A stained glass windows at the Forest Park Baptist Church. (Provided) 
Local Realtors at the Illinois REALTORS® Capitol Conference in Springfield. Left to right: Ricardo Braglia, Ed Bellock-Treasurer, Gabe Caporale, Jonathan Zivojnovic, Bobbie Shaper Eastman-Director, Elissa Palermo-Immediate Past-President, Linda Rooney-Vice President, John Lawrence, Sharon Halperin-CEO 
Loving building restoration on Marion Street. (Courtesy of Frank Heitzman) 
Joe Konopacki, President and CEO of Insight Property Services, explains the importance of blower door testing to identifying leaks in a home. (Lacey Sikora) 
Sanford and Grace Vaughan House. (E.E. Roberts, 1898). | Frank Lloyd Wright Trust/James Caulfield 
Robin Flaherty and Jess Milburn. (Courtesy of North & Madison) 
Hills-DeCaro House (Compass Real Estate) 
Bill and Denise Scholtens are the owners of Elements Architectural Group and of the former Pieritz Bros. building. (Todd Bannor) 
Building at 8-12 Van Buren Street has a new heat pump split system (Oak Park Apartments) 
Photos by Javier Govea
The past year in Homes provided a glimpse into the homes and gardens of Oak Park and River Forest. We learned about Historic Preservation Commission discussions and followed historic homes that were shared with the public through housewalks sponsored by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, the Oak Park and River Forest Historical Society and the Infant Welfare Society. We examined real estate stats and the works of famous architects. We peaked inside the doors of homes on the local market and brought a little bit of Homes into the lives of our readers.
Before we forge ahead into 2026, here’s a look back at some highlights of the Journal’s Homes section in 2025.
January
In January, we delved into the work of architect H.G. Fiddelke with an interview of Fiddelke super-fan Michael Thomas who explored Fiddelke’s work in Forest Park and Oak Park in a talk at the Forest Park Baptist Church, which was designed by Fiddelke.
February
In February, we sat down with the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors and learned how the local industry group prepares real estate agents to best support the needs of people looking to buy and sell homes in the area.
March
In March, we talked to local architect Frank Heitzman about his latest preservation work: the rehabilitation of a building he owns on Marion Street in downtown Oak Park. Heitzman worked to restore the bay window and copper details that originally graced the 1890’s-era building.
April
We attended several open houses hosted by OPCAN, the Oak Park Climate Action Network in April and learned about ways locals are making their homes more sustainable.
May
In May, we visited one of the homes featured on the 2025 Wright Plus Housewalk, the Sanford and Grace Vaughan House. Designed by E.E. Roberts, the house was recently remodeled following a serious fire.
June
We kicked off summer in June with a conversation with local design firm North & Madison. Designers Robin Flaherty and Jess Milburn were excited about their debut collection of bathroom vanities and wallpapers, which they are using to liven up homes throughout Oak Park and River Forest.
July
During July, Oak Park River Forest Historical Society board member Frank FioRito shared his extensive research on a lost River Forest subdivision: Edgewater Park.
August
In August, we took a deep dive into Historic Preservation issues in Oak Park, including the many meetings devoted to proposed new construction at 1035 South Boulevard.
September
September brought the sale of an Oak Park icon, the Hills-DeCaro House on Forest Avenue. We talked with long-time owner, Mark Smylie about living in and preserving the home, which was remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright.
October
In October, Bill and Denise Scholtens shared their passion project, the rehabilitation of the former Pieritz Bros. building on South Boulevard and Ridgeland in Oak Park. The building now houses Bill’s architectural firm, Elements Architectural Group, and recently celebrated the opening of tenant 3Fold’s croissant bake shop.
November/December
November provided a glimpse into how multi-family homes can live green with a dive into the partnership between two locally owned business Oak Park Apartments and Energy Matters.
We closed out 2025 with a look into the sales and rents at four Downtown Oak Park high-rises.
