WednesdayJournal_090325 by Wednesday Journal

of Oak Park and River Forest

New Trinity president has deep roots with school and community

Former board chair and mother of two alumnae takes on new leadership r

By JESSICA MACKINNON Contributing Reporter

To say Trinity High School’s new president is “new” may be a misnomer. Dr. Tina Taylor-Ritzler has been intimately aware of the school’s “special sauce” many years.

The proud mother of two Trinity alumnae and a for mer board chair, Tay Ritzler has had the unique opportunity to experience the school inside and out.

Most recently, Taylor-Ritzler was a psychology professor at Dominican Uni sity, which, like Trinity, was founded the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa.

The decision to leave the unive which is only a few blocks down the street from the high school, wasn’t easy. She was deeply eng aged during her 15 years at Dominican, co-leading a campus-wide strategy to enhance the first-year student experience, co-managing the transformation of STEM gateway courses to boost student retention and graduation rates, and co-designing a new curriculum that

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

to reduce incidents of student smoking, fighting and gambling, Oak r Forest High School District ved the exterior doors of most bathrooms, though not all.

r Sabrina Tristano, a student re presentaon the OPRF school board, it’s not a big deal and the early results seem positive to her. But for others? Well …

“There is a lot to think about for this,” said

Rush North & Harlem — Expert Care, Right in Your Neighborhood

Rush brings nationally recognized care closer to you with the opening of Rush North & Harlem, your new neighborhood hub for health and wellness. Conveniently located at the corner of North and Harlem in Chicago, this state-of-the-art, 61,000-square-foot facility offers comprehensive health care services.

Urgent Care, 7 Days a Week

Walk in for minor injuries and illnesses — no appointment needed. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., our urgent care clinic is here when you need it most.

Primary & Specialty Care

Access trusted primary care providers, along with specialists — ranked No. 2 in the nation among academic health systems by Vizient.

Advanced Imaging Services

A full range of on-site imaging, including 3-D mammograms, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, making it easier to get the tests you need.

On-Site Pharmacy

Pick up your prescriptions without making an extra stop. Located on the first floor, easily accessible and steps from the main entrance.

Free, Easy Parking

Enjoy complimentary parking in our dedicated surface lot. Learn more and schedule an appointment at rush.edu/northandharlem.

Rush North & Harlem 1625 N. Harlem Ave. Chicago, IL 60607

District 90 launches new language curriculum with lit focus

‘Por tfolio of resources’ initially rolled out last spring

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Maximized reading and writing skills are crucial for K-8 students to excel in high school, colle ge and beyond, especially in an era of artificial intelligence.

That ’s why River Forest School District 90 is stoked about its new Englis Language Arts (ELA) curriculum, wh was technically implemented in January and February but is in its first full school year, which be g an Aug. 20.

T he curriculum is essentially “a po lio of resources,” according to Christine Trendel, district director of curriculum and instruction.

Kindergar teners through fourth ers are using Collaborative Classroom resources “Being a Reader” and “Being Writer,” which are contoured exclusi for elementary students. Fifth grader are using “Ar ts and Letters,” published Great Minds, while sixth- through eighth graders are weighing in with Grea Minds’ “Wit and Wisdom.”

Students across the K-8 spectrum developmentally appropriate books and develop writing techniques and strategies inspired by examples in literature. Kindergarteners will read stories about animals like penguins and hippos and write about their similarities and differences. On the other end of the spectrum, eighth graders will read the classic World War I novel “All Quiet on the Western Front,” and develop essays with thesis statements, evidence, elaboration and transitions.

WEDNESD AY JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf

Senior Audience Manager Stac y Coleman

COLLABORATORS: Willard Elementary students completed writing projects then discussed their work with a partner in August 2025.

Curriculum Committee, consisting of teachers, instructional specialists and administrators comprising every grade and school.

The early returns are positive, said Joy McKenna-O’Reilly, instructional coach at Lincoln Elementary School, who is working with teachers using the new curriculum.

“When teachers have the resources that help provide students with what they need to be successful readers, classrooms are full of joyful, engaged learners,” she said. “That’s what we have here in River Forest.”

Trendel said there are typically fiveyear curriculum cycles for all content areas. T he cycle for District 90’s ELA curriculum review be g an in Se ptember 2023, conducted by the district’s Literacy

A guiding principle was Dr. Hollis Scarborough’s Reading Rope, which Trendel said is a research-based model that “summarizes the main strands of content that skilled readers need – language comprehension and word reco gnition.”

T he proposed new curriculum was piloted in spring 2024, with recommendation to the board of education that November

“After five years, you do a needs assessment, education landscap e, current research, you determine if your current curriculum meets your needs, or not,” said Trendel, who be g an her District 90

tenure in fall 2024.

“There were plans to do a pilot when I came in,” she said. “The pilot was already determined. I helped identify the pilot process and we were going to collect data from students and teachers.”

T he insights gained from the spring rollout were important to build success heading into this fall, Trendel said.

“Teachers were enthusiastic about reading and writing, and really excited about what students can do,” she said. “That’s anecdotal, but we’ve collected some of our spring data and we’re excited about the growth of our students

“What we see consistently from students K-8, they are thinking critically as readers and they are producing highquality writing.”

Sta Repor ter Brendan He ernan

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

Columnists Marc Bleso , Nicole Chavas, ck Crowe, Vincent Gay, Mary Kay O’Grady, John Stanger, Josh VanderBerg

Shrubtown Cartoonist Marc Stopeck

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza

Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls

Marketing & Adver tising Associate Emma Cullnan

elopment Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Operations Associate Susan Babin

ocial Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Senior Advisor Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Eric Weinheimer | Treasurer Nile Wendor f Deb Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

PROVIDED

THURSDAY

Anti-Trump protest for Labor Day on Lake Stre et

Protest held in downtown Oak Park as President threatens to send troops to Chic

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park’s downtown was the site of another anti-Trump protest on Labor Day, the third such demonstration this year

As with the previous “No Kings” and “Hands Off!” protests held along Lake Street in June and April, the Labor Day protest was a local edition of a national series of protests against President Donald Trump’s administration. More than 700 communities across the country will participate in the “Workers Over Billionaires” protests on Sept. 1, according to “May Day Strong,” the organizing group behind the demonstrations

“Billionaires are converting the government into their private slush fund and just passed the largest wealth giveaway in the history of the US,” organizers said in a statement publicizing the protests. “The money they take from working families, they put in billionaires’ pockets and set aside to fund a private ar my of ICE agents Just like any bad boss, the way we stop the takeover is with collective action. We are working people rising up to stop the billionaire takeover – not just through the ballot box or the courts, but through building a bigger and stronger movement.”

The organizers are supported by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization, an organized labor group comprised of 63 trade unions with a combined 15 million members worldwide, according to the group

In Downtown Chicago, protestors gathered at both the Haymarket Bombing memorial and outside of Trump International Hotel. Other suburban communities hosting protests include St. Charles, Crystal Lake and Frankfort, according to organizers

Thousands of protestors lined Lake Street and filled Scoville Park in the village during the “No Kings” protest. Oak Park is one of the most liberal communities in the United States, with over 90% of Oak Parkers voting for Democrat Kamala Harris in the last Presidential election.

The Chicago-area protests came as Trump

threatens to send National Guard troops to Chicago and use Great Lakes Naval Base in Lake County to house both ICE agents and National Guard for operations focused on the city with little coordination with local officials, according to reporting the Chicago Sun-Times.

According to Reuters, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s offices have been preparing or months for such a step, but there’s not much they can do to thwart it

Trump has said that federal troops are needed in the city to put a stop to the city’s violent crime “disaster.” But Chicago’s homicide rates have fallen drastically since the nationwide post-pandemic surge in gun violence rates, as is the case in all of America’s largest cities, according to city statistics.

Trump’s plans to send federal troops to the city come after his administration cut $145 million in grant funding for violence prevention programs in Chicago and other cities Oak Park along with Chicago and neighboring Berwyn have previously been included on a federal list of immigration “sanctuary cities” the Trump administration said were actively violating immigration law. The list was pulled off the Department of Homeland Security’s website days later, but it had followed threats from federal agencies that cities like Oak Park that have policies against cooperating with civil immigration enforcement investigations would lose access to infrastructure support and other for ms of federal funding.

QuikTrip makes its case for Mohr Concrete site on Sept. 11

Plan Commission hearing is rst step in process

By DAN HALEY Interim editor

Oak Park’s Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on Sept. 11 re garding the application of QuikTrip Co rporation to redevelop the long-shuttered Mohr Concrete plant on Harlem and Garfield into a blocklong gas station and convenience store.

Wednesday Journal first reported in July that Naperville-based QuikTrip had filed a preliminary application for a special use variation for the site. That application now goes to the plan commission which will meet as a zoning commission for purposes of this initial hearing. Ultimately the village board would need to approve any special use.

As of Tuesday morning, 382 people had signed a Change.org petition opposing the gas station project.

In a legal notice published in last week’s

HELP WANTED:

BUS DRIVER NEEDED 1 HOUR A DAY

Magical Minds Studio in Oak Park is looking for an experienced driver for their 15 passenger bus. No special license is required.

Must be 25 or older with a good driving record.

$35/day, $175 a week: M, T, Th, F 2:45-3:45p.m., Wed 2:15-3:15p.m. (No driving on school closure days) To apply, call: 708-351-3869

Special Program

Sept 29, 2025

Journal, QuikTrip revealed that its proposal is for 16 fueling stations on the site along with a 6,609 square foot building which would house a convenience store. The site would also include 48 parking spaces.

Earlier proposals to re place the concrete factory included retail, a mid-rise apar tment project and potentially a Mariott hotel. The 3.3-acre parcel was purchased from the family-owned entity in 2022 by Hinsdale-based KrohVan real estate. But the project ran into financial difficulties and by 2024 KrohVan fell behind on payments and the site went into foreclosure.

Mohr Concrete had been in business on the site for about 110 years when it closed in 2018. It has sat vacant and in disre pair for 7 years.

The Plan Commission hearing will begin at 7 p.m. on Sept. 11 in the council chambers at Oak Park village hall.

MK Pritzker

MK Pritzker A House that made history

Pritzker A House that made history

A House that made history

The Illinois Governor’s Mansion, Legacy of an Architectural Treasure

Join us for a special presentation by the First Lady of Illinois, MK Pritzker, sharing the story of the people who populated the Illinois Governor’s mansion over the years and her efforts to restore it to its former glory.

Tickets on Sale August 28

Lunch & Program $60 Program Only $30*

Tickets on Sale August 28

Lunch begins at noon; program to follow at 1:15 pm. Advance reservations required.

Tickets on Sale August 28

Lunch & Program—$60 Program Only—$30*

* Fee waivers available for the program; email pritkzerquestions@nineteenthcentury.org or call 708 -386-2729

Lunch & Program $60 Program Only $30*

Tickets on Sale August 28

Lunch & Program $60 Program Only $30*

Lunch begins at noon; program to follow at 1:15 pm. Advance reservations required.

Lunch & Program $60 Program Only $30*

Lunch & Program $60 Program Only $30* Lunch begins at noon; program to follow at 1:15 pm. Advance reservations required.

* Fee waivers available for the program; email pritkzerquestions@nineteenthcentury.org or call 708 -386-2729

Lunch begins at noon; program to follow at 1:15 pm. Advance reservations required.

* Fee waivers available for the program; email pritkzerquestions@nineteenthcentury.org or call 708 -386-2729

178

* Fee waivers available for the program; email pritkzerquestions@nineteenthcentury.org or call 708 -386-2729

Lunch begins at noon; program to follow at 1:15 pm. Advance reservations required.

* Fee waivers available for the program; email pritkzerquestions@nineteenthcentury.org or call 708 -386-2729

178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60301 708-386-2729 www.nineteenthcentury.org

178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60301

178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60301 708-386-2729 www.nineteenthcentury.org

708-386-2729 www.nineteenthcentury.org

178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60301 708-386-2729 www.nineteenthcentury.org

JAVIER GOVEA

Mohr Concrete site in Oak Park

State says Flock Safety broke the law; OP has already cut its ties to rm

Federal border control agents accessed Illinois license plate reader data from former Oak Park provider

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Not long after Oak Park cut ties with its for mer license plate reader provider, an audit by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office has found that the company broke state laws.

In June, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that his office would be auditing the Illinois operations of F lock Safety, a large surveillance technology corporation that operates license plate reading cameras and other tech products in over 10,000 U.S. towns including Oak Park

In the aftermath of the finding, Flock Safety has taken responsibility for poor communication and said it would do better in the future.

The state investigation found that the company had broken Illinois law by allowing data collected from license plate readers to be accessed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents

Illinois has laws on the books banning license plate reader data to be used for immigration status investigations and criminal investigations related to out-of-state abortion access.

“As a result of the sample audit that included a sampling of 12 local law enforcement agencies, the office discovered late last week that Flock did not have proper safeguards in place for data sharing, which was compounded by the fact that the company was running a pilot program with U.S. Customs and Border Protection,

which Flock leadership was unaware of,” Giannoulias’ office said in a statement this week. “This was uncovered as part Secretary of State’s audit, and Flock has also since paused its pilot with CBP and other federal agencies, not only in Illinois but nationwide.”

Earlier this week, Flock Safety CEO Gar rett Langley wrote a blog post addressing the audit’s findings.

“We clearly communicated poorly We also didn’t create distinct permissions and protocols in the Flock system to ensure local compliance for federal agency users,” he wrote. “In order to work with federal law enforcement agencies, while remaining committed to the values of the communities across the country we currently serve, we are eng aging in a coordinated product, engineering, and policy ef fort to ensure that each of our client agencies better understand how to control their sharing relationships.”

The state’s audit comes weeks after Oak Park’s board of trustees voted on Aug. 5 to cancel the contract that the village had renewed with Flock Safety a year earlier. Trustees cited concerns over federal immigration enforcement agents’ potential access to Oak Park data, which would violate the village’s immigration sanctuary ordinance.

“This is what democracy looks like,” Trustee Brian Straw said. “So I do hope other communities will look at this conversation and will look at the national stories that are coming out and reconsider if they want to continue participating with Flock and continue sharing their data. This is a healthy part of democracy, to actually change what we ’re doing in response to national events and trends.”

Oak Park had eight Flock Safety cameras in operation when the board voted to kill the contract, with all but one of the cameras situated within two blocks of the Oak Park-Chicago line.

The majority of Oak Park trustees voted to cancel the contract outright, but trustees Jim Taglia and Cory Wesley had introduced an alternative measure that would’ve shut of f the cameras for 90 days as the Oak Park police worked on its own internal audit. Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman said she wished the board would’ve taken that option to work through a more measured decision-making process that better included the expertise of the police department.

““While I know that all of you are very genuine about your service to our community, but this feels icky,” she said. “Nobody is going to watch this meeting and learn anything. We had the power as the village of Oak Park to have a more substantive conversation where we’re with our professional staf f to uncover the challenges and to get down to facts and likely have come to the same place.”

Early work on that audit revealed that in January a Flock account associated with the south suburban Palos Heights Police Department had searched Oak Park F lock data 28 times with a stated purpose of investigation “immigration violation.”

Earlier this month, Chicago investigative journalism outlet Unraveled re ported that a Palos Heights police detective had shared his login with a DEA agent last January. That agent, who served on a taskforce with the detective, then used the detective’s login to preform unauthorized searches of Flock’s Illinois database, using immigra-

tion violation as the stated purpose for the searches.

The outlet re por tedly obtained text messages from a group chat with both the detective and the DEA agent via a FOIA request. According to Unraveled, after the detective wrote in the group chat that his Flock login had been changed as result of the immigration-related searches, the DEA agent sent a GIF of the sitcom character Chandler Bing sitting beside a window in the rain, writing “I hope you don’t get in trouble cause of my mistake. U were so helpful in giving the group access but now that is gone, gone like dust,……in the wind …”

Palos Heights Police Chief Mike Yott commented on the searches in a statement to Unraveled:

“We did look into the issue and found that our officer had violated our security practices and shared his Flock password with a federal law enforcement partner during an unrelated federal investigation,” Yott wrote in a statement to Unraveled. “The searches that were run were done so by that federal officer. Our officer has been disciplined due to the violation, passwords have been changed, and further security training was performed.”

Since the Secretary of State’s announcement on the investigation, another Chicago suburb has followed Oak Park’s lead by canceling their contracts with. Flock Safety. On Tuesday, Aug. 26, Evanston announced that it would shut of f its 19 Flock license plate readers effective Sept 26.

COURTESY OF WWW.FLOCKSAFET Y.CO M

RF chief stands by license plate tech but not Flock

River Forest has grown with

vendor it chose in 2018

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

Unlike their counterparts in Oak Park, River Forest officials have no plans to make changes to the village’s Automatic License Plate Reader vendor.

“We will not cancel the contract with our vendor,” police Chief James Greenwood said, refer ring to Minuteman Security Technologies of Tinley Park

“We use a completely separate system with safeguards for data that exceed Flock’s setup,” he added, refer ring to Flock Safety, the surveillance technology vendor whose contract with Oak Park was canceled by that village’s officials Aug. 5. River Forest has had a contract with Minuteman since 2018.

In voting to cancel their contract with Flock, Oak Park trustees cited concerns

over privacy, distrust of the Flock corporation and the potential for the cameras to be used for immigration enforcement in violation of both state law and village sanctuary ordinances.

Flock Safety, which operates the largest such system in the country, has been accused of allowing unlawful access to Illinois license plate camera data, including most recently when the Illinois Secretary of State’s office discovered that the firm had allo Customs and Border Protection to access Illinois license plate cameras on Illinois roads and surveil drivers. That revelation came after officials discovered earlier this year that Flock had allowed outside law enforcement to access Illinois data related to abor tion and immigration.

mounted on police vehicles. These are complemented by 75 street surveillance cameras, “creating a comprehensive system for monitoring and responding to criminal activity,” Greenwood said.

He said the cameras are concentrated in commercial corridors; high-traffic intersections; and areas with recur ring criminal activity, adding, “This strategic de ployment maximizes and effectiveness in both crime ention and response.”

ment initiated the de ployment of (these cameras) as part of a broader strateg y to enhance public safety and modernize investigative capabilities,” said Greenwood.

“The department’s ongoing investment in this technology reflects a clear commitment to proactive policing and data-driven enforcement.

River Forest currently operates a network of 44 such cameras, with the majority installed at fixed strategic locations throughout the village and three units

started with one vehicle mounted license plate camera in 2018. Two fixed locations and another vehicle mounted system were added in 2019. The original fixed locations were at Lake Street and Harlem Avenue and at Lake and Thatcher Avenue. The locations were selected due to Lake being the village’s main business district and having a concentration of schools, he said.

“In 2018, the River Forest Police Depart-

“The department selected Minuteman Security Technologies as its (camera) vendor, utilizing Genetec hardware and the Osprey software platform This combination has proven to be reliable, secure and wellinte grated with the department’s operational needs. Notably, the department does not use Flock systems, which have raised concerns in other jurisdictions.”

Other western suburbs that are Minuteman clients include Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn and Oak Brook.

Greenwood said advantages that these cameras provide include the automated identification of vehicles suspected in criminal offenses; real-time alerts for suspended

See LICENSE PLATE on pa ge 13

RF locks in Walsh as top sta er with 4-year extension

Lauded by Adduci

for listening and communicating

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

Matt Walsh, River Forest’s village administrator for the past two-and-one-half years, was rewarded for his work last week when the village board extended his contract for almost four years and gave him a small bonus and raise.

Under the new pact, Walsh’s salary will increase from $185,000 to $192,500. He will also receive a $5,000 bonus and $7,500 in a deferred compensation plan.

Walsh expressed his appreciation for the new contract.

“I am humbled and grateful for the village board’s support,” he said. “I deeply enjoy serving the Village of River Forest and I look

forward to continuing our positive momentum in the coming years.”

The four trustees present at the Aug. 25 village board meeting voted unanimously on the contract following a closed session.

Trustees Erika Bachner and Katie Brennan did not attend

“We believe he’s done a very good job,” Village President Cathy Adduci said. “He got a lot done.

“I think he’s an exceptional administrator. He respects the process.”

The new contract runs until May 2029, which coincides with the end of Adduci’s fourth term as village president. His previous contract ran from May 2023 to May of this year, which coincided with the end of Adduci’s third ter m.

Walsh was named village administrator in April 2023 after serving four months as interim village administrator. He had been promoted from assistant village administrator when his predecessor, Brian Murphy, re-

signed after just over a year in the top job.

Adduci said Walsh’s strengths include being a good listener and a good communicator

“When there’s a problem he responds but he’s not quick to judge,” she said. “He tries to get everybody’s input.”

Walsh also will continue to serve as zoning administrator and budget of ficer

“He’s getting better every day,” Adduci said. “He’s becoming more mature with experience.”

Prior to his hiring in River Forest, he served south suburban Homer Glen for over three years, including a year as interim village manager.

A native of Forest Park, Walsh also served as an elected park board commissioner for 8 years in that neighboring village. He was elected to the park board in 2013 when he was 20.

Walsh graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2015. He earned his Master of Pub-

lic Administration degree from UIC in 2017. Under terms of his contract, he will receive vacation days at the greater of 22 days per year or the rate as set forth in the village of River Forest Personnel Policy Manual, an increase of four days. He also will receive sick days and holidays per the personnel policy manual. All village employees gained an additional paid holiday when officials declared Juneteenth a paid holiday this year.

In lieu of a village-provided vehicle and mileage reimbursement, he will continue to receive a vehicle allowance of $400 per month, the same as his previous contract.

In addition, he will be entitled to health insurance, medical insurance, life insurance, accidental death insurance, long-term disability insurance and short-term disability insurance coverages on the same plan with the same options and on the same terms and conditions as set forth for full-time employees in the personnel policy manual.

JAMES GREENWOOD

Chance meeting of local scouts in New Mexico

On July 28, Scouting America Troop 20 from Oak Park, Troop 2 from Oak Park, and Troop 66 from River Forest happened to meet at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

Philmont, often dubbed the “Crown Jewel of Scouting,” is located in the northern New Mexico portion of the Rocky Mountains. Scouts spend their time backpacking through the backcountry, carrying everything in their backpacks. Most campsites then have activities that scouts can participate in, like horseback riding, mountain climbing, shooting sports, and others.

The three troops met at Philmont Basecamp, where troops prepared to embark and disembark from their treks. Troop 20 and Troop 2 had finished their trek and were spending the night at basecamp before heading back to Oak Park Troop 66 was preparing to leave for their trek the next day.

The meeting at Philmont was entirely by chance, and scouts only discovered the other troops were there by seeing them at basecamp.

— Jonah Clark

Oak Park launches new open data portal

New digital tool provides access to data and maps related to capital improvement projects, zoning, historic landmarks and more

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park has launched a new tool allowing residents to get a deeper understanding of the village through interactive data maps.

The village announced the creation of a new open data portal last week. The portal provides access to a variety of datasets and interactive maps that provide detailed information on the work of many different aspects of village gover nment including public works, transportation, zoning, historic preservation, sustainability and more.

“The village is excited to announce the launch of an open data portal, a collaborative effort between several departments led by information technology and including development services, public works, police and more,” the village said in a statement. “This platform serves as a hub for exploring inter-

active maps and downloading data. It also provides access to GIS-related re ports and offers insights into how your local or regional gover nment uses spatial data to address key challenges and make infor med decisions. By utilizing geographic information systems, the platform helps community members better understand the role of spatial data in solving important community, environmental, urban planning and infrastructure issues “

As of Friday Aug. 29, the portal featured 28 interactive datasets based on village data, along with links to other datasets published by the state, the county and other regional institutions like the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

Some maps provide a level of detailed information on Oak Park that was previously hard to come by. The portal includes a “getting started” section to help users navigate the new digital offerings.

Naturalists rejoice as one map produced by the Oak Park Forestry Department allows users to access information on the species, size, and canopy of every single tree planted in the public way in the village.

Another feature of the site provides updates on all ongoing and planned capital improvement construction projects in the village

The village plans to continuously update the portal with new information and new topics.

Unity Temple to host violence prevention ice cream social

Congregation hosts event in Austin Gardens with peacekeepers from Nonviolence Chicago

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Unity Temple is sponsoring an opportunity for Oak Pa rkers to meet p eople at the forefront of violence prevention ef fo rt s in Chicago.

T he c ong re gation’s g un violence prevention team is hosting an event with staf f from T he Nonviolence I nstitute fo r Chicago on the evening of F riday, Sept . 12. T he event, an “ice cream social” f eaturing the Milk and Honey ice cream truck, will give Oak Pa rkers the o ppo r-

The number one reason people do not create a will or estate plan is procrastination. It is an unsavory task with no immediate benefit for the creator.

Here are five scenarios that may make you unprocrastinate:

will that contains guardianship nominations for their child in case something happens to them and their child’s other parent. You don’t feel guilty, or lie, or want to change the subject. Instead, you feel relief and gratitude that you can state that you also have created a will with guardianship nominations for your minor child.

tunity to meet with the i nstitute’s p eaceke ep ers and learn about how to suppo rt the group ’s mission of making Chicago safer through gr assroots relationship building and community suppo rt .

T he event will last from 4 p. m. to 7 p. m. at Austin Gardens on Fo rest Avenue

nor th of La ke Street.

T he i nstitute’s outreach wo rkers are t ypically long-time residents of the c ommunities they ser ve and wo rk to mediate c onflicts in their neighborhoods to prevent them from s piraling i nto violenc e, provide victim suppo rt progr amming and other community eng agement wo rk

Your partner, parent, adult child, or good friend receives a phone call. There has been an accident, you are unconscious and have been taken to the hospital. Your family/friend rushes to the hospital. Once they arrive, they identify themselves to the medical personnel. The first thing the staff asks your family/friend is if you have created a health care directive (medical power attorney + living will). Gratefully, your family/friend can say yes because you finally stopped procrastinating and previously created this document. Your family/ friend produces their phone and forwards your health care directive to the hospital staff from their email account. Your family/friend feels a little bit calmer in an incredibly stressful situation.

You are at the playground with your minor child. You are talking to some other parents and the subject of planning for guardianship of minor children is raised. Several of the parents say that they have created a

You are an adult child with a parent who is aging. Upon visiting your parent you discover that the house is a mess, and your parent’s bills are going unpaid. You realize that although your parent is still capable of living independently, they will need help with housework and paying their bills. Luckily, your parent has created a Power of Attorney Property document giving you the ability to access their financial accounts. You are now able to use that document as legal authority to access your parent’s financial accounts, hire household help, and pay your parent’s bills.

You are employed as a medical professional. Your partner’s sibling has had a heart attack and is unconscious. Your partner’s family needs to make some serious medical decisions concerning their sibling’s care. The family has asked you for advice since you work in the medical profession. Thankfully, your partner’s sibling has named you on their HIPAA Waiver

Contact List which gives you the ability to talk to medical staff and gather information. You communicate with the medical staff and ask some probing questions. You are then able to talk with your partner’s family about the information you gathered. You give the family advice to help them better understand the situation and more easily make medical decisions for their sibling.

Your parent passed away from natural causes at 95 years old. You are now taking care of their affairs. Since your parent still owned their home, you now need to sell the house. You obtain all your parent’s estate planning documents and confirm that their house was in a revocable trust. You are the named successor trustee and you and your siblings are the beneficiaries of the trust. The trust document gives you the legal authority to bypass having to go through probate court. You will not need to hire a probate attorney, pay the attorney $6,000$10,000, and wait 6 months to a year for the court process to complete. Instead, you use the trust document as legal authority to sell the house, pay off any of your parent’s remaining bills, income taxes, funeral expenses, and distribute the house proceeds to you and your siblings.

708-819-1580 www.theresaclancylaw.com theresa.clancy@theresaclancylaw.com

“The I nstitute for Nonviolence Chicago ’s street outreach teams a dvo cate for the c ommunity,” the group said of i ts wo rk in the c ommunity. “We host give aw ay s and nonviolence training s, provide food and toiletrie s, and c onduc t wellbeing checks when needed. To help c ommunities take back areas where violence has occu rred, we host block part ie s creating safe spaces and building relationships with our neighbors.”

T he i nstitute has peacekeepers wo rking in Austin, West Garfield Pa rk , Back of the Ya rds and Brighton Pa rk . In 2024, p eacekeepers responded to over 300 shooting s, c onducted nearly 1,000 c onflict mediations “that li ke ly prevented a shooting” and enrolled nearly half of all shooting victims they supported i nto ongoing progr amming, a ccording to the group.

Gun violence Prevention is one of Unity Temple’s seven j ustice network values. Since last November, there have b een three fatal shootings in Oak Park FILE

THERESA CLANCY Estate Planning Attorney

TRINIT Y

New president

from page 1

includes a career class each year and requires a career practicum for graduation.

“I got to know the Dominican Sisters as a community that really wrapped so much love and support around me and gave me a deeper purpose around my work as an educator. I learned how to teach at Dominican. I’m interested in extending their ministry and le gacy down the street, to a place that has given so much to my family,” TaylorRitzler said.

Taylor-Ritzler said she fell in love with Trinity the moment she walked into the school with her daughter for an open house in the spring of 2017.

“At that time, I didn’t know why it was special. But within 15 minutes I got it. You could see it in the way the girls greeted each other in the hallways and the way they treated each other with such kindness. It was remarkable,” she said.

Taylor-Ritzler was invited to join Trinity’s board in 2018, following the retirement of revered president Sister Michelle Germanson. She chaired the Marketing and Enrollment Committee and the Mission and Academics Committee and served on the Development and Alumnae Relations Committee before being named chair of

the board during the 2023-2024 academic year.

While serving as chair, she led the school through a historic transition in sponsorship from the Dominican Sisters, who had guided the school for 105 years, to the Dominican Veritas Ministries, a nation-wide organization dedicated to ensuring the mission of Dominican Catholic education.

“Navig ating that transition, which had to be approved by the Vatican, required caring, thoughtful, forward thinking. It re presents the future of Catholic education in the U.S. It was a challenging process, but was truly awesome,” she said.

Taylor-Ritzler was well-equipped for the challenge, given that so much of her career has been focused on helping nonprofit organizations align their missions with operational reality.

While pursuing her PhD in psychology at UIC, she consulted with nonprofit agencies, including schools, early intervention programs and disability organizations across the country. From 2004 to 2010, she served as project director for the university’s Center for Capacity Building on Minorities with Disabilities Research.

“I’m basically a psychologist who doesn’t treat people but systems. I love to solve problems using social science methodolog y,” she said.

Taylor-Ritzler is invested in ensuring that Trinity remains a vital educational resource for young women while leaning into its rich 107-year history.

“It’s the Bible and the newspaper –focusing on what grounds us re garding our enduring values as well as what is relevant and current and necessary to meet the needs of the current moment,” she said.

She touts Trinity’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program, a rigorous collegiate-style curriculum originally developed in Geneva, Switzerland to meet the needs of the children of diplomats who were exposed to different counties and cultures. Trinity was the first Catholic girls’ high school in Illinois to be accepted, in 1994, into the prestigious organization.

any given day I’m on the phone with folks in Barbados, Brazil and Canada, getting a global dose of family shenanig ans.”

Taylor-Ritzler said she is committed to fostering a sense of family among the students at Trinity. She considers Trinity to be countercultural in its dedication to nur turing girls to become their best, authentic selves, free –at least during the school day – from the pressures of social media and its focus on unrealistic body image

“At that time, I didn’t know why it wa s special. But within 15 minutes I got it. You could see it in the way the girls greeted each other.”

The program has particular relevance for Taylor-Ritzler, who was bo rn in Barbados and spent her teen years in Rio de Janeiro. She came to the U.S. as an exchange student and attended Loyola University Chicago. She also has extended family in Canada.

TINA TAYLOR-RITZLER Trinity president

“I truly think that Trinity is the best place for a young woman during the critical years of their development – the last four years before they launch into adulthood and go of f to colle ge,” Taylor-Ritzler said. “A Trinity girl is an empowered, caring, whip smart and deeply curious young woman who understands her value. She may not come in as a super star leader but she sure will leave as one.”

“My outsider immigrant experience is an enormous part of my identity,” she said. “I have acquired family throughout my life because it has been difficult to see my overseas family as much as I would like to. On

Taylor-Ritzler welcomed Trinity’s freshman class during the school’s traditional clap-in ceremony on Aug. 22. She will be officially installed as the school’s new president during a Mass on Wednesday, Sept.10.

TODD BANNOR

HAPPY NEW YEAR: Trinity High School President Tina Taylor-Ritzler and senior students clap in incom ing freshment at the school on Aug. 22.

TODD BANNOR

Danica Leigh announces run for 7th congressional district

Former hospital administrator would advocate for more education and health- care funding

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

As Chicago fast approaches its next election season in March, candidates are announcing their bids for public office. And with Congressman Danny Davis declaring his coming retirement after nearly 30 years re presenting the 7th district, several are running for his seat in the Democratic primary.

Danica Leigh is one of the contenders for the 7th congressional district. The South Loop resident is running for public office for the first time in an effort to change a culture of passivity.

give student loans, expand programs for those with special education needs and who are learning English, and increase job training opportunities.

While Leigh said that health-care affordability is a hot topic right now — and that several factors contribute to it, like a lack of federal funding and inaccessibility to services for patients — “It’s also an issue of supply and demand. There aren’t enough medical providers, so let’s start training more. I think that’s a much more digestible policy than saying ‘universal health-care,’” Leigh said. “It’s a very hard thing for someone to block more family practice doctors in the community. I think that’s an easy win.”

“I’m tired of looking to leaders, whether they be business leaders or re presentatives, asking them to do more and hearing them say, ‘We can’t’ or ‘There’s nothing we can do’ or ‘You just don’t understand,’” Leigh said. “I believe there are actionable things progressive members of Congress can be doing right now to apply pressure and make life better for working Americans. I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring and give it a shot.”

To Leigh, these action items include advocating for expanding access to universal pre-K and more funding to train doctors.

When it comes to children who are too young to attend kindergarten, “studies show that the return on investment for early childhood education is massive,” Leigh said. “If someone gets access to preK, their odds of staying out of prison, getting a good job and getting health-care go up dramatically. While there’s an upfront cost, it will pay dividends to society and the economy overall.”

Part of Leigh’s platform is advocating for people of all ages to have access to education. On her campaign website, she mentions wanting to equalize funding for schools across her district’s ZIP codes, for-

Other health-care investments that Leigh would prioritize if elected include expanding af fordable health insurance, plus accessing more funding for community health centers and residency slots in underserved communities. She also wants to address social drivers of health, like af fordable housing, access to food and public safety. Leigh added that, with more doctors, patients can get treatment for ailments before they progress and become more expensive to treat.

“It’ll also reduce cost in the long-term. That’ ll help us get towards balancing the budget, which I think is a huge problem,” Leigh said. Her other economic priorities include reducing national debt without cutting public services, taxing the ultrawealthy, and strengthening antitrust laws.

The effects of health-care funding are something Leigh has seen firsthand while working at Rush Hospital. Though currently unemployed, Leigh previously served as Rush’s project manager for business development, then program manager for network development.

“My job was building the larger healthcare network for Rush to support the community,” Leigh said. “I re peatedly have been forced to confront the life expectancy disparities in the 7th district firsthand in my work there.”

According to the Chicago Health Atlas, residents living in the city’s Loop neighborhood have a life expectancy of about 87, while those in Austin, on average, live

DANIC A LEIGH

to just 72. Average life expectancy in West and East Garfield Park is respectively about 66 and 77 years, while North Lawndale’s is nearly 68 years.

“That it is so unequal, and chronic diseases are the biggest driver of it. So, I think getting more doctors out in the community, especially primary care doctors, is a really good solution,” Leigh said. “These are federal problems that are going to require federal investment.”

Leigh has also worked at the University of Chicago, where she served as chief of staff of the faculty practice, and later, clinical affairs.

While she emphasizes that she didn’t accomplish any of her successes alone, Leigh said she helped implement a new compensation plan for University of Chicago physicians — something that required building consensus among departments and stakeholders.

“I think my strongest skill is that I’m really good at exploring other people’s perspectives, hearing them out and finding compromises that can get stuff over the finish line in a really actionable way,” Leigh said.

At Rush, Leigh said she helped facilitate a joint venture with a physical therapy company that incorporated 65 outpatient facili-

ties into the hospital’s network.

“Everything takes a village,” Leigh said of her successes. “It has been the secret to the success of my career. I fundamentally believe I have something I can learn from every single person I interact with. Everyone’s got their own subject matter expertise, and I think that is the optimal way to go about getting things done.”

Leigh said she plans to get out into 7th congressional district communities to hear more about what constituents struggle with day-to-day, and what they want their next representative to prioritize.

“There’s a tendency to want to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks,” Leigh said. “I really believe in a focused, strategic approach in getting and identifying actionable, difficult-to-argue-against policies introduced, then building the narrative around them and shepherding them through the legislative process.”

Other candidates who have filed to fill Davis’ Democratic seat include Richard Boykin, Jerico J. Brown, Melissa ConyearsErvin, Jason Friedman, La Shawn Ford, Rory Hoskins, Tekita Martinez, John McCombs and Emelia Rosie — who’s not registered with a political party.

LICENSE PLATES

from page 7

registrations, stolen vehicles and wanted individuals; enhanced investigative capabilities, linking suspects to multiple incidents; and increased efficiency in traffic enforcement and criminal investigations

“When the department sought to implement a (camera) system, we prioritized reliability, data security and inte gration with the broader public safety infrastructure,” Greenwood said. “These priorities led us to select Minuteman Security Technologies as the vendor of choice

“Data privacy and security are central to the department’s (camera) program. Access to ALPR data is strictly limited to 13 vetted Illinois law enforcement agencies, all of which must be approved by the department. This controlled sharing ensures responsible use of sensitive information while supporting re gional collaboration. That level of control is essential to us — and to the community we serve.”

The system “has played a critical role in a wide range of investigations,” Greenwood said, including in December when license plate readers and street cameras helped

identify suspects involved in a $20,000 theft and shooting at an Ulta store and in April when license plate cameras identified the getaway vehicle used when two masked men robbed a discount cigarette store. The license plate and street cameras also were instrumental in solving thefts at Panera, Walgreens and in residential areas, leading to arrests and recovery of stolen items, he added.

Greenwood said the department plans to upgrade and expand the license plate camera network.

“The department’s satisfaction with Minuteman Security Technologies and the effectiveness of the current system indicate a strong foundation for future growth,” he said. “We’ve been so pleased with the system’s performance that we’ve expanded our (license plate camera) network rather than switching vendors. That decision reflects our confidence in Minuteman — not just as a technology provider, but as a partner in public safety.

“In a time when surveillance technology is under increasing scrutiny, we believe we’ve found the right balance: using powerful tools to keep our community safe, while protecting the privacy and rights of our residents. Minuteman has helped us do that.”

BATHROOM DOORS

Tristano, a senior. “I can realize this is a big issue for students, but I don’t see a good reason to put the doors back on.”

Put simply, she said, “people are mad.” But besides the bathroom doors, there are other newly implemented security changes, like scanning IDs in the morning, with hall passes that are now digital.

“All the changes, people are unhappy,” she said. “If it was one at a time it would be better.”

Kristen Devitt, director of campus safety, said the bathroom doors removal started over the summer before the return of students for the f all semester She also wanted to clear up a misconception in some social media circles that removal included bathroom stall doors, which it did not.

removal was handled by the buildings and ground staf f during their day-to-day work.

Devitt said the move makes OPRF a safer school for several reasons

“Number one, you think about it, vaping and smoking, that’s a public health issue,” she said. “It impacts anyone in the immediate environment. On top of it, (it’s) making sure there are fewer spaces that where it’s okay for other dangerous behaviors (like) physical violence.

“We got a lot of complaints ear from parents and and students about problems in the bathrooms. We could have spent $100,000 on sensors but it doesn’t stop the root issue. It notifies us after the issue happens.”

But Devitt said it was also for the district to place laser focus on student privacy

“To be clear, it is the exterior doors in the hallways,” she said. “If the doors were removed, you couldn’ t see stalls or urinals from the hallway. T here are a handful of restrooms where you could see a stall or a urinal or see through a mirror.”

“We’ve found that since school star ted, the number of complaints about behavorial concerns has greatly reduced compared to last year.”

GREG JOHNSON OPRF superintendent

T he change also did not include g ender-neutral restrooms, she said, which are single-stall restrooms.

District 200 Supt. Greg Johnson said the move has already paid dividends.

“By removing exterior hallway-facing doors of student restrooms, we have increased our ability to survey the restrooms by sound from the hallway and improved the ability to detect smoke from the hallway as well,” he said.

“Other schools, including Hinsdale South and Central high schools, have found this to be an effective move, and we’ve found that since school has star ted, the number of complaints about behavioral concerns has greatly reduced compared to last year.”

T here was no cost incurred by the district, said Karin Sullivan, district executive director of communications, as door

“We were mindful about that, but we also gave them the alter native of the g ender-neutral restrooms. Throughout the school day, I haven’ t r un into any students who have been asking for other alternatives. We haven’ t had any ongoing issues.”

Devitt said the district employed Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, a common approach to safety in schools and other public spaces.

That approach is focused on natural surveillance, to hear, see or smell things that shouldn’ t be happening

“It takes away the perception that this is okay to do, inappropriate things or violate r ules, because no one can see or hear us,” Devitt said.

“We want the bathrooms to be a safe place, and we want (students) to have privacy. That’s why we have the stalls and we checked the locks. T here are a number of schools that don’ t have doors on restrooms. It’s not a new concept.”

T ristano, who found out about the door removal at the end of the summer, thinks it’s a good idea that’s working.

“I think it’s important to try things out and see if it improves,” she said. “Observing it myself, I’ve noticed less commotion in the bathroom. I used to walk in and there were huge groups in there. It’s not really a hangout place anymore.”

SMALL BITES

Feast and fest as fall finds its footing

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Eats Reporter

As the weather turns crisp, currently thanks to the Chicago season known as “false fall” (the less evil twin of “false spring”) thoughts also turn to PSL and beer and pie and capturing what you can of the waning of the light.

“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house,” said poet Nathaniel Hawthorne.

You shouldn’t either. There is so much to see, do and eat:

Free! Sept. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. get a Nashville hot chicken sandwich (while supplies last) at the new Hangry Cluck, 6620 W. North Ave, Chicago. The Saada family opened the first location two years ago, according to Chef Nas, and all offerings are halal, featuring his unforgettable Cluck sauce. It’s a family af fair: children Malik, Nur, Nancy, and wife Nada are all working to bring this favor sensation to their hometown.

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Vanilla frappe from e Café Oak Park

Congrats to Amerikas on being featured on WGN TV, laying out the particulars of Chef Ar mando Gonzalez’s take on chicken and waf fles: chicken and churros! Java 12, 6303 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn, opened in August. Though the name suggests coffee – and they do that well – there is more on the menu. Ice cream, sandwiches, tortas, crepes, waffles, yo gurt creations and house made sweet empanadas and muffins are all on offer. Tisane fruit teas are a specialty. Dried fruit tidbits flavor this hot beverage. When you are done drinking you can eat the fruit.

Another opening: The Café Oak Park, 103 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, has taken over the location that was for merly Amelie Café and before that the original location of Spilt Milk. Bubble teas, frappes, coffee, breakfast and lunch sandwiches fill the menu.

Books & Cocktails. “By bringing books and cocktails together, we hope to create a place that cultivates stillness, friendship, and generous imaginations. We’re thrilled to have one of Chicagoland’s best beverage directors — Chad Hauge — join our team here in Oak Park,” said Matthew Wiley, founder of the operation. Their website indicates that they are looking for funding to complete their plans.

On the Still Point’s website, there is a reference to a French pastry shop also opening in the same building.

First Watch, in the for mer Noodles & Co space at 7215 Lake St., River Forest, will cut the grand opening ribbon on Sept. 2. During their inaugural week, you can get a pot of their Project Sunrise coffee on the house.

The owners of the long awaited Gyumon Japanese BBQ concept at 105 N. Marion St. in Oak Park say they expect to welcome diners in September.

ers’ Market annual pie contest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6. Winners will be announced at 10:30 a.m. After that slices of pie will be plated for market visitors on a first come, first served basis.

September 26-27 is Oaktoberfest in Oak Park, Marion Street becomes a mall for all the lively events: free admission, live music, local food, family fun, and most of all beer and wine tasting. Craft a perfect “snacklace” (pretzels on a string around your neck, nibble to refresh your palate between tastings) and get thee to the fest. Drink tickets are sold day of, on site.

It’s been a mystery: what’s coming to the for mer Pieritz Brothers Office Supply building that is a renovation-in-pro gress at the corner of South Blvd and Ridgeland in Oak Park. The answer has been partially revealed. Plans are afoot for Still Point

Get a good deal on wine and pizzas (two great tastes that taste great together – as the saying goes) on Tuesdays at Tre Sorelle, 1111 Lake St., Oak Park. Buy one pizza and get one free. If you dine in, wine bottles are 50% of f too.

Pie and more pie! The Oak Park Farm-

On a more solemn note, Kinslahger’s Paul Waldron passed away in July. He was remembered by brewery co-owner Keith Huizinga as being, “So much more than an employee, Paul’s dedication to Kinslahger and our customers was unmatched. … Paul’s friendship, commitment and spirit will be sorely missed. He spent many hours cycling around the city exploring sites that many of us would be otherwise unaware. One such site is the Lawndale Popup Spot, an initiative to connect history, culture, and nature -- and to be a part of the great ef for ts taking place in North Lawndale. It is a place for community-created exhibitions, installations, and education.” Donations in Paul’s memory are welcome at www.lawndalepopupspot.org.

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

VA 12 STAFF: Owner Danny Clav ijo, Luz Hernandez, Axel Alvarez

PROVIDED-HANGRY CLUCK

Hangry Cluck’s halal Nashv ille hot chicken sandwich

Everyone is a Child of God.

Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church welcomes you with the guiding belief that everyone is a child of God. We are an affirming, inclusive congregation anchored in Jesus’s example of love for the world with openness, humility, curiosity, and tenacity. With a myriad of ways to explore matters of faith and serve others—from book club conversations with thoughtful fellow readers to participating in the handbell or vocal choirs to weekly opportunities to work with over a dozen different local nonprofit partnerships—we’re certain there is a place for you here.

A good way to jump in is to participate in our weekly intergenerational Wednesday night program that we call Logos. Each Wednesday afternoon and evening running from

the end of September to the end of March, Logos participants take part in Bible study, recreation, a family-style meal, and worship arts. Sign your child or teen up for Logos today or sign up to volunteer in the kitchen on a Wednesday. Come to one of our informational meetings September 18 at 7:00pm or September 21 at 11:00am. Participants do not need to be members of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church.

Join us for our weekly worship service at 10:00 am Sundays, either inperson at 744 Fair Oaks Ave or online at our YouTube channel. For more information please visit our website www.fairoakspres.org and let us help you find your place here.

We invite you to celebrate the High Holy Days with us in person

•Sep 22

journey, you will find inspiration and meaning in our synagogue.

No matter where you may be on your spiritual journey, you will find inspiration and meaning in our synagogue.

We invite you to celebrate the High Holy Days with us in person or even online!

Interfaith

Join us to Ring in 5786!

Interfaith

Interfaith families are welcome. Ask us about our

•Oct 15 Simchat Torah A community for faith, learning and life.

Erev Rosh Hashanah

•Sep 23 & 24

•Sep 22

Rosh Hashanah

Erev Rosh Hashanah

•Oct 1 Kol Nidre

•Sep 23 & 24

Rosh Hashanah

•Oct 2 Yom Kippur

•Oct 1 Kol Nidre

•Oct 6-13 Succot

•Oct 2 Yom Kippur

•Oct 6-13 Succot

•Oct 2 Yom Kippur

•Oct 14 Sh’mini Atzeret

•Oct 6-13 Succot

No matter where you may be on your spiritual journey, you will find inspiration and meaning in our synagogue.

Conservative congregation is

warm and welcoming home for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Our diverse, growing Conservative congregation is a warm and welcoming home for people of all ages and backgrounds.

•Oct 14 Sh’mini Atzeret

•Oct 15 Simchat Torah A community for faith, learning and life.

•Oct 14 Sh’mini Atzeret

•Oct 15 Simchat Torah

Together, we enjoy intergenerational activities, ongoing education and religious school, cultural and community events, and social groups such as our Sisterhood and Men’s Club.

Come check us out!

United by a dedication to Judaism and a love of the Jewish people, Temple Har Zion strives to create an environment that is inclusive, uplifting, meaningful, and transformative throughout the full lifecycle. Together, we enjoy intergenerational activities, ongoing education and religious school, cultural and community events, and social groups such as our Sisterhood and Men’s Club. Come check us out!

LOVE IS AT THE CENTER… of all we do at Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

It is woven in our values of

Connection- joining with others to share our lives and stories, knowing we are better together

Transformation- continuing our journey of growth and learning, both individually and collectively

Acceptance- being enriched by one another with open minds and hearts, understanding that diversity enriches us

Justice- working to make the world a better place, called to live our values in words and actions.

Love is at the center of who we are as Unitarian Universalists. We are not a creedal religion, so we don’t believe alike. Instead, we are a covenantal religion, meaning that we agree on how we are with one another; in other words, we love alike.

Whoever you are, whatever your gender identity or expression, your sexual orientation, your race or ethnicity, your immigration or citizenship status, your age or income or education or abilities; wherever you are on your life journey, you are welcome to join us.

Our worship services are at 9 & 10:45am on Sunday, live-streamed at 9am.

9am Art & Soul : Creative space for all ages

10:45am : Religious Education programming for kids & youth

Connect with us at www.unitytemple. org.

Connection | Transformation | Acceptance | Justice

Worship Service Sundays at 9am and 10:45am

9am Art & Soul : Creative space for all ages

10:45am : Religious Education programming for kids & youth

875 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 | unitytemple.org

Chalice Art by Peg Green www.peacepeg.com

Iconic Wright remodel hits the market

Hills DeCaro House on Forest Avenue under contract

By LACEY SIKORA Real Estate Reporter

One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic designs in Oak Park actually was a Wright remodel. Now the home is changing hands for the first time in a quarter century. The Hills DeCaro House at 313 Forest Ave. has become associated with Wright due to the engulfing nature of his remodel of the home, but the home was actually built in 1883 as a Stick Style Victorian home.

The home’s long-time owners, Mark and Sallie Smylie, decided it was time for a new project after 25 years in the home and recently listed the home for sale for $2.295 million with Pamela Tilton Linn, Eudice Fo gel and Jayme Slate of Compass Realty. The home was under contract in a matter of days for over list price. During their quarter century in the home,

the Smylies raised a family, restored the house and relished living in an architecturally significant home. While the couple quickly became stewards of the house, they didn’t set out to buy a significant home back in 2001.

They were living with their family on Scoville Avenue in Oak Park. After looking without success for a slightly larger house, the couple embarked on a two-story addition. Shortly after finishing that expansion, a found out that 313 Forest Ave. was for sale and decided to take a look just for fun.

Mark recalls, “We spent over an hour talking to the DeCaros. Sallie and I walked out on the front porch after that visit and said, ‘Man, we have to give this a shot.’ We didn’t know much about Wright then, but we knew it was special.” T he home was purchased in 1900 by Nathan Moore, who lived in the Wright-designed home

RESPECTFULLY REMADE: Over their 25 years in the home, the Smylies have updated both the kitchen and upstairs bedrooms.

to the north on Forest Avenue. Moore hired Wright to remodel the house at 313 Forest for his daughter Mary and her husband Edward Hills

Wright’s drawings for the remodel in 1905 revealed a design heavily influenced by his recent trip to Kyoto, Japan. Wright rotated the house 90 de grees on the lot and added so much to the house that its original Victorian style was obliterated.

Irene and Tom DeCaro purchased the home in 1975, and in 1976, a catastrophic fire destroyed all but the first floor of the home. The couple turned to Wright’s drawings to rebuild the home in a restoration that included two miles of wood trim and 136 leaded glass windows. They were awarded for their ef for ts with an official renaming of the house, which became known as the Hills DeCaro House.

When the Smylies purchased the house, one of their daughters asked, “If we live in this house, can we still have friends over?”

Mark says, “That question went right to the heart of it. We knew that if we couldn’t say yes, we didn’t want the house. That stood out in our minds as the pivotal thing.”

The couple believed that the historic home, while significant, was not too precious for nor mal family life, complete with kids and dogs. “We knew we could raise a fami ly and live in a piece of artwork. For us, that combination seemed to work beautifully,” Mark recalls.

Over their years in the house, the Smylies tackled a number of renovation projects. On the exterior, they rebuilt the garden pavilion and a section of Wright’s pergola, added an architecturally appropriate garage, and restored an 1893 Columbian Exposition ticket booth in the side yard

On the interior, they remodeled the kitchen and the second-floor bedrooms and bathrooms. In the basement they created a recreational space, complete with a family room, billiard room, wine cellar, kitchenette, and guest suite. Throughout it all, Mark says the couple tried to continue the work of the DeCaros and be good stewards of the house

When asked what he will miss most about the house, Mark answers, “We’ll miss everything about it. It’s a great place to live, not just a great place to look at. We have big dogs and five grandchildren who come to visit, and it all works.”

The Smylies are moving to Asheville, North Carolina, where they are building a new home that will move them

closer to children and Mark’s mother and siblings. While they are excited about the new adventure, there’s a lot they are sad to say goodbye to in Oak Park, the village they have called home for 40 years.

Mark says, “Forty years is a great run. Twenty-five years in a house is a great run. It just feels like it’s time.”

PHOTO S CREDIT: COMPASS REAL ESTAT E REALTORS PAMELA TILTO N LINN, EUDICE FOGEL AND JAYM E SL AT E

FULL WRIGHT: e formal dining room is pure Frank Lloyd Wright.

Here’s

Here’s the deal. The right insurance should help you feel confident and comfortable. I’m the right good neighbor for that. Call me today.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310

ktrainor@wjinc.com

Appreciating so many ‘new’

things

IVIEWPOINTS

n 1954, when I was 5 years old, I huddled alone with my mother as hurricane Carol raged around us. We were in a small, rickety fisherman’s shack on the shore of a large lake in New England. I’ve been going back to that lake almost yearly ever since. Over 70 years. I grew up there, lear ning about fish, boats and birds as well as clams and crayfish. Last week, at the lake, I experienced two things for the first time in my life. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

MARC BLESOFF

The first discovery was because of technology — a new app on my cellphone. Merlin Bird ID I always knew there are lots of birds in the woods by that lake, but I never paid attention to identifying them or counting how many varieties. I knew a robin or a crow or a cardinal when I saw one. Until last week, I never knew what I was missing

This Merlin app listens to and records the surrounding bird sounds and then identifies them all. My jaw dropped when I saw the list of over 20 different birds singing away nearby: redshouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk, short-billed dowitcher, blue-headed vireo, purple finch, redwinged blackbird, bank swallow, rock pigeon, common raven, norther n cardinal, American crow, American robin, chimney swift, gray catbird, norther n mockingbird, song sparrow, American goldfinch, Carolina wren, red-eyed vireo, tufted titmouse and ruby-throated hummingbird. I’ve gone through my whole life not being aware of and not appreciating the birds in that neighborhood. Thank you, tech, for opening that door for me

As I become more aware while I age, I’ve been noticing things that I’ve just taken for granted my whole life. Like when I’m a passenger in a car, not the driver, and I see things for the first time that I’ve driven by thousands of times

The second discovery last week was because of me not paying attention. I ran out of gas in our small boat out in the middle of the lake. As I heard the engine start to sputter, I knew exactly what it was, and I was knee-jerk pissed off. I castigated myself For over 70 years, I’ve hopped in and out of small boats with outboard motors, headed off for a nice ride and I’d never run out of gas before. First time for everything! Maybe it was the new gas tank with a new gas gauge that I misread? And then, pretty quickly, my attitude changed. I chuckled to myself I saw my beautiful surroundings. I wasn’t in any hurry. I had no meetings to get to, and everything else could just wait. I saw this as a new experience to be appreciated

And I did appreciate it! And I appreciated the more than a mile that I had to row home. I found myself appreciating the wind blowing in the exact direction that I wanted to go. I may have felt differently if I’d had to row against the current. Oh, and I was appreciating the two oars as well. Yes, there is loss and change as we age and there is opportunity to appreciate so many ‘new’ things.

Thoughts, prayers ... and action! on guns

Why

On Aug. 5, I voted along with the 5-2 majority on the Oak Park Village Board to cancel our contract with Flock Safety and deactivate the 8 Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras that have been operating in our community since 2022.

As a recently appointed trustee, this was one of the first substantial votes of my political career, and one that I was proud to make as both a technologist and a public servant.

For those who haven’t heard of it, Flock Safety is a tech company that sells ALPR cameras to law enforcement and private businesses around the country to track every vehicle that drives by. Users of this system can then search for a license plate number (no warrant required!) and find out where that car has been.

If you’re in law enforcement, this sounds like a great tool. And so, it has spread quickly across the country. Since their founding seven years ago, Flock has inked contracts with over 5,000 municipalities and installed tens of thousands of cameras along public roads and highways

While Flock isn’t the first company to develop this technology, they have successfully followed the Silicon Valley startup playbook by selling to gover nments with artificially low prices backed by venture capital to capture market share and develop a much more lucrative product: a national network and archive of vehicle location data.

It is the very value of this network, and Flock’s willingness to share and sell access to it, including to the Trump Administration, ICE, CBP, and Texas police enforcing anti-abortion laws, that makes this technology so dangerous.

Flock claims ALPR cameras are a necessary tool for moder n policing and that they have the necessary data protections in place.

According to our own Civilian Police Oversight Commission, over 99% of Flock alerts do

not result in any police action. While Flock’s marketing emphasizes success stories, the company has been unable to provide meaningful, independently verified data on long-ter m effectiveness

Regarding data protections, Flock claims that each community owns their own data and can control who can have access. This is not true and their own service agreement contradicts it. We’ve seen direct evidence of data being shared without knowledge or consent of participating municipalities

Meanwhile, the harms of this system are real. In just the past two months, we’ve learned how a Flock camera tracked a woman’s abortion travel, that Illinois cops gave ICE access to more than 5,000 cameras and now both the Illinois Secretary of State and Congress have launched investigations into the company.

We are living in an era of surveillance capitalism — a society dominated by unregulated and invisible technology that spies on us constantly. In 2014, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden war ned us that the surveillance put in place by our own gover nment would lead to “tur nkey tyranny.” Now in 2025, that tyranny has arrived with the second Trump Administration, and they’ve never had more powerful tools at their disposal.

The scale of these systems, from the phones in our pockets, to social media platforms, to “smart” doorbells, to the network of cameras recording every person and car that goes by, can seem overwhelming

But as a trustee, I have the power to act. I, along with four of my colleagues, took the small but significant step of refusing to spend taxpayer dollars to surveil and oppress our communities — just like Austin, Denver, Evanston, and many others did. Read a longer version of this post at https://derekeder.com/blog/why-i-voted-to-cancel-flock.

QuikTrip’s moment

There are any number of failures piling up at the dilapidated Mohr Concrete site over on Harlem and Garfield. They’ll culminate next week when QuikTrip, the owner of just humongous gas stations, makes its case to Oak Park’s Plan Commission/Zoning Board on why it should be allowed special-use variances to build a combined gas station and high end convenience store on the full block of the old concrete plant.

The commission will hear from both Naperville-based QuikTrip and, we’re certain, from neighbors of the long-abandoned site. A process will follow that will culminate with the village board making a final decision on this proposal.

It was just six weeks ago that Wednesday Journal broke the story that the mothership of all gas stations had begun the application process for zoning approval. QuikTrip has every right to seek permission to build on this site, which is certainly the single best development parcel in Oak Park. And Oak Park’s leaders also have every right to find a way to turn them away.

The thing is we lack confidence, if QuikTrip is denied, that any other better development is in the offing. Or that Oak Park’s fully tattered economic development department has the ability to fix this. Those same concerns apply to the top levels of village hall management and to the village board.

The Mohr Concrete opportunity has been hiding in plain site since the final cement truck rolled out of the plant some seven years ago. There were a handful of promising concepts since then where the defunct Oak Park Economic Development Corporation played a role in attracting and nurturing developers. Those proposals much better reflected what Oak Park needs from this site. Retail and commercial projects were pitched. Midrise (yes, we know, define midrise) apar tments and even the lusted-after-for-decades hope for a mainline hotel were all pitched. There was even a sale of the property at one point. But that went south with a failed developer and the site went into foreclosure.

As recently as the spring election campaign, Oak Park President Vicki Scaman floated the idea that the village should buy the site to control its development. But concurrently a flailing economic development staf f balled up a plan to create a new TIF district for the site.

And as the QuikTrip proposal surfaced, it appears there have not been intentional outreach effor ts to neighbors of the site. Residential neighbors who lived with a concrete plant for a century deserve to be heard on what comes next. And while there have been absurd ideas floated such as the park district using the site for an indoor public pool, we also expect opposition to a super-sized gas station that would be a good fit along an interstate in Huntley or Minooka.

Yet again. Yet again. Yet ag again. Yet again … Killing our kids in school? No problem! It happened ye again, this time at Anunciation Catholic School and Church in Minneapolis. Last year, almost to the da it happened at Apalachee High School near Winder, Georgia, as I wrote about then. And it will continue happening until Americans vote out the massmurder enablers — the politicians after every unconscionable event, stand before the cameras and microphones, bristling with feigned fury and say, like Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia did last year with the straightest of faces, “Gun safety legislation is the last thing we should be talking about on a day like this. Think about the victims and their families!” Or words to that effect

Ask the su ivors

TRAINOR

I’m sure that talking, or even thinking, about gun safety legislation was the last thing Gov. Kemp wanted to do that day. But he would also say that the next day and the next. Every day, in fact, gun safety is the last thing a spineless politician like Brian Kemp wants to think about, much less talk about. He craves those NRA donations too much and is beholden to his de facto constituents — the ones with money and influence — not to the victims of the latest school shooting and their families and friends. So he uses the victims for political cover, like the coward he is.

But he stood as straight as a spineless politician can and said to the cameras that the survivors don’t want us talking about common-sense gun legislation that might protect their children and everyone else’s child.

Really, Gov. Kemp? Did you ask them? Yes, even on that day, the worst day of their lives. I’d be willing to bet that every single one of them is thinking about gun legislation that might have protected their children’s lives. Legislation banning assault weapons, for instance, the ban your party, the Republican Party, allowed to expire 21 years ago and refuses to reinstate.

Or if that day wasn’t a good day, why not ask the next day, or the day after their kids’ funerals? I’m willing to bet it’s very much on their minds. I’m pretty sure they would all say they’re in favor of gun legislation that protects everyone’s children — today and every day for the rest of their lives. And I’m sure the parents at Anunciation School in Minneapolis would say that, too.

I’ ll bet they would say an assault weapons ban

sounds pretty damned good right now. Also a ban on high-capacity ammunition mag azines. I’ll bet they’re in full r of Universal Background Checks, and red flag laws, and mandating secure storage of firearms in the home, and a host of other measures that would in no way violate Second Amendment rights but might protect us from gun rampages. Enforceable, consistent, nationwide laws with real consequences for those who violate them. In fact, polls w that ranks really high for the vast majority of Americans

And I’ll bet they’re in favor of governors not being hypocritical weasels who only pretend to support the families and friends of the victims. Because if you supported them you would ask what should be done to protect kids from gun violence. And then you’d goddamn do something about it!

Here’s one thing I’m pretty sure those families won’t say: “Your thoughts and prayers are all we need.”

But you won’t ask them, will you? And the media won’t ask either. You’d rather grovel at the feet of Trump and the NRA, who believe gun rights are far more important than gun responsibilities and far more sacred than the lives of our kids

But spineless politicians and an indifferent media aren’t the main problem. The NRA isn’t even the main problem.

The real problem is American citizens who keep voting people like Donald Trump and Brian Kemp into office — and who won’t vote these cowards out of office when it’s obvious they won’t lift a finger, or even their voice, to protect their actual constituents — the ones whose fists aren’t stuffed with money

According to the publication Education Week, so far in 2025 there have been “8 shootings causing injuries or death on school property or buses during school hours or events.” And according to the watchdog group Everytown for Gun Safety, “91 gun incidents resulted in a person being killed or wounded, as well as those in which a gun was discharged and no one was shot” in 2025.

At least Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, when he had his moment before the microphones, said, “I ask the folks who are watching around the country, keep us in your thoughts and prayers, but also keep us in the thoughts for action.” Even that is disappointingly weak, but I hope Gov. Kemp was one of those watching. It doesn’t take much to call for action. All it takes is courage.

DOOPER ’S MEMORIES

e dating game

My first date, yes, I remember it well. The girl, named Pat Benson, was a safe bet for my first date she lived on the block, and had been classmate at Holmes School. W my recently purchased blue suit, I strode with awkward dignity the half block to her home

I knocked on the Bensons’ front door, and Pat was transferred to me by Pat imposing 6-foot woman who told me to brin Pat home immediately after the movie was showing at the Lake Theatr

It was a week from Christmas in our junior year, and a snowfall was suddenly upon us flakes floated peacefully to earth as on a carpet of white velvet. When we entered the seating area of the theater, the usher, my pal Roger Dempsey showed us to our seats.

I was suddenly taken aback when I saw my English teacher seated behind us. I said hello, and she waved her hand. Needless to say, I sat as straight as an arrow for the entire movie.

When the movie ended, I walked Pat straight home — the snow had stopped — much to the delight of her mother, and I perceived that Pat was happy, too

The next date was the following winter when Roger and I with our dates (Roger fixed me up) went to the Christmas dance at the Oak Park Club

I was particularly uneasy because I was a poor dancer, but my date carefully kept me back from her feet, and

showed me a basic two-step, and we more or less maneuvered our way around the dance

had mastered dancing at dance classes and put on a virtuoso performance that would have pleased Fred . After the dance, we took my date home s 1952 Chevrolet. I escorted her to her front door, shook her hand, and wished a good night. When we got to Roger’s date’s , he escorted her to her front door, and in vado plucked a sprig of mistletoe his coat pocket and held it over his date’s y locks. Joan, a sprightly girl, promptly him a smooch. Roger walked back to his car with a grin on his mouth and lipstick on his cheek. To me, this was a daring move

My rite of passage was still somewhat ahead. On future dates in high school, I found that taking a girl to the movies was appealing for me since I didn’t have to make much conversation.

It is hard to describe, but easy to recall, the sensation of being as shy as I was with girls. I simply froze in their presence. I preferred double dating with Roger, not only because he got the dates for me, but also because I could rely on him to carry the conversation ball for both of us

By the time I was a freshman in college, I had overcome my social timidity enough to invite a girl on my own, but I never became a bon vivant and a man about town.

New school year: ways to ke ep kids

Not even a full week into the school year, two children were shot and killed at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, and more than a dozen were injured. In the wake of yet another horrific tragedy, many are asking: “What can we do?”

Gun violence is a complex, multifaceted public health crisis that demands a complex, multifaceted public-health response. But one of the smartest things all adults can do to keep kids, classrooms, and communities safe from gun violence is to raise awareness about secure gun storage. It’s a small act that can prevent school shootings, unintentional shootings, and firearm suicide.

August 25-29 marked SMART Week, an opportunity to empower each other with the simple steps that everyone — gun owners and non-gun owners alike — can take to prevent gun violence:

■ Secure all guns in homes and vehicles (unloaded, locked up, and stored separately from ammunition)

■ Model responsible behavior around guns

■ Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in other

homes your child visits

■ Recognize the role of guns in suicide

■ Tell your peers to Be SMART

We can all play a role in preventing gun violence in our community. Make sure your firearms are securely stored, and talk to your neighbors about the life-saving importance of secure gun storage.

safe

Let’s protect our kids, our community, and each other

To learn more about secure gun storage, text SMART to 644-33, follow @BeSMARTforKids on Instagram and Facebook, or visit besmartforkids.org

Jenna Leving Jacobson Oak Park

WEDNESD AY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Viewpoints Guidelines

e goal of the Viewpoints section is to foster and facilitate a community conversation and respectful dialogue. Responsible community voices are vital to community journalism and we welcome them. Space is at a premium and readers’ attention is also limited, so we ask that Viewpoints submissions be brief. Our limit for letters to the editor is 350 words. For One View essays, the limit is 500 words. Shorter is better. If and when we have su cient space, we print longer submissions, but when space is limited — as it o en is — we may ask you to submit a shorter version or hold the piece until space allows us to print it.

We reser ve the right to edit submissions. We do not have time to allow the writer to review changes before publication. We also do not have time to do more than super cial fact-checking, and because of our national epidemic of misinformation and conspiracy theories, when writers include statistical evidence to support their opinions, we require them to include the source of that information, such as credible websites, print publications, titles of articles and dates published, etc. Be as speci c as possible so that we and our readers have some way of assessing the credibility of your claims. Links may also be included for the online version. We follow the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics: seek the truth and report it and minimize harm. As a result, we will do our best not to publish pieces that espouse doubtful or debunked theories, demonstrate harmful bias, or cross the line into incivility. While we will do our best not to engage in censorship, we also do not intend to be used as a platform for misinformation. Your sources for fact-checking are a critical step in keeping the discourse honest, decent and respectful.

All submissions must include your rst and last name and the municipality in which you live, plus a phone number (for veri cation only). We do not publish anonymous letters. One View essays should include a sentence at the end about who you are.

If we receive your submission by 5 p.m. on Sunday, you can expect your opinion to be included in that week’s paper (and online), space permitting.

Pieces can be submitted through our online form at oakpark.com or directly to Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor, ktrainor@wjinc.com. For the latter, we prefer attached Word les or plain tex t included in the email.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

■ 350-word limit

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

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 500-word limit

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself and/or your connection to the topic

■ Signature details as at left

Lord of the lot, serving the underserved

Iretired in 2013 after 40 years as a parish pastor. A part of my retirement discipline was to not “do” church. When we moved to Oak Park, we became back-pew sitters at First United Church. But I broke the discipline and led two ministry teams, one after the other

After finishing those involvements, and with the advent of COVID, I took up reading like never before. When the crisis eased, I began to feel depressed and told my wife what I was experiencing. She said simply and directly, “Choose an organization and volunteer in whatever way you can.”

I contacted Beyond Hunger because I knew its primary location was and is at First United. I was welcomed and started as a valet, helping to load the cars of clients who

choose the drive-thru option. Then when a staff member lear ned I was a volunteer firefighter in New Jersey, and had some traffic management training, she suggested I manage the parking and release of clients to drive to the valet station to get their food

CHARLES MORRIS

One View

As lord of the lot, as some folks call me, I get to greet and welcome people when they pull into the lot. It’s a meaningful time for me as I try my best to put a smile on clients’ faces and threaten to give them a ticket if they pull straight in rather than back into a parking spot. Over the nearly two years I’ve done that job, folks have learned my name and now say things like, “Where were you the last time I

Incentivize, yet verify

As Oak Park debates a sales tax rebate for the long-vacant for mer Marshall Field and Borders building at 1144 La ke St., neighbors are right to ask: “Are we rewarding ne glect or making a smart investment?”

The skepticism is understandable Rebates can appear to subsidize private interests, especially after more than a decade of vacancy. But research from groups like the Upjohn Institute shows that when incentives are carefully designed, they can be the difference between a dormant property and a thriving community anchor.

This building is not a blight — it’s a historic landmark with structural challenges that have ke pt it inactive. The owner is now committing $4 million in renovations to bring in Bar nes & Noble, a project that will restore property tax value, generate new sales tax revenue, and provide 60 local jobs. Crucially, the village’s rebate only draws from new sales tax revenue that doesn’t exist today Without the project, Oak Park gains nothing. Still, such incentives must come with safeguards. To protect the community, the village should ensure that:

■ Rebates apply only to new sales tax revenue.

■ Payments are tied to actual renovation and sustained occupancy.

■ The deal is capped and time-limited ($2 million over 20 years).

■ Claw-back provisions apply if commitments aren’t met.

■ Transparency allows residents to track results.

With these conditions, the rebate is not a payoff — it is a performance-based investment that aligns private dollars with Oak Park’s public interest. Done right, it tur ns a beautiful but idle landmark into a productive, long-term asset for the village.

Reference: Timothy J. Bartik, “What Standards Mak e Sense for Economic Development Tax Incentives?” W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, April 4, 2024.

Robert Milstein Oak Park

was here?” and “You know I have a hard time backing up. Can I pull straight in?”

As much as working with clients, I really enjoy the volunteers who register and check folks in before they get their food. It’s like we’ve developed our own little community. Sometimes we talk politics and sometimes we share personal things that evoke laughter and even much-needed words of encouragement and support. I have also gotten to know many of the volunteers that work inside, packing food and sending out the generous amount of food that is given to clients

In addition to volunteers, I’ve gotten to know the members of the staff who work so

well with each other and the many volunteers. They are wonderfully committed to serve. But underneath the commitment of both volunteers and staff is a deep and abiding desire to serve the under nourished, in large part spurred by the lack of concern shown by the current national administration. Continued budget-slashing will undoubtedly cause even more need for organizations like Beyond Hunger

I’ve long believed that little things mean a lot but, believe me, it’s no little thing to volunteer to serve the underserved. I encourage you to climb on board. You will be welcomed as I was. There are many ways to get involved. Go to “gobeyondhunger.org” and sign up today. You won’t be sorry Charles Morris is a resident of Oak Park

Will rezoning help or hinder a ordable housing?

Consider this my letter of support for Alan Krause’s letter [Oak Park’s search for affordable housing, Viewpoints, Aug. 20] about the village board’s hiring of Opticus Design to find a place for “missing middle” housing in order to increase density and the number of affordable residences in Oak Park. I especially enjoyed his citing Opticus’ claim to have found space for 90,000 new housing units in Columbus, Ohio.

Sunday’s (8/24/25) edition of the Chicago Tribune included an article about cities like Seattle and New York amending zoning ordinance and permit requirements to increase the housing density in some areas of their cities and resorting to the use of irregular-sized lots on which to build new units and ease their very real housing crisis.

It may or may not have been easy for Opticus to find space in Columbus. But it sure will be a lot more difficult to do the same in Oak Park, which cannot expand its boundaries and has only 2% of the square mileage of Columbus and nearly three times the population density — even if a developer could resort to finding an irregular-sized lot.

I have to ask if expunging the existing ordinance for single-family zoning will actually result in more housing units. Also, will it permit current and future Oak Park owners to expand the footprint of their existing house without going through the process and expense of a public hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeals to add as little as 10% of the “maximum building coverage” on their un-expandable lots?

I ask this recalling a ZBA meeting I attended two or three years ago where some new homeowners had applied for a permit to expand the kitchen of their small brick bungalow on the 600 block of South Cuyler To do so, they would have had to extend the rear of the house deeper into the back yard. The commission denied their request.

The for mer ZBA chair callously commented, “You don’t need the space.” Yes, they did, probably still do, as do many homeowners in Oak Park. What will eliminating single-family zoning do for them?

Painting streets

The laying out of the streets for the biking boulevards seems to be moving ahead and seems to be well done Question, what about a middle line down Garfield and

maybe a line showing the space available for parking?

Chris Donovan Oak Park

Michael Papierniak Oak Park

Marion Biagi, 94

SEOPCO co-founder, Barrie Park champion

Marion Biagi, 94, a longtime Oak Park resident, died peacefully at home on Aug. 19, 2025. She was a trailblazer, artist, activist, environmentalist, craftsperson, enealo gist, teacher, and mother Bor n and raised on far ms in rural Illinois during the Depression, as one of eight children, she lear ned frug ality, re purposing, and creating with what she had aduating from the University of Illinois, she t Institute of Chicago and went on to teach English and Art. During this time, she met her husband, Bill, with whom she shared 58 years of marriage and raised eight children in Oak Park.

Marion was an amazing knitter and designed some of her own patter ns. She also quilted, crocheted, crafted many Halloween costumes, clothing, and furniture, and built small businesses, including a Housekee ping calendar and a set of alphabetized miniature “ABC Drawers” for children and those who are children at heart. She also edged cotton flannel baby blankets that swaddled babies far and wide.

She loved camping, traveling, dancing, and the quiet calm of the Oak Park Conservatory. She cared deeply about health issues and clean water.

She fought for women’s rights with the National Org anization of Women and worked to keep pesticides out of local parks, keep pool prices af fordable, and was an active player in Bar rie Park’s major remediation project and its eventual resurgence. She also helped found the South East Oak Park Community Organization (SEOPCO).

At age 50, she raced in the Frank Lloyd Wright 10K, r unning past the houses he designed, which she loved to share with visitors.

After a slow decline with dementia, which she handled with grace over 19 years, she is now free. Marion is survived by her brothers, Max and Bill Newport; her children, Jennifer, Alison, Bill, Jim, Bob, Tom, Adele, and Amelia; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and ne phews.

A memorial celebration will be held at 2 p.m. on Se pt. 13 at The Christian Community, 2135 W. Wilson in Chicago.

In lieu of fl owers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice

Mario Pasin, 95 CEO of Radio Flyer

Mario A. Pasin, 95, died peacefully on Aug. 18, 2025. Born on Feb. 6, 1930, in Oak Park, he was the son of Antonio and Anna Pasin, both originally from Italy. From an early age, he experienced life both in the United States and in Italy, where he spent frequent childhood summers. Those trips gave him a deep appreciation for history, design, culture, and the natural d. He carried those sensibilities with him.

He completed a combined undergraduate and law de gree at the University of Notre Dame. The years he spent there were among his happiest, remembered for its freedom, friendships, and growth.

He met Mary Kay, the love of his life, and they married in 1959. They shared 66 years of mar riage. He was proud of his role as a father of five, grandfather to nine, and great-grandfather to one.

manity are appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside.

Colleen Doyle, 57 Deputy U.S. Marshal

Mario led Radio Flyer, maker of the iconic red wagons for kids, the company founded by his father, from the 1960s into the 1990s. He stewarded the family business, treating everyone the same re gardless of rank or status. He believed deeply in quality, not just as a business principle but as a way of life.

He cherished time in nature, transfor ming the family farm in Wisconsin from a working dairy into a restored natural sanctuary, planting thousands of trees and rejuvenating the land and lake. The farm was his favorite place. In later years, he also enjoyed time in Florida, where he walked, swam, gardened, and chaperoned his grandchildren on trips to the ice cream shop.

He will be remembered for his patience, generosity, humility, and devotion to his family and community. He leaves behind a le gacy of timeless values.

Mario was the husband of Mary Kay (née Berigan); the father of Mark (Mary Margaret), Therese (David) Brandenstein, Antonio, Paul (Jane), & Robert (Muriel Quinn); grandfather of Paul (Jenny), Mary (Kassi), & Miles Brandenstein, Helen, Henry, Oscar, & Linus Quinn Pasin, and Augustine (Moe) & Joy Pasin; great-grandfather of June; and brother of the late Mary Ann (the late Steve) Contro & Jeanette Pasin Sloan (Jack Lemon).

Visitation, followed by Mass, took place on Aug. 23 at St. Francis Xavier Church, 124 N. Spring Ave., LaGrange, with inter ment at Bronswood Cemetery, Oak Brook. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mario’s name to UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, and Habitat for Hu-

olleen Dierdre Doyle, 57, died g. 21, 2025 in Grosse an of cardiac arrest. g. 21, 1968 in Oak Park, wn for her kind, humor, generosity and profes-

aduating from Oak Park est High School, and Illinois Chicago, here she studied Criminal Justice, ted into the United States Marshal Service S. Marshal with distinction Her career included assignments with the FBI Fugitive Task Force and with the Judicial Security Team, often providing protection for U.S. Supreme Court Justices when they traveled.

But the role she cherished most was that of “Aunt Colleen” to her six nieces and nephews, attending their sporting and school events, taking them on road trips, and teaching them her amazing culinary skills. Beyond her family, she served as an adopted aunt to countless children of family friends over the years through her warmth and kindness.

An avid traveler, she visited Asia, Africa and took many trips to Europe, where she was particularly fond of attending Italian cooking schools. She benefited from a rich friendship with an exceptionally close group of lifelong friends with whom she took many girls trips. If you were a co-worker, neighbor, mail carrier or someone she saw regularly, you could expect to be on the receiving end of her phenomenal baking. A voracious reader of mystery novels throughout her life, she enjoyed the opportunity to discuss interesting plot lines

Colleen is survived by her parents, Mike and Trudy Doyle; her brother, Kevin; her sister-in-law, Katie; her brother, Peter; sister-in-law, Cindy; nieces, Maggie and Trulyn and nephews, Patrick, Colin, Finn, and Henry. She will be deeply missed.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2025, visitation preceding at 10, at St. Giles Church in Oak Pa rk.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Sarah’s Inn, whose mission is to serve those impacted by domestic violence, PO Box 1159 Oak Park, IL 60304, are appreciated

SPORTS

New era begins for OPRF girls volleyball

2015 alum Symone Speech takes over the Huskies

By MELVIN TATE

Contributing Reporter

When Oak Park and River Forest High School athletic director Nicole Ebsen needed to find a new varsity girls volleyball coach, it turned out she didn’t have to look far. Symone Speech, a 2015 OPRF graduate, was hired this summer to replace Kelly Collins, who stepped down fo r f amily reasons.

“I’m super-excited to be back,” said Speech, who was an assistant to Collins the past three seasons, “and grateful just to have a chance to give back to the program that helped me throughout my volleyball career.”

While Speech dreamed of one day leading the OPRF progr am, she didn’t antici-

pate it happening so quickly.

“I didn’t know when it would happen, she said, “didn’t know it’d be on the 10th anniversary [of graduation]. I look ward to continuing to grow the pr Speech made her head coaching in OPRF’s season opener versus visitin Benet Academy, Aug. 26. Against one of the state’s top teams, the Huskies a good fight, but lost in three sets: 25-22, 1625, and 13-25.

“ I’m super-proud of them. T hey out sw inging,” she said. “But at of day, we ’re definitely missing a fe senior leader s. T hey would’ve carrie us, but either way, they showe d up and showe d out. ”

C AROL DUNNING

Speech was alluding to the fact that three of OPRF’s top players, including seniors Samantha Shelton and Channing Smith, were out due to injuries. Still, she felt the Huskies put for th a valiant ef fort, despite being shorthanded and having

OPRF’s Erin Dwyer sets up a teammate for a potential kill against Benet Academy. Dwyer, a junior, made the All-Tournament Team at last weekend’s Mizuno Crimson Classic.

OPRF High School girls volleyball coach Sy mone Speech (center) addresses her team during a varsity match against Benet Academy, Aug. 26. Speech, a 2015 OPRF graduate, is in her debut season as the Huskies’ head coach.

multiple players playing out of their normal positions.

“This was the first varsity game for a lot of kids,” Speech said. “They’re hungry, which is exactly where I want them to be.”

OPRF returns seven players from last year’s 21-17 team that reached the sectional round for the third consecutive year. Shelton, an outside hitter committed to Seton Hall University, had 265 kills and 40 aces in 2024, and Smith, an outside position player, is committed to Macalester Colle ge.

Other returnees are senior libero Kate Bailitz (240 digs last year), junior outside hitter Emmi Bozarth (220 kills), senior setter Erin Dwyer, junior outside hitter/ defensive specialist Devyn Kleidon, and senior middle blocker Laila O’Connor.

The Huskies’ top newcomers are all juniors: setter Edie Carroll, middle blocker Jaida Garland, outside hitter Celia Jackson, and outside position player Lily Kinzler.

“Not only do we have some seasoned players coming back,” Speech said, “but the energy and love this group has for the game and each other makes coaching them so much fun. I wouldn’t have it any other

way for my first season.”

At the Mizuno Crimson Classic, Aug. 2930, OPRF went 3-2 and was runner-up in the Bronze bracket, finishing 18th overall among 32 schools. The Huskies defeated Minooka, Plainfield Central, and WheatonWarrenville South, and lost to Lincoln-Way West and Normal Community. Dwyer was named to the All-Tournament team.

The West Suburban Silver has long been one of the top volleyball conferences in the area. Speech sees Glenbard West and York as the top teams.

She adds that while wins and losses are impor tant, she wants to build a foundation that establishes trust and accountability, and also fosters an atmosphere where each player feels valued and appreciated.

“My focus is on instilling confidence, grit, and pride in every athlete who puts on an OPRF jersey,” Speech said. “I want our players to leave this program not only as stronger volleyball players, but also as young women who feel deeply loved, supported, and proud of the work they’ve put in. We’ll reach these goals by living out our five rules — Think, Listen, Don’t Follow, Try Your Best, and Never Give Up.”

C AROL DUNNING

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Fenwick girls volleyball on the rise

Puttin makes head coaching debut for Trinity

With nine returning players, including a few entering their third seasons on varsity, Fenwick High School girls volleyball coach Tee Pimsarn likes how things are looking.

“We’ve had a great start to the season,” said Pimsarn, in his third season. “We shored up our setting, and this may be the best lineup we’ve had since I took over. The things we’re doing and talking about in practice at this point are things we couldn’t do in the past. It’s just a matter of the players’ development and growth; we keep building our players every year, and we’re relying on them to get the much-needed reps during their club season and gain the experience.”

Fenwick finished 15-22 last season but won its IHSA Class 3A regional. The Friars’ top returnees are senior libero Sophia Leonardi, a DePauw University commit who had 180 digs and 49 aces in 2024; senior middle hitter Lill y Boyle (106 kills, 33 blocks); senior middle hit-

ter Marcelina Kozaczka (147 kills); junior Bella Gray (177 kills, 169 digs, 26 aces); and junior middle hitter Jordan Rossi (91 kills, 38 blocks, 38 aces).

Fenwick’s top newcomers are sophomore middle hitter Emily Drumm and junior setter Sofia Grossman, a transfer who played on the junior-varsity team last year

“We’re looking for big things from Sofia,” Pimsarn said. “And we’re going to lean on Emily as a second libero this season. She attacks with power and has a consistent range.”

The annual East Avenue Showdown at Oak Park and River Forest, Oct. 21, is something Pimsarn says is “always an exciting crosstown match.”

Other schedule highlights include a showdown with neighboring rival RiversideBrookfield (Oct. 14), non-conference matches with Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South, and tournaments at Downers Grove South and Wheaton-Warrenville South.

Fenwick went 2-1 at the season-opening Rolling Meadows Quad, Aug. 30. The Friars

defeated Glenbard South (25-22, 25-18) and Reavis (25-20, 25-13) and lost to Rolling Meadows 25-21, 22-25, and 13-15.

Once again, the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference figures to be competitive. Pimsarn says Mother McAuley is always a contender, with DePaul Prep, Loyola Academy, St. Ignatius, and St. Laurence not far behind Pimsarn wants the Friars to fully realize their potential this fall, and the team has adopted a simple – but effective – mantra.

“Our motto is, “Every Second Counts,” Pimsarn said. “As a program, we’re quite excited about this season. Our kids just need to trust their training, trust themselves, and find a good headspace for competition during matches, no matter who’s on the other side of the net.”

Trinity

T he Blazers gave new head coach Molly Puttin a victory in her debut, Aug. 26, sweeping visiting Lisle 25-17, 25-19. Put-

tin, a 1993 Trinity graduate, re placed Ken Uhlir, who passed away suddenly in April after 11 seasons leading the progr am. T rinity returns seven players from last year’s team that went 16-21: sophomore libero Liv Trendel; junior setter Maddie Trendel; senior middle hitter Meredith Breunig; senior outside hitter Alice Iammartino; senior right side Maggie Keith; senior outside hitter Ginny Redmond; and senior right side Maggie Stumbris Newcomers include freshman defensive specialist Kate Puttin; sophomore setter Nieve Clements; defensive specialist Maeve Corrigan; sophomore setter Millie Keith; and junior middle blockers Sophia Hadley, Anaya Henderson, and Taylor Long T he Blazers went 3-2 at the Timothy Christian/Westmont tournament, Aug. 29-30, with victories over Elgin St. Edward, Harvest Christian, and Westmont, and losses to IC Catholic Prep and Timothy Christian.

OPRF football KOs Rich Township 28-6

Senior OLB Gibson racks up two fumble recoveries and an interception

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

They say good things come to those who wait. And wait. And wait some more. It was a long bus ride to Matteson for the Oak Park and River Forest football team Friday, as the Huskies kicked of f their season against host Rich Township. OPRF walked away with a 28-6 win, but that nearly two-hour bus ride, thanks in part to the Labor Day weekend traffic, was a pain.

“We do this thing where we’re not allowed to have phones on the bus, [so we’re] locking in,” said junior running back and linebacker Liam Smith, who said he and his teammates spent their time “chilling out and getting ready mentally.” Senior outside linebacker Isaiah Gibson said you could tell when game time was approaching.

“When we were about 10 minutes out, we all got quiet and we just locked in, just di-

aled in and just visualized,” Gibson said.

But the ride home, after Smith rambled for 119 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving), and two fumble recoveries and an interception by Gibson?

“On the way home it was a little faster,” said coach John Hoerster. “It’s a whole lot more fun when you come back with the victory.”

And how, especially after a 1-8 campaign a year ago.

“It’s big for these kids, they were excited about it, it’s great for their mental attitude and positivity and getting some excitement for the season,” Hoerster said.

It may not have been a cast of thousands for the Huskies against the pesky Raptors, whose only score came on an 84-yard touchdown on the second play of the game, but there were a whole lot of contributors. They say it starts up front, and for OPRF, the tandem of junior nose guard Ben Lam-

be, and defensive ends Connor Krumrei, a junior, and senior Caleb Collins hanged tough. Their work allowed Smith to rack up eight tackles.

“He’s a big physical kid; he was taking on double teams and that allows the guys behind him to make plays,” Hoerster said of Lambe.

But it was Gibson, a wrestler, who seemed to be everywhere. Hoerster said Gibson is “such a scrappy athlete” and had some nice open-field tackles.

All in a night’s work for Gibson, to be sure.

“I just knew what they were going to run,” he said. “I spent all week watching film and telling my teammates what they do in this formation and what they do in that formation.”

Smith had plenty of kudos for his teammate.

“For me, Gibby brings so much energy and heart to our defense on Friday and he

gave us that spark to keep going,” Smith said. “He’s a big leader on his team.”

Offensively, Smith was solid and so was junior quarterback AJ Porter, who entered the game after halftime and ended up throwing three touchdown passes – one to Smith (16 yards) and two to junior running back Norlan Davis (35 and 16 yards respectively). Davis also had a solid night as a blocker, Hoerster said.

Smith said it was important for his team to get that first W, especially since crosstown rival Fenwick awaits in Week 2, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m., at Triton Colle ge

“This is our Super Bowl right here, this is the game we talk about all season,” Smith said. “This to us is who owns Oak Park.”

Gibson ag reed.

“It kind of makes my blood boil every time I hear their name,” he said. “The class of 2026, everybody on that roster hasn’t beaten Fenwick. We all want to get that game.”

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday September 17, 2025 for the following:

Village of Oak Park 2026 Comprehensive Landscape Maintenance

Bid Number: 25-126

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website http://www.oak-park. us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 3585700 during the hours above.

A mandatory pre-bid meeting shall be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Public Works Center. Proposals received from bidders who do not send a representative to the pre-bid meeting shall not be considered.

The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

Published in Wednesday Journal

September 3, 2025

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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

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

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777. GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M25000804 on August 18, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of NEWLOOK DESIGN STUDIO with the business located at: 907 RIDGE ROAD, WILMETTE, IL 60091. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: STEVE ECONOMOU 1141 SHERMAN AVE, EVANSTON, IL 60202-1335, USA

Published in Forest Park Review August 20, 27, September 3, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M25000838 on August 26, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of KATE LOVES CODE with the business located at: 510 S HUMPHREY AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: KATIE DONALDSON, 510 S HUMPHREY AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA

Published in Wednesday Journal September 3, 10, 17, 2025

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-KS3 Plaintiff, -v.LARRY BROWN, PATRICE LOVE-COLEMAN, STATE OF ILLINOIS - DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2024CH10706 218 SOUTH 15TH AVENUE MAYWOOD, IL 60153

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 30, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 29, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Commonly known as 218 SOUTH 15TH AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153

Property Index No. 15-10-401-0230000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

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, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

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

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

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-24-07262

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2024CH10706

TJSC#: 45-1499

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

Case # 2024CH10706 I3272406

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

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT

LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-6

Plaintiff,

-v.-

KOFI OKYERE A/K/A KOFI A. OKYERE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Defendants 2018CH08427 10530 CAMELOT WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 11, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 17, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 10530 CAMELOT, WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

Property Index No. 15-20-203-0210000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue

laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the 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).

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

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

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

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

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-18-06643

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2018CH08427

TJSC#: 45-2046

Case # 2018CH08427 I3271709

Submit events and see full calendar at oakpark.com/events

AND FORGET IT! SHRED IT

Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 8:00am to 12:00 noon

(NOTE: If the trucks fill-up sooner—we finish sooner!)

Forest Park Bank, the locally owned and managed community bank, is pleased to continue the tradition of sponsoring the Annual FREE Sensitive Document Shredding Event in the Municipal Parking Lot located south of the Drive-Up Facility. The Bank has, again, engaged a professional shredding service to shred your documents with an industrial shredder.

You may bring up to two 12” X 12” X 18” boxes of documents to be shred at no charge. Three-ring notebooks and binders with large metal rings cannot be shredded. Staples are allowed. If you have questions about this event, please contact the bank at 708.222.2800 .