W E D N E S D A Y
October 1, 2025 Vol. 46, No. 14
1980 - 2025
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J URNAL WJ45
@wednesdayjournal
@oakpark
of Oak Park and River Forest
Police station cost estimates now promised in November Finance committee evaluates building projects absent village hall renovation, police station costs
Board votes on QT Page 7
‘Robust’ equity discussion the focus of D200 board meeting Community members ask for curriculum equity advisory group to ensure fair access to honors classes and more
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN
By GREGG VOSS
Staff Reporter
Contributing Reporter
Oak Park village leaders are in the thick of budget season, but a detailed discussion on the costs of the village’s new police station and Village Hall renovations are still at least a month away. At a meeting of the village board finance committee Sept. 25 Village Manager Kevin Jackson said, “Our goal is to come back to the village board sometime in November to talk about that project and provide some cost estimates. Obviously, this budget will need to be amended once you make some decisions on those facilities.” While no final cost estimate for the new police building is included in the plan, See PROJECTS on page 12
BOB UPHUES
Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St.
Walking gingerly with a wooden cane, George Bailey stepped to the podium Thursday at the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 Board of Education meeting and spoke to the reason dozens of his fellow community members were sitting in the gallery. “There are a lot of people here working for change,” said the Oak Park resident. Many of those community members were holding signs that read “Imagine Educational Equity for ALL our OPRF Huskies,” and “Those Things That are Best for ALL.” At points during the seven public comments, speakers, including Bailey, held up their signs See EQUITY on page 13
A Collective Giving Group of the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation Celebrating 30 Years of Philanthropic Giving to Our Community Learn more at www.oprfcf.org