Episode 33 explores policy decisions related to the return of schooling in a Covid-19 world. 

Joining to discuss this topic are Oak Park residents: Mara Maas and Cara Carmody.   

This is a very timely topic, as the Illinois Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are about to issue guidelines for the Fall and Oak Park’s local school districts will have many decisions to make between what learning will look like when it starts back up in two months.

Nazareth Bryant; 2020 OPRF graduate and incoming Northern Illinois Football Player, is featured on episode 32 of Common Ground Oak Park.

Naz capped off his OPRF experience by being awarded the Athletic Award in the Spring as the male athlete that demonstrated the highest achievements in athletics, academics and leadership.

The conversation focuses on Naz’s football and OPRF career, his time growing up in Oak Park and his thoughts on societal events as he heads off to college.

Rowan Richards; social entrepreneur and co-founder of Oak Park Varsity Club, is featured on episode 31 of the podcast.  

Rowan has made a career in creating opportunity and investment in disadvantaged communities, via the Steward’s Market, Accion Chicago and Assemblize.

The conversation focuses on Rowan's work and approach to bringing investment and creating opportunity in the communities that need it most.

Chris Neville; musician, owner of Wire Music and front man for the band Tributosaurus joins Dan Moroney for episode 30 of Common Ground Oak Park. 

Chris is well known in the area as a founding member of the band Tributosaurus and owner of Wire Music in Berwyn. 

The conversation covers all of these things, along with thoughts on the future of the future of music venues in a socially-distanced world.

Matt Maloney; OPRF History teacher and former Varsity basketball coach for the Huskies, joins Dan Moroney for this episode of Common Ground Oak Park.  

After a 12 year run at the helm, Matt stepped down from his role as head coach in the beginning of May to spend more time with his family.  

The conversation covers Matt’s time as head coach of the basketball team, his experience teaching at the high school and his thoughts on E-learning.

This episode of Common Ground Oak Park explores policy responses to the Covid-19 virus.  Joining to discuss this topic is Jenna Russell; Oak Park resident and outspoken voice on Oak Park issues.  

The conversation discusses Jenna’s willingness to express her views and the subsequent criticism that inevitably arises from her outspoken positions and her thoughts on society’s response to the Covid-19 virus.

John Lawrence; Managing Broker at the Oak Park and River Forest offices of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services is featured in this episode of Common Ground Oak Park.

The conversation discusses John's involvement in the community, the local real estate market and the housing industry during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Patrick O’Brien; owner of Scratch Restaurant Group, is featured on episode 26 of Common Ground Oak Park.

Patrick has had a career of over 30 years in the restaurant industry.  He opened Scratch Kitchen & Lounge in Forest Park in 2013 and subsequently brought Scratch to Lake Street and Harrison Street in Oak Park.  

The conversation covers Patrick’s life in the restaurant industry and the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Liz Holt; Executive Director of the Oak Park & River Forest Chamber of Commerce, is featured on episode 25 of Common Ground Oak Park.

Liz became Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce in October 2018 and her role has suddenly been transformed in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The conversation focuses on the work of the Chamber of Commerce and the impact of the shelter in place order on the Oak Park business community.

Episode 24 of Common Ground Oak Park discusses the health impact of the Covid-19 virus and what next steps might be in the fight against the pandemic.

Providing insight for the conversation is Ori Gottlieb; Anesthesiologist and Perioperative Informaticist at the University of Chicago.  

The conversation covers what is known about Covid-19 as of April 12th, 2020 and how our approach to the virus might change given new information that is learned every day.