Rosehill Cemetery tour details local North Side history
By Amy
Williams Bernstein
Special to Inside
A cemetery does not sound like a pleasant place to spend a summer morning. But on June 28, a sunny day with frequent breezes, a small group enjoyed a free tour of Rosehill Cemetery.
Rosehill, created in 1859, has park-like grounds and a unique history as the first suburban cemetery to open after the City Cemetery, now Lincoln Park, ceased selling plots. At that time, Rosehill was seven miles from town, guide Jeannette Bruinsma said. Now, the cemetery at 5800 N. Ravenswood Avenue is in Chicago’s West Edgewater neighborhood.
Bruinsma’s mother, Jo Kovitz, of Lakeview, and Bruce Benson, of Rogers Park, met their guide beside Rosehill’s castellated Gothic entrance gate. Architect William Boyington also designed Michigan Avenue’s Water Tower in the same style.
Kovitz and Benson are frequent participants in these tours that are offered at 10 AM on second and fourth Saturdays through August. Benson said he began taking the tour in 2000 and has now toured the cemetery more than 90 times.
“There are people who really love the cemetery, like I do,” said Bruinsma, who has worked for Rosehill for 13 years. She said most residents in the surrounding community take the tour at least once a year, and on some days the group can number 20 or more.
So much Chicago history is represented in this 149-year-old cemetery that it’s easy to see why one would want to take this tour again and again. “There are so many different routes to take, we can always see something new,” said Bruinsma.
In two hours, the group covered a small portion of the 330-acre grounds, starting with a cluster of headstones marking the graves of Union soldiers who died during the Civil War. Nearby, Bruinsma pointed out the monument of Thomas Ransom, one of more than a dozen Civil War generals buried here. Ransom is notable not only because he served in seven major battles, which are listed on the base of his marble monument, but because he was wounded and presumed dead four times, earning him the nickname “The Phantom General.”
Many other monuments revealed interesting stories, including the site of George S. Bangs, superintendent of the Railway Mail Service, who died in 1877. His limestone monument in the form of a dead tree trunk with climbing ivy was a common symbol for life’s end at that time. But Bangs’s tribute is unique because, at the base of the tree, a perfectly detailed scale model train disappearing into a tunnel is rendered in limestone.
The largest monument in the cemetery is that of “Long John” Wentworth, one of more than a dozen former Chicago mayors buried here. At 72 feet, the 50-ton granite obelisk is the tallest in the state, fitting for a man who stood 6’6”. Bruinsma recounted that the once-beloved Chicago character ran for his office in 1857 with the slogan, “You fools, vote for me for mayor, or you can go to Hell.”
Rosehill is also the resting place of many people involved in Chicago’s historic tragedies, including the Eastland Disaster, the Iroquois Theater fire, and the Great Chicago Fire. After a short search, Benson spotted the low-profile headstone of Marea Florence, a 26-year-old victim of one of Chicago’s lesser known accidents. In 1919, a dirigible that took off from Grant Park was blown off course, caught fire, and crashed through the glass skylight of the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank at LaSalle Street and Jackson Boulevard. Marea was one of 10 bank employees killed.
Bruinsma called the grave of Frances Pearce “the most beautiful monument in the whole cemetery.” She tries to include it on every tour. The young mother died in 1854, but accounts differ as to whether the cause was childbirth or tuberculosis. Her child died three months later, and her grieving husband commissioned a marker topped with a lifelike marble sculpture of a woman reclining with her baby sleeping next to her. At some point after Frances was relocated from the City Cemetery to Rosehill, a glass box was placed over the sculpture to protect it from the elements.
Many of the grave markers dated before 1900 are made of white marble. While they contrast beautifully against the green grass and dark brown trees, most are so eroded that it’s impossible to read names, dates, or inscriptions. Bruinsma explained that “at the time, [monument-makers] liked marble because it’s so soft you can get beautiful detail carved into it.” It took many decades before the abrasive affects of Chicago’s weather became apparent. Rosehill is still an active cemetery, and today, Bruinsma says, it’s common knowledge that “for posterity, you want to go with granite.”
As the tour group returned to the gate, Bruinsma pointed out that the cemetery’s winding paths are evidence that Rosehill is a Victorian Garden-style cemetery. This style is characterized by a natural landscape that incorporates shade trees and scenic ponds. In the Victorian age, a cemetery such as this was a popular place to go for a picnic and a stroll on a nice day. Today, most people would shudder at the thought of unpacking a picnic in a graveyard. But Rosehill is still a beautiful place for a Saturday morning stroll.
Council says Whole Foods can’t have festival in park
By Peter von Buol
Special to Inside
Advocates for Jonquil Park, located at 1023 W. Wrightwood Avenue, say they are disappointed their neighborhood park was never compensated for $13,000 of damages they say the park sustained during a weekend food and music festival held in August 2007.
Earlier this year, Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd), who represents Jonquil Park, attended a meeting of the park’s advisory council and had told members of the group he would discuss their claim with the event’s organizer, the supermarket chain Whole Foods but, so far, no resolution has been reached.
“The word from alderman’s office is that nothing is being done and the issue is dead. [It’s] the classic tale of the big guy hurting the small guy and [being able to] get away with it. The talks ended about three months ago after the final public Jonquil Park design meeting at the Lincoln Park Library,” said Chuck Sherline, who is a member of the park’s advisory council.
While the supermarket chain has not paid for damages at the park, Sherline did add Whole Foods and the charitable beneficiary of last year’s event, the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, each have sponsored brick pavers at Jonquil Park.
“Whole Foods and the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce did each buy a brick to place in the park - this is part of our [on-going] fund raising effort. Bricks can be purchased for $250, $500, or $1000 and they each bought a $1000 brick. That is greatly appreciated,” said Sherline, who added he is grateful this year’s festival has been moved to nearby Wrightwood Park.
“[Next month], the fest is going to be held at Wrightwood Park and the Wrightwood Park Advisory Council is happy about it. So are we. It will never be back in Jonquil Park unless the damage is paid for,” said Sherline.
Described as Chicago’s “Only All Natural Food & Lifestyle Fest”, this year’s event will be held in Wrightwood Park on August 23 and 24. Local “celebrity” chefs will provide cooking demonstrations. The festival will also have a pavilion with activities geared towards children. A five dollar donation will be requested upon entry to the festival.
According to the web site of Whole Foods, “Market FlavorFest is a two-day festival that entertains and tempts taste-buds the Whole Foods Market way - with delicious, all-natural foods and products. And of course, lots of free samples!”
Sherline noted the event seems to have been attracting more nationally- known rock groups, such as this year’s headliner, the Smithereens. Sherline believes rock bands with a large fan base are simply too large to be accommodated by a small neighborhood park. The Smithereens have performed in some of the largest facilities in the Chicago-area.
“The musical acts have gotten bigger and louder and the event really is too big to be held in Jonquil anymore and it does not match the neighborhood’s taste in music. The Taste of Lincoln is for the rock and roll, heavy metal acts, and not the Flavor Fest. If the event company could change things and bring back the acoustical music, jazz and classical music, then we, as an advisory council would consider it [but only] if someone pays the $13,000 [outstanding] bill as well,” said Sherline.
In addition to this controversy, Whole Foods has also been in trouble with the City of Chicago in other fronts.
Their grocery store in Lincoln Park at 1100 W. North Avenue was closed after city health inspectors found mouse droppings and dead mice in the store on at least two occasions.
Postal Advisory Council addresses mail concerns
New zip code, post office discussed
By Miriam Y. Cintron
Special to Inside
Issues with the relocation of the Fort Dearborn Station, new zip codes and mail delivery trucks topped the list of discussion items at the 42nd Ward Postal Customer Advisory Council meeting Wednesday, July 9.
U.S. Postal Service Chicago District Operations Programs Support Manager Mike Armstrong told the group of about a dozen local postal officials, managers and residents that U.S. Postal Service plans to relocate from the current post office at 540 N. Dearborn, citing difficulties mail carriers have loading trucks with limited dock space and trucks having to wait 30 minutes just to get out of the building due to few exits and traffic congestion around the building.
The Postal Service is looking to acquire a new building or rehab an existing one in the current zip code.
In the meantime, it has already accepted a proposal from a developer for the current site. Details for the planned development have not been released, according to Armstrong.
It will be at least two years before the station moves, if a new facility is built, or sooner if they remodel an existing one. However, the station may have to temporarily relocate as part of the deal with developer.
Also addressed during the meeting was the new zip code changes in the Fort Dearborn and Wicker Park areas. Effective July 1, all addresses with zip code 60610 on W. Chicago Avenue and south of W. Chicago Avenue will be assigned to the little-used 60654 zip code. In 60622, all addresses east of N. Ashland Avenue will be assigned to the new 60642 zip code.
The change is meant to allow mail delivery to continue to run smoothly and efficiently despite the rapid growth in population in both areas.
While addressing residents concerns about late mail delivery, Armstrong explained that part of the reason why delivery has been affected is the poor condition of delivery trucks.
“I have to admit that [mail delivery] vehicles in the city of Chicago are not in good shape,” Armstrong said.
The Postal Service is currently spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair and refurbish existing trucks, but has no plans to buy new ones in the near future. The Postal Service wants to acquire eco-friendly vehicles eventually, but it will be another 5 to 6 years before the right economical and green-friendly trucks come along, Armstrong explained.
The 42nd Ward Postal Customer Advisory Council, which began in October 2007, is one of more than 20 local councils citywide and consists of local postal officials and residents.
The council was created to not just hear complaints about missing or late mail, but to discuss bigger issues such as why there are issues with service delivery, stated Rachel Nash of 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly’s office.
Building demolition continues
A building located on N. Sheridan and W. Irving Park roads was being torn down Monday, July 14.
The 46th ward aldermanic office said the demolished building is owned by neighboring Thorek Hospital, 850 W. Irving Park.
“They were originally going to put an office building there,” said a staff member at the 46th ward office. “But now they are not going to get started on that right away. It could be used for parking or green space for now.”
CITY BEAT: Information sought on Groucho Bandit bank robber
Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-In-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual depicted in the attached surveillance photos. This individual, who has been dubbed the “Groucho Bandit”, is believed responsible for the armed robbery of at least nine banks on Chicago’s North Side in the past six weeks.
In the most recent robbery, which occurred on July 12 at the Chase Bank branch located at 1240 West Belmont, the robber entered the bank and approached the teller. He orally announced a robbery, claimed that he was armed and threatened the employee with harm if his demands were not met. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, the robber fled the bank on foot, disappearing into the passing crowd. As in all of the prior robberies, no weapon was displayed and no injuries were reported.
The “Groucho Bandit” is described as a white or Hispanic male, 40 – 50 years of age, 5’ 6” – 6’ tall with dark hair and dark eyes. He wears a baseball type cap and a fake “Groucho Marx” type mustache during the robberies, hence the moniker, Groucho Bandit.
These robberies are being investigated by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) which is comprised of FBI special agents, Detectives from the Chicago Police Department and Investigators from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police.
Anyone recognizing this individual or having any information about these robberies is asked to call the Chicago FBI at (312) 421-6700.
New fence at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
By Peter von Buol
Special to Inside
A newly-erected plastic fence in the Chicago Park District’s Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary is causing some area bird lovers and nature lovers to cry “fowl.”
The light-brown colored fence of a “split-rail” design is made of recycled plastic and was installed on the perimeter of the sanctuary this past spring.
According to David Painter, the park sanctuary’s volunteer nature steward, the fence seems to have been erected for aesthetic reasons by the Chicago Park District and not to prevent illegal activity that has been reported to occur in the park.
“The criminals run to Montrose Point and hide in the trees nearby and not near where the fence has been installed,” said the 60-year-old Painter, who serves as the head of the sanctuary’s team of volunteer nature stewards.
According to Painter, the fence actually makes it more difficult to engage in bird-watching. Commonly known as Magic Hedge because of the wide variety of birds that frequent the park during migratory season, the sanctuary is considered to be one of the Midwest’s prime bird watching spots.
“What really frustrates me is that the fencing gets in the way of those who want to catch a glimpse of the rare birds. It is not looked at too fondly by the bird-watching community. Avid birders, [especially those who compile lists of birds viewed in the wild during a lifetime], are already worried about restrictions [placed on access to areas]. They could [simply] have put in visuals to tell us where you would be able to enter the sanctuary,” said Painter.
He added he is especially worried some birders may try to scramble over the fences to catch a glimpse of a rarely seen bird and says the funds the park district spent on the fence could have been used to pay for additional prairie seeds and plantings or even for informational kiosks.
“Now, the birders are fenced in but the birds themselves are not. [If they wanted to protect certain of the planted areas], low fences with openings would have worked [but not the current fence],” said Painter.
Painter added his group had been informed of impending changes in the past but the current administration at the park district seems to have a problem communicating with his group and the public.
“We had a meeting with them in April and no one mentioned a fence would be installed in the near future. The fence seems to have been put in for aesthetic reasons but I don’t find it very aesthetic. The plastic fence is unattractive and an eye-sore,” Painter added.
When he first learned the fence would be installed, he asked the park district why it had not been discussed at any of his group’s public meetings with park district officials.
“It’s rather astounding, I think, as we had just had a quarterly meeting in April with park district officials and at that meeting, they didn’t reveal anything about the fence,” said Painter. “My group feels there is a real breakdown of communication between park district and the park volunteers. At the April meeting, we had been reassured nothing would be done without our input but, shortly afterwards, we received an email that described the fencing,” said Painter.
What today is known as a prime spot for bird-watching was once the location of a Cold War-era U.S. Military missile installation. Bushes, shrubs and trees were planted to hide the missile base from view. The spot soon attracted birds who found the quiet trees and bushes a great place to rest and feed during the migratory seasons, said Thomas P. Gnoske, an ornithologist at the Field Museum of Natural History.
After the missiles were removed in the 1970s, the trees and shrubs remained and Montrose Point quickly became known as an unmatched spot for local bird watchers. At least 300 species of birds have been spotted within the sanctuary and its surrounding area.
Gnoske told Inside the sanctuary remains unique because it is an anomaly along Lake Michigan’s lake shore.
During the migratory seasons, birds fly parallel to the shores of Lake Michigan. The sanctuary is within an area where there should actually be lake or a sandy beach and gives migrating birds an opportunity to make a “pit stop” without veering off their path, added Gnoske.
Opera theater founder dies
The Chicago Opera Theater is mourning the loss of founder Alan Stone who died Wednesday, July 9 in Lincoln Park at the age of 79.
The Chicago Opera Theater, 70 E. Lake St., will dedicate their 2009 Spring Festival Season, their 35th anniversary season, to Stone.
Stone founded Chicago Opera Studio, Inc., which later became Chicago Opera Theater.
Chicago Opera Studio, Inc. premiered with what would become the company’s “calling-card” opera Mozart’s Così fan tutte in 1974.
Stone served as Artistic Director until 1984, and remained with the company as an advisor until 1993.
“There simply would be no Chicago Opera Theater without Alan Stone,” said Opera Theater General Director Brian Dickie who began his tenure in 1999. “Chicago Opera Theater was his dream, his baby, and his vision. In my early years here in Chicago, I relied much on Alan’s great advice, and cherished our times swapping amusing antidotes over champagne,” Dickie continued. “Alan will be greatly missed and the whole of Chicago’s opera-loving audience, including myself, will always be immensely grateful for his life’s work.”
Tallship sails into the Navy Pier
The 157-ft square-rigged Topsail Schooner Pride of Baltimore II is sailing into Chicago for a 10-day port visit. Pride II arrived at Chicago’s waterfront at approximately 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 10. The public was invited down to the waterfront to welcome Pride II as she was escorted, with cannon blazing, by Chicago’s hometown tallships Windy and Red Witch to her berth at Navy Pier. Pride II will dock along Navy Pier Southwest Wall and will be open for public boarding from Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 20. Chicago is Pride II’s fourth port visit on an eleven city tour throughout the Great Lakes.
A highlight of Pride II’s visit to Chicago is welcoming aboard artist Eric Nils Forsberg, one of Chicago’s own established artists. Forsberg is currently working on a series of nine oil paintings of Pride of Baltimore II for Pride of Baltimore, Inc. Included in the series is a piece entitled “Pride II in Chicago.” Forsberg’s observation of the vessel served as the inspiration for the series. The composition combines the compelling beauty of the ship along with the splendor of the Chicago lakefront.
“Upon seeing Pride of Baltimore II in Chicago, I thought back to the glory days of the schooner. The blend of the two, a ship of yesteryear alongside Chicago’s lake front inspired the featured painting. The contrast of history in a modern setting is undeniable,” Forsberg said. Forsberg will be aboard the ship in Chicago to autograph poster prints of the featured work, which are available.
Cost is $5 per person. Children under age 7 board for $1 (tattoo included with entry fee). This year, Pride of Baltimore II is celebrating her 20th Anniversary as Maryland’s goodwill sailing ambassador. Since her launch in 1988, Pride II has sailed over 200,000 nautical miles carrying out her triple missions of friendship building, economic development, and education via the Internet for students in Maryland and the world. She has visited the Far East, South America, all coasts of the US, Europe (5 times) and the Great Lakes (7 times). She carries a complement of 12 professional crew members, both men and women. Pride of Baltimore II welcomes Guest Crew as working members of the ship’s company on passages between ports. To check out available passages, dates, and costs, log on to the PRIDE website at www.marylandspride.org, or call the Pride Office toll-free at 888-55-PRIDE.
Pride of Baltimore II is a reproduction of a Baltimore Clipper, an 1812-era topsail schooner “privateer”; a type of vessel that helped the fledgling America secure its freedom during the War of 1812.
New CTA technology described
City of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago Transit Authority President Ron Huberman provided details July 8 on how technology is helping the agency cut costs while improving the quality of service for customers.
“As you all know, I continue to challenge all city agencies to improve the quality of service they provide to our residents—each and every day. For the Chicago Transit Authority, this means looking for new, creative ways to provide safe, reliable and clean service to riders,” said Mayor Daley during a press conference.
In August, the CTA will make the majority of its bus supervisor positions mobile rather than assigned to fixed locations.
Using Bus Tracker, and a new application called Supervisor Information Management System or SIMS, bus supervisors will have access to real-time information to better manage the on-time performance of buses, and deal proactively with bus bunching and service delays to riders. CTA bus supervisors will no longer be assigned to stationary positions with clipboards to manage bus service.
With the implementation of SIMS, supervisors can be mobile so that they can provide real-time assistance to operators and customers, and make real-time decisions to minimize service delays.
They will also have GPS-enabled phones and wireless laptops similar to those used by the Chicago Police Department which will also improve communication and tracking with the CTA’s Control Center. This new technology is expected to save the CTA approximately $1.5 million.
Bus Tracker, www.ctabustracker.com, is CTA’s web-based program that uses global positioning system technology to provide real-time information on buses as they travel their routes.
On July 21, 15 more bus routes will be added to the Bus Tracker web site bringing the total number of routes accessible through Bus Tracker to 67. In addition, new program enhancements and upgraded features, such as Google-based mapping, will provide customers and supervisors with improved capabilities.
“CTA continually looks for ways to improve the customer experience by getting better information into the hands of customers,” said CTA President Ron Huberman. “Customers will find that the Bus
Tracker improvements will make it easier to navigate and access information in one convenient location.”
Bus icon roll-over information boxes display the route name and number; direction of travel; final destination; and the next four estimated bus arrivals for that particular bus selected. Separate links also will be provided allowing customers to access a route’s schedule and the progress of all buses operating along that particular route via the Street View function.
Customers can select up to five routes that can be simultaneously displayed and tracked on the Bus Tracker map. For easier identification, each route is color coded on the bus location map and also listed in the map legend at the bottom of the features.
Customers can locate a stop along any CTA bus route activated on Bus Tracker or by selecting other options, customers can hide or display all bus stops and buses in operation for their selected route. If a customer chooses to display the bus stops along their selected routes, each location will be represented by red dots. By clicking on the red dots, customers will be informed as to when the next bus is predicted to arrive at that particular bus stop.
156 ex-offenders clean CTA busses, rail cars
In November, CTA launched a new initiative in which hard-to-employ individuals and ex-offenders were hired to participate in the CTA’s Apprentice program. As part of the program, the agency selected 50 individuals to complete job readiness training. This grant program helps subsidize the costs non-profit community organizations spend in assisting ex-offenders. Currently the CTA program has 156 individuals that are assigned to cleaning both bus and rail cars.
“The Apprentice program helps the CTA in its efforts to provide a clean traveling environment for customers and provides a second chance for individuals who have faced difficult times in their lives get back on their feet,” said Mayor Daley. “As I have said many times before, our families, our neighborhoods and our city’s economy all benefit when formerly incarcerated individuals achieve their independence and lead healthy, responsible lives.”
Individuals who successfully complete the job training program are placed in a pool of candidates that are eligible to participate in the program. When apprenticeships become available, CTA receives resumes, interviews the candidates, administers drug testing and provides additional hands-on rail and bus cleaning training for those selected.
“The program we have been operating is one of the largest transition programs in the country,” said CTA chief Ron Huberman. “It offers the longest term for workers to prove themselves, nine months, where many other programs are limited to only 12 weeks.”
The apprentices work various shifts, five days a week and make $9.50 per hour. CTA’s goal is to transition the best workers into permanent positions. From the original 50 in the program, CTA is in the process of hiring seven on a full-time permanent basis.
Cultural Center glass dome restored
The restoration of the world’s largest Louis Comfort Tiffany art glass dome — located in Preston Bradley Hall in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street — has been completed with dazzling results. The project restored the dome to Tiffany’s original vision and allows it to be seen as it was in 1897, when the building opened as the first Chicago Public Library.
Approximately 38 feet in diameter, the Tiffany dome spans more than 1,000 square feet. It contains approximately 30,000 pieces of glass in 243 sections within an ornate cast iron frame. The body of the dome has a “fish scale” pattern. The center, called the oculus, shows the signs of the zodiac. The interior stained glass dome originally was protected by an exterior translucent glass dome, which allowed much-needed natural light into what was then the library’s general delivery room. The lower portion of the room is covered with white marble and glistening mosaics, also designed by Tiffany.
During this project, the concrete and copper exterior dome that had been added during the 1930s was removed, once again allowing natural light to shine through the glass. Now, natural light pours into the room, changing the subtle colors of the restored glass minute-by-minute, while all of the room’s decorative elements glow and harmonize.
In addition to cleaning and repairing the art glass, the ornate cast iron framework of the dome was given a new application of its original finish. Delicate rosette lighting around the cornice of the dome also was refurbished.
In December 2007, each of the art glass panels was carefully removed and replaced with a lexan polycarbonate replica covered with a translucent wallpaper graphic of the art glass, since events continued in Preston Bradley Hall through March. The panels were taken to a glass restorer, where each was taken apart, painstakingly cleaned, and put back together with new leading. Approximately two percent of the pieces had to be replaced with new glass, which was carefully manufactured and selected to match the original glass.
In January 2008, the concrete and copper exterior dome was removed. It was replaced with a new translucent exterior dome made of three layers of insulated/laminated glass one and one-quarter inches thick, with a white PVB interlayer to reduce UV light.
In April, Preston Bradley Hall was closed as work began to restore the ornate cast iron framework of the dome to its original finish, aluminum leaf coated with an amber-tinted glaze. The combination creates an aged patina similar to old gold leaf but more lustrous and iridescent.
As the last step, the restored art glass was reinstalled in late June, and the room reopened on July 1, as anticipated.
The cost of restoring the Tiffany dome was approximately $2.2 million. Funding was obtained from several sources: $1.829 million from the Central Loop TIF; $298,230 from a HUD Grant; $109,940 from a State of Illinois Museum Grant; $5,000 from AMEX/NTHP Partners in Preservation; and approximately $31,000 in private donations.
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of General Services retained Holabird & Root as the architects for the project, with Wight & Co. as the general contractor. More than 60 artisans and consultants worked on the project, including Botti Studios, DesignLab Chicago, Historic Surfaces/Evergreen, Primera and RestoricLLC.
POLICE BEAT
Woman passes out in park, wakes up with homeless man laying next to her: Dress lifted above waist
A homeless woman, 44, reported she was victimized July 12 in Clarendon Park.
The woman told police at Weiss Hospital that she was drinking alcohol in the park and passed out.
When she woke up, a homeless man was laying next to her and her summer dress was raised above her waist.
The man, who goes by the name Cedric, then said “Oooh, it was so good.”
The woman did not respond but instead walked over to the hospital and a rape kit was performed at 7 a.m. The bald man is between 45 and 50 years old and weighs about 150 pounds.
18th and 23rd Districts
Woman chases robber
A woman, 48, withdrew $150 from an ATM July 13 on the 5000 block of N. Sheridan when a man in his 30s wearing thick rim glasses and a red baseball cap approached her, grabbed her purse causing her to fall down, removed the $150 and ran away. The victim started to chase the robber a short distance but he got away. She suffered minor scratches due to the fall.
‘Give me $100 and I’ll give it to you’
A teacher, 32, said two women, in their 30s, stole his wallet July 12 at 11:30 a.m. on the 5200 block of N. Sheridan. The teacher told police he met the two women the night before and was with them the following day when he noticed his wallet was gone. He confronted them about the missing wallet and one of the women said “Give me $100 and I’ll give it to you.” The women then left and the teacher called police. A doorman at the building told an officer he had seen the teacher with the two women “several times together.” The women were both about 5”5’, 140-pounds. They were both wearing blue jeans and one had on a green tank top while the other was wearing a blue t-shirt.
Disabled man pick pocketed
A man, 41, who has difficulties communicating due to suffering a stroke was the victim of a pick pocket July 12 at noon when someone reached into his pocket and took his wallet in the lobby, near the elevators of a building on the 1000 block of W. Lawrence Avenue.
16-year-old beaten by five, hides under car in garage
A 16-year-old was with a friend in Gross Park on the 2700 block of W. Lawrence Avenue July 13 at 8 p.m when her purse was stolen. He suspected a group of five people of taking it so he walked up to them and asked “Who has the money?”
The group then started to severely punch and kick the victim and then fled. When officers arrived, everyone involved was gone but police soon learned the victim was “hiding under a car” in a garage on the 5000 block of N. California. He was located and could not recall precisely what occurred. He was treated at Illinois Masonic Hospital and was in critical condition; he had a blood alcohol level of .235.
Robbers point gun at salesman’s face
A salesman, 38, was approached by a man July 6 at 8:10 p.m. on the 5000 block of N. Sheridan. The man asked “are you straight?” and the salesman responded, “Ya, I’m straight.”
A second man then walked up, insulted the victim and pointed a possible .380 against the left side of his face.
A struggle ensued and the robbers managed to grab $50 from the salesman and run away. The salesman then ran into nearby conviennce store. The clerk at the store told police he had spoken with the robbers briefly.
Two arrested for park robbery
A 27-year-old from the 6000 block of N. Kenmore and a 22-year-old of the 6400 block of N. Lakewood were arrested July 8 at 11:04 p.m. for beating and robbing a vendor, 25, walking through a park on the 1000 block of Thorndale.
The vendor stated he was walking home from the Thorndale El and took a shortcut through a park when the men blocked his path. The two then started to attack him punching him to the ground and hitting him in the face and body causing cuts and a loose right front tooth.
The victim said several people were in the park at the time but he couldn’t identify witnesses because he had his hands and arms over his face when on the ground being attacked. The robbers took his wallet which continued $70 and his cell phone. The two robbers were arrested on the 5800 block of N. Kenmore.
Motorcycle stolen at Foster Beach
A 2008 Harley Davidson XL1200 motorcycle was reported stolen from the 5200 block of N. Simmonds July 8 at 2 p.m.
Church sound mixer taken
While preparing for Mass, a pastor on the 1000 block of W. Lawrence noticed the church sound mixer was gone last week.
Vases in storage stolen
Vases worth $2,000 were taken from a public storage unit between June 21 and July 13 on the 5000 block of Sheridan. The divider space between the owner’s storage space and the one next to his was pried open.
Bank robbery
A North Community Bank on the 5200 block of N. Western was robbed by a man in a White Sox t-shirt July 3 at 10:39 a.m. The man demanded money which two tellers handed over and then he ran away. Bank cameras captured the incident with a clear image of the robber.
Credit card fraudster poses as police to seize surveillance video
A man is his 40s entered a convenience store on the 5000 block of N. Lincoln July 6 and purchased $302 in gift cards. However, when asked to sign for the credit card purchase he abruptly walked away and the transaction was canceled. Then, the store manager received a phone call from a man posing as a police Sargent who said he was investigating credit card fraud. The caller later showed up at the store wearing a bulletproof vest and said he needed to investigate the security camera footage of the store. The store manager, however, could not turn over the tape due to a power outage. The man returned later and obtained the tape and drove away.
Man hit in head
A Dolton man, 36, was approached from behind, hit on the head and knocked to the ground July 5 at 7 p.m. on the 2600 block of W. Foster. While down, the robber took his wallet which had $400 in it. He had a swelling lump on the side of his head three days later.
Burglar spotted
A burglar who grabbed jewelry and other items from the home of two women, an attorney, 54, and a carpenter, 47, was spotted running from the premise by a neighbor July 8 at 12:19 a.m. on the 2300 block of W. Argyle but he got away. The victims were advised to compile a list of missing items since the apartment had been rifled through.
19th and 20th Districts
Bus driver threatened, arm pulled
A woman, 61, caused a scene boarding a CTA bus July 12 at 8 p.m. on the 4700 block of N. Sheridan Road. The woman entered the bus and the driver, 34, asked her to pay her fare. The passenger, of the 3200 block of N. Cicero, became enraged and started swearing and insulting the female driver.
“The victim stated the offender grabbed victim’s arm pulling it causing victim to fear offenders attack. Victim stated she stopped her bus #1501 so as to protect herself and other passengers. Victim stated offender fled from the bus but was found entering the gate of 934 W. Windsor.”
The woman was arrested for simple battery and theft of services and has an Aug 27 court date.
Husband threatens to stab wife
A man, 46, allegedly pulled out a knife and threatened to stab his wife, 38, if she did not sleep with him July 13 at 5:30 a.m. The wife called police and the man ran from the apartment on the 1000 block of W. Leland.
Marine robbed
A United States Maine on leave was held up for $600 July 12 on the 2700 block of N. Pine Grove. The Marine, 23, of Mokena, said he met two men at a bar in southwest suburban Tinley Park previously. The two agreed to meet him in Chicago and sell him speakers. But when the Marine met the men, both about 30 years old, one of them displayed a blue steel semi automatic handgun and took $600 from him. The Marine is returning to active duty July 23.
Domestic battery
A boyfriend, 26, is accused of choking and punching his girlfriend, 24, and threatening to kill her July 12 at 8:30 p.m. on the 900 block W. Cornelia. After an argument, “offender then stated ‘I’m going to kill you’ at which point he choked her using both hands and then punched her with a closed fist striking her in the face,” the police report says. Two witnesses observed the battering and heard the woman scream “get away from me.” She suffered bruising and swelling in the face and bleeding about the lip.
Officer bit
A man, 20, being treated by ambulance became violent July 13 at 5:42 a.m on the 3800 block of W. Sheffield. The ambulance requested police backup. When officers arrived, they saw the man “thrashing around, swinging his arms and kicking his legs attempting to fight.” He was handcuffed but during the struggle he bit one of the three police officers on the scene. Both the officer, 44, and the man were treated at Illinois Masonic Hospital.
Bank defaced across from police station
Someone scrawled the words ‘Bitches and Gays’ with white chalk on the front of the Harris Bank branch, 3601 N. Halsted, on July 13. The branch is located across the street from the 23rd District Police Station. A possible motive is hate, according to the police report. Police notified the bank. A 23rd district janitor removed the chalk with water. A copy of the police report was forwarded to civil rights section workers.
Stick up
Two men, about 20 years old, approached a janitor, 43, and a woman, 30, at 11:15 p.m. on July 13 on the 4700 block of N. Clark. They asked the janitor for a lighter and then one of the men pulled out a blue steel handgun, placed it to the janitors stomach and said “let me get that for you.” He then snatched $350 cash and a cell phone.
Girl reports sex abuse in hospital bathroom
A four-year-old told her mother, 32, that she was touched between her legs in the third floor bathroom of St. Joseph Hospital, 2900 N. Lake Shore Drive, July 14 between 2:20 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. as her mother was getting her foot X-rayed. The girl stated that a male doctor took her into the bathroom and “touched her colita.” After that, the girl then said it was a yellow haired lady wearing a blue shirt who did it. The girl was examined at Children’s Memorial Hospital and released without injury but said the person touched her. Officers determined who was working on the floor at the time and social workers scheduled a follow-up interview with the child and parent. Security video can also be obtained from the hospital security manager.
Catalytic converter cut out of Jeep
A $1,200 catalytic converter was cut out of a 2000 Jeep Cherokee the evening of July 13 on the 900 block of Roscoe St. Police warn the public to be on the lookout for this crime as it has been happening frequently.
Manager robbed
A manager, 26, said he was getting something out of the trunk of his car at 2:19 a.m. on the 600 block of Aldine when a man in his 30s wearing a blue shirt approached, displayed a handgun and took his wallet which had $50 cash in it.
Woman slashes man’s throat
After an argument, a man, 53, was slashed in the throat at 5:30 p.m. on July 7 on the 4700 block of N. Sheridan by a woman, 31. The man, of the 1100 block of W. Wilson, was in good condition after his throat was cut three to five inches in depth with the knife. Police transported the woman to Thorek Hospital where she was treated and released for a previous injury. She has an Aug. 7 court date.
Girl, 16, grabbed on Red Line
A 16-year-old student reported a 220-pound man in his 30s wearing cargo shorts grabbed her butt three to four times at the Red Line L stop at 4600 N. Winthrop July 9 at 6:15 p.m.
Several burglaries in building
At least six burglaries were reported July 11 at 727 W. California Terrace. A digital camera, computer, jewelry and cash were among the things missing. Photos and fingerprints were taken by police.
Lincoln Square Peace Corps volunteer, 24, home from Cameroon
Katherine Nolan, 24, of Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, has completed two years of service in the Peace Corps in Cameroon and has opted to extend her service for another year. Currently, she is home for a visit before returning back to Cameroon on July 27 to serve as a mentor for other Peace Corps volunteers.
For over two years, Nolan has been serving in Ndelele, Cameroon as an English education Peace Corps Volunteer. Her work involved teaching at a local high school and after school reading programs.
Nolan said that one of the main benefits of her Peace Corps experience has been personal growth and direction in her career path.
Nolan graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., earning a Bachelor of Arts in 2006.
Nolan was one of the 367 Illinois residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 7,287 Illinois residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. Also, there are approximately 260 currently serving Peace Corps volunteers from the Chicago area.
NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES
Lake View Lincoln Square Ravenswood Uptown
Lincoln Square Garden Walk Aug. 2
Lincoln Square is forging ahead with its Garden Walk and Green Fair, now in its fourth year, on Sat., Aug. 2. Last year 21 gardens and 16 environmental groups participated in this fest. From waterfall features to a floral vegetable garden to a fairy tale shade garden, the Lincoln Square Garden Walk shows the resourcefulness of gardeners working in small city lots.
“This isn’t some out-of-reach display of expensive gardens you could never recreate,” says Nancy Benjamin, Lincoln Square Garden Walk founder and organizer. “These are marvelous, creative, do-able inventions with a lot of personality. Very varied and very wonderful. City dwellers get ideas about how to create their own relaxing oasis, right in the heart of town.”
This year’s walk has added some new features. One garden sports small fruits, such as multi-colored gooseberries, currants, peaches and apples.
Another garden shows the virtue of hardscape with a network of patios and paths. There are waterfall gardens, a corner Victorian with a wrap-around porch and a contemplative fish pond; and a neighbor community garden wraps individual vegetable patches with raspberries and gathering areas.
“There’s a commitment in Lincoln Square to greening, improving the environment, and a long tradition of gardening, as well,” says Benjamin. “We all encourage and inspire each other. With the Green Fair as well as the garden walk, we’re able to provide a lot of vital information to all Chicagoans on how to become more organic, be more successful at greening and respect the natural world around you.” She adds that the combination of the city bustle and the garden reprieve are what make Chicago so special.
The Green Fair portion of the walk is held in Giddings Plaza on the 4700 block of N. Lincoln Avenue and includes information about composting, recycling, gardening answers, natural gardening treatments, tree health, neighborhood space, green building materials and environmentally-oriented organizations to help all city dwellers practical tips for greening. In cooperation with the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce and Ald. Gene Schulter (47th), the Green Fair helps to highlight all the city is doing to beautify and protect the environment.
“More and more, people are looking for a way to bring the natural world into their yards and homes,” says Benjamin. “Gone are the days of the solid concrete patio. People are looking for innovative approaches that are good for the environment and good for their well-being.”
The Lincoln Square Garden Walk and Green Fair will be held Saturday August 2, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m at 4731 N. Lincoln Ave.
There is no charge for the Green Fair. The Garden Walk is $5 and all profits go to benefit the Lincoln Square Foundation, the Chamber’s of Commerce not-for-profit greening organization.
For more information, please contact Nancy Benjamin at 312-286-0956 or the Lincoln Square Chamber at 773-728-3890.
Book store closing event
Kate the Great’s Book Emporium, 5550 N. Broadway, is closing its doors on Friday, July 25. All used books will be priced at $1 to $3.
Music and refreshments will be offered on Fridays.
Dank Haus presents
The German Center Dank Haus will host Stammtisch Hawaii Night at 7:30 p.m. July 18 at 4740 N. Lincoln Ave. There will be beer, food, karaoke and an Elvis impersonator.
Gold Coast Lincoln Park Loop Near North
Art opening
A reception will be held for the new art exhibit 3 + 3 = 6: Three Women, Three Men, Expressing Six IberoAmerican Countries” from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Aldo Castillo Gallery, 675 N. Franklin St.
Evening of Art & Architecture
The Streeterville Organization of Active Residents presents “Blueprints 2008: An Evening of Art & Architecture” Monday Aug. 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago Ave.
Bughouse Square debates, book sale
The Newberry Library book sale and Bughouse debates will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 60 W. Walton. The book sale goes from July 24 to July 26. Admission is free. For more information, call 312-255-3700.
Cubs curse book event
A book event will be held at 7 p.m. on July 17 at Transitions Bookplace Cafe, 1000 W. North Ave.
The book explains “Merkle’s Curse” detailing how the Chicago Cubs are cursed. Find out the history on why the Chicago Cubs haven’t won a World Series in 100 years. During the summer of 2003, two life-long fans of the Chicago Cubs realized that their favorite team is really cursed. They, and their adult sons, become obsessed with undoing this curse, lest it undermine their team’s march to its first World Series in almost sixty years and its first Major League Championship since 1908. Unbeknownst to them, the curse had its origins in an Old Testament prophecy that has had a profound effect on both the history of the world and the game of baseball. In the process, it traces a dark, forbidding path from the Holy Land, through the Roman Empire, medieval Europe, West Africa, and pre-Columbian America, before leaving an imprint on the United States and its national pastime. A story about friends, family, freedom and faith, the reader won’t know until the very last page whether these die-hard Cub fans were able to solve the mystery of Merkle’s Curse.
For more information, contact Kyle Kent at 888 361 9473 x27
Pitchfork music preview July 17
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Millennium Park and Pitchfork Music Festival present an evening filled with an eclectic sampling of music from around the globe. As a kick-off event to the 2008 Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park (July 18-20), music fans will get to sample some of the Festival’s weekend highlights at Millennium Park on July 17 at 6:30 pm. Performers (in order of appearance)include the Balkan inspired explorations of A Hawk and A Hacksaw, the thunderous Gypsy brass band sounds of Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar, the dynamic mix of Kenyan Benga music and American rock of Extra Golden, and the sweet, harmonious pop twang of Seattle’s Fleet Foxes.
This is the third year of the international music series, Music Without Borders, featuring traditional folk and pop artists from around the globe. The series, which consists of six free concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, features music from Spain, the Dominican Republic, Senegal, Sudan, Buenos Aires and beyond. Music Without Borders is part of the City of Chicago’s ongoing celebration of world music. For more information, call 312.742.1168 or visit millenniumpark.org.
Proceeds of clothes closet sale to benefit hospital
Volunteers from Saint Joseph Hospital’s Clothes Closet, 2900 N. Lake Shore Drive, are hosting a sale of used women’s, men’s and children’s clothes, books, DVDs, and housewares July 25 from 8 a.m. to noon.
The Clothes Closet has a 40-year tradition of providing apparel and household items for a free will offering.
Sales take place the last Friday of each month and on Wednesdays by appointment between 10 a.m. and noon.
Tax-deductible donations are accepted at the sale or at any time in the Volunteer Center by calling 773.665.3167.
Proceeds support the hospital’s Employee Care Fund, which supports employees who experience sudden, urgent financial hardship.
Young Chicago Lakefront flood relief
A 2008 Flood Disaster fundraiser will be held by the North Side Democratic activist group Young Chicago Lakefront from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 at Red Ivy, 3525 N. Clark St. $20 donation requested. For more information email maryhstyrcz@yahoo.com. All proceeds benefit the Wabash Valley Illinois Flood relief Fund and the American Red Cross.
Concert at Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago’s wildest concert venue, Lincoln Park Zoo, is gearing up for rock music sensations Fastball and Blind Melon to perform Friday, July 25.
The performance is part of the zoo’s monthly summer concert series Jammin’ at the Zoo. Tickets are still available, but guests are encouraged to purchase entry soon as shows typically sell out.
This unique concert series takes place in the heart of the zoo where lions, tigers and seals look on, creating an outdoor atmosphere unlike any other in the city. Celebrating its fifteenth season, the distinctive setting and incredible live music make these concerts a Chicago favorite.
Show slated for Friday, July 25 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Ticketed guests may enter the zoo at 6 p.m. to stake out seating and are encouraged to bring a small chair or blanket.
Tickets range from $21-$28.
New Fire Commissioner appointed
Mayor Richard M. Daley last week appointed Fire Commissioner Raymond Orozco as executive director of the City’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications and promoted First Deputy Fire Commissioner John W. Brooks to be the new Fire Commissioner.
“These two appointments will ensure that we are meeting our responsibility in city government to keep Chicagoans safe and secure and to be as prepared as we can be to manage emergency situations,” Daley said at a City Hall news conference.
Orozco has served as Fire Commissioner since March, 2006, and is a 29 year-veteran of the Department. He will lead OEMC, which operates the City’s public safety communications system and coordinates and manages emergency situations.
Brooks joined the Department in 1980 and became First Deputy Commissioner under Orozco in July, 2006. In that role, in addition to other duties, he has had administrative and budget oversight of the Department’s major bureaus and divisions.
“Both men have given a lifetime of service to the Fire Department and to the residents of Chicago,” Daley said. “They have worked together closely for the last two years managing the Fire Department and are perfectly suited both as administrators and as leaders to help Chicago maintain its reputation as center of innovation in emergency preparedness,” he said.
Daley said Orozco has led the Fire Department with distinction since March of 2006.
“He has helped strengthen its position as a leader in the use of technology to help carry out the department’s mission, he has strengthened our regular exchange of information with other large city departments and has continued to improve the department’s training procedures.
“Through his experience and his management approach, he is the right person to run OEMC and to carry out the broad strategy we have used since September 11, 2001 of bringing all our city resources together to keep the people of our city and our region safe,” the Mayor said.
Daley said Brooks has also distinguished himself in many ways during his years of service, particularly in his management of the Department’s Emergency Medical Services personnel and in his expertise in the areas of fire suppression
and rescue.
“He a first-rate leader who will build on the strong work he and Commissioner Orozco have done and will also help us continue our efforts to diversify the department so that it more accurately reflects the make-up of the city it serves,” Daley said.
The Mayor said cooperation is a critical component in keeping the city safe and secure.
“We are fortunate in Chicago to have dedicated, hard-working police officers, firefighters and paramedics, as well as workers at the Office of Emergency Management and Communications. And we need and have the partnership and cooperation of other agencies of government at all levels to keep our city and metropolitan area safe,” Daley said.
“We share our technology and our equipment and our ideas freely with other communities as part of our regional commitment to safety and security.
We are fortunate to have two men such as these to help lead our efforts to be as safe and as prepared as we can be,” he said.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Why are there pop, water and beer bottles on curbs, sidewalks?
At the Mayfest luncheon for area seniors, 47th Ward Alderman Gene Schulter announced that the Blue Cart Recycling Program has proven to be highly successful, and that as a result, it will be expanded to other wards throughout the city. Appropriately, students from Amundsen High School went around with a blue bag and collected the empty plastic water bottles for recycling.
It is for this reason that it is very upsetting to walk down the streets in our neighborhood and to find a large number of all kinds of disposed pop, water and beer bottles on the curbs, sidewalks and parkways. It would be so easy to deposit these in the wire baskets provided by the city or to find a nearby blue cart and dispose of them properly for recycling. But apparently there are people who do not care about the fact that this is the only planet we have, and that we should do everything in our power to preserve it for our children and grandchildren.
Another problem I have noticed in the neighborhood is that many hand hole covers (I call them cover plates) on the bases of electrical poles are missing, exposing the wiring. Most of the cavities are then filled with all kinds of trash, including liquor bottles. No one should try to remove any of this litter, as you take a big chance on getting an electric shock. This should be of particular concern to parents with young children who might be tempted to put their little hands into the cavity to retrieve something. Whenever you notice one of these missing hand hole covers, please write down the exact address and call 311 to report the situation.
Many thanks for your help in making our neighborhoods safer.
Maria P. Bappert
Secretary, 19th District
Advisory Council
Emanuel: 10 percent of vehicles must run on natural gas by 2018
At a press conference at N. Clark Street and Irving Park Road Monday, July 14, Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-5) announced plans to introduce legislation that will compel automakers to make 10 percent of their fleet vehicles that run on natural gas by the year 2018.
Emanuel’s proposal also includes incentives and tax credits that will result in the addition of natural gas pumps at 20,000 fueling stations across the country. The legislation will be formally introduced later this week.
“This proposal is a hat trick for America: it’s good for our environment, good for our national security and good for drivers who are suffering at the pump. Natural gas is cheap, green and American-made and it’s time we encouraged the use of natural gas vehicles here in America,” said Emanuel. “American drivers should be able to buy a car that runs on a cleaner fuel that is currently half the cost of gas. Developing cars that run on natural gas and making it available at the gas station or at home will save money for consumers and help end our dependence on foreign oil.”
Emanuel’s legislation would compel automakers to make 10 percent of their fleet vehicles that run on natural gas by the year 2018.
The bill would also offer new incentives to make natural gas more readily available for drivers and could enable the construction of natural gas pumps at 20,000 gas stations across the country.
The legislation offers a $90,000 tax credit to encourage gas station owners to install natural gas fuel pumps and provides $2.6 billion in bonding authority to states to provide no or low-interest loans to service stations to install natural gas pumps.
It requires the gas stations owned by the major oil companies to install at least one natural gas pump in each station by 2018 and includes tax credits for drivers who convert their cars to allow them to run on natural gas and for those Americans who own home “Phill” units, a simple device that can be installed in a garage that allows drivers to use their home natural gas line to refuel their car
Currently, natural gas costs about half of the price of gasoline and produces approximately one-third less emissions. Additionally, 98 percent of the natural gas Americans currently consume is produced in North America and current estimates indicate that America has a 118 year supply of natural gas.
“The United States has abundant natural gas reserves,” added Emanuel. “It’s time to start making those reserves work for us.”
American automakers have the technology to produce vehicles that run on natural gas. General Motors currently makes four different natural gas vehicles in Europe and Asia and Ford has previously built natural gas vehicles that were used in the House of Representatives.
The Emanuel legislation would also create jobs and help offset recent declines in the SUV and light truck market. Estimates indicate that increased demand for natural gas powered vehicles and natural gas production could create 500,000 US energy industry jobs.
Wilson Red Line Station to close for weekend
Due to work on the main platform at the Wilson Red Line station, northbound trains will temporarily bypass the Wilson station from 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 18 through Monday, July 21. While weekend work is underway, northbound customers who want to exit at Wilson should travel one stop north to the Lawrence station and board a southbound train. Northbound customers who want to board at Wilson should board a southbound Red Line train and travel one stop south to Sheridan to board a northbound train.Southbound customers will board and exit the Wilson station on the Purple Express platform. Normal service at Wilson will resume at 4 a.m. Monday morning. |
