W E D N E S D A Y
August 19, 2026 Vol. 47, No. 8
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@wednesdayjournalinc
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JOURNAL @oakpark
of Oak Park and River Forest
What’s happening with the abandoned North Avenue IHOP?
SENIOR
living Senior Living Page 15
River Forest village board barely passes Madison Street development with 4-3 vote
Oak Park has issued a citation to owners regarding debris on the property By LILLIAN ALI Reporting Intern
Seventeen of 18 residents speak against measure in public comment forum
Since closing some 10 years ago, the former IHOP restaurant at 6501 W. North Ave. in Oak Park still has not been fully demolished or replaced. Most of the building still stands, with its entryway destroyed and debris scattered around the site. Residents have complained about the state of the building, including debris, rodent activity, graffiti and more, for years. Craig Failor, Development Services Director for the Village of Oak Park, told Wednesday Journal that the property owners have been in contact with the village on multiple occasions. He said the village has been trying to get the building demolished for “some time now.” According to Failor, there is “some issue” stemming from the property owners and their contactor, regarding permits See IHOP on page 20
Summer/Fall 2026
By GREGG VOSS Staff Reporter
LILLIAN ALI
As of Aug. 13, the IHOP on North Avenue is still only partly demolished.
After more than five hours, 18 public comments and two breaks, the River Forest village board early Tuesday morning approved an ordinance to grant a planned development permit for a five-story residential and commercial building at 7620 Madison St. to be developed by Chicago-based Five Thirty-One Partners. Village trustees Katie Brennan, Erika Bachner and Megan Keskitalo voted against the measure, which was debated in front of See DEVELOPMENT on page 14