COVER STORY
E-EDITION
MARCH/APRIL 2026
First Audience
How music begins at home and grows into a lifelong passion BY LAURA MICHAUD AND MELISSA G. WILSON The Living Room Debut Before there are stages, spotlights, or packed auditoriums, there is almost always a living room. Or a kitchen. Or the back seat of a car. For many performers, the first audience is family—people…
In Harmony
Teen musician brings message of healing to international stage BY ANNA HUGHES It started with a love of music. At six years old, Oak Brook resident Sophia Ibrahim first learned to play the piano. She found the process joyful and therapeutic. “Growing up, [music] had a big healing power in my life,” Ibrahim said. She…
Renovations Worth Every Dollar
The home upgrades that bring the biggest return COURTESY OF MAINSTREET REALTORS® We’ve always known that first impressions matter, but did you know the same is true of your home? Replace an outdated front door with a new steel door, and you’re likely to recoup 100% of the value when it comes time to sell.…
Home Organizing Trends
Smarter Systems for Modern Living BY HINSDALE MAGAZINE GROUP STAFF Home organizing has shifted from a focus on perfection to a focus on function. As homes take on more roles than ever before, homeowners are investing in systems that support real life and spaces that are easy to maintain, flexible, and thoughtfully designed. Function Over…
Built for the Times
A look at how homes evolve with us BY HINSDALE MAGAZINE GROUP STAFF Home styles reflect how people live at different moments in history. From early formal houses to today’s flexible layouts, architecture has changed alongside family life, technology, and cultural priorities. These familiar home types trace the evolution of suburban living. Colonial &…
What’s Old is What’s New
A Historic Rehab and a Newer Home Rehab BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN Oak Brook has a wide variety of home types, and one of the best things about this town is its respect for older home restoration. Some are added onto gradually as years pass, and some are gutted and remodeled in one fell swoop. There’s…
From Vision to Home
One family’s Oak Brook beginning BY HINSDALE MAGAZINE GROUP STAFF Ten years before they ever broke ground on their own house, Oak Brook was already quietly working its way into Inna and Sulman Husain’s future. Inna still remembers the early suggestion that first planted the idea. “I still remember 10 years ago when I first…
History in Focus
New exhibits and a spring lecture ahead BY HINSDALE MAGAZINE GROUP STAFF Spring brings new opportunities to explore Oak Brook’s past as the Oak Brook Historical Society unveils expanded exhibits at the Heritage Center and prepares to host a thought-provoking public lecture examining the region’s early history. Together, these programs invite residents and visitors to…
Savor the Scene
Three new restaurants bring fresh flavors to Oak Brook Oak Brook’s dining scene has been growing exponentially over the last few years as a plethora of restaurants have chosen to locate in the Village. In recent months, the trend has accelerated as three new restaurants have recently opened in Oak Brook. Village Trustee Dr. Suresh…
Future Leaders
Paid Summer Internships with the Village of Oak Brook The Village of Oak Brook has announced a new paid summer Internship Program tailored for Oak Brook high school juniors and seniors. This eight-week program has been designed in collaboration with Hinsdale Central to offer academic credit to selected participants. The inaugural summer 2026 program will…
Redefining Guest Experiences
The future of modern hotel design In this exclusive interview, Oak Brook Magazine sits down with Komal Patel, CEO of Vinayaka Hospitality. Patel oversees the prominent DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago – Oak Brook and the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook. Here, he shares insights into the meticulous design process, evolving guest expectations, and the art of…
More Reasons to Give
Understanding today’s tax incentives and the lasting impact of charitable generosity BY DAVE MCGOWAN The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted on July 4, 2025, includes a charitable deduction for cash gifts worth up to $1,000 for single filers or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. Starting in 2026, the new tax break is available…
First Audience
How music begins at home and grows into a lifelong passion BY LAURA MICHAUD AND MELISSA G. WILSON The Living Room Debut Before there are stages, spotlights, or packed auditoriums, there is almost always a living room. Or a kitchen. Or the back seat of a car. For many performers, the first audience is family—people…
Mahjong Madness
A captivating game, equal parts strategy and social, is sweeping its way through the suburbs BY VALERIE HARDY Step back, bridge, and bunco. There’s a new game in town—mahjong—and it’s spreading like wildfire across the western suburbs and throughout the nation. The History of the Game Many Americans only recently learned mahjong, but the game…
