Landmark_010726

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD $1.00

Vol. 42, No. 1

Library’s loss Page 7

January 7, 2026

Riverside Township assessor retires after 15 years

Fran Sitkiewicz got her start in the assessor’s office in 2001 and worked her way up the ranks

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Across the globe, Dec. 31 is celebrated as New Year’s Eve. But in Riverside Township, the holiday had to pull double duty alongside Frances Sitkiewicz Day, dedicated as the final day of Sitkiewicz’s tenure as the township assessor.

“It was time,” Sitkiewicz said of her decision to retire from her position. “I have some grandchildren in the area, and I wanted to spend more time with my family, and I do want to spend time traveling. My husband and I both enjoy traveling, and a very wise friend told us not to squander our 60s, so I’m going to listen to her.”

Mary Jo Miller is now the township assessor as of Jan. 1.

“She is going to do a wonderful job,” See ASSESSOR on page 6

Lawyer says alleged federal agent assaulted him in Brookfield Robert Held was filming the man from a public sidewalk when he pushed him to the ground

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

PROVIDED BY SARAH LIDDELL THOMPSON

Frances Sitkiewicz (in grey) was honored for nearly 25 years of service to the township assessor’s office before she retired.

A civilian lawyer says a man he believed to have been a federal agent assaulted him last weekend in Brookfield.

Robert Held, an attorney based in Chicago, told the Landmark he was filming the man from a public sidewalk on Dec. 27 while he was stopped at the Shell gas station at 31st Street and Maple Avenue when the man approached him.

“He put the gas hose down, and he started briskly See AGENT on page 11

Follow us on Instagram! @riversidebrookfield_landmark Top stories, local government, features, events, dining, art, and sports right at your fingertips!

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The Landmark, January 7, 2026

D96 chooses strategic planning facilitator Educational Leadership Solutions to help formulate ‘doable’ plan

IN THIS ISSUE Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf

In order to be successful in any venture, there has to be a plan, and Riverside School District 96 will work with Educational Leadership Solutions to head up its strategic planning process in 2026.

The district board of education on Dec. 17 approved a $19,500 proposal from Educational Leadership Solutions to facilitate a planning process that will cover roughly the next five years.

Joliet-based Educational Leadership Solutions was chosen over Catalyst for Educational Change, which had launched the district’s original strategic plan in the 2020-21 school year. Due to changes in that organization’s leadership, Educational Leadership Solutions stepped in and has been facilitating a series of workshops for District 96 each year called Living the Plan, a process designed to make sure the plan is actionable instead of merely a document, said superintendent Dr. Martha Ryan-Toye.

“They’ve been working with us directly to make sure we are implementing our plan with measurable outcomes and making sure we’re making changes,” Ryan-Toye said. “They are taking a team involved with District 96 and they gather feedback, sift through it all, and formulate a plan that is digestable and doable.

We’re doing the plan with their coordination and facilitation.”

Ryan-Toye said Educational Leadership Solutions will work with the district’s strategic planning team for six to eight sessions this year. The district team will include administrators, board members, staff, parents and community members.

Dr. Gary Zabilka is lead consultant and partner at Educational Leadership Solutions and said the value of a strategic plan is direction and alignment throughout the district to meet specific goals in coming years.

“Without a plan, districts fall into the whims of what’s happening today, what’s the biggest concern,” Zabilka said.

“When one has a strategic plan, you have

Staff Reporter Stella Brown Senior Audience Manager Stacy Coleman Contributing Editor Donna Greene Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls Marketing & Advertising Associate Emma Cullnan Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com Operations Associate Susan Babin Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera Special Projects Manager Susan Walker Senior Advisor Dan Haley

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D96, Ames Elementary School. strategic targets you want to focus on for the next three to five years.”

The first step, according to Zabilka, will be a survey targeted to parents and community members that will ask questions about everything from academics and facilities maintenance to district finances.

“Part of the work we’ve done with District 96 in the last couple of years is we meet a couple of times a year, and we develop action plans for target areas, specific goals, and how they are going to reach these targets, (and) what’s going to be used to measure that success, so this becomes embedded in the process once the large target areas are identified,” said Zabilka, the former superintendent of Morton Grove School District 70.

“We’ve very transparent,” he said.

“We’ll review their current plan, identify what is your district mission, as well as a vision for the district. We do that with this large group of 30 to 50 people, (with) four to six major target areas that we want to determine through this large group.”

After that, Zabilka will work with administration to determine who will be charged with what focus areas.

Another key reason for strategic planning is that the years seem to slip by fast, he said.

“Terribly fast,” he said. “Once 2025 sounded like a long time ago. This new plan will be in place until 2030 or 2031 and believe it or not, it will go as quickly as 2020 to 2025. The advantage of a strategic plan is to keep things moving at a reasonable pace.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Eric Weinheimer Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane, Steve Edwards, Judy Greffin, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

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The Landmark, January 7, 2026

Cycle Brookfield audits village’s biking experience

safe bicycling, kids all the way through With the help of an older adults,” said Joe Seymour, a member Cycle Brookfield who led the audit.

AARP grant, the findings ofSeymour said 30 volunteers split into three groups of 10 on Sept. 6, 2025. One will inform upcoming group each rode the north-south corridors of Prairie, Maple and Kemman avenues, street resurfacing projects which he said accounted for 60% of bicycle

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Volunteers from Cycle Brookfield completed an audit of Brookfield’s “bikeability,” and their findings will inform the village’s resurfacing projects for Maple and Prairie Avenues that are planned in the next few years.

“The bicycle audit through the AARP and the League of American Bicyclists is a highly structured and guided observation of a roadway or intersection to note safety issues and what are some corresponding safety improvements you could recommend to improve that roadway or intersection so more people feel comfortable and

crashes in town between 2019 and 2023.

He said everyone had a role in the audit, from measuring the speeds of passing vehicles with a radar gun or photographing the route to take note of the pavement condition or keeping an eye out for bicycle parking.

“The intent of the bike audit is to give the observations and recommendations to the village so they can make the roads more bike-friendly, and it’s going to look different for each of the roads,” he said.

“Right now, we’re talking with the village about what these recommendations mean for the resurfacing of Maple Avenue and Prairie Avenue.”

Maple is scheduled for resurfacing this

PROVIDED BY JOE SEYMOUR

Volunteers from Cycle Brookfield are pictured while completing the group’s bike audit on Sept. 6, 2025. year, Seymour said. Prairie Avenue is scheduled to be redone in 2029 but could be

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The Landmark, January 7, 2026

PROVIDED BY JOE SEYMOUR

Volunteers from Cycle Brookfield are pictured while completing the group’s bike audit on Sept. 6, 2025.

BIKING from page 4 contingency funding.

On-street parking on Maple Avenue made the roadway narrower and more challenging for bicyclists, while Prairie Avenue had more issues related to speeding cars, Seymour said.

All three corridors had some issues in common, like missing or faded crosswalk markings and unsafe crossings at Ogden Avenue.

He said the group suggested solutions like curb extensions and lowered speed limits on Prairie and Maple avenues in order to improve bicyclists’ experiences.

“Unfortunately, because of the distance between the curbs on Prairie and Maple, you can’t really fit a bike lane in unless you

remove [on-street] parking, and I don’t believe the community is at the point where they’re ready to talk about removing parking,” Seymour said.

Seymour said the effort to audit Brookfield’s bike experience started in 2024, when he led the effort to apply for grant funding through AARP. The group’s application was unsuccessful then, but Seymour applied again in 2025 and said Cycle Brookfield was one of only 10% of applicants that were approved.

He said the group made sure to have a diverse range of riders, including a village trustee and staff members, assist with the audit to make sure anyone can bike in Brookfield.

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The Landmark, January 7, 2026

ASSESSOR

YOUR

Sitkiewicz retires

BEST

LIFE with Lisa Capone Fresh Beginnings The start of a new year is a perfect time for seniors to embrace fresh beginnings and focus on staying motivated and engaged. Here are some simple tips to help make 2026 a year of growth and joy.

Set Meaningful Goals: Start with small, achievable resolutions like walking daily, reading a book each month, or trying a new recipe. Every success boosts confidence and adds purpose to your day.

Explore New Interests: Learning something new can stimulate your mind and spark creativity. Try painting, knitting, playing an instrument, or even joining a class on a topic that interests you.

Stay Connected: Building social connections enhances mood and supports emotional well-being.

Attend community events, join clubs, or simply spend more time with friends and family.

from page 1 Sitkiewicz said of her successor. “She’s been working with me since 2010, since my first year as assessor, so I know she’ll do a fantastic job, and everyone can rest assured that there will be a seamless change in service.”

Sitkiewicz said she started working part-time in the assessor’s office in 2001 and worked her way up to the top spot.

“I was the assistant to the previous assessor, Scuffy Gross. Back then, the office was a lot different than it is right now.

It’s amazing what 25 years can do with technology,” she said. “I had a son in preschool, so I just came in a couple hours a week, and then I started working more as we started introducing more technology in the office.”

Soon enough, Sitkiewicz was taking classes to become a certified Illinois assessing officer, a requirement to work in property assessment, so she could

become the deputy assessor.

“When Mr. Gross decided it was time for him to retire, I ran. The first election was held in 2009, and then I took office in 2010,” she said.

She said the passion that sustained her through her quarter-century of work in the assessor’s office came from helping everyday people.

“We were truly helping people in our township. To be able to tell someone that we’re going to be able to find thousands of dollars for you because you didn’t get your homeowner exemption for the last three years, and they’re surprised about that, and, usually, it’s at a time when they really needed it,” she said.

“Being able to help people figure out the property tax system, which is not very easy in Cook County, but they knew that they could come and depend on a good answer from the Riverside Township Assessor’s Office.”

She said she especially enjoyed doing outreach events for constituents to talk about property taxes.

“Our community always asks great questions, and the people who came, obviously, were always very interested. It

was just great getting to know people,” she said. “Most people come every year to file appeals or file for their senior freeze exemption, so I got to see them every year, and that was really fun, to get to know people and see them on a regular basis, in my office and also in town. It’s great working in such a small town.”

One underrated fact about the township assessor beyond the fact that they’re elected, Sitkiewicz said, is that they must take classes beforehand, which is not a qualification for any other public office.

“Assessment should be uniform throughout the state, so that’s the reason for education qualifications,” she said.

Going forward, she said her mind will be occupied less by thoughts of property tax assessment and more of where to travel next — and where she and her husband can have fun biking around.

“Some dream destinations are Alaska and probably Africa. We want to spend some time in Europe to go to Poland, and Italy is one of our favorite places,” she said. “We have a trip lined up in the spring for Croatia. We like to take biking trips, so, most of our trips, as long as we can, we’ll be biking.”

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Greg Molinari died Dec. 23, 2025, after more than 28 years of service to the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library.

‘Cherished’ Brookfield library staffer dies at 54

Greg Molinari served guests at the checkout counter since 1997

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Greg Molinari, a long-time staff member at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, passed away from cancer on Tuesday, Dec. 23. He was 54.

In a press release, Executive Director Kimberly Coughran described the circulation assistant as a “cherished” staffer whose kindness, perseverance and connection with others will be remembered by staff and the greater Brookfield community.

She said he joined the library in July 1997

and served guests at the checkout counter for the duration of his 28 years there.

“Greg endured through many challenges and served the library so well despite all of them with his kind, easy way,” Coughran told the Landmark in an email. “My favorite memories of him are of his great Halloween costumes, which he sometimes coordinated with other staff members in the circulation department.”

According to the Chicago Tribune, Molinari had a brain tumor when he was a child that left him legally blind. Despite that, he earned a college degree — sometimes riding the bus for five hours in a day to attend a single class, the Tribune reported — and loved to read.

Molinari’s memorial service was scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 28, at Hitzeman Funeral Home.

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The Landmark, January 7, 2026

Brookfield food pantry reaches high with 2026 goals

Share Food Share Love administrators say they want to stabilize and focus the organization this year

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

With the start of the new year, many people’s minds naturally go toward the formation of resolutions to work toward a better path.

Administrators from Brookfield’s Share Food Share Love food pantry are no exception.

“We’ve had some incredible growth in every way: donations, people coming in, clients, and general interest has been growing so rapidly. I wouldn’t say we’re going to take a step back; we’re going to take kind of a pause in ’26 and make sure our organization, the infrastructure, is set up in such a way that we can tackle that growth more,” said John Dumas, the pantry’s administrative director. “This

past year, all the things that happened, all the stuff with the change in [presidential] administration, affected us in so many different ways that we’ve been putting out fires … We need a chance to make sure that we’re setting ourselves up properly for the future.”

He said some of the changes to come in 2026 will be guided by the experiences of the neighbors in need who visit the food pantry and what they say would help them most.

“We want to engage more with them, creating, maybe, a neighbor advisory board, having more discussions with the folks who come in to say, ‘How can we serve you? What do you need? What aren’t we doing? What can we do better?’” he said. “Instead of saying, ‘People need this,’ we need to say, ‘What do you need?’”

A neighbor advisory board might not be the only internal team that is introduced.

Dumas said the pantry also wants to create a team responsible for nutrition and educating clients so they can make healthy food choices during their visits.

“Not that we want to only offer food that is highly nutritional in value but to give them that choice. People want to have a cupcake now and then; we don’t want to deny them that. We don’t want to say, ‘Hey, we got noth-

FILE

Share Food Share Love administrative director John Dumas. ing but health food here,’” he said.

Instead, the goal would be to better label food items to inform neighbors of their nutritional content and encourage healthier selections. Dumas said the pantry’s aspiration also

extends to education on how to cook using the items a neighbor might collect from a visit to FOOD PANTRY continued on page 10

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The Landmark, January 7, 2026

FOOD PANTRY Focus on systems from page 8 Share Food Share Love.

He said he also wants to see the pantry’s physical stores be organized more effectively in the wake of a record-level donation surge in November and December.

“We redid the front and turned it into the grocery store, but the back storage areas have never been addressed,” Dumas said. “We were blessed with so many donations this year, more than we thought, and so we got caught off-guard as to how we were storing things.

We don’t have an overabundance of food, per se — it’s not like I’m saying we don’t need food — but when we were getting these large donations, there was a challenge as to where we were going to put them. That shouldn’t happen because we have a large space, and it was just not organized for that.”

John Barnett, the pantry’s marketing and communications director, said he wants to see Share Food Share Love measure its success differently from other groups.

“There are over 60,000 food pantries in this country. They’ve been distributing food for decades, very often measuring their

performance in terms of volumes of food distributed. That’s a hard model for food pantries to get away from talking about, but we need to, because that emphasis is on the efficiency of distribution. It’s not on the customer’s point of view,” he said.

“What I’m proud of, I think we’re all proud of, is the fact that, from the beginning, we instinctively knew that what we’re about is not food distribution but food sharing.”

He said the difference is exemplified in a new promotional video that is available on the food pantry’s web page and shows six neighbors’ perspectives on visiting the pantry.

“What’s happening there is not about us.

It’s about raising the voices of those who need to be heard in our community, who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in circumstances where they need help,” he said.

Barnett said he and other pantry staff are proud of their achievements from 2025, including the creation of a resource hub with digital and in-person resources for neighbors who need assistance with more than just food. Share Food Share Love also instituted its Families First program, which provides access to free products for babies, like diapers, wipes and formula, as well as to menstrual products.

Barnett and Dumas agreed that 2026 is another year for the food pantry to not just ad-

STELLA BROWN

Share Food Share Love’s donation bin sits by the front door at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library. dress the symptom of food insecurity but to also work toward addressing its root causes.

“Thousands of people stepped up, compelled and motivated by what we had to say about our neighbors in need. That speaks to the fact that we are also facing a unique responsibility as a food pantry, which is that

we have the opportunity to organize at a community level, to influence more endeavors to truly address the causes of hunger,” Barnett said. “Food pantries continue to follow the cycle of just pushing food out the door. It’s a noble thing. It certainly is alleviating hunger, but it’s not ending it.”

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The Landmark, January 7, 2026

COURTESY OF ROBERT HELD

Robert Held (left) is seen speaking to a police offi cer in an Instagram Reel he posted after an alleged federal agent assaulted him in Brookfield.

AGENT

Police investigating from page 1 walking towards me. When he got closer, he broke into a run, and I was stunned. He put his hands on me. He threw me to the ground and aggressively was on top of me, trying to grab my phone,” Held said. “I’m 68. I have an artificial hip. My strength and flexibility are not great, and I used all my might to hold onto my phone.”

Held said he shouted at the man to “calm down” and “deescalate” and heard car horns nearby before the man got off of him.

Held posted some of the footage of the incident in an Instagram Reel video on Dec. 28. In the video, he refers to the man as an agent of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He later said he believed the man to be an employee of a federal immigration agency but did not know for certain if that was the case or have details about which agency he might work for.

Held said he believed the man’s conduct constituted felony battery due to his being over the age of 60 and on a public sidewalk when he was attacked. He said police told him they have access to footage from a public camera that may have captured the incident.

Brookfield Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla told the Landmark the case is under active investigation and that police have been in contact with Held. Due to the investigation, he said he could not share more details.

ICE did not respond to an email from the Landmark requesting comment on the incident and the man’s potential employment by the agency. The Landmark originally reached a spokesperson from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who said Held’s video “depicts mostly ICE officers,” though the video contains footage from other incidents unrelated to Held’s.

About a week after the assault, Held said he felt “more militant” compared to the state of shock he was in immediately after being pushed to the ground. He said he hopes to see charges brought against the man and wants to help “the prosecutors seek justice” to make a stand against the violence exhibited by federal agents in the name of immigration enforcement.

“I didn’t get hurt. I’m male. I have a relatively strong disposition. I’m an advocate for immigrants. I have selfconfidence, and maybe I’m comfortable economically,” he said. “But, what about the millions of people that aren’t in my circumstance, that can’t stand up and that are being terrorized, traumatized, attacked and abused by these federal agencies? What about them?”

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The Landmark, January 7, 2026 S P O N S O R E D CO N T E N T

As the “Village in the Forest,” Riverside Parks and Recreation is putting a special emphasis on nature and utilizing our natural scenery

R

ecreation Supervisor Alyssa Szymanski is a certified naturalist and uses her knowledge to develop and lead Riverside’s new nature programs. Szymanski brings a lifelong passion for outdoor education into the community and strives to connect people to nature through meaningful, engaging experiences.

Szymanski holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Augustana College and a Master’s degree in the Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conservation, where she studied wildlife conservation. She is a certified naturalist and got her Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) in 2023.

Before joining Riverside, Szymanski served as a Program Coordinator at The Forge, where she led outdoor education initiatives, and worked as a Naturalist at a Will County Forest Preserve District nature center. These experiences shaped her hands-on, inclusive approach to recreation and environmental education that she brings to Riverside Parks and Recreation.

• 2026 Nature Programs: Studies show that being out in nature for just 10 minutes a day can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, better mood, enhanced focus, and stronger physical health by lowering blood pressure, boosting immunity, and encouraging activity.

- Saturdays in the Woods - children will explore the natural world around them through artistic expression, scientific experiments, hands-on play and a hiking adventure - Tracks & Scat - Winter is the perfect time to find out what animals live in your area. As the snow falls, animals leave behind tracks for us to find and identify. Come along on a hike and learn how to track animals. Bring along any animal track field guides for extra help. Dress appropriately for the weather, as the program will be outdoors.

- Animal Olympics - Have you ever watched wildlife and been so amazed at their adaptations? Join a naturalist and test your abilities against a variety of animal adaptations as we compete in our Animal Olympics. What do you think, can you run as fast as a coyote or hold your breath as long as a snapping turtle?

Global Big Day Get wild in Riverside with this annual celebration of the birds amongst us, both yearround and those traveling through. Global Big Day coincides with World Migratory Bird Day, emphasizing the importance of conservation and the preservation of ecosystems crucial to our planet’s health. This is a fun, family-friendly drop-in event packed with hands-on activities for all ages. Participants are invited to explore the world of birds and the environment through interactive stations, crafts, games, and more. Whether you’re an experienced bird enthusiast or just looking for a fun way to spend time outdoors, Global Big Day offers something for everyone.

More information will be available closer to the date of the event.

Who: All Ages • When: Saturday, May 9th - 9:00 - 12:00 PM Where: Scout Cabin (417 Fairbank Rd.) • Fee: Free!

- Earth Day Hike - Let’s Celebrate Earth Day with a Nature Hike! Step away from the stress of everyday life and reconnect with the outdoors. Join a naturalist for this guided hike as we pause to take in the sights, sounds, and calming energy of nature while learning how nature has been proven to improve one’s mental and physical health. Perfect for all fitness levels.

Riverside Parks Health and Wellness Programs: • Don’t miss the Riverside Ride - Hop on your mountain bike, tandem, chopper, unicycle, fixie, or beachcomber, and show your love of cycling in Riverside. Bike over to the Quincy St. Community Center and join your neighbors for a relaxed ride throughout the Village.

• Adult Fitness: - Abdominal Assault - Let’s engage that core and build your abdominal muscles in this 30 min class!

- Cardio Kickboxing - Upbeat and a total body workout - Step Class- boost our heartrates in this alternative cardio program - Weight training - Burn fat and improve our strength - Yoga - Mind, body and Soul

Learn more about our Health & Wellness and Nature programs at www.riverside.il.us

- Zumba - let’s dance and get in shape while we do it!

The Landmark, January 7, 2026

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Car windows smashed in Brookfield

Brookfield police on Dec. 19 responded to a report of possible criminal damage, but no one was arrested.

Around 1:17 a.m., officers arrived at the 3200 block of Raymond Avenue, where they met with the complainant, who had called police after finding one of his work van’s windows smashed.

Police met with the man, who said he had heard his van’s alarm go off around 1:10 a.m., but he did not see anyone when he looked out his front door. He said he could tell one of the van doors was open due to the interior lights being on, and he could not lock the vehicle. The man said nothing appeared to be missing from the van or out of place within it and went through his glove box to confirm. He also turned the car on and checked the steering wheel, and both were operational. The man said his cameras on the property did not capture any relevant footage, and police did not find neighboring cameras to check.

The man told police he didn’t want his vehicle processed but that he wanted the incident to be documented for his employer. He said he did not have the car’s insurance information but that he could get it from his employer. The man told police he would tape up the smashed window as best he could and take it to the shop first thing in the morning. Police did not observe similar damage to any other cars in the area.

Delayed report on Christmas Brookfield police responded to a delayed report of a burglary to a motor vehicle on Dec. 25, but no one was arrested.

Around 6:30 p.m., an officer contacted the complainant, who said his car’s rear driver-side window had been broken, but nothing had been taken out of it. The man said the incident happened around 12:15 a.m. based on footage from the cameras on his property, which showed footage of someone running away from the car. The man said he did not want officers coming to his home due to it being Christmas Day and said he would go to the police department the next day to finish the report.

Police followed up with the man on Dec.

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Mike’s Home Repair 29, leaving him a voicemail, and again on Dec. 30, when he said he had nothing to add to the report and declined to share his camera footage.

These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department reports dated Dec. 15-29; they represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

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14

The Landmark, January 7, 2026

OBITUARIES

Greg Molinari, 54 Brookfield Library circulation clerk Gregory “Greg” A. Molinari, 54 of LaGrange, formerly of LaGrange Park and Brookfield, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Dec. 23, 2025. He spent his childhood years in Brookfield and always remembered his elementary school friends from Lincoln School. He spent his high school and college years in LaGrange Park and graduated from Lyons Township High School, then went on to get a degree from College of DuPage and earned a bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst College.

He was well known in the community from his career at Brookfield Public Library for almost 30 years as a circulation clerk at the front desk. Life was never easy for Greg after suffering a pediatric brain tumor at the age of 11, which left him visually impaired with medical challenges.

He was an avid Bingo patron for years at St. Barbara and then at the American Legion Hall in LaGrange, where he sat every week at a front table, which allowed him to see the bingo board.

He will be missed by family and friends from all avenues in his too short life. Greg was known by all as “the guy with the great smile” and the one who had the most to complain about but never complained.

Greg’s father, Gary, preceded him in death in 2021, and he is survived by his mother, Lois; his sister, Jennifer (Erich) Lams and their children, Ashley (fiancé Jake Lutsch), Jacob and Matthew; his brother David (Nicole) and their children, Ariana, Kash and Harper; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and extended family members from all over the country, who supported Greg throughout his life and will miss him deeply.

Visitation was held on Dec. 28 at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513. Interment Private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to LSF Brookfield Public Library, 3541 Park, Brookfield, IL 60513 or a charity of your choice in Greg’s honor.

Greg Schaefer, 69 Loved boating and model trains Gregory William Schaefer, 69, of North Riverside, has died. Greg enjoyed spending time in his boat with family and friends, planning

family vacations and tinkering with his model trains. He especially enjoyed making memories with his family.

Greg was the husband of Terry Schaefer (nee Nannini); the father of Kimberly (Vincent) Palmisano and Kristen (John) Onstwedder; the grandfather of Eliana, Vinny and Hallie; and the friend of many.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Jan. 8 at Mater Christi Catholic Church, 2401 S. 10th Ave. in North Riverside. Entombment at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Hillside.

Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com.

Audrey Gliva, 79

Worked for Scientific Control Labs Audrey A. Gliva (nee Smarzewski), 79, of Riverside, died at her home, surrounded by her family, on Dec. 31, 2025.

She worked with the same company, Scientific Control Laboratories, for over 50 years and retired in 2021. She loved to travel to Europe, the Caribbean, and most of all her yearly Las Vegas trips with her friends and family.

Audrey was the wife of the late Richard J. Gliva Sr; the mother of Richard J. Gliva Jr. and Samantha (Vincent) Malina; and the grandmother of Olivia Malina.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 from 3 to 8 p.m. with a chapel service at 7 p.m. at Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington Street, Riverside.

Dennis Lavelle, 72 Teacher Dennis M. Lavelle, 72, of Brookfield, died on Dec. 28, 2025. Born June 7, 1953, he worked as a teacher.

Dennis was the husband of Susan Lavelle (nee Teichman); the brother of Tom (late Candi) Lavelle, Judy Lavelle, Lynne (John) Chlada and brother-in-law of Ray Teichman; uncle of Sean Lavelle, Maria (Nick) Lavelle, Patrick (Sarah) Chlada, Kelly (Tullio) Cox, Kevin (Sarah) Chlada, and Kira (Matt) Sanchez; and great-uncle to 15 great-nieces and -nephews.

Memorial visitation was held on Jan. 2 at Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, followed by a words of remembrance service. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.johnsonnosek.com.

Mimmo Romano, 93 Proud of his Sicilian heritage Girolamo “Mimmo” Romano, 93, died on Dec. 22, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family at his Brookfield home. Mimmo, as he was affectionately known, was born on April 4, 1932, in Misilmeri, Sicily. He was married to Vincenza Abbate for 67 years — a union marked by love, commitment, faith, and unwavering partnership. Together, they raised a beautiful family, first in Sicily and later in Brookfield, where he built a life rooted in family, hard work, Sicilian traditions, and a love for gardening and cooking.

Known for his strong values, quiet strength, generosity of spirit, and witty sense of humor, he loved to tell stories of his past — stories of Sicily, family, and life’s challenges — revealing the experiences that shaped him and the lessons he carried forward.

He carried his Sicilian heritage with pride and instilled in his family the importance of faith, respect, perseverance, and togetherness. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched.

Mimmo was preceded in death by his beloved son, Giusto Romano. He is survived by his wife, Vincenza Abbate Romano; his children, Antonino Romano (Sharyn) and Gaetana Romano Di Fatta (Vincent); his daughter-in-law, Pia; and his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and dear friends.

Visitation and funeral Mass were held on Dec. 27 at St. Barbara Church, 4000 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. Entombment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Christ the King Garden Mausoleum, Hillside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Franciscan Mission Associates, www.franciscanmissionassoc.org or the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org would be appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield.

Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family at www.JohnsonNosek.com.

Helen Lamich, 91 Hairstylist Helen D. Lamich, nee Gaberleski, 91, of Brookfield, died in LaGrange Park on Dec. 22, 2025. Born on April 24, 1934 in Cicero, she worked as a hairstylist for many years before retiring.

Helen was the wife of the late Paul D. Lamich; the mother of Cindy (Ken) Piper and the late Raymond P. Lamich; the grandmother of Jimmy (Nikki) Piper and Jessica (Spencer) Daniels; the great-grandmother of Parker, Ava, Maisie, Taylor and Hunter; sister of the late Clarence, Eddie and Lenny Gaberleski; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Private cremation services with private inurnment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside will be held.

Arrangements were handled by JohnsonNosek Funeral Home, Brookfield. Online condolences, memories and photographs may be shared with the family at www.JohnsonNosek.com.

Tytus Lerke, 94 Riverside resident Tytus Lerke, 94, a 55-year resident of Riverside, died on Dec. 30, 2025. Born in Poland, he emigrated to Argentina and moved to the United States in the 1960s.

Tytus was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many.

Services were held on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home.

Janet Egan, 77 Caregiver Janet M. Egan (nee Stankus), 77, of Brookfield, died on Dec. 31, 2025. Born on Feb. 7, 1948, she was a caregiver.

Janet was the wife of the late Francis X. Egan Sr.; the mother of Francis X. (Melissa Hansen) Egan, Elizabeth Ann (late Thomas) Ringstad, Jennifer Marie Egan and Tim (Emily Straple) Egan; and the grandmother of Alexis Cailyn Egan and Sarah Elizabeth Ringstad.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, 3847 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. A Family Remembrance Service will be held at OBITUARIES continued on page 15

The Landmark, January 7, 2026

LETTERS

OBITUARIES from page 14 Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. Interment at Bronswood Cemetery, Oak Brook.

Memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 381059959 would be appreciated. Online condolences, memories and photographs may be shared with the family at www.JohnsonNosek.com.

Thomas Bork, 74 Brookfield resident Thomas J. Bork, 74, of Brookfield, has died. He was the son of the late Mary E. Bork (nee Ostrovecky) and the late Max Bork; the sister of Judith (David) Skurkis; the uncle of Kristin (Christopher) Bellinger and Lauren Skurkis; the cousin of Roger (Laura) Ostrovecky; and the great-cousin or Anyssa Ostrovecky.

Visitation was held on Dec. 29, at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 31st St., Brookfield. Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 30 at St. Louise de Marillac Church, LaGrange Park. Interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com.

15

Gregory A. Molinari: In Memoriam I want to thank you for your coverage of Greg’s passing. I had the honor to speak at his memorial, and I wanted to highlight one esteemable piece of Greg’s life.

I am the treasurer of the Board of Trustees for the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, in my seventh year representing Brookfield on that board. But more than that, I have been a library patron for even longer.

I hope to fully convey the praise that is due to Greg for his nearly three decades of service to the community. Kimberly Coughran, the library director for much of Greg’s tenure, wanted me to share the sympathy the library community has for Greg and his family. She wanted to especially note the awe inspired by his long tenure and wonderful character in the face of numerous health challenges he had faced over the years. Kim adds that everyone at the library loved Greg and will miss him terribly.

I know that over the last months, the board has been eager to hear news about how he is doing and what we can do to support Greg and his family. We slowly transitioned from hoping for recovery to hoping for comfort.

For me, in my years in Brookfield, Greg was a constant at the front desk. I don’t want to misrepresent the depth of my relationship with Greg. We never moved much past small talk, and I don’t know what his favorite food or movie was. But what I can do is look back and take partial measure of the life Greg lived. Earlier, I used the word “service,” and I don’t use that lightly because of how much respect I place upon that word.

There is honor and dignity in serving your fellow man and woman. Greg embodied service and is due the respect we all owe to those who give their time and effort to service. With his role in Circulation, he was one of the faces of the library

for a generation — and more — of people in the Brookfield community. He was the first person people would come to with questions, and the last one they talked to as they checked out their materials; he was also the front line for any of the sticky situations that arise in any public-facing role.

Greg and people like him, who live their lives in service to others, are the sort of glue that holds our communities together.

We don’t owe him thanks specifically as just members of the library family or even the larger Brookfield community, but we need to recognize that Greg lived his life as a model we should all aspire to — living a life of service.

Greg is gone, and the world is worse for his passing.

My hope is that we can all make it a small bit better by emulating his example.

John Edgar Miheloc Brookfield

Your local newsroom thanks you!

As the new year begins, I wanted to reach out to say thank you.

Over the past few weeks, we asked a lot of our readers and supporters. We did so because the moment is real and our need is urgent. Local journalism is facing deep uncertainty, and our newsroom needs help. And when we asked, our community answered. You answered.

Because of your generosity, we raised nearly $170,000. That support will go directly toward sustaining the journalism our communities rely on.

This note is not about declaring success or pretending the work is done. The future of nonprofit local news remains uncertain, and fundraising will always be part of what it takes to keep going. But this moment made clear that this work is supported by people who care deeply about strong, independent local reporting.

That matters more than we can say. Your support reminds us that while the long road ahead is not guaranteed, it is still possible. And that the only way forward is together.

Thank you for stepping up when it mattered. Thank you for believing in this work. We could not continue without you.

Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year.

With gratitude, Max Reinsdorf, Interim Executive Director

It’s not too late to Donate!

16

Sports

The Landmark, January 7, 2026

Mercer joins 1,000-point club for RBHS boys basketball Senior guard is 16th to achieve feat; Bulldogs finish 2-2 at York

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

While Riverside Brookfield High School senior guard Cam Mercer had little idea he was closing on 1,000 career points, his biggest basketball fan also is a knowledgeable one.

“My mom knew,” Mercer said.

“I didn’t really know because I told her not to tell me about it. I just like to go out there and hoop but that particular day, I knew. Mom told me.”

With his 16th point among his 18 Dec. 26, Mercer achieved the milestone during the Bulldogs’ 63-43 victory over Andrew Dec. 26 that began their Jack Tosh Holiday Classic at York.

The Bulldogs (9-5) tied for 25th with a 2-2 record, concluding with a 50-46 victory over Lemont Dec. 30 after losing to Rolling Meadows 48-46 Dec. 29 and Batavia 64-45 Dec. 27.

Mercer becomes just the 16th player to achieve the 1,000-point feat in RBHS boys basketball history dating back to 1908.

Mercer has always been an impact player but didn’t join varsity until becoming a starter sophomore year -- unlike many four-year players he joined on the elite list.

“It’s something we’ll acknowledge for him but not something we talked about. We talk about Ws, but it’s an awesome accomplishment,” RBHS coach Mike Reingruber said.

“That’s a great testament to his work ethic and how much time he puts into the game. We know how much he cares about it. He’s been an absolute pleasure since he’s been a Bulldog and he’s going to climb up that list.”

“It’s always great to be somewhat healthy. Hopefully I don’t miss any games this year, fingers crossed, knock on wood,” Mercer said. “It’s great to be able to know I’m going to play the next game.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Cameron Mercer puts up a hook shot during the RBHS Vandemerkt Tournament last year.

Mercer played a lot, hampered only by occasional foul trouble. He collected a team-high 67 points with eight threes and 23 rebounds and reached double figures all four games.

Other standouts were seniors Colin Cimino (40 points with 6 threes, 40 rebounds), Ben Biskupic (34 points, 22 rebounds) and Liam Enright (24 points, 16 rebounds, 17 assists) and sophomore Noah VanTholen (32 points, 19 rebounds).

Non-starters Walker Burns, Anthony Tyler and Evan Elzy also continue to progress. Burns started in place of an ill Enright for the Batavia game.

“We always talk about playing four quarters. I feel like we struggled with that a little bit the middle two games,” said Cimino.

“It was nice to see us play a full game (against Lemont), keep that lead and start to build it. I think it was a really good game, a really good experience.”

Mercer’s biggest basket may have been against Lemont after RBHS jumped to a 15-2 lead but had to hold on throughout the fourth quarter.

Right after Lemont closed to 42-40, Mercer nailed a three with 4:28 left. Enright scored the Bulldogs’ next five points on a basket and three free throws for a 50-42 advantage with 1:43 to go.

“It was good that we kind of withstood their punch and stayed together,” Reingruber said. “It was a fun basketball game. They like to run up and down. Lemont’s a good basketball team. That was a good win for us to finish out the tournament.”

RBHS almost rallied against Rolling Meadows after trailing 44-35 with 2:37 left.

Biskupic’s second three in the quarter from Enright’s pass tied the game 46-46 with 36.8 seconds left but the Mustangs scored with 18.2 seconds to regain the lead.

Not calling a timeout, the Bulldogs came down the floor.

VanTholen’s last-second three against two defenders was unsuccessful.

“I don’t like the defense to necessarily set up or do anything different (with a timeout). I thought we were getting good looks,” said Reingruber, who considered a timeout during the last possession.

“This game is going to make us better. We had chances and it doesn’t come down to that last shot.”

Cimino burned Andrew for 20 points behind 6-for-7 three-point shooting, but he’s also evolved in other areas of his game.

“I would say I couldn’t dribble at all last year. I would sit in the corner and shoot threes,” Cimino said. “I’m more aggressive, going to the basket, getting rebounds. I just think I’ve really changed from this shooter role to being more of an all-around player.”

O’Brien’s career high 35 leads LTHS holiday happenings Lions finish fourth at Montini

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School senior Emma O’Brien took her basketball game to yet another level Dec. 23.

The Cornell recruit scored a career-high 35 points in the Lions’ satisfying 59-49 victory over Prospect in the quarterfinals of the Montini Christmas Tournament.

“It was a pretty close game so I wasn’t really focused on that,” O’Brien said. “(But)

it meant a little bit more against a good, competitive team.”

Now it’s up to her and the Lions (13-4) to hit that high note consistently.

The Lions took another step Saturday in their 71-34 victory over Vernon Hills. This

was their second full game without starting senior point guard Avery Mezan, who broke a bone in her dominant right hand during the Montini semifinals Dec. 26 and is out at least another two weeks.

“I feel like we were out in transition a lit-

S P O R T S

The Landmark, January 7, 2026

17

Lions’ Smith shoots his way to all-tournament at York Sophomore forward’s 68 points help Lions finish 2-2 at Tosh Classic

By BILL STONE

“We have a lot of guys that are learning as we go and hopefully as we enter the second half of the season the experiSophomore Grant Smith and his Lyons ence that we had will help us get better in Township boys basketball teammates January and February,” LTHS coach Tom were not among the six teams Sloan said. to play the last day at York’s “We have good depth and an Jack Tosh Holiday Classic unselfish group and they play Dec. 31. well together. Flip one or two However, Smith was as surplays (with Rolling Meadows) prised as anyone to be on the and they’re chasing us instead court after the championship of us chasing them.” game.

Smith had team highs of 68 The 6-foot-6 forward was points and eight three-pointers named to the 20-player allat the Tosh tournament with 25 points against Perspectives tournament team among the and 15 or 14 points the other 32 teams. three games. Smith also colThe Lions (9-4) finished 2-2 GRANT SMITH lected 20 rebounds and eight and tied for 21st. steals.

“It’s just a great honor to get Other standouts included seniors Owen it. It just shows as a team how good we’ve been getting and performing,” Smith said. Carroll (24 points, 9 rebounds, 12 assists) “I didn’t really think anyone from our and Tommy Blyth (14 points, 20 rebounds, team was going to get it because we didn’t 8 assists) and juniors Timmy Sloan (29 do as well as we would have hoped. It was points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists, 8 steals) just a nice surprise and something to take and Nate Woods (43 points with 6 threes, 16 rebounds). pride in.”

The season began with Carroll and LTHS lost its tight finale 56-50 to Rolling Meadows Dec. 30 after beating Lemont Sloan the lone returnees with significant 53-45 in a similar-style game Dec. 29. The varsity experience.

Smith and Woods often have been sigLions opened by beating South Elgin 77-27 Dec. 26 and then had a 63-38 nightmarish nificant scorers and the reserve unit of seniors Dylan Holcer and Tommy Sloan loss to fourth-place Perspectives Dec. 27.

and juniors Blake Ragsdale and Byron Walton continues to progress. Walton was injured during the Lemont victory.

“I knew coming in we were going to have a lot of weapons,” Timmy Sloan said.

“We’ve just got to be tougher, take care of the ball, box out, rebound play defense.

We’re getting good looks every (offensive) possession. When we’re hitting shots, we’re a tough team to beat.”

Smith and Woods also complemented each other on last year’s sophomore team that won the West Suburban Conference Silver Division and lost only twice.

Smith credits older brother and Yale football player Graham with helping his hoops and older sister Gwen, a senior standout on the girls basketball team who will play at Gannon University (Erie, Pa.).

“I think it’s a two-way street because we’re always outside (in the driveway).

We’re always shooting together, playing each other,” Smith said. “She’s a big reason I’m (all-tournament).”

Still, the Lions struggled at times hitting shots, especially in trailing Perspectives 36-9 at halftime. But they progressed the last two games in finding offensive success anyway to complement usually tough defense.

Even with Smith going to the bench with three fouls against Lemont, the Li-

ons went from trailing 29-25 to leading 3836 entering the fourth quarter.

Blyth scored three baskets during one flurry of 10 points on five possessions.

“We just came out with a lot of energy in the second half and just wanted it more and got easy buckets,” Blyth said.

With 4:13 left, Smith incorrectly was called for a fourth foul as a Lemont free throw was tying the game 40-40.

“I was like ‘What?’ because I was help defense,” Smith said.

Coach Sloan was able to get the foul charged to Blyth, who confirmed he committed the foul. Smith stayed in the game and his basket, Carroll’s three, and Smith’s three-point play from Carroll’s pass opened a 48-40 lead with 2:48 left.

“I knew (the foul) was on Tommy and then I heard the announcement,” Sloan said. “Fortunately, the officials were able to correct it before play got going and they couldn’t reverse it.”

LTHS led Rolling Meadows 25-19 at halftime but the Mustangs hit 6 of 12 threes after going 1 for 12 in the first half. Their last three answered Carroll’s steal and layup that closed the deficit to 48-46 with 2:24 left.

“They deserved to win. They made enough plays,” Sloan said. “They made a couple of more plays and in close games, that’s what makes the difference.”

tle bit more so maybe we didn’t “All of our kids are capable of playing. Losing Avery is hard realize it as much not being but it wasn’t a big hiccup for with her,” O’Brien said. the team,” LTHS coach Meghan The Lions were fourth at Hutchens said. “We can comMontini with a 2-2 record, lospete with anyone with or withing 62-57 to Fremd (13-3) in out certain players.” the third-place game Dec. 27.

Beating Prospect (10-6) is one LTHS lost in the semifinals 82of the Lions’ best wins along 61 to Marist (15-4) and also beat with the Nov. 18 season-opening Merrillville (Ind.) 58-34 to open 54-53 victory at Benet Academy Dec. 22.

(13-1), which beat Marist 47-37 O’Brien, seniors Gwen Smith EMMA O’BRIEN in the Montini final. and Anna Bigenwald and freshThe tournament named man Kennedy Moore were joined by freshman Evie Riopell in the O’Brien as the Lions’ Player of the Game all four outings. starting lineup against Fremd.

She was 12 for 30 shooting (4 from 11 on In the fourth quarter, LTHS got as close as 44-41 and 48-45 on O’Brien baskets and threes) and 7 for 7 on free throws against 53-47 on Moore’s basket off an O’Brien pass Prospect. Her 13 fourth-quarter points helped LTHS extend its 38-36 lead after with 2:56 left.

three quarters.

“I feel like I was really aggressive and taking what the defense was giving me. I actually was doing a good job reading the floor and what my teammates were helping me do as well,” O’Brien said.

Smith (10 points, 9 rebounds), Bigenwald (5 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists), sophomore Sydney Munson (4 assists) and Moore (5 points, 10 rebounds) also excelled.

O’Brien scored 33 points last season against Lane Tech Nov. 27, 2024 at the Lions’ annual Thanksgiving Tournament.

She had 31 points as a sophomore against Wheaton North and in the 60-52 loss to Glenbard West Dec. 19.

O’Brien also had 29 points with four threes and 10 rebounds against Fremd and 24 points against Marist.

Gannon commit Smith had 19 points and 13 rebounds against Marist. The RedHawks’ 16-6 run to start the fourth quarter opened a 70-51 lead.

“We were just able to move past (the Marist loss) pretty quickly and continue to learn,” Hutchens said. “A lot of this season has been extreme highs and lows.

We still have all of January to find that consistency.”

Mezan first had her hand examined in the first quarter with LTHS trailing 125. Mezan returned briefly in the second quarter but did not play the second half. “(Watching is) just what I have to do for now,” Mezan said. “I’m still going to the gym and running sprints and conditioning and still doing ball handling layups but only with my left hand.”

Contributing Reporter

18 The Landmark, January 7, 2026 HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI • Deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE The River Forest Township Board of Trustees has approved the following meeting dates for 2026: RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES.REGULAR MEETINGS Tuesday, January 13 2026 Tuesday, February 10 2026 Tuesday, March 10 2026 Tuesday, April 14 2026 Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Tuesday, June 9, 2026 Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Tuesday, August 11, 2026 Tuesday, September 8, 2026 Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Tuesday, December 1, 2026 Meetings will take place in person at 6:30 PM at the River Forest Civic Center Authority (RFCCA)building.

8020 W. Madison Street, 2nd Floor, River Forest, IL 60305 The River Forest Civic Center Authority Board of Managers approved the same meeting dates.

The..meetings of the River Forest Civic Center Authority Board of Managers will take place in the same location immediately following the River Forest Township Board of Trustees meetings. Any changes in time, date or location as well as Zoom remote participation information will be posted in..advance on the River Forest Township website (www. riverforesttownship.org), at the River Forest Civic Center Authority Building and at the River Forest Library.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Published in Wednesday Journal January 7, 2026

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for: 2026 Street Improvement Program This project includes the replacement of curb and gutter, sidewalk and driveway aprons, hotmix asphalt surface removal, frame/ lid adjustment, resurfacing, and other associated work.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at: Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time.

Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: HMA Paving The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids.

Published in Wednesday Journal December 24, 2025, January 7, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice is hereby given that the Board of Education of Riverside School District 96 in Riverside, Illinois will receive sealed bids for: Hauser Junior High School Window Replacement Project Copies of the Bid Documents including plans and specifications will be available starting December 15, 2025. Bidders can download electronic Drawings and Specifications from the BHFX Plan Room, www.bhfxplanroom.com.

Printed sets may be ordered and paid for by the contractor.

All bids offered must be accompanied by bid security in the form of certified check or bid bond made payable to the Owner in the amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the aggregate of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. The successful bidder for the project is required to furnish Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the bid amount, with sureties to be approved by the Owner, and in the form required by the Bidding Documents.

The successful bidder is required to pay the general prevailing wage for work under this Contract as ascertained by the Illinois Department of Labor, and shall submit certified payroll records, in compliance with the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) and the requirements of the Bidding Documents.

A pre-bid meeting will be held on December 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM at Hauser Junior High School, 65 Woodside Road, Riverside, IL 60546 in the Hauser Cafeteria. Bidders must allow sufficient time to register at the building prior to being permitted to proceed to the meeting location.

Bids will be received until 1:00 PM, January 12, 2026, at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546. A public bid opening will take place afterwards at 1:00 PM, January 12, 2026 at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546 The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any part thereof.

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission January 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue Illinois for the purpose of considering a request from Jose Mata for a Variations from §62.17 to reduce the required Side Yard setback from three (3) feet to two (2) feet to allow a detached garage on the property located at 3412 Grand Boulevard , Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PIN 15-34-130-015-0000, 15-34-130016-0000 and 15-34-130-0170000) Legal Description:

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ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING Request for bids for the Park District of Oak Park - Field Park Renovations, 935 Woodbine Ave. Oak Park, Il. 60302

Let the sun shine in...

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park—Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, IL 60302—will receive PDF proposals via email, at christopher. welch@oak-park.us, until 4�00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, for the following: Phase I Preliminary Engineering Services for the Lombard Relief Sewer Plan. The Village is in need of phase 1 engineering services for the replacement of an undersized combined sewer system in the northeast section of the Village that was identified in the 2014 villagewide sewer masterplan. The project consists upsizing the existing sewer on Lombard from Greenfield Street to Erie Street (existing sewer varies from 33” to 35” diameter) to a 96” sewer and installing a new 96” sewer from Lombard Avenue to Taylor Avenue on Erie Street and from Erie Street to Lake Street on Taylor Ave terminating with a new connection to the MWRD interceptor at the intersection of Lake Street and Taylor Ave. The Request for Qualifications may be obtained from the Village’s website at https://www. oak-park.us/Building-Business/ Request-for-Proposals starting on Wednesday January 7, 2026.

For questions, please email Christopher Welch, Assistant Village Engineer, at christopher. welch@oak-park.us.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer Published in Wednesday Journal January 7, 2026

Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302 The Park District of Oak Park will accept sealed bids for the Field Park Renovations. The project consists of landscaping, mulch and outcropping stones around the Field Center, removal of select trees, playground equipment, splash pad, light poles, and paved areas. The work includes a new playground, synthetic play turf surfacing (by others), splash pad equipment, drinking fountain, pedestrian lighting, landscaping, berm installation and fencing.

The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 11:30 a.m. (Central time) on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, IL. Bid documents and requirements will be available on the Demand Star website at 3:00pm, January 7th, 2026, under “Active Bids” at: the following link. pdop.org/rfps-bids A mandatory on-site pre-bid meeting will be held at 10:00 am on January 20th, 2026, at Field Park, 935 Woodbine Ave., Oak Park, Il. 60302.

For information, contact Bill Hamilton at bill.hamilton@pdop. org or 708-725-2052. Only bids prepared in compliance with the bidding documents will be considered. This project must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2025. The Park District encourages minority and women owned business firms to submit bids.

Park District of Oak Park By: Sandy Lentz, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal January 7, 2026

Published in RB Landmark December 24, 2025, January 7, 14, 2026

LOTS 9, 10 AND 11 IN BLOCK 53 IN GROSS 1ST ADDITION TO GROSSVILLE, IN THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 34, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Libby Popovic, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, lpopovic@brookfieldil.gov, or 708485-1113. Oral or written testimony may be given during the public hearing. The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 25-19. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall. By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark January 7, 2026

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice:

Your right to know...In print • Online

Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com • RBLandmark.com ForestParkReview.com • AustinWeeklyNews.com PublicNoticeIllinois.com

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The Landmark, January 7, 2026

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The Landmark, January 7, 2026

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