Oak Leaves

Mob house tour shows origins in Oak Park, River Forest

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:40:34 -0500

River Forest resident John Binder isn’t a gangster, but he sure knows a lot about the lives of some colorfully-named — and dead — local hoodlums, the mobsters who once lived in Oak Park and River Forest. Let’s see, there was Tony Accardo, Paul “the Waiter” Ricca, “Tough Tony” Capezio, Sam Giancana, “Machine Gun” Jack McGurn, Frankie Lake, “Three Fingered Jack” White, and “Slippery Frank” Rio, to name a few. You can see for yourself where all these goons lived during Binder’s There Goes the Neighbor Hood Tour on Sunday. Binder — a Chicago organized crime historian for two decades …

Suit: Let disabled athletes go to IHSA state meet

Wed, 16 May 2012 04:53:41 -0500

The Illinois High School Association girls state track and field meet will be held this weekend — and Fenwick’s Mary Kate Callahan won’t be taking part. But a lawsuit to be filed Wednesday by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in federal court aims to make it possible for student-athletes with disabilities, like Callahan who is paralyzed from the waist down, to compete in future IHSA state meets.

Food pantry director steps down

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:02:00 -0500

Kathy Russell, who saw the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry through five years of award-winning growth and daunting economic challenges, has resigned as executive director. As of April 30, her former assistant, Michele Zurakowski is acting executive director. Russell, who is an attorney, said while the decision to leave the food pantry wasn’t easy, she’s very excited about a new job that takes her back to her roots in nursing. “An incredible opportunity emerged for me with National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and after much consideration, I have accepted a position in nursing regulation,” Russell said. “It …

‘L’enfant terrible’ charged with criminal damage

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:12:53 -0500

An Ottawa man found himself facing criminal charges after he broke a Oak Park hotel front door and threatened police late Saturday night. Nicholas F. Fox, 27, of 1114 N. 27th Road, Ottawa, was arrested on the 200 block of South Marion Street at 12:06 a.m. May 13, after he allegedly smashed a glass door at the Carleton Hotel, 1110 Pleasant St. Hotel staff followed him south on Marion Street as police were called. When officers stopped Fox and asked him his name, he reportedly responded, “L’enfant terrible.” The term, which is French for “terrible child,” refers to a child …

With jails filling up, judge gives ‘break of lifetime’

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:12:53 -0500

Three men arrested in separate incidents in Oak Park earlier this month were each sentenced to two years’ felony probation on May 11, a move one judge called “the break of a lifetime.” Otis Thompson, 40, of the 600 block of N. Latrobe, Chicago, was arrested in the Dominick’s store, 259 Lake St., at 2:36 p.m. May 5, after he allegedly stole $78 worth of steaks. Thompson was charged with a felony due to criminal convictions in 2009, 2008 and 2007 and twice in 2006. He was also found to be wanted on a Cook County warrant for contempt of …

Drug suspect sought on warrant runs from cops

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:54:47 -0500

A man suspected of being in possession of heroin was arrested on the Eisenhower Expressway May 8 after fleeing from Oak Park police. Scott Erickson, 18, of the 8600 block of Teal Lane in the far southwest suburban Wilmington, was observed by a patrol officer passing other traffic while driving southbound in the parking lane on the 500 block of Austin Boulevard at 6:13 p.m. May 8. The officer followed Erickson and saw him allegedly throw an object out the window. While Erickson’s car was stopped in traffic on the westbound I-290 entrance ramp, the officer approached the car, police …

2 area caterers compete on overhauled ‘Food Network Star’

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:25:02 -0500

LORI RACKL: Former judges Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis now are coaching teams in the race to find a culinary personality.