WednesdayJournal_102925

JURNAL

OPRF equity director resigns a er errant post proves revealing

Applewhite now HR lead at south suburban school district

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

LaTonya Applewhite, the director of equity and student success at Oak Park and River Forest High School, has resigned her job a little more than five weeks after she was placed on paid leave following her broadcasting a somewhat revealing Facebook Live video from her office. In the video she was demonstrating a waist shaping device.

Applewhite was placed on a paid leave beginning Sept. 5 that was supposed to last until Dec. 31. But on Oct. 16 Applewhite was hired as the Director of Human Resources at Dolton School District 149, an eight school, 2,227 student elementary school district in the south suburbs. That hiring prompted her resignation from OPRF although she had not been expected to return to OPRF. Applewhite’s resignation from OPRF was effective on Oct. 14 and was approved by the OPRF school board as part of the personnel re port that was included on the consent agenda at the school board’s Oct. 23 meeting. The District 149 school board

voted to hire Applewhite on Oct. 16. Applewhite told Wednesday Journal in an email that her annual salary at District 149 is $140,000. Her salary at OPRF was $157,480.

Applewhite declined to answer specific questions about her departure from OPRF

“I have moved on and have no further comment,” Applewhite wrote in an email.

Applewhite was placed on leave after

posting a short Facebook Live video in which she filmed herself putting on and talking about a corset-like waist shaping device in her school office sometime in August. Wednesday Journal obtained the one minute 47-second-long Facebook Live video after filing a public records request with OPRF

Oak Park leaders discuss strategic response to ICE

The village board plans to vote on an ‘ICE free zone’ ordinance next month

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park leaders discussed a strateg y for countering the federal immigration enforcement ef for ts focused on the West Cook suburbs and Chicagoland as a whole.

Oak Park leaders talked at their Oct. 21 meeting about a plan to pass an “ICE free zone” ordinance banning agents from operating on village-owned property, similar to legislation passed recently in Chicago, Evanston, Cook County, Lake County and other communities in the region this month. Such an ordinance would include collaborations with other gover nmental agencies like the Oak Park Library, school districts, park district and Oak Park Township to adopt uniform policies, trustees said.

“We have a very caring community that is capable of mobilizing and being leaders in very challenging times,” Village President Vicki Scaman said. “If it’s community keeping community safe, we want to make sure

See ICE on page 8 See APPLEWHITE on pa ge 17

All hands in for Halloween

These River Foresters o er a sweet treat, but it’s not candy

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter

Bewitching yard transformations aren’t unusual this time of the year. But in front of one River Forest house, 706 Ashland, the homeowners don’t scare so much as they share their love of puppet theater. This is their fifth year to put on a show while everyone is out walking the neighborhood

“It’s a way to have fun for ourselves and give to the community in a way that is joyful on Halloween,” homeowner Kristina Wilson said. “Make it a little bit more than candy.”

They pick a theme with a spooky season vibe. In years past it’s been a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” sing-along. Another time it was Frankenstein putting on the Ritz. This year they are going all-in on the sensation “Kpop Demon Hunters.”

“We just couldn’t resist,” Wilson said. “We had to ride the K-pop wave.”

Wilson’s first collaborator was husband Jason Jeunnette. They both grew up in suburbs further to the west but met in New York They moved back to the area to raise their children closer to family. A few years on, they decided to turn their yard into a puppet theater. Neighbors Jennifer Samples and Janie Crick Heredia joined in later.

“This is my first time being with this group,” Crick Heredia said. “I was a spectator that was like, can I be in your puppet club?”

“We all went to theater and performing

arts school,” Samples said.

For the whole troupe, the puppetry lets them flex their theater muscles. For Jeunnette, he gets to do theatrical lighting again. For Samples, it’s sewing and painting.

“All our lives have gone from theater school to just, you know, all the different places they’ve gone,” Wilson said. “This is a nice time of year where our kids get to see what we did with our younger years before they were born and how what we do affects other people.”

The puppet versions of K-pop stars begin their singing and dancing routines at 4:30 p.m. and shows repeat until trick-or-treating time ends at 7 p.m. Each performance lasts about 10 minutes. The performers plan to pack in approximately 10 repetitions over the course of the night.

“Kristina likes to say they are every 15 minutes, but it’s more, because anytime there’s a group of kids, she’s like, oh, there’s people, let’s go, let’s go,” Samples said.

“I sort of think you can’t keep an audience waiting,” Wilson said.

“It’s a workout. You don’t realize how much arm strength you need to like hold a puppet up for 10 minutes,” Crick Heredia said.

“And then on top of that, you’re moving around. You have to be energetic. You have to keep those kids entertained,” Wilson said.

WEDNESDAY

of Oak Park and River Forest

Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

Columnists Marc Bleso , Nicole Chavas, Jack 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

Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Operations Associate Susan Babin

Special

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

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

Quality Vacuums

Oak Park blocks plan to install EV chargers at 6104 Roosevelt

Property owner sought to build then demolish EV chargers on lot that will be sold to a ordable housing developers to satisfy land bank deal

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park village board denied a special use permit for an Oak Parker to build what would’ve been a short-lived electric vehicle charging parking lot on a property targeted for a village-subsidized af fordable housing development.

The board voted 6-1 to block Yves Hughes, a lifelong Oak Parker and a tech professional, to begin construction on a privately-owned electric hicle charging station at 6104 Roosevelt Rd, a for mer automobile service station property which has sat cant on the high-traffic corridor for years. The parcel not supposed to main just an EV parking lot for long, but the chargers had to go up to satisfy Hughes’ deal with the Cook County Land Bank before he planned to sell the lot to the housing developer who would get rid of them before building an apar tment complex.

vision to support a new af fordable housing development to go up on the property.

In January, Oak Park’s board of trustees approved $700,000 from the village’s housing trust fund to support The Community Builders, a national nonprofit property developer, developing the property into a 28unit af fordable housing complex.

The Community Builders have already developed and operate another af fordable housing complex in Oak Park — The 801 property located at 801 Van Buren St.

The proposal drew sharp criticism from several Oak Park trustees.

“The purpose of the zoning request is to create a massive waste,” Trustee Brian Straw said. “This is not a useful development; this is just a small investment to recoup $300,000 in land prospecting. Had the applicant followed through with the terms of his deed in a timely manner that would be one thing, but he did not.”

The development of the EV charging station was delayed for years, and in the meantime village leadership pursued a

Hughes purchased the Roosevelt Road property from the Cook County Land Bank in 2022 for $115,000 with the intention of building the ch The arging station, according to documents reviewed by Wednesday Journal. Hughes told Oak Park’s Zoning Board of Appeals over the summer that before he can legally sell the property to anyone else, he must satisfy his ag reement with the land bank by building the EV chargers

“The terms of the purchase ag reement was ‘you’ve got to do something, at least meet the requirement of what you ag reed to,’ and that’s my intention,” Hughes said

ICE arrested man near Whittier Elementary Monday morning

Neighbor said families ‘shook’ by incident as children were dropped o for school

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained a man near an Oak Park elementary school Monday morning, but District 97 school officials said the incident didn’t involve students or staf f. PASO-West Suburban Action Project, a local social justice and immigrants’ rights organization that’s been documenting im-

in August. “The county has said ‘we don’t really care what you do but do what you said you were going to do.’”

migration enforcement activity in the West Cook suburbs, put out a statement on social media Monday morning saying that staffers confirmed that several ICE agents had detained someone near the campus of John Greenleaf Whittier Elementary School in Oak Park.

“The rapid response team has confirmed an abduction in the 600 block of North Cuyler Avenue at 7:50 a.m. this morning,” according to PASO-West Suburban Action Project’s release. “There were three agents driving a blue Nissan Altima.”

Whittier students are dropped of f in the 600 block of North Cuyler Avenue, the 700 block of North Cuyler and the 600 block of North Harvey Avenue, according to the

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See ICE ARREST on page 8

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He told the zoning board that he’d already poured over $200,000 into the project, and that the project was derailed by the untimely death of his contractor. He said he heard from The Community Builders about their interest in the property not long after that and saw selling it to them as an opportunity to recoup his investment.

Village President Vicki Scaman was confident that denying the proposal and forcing Hughes to cede the land back to the land bank would likely not jeopardize the future Community Builders project.

Trustee Cory Wesley said that it’s common for entrepreneurs to purchase undeveloped land to quickly convert into something like an EV charging station or a paid parking lot before eventually selling to a developer. He said the fact that no chargers were put up after three years spoke to the insincerity of the proposal.

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“I’m fairly confident that the land bank will work with us, that’s my educated presumption here,” she said. “Municipalities usually have first right of refusal with the land bank, so I presume that the will of the community will matter.”

“But no one is going to give a guarantee of that this evening.”

But Scaman said that by allowing Hughes to retain ownership of the land until the sale went through, it would be the Oak Park taxpayer that paid for him to recoup the investment because the village had been asked to subsidize the developer

“The reason people do these things is because they’ re quick, then cheap to demolish,” he said. “If he wanted an EV station on this land there would be an EV station on this land. It does not take three years to do these things. This is what he could’ve done and then we wouldn’t have this discussion.”

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The only trustee to vote in favor of the proposal was Jim Taglia, although he also said he wasn’t much of a fan of the idea.

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“It does feel like the owner is gaming the system,” Taglia said. “But I just don’t feel comfortable being an arbiter of how capitalism is supposed to work.”

“I don’t feel that it’s our role to call out people who aren’t doing anything illegal and saying they can’t profit. We don’t set the laws in that way.”

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Proviso of cial challenges Mitts for 7th District State Central Committee seat

No candidate has led to challenge Welch so far

By BILL DWYER Contributing Reporter

Mary “May” Larry, the Proviso Township committeewoman since 2022, has filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections to be on the ballot in March 2026 for Democratic State Central Committeewoman (DSCC). Barring any objections to her petitions, she will face Chicago’ Ward Alderwoman Emma Mitts in that race.

in numerous contested races for her 37th ward aldermanic seat, including respected activist Tara Stamps, who was appointed to the Cook County board in 2024.

The Democratic State Central Committee a committeeman and committeewoman to be elected or pointed. As of the end of filing on Mond no candidate other than Emanuel “Chris” Welch has filed for the DSC committeeman office.

Larry, who has run unsuccessfully for Maywood village president or village trustee four times since 2013, according to the ISBE, filed nomination petitions Monday morning in Springfield.

Mitts, 70, has defeated all challengers

In April 2024, Mitts was appointed by the 7th District congressional committee following the death of long-time Proviso township political leader and Cook corder of YarCandidate petition filing will continue from 8 a.m. m. weekdays 3. Following that deadline, any interested party may file an objection to any candidate’s petitions for numerous reasons. The deadline for filing objections is five business days after the last day of the filing period.

Growing Community Media will be re viewing nominating petitions from Larry and others as soon as they are made available by the ISBE after necessary processing. This is a de veloping story the paper will be following

New mediator for D90 teacher contract negotiations

Next bargaining session set for Wednesday

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

River Forest School District 90 and the River Forest Education Association have a new mediator for teacher contract negotiations.

The sides were forced to bring on a new third-party mediator after the federal government shutdown precluded the original mediator from further participating. The new mediator will preside over the next bargaining session on Wednesday at the district administration building. The last session was Oct. 8, a delay due in part to participant schedule alignment.

Ne gotiations on a contract began in April, and District 90 teachers have been working without a contract since August. RFEA members have been asked to re port for contract hours only, which are 7:50 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. for the district’s two elementary schools and 8 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. for Roos-

evelt Middle School.

“We won’t be staying after school to support students with additional time,” said Lauren Baiocchi, RFEA co-president with Cindy Crannell, both district teachers. “If it’s something (a teacher) committed to, like a club, you ag reed to do it, those things are happening. Teachers go above and beyond every day and might do a specific thing, (like) go over a test. Those sorts of things won’t be happening.”

Compensation still contested

The main point of contention remains teacher compensation. While administrative salaries in District 90 have kept pace with comparable school districts, the pair said previously, teachers’ salaries in River Forest have fallen behind. Without a new contract, the district runs the risk of losing teachers to higher-paying districts, which, the union said, could lead to increased teacher turnover.

According to publicly available Illinois State Board of Education data, superintendent Dr. Edward Condon’s base salary was

$256,207 in 2024. That is up from $232,768 in 2021.

All three District 90 schools are rated Exemplary by the State of Illinois – placing them in the top 10% of the state

Now there is a new mediator to sort out what has been discussed already.

“It’s a disadvantage for both sides,” Baiocchi said. “If it’s true the district wants to get this done, we would have preferred to have our first mediator.

“I think both sides are frustrated, but we feel like we need a mediator. It’s unfortunate We had hoped the gover nment would have reopened.”

Ongoing community concern

At the district board of education meeting Oct. 21, about 130 RFEA and community members spent 90 minutes in the public comment portion of the meeting discussing “a common theme of getting this done,” Crannell said.

A typical mediation session, Baiocchi said, consists of district and RFEA teams

2025 Fall leaf collection program returns in late October

The Village’s fall leaf collection program is scheduled for Oct. 27 – Dec. 5, with six pickups scheduled for each section of Oak Park. For the second consecutive year, residents will not place leaves directly into the street. Instead, they can choose from a variety of leaf collection options introduced in 2024 to improve safety and help the environment:

• Place leaves in a bag or bin...Fallen leaves can be placed in yard waste bags and/or rigid containers and left in the parkway as close to the curb as possible for pickup. Six pickups are planned for each section of the Village on the scheduled pickup dates indicated on the map. Green yard waste stickers are NOT required during the six-week Fall Leaf Collection Program, and residents may put out an unlimited number of bags and/or rigid containers in the parkway on their designated collection day. The Village’s waste hauler Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) will transport the leaves to a compost facility.

• Compost leaves… Residents who participate in the Village’s CompostAble program can discard leaves in their 96-gallon gray organics cart along with food scraps and other yard waste throughout the year. Find more information about the program and sign up to participate at www.oak-park.us/compost.

• Mulch the leaves…Oak Park residents are encouraged to consider mulching leaves with a mower and/or leaving them on the lawn or in garden beds to promote soil health. This option offers an opportunity to support regional biodiversity and save money

on fertilizer by allowing leaf litter to decompose naturally. It also aligns with the Village’s Climate Ready Oak Park plan.

Be sure to remind landscapers: Residents who utilize landscape services are asked to remind their landscaper that fallen leaves should no longer be placed in the street but should instead be mulched, placed in yard waste bags or hauled away. A handout with information about the leaf collection process in both English and Spanish is available at www.oak-park.us/leafcollection.

Leaf collection assistance available: The Village is coordinating an online portal where Oak Parkers can request leaf collection assistance. Visit www.oak-park.us/leafcollection and fill out the online form under the leaf collection assistance section to be connected with volunteer groups raking leaves throughout the community. The page also includes a link to a sign-up form for anyone interested in volunteering to rake leaves.

Free leaf collection bags…Free leaf collection bags are available while supplies last for residents to pick up during regular business hours Monday through Friday at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. and the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd.

in separate rooms, with the mediator managing delivery of and discussion about supposals, which are non-binding agreements.

“One side is up, they do a supposal on an economic package, and we go back and for th,” Baiocchi said. “I think from a mediator, it’s supposed to be more impartial. You obviously don’t have personalities in the room.”

According to a board statement sent via email to all district staf f on Oct. 22, the board and the district are “working in partnership with leaders re presenting the RFEA to establish a new teacher contract that will compensate teachers appropriately and competitively

“However, this work is being done within the context of budget constraints. Our district’s annual expenditures outpace revenues, which consist primarily of residential property taxes. Balancing the desire to pay teachers a wage that communicates value and respect with the reality of our limited resources is the challenge at hand.”

See D90 CONTRACT on page 12

ICE ARREST

In full view of families

from page 5

school district’s website.

Liz Lukehart, a resident of the 600 block of North Cuyler who witnessed the arrest, said that many children and families walking to the school saw the arrest happen.

“There were a number of families that witnessed parts of it,” she said. “I know that shook a lot of people.”

T he incident happened about “half a block” away from the Whittier campus, Lukehart said. T he man was working as a painter at a home on the street, she said.

Video of the incident that Lukehar t captured showed three agents making the ar rest, including one wearing a vest identifying him as part of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations team.

“They don’ t usually do random stops,” Lukehart said. “They usually have individuals that they’re aware of, that they’re

OICEials discuss how to respond

c

from page 1

that everyone knows what ‘know your rights’ means.”

“History is going to be on our side for acting and responding and taking care of each other. And when we look back at history where we have seen this before, very, very tragically, history will tell that it is community that protects each other.”

The federal government says it’s arrested more than 1,000 undocumented immigrants in its so-called Operation Midway Blitz, which has led to chaotic scenes across the re gion and alle gations that federal agents are illegally violating residents’ rights and racially profiling Latino people and other minorities.

Oak Park already has an immigration sanctuary ordinance on the books that bars village employees from aiding federal immigration investigations, but the proposed plan would take those measures a step further. Village officials have also been monitoring the parking lot at Oak Park’s Village Hall after ICE agents had staged vehicles and personnel on the property in September.

looking for due to their documentation status.”

Amanda Sie gfried, the District 97 spokesperson, acknowledged the incident to Wednesday Journal in a statement Monday after noon.

“This morning, prior to the start of school, District 97 was made aware of an incident involving ICE that occurred several blocks from Whittier Elementary School,” Seigfried said. “The situation was not school-related, and no students or staf f were involved. Out of an abundance of caution, Whittier staf f were notified and asked to remain vigilant throughout the day. T he school day continued safely and without inter ruption.”

This incident comes one week after an Oak Park attorney was ar rested by ICE agents outside of another District 97 elementary school.

Scott S akiyama was ar rested near Lincoln Elementary after driving behind an Immigration and Customs Enforcement van and honking his horn and blowing a whistle in an ef fort to identify the unmarked car as an immigration enforce-

The village board’s discussion took place one day after Oak Park attorney and immigrant’s rights a dvocate Scott Sakiyama was ar rested outside of Lincoln Elementary School after following a van driven by ICE agents and honking his horn and blowing a whistle to alert people that the unmarked car was driven by federal agents The arrest forced the school into “secure” lockdown protocol and represented just the latest Oak Parker to be detained by federal agents

“It’s no longer theoretical, it’s here in Oak Park,” said Trustee Derek Eder, referencing Sakiyama’s arrest.

Eder and Trustee Jenna Leving Jacobson put the discussion on the agenda with the hope that it would lay out guidance for village staff to prepare legislation that the board could vote on at a special meeting Nov. 4, when a deeper discussion on the matter will take place.

“This is the top-of-mind concern for everyone I’m talking to in the community,” Leving Jacobson said. “We’re continuing that conversation about what more we can do. The intention is to be decisive, to have something we can vote on at our next meeting.”

“I hope we can continue to look at our role, our levers of power and our relationships across the community,” she said.

Eder and Leving Jacobson prepared a memo on the issue that laid out two key components for a “starting point” for the village’s refreshed strategy, the first being new ordi-

ment vehicle on Monday, Oct. 21. Sakiyama was ar rested at gunpoint, and the incident put Lincoln Elementary onto the “secure” level of its lockdown protocol.

One of Sakiyama’s children is a current Lincoln student, he told Wednesday Journal last week. Sakiyama was held in federal custody for about an hour before he was released back near the Lincoln campus

“The federal gover nment is abusing its power, we’ve seen them disappearing people that they don’t think should be here,” he said. “Now they’re trying to criminalize honking your hor n and blowing a whistle.”

Last month, ICE agents had been seen near the campus of the Wonder Works children’s museum and approached a museum visitor for questioning, but federal agents did not enter the building, according to Wonder Works Executive Director Rachel Weber.

Lukehart said that she and other Oak Park neighbors were able to identify the man ar rested by ICE on Monday and got in contact with his wife

“I connected with his f amily members

nance language banning federal immigration agents from gover nment property and the second being a revamped communications strategy aimed at sharing guidance for what residents should do when encountering agents

“We’d like to create a shared communication plan and funding with the goal that every person who lives, works or visits the village of Oak Park knows what to do when observing federal agents,” Eder said. “This plan should include but not be limited to shared signage, handouts and other materials for use across government bodies in Oak Park, best practices for residents hiring day laborers like roofers, landscapers and movers who face real risk for racial profiling and ICE enforcement.”

Signage could include phrases like “this space is ICE Free” or “We protect all workers.” The communications effort could also involve the use of village emergency notification systems to alert residents about immigration enforcement operations in town, Eder said.

In the weeks since federal immigration enforcement efforts intensified in the area, Oak Park Village Manager Kevin Jackson asked village department heads to prepare strategy proposals to support a village-wide effort to “operationalize” the village’s immigration sanctuary ordinance “through concrete action”, said Kellye Keyes, Oak Park’s DEI director

and spoke with his wife, we were able to provide support for her, bring her over to the Broadview facility where they bring the detained individuals and she was able to retrieve the car keys for his vehicle so that she could g et the car and bring that back home,” Lukehart said. “We just ensured that the f amily kind of got the support that they needed from local immigrant rights org anizations.”

Lukehart said that many of her neighbors were carrying whistles that they blew during the incident and that she wasn’t the only neighbor who took video of the ar rest.

“Thank goodness people in the community are now wearing their whistles and are aware of what to do with them, because it really does help,” she said.

“We want to be aware and be cognizant of what’s going on and keep our eyes out for things but also try not to panic each other. We want to try to respond to these things in ways that are productive and helpful for the impacted individuals, as opposed to kind of just perpetuating more fear and panic.”

These steps included the parking lot monitoring and publishing information on immigration resources through official village communication channels, said.

Trustee Chibuike Enyia thanked village staff and the Oak Park Police Department in particular for staying true to the village’s sanctuary ordinance.

“You all have done a fantastic job of rising to the occasion,” Enyia said. “I strongly support our of ficers, and I love that they support what this village stands for. We couldn’t ask for more and I just wish other organizations were committed to taking the same steps that you all have.”

Trustee Jim Taglia war ned that the village should be cautious with its strategy so not to attract a backlash from the federal government and to make sure that any steps the village takes make a real difference.

“I think we need to focus on taking material measures for keeping residents safe as opposed to making a decree that may have little effect,” Taglia said. “The village is like an ant and the federal gover nment is like an elephant, so it’s not a fair fight, if you want to use that word. I am concerned, to some degree, about retaliation. We have to be mindful that the federal gover nment is not just going to allow things to always happen. They take action. I don’t want to see National Guard marching down Lake Street. I think that would be devastating. That would make matters far worse.”

D200 boar $2.1M tax levy

OPRF points to taking a lower levy in

By GREGG VOSS Contributing

Recapturing $2.1 million in taxes in 202527 was the main cog of a tax levy scenario the Oak Park and Ri District 200 board of at its Oct. 23 meeting

The scenario, wh fund balance at 33% of district expenditures over the next four year one of four the board It will approve a 2025 tentati special board meeting No in Taxation public levy Dec. 4. Final adoption of the levy would be made that

In May 2022, a new section of the state Property Tax Code authority to appr than the maximum allowable create the possibility of difference on a future levy within three years.

The scenario, termed Scenario 4, was presented by district finance director Brian Imhof f and Tony Arbogast, assistant superintendent for business services. Scenario 4 would recapture the $2.1 million in three equal installments of $700,000 from 2025-27 tax levy years. It assumes the recapture is taken re gardless of the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI), which would result in a levy increase of 3.8% in 2025, and an estimated increase of 2.8% in 2026 and 2027.

In recent years, OPRF officials had used its decisions to not tax to the maximum level as a talking point reflecting what they considered to be a respectful treatment of taxpayers.

“The reason our district did not levy higher in those previous years was the fund balance was above the target range, above 50%, the high range of where we want to be,” Imhof f said Monday. “Even as recently as June, we were running around 75%.”

Imhof f said that while a district can always choose to levy less taxes, before the 2022 Property Tax Code change, “there was

Scenario 3, which would recapture the $2.1 million with a 3.5% tax levy increase for the next three years unless that $2.1 million amount has been exhausted earlier.

Board member Graham Brisben asked Arbogast Thursday what the fundamental differences between Scenarios 3 and 4 are.

“To me, Scenario 4 smooths in the recapture on a dollar basis and not a percentage basis,” Arbogast said. “One, it doesn’t put that risk of a high CPI forcing us to not go to a recapture.”

Board member Kathleen Odell said the recapture opportunity in Scenario 4 serves an important purpose.

“If there are material changes, if the situation today is unexpectedly and unavoidably different from the way we thought it might be when the previous decision was made, that’s kind of exactly the reason for the recapture opportunity,” she said.

She said the district’s special education costs have gone up “really even more than what we’re talking about recapturing on an annual basis, and the other thing is the unpredictability with the county, meaning we want to aim for that higher 33% level.”

But she ag reed with other board members that “we have to be judicious with that recapture opportunity.”

capture, and I don’t think we’ve dug deep enough into maybe some of our expense reductions,” he said.

“I think it’s something we told our taxpayers we’re not going to tax this amount, and then all of a sudden, oops, something changes, now we’re going to go back and tax you again.

“It just doesn’t sit well with me, and I understand it may be a necessity.”

Would Scenario 4’s tax recapture approach been necessary if District 200’s cur rently-in-progress building Project 2 had gone to a referendum in 2023, instead of the issuance of debt certificates?

“It depends on the amount of the referendum,” Imhof f said. “At the time, we were looking at Project 2 financing, there were multiple scenarios, and one of them was do we go to referendum for the full project? Do we go to referendum and only ask for 50% and fund (the rest) through fund balance or debt certificates?”

He said that if the district had gone to referendum and asked for the full amount, in excess of $40 million, “then our fund balance would still be above the target range. But then why are you going to referendum for the full amount when you have a 75% to 80% fund balance?”

Trick or Treat!

Halloween is a night of magic, mystery, creativity and transforming into whatever you desire to be. And with each Halloween, parents have the “talk” with their kids about safety, whether with crossing the street or checking their candy.

We also take safety seriously, which is why each Halloween, we choose to cease our operations earlier than normal to avoid working on properties or traveling through town, during trick-or-treating hours. Not only do we want to avoid driving along crowded streets, we also do not want to disrupt the experience with our work.

For years, this has enabled our employees to share these enjoyable and memorable experiences with their own families.

So, on this Halloween, from the entire McAdam Landscaping family to yours: have fun, be safe, and TRICK OR TREAT!

Berwyn students celebrate immigration with 105-foot mural

Oak Park teacher leads charge of student-driven, social-justice mural

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

Like most teachers, Gail Durczak loves when a teachable moment can happen outside of the classroom walls

So at the beginning of the school year — at the same time that local and national news was focused on issues of undocumented immigration, ICE enforcement and as strong political sentiments escalated — the Oak Park resident teaching social justice to middle-school students in Berwy figured there was no better time to bring the voices of her students outside of school and directly community.

Over the past several weeks, Durczak and 82 seventh- and eighthstudents at Freedom Middle School have been diligently painting a mural in a 105-foot tunnel directly east of school along Ridgeland Av 31st Street.

Featuring the student-generated theme of “After we migr thrive,” the mural showcases tive stand in solidarity with cu migrants and immigrant c ties

ral was inspired by her lean into the Paulo Freire educational theory which asserts that students should be centered and have real choice in their education, encouraging critical thinking and dialogue between teachers and students in order to understand social inequalities

One way which Durczak says she fulfills her educational goal is by surveying her students to see what they like and dislike about her course, noting many of her students often share how they enjoy bringing art, animals and personal identity into the curriculum.

“At the beginning of the school year, I asked the students to come up with drawings and themes that would give positive feelings and perspectives to themes around immigra-

With painting taking place during regular classroom periods throughout the school day, the group has painted butterflies displaying students’ countries of origin on one wing, and either the American flag or another chosen symbol of identity on the other wing.

“I also acknowledged that there are students that have a history of either being here before Europeans arrived, and other students whose ancestors were brought here against their will,” Durczak said. “I offered alternatives of either indigenous symbols and flags, and also the Pan-African flag to use.”

Durczak says the idea of the public mu-

tion,” she said. “Angie Canales, an eighth grader, came up with the idea to use the phrase, ‘In order to grow, we must migrate,’ and then have a butterfly with a green card on one wing and the U.S. flag on the other. I knew that this was going to be the best idea.”

Canales was excited to help spearhead creative efforts on the project, saying the mural has allowed her and her peers to value the importance of using both their actual voice and artistic voice to speak out about current news stories.

“Right now, immigration is a really big topic that is currently happening all over the U.S., so I wanted to do something for a mural that had to do with immigration because I myself am Latina and I know how much the current news can impact all immigrants,” she said. “I wanted to do something that would allow us all to have a voice because right now, not all immigrants are able to speak out.”

Durczak said that especially now, this project has proved itself to be meaningful for both the school and the greater Berwyn community.

“I purposefully asked the children to come up with proimmigration themes because immigrants, specifically Latino immigrants, are currently under attack,” she said. “Whether or not my children know it, they are constantly getting messaging and social cueing that they don’t belong here, or that they or people associated with them are criminals. They should be proud and empowered by their own stories of immigration, of their roots and ancestral histories.”

Durczak adds she finds deep personal meaning in the project as the child of Filipino immigrants.

“Although I technically check the box of Asian American and Pacific Islander, I have the same Spanish colonial history that the majority of my students do,” she said. “I know all about the feeling of be-

ing marginalized, othered and invalidated from being a brown immigrant in particular. My students deserve better than that, and to eng age in a mural that externalizes and affirms their heritage in a way that is positive and empowering is something that I feel privile ged to do with them.”

Durczak says that not only have her students found purpose in the project, but that school district administrators, community members and civic leaders have proudly expressed their support along the way.

“The students have been really excited to design and paint the tunnel, be outside and create the visions that they first crafted on paper,” she said. “Admin have also been appreciative of the concept [and] we have also received support from Josh Valdovinos of the Berwyn Public Art Initiative, who also teaches a very cool breakdancing and graffiti class in Oak Park District 97. Also, Josh Bowman, Berwyn’s second ward alderman, has personally walked over a lot of art supplies to help us. He learned about the project when I put the call out for people to donate their supplies in local Facebook groups. I have donations from people all over Oak Park as well — it’s really a dual-town project in that sense.”

Canales says seeing the project come to life has been “amazing.”

“It has a deeper meaning because I come from an immigrant family, so it feels really powerful to be able to speak up about it rather than being afraid or scared,” she said. “It’s not just about one specific group of immigrants — it’s all immigrants who are being targeted, and it’s not fair.”

Dutch Bros co ee drive-thru approved for Madison Street

Chain

to build its rst Cook County store at old KFC site

near Perc y Julian Middle School

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park will soon be the home of Cook County’s first Dutch Bros Coffee location.

Oak Park’s village board unanimously approved the zoning variance requests from Dutch Bros, an Oregon-based fastservice coffee chain with more than 1,000 U.S. locations primarily on the West Coast. The chain plans to repurpose the site of the for mer Kentucky Fried Chicken location at 316 Madison St. as part of an early foray into Chicagoland.

“This is revitalizing a piece of property for a productive use that’s appropriate for the land,” said Village President Vicki Scaman.

The property sits near the intersection of Madison Street and Ridgeland Avenue, adjacent to Percy Julian Middle School. The company would construct a new 1,236 square foot building on the site, featuring two-drive through lanes and a walk-up window for pedestrian customers, according to its proposal.

“The project includes the redevelopment of a non-operational KFC restaurant into a Dutch Bros Coffee with a drive-thru service window,” the company wrote in its proposal. “Site improvements include demolition of the existing building, dual drive-through lanes with stacking for up to 13 vehicles, a bypass lane, and a trash

and recycling enclosure. The building will include a customer walk-up window on the north side of the building with covered outdoor seating. Surface parking for 14 ve hicles is proposed to serve the site.”

Trustee Chibuike Enyia said that rede veloping the site will also make the area safer for school children walking to class.

“Kids travel through that lot every day to get to school,” said Enyia, a Julian parent.

“Some kids can get lost in the pack around that building and I think knowing that there will be eyes on that building, that there will be a use for it, will get kids back to walking on the sidewalk and not use those shortcuts that can potentially create a dangerous situation in the alley between the school and the building.”

The board’s vote comes after Dutch Bros shared plans for two downstate Illinois locations and made a pitch for a shop in a farther-flung Chicago suburb.

The chain opened its first location in the state last month in the Metro East St. Louis community of Glen Carbon, according to The Edwardsville Intelligencer. Dutch Bros announced in August that it’s on track to open a location in Urbana by the end of the year, according to NBC.

Dutch Bros re presentatives also appeared before Naperville’s Planning and Zoning Commission in August to pitch a new location, according to the Naperville Sun.

T he chain has looked to expand across the country in recent years after amassing a dedicated following on the west coast. In the process, Dutch Bros has become well associated with its large, eclectic drink menu, viral online promotions and the peppy service provided by its “broistas.”

State elections board deadlocks on Harmon ne appeal

Will reconvene in November to consider unprecedented appeal case

By BILL DWYER Contributing Reporter

The Illinois State Board of Elections deadlocked 4-4 Oct. 21 along partisan lines on a motion to deny an appeal by State Senate President Don Harmon of $9.8 million in forfeitures and penalties related to his alleged violation of state campaign finance laws

After hearing ISBE Deputy General Counsel Jordan Andrew give a review of the case and Harmon attorney Mike Kasper detailed response and argument, a motion was made to accept the recommendation of ISBE hear ing officer Barbara Goodman and General Counsel Marni Malowitz to deny Harmon’s appeal of the decision by ISBE staff.

under the law.”

An act of self-funding, Malowitz contended, is permitted “within the 12 months prior to an election,” and not necessarily an election in which the candidate is running. But any act of self-funding, she said, “can lift contribution limits for no longer than one election cycle, unless,” she said, under Section 9-8.5(h) the limits are extended due to a candidate winning a primary and beoming the party nominee in the eneral election.

What began as purportedly an issue regarding the distinction between “election” and “election cycle” soon evolved into a question of who has ultimate authority to decide on matters of sanctioning a political committee for alleged campaign finance violations

After the deadlocked vote and more than an hour of back and forth, it was decided to table further discussion and any decision until the board’s regularly scheduled Nov. 18 meeting. Both sides appeared to have agreed Tuesday that it is the election board’s role to approve any actions by ISBE staff. Though appearances can be deceiving.

“What we have before us are multiple interpretations of statutory language,” Andrew said toward the close of debate

In an Aug. 15 memo, Malowitz wrote that “the language of Section 9-8.5(h) ‘answers two important questions’: when may a candidate self-fund, and for what duration does an act of self-funding lift contribution limits

D90 CONTRAC T

from page 7

‘Thoughtful and creative solutions’

That language was consistent with a statement the district provided to Wednesday Journal on Friday, which also said,

Malowitz concluded that since the Harmon campaign “accepted ontributions in violation of Section 9-8.5(b)’s limitations as shown in Exhibit D, and it failed to return or dispose of the conributions as required by Section 9-8.5(j), its appeal should be denied, and the fines assessed against respondent should be subject to a final order of the board.”

But after nearly an hour of back and forth between Kasper and Andrew, and intense debate among election board members, the issue of “election” versus “election cycle” seemed to fade, and there were far more questions than answers.

When Andrew said there was “no action by the board,” due to the deadlock, and stated that the penalties and forfeitures “are due and owing,” Kasper objected, saying “you can’t assess until you find a violation.”

“There must be action by the board,” Kasper argued. “There has to be an affirmative vote.”

Among the questions certain to be at issue at the Nov. 18 meeting is whether the imposed penalties and forfeitures (escheatment) can be summarily imposed by ISBE staf f who are charged with overseeing

“The ne gotiation team re presenting the board and district has worked to respond to RFEA requests with thoughtful and creative solutions, including notable increases in teacher salaries.”

Further, the district statement to the Journal noted that it is “not discussing the specific ter ms publicly because it is a w elldocumented best practice in successful negotiations to keep dialo gue about proposed terms among the parties involved in order

campaign contribution compliance, or if they must be affirmed by a majority vote of the elections board in order to take effect.

Kasper suggested the answer to that question was contained in ISBE staffer Tom Newman’s June 4 letter to Harmon.

“The total amount of $9,846,475 … will be imposed with the issuance of a final board order after the 30-day appeal period has expired,” Newman wrote Harmon. “This amount must be paid within 30 days of the issuance of the board order.”

“It didn’t say the total amount IS owing, it said it will be upon the issuance of a final order,” Kasper said. He also referred to Sec. 1A-7 of the Illinois election law, which states that “Five members of the board are necessary to constitute a quorum and 5 votes are necessary for any action of the board to become effective…”

Andrew said the Harmon case presents a unique set of circumstances to the board. “Unfortunately, I cannot speak to what we have done specifically for violations for alle ged, for assessments that have been appealed … because this is a matter of first impressions.”

“We have not had this exact experience with these exact types of fines come before the board. Nor have we had that come before the board with a 4-4 vote.”

“What we have before us are multiple interpretations of statutory language.”

JORDAN ANDREW ISBE Deputy General Counsel

Andrew acknowledged that “typically speaking,” fines and other actions taken by ISBE staf f that come before the board as agenda items are voted on before becoming final.

“Typically, in the past, committees that had been assessed similar penalties simply returned the fines,” she said. “What we have before us are multiple interpretations of statutory language.”

The board was finally able to ag ree that the issues before them were effectively “a case of first impression, that is, a legal issue that has never been decided by the governing jurisdiction.

“We need a road map,” board member Catherine McCrory said.

to avoid escalating conflict that could impede progress toward agreement.”

The Oct. 22 district message to staf f was also clear on another thing.

“Teachers, we place great value in the work you do and the way you show up every day to support our children,” it said.

“You are the heart of our schools, and your work is vital to the success of our students.

We know that this has been a challenging time, and we want to thank you for your

“I can’t tell you, ‘Oh, we had this back in 2021, this is what happened X-Y-Z, (how we) went forward.”

Andrew allowed that “there has been no final order to assess the penalties at this time.” She said the board could vote to assess or not assess the penalties brought by ISBE staf f. However, she added, given the obvious split, “We’ll be entering a cycle of 4-4 (votes) on what to do.”

“We are pleased with today’s results,” a Harmon spokesperson said Tuesday Though Kasper made it clear he’s prepared to sue in circuit court if the ISBE eventually rules against Harmon, saying, “I will appeal an adverse action against my client.”

There are significant time pressures weighing on Harmon. First, Illinois law prohibits candidates from running for office if they have unpaid fines owing to the ISBE.

And Harmon will be filing required nominating petitions between Oct. 27 and Nov. 3. The names of all candidates for the March 17 primary ballot. must be of ficially certified no later than Jan. 8.

commitment to our students and to our school community, both over the years and in these past few months.

“We would also like to thank everyone who has shared their perspectives and personal stories with us, whether at meetings or through written messages. It takes courage to speak publicly about issues that matter deeply, and your input has been valuable as we continue working toward an ag reement.”

Everyone’s welcome, everyone works in Roosevelt’s running culture

Girls take 2nd at state; Boys earn 11th place in IESA meet held Oc t. 18 in Normal

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Standing on a starting line over 100 miles from home on a chilly fall day, waiting for whistle and then the pop of a pistol to start the state final race … all that could be terrifying for some.

Not for Roosevelt Middle School eighth grader Brigitte Drab

That was just the beginning of a gr day for Drab and her teammates Oct. 18 at the Illinois Elementary School Association state cross country meet, where the Bulldogs took second with 83 points, just 10 behind winner Metamora.

What was Drab thinking on the starting line that day as things got awful quiet?

“I’m just telling myself positive thing like I can do it, just keep going,” said Drab who clocked 13:13.1 for the two-mile run, good enough for 66th place. Seventh grader Lilia Fobes turned in the Bulldogs’ best time, 12:28.0, and took 10th.

“It will only last like 13 minutes and then it will be over, and I just want to do my best, so just focus on that,” she said.

Fellow eighth grader Nora Gundru took 22nd in 12:37.4. She took a bit mor of a philosophical approach at the starting line.

“We had been talking about this is our last race with this team and I wanted to make it worth it,” Gundrum said. “I was thinking do it for the team and try to do better than the last time.”

But no doubt there were nerves, said eighth grader Maci Sardon, who finished just behind Drab in 68th place at 13:14.8. How did she overcome them?

“My nerves were bubbling up,” Sardon admitted. “I was like, once you start running, those nerves will go away and all you can do is do your best.”

The nerves, and elation, weren’ t limited to the girls’ team. The Roosevelt boys took 11th place in their race, with 329 points, and were led by eighth grader Julien Caulliez, who finished 27th in 11:14.5. Fellow eighth grader Nick Bevan was 41st in 11:34.1.

Bevan is an observant one, and he took in the whole situation as if he wanted to make

e Roosevelt Middle School girls crosscountr y team. Head coach Louisa Star r is at the far right, and assistant coach Meg Navallo is on the far le .

sure he remembered it years from now.

“I think about the wind, because it’s usually very silent,” he said. “It’s probably one of the quietest places you can get, to get that many people to be quiet. You can hear the wind, you can feel the wind.

“I focus on my heartbeat, I don’t like the waiting around for the race. I like to get it over with.”

Roosevelt head coach Louisa Starr and her coaching staf f oversaw 110 runners this fall in grades five through eight. Those students benefit from the fact that cross country is a no-cut sport. Everyone is invited to compete but also enjoy being on a team. In other words, culture is key, and the Bulldogs had plenty of that.

Culture comes down to two things, Starr

said, important because running ain’t easy.

“This is an inclusive program and I think it’s incredibly important to create an accountability culture,” she said. “They have to be there for practice, they have to be there for meets. Being accountable and tackling hard challenges percolates into other areas of students’ lives.”

The other one is leaning into community, including Starr and her staf f, district support and a strong PTO. That includes Roosevelt principal Tina Steketee.

“I am so proud of our cross country teams,” she said, “for their exceptional honors and for their dedication and team spirit which contributes so much to the special culture of our Roosevelt school community.”

Safe Steps for Fall Day

Autumn brings crisp air and colorful leaves — but also new safety risks. A few simple steps can help keep you and your loved ones safe at home:

Clear outdoor paths: Sweep or rake wet leaves from steps, driveways, and walkways to prevent slipping.

Improve lighting: Replace dim bulbs, add motion-sensor lights outside, and keep indoor hallways and entryways well lit. Secure floors inside: Remove clutter, tuck away cords, and use non-slip pads under rugs. Wear safe footwear: Choose shoes with firm, non-skid soles instead of socks or loose slippers.

Use support when needed: Keep railings sturdy and add grab bars in high-risk areas like bathrooms.

Taking these precautions helps reduce fall risks and keeps your home safe and welcoming all season long.

Visit Cantata.org for more senior living advice or call (708) 387-1030

Chapel continues St. Catherine-St. Lucy spiritual mission

‘What’s impor tant about any church isn’t the space … it’s the people.’

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

The June closure of St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Catholic church in Oak Park still hurts for many, including the Rev. Carl Morello, who presided over the final mass.

But the opening of a new chapel space on the fourth floor of St. Catherine -St. Lucy School at 27 Washington Blvd. is bridging the gap between then and now and helping continue the church’s mission of for mation of spiritual hearts.

A weekly service is held at 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays for students, though the public is welcome.

isn’t the space … it’s the people,” Morello said. “They are what make the place special and sacred.”

Sharon Leamy, the school’s principal, was a key driver behind the chapel’s for mation. Leamy also credited Louie Weiss, the operations director. Leamy said, “giving up mass was never going to be an option,” so finding a viable space in school was imperative

The pair looked at the gymnasium, but that wasn’t feasible due to the preparations that need to be made for mass. Instead, they selected a fourth-floor multi-purpose space with a dropped ceiling. Grant money was used to purchase new furniture and chairs, and painting was completed. Weiss and Morello worked together to erect the altar and the cross and bring in

worried about their reverence, but they’ve been very good. We don’t have kneelers, so Father has taught them how to stand through the consecration of the Eucharist.

“It’s been a good solution, and it’s probably the best solution we had here. The most important thing is that we’re celebrating mass. It shouldn’t matter what it looks like,” said Leamy.

Morello ag reed, noting that the chapel

area was blessed as a sacred space at the first mass. The other half of that area is the school’s lunchroom.

“There is value in calling kids together as a community of faith for prayer,” he said.

There are pros and cons to the space. There is no elevator to reach the fourth floor, so community members that want to attend mass will have to hike with the students up the stairs. On the other hand, students won’t have to file out of the school into rain or snow.

As for the church building, Morello ag reed that the closure still stings to a certain de gree. He said there have been discussions with potential lessees for the church property, but nothing concrete yet.

A statement from the Archdiocese of Chicago noted that it “doesn’t comment on real estate transactions.”

“There is still a sense of loss, and the people who were parishioners at St. Catherine-St. Lucy are going to St. Giles,” Morello said of the church at 1045 Columbian Ave., where he is also pastor. “Some are going to St. Edmund,” located at 188 S. Oak Park Ave.

“Others have other spiritual homes,” he said. “The people coming that we know seem to be doing the best they can. They are trying to make a new connection with the community at St. Giles.”

CRIME

Teen arrested a er pulling re alarm in Oak Park Dunkin’

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

A teenager was arrested in Oak Park for causing a disturbance at a local donut shop last week.

Oak Park police arrested a 19-year-old Cicero man on disorderly conduct charges after the man re por tedly pulled a fire alarm inside the Dunkin’ location in the 400 block of Madison Street in Oak Park after being asked to leave the shop by staf f, according to police.

The incident occurred just after noon on Oct. 21, according to police.

DUI arrest

Oak Park police arrested a Chicago woman for driving under the influence last week.

Police stopped and arrested the 23-year-

old while she was traveling the 100 block of Forest Avenue in the village, according to police.

Aggravated eeing arrest

Lincolnwood police arrested a 19-yearold Chicago man on felony charges stemming from an incident in Oak Park earlier this month, according to police.

Lincolnwood police identified the man as the subject of a warrant for aggravated fleeing and eluding police written in connection with an Oct. 18 incident that occur red in the 600 block of South East Avenue in Oak Park, according to police. The man was also charged with several traffic violations before he was processed for Cook County bond hearings, according to police.

These items were obtained from Oak Park’s Police Department re ports dated Oct. 21–27 and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet

been adjudicated. We re port the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed a description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Lifting Up Small Businesses and Disinvested Communities

Growing Community Media is hosting a conversation between Mary Fran Riley and Bob Tucker Thursday, November 6th • 6:30 pm • Oak Park Public Library

Bob Tucker - President of Chicago Communty Loan Foundation

Mary Fran Riley - Director of Community Relations, Allies for Community Business

Small businesses are the heart of every community, but some have a harder time getting started and staying strong. Join us for an evening of insight and inspiration as Bob Tucker and Mary Fran Riley share what it takes to support local business in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Moderated by Growing Community Media’s Max Reinsdorf, this free event takes place November 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Oak Park Public Library

APPLEWHITE

from page 1

“Let’s get to work, I got stuf f to do,” Applewhite said at the end of the video.

A similar video, which appears to have been made at Applewhite’s home also shows her putting on the device and talking about it. It was posted to A pplewhite’s Insta gram account. She used the Instagram handle Tonya B Glowing and infiniteglowgoddess to promote the waist shaping device saying that she was “[T}rying to keep my midsection snatched.”

According to sources Wednesday Journal spoke with who asked to remain anonymous because of fear of retaliation or the sensitivity of the situation a number of people at OPRF saw Applewhite’s Facebook Live video as it was being broadcast.

While OPRF officials have remained publicly mum about why Applewhite was placed on paid leave, documents obtained by Wednesday Journal through a public records request indicate that Applewhite was apparently given a choice to go on paid leave or face ter mination proceedings.

On Aug. 26 Applewhite attended what was termed a “due process interview” with

OPRF District 200 Superintendent Greg Johnson, HR Director Roxana Sanders, and Director of Employee Relations & Recruitment Janel Bishop according to emails obtained by Wednesday Journal. Three days later Applewhite sent an email to Johnson telling him that she had obtained a lawyer through the Illinois Principals Association and asking for the name of the lawyer handling the matter for OPRF.

“I wanted to inform you that I have sought legal re presentation through IPA re garding my current situation,” Applewhite wrote.

Applewhite was a member of the OPRF district leadership team. She re ported directly to Johnson. Applewhite again met with top OPRF administrators on Sept. 3. At that time, she was apparently given the choice to take a paid leave until Dec. 31 or face being fired. Soon after that meeting Sanders sent an email to Applewhite.

“Thank you for meeting with us earlier today,” Sanders wrote in an email to Applewhite that was sent at 6:06 p.m. on Sept. 3. “Please see attached for your records the notice that was hand delivered to you during the meeting,” Sanders wrote in the email. “Please let us know your decision by Monday Sept. 8.”

Wednesday Journal was not given a copy

of the attachment to the email or any notice that was hand delivered to Applewhite. Applewhite’s name was never mentioned during the public portion of the school board meetings in which the school board voted to place her on paid leave on Sept. 11 and then to accept her resignation on Oct. 23. Rather both items were just part of the personnel re port that is voted on at many meetings. The names of the people in the personnel re port are typically not mentioned during school board meetings and only become public the day after the meeting when the contents of the personnel report are posted on the OPRF web site

Last month Lee Williams, who had been a transitions specialist at OPRF, was named interim director of equity and student success

“I wish Dr. Applewhite all the best in her new role,” Johnson said in a text message “No one anticipates looking for a new administrator in October, but we are confident we are in good hands with Dr. Lee Williams as our interim director, leading this work for the remainder of the year.”

Williams is now the fourth person to hold the equity director job at OPRF since it was established in 2019. He follows Applewhite, Patrick Hardy and Le Var Ammons.

Applewhite came to OPRF in 2022. Before coming to District 200 Applewhite worked

in three academic administrative positions at Rich Township High School District 227. She began her career in education in 2005 when she was hired to be an English teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. She taught for seven years before becoming an education support specialist and then a principal and associate principal at CPS before going to Rich Township District 227 in 2018.

Applewhite earned a PhD. in teacher leadership from Concordia University. She earned two master’s de grees from Chicago State University and earned her bachelor’s de gree in English literature from Alcorn State University in 2002.

Although equity is perhaps the top priority of the OPRF school board and of paramount importance to the school administration, Applewhite was not a forceful presence at OPRF. She infrequently presented at school board meetings.

“I never saw her; she was pretty nonexistent,” said one OPRF teacher who asked not to be identified because teachers at OPRF are g enerally instructed not to speak to the press without prior authorization from the administration. “I do n’ t think people even thought about her. I just kind of thought of her as somebody who was there.”

Wright homes flying of f the market

Latest Wright sale took less than 24 hours

By LACEY SIKORA Real Estate Reporter

Oak Park is home to a high concentration of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed houses, but the architecturally significant homes have often been slower to sell on the local real estate market. Not this year.

A number of Wright designs, including his Elizabeth and Rollin Furbeck house and his redesigned Hills-DeCaro House, hit the market this summer and quickly found new buyers. Another Wright house was listed and quickly sold last week.

Greer Haseman and partner Chris Curran of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, listed the Francis J. Woolley House at 1030 Superior and found a buyer in less than 24 hours.

“Architecturally significant homes are having a renaissance. Not just here but in the collar suburbs and in Chi-

as a boarding house and in past

cago itself. Add the Frank Lloyd Wright connection and it’s ‘ooh la la’,” said Haseman.

The Woolley House was built in 1893 for Francis J. Woolley, a native of Milwaukee. Woolley obtained his law degree at the University of Michig an and practiced law in Chicago. He and his wife Cora had two children, Francis Jr. and Alice. The Woolleys loved to entertain and lived in their Oak Park home until 1904, when they decamped to a

house in Glencoe on the shores of Lake Michigan. Woolley rented out the home until 1911, and then the house was vacant until 1917, when he listed it for sale for $6,000. Thomas Gara purchased the home, and in 1920, the family converted the house into a boarding house. In 1921, they added a rear addition to the home. Members of

See WRIGHT HOME on page 20

Notice of Proposed Property Tax Increase for the Village of Oak Park

I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for the Village of Oak Park for the 2025 tax year will be held on November 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, in room 201.

Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Christina M. Waters, Village Clerk, at 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, or by telephone at (708) 358-5672.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2024 were $44,386,712.

The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2025 are $46,854,910. This represents a 5.56% increase from the previous year.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2024 were $5,432,414.

The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2025 are $5,443,018. This represents a less than 1% increase from the previous year.

IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2024 were $49,819,126.

The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2025 are $52,297,928. This represents a 4.98% increase from the previous year.

THOROUGHLY MODERN: While the home has been lov ingly restored its new owners will not su er w ith an obsolete kitchen or bath.

WRIGHT HOME

Sold

in 24 hours

from page 18

the Gara and Snell family occupied the home until the 1950s. In 1940, there were 10 boarders living in the house.

Haseman said the house was gut renovated in the 1990s. When they lived in the home, her clients renovated the kitchen and added a back deck in 2018-19.

“The success of these older, architecturally significant homes is if people have updated them. Of course, the one space that people really gravitate to is an updated kitchen,” said Haseman.

In the Woolley house, Haseman’s clients renovated the kitchen, rethought the kitchen connection to the family room, and added laundry facilities to the first-floor bathroom.

On the second floor, the primary bedroom has built-in storage along one wall, a walk-in closet and a large, updated bathroom with prairie-motif tile. The room incorporates the turret on the front of the house, which is an architectural feature Haseman said resonates with people. The other three bedrooms on the second floor share a remodeled hall bathroom.

“This house has an amazing third floor. It’s technically three bedrooms,” she said.

Her clients used two of the bedrooms as office space, and the wife wrote a book about her family’s adoption journey from

INSIDE AND OUT: e generous deck and yard add to the welcome.

her third-floor perch. There is another full bathroom on this floor.

The basement provides a fourth floor of living space with a recreation room and a wine room.

Wright designed the home around the time of his break from the offices of Adler and Sullivan, and the house combines elements of Victorian Style with hints of his Prairie Style. Art glass graces the windows on the back of the house facing the yard,

doors to the dining room and a window in the entryway.

Haseman, who has a lot of experience with selling the architecturally significant homes in the neighborhood, said the location and the Wright pedigree provide some benefits that might not be apparent to newcomers.

“The nice thing about owning a Frank Lloyd Wright is that you’ re automatically part of the club. There are resources you

The home’s quick sale doesn’t surprise her because she says the local inventory of homes is still low for the number of people looking to buy here. “The fall market has been shockingly busy. Things are selling like hotcakes,” she said. PROVIDED

can avail yourself of for everything that comes up in owning a house a like this. Plus, there’s an active neighborhood network in which people recommend craftsmen and trades,” said Haseman.

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VIEWPOINTS

Two and a half guardian against fascism

When asked, “How does fascism begin? Bertrand Russell replied: First, they fascinate the fools. Then they muzzle the intelligent. Ouch! It’s almost as if BR’s been watching the news from beyond. If so, I want to raise a freckled, veiny hand to say, “It’s OK Bert … we’ve got this. They can bulldoze walls and inflame thei cranky followers, but they can’t bulldoze all of us

MARY KAY

O’GRADY

We’ve got the good guys on our side.”

Almost seven million good guys (including my kids and grandkids) marched in 2,700 cities in all 50 states in the No Kings rallies on Oct. 18, roundin off my years of marching to 60 (the first one bein for a young man who went south to work for v rights and was murdered)

Marching is important, especially for those of us who need reassurance that what we see on the news is not as dire as it seems. But what reall counts is who we choose to follow, who will lead us in simple resistance or outright rebellion, should it be needed.

It’s almost certain that Trump will find a way to run for a third ter m, despite the law.

I’m counting on three “good guys” to get us through this tough time: Illinois Gover nor JB Pritzker, Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, and Pope Leo XIV.

What’s more, they’re all “homies” from Illinois!

I’ll be happy if Pritzker runs for President and slates Duckworth as Vice President, thus setting up perhaps more than a decade of sane gover nment. Pritzker is afraid of nothing, smart as a whip, and because he’s a billionaire, not impressed by Trump’s wealth or power. I would particularly like the breakthrough of having a Jewish president.

Tammy Duckworth could succeed Pritzker as President. Her use of a wheelchair means we no longer have to hide injuries, especially those suffered in fighting for this country. What President gover ns 100% in the standing position? If we can have a president who is not in his right mind, we can have one with a physical handicap

Lest we forget, Duckworth deployed to Iraq in 2004 as a helicopter pilot in the Illinois Army National Guard. She was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade, resulting in the loss of both legs and partial use of her right ar m, was awarded the Purple Heart for her combat injuries, and spent 23 years in the Ar my Reserve and National Guard, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. May I add she’s the first disabled veteran in Congress and first senator to give birth while in office? Do you think she’s afraid of any fascists?

Pope Leo XIV was born in Mercy Hospital and grew up in the blue collar south Chicago suburb of Dolton. (His brother was the principal at St. Gabriel Catholic School in Chicago’s Canaryville neighborhood, where my parents grew up.) His favorite team is the White Sox. He leads 1.3 billion people and his opinion matters. It turns out Pope Leo is still a registered voter in Illinois and voted in the last Republican primary. I don’t want to know if he voted for Trump, but Leo’s influence is worldwide. Since he’s a Chicagoan and an American Pope, I’m counting on him to “deliver us from evil.”

WShrubtown ICE cubed! p. 23

e crime of living while Hispanic

hen I took Criminal Law in law school nearly 40 years ago, we lear ned about probable cause. The police couldn’ t stop a person randomly hoping maybe, with enough time and pressure, the person cracked and confessed to some crime or other.

That’s why the Supreme Cour t added Miranda Rights, the right to remain silent, and its prog eny.

Today, in our increasingly authoritarian country and militarized Chicagoland neighborhoods, there is a new offense that needs no probable cause: cutting grass while Hispanic. Driving to school while Hispanic. Walking around while Hispanic. Being Hispanic. ICE has been cruising the streets of Oak Park and River Forest. Giving chase. Detaining anyone who looks Hispanic.

(I remember an old Supreme Court case about whether running from the cops itself

created probable cause).

This, my friend s, stopping people based on how they look, is the “law” of ICE. And authoritarian re gimes count on one thing to get away with it: our self-censorship. People who are reluctant to say what their eyes see. People who stay inside.

If citizens/patriots in Oak Pa rk and River Forest are wondering what they can do, here is a good place to start: if you see something, say something. On Facebook there are a number of Oak Park groups with information on how to safely share what ICE is up to

And if your lawn care is done by the undocumented, tell them to take a few weeks of f, paid by you.

We are entering uncharted waters. It is up to good people to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

Jack Crowe is an occasional columnist for Wednesday Jour nal, but more re gular lately

A

good block

On a street pock-marked with hideous vacant lots, 6104 Roosevelt Road is likely the most hideous. Once a gas station, a used car lot and now vacant for many years, the parcel was acquired by the Cook County Land Bank several years ago.

In 2022, Yves Hughes, a longtime Oak Park resident, purchased the site from the land bank for $115,000. His plan was to clear the debris and install EV charging stations. That has not happened and Hughes’ excuses for inaction don’t wash.

Since then Community Builders, a national nonprofit focused on affordable housing, has been working to build on the property. It would be the organization’s second Oak Park project with The 801 at the cor ner of Oak Park Avenue and Van Buren being a strong reference for handsome and well-operated new housing. The village of Oak Park has already committed substantial funds from its affordable housing pool to the planned project at 6104 Roosevelt.

Now Hughes has been working through village approvals to build the EV charging stations while knowing they would be demolished shortly after. He says the land bank deal requires him to build the chargers to avoid a major financial loss on the project.

Last week the Oak Park Village Board turned Hughes down and said it would begin negotiating directly with the land bank to make the housing project a reality.

Trustee Cory Wesley was, as usual, the most direct. He noted that Hughes had three years to pull off a fairly simple project. He suggested that such projects – charging stations, parking lots – are low-cost placeholders put in place while developers wait to flip a property. He first called Hughes’ request “unconventional” before settling on describing it as “B.S.”

Good for the village board. Now let’s see it focus more on the entirety of Roosevelt Road. Getting the affordable housing project launched is only a start.

OPRF’s ‘recapture’

Oak Park and River Forest High School is moving toward finalizing its tax levy for the new year. This is an annual process leading to approval of its property tax levy in early December. It is typically a routine function as most taxing bodies impose the maximum tax hike allowed under the state’s tax cap laws The calculus is based on increases in the Consumer Price Index.

OPRF has been swimming in cash the past couple of decades and eroded the trust of its constituents in the process of building up unconscionable reserves. In recent years its board and administration have become more frugal and thoughtful. That included intentional decisions to levy less than the maximum allowed. And the board rightfully boasted about those choices. This year there are four scenarios being considered. Three of them include a plan to “recapture” $2.1 million in previously foregone tax revenue. Fair enough. Their call. But it needs the context that the district had been intentional in not maximizing its levy. This is a direct reversal of that choice

Last night at FitzGerald’s, I ga presentation during the latest round of 360 Oak Park, a recur ring pr that selects a different theme and setting and features anywhere from six to eight presenters to expound, bu you only get six minutes, accompanied slides. And it has to have a local slant. This was a challenge for a wordy, free-rang columnist like myself, but I relished the discipline. The theme was music. Here’ what it sounded like:

What the hell is a Violano Virt

A mechanical music device combinin violin and piano, hence “Viol-ano,” which originally played songs using paper rolls, coin-operated, a nickel a song, powered by a 110-volt DC motor. All of this crammed ingeniously into a 3-by-5-foot mahogany cabinet.

A spinning celluloid wheel simulates the violin’s bow, metallic “fingers” operated by electromagnets press the fret, and wooden hammers strike the piano harp. It has 123 separate functions, 1,500 individual parts, and 27 miles of wire, each the thickness of a human hair.

e Violano Virtuoso in 6 questions

Nuts With more than an acre of loor space, his palace houses the largest ollection of restored automatic musical vices in the world, many produced by Mills Novelty, tended to lovingly by his mechanical wizards

Our tour was eardrum-blowing and eye-

w did a Violano finally find its way back to Pleasant Home?

TRAINOR

Invented by Henry Sandell in 1904, the U.S. Patent Office called it “the engineering wonder of the decade.”

Why did Herbert Mills have a Violano in his living room?

The second owner of Pleasant Home ran Mills Novelty Co., one of the largest employers in Chicago. His ar my of mechanical engineers produced slot machines and other gambling devices, which made his fortune, but hindered his social standing. So when classy inventions like the Violano came along, he embraced them.

A practical joker, Mills electrified his dining room table and, with the push of a button, could give his dinner guests a small shock when they picked up their forks. He probably kept a Violano in his living room to soothe his guests’ shattered nerves.

Mills died in 1929 and Pleasant Home was sold to the Park District. The furnishings left behind did not include the Violano.

How do David Wendell and Jasper Sanfilippo figure into this saga?

David Wendell, a remarkable history geek, rented a parking space behind my house. One day in 1997 he showed up at my back door and asked, “How would you like to go see a Violano Virtuoso?” As always in such situations, I said, “Sure! … What the hell is a Violano Virtuoso?” He had plenty of time to explain on our drive to Barrington Hills to visit the Victorian Palace of Jasper Sanfilippo, CEO of what is now

I wrote about Mills and his marvel in nesday Jour nal in 1997 and many times after, promoting the idea of bringolano Virtuoso back to Pleasant Home. In 2004 (the Violano’s 100th birthday), Laura Thompson took over as head of the Pleasant Home Foundation. Shortly after, by happy coincidence, she attended a fundraiser at Sanfilippo’s mansion and managed to mention the Violano and the Pleasant Home connection to Jasper, who agreed to donate one — if she could raise the 17 grand needed to restore it

Five years later, thanks to generous donors like Lake Theatre owners Willis and Shirley Johnson, a refurbished Violano arrived. Meanwhile, Bob Brown, another Mills devotee, donated a computer interface, which increased the repertoire to over 300 songs — everything from Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” to the University of Wisconsin Fight Song

What’s so virtuosic about the Violano Virtuoso? It can’t compete with the CSO, but 121 years later, it’s still an engineering marvel. The Violano also connects us to a fascinating part of Oak Park history.

The Violano Virtuoso represents an audacious marriage of machinery and musicality, and in the Age of AI is a welcome reminder that even the most ingenious mechanism still needs us to tune in and keep it tuned (and tamed). Otherwise it’s merely a marvel in a forest with no one there to hear

So what does a Violano sound like?

A recording doesn’t do it justice. You really need to experience this musical marvel in person. And you can do that by taking a tour of Pleasant Home. The two docents, Teresa Czarnik and Roseann Spencer, really know their stuff, and they can also show you some of Mills’ gambling machines upstairs (non-operable of course). Voluntary donations ($2 suggested) go to Beyond Hunger

Tours are Thursdays, noon to 3 p.m., and first Sundays, also noon to 3. And sometimes they leave the porch door ajar and let the Violano play to lure unsuspecting passersby inside to be surprised by the greatest invention of the first decade of the 20th century.

SHRUB

TO WN

by Marc Stopeck

Let Harmon’s ne stand

Local politician and guitar hero Donald Harmon in 2009, co-wrote, co-sponsored, and helped pass the very campaign finance law now threatening to cost him nearly $10 million in punitive fines. The spectacle would be amusing if it were not such a transparent example of power and comfort calcifying into corruption and institutional decay. Harmon did not simply massage the rules; he bent them until they splintered, crafting a personal money shield that may now turn on its creator.

After triggering the state’s self-funding exemption, which he himself designed, Harmon proceeded to raise more than $4 million over the legal limit. When confronted with a nearly $10 million penalty, his defense was that he misunderstood the timing of the law he had been applying correctly since 2009. His office hung up on me when I called to ask about the incident, after first claiming to be unaware of it.

These were not Ve gas winnings. Don’s last name isn’t

Pritzker, and his skill at blackjack is unclear. What is clear is his comfort stacking political IOUs to the ceiling in a non-election year while public trust erodes. His longtime attorney, another veteran of the Madigan political machine, calling the fine “unconstitutional,” ignores the real danger here — not just legal overreach but moral decomposition.

When a politician most Illinoisans could not pick out from the staf f at a golf course pro shop shrugs of f a nearly $10 million violation, as if it were an honest mistake, it is less a scandal and more a mirror.

The State Board of Elections should uphold the hearing officer’s recommendation and let the fine stand. Illinois doesn’t have a corruption problem so much as a humility problem, defined by men like Don Harmon, who mistake self-interest for service and call it public life.

Joshua Cooper Oak Park

WEDNESDAY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

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Voice your values

“Mom, do you get paid $46,000?” my son asked after sitting through 90 minutes of community statements at the River Forest school board meeting last Tuesday. After many unsuccessful months of negotiating for a new teacher contract, I brought my family to the meeting to witness what advocacy in the workplace looks like and read a prepared statement myself.

The $46,000 figure was shared as the starting salary a colleague was offered in 2020. Five years later, those baseline salaries haven’t risen much. New fulltime classroom teacher salaries start at $50,009, a salary below the minimum recommended living wage for Cook County as deter mined by a recent MIT calculation (https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/17031).

According to public-facing documents on the District 90 website, several fulltime employees who have worked in the district for years still earn less than the recommended minimum living wage.

“No, but ‘Leaders look out for the last,’” I replied, using a phrase he’s heard for years, mostly in the context of family bike rides, encouraging the first rider to make sure the last one has also crossed the intersection. He immediately knew that mom was looking out for every D90 teacher, not just herself

There are many upsetting things happening in the world these days that are outside of our control. But advocating for fair teacher pay in our own community is within our control. I strongly urge residents to reach out to the D90 Board of Education and voice your support to end these tiresome negotiations with a fair contract now.

Lindsay Johnson Oak Park

We are not giving up

Oak Park Raging Grannies and Friends are grateful for your coverage of our singing at the Oct. 18 No Kings 2 Rally in the Oct. 22 issue of Wednesday Jour nal. I appreciate Mr. Dwyer’s connection to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita. He’s right: we are not giving up and will continue to sing our protest loudly as long as it takes for us Americans to regain our democracy We are happy to sing anywhere we receive an invitation: just reach out to us on our website! We are in this together.

Mary Nelson

www.oakparkraginggranniesandfriends.org

e bene ts of positive age beliefs

I am 75 and a 41-year resident of walkable Oak Park. I recently took part in a research project on overcoming ageism, sponsored by Yale and Midwestern universities, AgeOptions, and Oak Park Township. It was shocking to learn that people with positive age beliefs live an average of 7.5 years longer than people who have ne gative beliefs. Many ne gative beliefs about aging were also shared, such as, “old people are fragile, so they should not exercise.” Wrong! I keep fit by working out 4 times a week at the gym.

Marsha Borders Oak Park

Does historic preservation matter?

Despite recent indications reflecting, not just a disreg ard for historic preservation, but even worse, a blatant patter n of casting aspersions on the value of historic preservation, the fact is that, yes, it matters. Trustee Corey Wesley’s opinion on this topic is clear: “We are not that historic … we are not that special,” he said at the Se pt. 16 Oak Park Village Board meeting overtur ning the Historic Preservation Commission’s unanimous decision to deny the construction of a massive tower attached to a historic landmark (at 1 hour, 57 minutes and 40 to 44 seconds you’ll find the quote: https://share. google/A9YQhT4PD3raa6faI. And, according to Josh VanderBerg’s column [Preservation is not

Put

Teslas

progress, Viewpoints, Oct. 8] preservation is the opposite of progress.

Preservation does not have to be discarded for the sake of the relentless development mantra promoted by our elected officials. Nor should it be frowned upon as an obstacle to development. The balance between preservation and progress is exactly what has made Oak Park such a special place. Trustee Wesley, I respectfully disagree with you. Oak Park is indeed a special place.

Does historic preservation matter? Yes, perhaps now more than ever.

in your rear view

On Feb. 3, Elon Musk tweeted, “We spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper.”

An agency created by an Act of Congress was dismantled by Elon Musk and his fanatical disciples Dr. Brooke Nichols of Boston University has set up an Impact Metrics Dashboard which estimates that nearly 400,000 children around the world have died so far as a result of the funding being discontinued. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya and have worked on strengthening health systems across sub-Saharan Africa. It has been heartbreaking watching these widely predicted consequences play out.

I see Teslas all over Oak Park and I know that people enjoy their Teslas for a number of reasons, from the driving experience to the fact that they are lowering their carbon emissions. However, Musk is the CEO of the company (and has made himself the highly visible face of the company), and when I see someone

driving a Tesla, it strikes me as callous indifference to nearly 400,000 children around the world who have died so far. A number that rises every single day. Some people have put bumper stickers on their car saying that they bought their vehicle “before Elon went crazy” or that they are “anti-Elon.” I do not believe that that absolves them of their responsibility to act in a way that shows empathy for the suf fering that Musk has inflicted on communities around the world. There are other electric vehicle companies that make high-performance cars. I hope that Oak Park’s Tesla drivers will think of the children who are dying every day and consider whether they are comfortable driving a car that provides a tacit endorsement of the man who took such sick pleasure in dismantling their health-care systems.

Daniel Mokrauer-Madden

Oak Park

Keep marching, keep marching

I went to the first and second No Kings rallies in Oak Park. Folks loved the “Raging Grannies” chorus using humor and wit to point out the hor rors of our national leaders and their actions. The latest rally looked as if it had more than 2,000 par ticipants.

For those who ask, “What good will it do?” I believe the following: We rally because it is our constitutional right. When we march, we feel part of a movement rather than isolated. Nonviolent opposition works. We show how to

do it peacefully while telling the world what we believe is morally right.

A few examples of mass protest bringing about change in leadership occurred in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Most importantly we need to be patient. Protests build over time. They will not move the course of our country overnight. If we continue to take to the streets, change will come.

Why allow the GOP to spin their side?

“Keep moving. Nothing to see here. Stand back. Touch me and you go down! Resistance is futile.”

Oh, really? There’s lots to see here. And we move when you make a move. We choose to resist. And our resistance is live-streamed, just like your aggression. The whole world is watching! And you just defied a federal judge’s ban on your use of chemical sprays. This cannot stand!

Local TV news: “So more lawsuits against this administration have been filed. It’s a very fluid situation. We’ve heard from local Democrats and community activists about the matter, but let’s hear from a high-ranking Republican in Congress about how he sees it. …”

When I see local and national news broadcasts that allow the GOP to spin their side of what certainly, empirically, objectively is an evolving, vi-

cious, racist, authoritarian takeover, I am baffled and angry. Their intent is disturbingly clear There is no counter-argument to the danger and fear felt in many communities. It is all illegal, unconstitutional, immoral and cruel.

Why give those button-down mouthpieces any airtime to propagandize? There is zero upside to that type of media coverage at this point.

The newsrooms are in the crosshairs. They still won’t use their authority to push back? Are they cowards?

Come on! Skip the “rebuttal” stuff. Then you’ll have even more time for weather and sports.

And rather ironically, a team from Canada might win the baseball World Series. If they do?

Hope you cash in!

Re: “Demolition of the East Wing latest lawmaker wedge issue,” Chicago Tribune, Sect. 2, p. 8. Oct. 24.

Let’s recap some recent events in Trump’s second term: He invited the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, to recruit a gang of teenage computer geeks to decimate the American government, randomly firing a huge fraction of federal employees. Crippled agencies were destroyed, and some of the fired workers were rehired to salvage what they could. He specifically has fired a huge swath of experienced government workers with decades of experience, and re placed them with manifestly incompetent people whose only qualification was abject loyalty to their Leader.

At the United Nations, President Trump lectured the representatives of the world’s nations, telling them their countries were being destroyed by environmentalists and green energy. He whimsically declares 100% tariffs one day, retracts them the next, earning the nickname TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out).

He appoints RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health & Human Services, a crackpot conspiracy theorist with no medical expe-

Joe Harrington Oak Park

Rooting for Lauren

I grew up in Oak Park and lived there until graduating from Denison U. I subscribe to Wednesday Jour nal to keep touch with news of my hometown. Imagine my surprise while watching a recent episode of The Voice to learn that one of the contestants was from Oak Park. As I also participated in music at OPRF High School and majored in voice in college, my interest was piqued I will be rooting for Lauren Anderson.

California

A hard-earned retirement

Elite Cleaners, 944 S. Oak Park Ave., is closing Oct. 31 after 25 years. Sad to see this great family leave, but glad they are retiring after all these years of hard work. Let’s recognize them!

A catalog of his calamities

rience, who gets medical information from Tik-Tok videos, eschews vaccines and whose advice will kill thousands of Americans, according to actual doctors.

TOM DECOURSE Y

One View

He appoints an alcoholic Fox Network commentator with no military experience as Secretary of Defense, who has renamed it the Department of War. Little Pete Hegseth, a national embarrassment, ordered hundreds of top military generals and commanders to fly to D.C. for a pep rally in which he insulted their military expertise and told any who were not white men that they were unqualified and held their positions only due to DEI.

Trump has also demanded to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for stopping “7” wars (none of which he stopped and several of which continue), then went on to claim that no other president in history had ever ended any war. Do Trump fans in F lorida and Texas, where public schools indoctrinate kids with fictional “history” books, believe the Civil War is still going on, or have they erased that war altogether? He has militarily invaded several large

WEDNESDAY

Democratic-governed American cities, claiming they are “hellholes” based on seeing 5-year-old Fox News videos that he believed were current. No one around him had the courage to tell him what he was watching. He has sent troops who violently arrest people whose “look” they dislike, whether they are U.S. citizens or not.

He has shut down the federal government, closing National Parks, refusing to pay federal employees.

He has deported innocent Americans to genuine hell-hole prisons in El Salvador, then claimed he lacked the power to bring them home.

Now that all Government Agencies are run by his loyalists, he has demanded $230 million from the Justice Department for having investigated some of his many crimes. Sadly, his loyal appointees will doubtless cave to this extortion and reward him with taxpayer dollars. He pardons any convicted criminal who supports him or who donates a chunk of money to his cryptocurrency scam (https://www. bbc.com/news/articles/cly1qrl9l1qo).

Now he has taken a wrecking ball to the White House itself, illegally of course, without consulting Congress or the U.S. Public, as required.

If this does not convince you that Donald J. Trump is a completely unhinged psychopathic megalomaniac, then watch his AI video in which he fantasizes about what fun he would have flying over the largest U.S. city and defecating on its citizens. Is there anything he could do that would cause his lick-spittle appointees, the Supreme Court, and the entire Re publican Party, to decide that some oversight might be in order? If he enacts another of his fantasies and walks into a busy street with an automatic weapon and guns down Americans at random, would that change their minds?

How about if he bombs the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, and maybe the Golden Gate Bridge? How about if he pulls up to Fort Knox with a convoy of trucks and takes all the gold?

Speaker Johnson and Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt would doubtless fabricate some lame excuse and blame the Democrats.

Tom DeCourse y is a longtime Oak Park resident.

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Turning over a new leaf on bagging

Last year I got raked up in the great leaf collection controversy and eagerly sprouted my opinion about why requiring residents to bag their leaves was a bad idea. But when I could no longer ignore the change, I gave it a try — and to my sur prise, it was no big deal. In fact, it was as easy as 1-2-3.

Step 1: Rake, blow, or carry the leaves to the street, just like before.

Step 2: Run the lawn mower over the pile a bunch of times until it’s about a

tenth its original size — most of it now mulch.

Mary Jane Bressler, 91

Rehab counselor and singer

Mary Jane Bressler, 91, of Oakbrook Terrace, for merly of River Forest, died on Oct. 17, 2025. Born on May 20, 1934 in West Reading, Pennsylvania to Herman (Jak and Florence Bare, she attended school in nearby Shillington.

Susan Dahm, 82

Susan Margaret Dahm, 82, died on Oct. 20, 2025 with her daughters at her side. Born on March 28, 1943, to Earl and Re gina key, she grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania and spent carefree rite place, Eagles

Step 3: Use a snow shovel to scoop the leaves into yard waste bags or a rigid container.

Because I used a rolling yard waste bin, my total investment last year was two bags. That’s it. I hate to admit it, but I was wrong. (Please don’t tell my wife.)

Kurt Roskopf

Oak Park From the village website: https://i0.wp.com/www.oakpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Leaf-Collection-Presentation_Village

Ready to rally

I grew up in Oak Pa rk and worked at the Oak Park Post Of fice for many years. I have since moved. I miss it. It will always be home. When is the next protest rally and where?

Cecilia Kroll

Oak Park

After high school, she attended the Pottstown Hospital School of Nursing, earning degree as a Registered Nurse. She move the Chicago area to work at the Hines V ans Administration Hospital, where she met her future husband, Leonard Bressler, M. a surgeon. The couple raised five children in their River Forest home. She then ear ned bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mundelein College and a master’s in counseling from the Alfred Adler Institute of Chicago and worked as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor at the Parkside Youth Center of Lutheran General Hospital. Her beautiful soprano could be heard for years in the choir of West Suburban Temple, where she was a member, and various other choirs, choruses and theatrical and operatic productions. She climbed mountains in Nepal, rode dogsleds in Minnesota, canoed in the Boundary Waters, walked on glaciers in Alaska and Antarctica and visited the holiest sites in Jerusalem among other destinations. A prolific knitter, she turned out beautiful sweaters, scarves and blankets along with many needlepoint creations. She authored many short stories, poems and a novel. She sewed many of her own clothes, including beautiful gowns which she wore to the many galas she and her husband attended. She even dabbled in painting and pottery and was a phenomenal cook and baker.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her children, Judith (Peter Weeks), Joy (Scott Klapman), David (Deanna), Joshua (Jennifer) and Stephanie (Leonard Levine); 13 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren; her sister, Barbra Toenjes; her brother, Richard Bare; her sister-in-law, Anita Robbins; and many nieces and nephews.

Private interment and celebration of life will take place at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in her name to Metropolitan Family Service (www.metrofamily.org).

After graduating from Altoona High School, she studied political science at rsity in Ohio and spent a summer abroad teaching English to the a family in Finland. After colle ge she moved to Washington D.C., and worked for the De partment of Justice, traveling to southern states to support a team of lawyers who worked to protect African Americans’ access to polling locations. This marked the beginning of her lifelong advocacy for voting rights and social justice.

After earning a master’s de gree in teaching at Northwestern University in Evanston, she taught middle school and coached girl’s lacrosse in Philadelphia. In 1967 she met her husband of 56 years, Arnold Dahm. They wed in 1968 and moved to Cleveland, Ohio where her husband began his career teaching physics at Case Western Reserve University.

While raising her girls, she did substitute teaching, tutoring, selling World Book Encyclopedias and working as a reference librarian at the Cleveland Heights Public Library.

Devoted to many organizations and causes, she was a lifelong volunteer, a strong advocate for the Cleveland Heights public schools and during elections, she consistently served at the local polls. She was a member of the Cleveland Museum of Art Women’s Council, the Clytean Book Club, and the Village Garden Club of Cleveland.

The Church of the Covenant where she served as a deacon was both a church home and a center for long-term friendships. She served as a trustee at Eagles Mere Presbyterian Church and was deeply committed to social justice and gun safety. They traveled widely and lived abroad in

England and Ger many

In 2021, they moved to Brookdale in Oak Park and joined Fair Oaks Presbyterian church.

She will be deeply missed by her daughters, Amy Roehl of Dallas, Texas, and Kristi Dahm of Oak Park, and her three granddaughters.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, 744 Fair Oaks Ave., Oak Park to honor Susan’s life and the impact she had on so many

Donations in Susan’s honor may be made to Chop Out Hunger serving families in the Eagles Mere area https://www. chopouthunger.org/donate-to-chop-outhunger and the Eagles Mere Presbyterian Church

Gloria Brooks, 84 Co-owned Hall & Son Printing

Gloria F. Brooks (nee Grace), 84, of Oak Park, died peacefully on Oct. 23, 2025. Born in Oak Park on Aug. 29, 1941, she met Samuel Brooks at Emmaus Bible Colle ge and they married on June 17, 1960. They started their family in 1965 while Sam was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. They later lived in Maywood and Greensboro, Nor th Carolina, before settling into their dream home back in Oak Park, where they created wonderful memories. They also enjoyed fellowship at River Forest Bible Chapel and in their work, owning/operating Hall & Son Printing Company, where Gloria was Sam’s secretary until his untimely death in 1985. She carried on as a single mother, eventually moving to Berwyn and retiring at age 70 from Midwest Heart Specialists, Elmhurst.

She hosted Friday Night High School youth groups and Thanksgiving feasts for do zens with her marvelous gift for hospitality.

liams and the late Gloria Swindell; the grandmother of Anthony, Katie, Samantha (Melinda) Patrick, Suzanne (Kenny), Kevin Nolan and Reagan; Nola and Samuel; James and John; great-grandmother of Wesley, Avery and Amaya; and the aunt of Beth Grace and many Brooks family nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Elliott and Mary Frances Grace.

Visitation will be held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester on Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. until the Chapel Service at noon. Interment at Forest Home Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation via check to the Salvation Army with a notation on the check for Gloria’s Closet, which was started to honor the late Gloria Jr., who for 44 years, brightened this world and made it a better place. Gloria’s Closet is a place where each woman can linger a moment where she is reminded of her immense value and treated with the dignity as a masterpiece of her Creator.

Janet French, 96 Tennis coach and mentor

Janet Rettig French, 96, died on Sept. 22, 2025. She graduated from the Ray School and Hyde High School in Chicago and Denison University (1950), where she was inducted into the Varsity D Association Hall of Fame in 2010. For over 70 years she was involved with tennis as a competitor and teacher and mentor to many. She was a long-time member of the Oak Park Tennis Club.

William French Jr., and her son, Martin Rettig French.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church, 920 Swain Ave., in Elmhurst on Nov. 1 at 2 p.m.

Dottie Burck, 96 Teacher, tutor and traveler

Dorothy (Dottie) Pilc Burck, 96, a lifelong resident of Oak Pa 1978, died on 21, 2025. Born to Joseph N. Ludmila V Pilc in New City, on Jan. 12, 1929, she gr up in Flushing, Queens with her older sister, Florenc and her younger brother, Edwin. She matriculated at Queens Colle ge, majoring in mathematics

A devout Christian, she taught at the Flushing Christian Day School for about 10 years before enrolling at the Biblical Seminary in New York, now named New York Theological Seminary, to prep be a director of Christian Education in a local congregation.

Lillian Martin, Victoria Flagg, Emily Pilc, Julia Collins, Sarah Bennett, Doris, Cindy, Richard, and Raymond Ott.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m., Nov. 15 at First United Church of Oak Park (848 Lake St.). The service will be livestreamed

Wanda

Malone, 80

Member of the Rebekahs

At Biblical she met J. Russell Burck, who saw her give a presentation on Petra that wowed him for its solid content, intelligence, and professionalism. They began to date and married on Aug. 6, 1960. In addition to being beautiful, she was a bona fide genius. They were mar ried for 65 years. Each felt luckier than the other to have met and married.

anda C. Malone, ver Forest, died on Oct. 14, 2025. Born on Feb. 22, 1945, in Sutherland, Nebraska, to field and Bernice (née Blauer) , shewas raised in North , Nebraska, aduated from high school and Rebekahs, ashington C. Upon returning to North Platte, she oted member of the commuether with her late husband, Ronald alo Bill Manor, a etirement residence in North Platte, for 10 y She later owned and operated Heaven to Seven, a children’s clothing and furniture boutique.

In 1987, she relocated to Saint Peters, Missouri, and subsequently to O’Fallon, Missouri, where she resided for the next 20 years and was employed as a manager at Macy’s. Following her retirement, she relocated first to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then River Forest in order to be close to her family

She was dee ply religious and her faith never wavered, even after many losses, including the untimely deaths of her husband and youngest daughter.

Gloria was the wife of the late Samuel D.; the mother of Samuel (Jean) Brooks, Christopher Brooks, Mary (Donald) Wil-

She held various positions with the United States Tennis Association and was the longtime Chicago District executive director. She was inducted in 2009 into the Chicago Tennis Hall of Fame. She enjoyed tennis, travel, badminton, water aerobics, crossword puzzles, reading and bridge. She cherished her family, faith and many, many friends.

Janet is survived by her daughters, Ann Gonsalves (Philip) and Linda French (Carla Smith) and her grandchildren, Alex, Rachel and William. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul

Before marriage, Dottie taught in New York public schools. Later she tutored math students and was featured in a 1998 Newsweek article on tutoring. She re gularly completed Sudoku and MahJong puzzles The family spent three years in Stuttgart, Germany, in the early 1970s and traveled throughout Wester n Europe. She and Russ continued traveling in retirement, visiting Alaska, Labrador, Newfoundland, Australia, and New Zealand. They especially liked Colonial Williamsburg. Closer to home, they were members of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Lyric Opera.

Their children are Peter Burck (Susan Hoines) and Elizabeth (Lise) Var ner (Allen Var ner). She is also survived by a sisterin-law, Cecelia Ott; nieces and nephews, Karen Rockefeller, Dorothy Kerrigan,

She took great joy in baking for her loved ones and was an avid reader throughout her life. Her kindness and generosity were known to all and will be deeply missed. Wanda was preceded in death by Ronald Malone, her husband of 50 years; her infant daughter, Amy Malone; her parents, Winfield and Bernice Cowger; and her brother, Winfield Jay “Bill” Cowger.

She is survived by her son, Mark (wife Sarah) Malone, and her grandson, Severin Malone

Inter ment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Dementia Society of America in honor of Wanda.

Arrangements were handled by Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home.

SPORTS

OPRF girls volleyball rolls past Fenw ick

Huskies make statement heading into playo s

By MELVIN TATE

Contributing Reporter

Last week, the Oak Park and River Forest High School girls volleyball team, which clinched the outright West Suburban Silver title for the first time in 32 years, made a statement with a pair of victories against strong Girls Catholic Athletic Conference teams

On Oct. 21 in the East Avenue Showdown, OPRF (22-7) made quick work of Fenwick (2211) with a 25-9, 25-14 victory.

“Senior Night’s always really emotional,” said OPRF coach Symone Speech, “but it was so nice to see them have some fun.”

Senior Samantha Shelton led the Huskies with nine kills and thought the victory was extra special because it came against their neighbor.

“There was a lot of adrenaline and I think that entered into the game and helped us get this win,” she said.

Shelton and her classmate, libero Kate Bailitz (three assists, three digs) were also thrilled about OPRF’s conference title

“We haven’t won conference in over 30 years, so this group specifically being able to win it is an amazing feeling,” Shelton said. “I’m super-proud of how far we’ve come this season.”

“I love since Coach Symone took over the program how she’s set a good mindset for

all of us,” Bailitz said. “That’s what’s motivated us.”

OPRF completed the regular season on Oct. 23 with a 25-18, 25-20 home victory over St. Ignatius.

Fenwick coach Tee Pimsarn knew OPRF was a good team heading into the contest. Afterwards, he came away more impressed with the Huskies.

“They’ve got big hitters and they’re disciplined,” Pimsarn said. “They serve really well. We were a step behind the whole match.”

Junior Bella Gray led the Friars with eight kills against OPRF. Senior Emma Kure had seven digs, and junior Sofia Grossman had seven assists.

“We need to keep striving to meet the challenges of these tough matches,” Pimsarn said. “That’s our goal: be faster, swing harder, be taller.”

OPRF is the top seed in the Class 4A Lyons Township Sectional. The Huskies began the playoffs at the Jones Regional Oct. 28, after deadline, against either Proviso East or Proviso West. Assuming a win, OPRF would meet either Hinsdale Central or Jones in the re gional final, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.

“We’re winning and definitely progressing as the season goes on,” Shelton said. “I think we’re going to do really good in the playoffs.”

OPRF’s Erin Dwyer (10) sets the ball for Samantha Shelton (7) during a nonconference match against Fenw ick, Oct. 21, in Oak Park.

“The most important thing is setting g for ourselves,” Bailitz said. “We’re going to keep setting them as we go through the playoffs and accomplishing one at a time.”

Fenwick bounced back on Oct. 23 for a 25-21, 12-25, 25-17 home victory over St. Laurence. Gray had seven kills, four digs, two blocks, and an ace to lead the Friars, who are the top seed in a Class 3A sectional they’ re hosting. Fenwick is also home to a re gional, and the Friars faced either Perspectives/IIT or Ogden International on Oct. 28 in a semifinal, after deadline. A win moves Fenwick into the final, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m., against Bulls Prep or Muchin.

“These kids definitely earned the top seed,” Pimsarn said. “We have big dreams to dream. As long as we can get a faster

start than [against OPRF] and be more connected, I think we should be good to go. We’re asking all of Fenwick Nation to show up. Our cheerleading team’s coming and we’re going to try and pack the place for re gionals and sectionals.”

Trinity

Like Fenwick, the Blazers (19-14) are hosting both a re gional and sectional this season in Class 2A and are the top seed.

Trinity opened the playoffs with a regional semifinal against Clemente or Noble Academy, Oct. 28. A victory advances the Blazers to the final versus F.W. Parker or Noble Street Charter, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m.

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School

junior Lucy Stein’s third consecutive trip to the IHSA girls tennis Class 2A singles

state tournament was her most successful. Following trips to the quarterfinals the previous two years, Stein finished fourth this weekend at Hersey

“I’m really happy about that,” Stein said.

“That was my goal at the beginning of the

year, placing top four, and I was excited to achieve it.”

Stein (34-4) won her first-round match 6-1, 6-1 over Andie Lawrence of Highland Park. Then she blanked Jhena Emnace of Schaumburg 6-0, 6-0 in the second round; defeated Shriya Ramesh of Barrington 6-2, 6-1 in the third round; and got past Ingrid Fielder of New Trier 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, Stein faced York’s CJ Coan, who had defeated her twice this

Schnizlein takes 4th for OPRF girls

Team takes third place; led by Rafter, boys seize second

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Sure, Violet Schnizlein ran a strong IHSA Class 3A re gional race Saturday, arguably her strongest ever. But as far as coach Laura Turk was concerned, it was almost destiny for the Oak Park and River Forest senior, who finished in fourth place with a personal-record time of 17:52.10 in the meet held at Chicago’s Hor ner Park

“Maybe it was big, but we knew it was happening,” Turk said. “It’s taken awhile, and she’s been chipping away and she just needed this race to break it open a little bit, because it was always there.”

The Huskies snagged third place as a team with 69 points, ensuring a trip to next Saturday’s sectional meet at Lake Park. Junior Emily Jones finished 14th in 18:35.6, while sophomore Eileen Easton (18:51.4). junior Isabella Crowe (18:52.7) and freshman Loie Burwell (18:55.8), arrived together in places 16-18.

For Schnizlein, the weather couldn’t have been better – not too warm and not too cold, and no precipitation. She parlayed that into a strong second mile, to pull into the top four by its conclusion.

“I got out at a pace I wanted to get out at, I think it was sub-5:50, which was a little slower than the first mile I ran last race, but I felt good competitively,” she said. “I

year. Unfortunately, the third time was not the charm for Stein as Coan won 5-7, 1-6, and Coan then defeated Marist’s Helena Klooster in the final to win the singles title.

“CJ is really aggressive,” Stein said. “It was definitely a tough match. But I played really well in the first set and really pushed her. Hopefully, next year I get to play her again and maybe come out on top.”

Stein faced New Trier’s Julia Ludwig in the third-place match and lost in three sets: 6-2, 2-6, and 1-6.

“I definitely had a really good season,” Stein said. “I had a lot of fun with my team. And I’m really grateful for my coaches [Fred Galluzzo and John Morlidge].”

In order to get to the championship match next year, Stein said she’ll work on being more aggressive with her game.

“Touching up on my serve and coming up to the net more,” she said. “I’m going to

think what really helped was running that really fast second mile, which is where I’ve been working on cutting down my time.”

But there was more to Schnizlein’s race than that. In the moments prior to the race, she was about as serious as a judge on the starting line, and her teammates followe suit. No laughing or lollyg agging. In fact, no smiles period.

That’s leadership, and it pays of f when the race is over.

“I’d say my leadership approach is to try to provide support and order for my teammates,” she said. “I try to always know what’s happening, so I know what to tell my teammates and I try to make sure people are in the right spot, doing the right thing. But I want to make sure everyone is having fun.”

Jones had a good time. That will happen when you blend seriousness up front with a strong effort on the course.

“I feel like this meet was a lot better than conference,” she said. “I feel like we have really strong team this year. I’m hoping we make it to state.”

Boys seize second

and the plan was after the second mile, would move and pass a bunch of people in that third mile.”

Hougton ag reed with that assessment.

Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Violet Schnizlein at Saturday’s IHSA Class 3A DePaul Prep Regional. Schnizlein placed fourth in a personalbest 17:52.10 as the Huskies advanced to the Lake Park Sectional w ith a thirdplace nish.

With perhaps 100 meters in front of the finish line Saturday, OPRF senior Yonny Rafter was a tad behind DePaul Prep senior Liam Donehoo.

work on those in the offseason and hope I can come back stronger next year.”

OPRF, which finished tied for 11th in the team standings with 12 points, also had senior Maria Clara Lau and junior Ava Lebovitz in the doubles tournament. They defeated Harper Powell and Lacey Foss of Rockton Hononegah 1-6, 6-0, and 10-3 in the first round, but lost to eventual champions

Reese and Riley Lepsi of Wheaton-Warrenville South 0-6, 0-6 in the second round, then lost their consolation bracket match to Metea Valley’s Leah Liu and Lily Tang 1-6, 6-7 (3-7).

Boys soccer regionals

At the Class 3A DePaul Prep Re gional final, Oct. 25, OPRF (18-2-2) defeated New T rier 4-1 for the title.

“It’s really special,” said OPRF interim

“The goal as a team was to go through the first mile as a pack, conservative,” he said. “That’s a big goal accomplished, run that first mile smooth.”

Coach Chris Baldwin was impressed by his entire group and their ability to stay on task, especially Rafter.

coach Dave Bernthal. “I couldn’ t be happier for our guys and how hard they’ve worked and played to g ether for each other.”

Liam Moder had a first-half goal for OPRF, and Adrian Bondartsov (on a penalty kick), Peter Bondartsov, and Cole Grinning scored for the Huskies in the second half. Tyler Lacey, Evan Max, and Kingston Petersen each had an assist.

OPRF, which won this year’s West Suburban Silver title with a perfect 6-0 mark, faced Niles West in a semifinal of the Taft Sectional, Oct. 28, after deadline. If the Huskies won, they would meet either Lane Tech or Maine South for the sectional title, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m.

“We expect a tough g ame. Any team at this point in the playof fs has earned their way to that moment,” Bernthal said.

In Class 2A, Fenwick (12-5-1) defeated

“Yonny’s a kid who came into our team for cross country as a sophomore,” coach Baldwin said. “He ran track freshman year. He’s really worked tremendously and improved. He’s committed himself to getting better, week in and week out.”

Roosevelt 4-2, Oct. 24, for the Roosevelt Regional championship.

“To see the turnaround from last year and to see the drive and spirit of this team, especially our seniors who have led the way, is amazing,” said Fenwick coach Shannon Seymour Against Roosevelt, Luke Menacho and Nathaniel Sabatino each had two goals for the F riars. Sabatino, Kevin Jancewicz, and Sean Bell each had an assist, and goalkeeper Dom Ballarin made seven saves.

Fenwick meets Fenton in a semifinal at the De La Salle “B” Sectional, Oct. 29, at 6:30 p.m. T he winner meets Ridgewood or St. Patrick for the title, Oct. 31, at 4:30 p.m.

“We know that Fenton has a fighting spirit,” Seymour said, “and they’ve had a very successful season and are wellcoached. We’ve got to be ready for whatever they throw at us.”

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: M25000963 on October 7, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of BETSY’S BASEMENT with the business located at: 8641 PARKVIEW AV, BROOKFIELD, IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ELIZABETH L SNYDER 8641 PARKVIEW AVE, BROOKFIELD IL, 60513, USA

WENDY S. MCINERNEY 114 S. ASHLAND AV., LAGRANGE, IL 60525, USA

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held before the Village of North Riverside Joint Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., at the Village of North Riverside Village Hall, 2401 S. Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois, to consider the following requests:

7Brew/North Riverside Park Mall – Sign Variance Request

The applicant is requesting variances from the Village of North Riverside Zoning Ordinance for property generally 7513 Cermak Road, further identified by PIN 1525-500-011-0000, to:

1. Increase the permitted total sign area from 50 square feet to 92.43 square feet; and

2. Permit placement of wall signs on building elevations that do not front a public street or zoning lot frontage, contrary to current zoning regulations.

3. A Total of five signs is proposed.

7Brew/North Riverside Park Mall – Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment Request

The applicant is requesting approval of an Amendment to the existing Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the North Riverside Park Mall property, further identified as PIN 15-25-500-011-0000, zoned B-3 Service Business District, to permit construction of a drivethrough facility within a previously undeveloped outlot. The proposed development requires amendment of the PUD to accommodate the proposed use and associated site improvements.

At the public hearing, all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard. Individuals may appear in person, by agent, or by attorney, and written comments may be submitted to the Village prior to the hearing.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE’S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all interested parties that the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Riverside, Illinois will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in Riverside Township Hall Room 4, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, 60546 on the Tentative Annual Budget for the 2026 fiscal year of the Village of Riverside, Illinois, commencing January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026.

Public comments on the Proposed Annual Budget are welcome at the public hearing. Emailed comments may be sent to Village Clerk Emily Stenzel at estenzel@riverside. il.us. Written comments may be submitted to the attention of the Village Clerk at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois. Emailed or written comments should be submitted prior to 5:00 on November 6, 2025. While emailed or written comments are strongly encouraged, comments may also be made in person.

The Proposed Annual Budget will be available for public inspection on and after, October 29, 2025, at the Finance Department of the Village of Riverside, Illinois, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, 60546 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for any day being a legal holiday.

Disabled persons needing assistance to attend said hearing should contact the Office of the Village Clerk before the hearing by calling (708) 447-2700.

Said hearing may be continued without further notice except as required by the Illinois Open Meeting Act. The tentative annual budget may be further revised and passed without any further notice or hearing.

PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS

By: Emily Stenzel Village Clerk

Published in RB Landmark October 29, 2025

INVITATION FOR BID

STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT PORTAGE COUNTY

JOHN M. NOEL AND PATRICIA D. NOEL AS TRUSTEES OF THE JOHN M. NOEL AND PATRICIA D. NOEL JOINT REVOCABLE TRUST DATED

JANUARY 4, 1996, AS AMENDED 4501 State Highway 66 Stevens Point, WI 54482 Plaintiff, v.

EUGENE STAPLES 7222 Cermak Road Suite 403 North Riverside, IL 60546 Defendant.

Case No.: 2025CV000208 Case Code: 30303

SUMMONS FOR PUBLICATION

THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, to each person named above as a defendant:

You are hereby notified that the Plaintiff named above has filed a lawsuit or other legal action against you.

Within forty (40) days after October 22, 2025, you must respond with a written demand for a copy of the Complaint. The demand must be sent or delivered to the Court, whose address is Portage County Courthouse, 1516 Church Street, 2nd Floor –Courthouse, Stevens Point, WI, 54481 and to Plaintiffs attorney whose address is Krekeler Law, S.C., 26 Schroeder Court, Suite 300, Madison, WI 53711. You may have an attorney help or represent you.

If you do not demand a copy of the Complaint within forty (40) days, the Court may grant judgment against you for the award of money or other legal action requested in the Complaint, and you may lose your right to object to anything that is or may be incorrect in the Complaint. A judgment may be enforced as provided by law. A judgment awarding money may become a lien against any real estate you own now or in the future and may also be enforced by garnishment or seizure of property. A copy of the Summons and Complaint has been mailed to you at the address above.

Dated this 6th day of October, 2025.

KREKELER LAW, S.C.

Attorneys for Plaintiff

By:/s/ Noah T. Rusch

Noah Rusch

State Bar No. 1113201

ADDRESS

26 Schroeder Ct., Ste. 300 Madison, WI 53711 (608) 258-8555 (608) 663-0287 (fax)

Published in Wednesday Journal, RB Landmark October 22, 29, November 5, 2025

Sealed proposals will be received by The Oak Park Housing Authority at 21 South Boulevard, Oak Park, IL, 60302 until 2:00 p. m. local time on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at which time they will be opened and read. The sealed bids will be received for the following project: Mills Park Tower First Floor Remodeling. Construction consists of selective demolition, flooring, carpentry, millwork, mailboxes, acoustical panel ceilings, plumbing fixtures, water, drain, waste and vent piping, fire sprinkler work, HVAC ductwork, light fixtures, receptacles and switches. Drawings and Project Manual are available at no cost in PDF electronic format from Heitzman Architects, 213 South Euclid, Oak Park, IL 60302, telephone (708) 267-1352, email frank@heitzman.org, or printed drawings and Project Manual may be obtained at the direct cost of reproduction from Imperial Reprographics and Supply, 823 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois 60304, telephone (708) 848-1030. Bidders are encouraged to attend the pre bid meeting on Monday, November 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. on the first floor of Mills Park Tower, 1025 Pleasant Place, Oak Park, IL. Bidders having questions or needing further information may call Cynthia Carpenter, Property Manager, Mills Park Tower, (708) 699-4296, or email ccarpenter@oakparkrc.com. Bid Security: Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in the amount of 5% of the base bid or a certified check in the same amount payable to The Oak Park Housing Authority. Checks of unsuccessful bidders will be returned as soon as practicable after the opening of the bids. The Contractor, before commencing the work, shall furnish a Performance Bond in an amount equal to 100% of the full amount of the Contract Sum. The Oak Park Housing Authority reserves the right to award the contract in its best interests, to reject any or all proposals, to waive informalities in bidding, and to hold the three lowest proposals for a period of thirty (30) days after bid due date. This project is subject to Federal Regulations including Fair Labor and Prevailing Wages. The Oak Park Housing Authority, in an effort to reaffirm its policy of non-discrimination, encourages the efforts of Contractors and Sub-Contractors to take affirmative action in providing for Equal Employment Opportunity without regard to race, religion, creed, color, sex, national origin, age, protected Veteran status or handicap unrelated to ability to perform the job. The Owner encourages General Contractors to employ minority subcontractors and suppliers.

David Pope, Executive Director Oak Park Housing Authority

Published in Wednesday Journal, October 29, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive bids for computer equipment. The full bid document, “25IT-0006 Information Technology,” is available on the Village website www.oak-park.us. Bids will be accepted until November 7, 2025 4PM Central.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 29, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive bids for Dell computer equipment. The full bid document, “25IT-0007 Information Technology,” is available on the Village website www.oak-park.us. Bids will be accepted until November 7, 2025 4PM Central.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 29, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive bids for network switches. The full bid document, “25IT-0008 Information Technology,” is available on the Village website www.oak-park.us. Bids will be accepted until November 7, 2025 4PM Central.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 29, 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

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park ��Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302�� will receive electronic proposals until 10�00 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2025 for Project: 25�21, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon �RRFB� Installations. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements consist of: the installation of Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon’s �RRFB’s), underground conduit and cable, cyclist/pedestrian push buttons, parkway restoration; and all appurtenant work thereto.

Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 4�00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be

found at https://www.oak-park. us/your-government/budgetpurchasing/requests-proposals or at www.questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 9936607 for a nonrefundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4�00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.

The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer

Published in Wednesday Journal, October 29, 2025

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