spring Spectacular Home Tour This Saturday, April 6

721 Ontario Street, Unit 106 Oak Park • Open Saturday 12-2

600 N. Oak Park Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

529 N Taylor Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-3

3 BR, 2 BA .................................................. $495,000 Gorgeous One-of-a-Kind Condo!

3 BR, 3 BA................................................... $499,000 Rare Ranch Home!

4 BR, 2 BA .................................................. $499,900 Beautiful Craftsman with tons of space!

Bethanny Alexander • 708-697-5904 • Baird & Warner

Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025 • Beyond Properties

Patty Reilly Murphy • 312-316-2564 • @properties

421 S Ridgeland Ave, Unit 3S Oak Park • Open Saturday 12-3

316 S Taylor Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

3 BR, 3 BA................................................... $524,900 Sunny, Entertainer’s Dream Penthouse

4 BR, 2 BA .................................................. $530,000 Outstanding Victorian Rehab

Deidre Rudich • 773-875-7608 • d’aprile properties

Victoria Krause Schutte • 708-214-8108 • @properties

539 S. Oak Park Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

318 S. Humphrey • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

622 S. Taylor Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-2:30

5 BR, 2 BA .................................................. $550,000 Arts & Crafts Bungalow!

5 BR, 2.5 BA............................................... $600,000 Vintage Victorian!

4 BR, 3.1 BA ................................................ $619,000 Stunning renovation!

Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025 • Beyond Properties

Jane McClelland • 312-504-1146 • Remax in the Village

320 N. Ridgeland Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1 4 BR, 1.1 BA ................................................. $509,000 Updated throughout. Central Oak Park!

Eli Schultz • 773-491-0068 Ideal Location Oak Park Real Estate

947 Marion St • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-2:30

1210 Woodbine Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-12:30

142 S Scoville Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 12-2

4 BR, 3 BA .................................................. $625,000 Stunning Four Bedroom

4 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $635,000 Fabulous Four Bedroom

5 BR, 3.1 BA ................................................ $639,000 Center of Town Locale

Karla Oberholtzer • 708-721-0324 • @properties

Laurie Shapiro • 708-203-3614 • Gagliardo Realty Associates

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Spring Spectacular Home Tour This Saturday, April 6

708 S East Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 2-4

1106 N Grove Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-4

423 N Elmwood Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

4 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $647,000 Gorgeous American 4-Square

5 BR, 3.1 BA ................................................ $675,000 Sunny & Spacious

3 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $729,000 Walk to Farmers Market & CTA!

Lisa Pasquesi • 708-288-2621 • @properties

David Gullo • 708-567-1375 • Gullo & Associates

532 S. Kenilworth Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 2-4 5 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $740,000 New price! Delightful screened-in porch

Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896 • @properties

234 S Kenilworth • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-3

231 S. Grove Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 10-2 4 BR, 3 BA .................................................. $750,000 Grand Victorian. Ideal Location

Michael Nowicki • 312-925-0807 Ideal Location Oak Park Real Estate

601 S. Lombard Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 2-4 4 BR, 2.2 BA............................................... $575,000 Completely done brick home!

Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025 •Beyond Properties

839 N Oak Park Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

325 S Scoville Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-2

4 BR, 2.2 BA............................................... $780,000 Mediterranean Beauty

4 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $799,000 Wow Features, Central Location

April Moon • 708-935-6183 • @properties

Vanessa Willey • 708-473-2578 • Baird & Warner

415 Forest Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-3

423 N. Kenilworth Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11:30-1:30

424 Linden Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

6 BR, 4.1 BA ................................................ $875,000 Grand Style on a Grand Scale!

5 BR, 3.1 BA ................................................ $899,000 Stunning Victorian!

4 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $919,000 New price, staged to perfection!

Monica Klinke • 708-612-3031 • Coldwell Banker

Stephanie Eiger • 708-557-0779 • Coldwell Banker Residential

Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896 •@properties

5 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $775,000 Downtown Oak Park!

Kelly Fondow • 708-902-1019 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Koenig Rubloff Realty Group

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Spring Spectacular Home Tour This Saturday, April 6

1122 Wisconsin Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 12-3 6 BR, 5 BA .................................................. $1,050,000 New Construction in 2015

Kara Keller or Jon Keller 708-705-5272 or 312-388-3443 • Baird & Warner

1135 N Grove Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 1-3

526 Augusta St • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

4 BR, 4.1 BA ................................................ $1,090,000 Sunny Open Floorplan, LEED Platinum

5 BR, 4.1 BA ................................................ $1,175,000 Elegant Estate Home

David Gullo • 708-567-1375 • Gullo & Associates

Laura Maychruk • 708-205-7044 • Gullo & Associates

623 N. Grove • Oak Park Open Saturday 12-2

703 N East Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

309 Linden Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

4 BR, 3 BA .................................................. $750,000 Huge E.E. Roberts Home!

5 BR, 4.1 BA ................................................ $1,220,000 Spectacular updated masterpiece!

4 BR, 3.2 BA............................................... $1,325,000 Spectacular Federal-Style home

Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025 • Beyond Properties

Patricia McGowan • 708-445-9090 • Baird & Warner

Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043 • Compass

731 Linden Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

422 Forest Ave • Oak Park Open Saturday 11-1

410 Ashland Ave., #5D • River Forest Open Saturday 1-3

6 BR, 3.2 BA ............................................... $1,435,000 Luxury Home-Rare Oversized Lot!

6 BR, 4.1 BA ................................................ $1,595,000 E.E. Roberts Masterpiece!

2 BR, 2 BA ................................................. $225,000 Great location & Value!

Elizabeth August • 773-610-8000 • @properties

Monica Klinke • 708-612-3031 • Coldwell Banker

Margie Bidinger • 708-257-7617 • Classic Properties

1 Gale Ave, 4E • River Forest Open Saturday 11-12:30 1 BR, 2 BA.................................................... $450,500 2,000 Sq. Ft. Condo!

Saretta Joyner • 708-697-5967 • Baird & Warner

936 Forest Ave • River Forest Open Saturday 12-2 3 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $578,500 Move Right In!

Jeanette Madock • 708-228-4557 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Koenig Rubloff Realty Group

327 Gale Ave • River Forest Open Saturday 11-1 4 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $775,000 Newer Kitchen/fam rm opens to lovely yard!

Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896 • @properties

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Spring Spectacular Home Tour This Saturday, April 6

1435 Clinton Pl • River Forest Open Saturday 11-1 4 BR, 3.1 BA ................................................ $779,000 Attractive Tudor

925 Bonnie Brae Pl • River Forest Open Saturday 12-3 3 BR, 2.2 BA............................................... $825,000 Beautifully Appointed

1414 Forest • River Forest Open Saturday 1-3 3 BR, 3.1 BA ................................................ $865,000 Spacious mid-century

Victoria Atkins • 708-697-5911 • Baird & Warner

Kara Keller or Jon Keller 708-705-5272 or 312-388-3443 • Baird & Warner

1511 Franklin •River Forest Open Saturday 1:30-3:30

628 William St • River Forest Open Saturday 1:30-3:30

1515 Keystone Ave • River Forest Open Saturday 11-1

4 BR, 3.2 BA............................................... $899,000 Elegant River Forest Home

4 BR, 4.1 BA ................................................ $1,085,000 Arts & Crafts beauty!

4 BR, 2.1 BA ................................................ $1,275,000 Country Estate

Laura Maychruk • 708-205-7044 • Gullo & Associates

Vickie Freund • 708-848-0200 • @properties

1030 Forest Ave • River Forest Open Saturday 12-2 4 BR, 2.2 BA............................................... $1,295,000 Stunning Kitchen/Family room addition!

Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896 • @properties

7823 Greenfield St • River Forest Open Saturday 12-3 4 BR, 4.3 BA .............................................. $1,550,000 Stunning in Every Way

Kara Keller or Jon Keller 708-705-5272 or 312-388-3443 • Baird & Warner

Julie Downey • 708-203-0289 • Gagliardo Associates Realty

273 Maplewood Rd • Riverside Open Saturday 1-3 5 BR, 4.1 BA ................................................ $975,000 Historic renovated Riverside estate

Judy Jisa • 708-267-1796 • @properties

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Generations of Excellence since 1958

708.771.8040 • 7375 W. North Ave., River Forest Donna Barnhisel Cibula 7375 West North AvenueJoe Dan Bogojevich Don Citrano MANAGING Anne Brennan Alisa River Forest, Illinois 60305 Coghill BROKER/OWNERS Karen Byrne Kay Costello 708.771.8040 Kevin Calkins JoLyn Crawford Andy Gagliardo Tom Carraher Pat Cesario

Tom Poulos

924 ASHLAND • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

Kurt Fielder Yvonne Fiszer-Steele Ramona Fox Laura Gancer Chris Garvey Lisa Grimes Dan Halperin

Maria Cullerton Julie Downey

637 N MARION • OAK PARK OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

Sharon Halperin Greg Jaroszewski Vee Jaroszewski Noa Klima Sherree Krisco Jack Lattner Charlotte Messina

Vince McFadden Elizabeth Moroney Colleen Navigato John Pappas Sue Ponzio-Pappas Rosa Pitassi Caroline Rauch

Michael Roche Jenny Ruland Laurel Saltzman Laurie Shapiro Tom Sullivan Debbie Watts George Wohlford Nancy Wohlford

1207 JACKSON • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

707 N MARION • OAK PARK OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

N EW LI S T I N G! STATELY BRICK/STONE ENGLISHSTYLE HOME with 6 bedrooms and 7-1/2 baths. Features include a formal living room with limestone wood burning fireplace, dream kitchen, sunsoaked breakfast room, Smart Home ready, white oak floors, mud room, 10 ft ceilings. ......................................................$2,490,000

A PERFECT 10! Nothing to do but move in. Many upgrades and finishes in this 4 BR, 4-1/2 BA home. Has what you want… kitchen that opens to family room, 1st FL office/den, screened in porch overlooking back yard, wonderful master suite. Elaborate basement, 1st FL laundry. .............................................$1,195,000

RIVER FOREST HOMES BUURMABUILT BUHRKE HOUSE combines Tudor revival & chateau style architecture elements. Gorgeous décor and impeccable attention to detail in both house and landscaped grounds. ....................................................$2,399,000 EXCEPTIONAL RENOVATION presents unparalleled quality and design. Quality construction continues into the rehab where not a detail has been missed with 6 BRs and 5 full and 1 half BA. .......................................................$1,695,000 BEAUTIFUL, CLASSIC HOME offers everything for today’s modern living. Custom-built home has the highest quality finishes. No detail was missed. LL has 2,000 feet of living area. ....................................................................$1,595,000 SPECTACULAR HOME offers modern/elegant architectural design, tasteful decor and impeccable attention to detail throughout, with four bedrooms and five full baths. ............................................................................................$1,550,000 PRICE REDUCED! BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN VILLA combines wonderful upgrades and finishes in a comfortable family home. New kitchen and four full floors of elegant living; spacious and sunny. .........................................$1,349,999 LOVINGLY MAINTAINED AND UPDATED, move-in ready, 6 BR, 3-1/2 BA Buurma Brothers Home. Tall ceilings, original woodwork, oak floors, art glass, fam room/sun porch, mudroom. ............................................................$1,250,000 THIS LOVELY HOME, found in premier RF location, is beautifully constructed and offers wonderful space for family and entertaining, along with 2 fireplaces and hardwood floors. ...............................................................................$1,225,000

STATELY LANNON STONE GEORGIAN is move in ready with five large BRs, and three full BAs. Large room sizes, remodeled gourmet kitchen, family room, three fireplaces , full finished basement, walk up third floor storage with 10 foot ceiling. Slate roof. Attd 2 car garage. .....................................................$999,000

WELLMAINTAINED 1894 FARMHOUSE that is ready to move in to. 4 BRs, 2 full BAs. First floor features a LR/DR combo, kitchen with Island and a full bath. Basement is semi finished with laundry rm, TV area. Hardwood floors. Cen Air. New back porch. Great street in NW OP. ................................................................$469,000

OPEN HOUSES SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2019 RIVER FOREST 1414 FOREST • OPEN SATURDAY 13

NE W LIS TING!

P R IC E R E DU C E D!

HUGE POTENTIAL for this 4 BR American Four Square home! Refinished hardwood floors, plenty of natural wood, fireplace. Kitchen opens to family room. DR w/doors leading out to deck. 3rd Floor walk-up w/plenty of storage. Two car attd garage with huge workshop. ...............................................................$585,000

1500 CLINTON • RIVER FOREST

NEW LISTING! IMPECCABLYMAIN TAINED CONTEMPORARY HOME in quiet section of RF. Includes 3 bedrooms, 3 full and 3 half baths, an expansive foyer, unique bamboo floors, multi-faced gas fireplace, private office, updated kitchen, screened in porch, in-ground pool. .................... $865,000

Randy Ernst • 773-290-0307

OAK PARK 142 S SCOVILLE • OPEN SATURDAY 122

PRICE REDUCED! CENTEROF TOWN VICTORIAN with high ceilings, four spacious levels of living in beautiful Oak Park. This 5 BR, 3-12 BA home offers a formal entry, wood burning FP, sun room, family room, eatin kitchen. Great flow, tons of natural light & storage throughout this beauty! ..... $605,000

SETTING A NEW STANDARD in approachable elegance, this 5 bedroom, 3-1/2 bath home will exceed your expectations. One of a kind floor plan, and three fully finished levels. ........................................................................$1,200,000 HISTORIC PRAIRIE is believed to have been built around 1891 and remodeled by William Drummond in 1916. It has all of the classic features: natural woodwork and art glass windows. ......................................................... $1,199,000 THE ONE YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR! Everything you want…pristine hardwood floors, wood trim throughout, expansive windows, custom kitchen. This house will not disappoint! ...................................................................$989,000 LOVELY BRICK GEORGIAN with elegance, modern day conveniences, and space. Features 3 fireplaces, family room, sunroom with heated floors, paved patio. LL rec room. ........................................................................................$875,000 UNIQUE QUALITY BUURMABUILT HOME has many wonderful features including two separate office areas, hardwood floors, adjoining eating areafamily room. .................................................................................................$845,000 MOVEIN READY home with everything you need and want. Wood burning fireplace, library, large kitchen, family room, 3 BRs, 2 full BAs, brick paver patio, 2 car garage. .................................................................................................$720,000 BEAUTIFUL, BRIGHT, METICULOUSLYMAINTAINED home on generous lot. Hardwood floors, white molding, French doors, expansive yard. LL has fin RR and storage. .......................................................................................$650,000 GREAT LOCATION & EASY LIVING in this Tri-level home. Great flow for entertaining, complete with family room. Finished LL. Growth to make it your own.................................................................................................................$585,000 VINTAGE CHARMER on tree lined cobblestone street. Warm, inviting home with lots of potential! Cozy fireplace, separate dining room, bright kitchen, spacious family room. overlooking backyard. ................................................$475,000

1247 PARK • RIVER FOREST OAK PARK 438 LENOX • OPEN SATURDAY 13

PRICE REDUCED! CLASSIC NORTH OP HOME with impeccable curb appeal. Three bedroom, one and a half bath home includes a wood burning fireplace, stained glass, family room, eat in kitchen, ample closet space, expansive deck overlooking a beautiful yard. Discover the best of Oak Park! ...$449,000

OAK PARK HOMES UNPRECEDENTED ESTATE in the Frank Lloyd Wright Historical district of OP! Meticulously renovated property offers exquisite details and refined finishes. A showcase home! .....................................................................$1,545,000 HANDSOME PRAIRIEINFLUENCED HOME, evident in gorgeous original wood and beautiful art glass windows throughout. French doors, built- ins. Charming coach house. ...............................................................................$899,000 TRADITIONAL BRICK HOME with WB fireplace, high ceilings, crown molding, architectural details, leaded glass windows, hardwood throughout French doors. A must see! ........................................................................................ $749,500 MOVE FAST! Lovely 4 BR, 2-1/2 BA Tudor home with original woodwork, windows with built –in screens, wood burning stone fireplace, built-in shelving. Meticulously maintained! ...........................................................................$669,000 MOVEIN READY! Enjoy the well thought out design of this 5 BR, 4 BA home! Open floor plan, kitchen/fam room combo, finished bsmt. ..................$584,900 CLASSIC QUEEN ANNE HOME with 3 bedrooms, 3-1/2 baths includes sun room, family room, updated kitchen, great closet space, fin rec room, custom deck. ...............................................................................................................$519,000

N E W L ISTIN G! GREAT CURB APPEAL in this classic Lannon stone house. Put your own touches on it and make it your own. Great bones, traditional layout. Everything you want… LR, separate DR, 1st FL family room, kit w/ attached brkfst room. 4 BRs, 2-1/2 BAs. Finished bsmt, attached garage. .....................................$649,000 RARE BRICK FOURSQUARE HOME in a much sought after area. Features include 4 BRs, 2 full, 2 half BAs, recently remodeled kitchen with attached family room. .............................................................................................................$429,000 A GREAT HOME for your finishing touches to make it your own! Sunny LR with bay window. Separate dining area with attached family room leading out to deck. ..........................................................................................................$245,000

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES/2 FLATS

RIVER FOREST Duplex ............................................................................$419,000 RIVER FOREST 2BR, 2BA. Top floor, corner unit. ................................$250,000 RIVER FOREST 1BR, 1BA. Newly updated. .......................................... $114,500 OAK PARK 2BR, 1BA. Vintage bldg, natural light. ................................$218,000 PRICE REDUCED FOREST PARK 1BR, 1BA. ...................................$92,500

FOREST PARK HOMES AWARDWINNING RENOVATION of this impressive 4 bedroom, 3 full bath luxury home! Large open floor plan, designer kitchen, mud room with built-ins, huge pantry. .................................................................................$629,000 ENJOY LUXURY LIVING in this masterfully renovated home on an extra wide lot. Impressive open concept home features wood floors, natural light and high-style designer finishes. ......................................................................$449,000

The Spring Market is Here! Contact a Gagliardo Realty Associates Agent for a free market analysis

For more listings & photos go to GagliardoRealty.com

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

In The Village, Realtors® 1041 N EAST AVE OPEN SUN 12-2 PM

215 S RIDGELAND AVE OPEN SUN 1-3 PM

1152 S HARVEY AVE OPEN SUN 12-2 PM

622 S TAYLOR AVE OPEN SAT 1-2:30 PM

Oak Park • $699,000 4BR, 2.2BA Call Roz x112

Oak Park • $499,000 5BR, 3BA Call Joe x117

Oak Park • $434,800 3BR, 2.1BA Call Kyra x145

Oak Park • $619,000 4BR, 3.1BA Call Jane x118

Oak Park • $517,000 Multi unit Call Laurie x186

Home of the Week Open Sun 12-2 pm

Oak Park • $427,800 3BR, 1.1BA Call Kyra x145

Elmwood Park • $420,000 4BR, 2.1BA Call Roz x112

Oak Park • $375,000 3BR, 1BA Call Jane x118

Oak Park • $299,900 3BR, 2.1BA Call Elissa x192

Brookfield • $285,000 4BR, 1.1BA Call Kris x101

River Forest • $217,500 2BR, 1BA Call Joe x117

Harry Walsh, Managing Broker

Joe Langley

Mike Becker

Kari Chronopoulos

Roz Byrne

Jane McClelland

Tom Byrne

Keri Meacham

200 S Taylor Ave, Oak Park $698,800 • 4BR, 3.1BA Call Kyra x145

Laurie Christofano

Mary Murphy

Elissa Palermo

Marion Digre

Kyra Pych

Morgan Digre

Linda Rooney

Ed Goodwin

Kris Sagan

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Sunday, April 7, 2019 ADDRESS

REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

TIME

1358 Haase Ave, Westchester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $285,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 622 S. Cuyler Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $339,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 1-3 1043 Clarence Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beyond Properties Realty Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $399,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sat. 2-4 730 Augusta St, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$410,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 1-3 1152 S. Harvey Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re/Max In The Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $434,800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 438 Lenox St, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $469,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 1-3 707 N. Marion St, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $469,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 600 N. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beyond Properties Realty Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $499,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 11-1

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

215 S. Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re/Max In The Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $499,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 612 Thomas Ave, Forest Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group. . . . $509,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 316 S. Taylor Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $530,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1 539 S. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beyond Properties Realty Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $550,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 11-1 601 S. Lombard Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beyond Properties Realty Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $575,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sat. 2-4 936 Forest Ave, River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group . . . . $578,500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 1207 N. Elmwooe, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $579,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:30-3 637 N. Marion St, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $585,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 405 Herrick Rd, Riverside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beyond Properties Realty Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $599,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1 318 S. Humphrey Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beyond Properties Realty Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $600,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 11-1 142 S. Scoville Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $605,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 12-2 622 S. Taylor Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re/Max In The Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $619,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 1-2:30 708 S. East Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $647,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sat. 2-4 200 S. Taylor Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re/Max In The Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $698,800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 1041 N. East Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re/Max In The Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $699,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 623 N. Grove Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beyond Properties Realty Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $750,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 12-2 234 S. Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group . . . . $799,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 925 Bonnie Brae Pl, River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $825,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 12-3 1414 Forest Ave, River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $865,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 1-3 1207 Jackson Ave, River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $999,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1122 Wisconsin Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,050,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 12-3 336 Coonley Rd, Riverside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,100,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 703 N. East Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,220,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 11-1 7823 Greenfield St, River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,550,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 12-3 924 Ashland Ave, River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,490,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

CONDOS

ADDRESS

REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

TIME

1037 Des Plaines Ave. UNIT 301, Forest Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$119,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 210 N. Oak Park Ave. UNIT 1GG, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $139,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 431 S. East Ave. UNIT 1N, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $159,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 3436 N. Narragansett Ave. UNIT 1, Chicago. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $225,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sat. 1:30-3:30 1135 Schneider Ave. UNIT 2A, Oak Park . . . . . . . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group . . . . $280,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

This Directory brought to you by mrgloans.com

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Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

No. 1 Oak Park Office in 2018!

3BR/2BA & Stroller Parking

630 N East Ave | Oak Park $1,195,000

505 Marengo | Forest Park $529,000

511 N Harvey Ave | Oak Park $379,000

170 Marion St #10 | Oak Park $364,900

Catherine Simon-Vobornik

Patti McGuinness

Mary Carlin

Bethanny Alexander

703 N East Ave | Oak Park $1,220,000

401 Augusta St | Oak Park $569,000

1188 Clinton Ave | Oak Park $449,000

2334 Elmwood Ave | Berwyn $299,000

3639 Wesley Ave | Berwyn $260,000

(We get you.) And your Baird & Warner Oak Park agent knows the home that’s just right.

street

Close to grandparents

Patricia McGowan

Victoria Atkins

Heidi Rogers

1114 Forest Ave | River Forest $999,000

808 N Humphrey | Oak Park $389,900

622 S Cuyler Ave | Oak Park $339,900

Lali Astudillo

Good schools

Near daycare

Kara Keller

Saretta Joyner

Swati Saxena

Edward Tovar

Source: BrokerMetrics® Detached and Attached only. 1/1/2018 - 12/ 31/2018

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For rates and more information, contact Dawn Ferencak at (708) 613-3329 or email dawn@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Luka Mae Hill • 4th • Longfellow

Lola Zarate • 5th • Longfellow

Savannah Bell Padilla • 5th • Beye

Ethan Cooper • 5th •Holmes

Sam Hanes • 5th • Roosevelt

Ishika Mundhra • 5th • Roosevelt

Gracyn Brigham • 5th • Roosevelt

Katelyn Raihle • 5th • Mann

Mikaela Hogue • 4th • Brook Park

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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1. Students develop critical thinking and executive functioning skills. While there is no standard Montessori middle school curriculum, Alcuin Montessori in Oak Park incorporates traditional Montessori philosophy and current “best practices,” placing a strong emphasis on independent, project-based, and student-driven work. Alcuin’s Middle School Director Roxy Krawczyk explains, “Students apply high-level critical thinking across all areas of the curriculum. Classes consist of formal lectures, interactive presentations, student-led research, group projects, and more. Students manage daily and weekly homework, take formal assessments and receive quarterly grades in preparation for high school. With our individualized support, they cultivate the executive functioning skills needed for future success.”

2. They are socially and emotionally supported. Adolescence is a time of rapid change, and teens need consistent, compassionate mentors to guide them in their development. Alcuin teachers are fully committed to coaching students through this sometimes complicated time, facilitating appropriate

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3. The classroom extends far beyond the walls. Montessori middle schools offer a wealth of opportunities beyond the classroom. Alcuin students learn about and from all areas of life (not just textbooks), discuss current events, participate in internships, and volunteer. They take weekly trips throughout Chicagoland and two annual extended trips where they camp at an organic farm and immerse themselves in culture at Washington, D.C./New York or Costa Rica.

4. Students are fully prepared for high school. Montessori middle schools carefully design their curriculum to meet or exceed state standards and align with the benchmark outcomes of local public schools, ensuring a smooth transition into high school. Alcuin’s comprehensive theme-based curriculum includes mathematics, science, social studies, literature, writing, Spanish, art, theater, physical education and more. With a clear understanding of the emotional, social, and academic needs of teenagers, Montessori middle schools like Alcuin’s are specifically designed to guide and nurture students, setting them up for success in life.

Alcuin Montessori School in Oak Park, now in its 58th year serving Oak Park, the western suburbs, and Chicago, is hosting open enrollment for children ages 0-14, with a new Middle School campus opening in Fall 2019 to meet increased community demand. For questions, insights from Alcuin alumni, students, or parents, or for a guided tour, contact Alejandra Valera, Director of Admissions, at avalera@alcuin.org or 708366-1882, and visit Alcuin.org.

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Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

DOOPer’s Memories p. 45

A G I N G

Simulating dementia increases empathy

ast week I participated in a dementia exposure exercise at River Forest Village Hall. This program was another step in the Dementia Friendly River Forest process. The training, called “Dementia Live,” was presented by the people from Right at Home, whose Oak Park office is owned by Bob Stelletello. Right at Home has also presented programs for the River Forest first responders. The program took about 30 minutes. I experienced some managed sensory alteration. It was powerful, undeniable and humbling. Even though I knew the training experience was temporary, it drove home to me the disorientations experienced by people with various forms of dementia. And flowing from that, the experience allowed me to feel empathy for them at a deeper level as well. As I was struggling to accomplish requested tasks during the session, amidst the disorientations, I had a flash of equanimity, thinking to myself that this is just the way it is, don’t fight it, do the best I can. (Is this what Navy Seal training is about?) I credit this equanimity insight to the work I’ve been doing with aging consciously. I went through the active part of the session with greatly reduced peripheral vision. This gave me more respect and empathy for my mother-in-law, who views her world through a tunnel. Then I was reminded of how many of us take our health for granted. Anyone who has experienced body malfunctions expresses gratitude when things are “back to normal.” The problem is that when our health is fine we forget to notice. While we have limited control over how our bodies age, we do have freedom to fashion the meaning we make and the attitudes we hold. We can embrace new limits, and from there discover and give meaning to the things we still can do. I am reminded of the author Mary Chase Morrison, who, writing in her late 80s, mused, “To preside over the disintegration of one’s own body, looking on as sight and hearing, strength, speed and short-term memory deteriorate, calls for a heroism that is no less impressive for being quiet and patient. Anyone who watches aging closely and with a sympathetic eye can sometimes be lost in admiration for the aging and their gallantry.”

MARC BLESOFF

See BLESOFF on page 49

FILE

Reflexive anti-tax sentiment is dangerous

t’s really dangerous to get pulled along by a line of thinking, especially if that line seems easy, requiring only reflex. My wife was invited recently to a meet-and-greet for some District 200 candidates. They were described to her as foils to Ralph Martire, who is “on the teachers’ side,” apparently a crime of significant scope. The subtext, of course, is that Martire and his cohort are eager to be elected so that they can tax us to death. Too many people I’ve talked to and listened to about the District 200 election focused only on taxes, not on the very important work the coming board has in front of it to address equity issues, never mind the dire need to upgrade the OPRF building and how that could be done. At least one candidate, while waving at those issues, still concentrated her energy on spending and spending only. She spoke briefly about pedagogy and equity, but quickly slid away from those points to concentrate on “overspending.” When a dedicated group of anti-tax people attempt to control the conversation through persistent and loud campaigns that spread alarm to the populace, one might hope that they would at least posit ideas that are based in fact and evidence, especially facts and evidence that do

not change with circumstances. One might also hope that the arguments such groups present would not elide, obscure or misstate fact in order to manipulate their audience. Unfortunately, our current local climate is the perfect petri dish for such groups. Taxes are very high. People fear the consequences of taxes in our villages. They fear having to move away because they’re being taxed out of their homes. In such an environment, it becomes far too easy for groups with ideological agendas to flourish, no matter how disingenuous they are in their statements. Raise the red flag of tax fear and you can get control of the conversation. Reflex kicks in. Thus it is with the District 200 election. People are told by certain groups, who are willing to bend things a lot, that the election is about taxes. And the frustrated, fearful and far-too-busy among us raise their fists and say, “Yes! That’s the issue! It’s all about taxes.” Well, it isn’t. And it isn’t about what the Imagine project “wants to spend.” That project wanted to spend exactly zero. Those able and dedicated people did the work that the current board and prior boards failed to do. They documented all of the environmental, structural, and

ED MCDEVITT One View

See MCDEVITT on page 47

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

O U R

V I E W P O I N T S

V I E W S

Mohr opportunity

ith news that Mohr Concrete has sold off its fleet of cement mixers, it is now inevitable that the three-acre property at Harlem and Garfield will soon be on the market. A year ago, Wednesday Journal reported that the 126-year-old, family-owned company was on the ropes, out of the cement business and down to selling off an odd inventory of sand and sewer lids. While it is sad to see a venerable company come to this end, it is, in truth, good news and a good opportunity for Oak Park and this southwest Oak Park neighborhood. Long out of place in a residential community, the diminishing fortunes of Mohr Concrete led to continuous decay of its highly visible physical plant. We’ll miss the torpedo on display. We’ll miss the Christmas tree high atop the conveyor system. We won’t miss the crumbling walls, the dust, the truck traffic on side streets. What’s next is the overarching question. Oak Park and its economic development arm at OPEDC have been respectfully quiet as Mohr worked toward an exit strategy. Viktor Schrader of OPEDC told the Journal last week there has been some interest from a diverse group of developers but that the village is waiting to see the next steps the family takes. An early question will be what, if any, environmental issues exist on a block square industrial site after a century-plus of use. Next, given the continuing diminishment of demand for retail and the active pros and cons of a very busy Harlem Avenue location, what are the commercial prospects for the Ike-proximate site. Or is the future residential? And what would that look like? Should village government maximize its return on the single largest open site Oak Park is likely to see in a long while? Or, should a quiet neighborhood that has long endured a messy commercial incursion into its midst be allowed a more modest development? We are moving steadily toward a time for discussion and decisions.

Sears project has everything Just outside Oak Park but certainly impacting the vitality of a shared North Avenue is the now vacant former Sears at North and Harlem avenues. Last week at a crowded community meeting in Galewood, interested residents from Chicago and Oak Park heard a somewhat revised proposal from a major developer. Tucker Developer outlined plans to reuse and expand the existing Sears store with both a major grocer and residential units. The plan also calls for building townhomes and small apartment buildings on the expansive parking lots of the one-time retail giant. This is an ambitious but built to scale project that we strongly support. Reusing the existing building is a plus, containing it to five stories with the added two floors well set back is a plus. Ald. Chris Talliaferro, burned by neighborhood opposition to a previous residential project east on North Avenue, has steered this critical project forward with more skill and sensitivity. That said, we find neighbor concerns about traffic and rental units to be seriously overstated. This is the site of a once-bustling department store that brought hundreds of cars to the corner each day. The townhomes and small apartment buildings will integrate nicely with the residential neighborhood and be a big improvement over acres of blacktop. And high-end apartments are the only multifamily units currently being built. That is just the reality. The future of North Avenue, just like on Oak Park’s Madison Street, needs a notable residential infusion. There will never again be enough retail or commercial use to line North Avenue from Harlem to Austin. We urge Talliaferro and the developer to follow through on promises to work with IDOT on traffic worries raised by neighbors. And we urge neighbors to get on board with a creative and dynamic investment in this neighborhood.

@ @OakParkSports

Moments that stand out, week by week

uring my weekly stints as copyeditor at Wednesday Journal, certain moments stand out. Sometimes they leap out and kick me in the gut. That happened last week as I edited the Crime Report for our sister publication, the Forest Park Review. Most of the time, police-report summaries are pretty routine — drug and DUI busts, bar fights, garages and cars broken into, cellphone thefts — though never routine for the victims. Then there was this: “Sometime between 7 p.m. on March 22 and 8:15 a.m. on March 23, someone stole sunglasses valued at $130 and memorial U.S. Marine Corps dog tags from a car parked on the 7300 block of Harrison Street. The tags belonged to the victim’s son, who was killed in the line of duty in January.” There’s an old expression, “My heart goes out to them,” for those moments when our hearts leave whatever protective encasement we keep it in and “go out” to fully feel and share someone else’s pain. We all live with the reality of crime. It is, in many ways, the inevitable outcome of the failings of our social system. It can be painfully real, which is probably why the Crime Report or Police Blotter or whatever it gets called, is one of the more widely read parts of the paper. A small item can arouse great sympathy, like Ernest Hemingway’s famous “six-word novel,” composed in response to someone’s dare: He wrote, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Our imaginations take it from there. But I can scarcely imagine the pain of losing a son in the line of duty. That parent can, I dearly hope, get the tags replaced, but it still must have been a moment that compounded extraordinary pain, one more straw that could break someone’s back. My heart goes out to them. Fortunately, some moments do the opposite, restoring faith (if it needs restoration) in humankind. Molly Riley wrote to our Viewpoints section last week, which we ran in Inside Report on page 3 (and in Viewpoints today). Twice in one week, Molly found herself without a functional Ventra card when she tried to enter the Blue Line station at East Avenue (first time she forgot it at home, the second time it didn’t work). No CTA personnel around at the East Avenue entrance to appeal to or pay. Never fear — two commuters came to the rescue

and swiped her through on each occasion. When she tried to pay them, the first said, “Just do it for someone else.” The second said, “This is Oak Park. We take care of each other.” How’s that for a village motto: “This is Oak Park: We take care of each other.” Something to aspire to, but also, hopefully, something we achieve more often than not. As Molly put it in her letter, “I am double-checking my purse every day before I leave the house, and I am ready to swipe the next person who needs it through the turnstile. I, like Tennessee Williams, ‘have always depended on the kindness of strangers,’ so I will make sure and be that kind stranger to others. Thank you!” Newspapers offer moments like these most weeks, covering the full range of human emotion. It’s one of the ways we prove our worth. We also proved our worth, I think, the last two weeks with our pre-election coverage, which included endorsements, plus making our Viewpoints pages available for readers to write in support of candidates, and for candidates to make their case to readers. We also put plenty of candidate-generated copy online to help voters make their decisions. We devoted a total of 20 pages, March 20 and 27, and a total of 65 letters to public comment. Normally, Viewpoints is 5-6 pages long — and that alone likely makes it the longest letters section of any comparable community newspaper in the country. We do it because we want people to have their say, but also because we need to prove our worth, over and over, every week, if we want to be seen as Oak Park and River Forest’s (and Forest Park, Riverside, Brookfield and Austin’s) go-to source for news — a valued community resource. We need to prove our worth because that’s the only way newspapers like ours will survive in a market where advertising is no longer enough. A community should feel a sense of ownership about “their” newspaper. To survive, they need to see us as something they don’t want to live without because if you can live without us, eventually you will live without us. That’s the harsh reality of the marketplace we have fashioned. Wednesday Journal is doing what it can survive. But it won’t if we don’t, on a weekly basis, prove our worth by capturing the moments that reveal the tapestry-like undergirding that is the Oak ParkRiver Forest community.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S D O O P E R ’ S

W E D N E S D A Y

M E M O R I E S

JOURNAL

The sport that captured our hearts and minds

aseball is a participant as well as a spectator sport, and for many years it has been played by people from all classes on teams made up of college athletes, high school athletes, youngsters, businesses and clubs. I knew some guys who didn’t play baseball, or, like my friend, Jim, didn’t even like the game, but most every other boy I knew had some knowledge of it. I first learned the game on the playground at Bateman School in Chicago and continued my growth in the game at Holmes School in Oak Park in both after-school games and in gym class. Mr. Franco, our gym teacher, loved both softball and baseball, and he promoted our interest and encouraged many of us to continue playing after graduating from Holmes. I was never pushed to play by my family members, who looked at baseball as a fine recreational activity and encouraged me to play only to the extent that I wanted to play. I was too old to play in Little League when I came to Oak Park, but I did play on the Kiwanis Pony League team. When I was a kid, it seemed that baseball was everywhere. News of pro baseball was talked about by most of my friends and me, the newspapers were filled with articles about the game, and there was no lack of news about baseball on both radio and television. In my youth there were many popular participant sports, but baseball, for certain, was the national pastime. It has always had certain features that set it apart from other sports. Not all games combine team play and individual skill, and few other games provide both players

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

and spectators with such sharp contrasts between the predictable and the unpredictable. Baseball is also a game of statistics; practically every bit of action in a game, season and career can be reduced to numbers, all of which eventually end up in the record books. Most every kid I knew who was a fan owned a copy of the Jack Brickhouse Record Book because the data found in its pages would quickly settle any dispute regarding batting averages, earned run averages and other statistical categories. Another data source my friends and I used was Topps baseball cards, which we bought by the dozens, not only for the gum inside each card wrapper, but also for the pictures of players and the endlessly fascinating data that gave baseball a kind of continuity unique in the history of this team sport. With its emphasis on statistics, baseball was a contributor to my education. There is no question that I first learned about decimals and percentages from my grade school teachers, but I honed my knowledge of these math principles from my efforts to figure out batting averages and team statistics. I am a dyed-in-the-wool baseball fan who has followed a sport that began in obscurity over 170 years ago and became a game apart from all others. “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of Americans had better learn baseball,” said Jacques Barzun. John Stanger is a lifelong resident of Oak Park, a 1957 graduate of OPRF High School, married with three grown children and five grandchildren, and a retired English professor (Elmhurst College). Living two miles from where he grew up, he hasn’t gotten far in 79 years.

JOHN

STANGER

‘This is Oak Park’

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the two very thoughtful people who helped me at the East Avenue Blue Line stop. I have been taking the Blue Line from the East Avenue stop daily for over four years. I have never had a problem with my Ventra Card until last week. The first issue was that I forgot to put the Ventra card back in my purse after the last time I used it, so I didn’t have it with me when I approached the turnstile. At the East Avenue stop, there is no CTA agent present, nor a pay machine, so the only option is to walk to Oak Park Avenue which is problematic, especially if one is running late, which I was. I must have been talking out loud, or my expression of exasperation was very obvious when I realized my mistake, because the person next to me told me not to worry, he would swipe me through the turnstile using his card. I was extremely grateful and asked if I could pay him the cost and he said no, “Just do it for someone else.”

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

Within the same week, I tapped my Ventra card at the entrance but was unable to get through the turnstile. When I tried my card again, it was rejected, with the message that the card had just been used. Once again, a wonderful person, said, “Here, I’ll swipe you through.” I tried to pay him the fare and he said, “Oh no, this is Oak Park, we take care of each other.” Fellow Blue Line travelers, I hope you both see this letter and know how grateful I am to you. You are both compassionate reminders of the goodness of people. As for me, I am double-checking my purse every day before I leave the house and I am ready to swipe the next person who needs it through the turnstile. I, like Tennessee Williams, “have always depended on the kindness of strangers,” so I will make sure and be that kind stranger to others. Thank you!

Molly Riley Oak Park

Senior Editor Bob Uphues Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak Staff Reporters Michael Romain, Timothy Inklebarger, Nona Tepper Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Sports/Staff reporter Marty Farmer Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, John Hubbuch, May Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West, Michelle Mbekeani-Wiley, Cassandra West, Doris Davenport Staff Photographer Alexa Rogals Editorial Design Manager Claire Innes Editorial Designers Jacquinete Baldwin, Javier Govea Business Manager Joyce Minich IT Manager/Web Developer Mike Risher Advertising Production Manager Philip Soell Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead Advertising Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck, Bill Wossow Inside Sales Representative Mary Ellen Nelligan Event Coordinator Carmen Rivera Client Engagement Natalie Johnson Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Distribution Coordinator Wakeelah Cocroft-Aldridge Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

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

V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

Let’s get real about defeating Trump

.J. Simpson, Donald Trump and Robert Mueller — what do they have in common? In 1994 Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were murdered. At the time there was an assumption based on the evidence that O.J. Simpson was the culprit. Mr. Simpson was arrested and later brought to trial. As the trial progressed and the evidence was presented, many individuals came to believe that this was a slam-dunk case. As we are all aware, Mr. Simpson was found not guilty. Let’s move 22 years forward to 2016. As Donald Trump moved easily through the Republican primaries, a great many Democrats were in a state of denial that there was a possibility that Trump would, in fact, be the Republican nominee. The betting odds as well as the pundits were skeptical, and this skepticism remained into the general election. In the O.J. Simpson case, the rare Bruno Magli shoes that Simpson owned surely would convict him. If not the shoes, the blood trail would, or the limousine driver’s account, or the thump on Kato Kaelin’s wall. None did. In Donald Trump’s election bid, there was the Access Hollywood tape. Saturday Night Live had Hillary Clinton (Kate McKinnon) highfiving everyone after its release. If not Access Hollywood, there was Stormy Daniels. Trump characterized Mexicans as rapists and murderers. Trump mocked a reporter with a disability. Children were separated from their parents at the border and there were protest marches across the country. The New York Times ran stories about tax fraud, and Trump’s charity was shut down, and who can forget Trump University? Oh, this must be enough to derail Trump everyone thought. None did. It’s been two years and the Rachel Maddows and Adam Schiffs of the world seem to believe that Robert Mueller or Michael Cohen or the Southern District

of New York will derail Donald Trump. There are endless stories of Russian operatives who interfered with the election. And there are even suggestions that Trump might, in fact, be a Russian operative. Maxine Waters is investigating Deutsche Bank to see if the Trump organization was laundering money for the Russians. We have become very accustomed to breaking news daily regarding Trump’s behavior. It is a slow day when no cabinet members have resigned or been fired. The list of indictments grows. So what if one can wear a rare type of shoe to a murder and get away with it? What if one can commit fraud or be a foreign agent or a racist or a supporter of child cruelty and get away with it? You pick. Simpson was exonerated and we don’t know if the same will hold true for Donald Trump. When we count on outside circumstances to steer our democracy, we risk that we won’t get the outcomes we had hoped for. The Democrats need to be careful that the days of Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern, both unelectable candidates, are resurrected by any of the individuals who have thrown their hats into the ring. The 2016 election was lost by the slimmest of margins in states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. For the voters who stayed home because they didn’t want to vote for Hillary Clinton, please keep in mind that two Supreme Court justices have already been appointed by Donald Trump and there is a real possibility of at least two more. That’s not just four more years of Donald Trump. When we count on juries or prosecutors to do our bidding, we always risk being unhappy with the outcomes. The only way to guarantee Donald Trump’s removal from office is via the ballot box. Let’s be real. Daniel Blank is an Oak Park resident.

DANIEL BLANK One View

Good riddance to Golub’s glass tower I cannot help but comment on the withdrawal of Golub from plans to build another hideous (architecturally insignificant) glass tower in our village. What have the three existing new towers actually contributed to the village? My taxes do not seem to have decreased. And has anyone noticed the congestion, traffic and need for larger schools? I’m glad the glass monstrosity is dead. Anan’s drive for endless development

has to end. Or at least build something of moderate scale and architectural compatibility. The Golub glass towers are built to maximize profit by minimizing construction costs, and leave the residents to bear the burden of the impact on roads, schools and quality of life. Sometimes less is more!

William Niro Oak Park

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Where are the Republican heroes?

ver the years our nation has survived wars, corrupt and inept leaders, and economic setbacks. It has remained strong because we have always had some courageous men and women who pledged to serve our country before serving themselves. I am afraid I do not see many of those types of heroes today! During the public hearing of Michael Cohen’s testimony before the Oversight Committee we saw (at first) the Democrats and Republicans squabbling, almost losing the purpose of the hearing. They were there to learn the truth of Mr. Cohen’s allegations against President Trump and it required that they be allies seeking answers to his serious accusations. After listening to Mr. Cohen’s story, along with the unbelievable number of crimes the president allegedly committed, we must begin to question if this can possibly be truth. Is all this, as our president has repeatedly stated, “a witch hunt”? I must say I am bewildered and even somewhat immune to “Trump news,” but I cannot deny what is provable or openly (and proudly) admitted by President Trump himself ! His decision to disengage our nation from our foreign allies and his affinity to Russia and other dictatorships was appalling to me. His opposition to health care and environmental issues was a deep disappointment, but the most troubling concern I have had is his obvious racism, bigotry and hatred of non-

whites and non-Christians and immigrants. His “no tolerance” policy is inhumane, separating children from their parents as a means of deterring immigrants seeking asylum in our country. Thousands of children have been orphaned and placed in “detention centers” throughout our nation. The youngest registered was only 8 months old. This child was re-united with his parents four months later while the parents fought in court against deportation — having committed no crimes. Where are my Republican heroes? I am sure many are totally opposed to Mr. Trump’s “immigration plan” and also his unconcern about the highest deficit we have ever experienced in our nation’s history. I know there are Republicans who care for the human condition and object to bigotry and hatred. Why are you not willing to speak up and oppose these issues and his obsession concerning the wall for our southwest border? Eight billion plus dollars could be better spent on a multitude of our country’s needs. This letter has been sent to our Republican leaders as a plea to demonstrate a citizen’s distress. And to you, my friends and neighbors, please contact any folks in our legislature and urge them to be our heroes. We all want our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to respect, admire, and appreciate our nation’s leadership and, eventually, the presidency. Harriet Hausman, who turns 95 this week, is a resident of River Forest.

HARRIET HAUSMAN One View

Attorney General Barr’s twisted logic

William Barr’s Cliff ’s Notes version of the Mueller Report proves that Barr is an accomplished lawyer. He miraculously manages to twist reality and truth. Trump stated on television that he fired the director of the FBI, James Comey, in order to prevent him from pursuing an investigation into Trump’s criminal activity. This is a public declaration that the president of the United States obstructed justice. There is no other interpretation. Barr twists this reality very cleverly in order to conclude that Trump cannot be prosecuted. He first postulates that obstruction of justice can only happen if it can be proved beyond doubt (a) that the suspect actually committed a crime, and (b) that the suspect was likely to be prosecuted for this crime. By this

logic, despite President Trump declaring on TV that he fired the director of the FBI in order to obstruct the investigation of Trump’s criminal activities, and despite vast evidence already in the public domain proving beyond doubt that Trump obstructed justice, Barr concludes that Trump cannot be declared guilty of obstruction of justice because Barr himself does not intend to prosecute him. To summarize, Barr argues convincingly that Trump cannot be charged with obstructing justice because with Barr as attorney general, there is no justice to obstruct. Barr believes the president is above the law, and therefore he cannot be prosecuted for any crimes he may commit.

Tom DeCoursey Oak Park

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Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

Internal strife as an external weapon

memory from the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union has come back to haunt me. In the 1960s there was talk that Russian military and political strategists had reached the conclusion that the United States could not be defeated by an external force. Instead they determined that America’s might was vulnerable through its own internal strife. Back then, the idea of internal strife in America was ludicrous. But five decades later, Putin is probing that vulnerability. Divisions between our two political parties appear custommade for Putin’s exploitation. The 2016 election campaign provided him with an opportunity to tamper with our electoral process. His objective was to create strife, regardless of who might win. His success was beyond measure. Chaos and internal strife exploded in America, with Trump’s election. The philosophical and ideological difference between the political factions have become the political divide. Our American family squabble emboldens Putin to be aggressive in expanding the perimeter of Russian influence. A recent news headline revealed that the FBI had initiated a counter-intelligence investigation of President Trump. That was at the time when FBI director James Comey was fired. Trump’s favoritism toward the Russians during the election campaign, his firing of the FBI director, and his deference to Putin on the world stage in Helsinki, became suspect. Trump’s jubilant celebration of Comey’s firing, with Russian diplomats in attendance in the Oval Office, implied that Trump might be acting on Russia’s behalf. But Trump is far too self-serving to merely serve the Russians. His goal is more simplistic. It’s self-aggrandizement.

MCDEVITT

In his insatiable hunger for power, he borrows pages from the Russian strategist’s manual. He foments internal strife, weakens our government institutions, and re-staffs them with his loyalists and sycophants. Emulating the world’s dictators, Trump strives to establish himself as “the strong man.” Building his financial empire, Trump had no board of directors in any of his corporations (Google). Consensual agreement in decision-making is contrary to his personality. According to Bob Woodward, he transposed his style of management to his presidency. Trump’s staff and cabinet members work in a hostile environment, fearing to displease him. In the first year of the current presidency, Trump’s supporters decided to let Trump be Trump. Trump-ism has run rampant for the past two years. When he took control of the GOP, John Boehner, former Speaker of the House remarked, “There is no Republican Party anymore. There is only the Trump Party.” At Christmas, Trump shut down the government when Congress did not allocate funding for his “Wall of Shame.” After ending the 35-day government shutdown, Trump chose to declare a national emergency. The true national emergency, however, lies in the strife evidenced by our political divide, which polarizes and weakens us as a nation just as Russians had theorized. Worst of all, it erodes our trust in one another. In this chaotic mix, Trump is the catalyst for his own gains. While the opposition struggles to contain him, America and the GOP best not forget that Trump is “the scorpion riding on the frog’s back.” Fred Natkevi, a longtime Oak Park resident, grew up in Eastern Europe.

FRED NATKEVI One View

OPRF & anti-tax voters from page 47 stultifying issues of the school and proposed a number of “Must-dos,” “Would-like-to-dos” and “Could-be-dones.” They put a timeline on the overall proposal. They presented their findings to the board. The board asked them to attach potential costs to each of the items on the list so that the board would have a clear idea of possible costs over time. Unfortunately, Wednesday Journal announced the plan with great alarm about the “total cost” of the Imagine proposal as if that cost were real and outrageous — a rare instance of complete irresponsibility that opened the door to agenda-driven groups who were among those that scuttled the OPRF “pool” project. They now could argue that Imagine was a horror; and they could then campaign against District 200 candidates who use actual evidence, research and clear thinking about OPRF’s equity issues, achievement gaps and, yes, building problems. We need to listen to the facts and evidence of our high school: the experiences of the students; the efforts of the faculty to make things right; and the recognition that lots has either gone wrong or has been ignored. This has not a thing to do with taxes and spending. Focusing on just those factors is a major disservice to our school and to our community. Ed McDevitt is a River Forest resident.

To many, living at home means freedom and independence. But it can also be isolating.Belmont Village residents enjoy a lifestyle that keeps them physically active and mentally engaged, delighting in the company of friends old and new. At Belmont Village, you don’t have to live alone to be independent.

It’s not just your home. It’s your community.

OA K PA R K

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- Voices of Belmont Village

OP_WedJournal_social_GPTW_4_2019.indd 1

3/20/19 4:34 PM

V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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Memories from World Youth Day

Paul Rubio

SUBMITTED

Reflecting on my recent experience at World Youth Day 2019 in Panama City, Panama, so many incredible memories come to my mind. One involves the custom of WYD pilgrims waving the flags of their countries, or in the case of some people from the U.S., the flags of their states. I brought along two small flags — of the USA and of Illinois. While walking around Panama City, I waved those two flags to express who I am, while others waved the flags of their countries to express who they are. It was especially amazing to see all the flags waving at the conclusion of the Stations of the Cross prayer service on Friday evening. And I had my

two flags in my hand on Saturday while standing along a road with throngs of people as Pope Francis whizzed by in the Popemobile, about 15 to 20 feet away from me. It was incredible to see thousands of people from so many different countries throughout the world all joyfully united in peace and harmony, celebrating our one faith in God. Indeed, it was truly a picture of heaven. This experience allowed me to be proud of who I am: a citizen of Oak Park, of Illinois, and of the United States, and a baptized member of the catholic, that is, worldwide, holy Church of Rome.

Paul Rubio

Hungry Minds aids the homeless

On March 14, the fifth-graders at Lincoln School hosted the 11th annual Hungry Minds Pasta Dinner. This cherished event brings together the community to share a meal, graciously donated by local restaurants and families, while raising funds for hunger relief charities, researched and selected by the fifth-grade classrooms. This year, the students raised over $3,500, which will be equally distributed to: Greater Chicago Food Depository, Food for Orphans, Rise Against Hunger, Heifer International and Feed My Starving Children. A very special thank you to our donors! This event would not be possible without your support. Trattoria 225, Bottom Lounge, La Bella, Rosati’s, Scratch Kitchen, OP-RF CITE Program, Obssessed, Hamburger Mary’s, Spilt Milk. Sugar Beet Food Co-Op, Starship Restaurant, Il Vicola, New Rose Catering, Pete’s Fresh Market, Gepetto’s, Salerno’s, Winberrie’s, Cucina Paradiso, Jimmy’s Place, Caffe De Luca, Robinson’s Ribs, the Erickson Family, the Phillips Family, Kathy Chapeau, Diana Shea, Gwen Walski, the Ladies of South Kenilworth Avenue, and to everyone who contributed to the dessert table, thank you!

Oak Park

Visit us online at www.OakPark.com

Lincoln School 5th-graders

Oak Park

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

Evenings of Great Music and Conversation with

"What makes Adam Neiman a genuine rarity is that he plays with imagination and authority, not just an extra helping of technique... He was clearly born to be a pianist, and is carrying out a destiny written in his genes." -Chicago Tribune

Photo: Anastasia Chernyavsky

Thanks for the memories

My husband and I lived in Oak Park for years and had a lovely postal carrier named Janet. After we moved to River Forest, Janet’s route was changed and we had her back as our postal carrier. She is retiring and stopped by with this bit of wonderfulness for us: a Christmas card we gave her back in 2004(!) and this kind note (Darwin, mentioned in the note, is our dog). It brought us much happiness and I thought I would share. We are planning to write her a nice note and include a photo of our boys, now ages 19, 15, 15, and 14!

Sonia Green

River Forest

BLESOFF

Dementia exercise from page 43 Let’s appreciate the gallantry of our neighbors, family and friends who have dementia. ■

Lastly, from the “pleased with myself ” file, here’s an announcement I’m really excited about: Every two months, the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) presents an interactive online webinar called Global Gathering. These are presentations about cutting-edge noetic research and transformative education. This month, I will be co-presenting the next IONS Global Gathering, welcoming hundreds of participants from around the world. I invite each of you to experience this

free “Taste of Conscious Aging” on Thursday, April 18, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. CDT. To register, go to noetic.org/experience/ noetic-global-gatherings or find Global Gatherings on the IONS website (noetic. org). This Global Gathering will be followed by the initial roll-out of a new 6-week online IONS Conscious Aging Workshop program, an exciting project that I have been leading for the past three months under the auspices of A Tribe Called Aging. For the first time people can join IONS Conscious Aging online, and the first session is set to premiere on May 2. Of course, folks around here can just take these workshops at Township Senior Services starting June 11. More to follow. Marc Blesoff is a former Oak Park village trustee, co-founder of the Windmills softball organization, co-creator of Sunday Night Dinner, a retired criminal defense attorney, and a novice beekeeper. He currently facilitates Conscious Aging Workshops and Wise Aging Workshops in the Chicago area.

Neiman’s piano performance highlights autumnal works by two great masters of the piano; The Schubert Sonata, one of Schubert’s final grand masterpieces and The Debussy Cycle, a uniquely colorful tone palette, a hallmark of Debussy’s late style. We will also hear Franz Schubert’s Sonata in A Major, D. 959 and Claude Debussy’s Images, Book 2.

General Admission: $25/Members: $20/ Students: $10 Purchase at the door or at nineteenthcentury.org 708-386-2729

178 Forest Ave. Oak Park, IL 60301

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9200 W. Cermak Road • Broadview, IL

www.SawasOldWarsaw.com

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

by Eric Overmyer

April 11â€“14, 2019 Thursday preview 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. Sunday 3:00 p.m. The year is 1888 and three women, each intrepid world explorers in their own right, band together to conquer Terra Incognita, the last and most mysterious of unexplored territories.

events.dom.edu 7900 WEST DIVISION STREET RIVER FOREST, IL 60305

FREE PARKING BOX OFFICE (708) 488-5000

Tickets $17

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

O B I T U A R I E S

Lowell Eckberg, 84 Monica Affleck, 101 Past president, Community of Congregations

Lowell W. Eckberg, 84, a longtime resident of Oak Park and most recently of Forest Park, died on Jan. 30, 2019 after a long illness. Born on Aug. 3, 1934, in Tracy, Minnesota, he grew up in Duluth, graduated from the University of Minnesota at Duluth and taught school for a year in Michigan. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves and served from 1957-59 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After teaching for a year in Elgin he decided to go into the Methodist ministry and received a LOWELL ECKBERG Bachelor of Divinity degree from Garrett Theological Seminary in June 1963. During his years as a pastor, he served Methodist churches in Dixon, Sycamore, and Chicago. In 1970 he left the active ministry and accepted voluntary location from the Methodist Northern Illinois Conference at First United Methodist Church of Oak Park, where he helped lead services, worked in children’s education, and performed other volunteer duties until a few years before his death. A social worker with the Illinois Department of Public Aid from 1970 to 1996, he was active in the Belmont Cragin and Oak Park Kiwanis Clubs for many years. He was a church representative, board member and president of the Community of Congregations, and a blood donor for many years. He loved doing crafts, including chair caning, creating rich desserts, gardening, and traveling throughout the U.S., Europe and the Far East. During retirement, he was a member of the Oak Park-River Forest Senior Center weaving group and volunteered at the Economy Shop where he was in charge of the Housewares Room for a time. A docent at the Ernest Hemingway Birth House, he also volunteered at the Oak Park Visitors Center and was honored by Age Options as part of the Celebrating Seniors Coalition 60 over 60 Class of 2015 for outstanding efforts in the community. Lowell Eckberg is survived by Judy (nee Kessler), his wife of 44 years; his sister, Leotia Rosen (Everett); and his many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Dean Eckberg and Bonnie Durand. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 13 at First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park. There will be a short visitation at 10 a.m., followed by the service at 11 and a luncheon afterward in the Fellowship Hall. Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church for religious education scholarships.

Teacher, River Forest resident

Monica J. Affleck (nee O’Mara), 101, of River Forest, died on March 27, 2019. Born on Feb. 12, 1918, she earned her bachelor’s degree at Mundelein College, now Loyola University, and a master’s in Biology at DePaul University. She taught high school biology at several Chicago public high schools. Later, she taught prairie preservation and wine making at Triton College. She started Triton College’s very first prairie and earned the nickname “Mother Prairie.” Monica Affleck was the wife of the MONICA AFFLECK late Donald; the mother of William (Martha), Mary Ellen (the late James) Good, Margaret “Midge” (Winston) Tyler, Jane (John) Morocco and the late Kevin Affleck; the grandmother of Timothy (Bridget) Krupa, Thomas (Anitra Fierro) Krupa, Caitlin (Nello) Davy, Alexandra “Alex” (fiancé Jack Scotty) Morocco, Michael Morocco and Sean Ryan; and the

great-grandmother of Amanda Krupa and Dante Krupa. She was preceded in death by five siblings. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 6 at 10 a.m. until time of Mass, 11 a.m., at St. Luke Church, 7600 W. Lake St. in River Forest, followed by interment at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorials to the Animal Care League, 1011 Garfield St. in Oak Park 60304. Additional information is available at 708-3833191 or drechslerbrownwilliams.com.

Paul Porter, 75

Former owner of Oak Park Express Paul Porter, 75, of Oak Park, died suddenly on March 26, 2019 while recuperating from West Nile Virus. A former Chicagoan, he attended St. Margaret Mary, St. George and DeVry Institute. He worked as a shipping and receiving director for various companies and as a sports team photographer. For six years he owned and operated Oak Park Express in Hunter Court near Gepetto’s. It offered one-hour photo developing and other services. He loved reading, history, travel, music, and acting. A highlight was starring in shows at Theater on the

Lake. He met his wife, Joyce, when they were cast as husband and wife in a play at Lincoln Park Theater. The Tribune once wrote about it in their Love Stories series. Mr. Porter dealt with many health PAUL PORTER problems over the last 20 years, including Parkinson’s, but he really enjoyed sitting on his porch on Mapleton, attending concerts and being with family. A highlight was his son’s wedding last year. Paul Porter is survived by his wife, Joyce (Klowden); his son, David (Beverly Agdern); his brothers-in-law, Arthur (Judy) and Michael (Pat) Klowden; and his many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marguerite and Paul C. Porter; and his sisters, Connie Hall and Barbara Porter. The family appreciates donations in his honor to a Parkinson’s or conservation organization. Please send donation acknowledgements or questions to joyceporter2001@yahoo.com. To attend his memorial luncheon on Sunday, April 7, email to lshapiro407@ gmail.com.

Growing Community.

Robert P. Gamboney Funeral Director

Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home

Since 1880

I am there for you in your time of need. All services handled with dignity and personalized care.

Family Owned & Operated

Cell: 708.420.5108 • Res: 708.848.5667

Charles Williams, Owner/Funeral Director

I am affiliated with Peterson-Bassi Chapels at 6938 W. North Ave, as well as other chapels throughout Chicagoland.

203 S. Marion St. Oak Park 60302 708/383-3191

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

RELIGION GUIDE Presbyterian

Check First.

First Congregational Church of Maywood

400 N. Fifth Avenue (1 block north of Lake St.) Come join us for Sunday Morning Worship at 11 am Pastor Elliot Wimbush will be preaching the message. Refreshments and fellowship follow the service. 708-344-6150 firstchurchofmaywood.org When you're looking for a place to worship the Lord, Check First.

You’re Invited to A Church for All Nations A Church Without Walls SERVICE LOCATION Forest Park Plaza 7600 W. Roosevelt Road Forest Park, IL 60130

William S. Winston Pastor

ELCA, Lutheran

Good Shepherd

Worshiping at 820 Ontario, Oak Park IL (First Baptist Church) 9:00 a.m.—Education Hour 10:30 a.m.—Worship

All are welcome. goodshepherdlc.org 708-848-4741

Lutheran—ELCA

United Lutheran Church

409 Greenfield Street (at Ridgeland Avenue) Oak Park Holy Communion with nursery care and children’s chapel each Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Service 7AM, 9AM & 11:15AM Believer’s Walk of Faith Broadcast Schedule (Times in Central Standard Time) Television DAYSTAR (M-F)

3:30-4:00pm

Nationwide

WJYS-TV (M-F)

6:30-7:00am

Chicago, IL.

WCIU-TV (Sun.)

10:30-11:00am

Chicago, IL.

Word Network

10:30-11:00am

Nationwide

(M-F)

www.livingwd.org www.billwinston.org

West Suburban Temple Har Zion

1040 N. Harlem Avenue River Forest Meet our Rabbi, Adir Glick Pray, learn, and celebrate with our caring, progressive, egalitarian community. Interfaith families are welcome. Accredited Early Childhood Program Religious School for K thru 12 Daily Morning Minyan Weekly Shabbat Services Friday 6:30pm & Saturday 10:00am Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 708.366.9000 www.wsthz.org

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

744 Fair Oaks Ave. Oak Park 386-4920 Sunday Schedule Christian Education for All Ages 9:00am Worship Service 10:00am

Child care available 9-11am

fairoakspres.org OAK PARK MEETING OF FRIENDS (Quakers) Meeting For Worship Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Park Art League 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park Please call 708-445-8201 www.oakparkfriends.org

Roman Catholic

Ascension Catholic Church

www.unitedlutheranchurch.org

708/386-1576

(708) 697-5000 LIVE Webcast - 11:15AM Service

Fair Oaks

Lutheran-Independent

Grace Lutheran Church

7300 W. Division, River Forest David R. Lyle, Senior Pastor David W. Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Lauren Dow Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Sunday Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Ed. 9:45 a.m. Childcare Available

Grace Lutheran School

Preschool - 8th Grade Bill Koehne, Principal 366-6900, graceriverforest.org Lutheran-Missouri Synod

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church

305 Circle Ave, Forest Park Sunday Worship, 9:30am Christian Education Hour 8:30am Wednesday Worship 7:00pm Wheelchair Access to Sanctuary Leonard Payton, Pastor Roney Riley, Assistant Pastor 708-366-3226 www.stjohnforestpark.org Methodist

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

324 N. Oak Park Avenue 708-383-4983 www.firstUMCoakpark.org Sunday School for all Ages, 9am Sunday Worship, 10am Children’s Chapel during Worship Rev. Katherine Thomas Paisley, Pastor Professionally Staffed Nursery Fellowship Time after Worship

808 S. East Ave. 708/848-2703 www.ascensionoakpark.com Worship: Saturday Mass 5:00 pm Sunday Masses 7:30, 9:00, 11 am, 5:00 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation 4 pm Saturday Taize Prayer 7:30 pm First Fridays Feb.– Dec. & Jan. 1

Rev. James Hurlbert, Pastor

Roman Catholic

St. Edmund Catholic Church

188 South Oak Park Ave. Saturday Mass: 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses: 9:00 & 11:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m. Weekday Mass: 8:30 a.m. M–F Holy Day Masses: As Announced Reconciliation: Saturday 4:15 p.m. Parish Office: 708-848-4417 Religious Ed Phone: 708-848-7220

St. Giles Family Mass Community

We welcome all to attend Sunday Mass at 10 a.m. on the St. Giles Parish campus on the second floor of the school gym, the southernmost building in the school complex at 1034 North Linden Avenue. Established in 1970, we are a laybased community within St. Giles Roman Catholic Parish. Our Mass is family-friendly. We encourage liturgically active toddlers. Children from 3 to 13 and young adults play meaningful parts in each Sunday liturgy. Together with the parish, we offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based religious education program for children in grades K-8. For more information, go to http://www.stgilesparish.org/ family-mass-community or call Bob Wielgos at 708-288-2196.

Third Unitarian Church 10AM Sunday Forum 11AM Service Rev. Colleen Vahey thirdunitarianchurch.org (773) 626-9385 301 N. Mayfield, Chicago Committed to justice, not to a creed

Roman Catholic

St. Bernardine Catholic Church Harrison & Elgin, Forest Park

CELEBRATING OUR 107TH YEAR! Sat. Masses: 8:30am & 5:00pm SUNDAY MASSES: 8:00am & 10:30am 10:30 Mass-Daycare for all ages CCD Sun. 9am-10:15am Reconciliation: Sat. 9am & 4pm Weekday Masses: Monday–Thursday 6:30am Church Office: 708-366-0839 CCD: 708-366-3553 www.stbern.com Pastor: Fr. Stanislaw Kuca

Upcoming Religious Holidays

Apr 8 Vesak (Buddha Day) Buddhism 13-14 Ram Navami

14 Palm Sunday

16-17 Mahavir Jayanti 19-27 Pesach

20-21 Ridván (1st day) 21 Easter

Hinduism

Christianity) Jainism

Judaism Bahá’í

Christianity

To place a listing in the Religion Guide, call Mary Ellen: 708/613-3342

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM New local ads this week

YOUR WEEKLY AD

REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.â€“ 5:00 P.M. MONâ€“FRI

Deadline is Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion. The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

Place your ad online anytime at: www.OakPark.com/ClassiďŹ ed/

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM HELP WANTED 2019 SUMMER STUDENT EMPLOYMENT The Village of Oak Park has openings for the 2019 Summer Seasonal Student Employment. Opportunities are in the Engineering, Water & Sewer, Streets Division, and Fleet & Forestry Divisions. Interested applicants must be 18 years old and actively enrolled in a post-secondary academic program. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Parkâ€™s website http://www.oakpark.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Data Warehouse / Business Intelligence Manager sought by Envoy Global, Inc. in Chicago, IL. Dfne archtctrl visn, rdmp, & cst; dlvr prtotyps; mnge team of engnrs. Apply @ www.jobpostingtoday.com, #75173. EDUCATION/OFFICE /PT TIME Skills Tutoring Center in Riverside is looking for part time help. This position would include light office work and occasional tutoring. Background check required. Schedules are flexible /afternoons and evenings. Call 708-447-8200. Email: skillstutoringcenter@gmail.com ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INTERN The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Environmental Health Intern in the Health Department. This fulltime seasonal position will provide assistance to the Environmental Health Practitioners in the inspection and local businesses, homes and other establishments to enforce state and local laws and ordinances related to public Health safety; to respond and resolve citizen complaints regarding nuisances and reported epidemics. . Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Parkâ€™s website http://www.oakpark.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than April 5, 2019. HUMAN RESOURCES REP The Royal Group is a 95-year-old, Midwest manufacturer located in Cicero, IL. This position reports to the Human Resources Manager and is responsible for actively managing all day-to-day divisional H.R. processes, programs and procedures. The candidate must be a strategic thinker, with strong organizational skills, strong attention to detail, ability to work with a unionized workforce and ideally someone with previous H.R. experience and Spanish communications skills. LANDSCAPE/LABORER Independant landscaper looking for landscape laborers for Oak Park area. 30-40 hrs a week. Mon-Fri. 708-547-9121 SALâ€™S POWER WASHING PART-TIME, FULL-TIME Seeking to fill 3-5 Fleet Washing positions. Positions Require: â€”Clean Appearance â€”Drug-Free â€”Valid Driverâ€™s License â€”Clean Driving Record â€”Ability to Speak English CALL 708-351-5236

HELP WANTED PROGRAM COORDINATOR Oak Park (IL) Residence Corporation, a community based, non-profit housing development corporation is seeking an experienced Program Coordinator to manage The Oaks, a 76-unit congregate apartment building for seniors and non-senior persons with disabilities, and the Farrelly-Muriello Apartments, a 21-unit apartment building for persons with disabilities. The qualified candidate will have previous experience in managing housing for seniors and persons with disabilities and a strong knowledge of HUD and Public Housing Programs, policies, regulations, and reporting requirements. EIV experience as it relates to tenant income and reporting and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, YARDI Voyager as it relates to Affordable Housing and Public Housing programs, and HUD program software is required. This is a full-time, exempt position. The Oak Park Residence Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To view a complete position description and learn more about our organization, please visit our website at www.oakparkrc.com/work-oprc If interested, please forward a cover letter and resume to Beth Swaggerty, at bswaggerty@oakparkrc.com. SEASONAL FARMERSâ€™ MARKET ASSISTANT The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmersâ€™ Market Assistant in the Health Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmersâ€™ Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Parkâ€™s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled SUMMER INTERNSHIP The Village of Oak Park has openings for the 2019 Summer Planning and/or Historic Preservation Internship, in the Development Customer Services department. Interested applicants must be current students in an undergraduate or graduate program in urban planning, historic preservation or related field. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Parkâ€™s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

You have jobs. WeÂ have readers! Find the best employees with WednesdayÂ Classified! Call 708-613-3342.

CHILDRENâ€™S DENTAL BRACES BOUTIQUE Our orthodontic practice is now open with a convenient location in downtown oak park. Call us at 708-613-5023 for a Complimentary consult for braces or Invisalign. We provide orthodontic services for kids and adults using the newest available technology. www.OakParkOrtho.com

ROOMS FOR RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro. Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up. 773-637-5957 Large Sunny Room with fridge & microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $101.00 week & up. New Mgmt. 773-378-8888 Lost & Found and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-3342

CITY RENTALS AUSTIN VILLAGE 5937 W MIDWAY PKWY Clean 1BR apt, 1/2 blk from OP Green Line & shops. 3rd flr. $785/ mo. Heat not included. 708-383-9223 REMODELED 2BR & 3BR Beautifully remodeled 2 & 3 bdrm apts in quiet, clean & maintained bldgs. 933 N. Leamington St., & 5256 W. Fulton: $825-$1200 (Sect 8 welcome!). Apts. incld hrdwod, ceramic & new carpet. On-site laundry appliances incld. Credit/bkgrnd ck reqâ€™d. Call 708-307-8178 for a private showing. 3BR 2BA SOUTH AUSTIN Large 3BR 2BA apartment for rent. Near Jackson & Central. Tenant pays gas & electric. Call 913-325-2479.

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT Forest Park

7740 Madison Street 1200 sq. ft. of built-out office space with parking in front. $1,750 per month

Strand & Browne 708-488-0011 THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy offices for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking; Free wifi; Secure building; Friendly colleagues providing referrals. Shared Waiting room; optional Conference room. Call or email with questions. Shown on Sundays. Lee 708.383.0729 drlmadden@ameritech.net

SUBURBAN RENTALS

M&M

property management, inc.

708-386-7355 â€˘ www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Contact us for a complete list of available rentals throughout Oak Park and Forest Park.

Apartment listings updated daily at:

CRAFT FAIR TRINITY CHURCH 7022 RIVERSIDE DR. SAT. APRIL 6 9AM-2PM Bake Sale vendors Lunch 708-484-1818

ESTATE SALE

Residential Commercial Industrial Licensed Bonded Insured Free Estimates Âˇ Veteran Owned

Drives Walks Patios Stamped Concrete Curbs/Gutters GarageÂ Floors Foundations Water Control / Management

devegaconcrete.com Âˇ 708-945-9001

PETS

Oak Park

MOVING/ESTATE SALE 527 S EAST AVE SAT APR 6 9AM TO 1PM

Everything must go! Bedroom furnture, Fischer Paykel counter-depth fridge, dishes, tools, lawn mower, holiday decor, curtains, etc. Come by 527 S. East Ave. between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, 6th! Setting up a new apartment? Adding to an already comfy home? This sale is for you! Something for everyone. . . cash sales only.

GARAGE/YARD SALE Oak Park

DOWNSIZING GARAGE SALE 1101 N HUMPHREY FRI APR 6 3PM TO 6PM SAT APR 7 9AM TO 3PM

After almost 45 years in family home we have lots to sell. From furniture(dressers, drawing table, china cabinet and more) , oil paintings and other art work, collector dolls and boxes of baseball cards, kitchen goodies and sets of Christmas plates and much more.

ITEMS FOR SALE CERTIFIED WIND SURFER Full Size, with cover and sail $125.00. 708-488-8755 OUTDOOR METAL CHAIR With matching table. Cream color. $20.00. Call 708-488-8755. PILATES EQUIPMENT AeroPilates 5-Cord Reformer with Rounder and 2 DVDs. Hardly used. Asking $65.00. 773 577-7675

WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers-lead plastic-other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

PORSCHE CAYENNE S 4-SALE 2004 Porsche Cayenne S for sale. $6000. Looks beautiful and runs well. 184k miles. Heated front and rear seats. Black exterior with black leather interior. Bose sound system sounds great. AWD. All weather floor mats. Clean title; my family has owned this car since we bought it brand new. Call or text with questions: 773-412-4640. In Oak Park.

ELECTRICAL

While youâ€™re away, your pets are okay . . . at home

cat calls

Oak Parkâ€™s Original Pet Care Service â€“ Since 1986

Daily dog exercising Complete pet care in your home )PVTF TJUUJOH t 1MBOU DBSF Bonded References

524-1030

++++++++++++++ + + + HUGHS + + ELECTRIC + + + Appliance lines + Lighting + â€”services + Furnace repair & tune-ups + + + Trouble calls Free Estimates + + 10% Senior Discount + + Lic & Insured Since 1986 + + Good References + + + 708-612-4803 + ++++++++++++++

FLOORS

CEMENT

U G CON C RETE UNITED GENERAL CONCRETE, INC.

Specializing In: t 4JEFXBMLT t 4UBJST t %SJWFXBZT t 1BUJPT t (BSBHF 'MPPST BOE .PSF -JDFOTFE t #POEFE t *OTVSFE 'SFF &TUJNBUFT

KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

GARAGE/ GARAGE DOOR

708-784-9801 708-743-5058

CLEANING Pamâ€™s A+ Cleaning Service

Jump into spring! Everything we touch turns to clean! For a detailed cleaning please call 708-937-9110

Our 73rd Year

Garage Doors &

Smart Door Openers

Sales & Service Free Estimates

(708) 652-9415 www.forestdoor.com

ELECTRICAL

WANTED TO BUY

AUTO FOR SALE Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am â€“ 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue. Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

CEMENT

CRAFT FAIR Berwyn

Ceiling Fans Installed

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

We make service calls! We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs Home Re-wiring â€˘ New Plugs & Switches Added New circuit breaker boxes â€˘ Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp â€˘ Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential â€˘ Commercial â€˘ Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. â€˘ Bonded â€˘ Ins. â€˘ Low Rates â€˘ Free Est.

708-409-0988 â€˘ 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts â€˘ 30 Yrs. Exp Servicing Oak Park â€˘ All surrounding suburbs â€˘ Chicago area

Find more home-improvement pros on the next page.

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED

(708) 613-3333 â€˘ FAX: (708) 467-9066 â€˘ E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

HANDYMAN

LANDSCAPING

CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE

Garden Design & Construction

Drywall Repair â€˘ Painting Fans Installed â€˘ Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning â€˘ Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

%,%#42)#!, (!.$9-!. 3%26)#%3 !LL 4YPES OF (OME 2EPAIRS 2EPAIRS )NSTALLATIONS 0ROFESSIONAL 1UALITY 7ORK !T 2EASONABLE 0RICES 0ROMPT 3ERVICE 3MALL *OBS A 3PECIALTY

Mikeâ€™s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Donâ€™t Do

708-296-2060

HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs â€˘ Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-732-2263

30 years experience Specializing in Native Plants & Pollinator Species Vintage Brick

708.567.6455 BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com

708-243-0571

CLASSIC PAINTING

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

WINDOWS

HAULING

Storm Windows â€“

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404

HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges â€˘ Ovens Washer â€˘ Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

to protect your windows against weather, heat and cooling loss, cuts noise Most innovative interior and exterior storm frames, lenses and screens. Avoid expensive window replacement, easy do it yourself install. Direct from manufacturer, built in Chicago, see our factory video.

ÂŽ sales@stormsnaps.com Alpina Manufacturing, Chicago, IL (in Galewood) Visit our website for easy online ordering or call us for info:

1-800-915-2828 STORMSNAPS.COM free local delivery

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

BROKEN SASH CORDS?

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

CALL THE WINDOW MAN!

FAST RELIABLE SERVICE

(708) 452-8929

Attention! Homeimprovement pros! Reach the people making decisions. Advertise here. Call 708/613-3342

Licensed

Insured

Ralph Grande Elmwood Park 708-452-8929

Serving Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park & Riverside Since 1974

PLUMBING

A-All American

Plumbing & Sewer Service

FREE ESTIMATES Service in 1 Hour in REAL MostESTATE Cases PUBLIC NOTICES

All Work Guaranteed FOR SALE Lowest Prices Guaranteed FREE Video Inspection with Sewer Rodding /P +PC 5PP -BSHF t /P +PC 5PP 4NBMM Family Owned & Operated

t Lic. #0967

PUBLIC NOTICES

PAINTING & DECORATING

Ask for John

BASEMENT CLEANING

PLUMBING

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE TO BIDDERS VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE 2019 MFT STREET RESURFACING Sealed proposals for the improvement described below will be received at the office of the Village Clerk, Village of North Riverside, 2401 S. Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL 60546 until 11:00 a.m. on April 15, 2019. Sealed proposals will be opened and read publicly at the office of the Village of North Riverside, 2401 S. Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL 60546, at 11:00 a.m. on April 15, 2019. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: Name:

2019 MFT Street Resurfacing Length: 2,098 Feet (0.397 miles)

Location: Various locations throughout the Village of North Riverside Proposed Improvement: Hot-mix asphalt surface removal; curb and gutter removal and replacement; sidewalk removal and replacement; pavement patching; strip reflective crack control treatment; HMA surface course installation; thermoplastic pavement marking; drainage structure adjustment and reconstruction; and topsoil and sod parkway restoration. 1. Plans and proposal forms will be available in the office of John Fitzgerald, P.E., Novotny Engineering, 545 Plainfield Road, Suite A, Willowbrook, IL 60527, (630) 887-8640, for a non-refundable fee of $100.00. 2. T Prequalification If checked, the 2 low bidders must file within 24 hours after the letting an â€œAffidavit of Availabilityâ€? (Form BC 57), in duplicate, showing all uncompleted contracts awarded to them and all low bids pending award for Federal, State, County, Municipal and private work. One original shall be filed with the Awarding Authority and one original with the IDOT District Office. 3. The Awarding Authority reserves the right to waive technicalities and to reject any or all proposals as provided in BLRS Special Provision for Bidding Requirements and Conditions for Contract Proposals. 4. The following BLR Forms shall be returned by the bidder to the Awarding Authority: a. BLR 12200: Local Public Agency Formal Contract Proposal b. BLR 12200a Schedule of Prices c. BLR 12230: Proposal Bid Bond d. BLR 12325: Apprenticeship or Training Program Certification e. BLR 12326: Affidavit of Illinois Business Office By Order of: PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE By: Kathy Ranieri, Village Clerk

(s)

Published in Landmark 04/03/2019

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to â€œAn Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,â€? as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y19000971 on April 1, 2019. Under the Assumed Business Name of SCOVILLE BLOCK NUMBER 1 with the business located at: 120 N. OAK PARK AVE. #432, OAK PARK, IL 60301. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: TRUST NUMBER 3702 26 ELMWOOD AVE LA GRANGE PARK, IL 60526.

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to â€œAn Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,â€? as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y19000910 on March 25, 2019 Under the Assumed Business Name of YANNI PANTS with the business located at:7444 WASHINGTON, FOREST PARK, IL 60130. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: KESHONA BROWN 7444 WASHINGTON FOREST PARK, IL 60130

Published in Wednesday Journal 4/3, 4/10, 4/17/2019

Published in Forest Park Review 4/3, 4/10, 4/17/019

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE Invitation to Bid

The Park District of Forest Park (â€œPark Districtâ€? or â€œOwnerâ€?) will receive bids for the Aquatic Facility Bathhouse Flooring Project, located at the 7501 West Harrison Street, Forest Park, Illinois 60130. Bid Documents, including Instructions to Bidders, Drawings, Technical Specifications, General and any Special Conditions, and Bid Forms, including required Contractor Certifications and Prevailing Wage Determination and Supersedes Notice, are available at Park District of Forest Park Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois 60130 commencing on March 27, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. A Pre-bid Meeting will be held at Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois, at 10:00 a.m. on April 3, 2019. This meeting will be used to review the Specifications and give any Bidders the opportunity to discuss any concerns with the Owner and Architect. Attendance at this meeting by all persons desiring to bid on this Project is highly recommended. Each bid shall be placed in an opaque sealed envelope and clearly marked â€œPark District of Forest Park, Aquatic Facility Bathhouse Flooring Project.â€? The envelope shall be addressed and delivered to and received by the Park District at the following location: Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois 60130. No responsibility shall be attached to any person for premature opening of a bid not properly identified. Bids will be received until 10:00 a.m. April 10, 2019. Immediately thereafter, the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids received after that time or at a different location will be rejected and returned to the Bidder unopened. The Park District of Forest Park reserves the right to waive technicalities, to accept or reject any or all bids, and/or to accept only portions of a bid and reject the remainder. Owner will award the Contract to the lowest most responsible and responsive Bidder, as determined by Owner. In considering the Bidderâ€™s responsibility, the Owner may evaluate, among other factors, the ability of the Bidder to

provide experienced labor sufficient in numbers to timely and properly complete the services, the financial capability of the Bidder, and the performance of the Bidder on other projects. Bids shall not include federal excise tax or state sales tax for materials to be incorporated in, or totally consumed in the prosecution of the Work. A tax exemption certificate will be furnished by the Park District at the request of the Bidder. The Park Districtâ€™s tax exemption number shall only be used by the successful Bidder for the Work of this Project. After the bid opening time, no bid shall be withdrawn or canceled for a period of sixty (60) calendar days. The Work of this Project is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq. A prevailing wage determination has been made by the Park District, which is the same as that determined by the Illinois Department of Labor for public works projects in Cook County. The Contract entered into for the Work will be drawn in compliance with said law and proposals should be prepared accordingly and provide for payment of all laborers, workmen, and mechanics needed to perform the Work at no less than the prevailing rate of wages (or the prevailing rate for legal holiday and overtime work) for each craft, type of worker, or mechanic. The Contractor(s) selected will also be required to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and executive orders, including but not limited to those pertaining to equal employment opportunity. All bids must be accompanied by cashierâ€™s check or bid bond payable to the order of the Park District of Forest Park for ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bid as provided in the Instructions to Bidders. No proposals or bids will be considered unless accompanied by such bond or check. Direct questions to Jackie Iovinelli, Executive Director, Park District of Forest Park, jiovinelli@pdofp.org, 708-366-7500.

Published in Forest Park Review 3/27, 4/3/2019

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to â€œAn Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,â€? as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y19000927 on March 25, 2019. Under the Assumed Business Name of THREE BEARS FITNESS with the business located at: 949 LAKE ST G1, OAK PARK, IL 60301. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: JON BRUEN 949 LAKE ST G1, OAK PARK, IL 60301 Published in Wednesday Journal 4/3, 4/10, 4/17/2019

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to â€œAn Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,â€? as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y19000961 on March 29, 2019. Under the Assumed Business Name of PHOTOANTICS PHOTOGRAPHY with the business located at: 2844 WALNUT ST, CHICAGO, IL 60612. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: LAURA ANNA MARIE KELLY 2844 W WALNUT ST CHICAGO, IL 60612. Published in Wednesday Journal 4/3, 4/10, 4/17/2019

OakPark.com | RiverForest.com

Starting a business? Call the Experts! Publish your Assumed-Name Legal Notice in â€˘ Wednesday Journal â€˘ Forest Park Review â€˘ Riverside Brookfield Landmark â€˘ Austin Weekly News Call 708/613-3342 to place your ad.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING For: Construction Services for the Carroll Center Addition & Remodeling. Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302 The Park District of Oak Park will receive separate sealed Bids until 10:00am (Chicago time) on Friday, May 3rd, 2019 at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois. The Park District is taking a construction manager approach and is looking for bids from individual trades. This breakdown is available on Tuesday, April 9th at 5:00pm online along with the drawings. A pre-bid walk-thru is scheduled for 1:00pm on April 18th and 19th at Carroll Center, 1125 S. Kenilworth, Oak Park, Il 60402. Copies of the bidding specifications are available via the Park District of Oak Park website at: http://www.pdop.org/bids-and-rfps/ For additional information, contact Chris Lindgren at chris.lindgren@ pdop.org or 708-725-2050. The Park District of Oak Park reserves the right to reject any or all bid or to accept any bid, which, in its judgment, will be to the best interest of the public. Only the bids in compliance with the provisions of the bidding specifications will be considered. Park District of Oak Park By: Kassie Porreca, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal 4/3/2019

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTâ€“ CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 ABFC ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005WMC1 Plaintiff, -v.DARYL SATCHER, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., OAK PARK TERRACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 2018 CH 08851 914 NORTH AUSTIN BOULEVARD UNIT #C-8 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 7, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 9, 2019, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 914 NORTH AUSTIN BOULEVARD UNIT #C-8, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-320-0401025. The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

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 | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/ 18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in

order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-18-07459. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-18-07459 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 08851 TJSC#: 39-1009 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. I3116286

Defendants 2018 CH 14590 116 N AUSTIN BLVD 1S OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 11, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 23, 2019, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 116 N AUSTIN BLVD 1S, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-317-0251001; 16-08-317-025-1024. The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real

estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/ 18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-18-12446. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-18-12446 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 14590 TJSC#: 39-1658 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. I3115890

on May 6, 2019, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1043 ELGIN AVE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Property Index No. 15-13-422-0320000. The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/ 18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-18-10679. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th

Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-18-10679 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 12339 TJSC#: 39-71 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. I3115517

Defendants, 18 CH 10503 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-09-102-032-0000. Commonly known as 128 MORRIS AVENUE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 18-023878 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3116473

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE OF CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2015-RP2 Plaintiff, -v.KELLY NEAL, SAMUEL LEWIS JR., 116-22 NORTH AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC.

ILLINOIS CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING NETWORK AUCTION AUCTION ENDS April 17th. Bishops Hall, Luxury Residence / Premier B&B in Historic Oak Park, Illinois. Shannon Mays www.TargetAuction.com AU#441002293 BR#471016744. 10% buyer’s premium.

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO USA HOLDINGS, INC. SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WELLS FARGO FINANCIAL ILLINOIS, INC. Plaintiff, -v.EDWARD BRINK, FRANCES W. BRINK Defendants 2018 CH 12339 1043 ELGIN AVE FOREST PARK, IL 60130 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 31, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.; Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF SHAROL D. UNGER AKA SHAROL UNGER AKA SHAROL DENISE UNGER AKA SHAROL D. UNGER-STEWART; LILLIE UNGER AKA LILLIE M. UNGER; PAMELA DAVIS; COLETTE UNGER-TEASLEY; JOSEPHINE UNGER; GERALD NORDGREN, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SHAROL D. UNGER-STEWART, DECEASED; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 17 CH 9905 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Friday, May 3, 2019 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: Commonly known as 1076 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. P.I.N. 15-13-311-041-0000. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g) (1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection For information call Ms. Michelle Breitzman at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Shapiro Kreisman & Associates, LLC, 2121 Waukegan Road, Bannockburn, Illinois 60015. (847) 291-1717. 18-088570 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3116009 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, vs. JOETTA WILLIS; MORRIS WILLIS; STATE OF ILLINOIS; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P.; Plaintiff, vs. BARBARA J. JONES FKA BARBARA RUSSO; MANOR CARE OF HOMEWOOD IL LLC AKA MANORCARE HEALTH SERVICESHOMEWOOD; VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK; UNKNOWN OWNERS GENREALLY, AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 18 CH 1019 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, May 13, 2019 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-13-402-012-0000. Commonly known as 824 S. Beloit Ave., Forest Park, IL 60130. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Mr. Anthony Porto at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Kluever & Platt, L.L.C., 150 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (312) 981-7385. SMSF.0315 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3117072

S P O R T S

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Friars’ fun and games in the South Fenwick softball team bonds over spring break at Tennessee tourney

Growing Community.

File photos

Fenwick senior shortstop Rachel Martinez has committed to the University of Southern Indiana. (Below) Fenwick senior Alyssa Stramaglia is one of the team’s top pitchers. By MARTY FARMER

Sports Editor

arah James’ first decision as the new softball coach at Fenwick High School was to take the Friars on the road. “When I found out I got the head coaching job this year, I decided to plan for a team trip over spring break,” said James, who served as an assistant coach at Fenwick for three years before her recent appointment. “We had six games scheduled last spring, and only played one, with the rest cancelled due to weather. We were able to play a lot of games this spring and develop team bonding as well.” After researching tourneys on the Internet, James chose one in Clarksville, Tennessee. Ironically, Fenwick opened the tourney against Bartlett (another Illinois school all too familiar with cold and rainy conditions). The Friars, who went 3-2 overall at the tourney, also faced schools from Tennessee and Kentucky. Fenwick beat Bartlett 3-1, Rossview (Tenn.) 6-2 and Montgomery (Ky.) 5-4, but lost a pair of international tiebreakers 2-1 and 3-2 against Dickson County (Tenn.). “It was a good trip,” James said. “We played five full games, I was able to juggle the lineup around and a lot of girls got playing time. The focus wasn’t just on winning but rather team development. “We took a full day for driving, the players went out to eat together, and we also spent about six hours in Nashville before our first game.”

James’ learning curve should be relatively seamless since she’s been coaching in the program multiple years and the Friars return multiple varsity veterans. Senior pitchers Cassie Lee and Alyssa Stramaglia make up a solid 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. “They have different styles but both are very successful,” James said. “You can see the difference in their mechanics. Alyssa has a really long and slow delivery while Cassie is like a whip.” Lee, who has committed to Barry University in Miami, Florida, also plays center field. Stramaglia will handle first base when

not in the pitcher’s circle. Senior shortstop Rachel Martinez is one of the team’s top returners as well. Although the University of Southern Indiana recruit missed the trip to Tennessee, she went 8-for-8 in wins against Ridgewood and Nazareth Academy. Senior Alex Medina is extremely versatile as the Friars’ top utility player and slap hitter. “Alex has been on varsity three years and has moved all around the field,” James said. “She had some timely hits in Tennessee and adjusts well at the place. She has really come along well.” Other notable contributors include senior third baseman/outfielder Caitlin Cruse, senior outfielder Mariela Nevarez, junior outfielder Ciara Herbert and junior catcher Tess LoGiudice. “Mariela is a great outfielder and our most improved player over the last three years,” James said. “Ciara is a young returner who is batting around .500 this season. Tess worked hard last year to beat out our senior catcher toward the end of the season. She’s really made strides.” The Vaccaro twins, Ava and Elena, have also made an impact. Ava plays second base but may join her sister in the outfield at some point this season. “They both hit so well,” said James, “and they have great attitudes.” James feels the Friars are equipped to fare well in conference play. “The GCAC always provides really good competition,” she said. “We have Trinity right down the street and Resurrection is not too far away. I think we can come out of conference games with a pretty good record. “There’s a lot of chemistry on this team,” she added. “I think our biggest asset is our hitting. We have spent a lot of time in batting practice and it’s showed. Our pitching and defense have been strong as well, keeping our opponents’ scoring very low.”

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

K ZONE Fenwick senior Lucas Kolovitz hits for average and power the Purdue Fort Wayne recruit and the rest of the Friars played a series of games at the ESPN World Wide of Sports complex in Orlando, Florida over spring break.

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

S P O R T S

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

S P O R T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

HUSKIES Net Value

from page 60 season, are captains and the Huskies’ No. 1 doubles team this spring. They have been dominant, taking first place in two invites without dropping a game. “I think the team is really strong in terms of power, which I think is important,” said Carlson, who plays both singles and doubles. “You may have good placement or speed, but to end a point or match quickly involves having the power to smash on an opponent well. I think there’s a lot of potential in perfecting our footwork and making ourselves super-efficient players.” Jamroz and junior Nelida Schalich-Ayllon play second doubles. “The tournament at Hersey was the first time we played together. In spite of this, we did really well against some very good teams, even beating the LT doubles pair which finished first in No. 2 doubles,” Jamroz said. “It was obvious that we had really good chemistry and were able to communicate and move around the court well. Neli and I dominated at the Thornton Fractional South tournament, winning all of our seven matches and taking first place.” Sophomore Molly Heflin is another good addition to the varsity. In 2018 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Bergen paired with Maeve Heflin to split four matches at state. Maeve Heflin graduated, along with Gabriela Simone and Catherine Cho. Simone and Cho also competed in doubles at state last year. Proctor just missed making state last year, losing in the qualifying match at the Stevenson Sectional. “Emma and Haley are the leaders of the program this year,” Wright said. Last fall, Jamroz and Proctor also starred on the OPRF tennis team. Jamroz joined Sophia Kreider as the Huskies’ top double team. The tandem advanced to the IHSA state quarterfinals and finished 25-6. Proctor qualified for state in singles, the first OPRF singles player to achieve that in four years. Carlson excelled on the OPRF golf team. “Last year I had to juggle practicing for golf and badminton at the same time which was tough,” Carlson said. “I definitely am doing better than I did last year. The team is doing really well this year, too, which has been exciting.” Wright credits varsity assistant Jimmy Webster for much of the Huskies’ progress. “Jimmy has done a wonderful job in developing our summer camp,” he said. “It’s growing into one of the largest camps we have at OPRF. Currently, we are averaging 60 to 80 girls and boys in camps. Getting kids playing early in badminton has helped our program tremendously.” Oak Park middle school physical education teacher Tom Rocco has introduced the sport at the younger levels. “Thanks to Tom, the middle schools are

OPRF Huskies

Coach: Paul Wright Top players: Halley Bergen (Sr.); Emma Proctor (Sr.); Anika Carlson (Sr.); Maya Jamroz (Sr.) Newcomer to watch: Molly Heflin (Soph.) Outlook: OPRF competes in one of the best conferences in the state so the Huskies will be battle tested for the playoffs. The senior-laden Huskies have enough talent and experience to make a return trip to the state tournament. ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

OPRF’s Maya Jamroz (above) and Molly Heflin (left) serve the birdie during a varsity badminton match against RBHS at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

now teaching badminton,” Wright added. “We also have kids attending badminton clubs during the offseason.” The players are appreciative of the increased popularity of OPRF badminton. “It’s nice to know that other people share your passion and excitement for a sport,”

Carlson said. “The program has grown in strength consistently every year, which is encouraging to see. Coaches Wright, Maxwell and Webster have all done amazing jobs promoting the program and creating opportunities for girls to come try badminton.”

OPRF hits the road this week with matches at York on Wednesday, April 3 (4:30 p.m.), followed by the Willowbrook Invite on Saturday, April 6 at 9 a.m. The Huskies’ next match at home is against Lyons Township on Wednesday, April 10. Start time is 4:30 p.m. “The last few years have been really strong for OPRF badminton,” Jamroz said. “We have been fortunate to have a program with really talented, athletic, and hardworking players. “I feel that the success of OPRF badminton is due to the amazing coaching. The vast majority of the girls who try out for the freshman team have never played badminton before in their life. I think this just really highlights the strength of the coaches and program.”

Wednesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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Wednesday dnesday Journal, April 3, 2019

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SPORTS

K Zone 57

Friars’ fun and games in the South 56

It’s a numbers game for OPRF badminton Burgeoning program has generated buzz with more participants

By MARTY FARMER

Sports Editor

ince Paul Wright took over Oak Park and River Forest High School badminton, the program has developed steadily. “We have qualified singles and doubles teams downstate every year,” Wright said. “We have finished as high as five and as low as 40 as a team at the state tournament. I would love to see a top-20 finish this season.” Wright’s optimism is well founded, considering the Huskies return four notable players from last year’s team which went 9-5, placed fourth in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division, took second at the Stevenson Sectional, and finished 40th in the state. OPRF (4-0) is off to a promising start this season, winning the Hersey Invitational and earning second at the T.F. South Invitational. “Our top two doubles teams won both invites,” Wright said. “We have been putting an emphasis on power and placement to get ourselves ready for state and the faster play of better players.” Although Hinsdale Central is the favorite to win conference this season, OPRF, Lyons Township and York are regarded as contenders. Seniors Emma Proctor, Halley Bergen, Anika Carlson and Maya Jamroz lead OPRF this spring. Proctor and Bergen, who performed well in singles and doubles last See HUSKIES on page 58

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

OPRF varsity players Nelida Schalich-Ayllon, left, and Maya Jamroz watch for the birdie during a varsity badminton match against RBHS at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

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