Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest

Elmwood Park’s de facto downtown, Conti Circle, has always been a center for good food and night life. Six years into his ownership of Circle Tavern, 18 W. Conti Parkway, Michael Jardine feels that he’s reached his target. “I grew up here my whole life and Circle Tavern is somewhere that I would want to go and hang out,” Jardine said. “That was the goal all along. It took time to get there, and we’ll keep updating it just to make it as good as possible.

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Skip to content “Resilience” July 8, 2026 | Marc Stopeck Sign up for our free newsletter to get latest news and updates on Oak Park and River Forest. Processing… Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.

Kevin O’Mara Walsh, 77, died suddenly of natural causes on June 27, 2026. Born on March 25, 1949, to John and Loretta Walsh, he grew up with a strong faith, family, and education. He graduated from Fenwick High School before earning his degree from John Carroll University, then worked alongside his family at PM Walsh & Co., later serving in the Cook County Assessor’s Office before discovering his true calling in 1981 as a wealth management professional.

When I took classes in American history and political science, much time was devoted to discussing the maintenance of our freedom. I learned that the balanced liberty of our country respects sound authority and is known as ordered liberty. This means that people in a free society do not become selfish or self-centered. Instead, they agree to maintain their individual freedom by recognizing an orderly way of life like the U.S. Constitution and the state constitutions stress as a major purpose.

Stephen Claycomb Bruner, 84, of Oak Park, died on June 8, 2026. Born in Chicago on Nov. 11, 1941, he grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, the middle of five brothers. In high school, he participated in three sports and was co-valedictorian of his class. He attended Yale College, graduating in 1963, then spent a year abroad with the Corning Traveling Fellowship, visiting India, Nigeria, and Brazil, among other countries. After his fellowship, he attended Harvard Law School, graduating cum laude.

Sure on this shining night / Of star made shadows round / Kindness must watch for me / This side the ground. / The late year lies down the north. / All is healed, all is health. / High summer holds the earth. / Hearts are whole. / Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder wand’ring far / alone / Of shadows on the stars. James Agee Do you have such moments — where all is healed, all is health? Which seems … undeservedly blissful? When High Summer holds the earth (like right now).

Raymond L. Greeley III, 72, died on Father’s Day, June 21, 2026. Born on Oct. 3, 1953, at Elmhurst Hospital, he is survived by his children, Caitlin and Logan; his sister, Evelyn; and his grandson, Edwin. Ray embraced life with boundless energy and curiosity, making meaningful contributions to every community he joined.

The newly released revised proposal for the Madison Street development still completely ignores residents’ concerns regarding density, traffic, and parking. If a private buyer proposed a 72-unit building anywhere else in River Forest, the village would rightfully reject the permit. Why then is our administration actively pushing for this development? Perhaps because, in this case, the village owns the land.

This is a letter to parents whose children are having a wonderful summer meeting at our parks to play, our pools to swim, our public walkways to get them from East to West on Lake Street and back home. Walking is wonderful for young and old; however, the sidewalks on Lake and Marion Street, and Oak Park Avenue, as well as many side streets, have become quite hazardous. Why? Because youngsters and oldsters are riding their bikes and scooters on the sidewalks putting pedestrians in great danger.