Landmark_020426

Plumbers Bridge program solid

Charged ICE o cer did not identify himself as federal agent to police ICE spokesperson calls charges

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

From le , Dr. Héctor Freytas, Kevin Callejas-Galindo, Byron Vicuna, Jacob Alvarez, Lucas Wells, Diego Pinedo and Riverside Brook eld High School District 208 board of education member Bill Durkin. Not pictured is graduate Rachel Dosek.

ing with your hands and ile solv-

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Post-high school options are many these days, but what if you don’t prefer to go to college?

That was appealing to Riverside-Brookfield High School senior Jacob Alvarez

That’s why he got involved in the Plumbers Local 130 Bridge Program, coordinated by the union and the Des Plaines Valley Re gion Educational Cooperative, with pro-

See PLUMBERS on page 7

Brookfield p olice records show Adam Saracco, wh o has b een charged with misdemeanor battery against lawyer Ro be rt Held, failed to identify himself as a federal agent when p olice responded to the scene of the incident on Dec. 27.

In bo dy c amera footage obtained by the L andmark through a public records request, a p olice officer is seen asking Saracco, “Nobody is law enforcement or anything? W here is the federal agent thing c oming i nto play?”

In the footage, Saracco responded, “That’s what [Held] said. He said I’m a federal agent.”

See ICE on page 12

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Riverside Shops won’t be opening as hoped in 2026

Retail incubator initiative that creates jobs and generates tax revenue in ‘early stages’

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

When Riverside officials first discussed a potential Riverside Shops progr am in November, they were planning for the project to launch in June 2026. But now, it seems the retail incubator may not launch until later on, with additional locations to be explored

“We’re in super early stages of planning, and we don’t anticipate this to be an actual, real project [until] 2027,” Finance Director Yvette Zavala told the Landmark. “We’re a smaller village, and it’s not easy for us to ramp it up and put it out there.”

Village trustees discussed the project at a committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 15 before their regular meeting, Zavala said.

“There were a couple follow-up emails some trustees sent, so we decided to put it back on the [committee of whole agenda] to go over it,” she said. “They wanted to review the impact the incubator shops had on the community because it’s a large capital investment, so they wanted to evaluate the return of the investment.”

Documents from the meeting say retail incubator programs, such as the nearby Brookfield Shops that opened last year, create jobs, increase a municipality’s tax revenue, diversify the local economy and lead to a higher success rate for businesses.

According to data from the retail incubator program in McHenry, a city in McHenry County, Illinois, “87% of incubated companies are still in business after five years, and 84% stay in the same area where they started operations.”

Other benefits, according to the documents, include filling vacant storefronts, fostering a sense of place, lowering barriers to entry for entr epreneurs and offering access to mentorship in areas like finances and marketing.

According to the McHenry County Eco-

e shaded area of ve parking spaces would allow for four vendor sheds at the Riverside Shops. e area above represents the potential community space.

nomic Development Corporation, the city’s incubator, which hosts 10 vendors and opened in 2023, earned $500,000 in total sales in its first year and $625,000 in its second year.

In its first year, the Brookfield Shops g enerated more than $200,000 in sales, Libby Popovic, Brookfield’s community development director, told the Landmark in December

Zavala said Riverside staf f will look beyond the parking lot of f East Burlington Street that they had initially identified as a location for the Riverside Shops that could host up to four vendors.

“The only feedback that was given [at the committee of the whole meeting] was for staf f to explore all options of incubator spaces, including a brick-and-mortar space like Berwyn Sprout,” she said.

If the program does come to fruition, Zavala said residents can expect to pick the vendors themselves through a jury for med

by Riverside’s economic development commission. The Brookfield Shops chose their vendors for the 2025 and 2026 seasons through a similar process.

Patrick Greenacre, one of the retail incubator consultants for the Riverside Shops through KPGS Consulting, said the opening being pushed back is more likely a matter of timing than anything.

“It’s j ust li ke anything else. You do n’ t know wh at you do n’ t know. You do n’ t know wh at you’ re f ully g etting i nto. I know we ’ve had really successful c onve rsations with a lot of village s, and it ’s timing on their end, wh at makes sense,” he said. “It’s more of a high-l evel, ‘Let’s g et this figured out.’”

He put it best with a metaphor.

“We all watch cooking shows, and then we go and try to make that amazing salad or pasta dish, and all of a sudden, our kitchen is filled with flour, and we’re ordering pizza.”

Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson HOW TO REACH US PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305 PHONE: (708) 442-6739

E-MAIL: dhaley@wjinc.com ONLINE: w ww.RBLandmark.com

The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $57 within Cook County and $95 outside the county. Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305. © 2026 Growing Community Media

COURTESY OF THE VILL AG E OF RIVERSIDE

Meet the duo behind the Brook eld and Riverside shops

Kendra Shaw and Patrick Greenacre are the brains behind KPGS Consulting, specialists in ‘incubator’ startups

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

If you’ve patronized the Brookfield Shops at Progress Park, or if you got excited by the news of a potential Riverside Shops program, or if you’ve even visited the Berwyn Shops along Roosevelt Road, then you’ve been on the receiving end of the work done by Kendra Shaw and Patrick Greenacre, the founders of KPGS Consulting.

K PGS is the c ompany that multipl e municipalities in the re gion, including Brookfield and Rive rside, have c ontracted with to create retail incubator progr ams from the ground up

“We absolutely love suppo rt ing small businesses. Our combined passion [is] seeing them grow, not just as a business learning their craft but a business learning business basics,” Shaw said. “That passion is what keeps us together as a business. It’s fun to see each community figure out how the incubator could work in their space, how it could be different than others and what they need in their community.”

T he pair first met when Greenacre was hired on at the Berwyn Development Co rp., where Sh aw already wo rked. He d escribed the circumstances that led to the creation of K PGS as “serendipitous.”

“The project of a retail incubator popped up. Wi th my back ground in marketing, I had neve r really d one anything li ke thi s, but it was an exciting, c ool opportunity. Kendra and I we re tasked with taking the lead on it,” he said. “A f ter the first season of the incubator, Kendra and I found ourselves talking a lot about how c ool it would be to g et some more of these going in different areas.”

While they didn’t invent the retail incubator model, the d uo said it has spread in popularity due to its flexibilit y.

“In g eneral, retail incubators are meant to help businesses figure out thei r next steps in a way that lowe rs barriers to a ccess to a storefront. An incubator, in theor y, is more af fordable, has more

training, and it really is a service progr am for out if wh at they do, ma by or [at] pop-ups would Sh aw said. “We saw some struggles, especially with the p properties going up, [being] c oncerned about taking that lea i nto a storefront. I think incubators ar a way to help bridge that Greenacre said he ment of municipalities is also retail incubator

“They see the value. nesses that are going to be successful, that move i nto their spac be an excellent c andlemaker no idea how to make a c ould be an amazing bread ba have no idea how to It ’s neve r that businesses their products are some sort of education holds businesses back,” he said. “One of the things that Kendra and I always with the municipalities is that training is incredibly impor tant.

As the Brookfield their second year, the b een “ove rwhelmed” sponse to the incubator pr

“It doesn’t just work nesses or the village It really only works if f alls in love with them and wants to go back to see their products Shaw said. “We’ve had so many site, a lot of collaborations with par like the Chamber [of village and the local theater fact that all of those partners to be part of it is great.

Each of them named a different pa of the K PGS for mula that c oming back .

“N ever once did I think I would be i nterested in city zoning code and business licenses and the processes b ehind all that. Th at ’s the stuf f that I g et to learn. I g et to learn every single day. Each municipality that we wo rk with, they all have their o pportunities to do something different. T hey all want to be a little bit different. Even though the frame and the skeleton of the progr am is relative ly similar, that’s about where it end s, ” Greenacre said.

Shaw said her favorite part of the work is getting to see the vendors themselves evolve.

Patrick Greenacre (le ) and Kendra Shaw are the masterminds behind KPGS Consulting, which has worked with several local municipalities to create retail incubator programs.

“We’ re seeing small business owner s gr aduate out of this t ype of prog ra m i nto storefronts, or gr aduate out of the progr am, realize this is n’ t the path fo r them, and either go back to online sales or far mers markets or really do thei r own thing. I love the fact that they get to make that decision and figure out thei r next step without the c ost of doing a f ull-

time lease,” she said. “I g et to befriend a bunch of c ool artisans that are incredibly talented, and I have no idea how they do any of the things that they do. To see them grow and g et almost progr ess re po rt s, it f eels li ke I’ve adopted them all. To hear back from them with all the things that they ’re doing in the future is really cool.”

COURTESY OF KPGS C ONSULTING

D96’s Dolezal a top job at Oak Park

Riverside’s director of teaching one of two nalists in Oak Park

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Angela Dolezal, the Director of Teaching and L earning at Rive rside E lementary School District 96, is a finalist for superintendent job in Oak Pa rk E lementary School District 97.

Dolezal and Te r ri Bresnahan, the superintendent of C ommunity C onsolidated School District 54, wh ich serves the southern po rt i on of Arlington Heights and po rt i ons of E lk Grove, Mount Prospect, and Des Plaines went through their final i nterviews with the Distric t 97 school b oard on Fe b. 2. T he Oak Pa rk District 97 Board of Education is li ke ly to announce i ts hire next week, perhap s at its Fe b. 10 school board meeting.

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Dolezal c ame to District 96 in 2019 afDole zal possibly leaving District 96.

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Kim Hefner, who now teaches at L.J Hauser Junior High School, spoke highly of Dole zal’s wo rk at District 96.

“She’s a great listener and leader,” Hef ner said in a text message.

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Healthy Heart, Happy Life YOUR BEST LIFE with Lisa Capone

February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on cardiovascular health and the steps we can take to maintain a strong heart. At Cantata Senior Living, we recognize the importance of heart health, especially for older adults. Here are some easy ways to prioritize cardiovascular wellness:

Stay Active – Engage in light exercise like walking, chair yoga, or stretching to keep your heart strong.

Eat Heart-Healthy Foods – Enjoy meals rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting sodium and processed foods.

Manage Stress – Practice deep breathing, meditation, or social activities to reduce stress and support heart health.

Monitor Your Health – Keep up with regular check-ups, blood pressure screenings, and medications as prescribed.

Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of water to help maintain circulation and overall health.

Stay Connected – Engage in social activities to boost mental and emotional well-being, which benefits the heart.

This February, take simple steps toward a healthier heart. Let’s embrace wellness together— because a healthy heart is a happy heart!

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Care • Home Care

Broadview food pantry moves to Riv

e Riverside Presbyterian Church is the pantry’s new home

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

People who need food assistance in Riverside or the surrounding communities now have another place to turn to.

As of this week, the Broadview Food Pantry is operating out of the Riverside Presbyterian Church, 116 Barrypoint Road. The food pantry will be open Mondays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., director Judy Brown-Marino told the Landmark. People can receive food two times a month.

The pantry and church will continue to operate as distinct entities, she said. The ag reement for the church to host the pantry came about after the pantry found itself in need.

“Our food pantry was started in the village of Broadview in 1995, and from ‘95 until 2011, the gentleman who started the pantry operated out of the Broadview Park District. In 2011, he moved the operation to the Community Presbyterian Church in Broadview,” she said. “Last year, that cong re gation voted to dissolve. They were elderly, not ter ribly affluent, dwindling cong re gation; I understand why they did.”

She said the pantry closed in December after making distributions for Thanksgiving.

“We started reaching out to see wh at spaces might be available that we c ould af ford and wh at our options might be, and one of the organizations that we reached out to was the Presby teria n C hurch in Rive rside,” she said. “It tur ns out they had actually wanted to open a food p antry for a few year s, but the Greater Chicago Food De p ository wasn’t taking on new agencies. ”

Lynda Nadkarni, the church’s preschool director, said she felt like it was a great opportunity when Brown-Marino approached her about it. While the church has operated a “little food pantry” that “runs like a little library” for about a decade, Nadkarni said, members of the congreg ation wanted to do more.

“Food insecurity’s always been something that the church has been concerned about,” she said. “When Judy first came

e Broadview Food Pantry opened to neighbors in need inside the Riverside Presbyterian Church on Monday, Feb 3.

here, I was delighted because I knew it was something that was on the church’s radar already. If there was any way that we could help a different agency doing the same work that we wanted to see in this area, we would be fully on board for that.”

While anyone is allowed to visit the pantry, Brown-Marino said, it officially serves Broadview, Hines, Riverside and North Riverside. As of opening within the church, the pantry is expanding to include Lyons and McCook.

“When it comes to things like the holiday distributions, we may be limited to people in our service area” due to the rules of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, with which the pantry is re gistered, she said.

Brown-Marino said people are limited to two visits a month. At the previous location, the pantry received food each week from the Depository, but after the move, it will only receive food twice a month, she said, which will change the kinds of foods it can offer to ensure it will all last between deliveries.

In Broadview, the p antry was paired up with two businesses for food rescue — taking the food they ca n’ t sell and givin g it aw ay. Brown-Marino said she hopes the p antry will be able to resume that activity after becoming more established in Rive rside

“We still are able to offer a pretty wide variety. Not just the non-perishable canned goods and macaroni and cheese and rice, those types of things. We offer fresh produce,” she said. “Almost always potatoes, onions, various types of fruit” as well as baked goods.

The pantry also carries food and supplies for pets, she said.

One of the biggest challenges, Nadkarni and Brown-Marino said, will be ensuring that the pantry’s previous clients from Broadview can continue to access it.

“We had quite a few clients at the location in Broadview that would walk to the pantry because it was so centrally located to the whole residential area there. When our clients would leave the pantry, they’d leave, most of the time, with a couple big boxes of food. That can be kind of difficult if you’re trying to take a bus,” Brown-Marino said. “Aside from that, there’s a few things we’ve had to do, like upgrade electric service to accommodate our refrigerators and freezers.”

If you want to volunteer, Brown-Marino said you should come by the pantry in-person rather than reaching out electronically.

“To be able to sit together, get a feel for that person and what their abilities, what their interests are, their availability — that’s often accomplished much more quickly talking face-to-face,” she said.

“I think I know a fair amount about food pantries, but until I actually walked into it in Broadview and saw it in action — it’s very different to see how it works rather than to imagine from what you read on paper,” Nadkarni added. “I think that’s another reason why people stopping by is a great idea.

Despite the challenges, both said they were excited to have the pantry open and begin helping people in need.

“You grow. You adjust. You adapt,” Brown-Marino said.

PROVIDED BY JUDY BROWN-MARINO

from page 1

gr am assistance from Education for Employment.

“I knew p ast gr aduates who thought it was a g ood idea,” Alvare z said. “I do n’ t want to go to colle ge, so they suggested I do something in the trades.”

Wo rd tr avels f ast in high school, wh ich is how senior Lucas Wells lear ned about the progr am.

“I found out from a p ast gr aduate named Dariu s, and I also found out about it from one of the c ontractors from my mom’s jo b, ” Wells said. “She wo rks in Berwy n’s plumbers’ union. ”

Over 10 weeks starting last f all until gr aduation Jan. 22, Alvare z, Wells, Kevin C allejas-Galind o, Di eg o Pined o, Byron Vi c una and Rachel Dosek pa rt icipated in the pre-apprenticeship prog ra m that teaches essential skills in math, tooling and safety protocols needed for a p lumbing career

As a result of c ompleting the progr am, Alvare z will take his apprenticeship test March 5, where he will be able to leverage wh at he lear ned .

“I learned f undamentals li ke simp le math and simple c ommunications skills,” he said. “It wasn’t super intense I li ke d learning from my i nstructors and classmates, that was the fun part .”

C allejas-Galindo ag reed with his classmate that it “was more fun than intense.

“(I learned) kind of how to measure all different kinds of pipes and wh at kind of math we would need to be a p lumber,” he said. “I had a lot of friends in class that I could learn from.”

Rive rside Brookfield High School Dist rict 208 school b oard member Bill Durkin was involved in bringing the progr am to RB and enjoyed watching the third class of gr aduates take the stage on Jan. 22, including Dosek, the firs t f emale. In three year s, Rive rside-Brookfield has had close to 20 gr aduates

“I f you gr aduate, on gr aduation day before the ceremon y, there are a number of signatory contractors that attend and i nterview the gr aduates about p otential summer paid i nternships,” Durkin said. “To see the excitement and the pride on the k ids’ face s, same with their parents, it ’s such a good feeling.”

Ditto for Rive rside-Brookfield princi -

p al Hector Freytas

“A t RB, we b eli eve there are multipl e pathways for success after high school,” he said. “Pursuing the trades, in thi s c ase, the Plumbers B ridge Progr am, is a pathway that has our f ull suppo rt and attention. Each year, more RB students pa rt icipate in this progr am, and I am eager to see how the progr am c ontinues to grow. I am proud to wo rk with our b oard of education who share the same b elief s. ”

Erica Kouba is a career coordinator for Education for Employment, which serves six school districts and nine high schools in western Cook County, including Riverside-Brookfield, which was one of the first to pilot the Plumbers Local 130 Bridge Progr am. Education for Employment interviews students to make sure they are a good fit for the progr am, then suppor ts them throughout their jour ney

“When we’re talking about the district as a whole, I think (the progr am) is expanding all the pathways students are interested in,” she said. “There are a lot of pathways that are high interest and high wage. It’s wonderful as a district that they can offer that as an oppor tunity.”

Kouba said that once a gr aduate is a j ourneyman, they c an make over $100,000 a year.

“We need to have p eople in jobs that AI can’t do,” she said. “They are 18 and in five years they are making six figures and not having to pay any debt for colle ge.”

Kouba’s b est example of someone that has flourished based on wh at he lear ned in the bridge progr am is Darius Fe r rie r, a 2025 RB gr aduate who is cu rrently an apprentice and teaching in the progr am.

“He is ve ry happy with his decision, ” she said. “I suggested this progr am to him, he took the test and became an apprentice and is almost d one with hi s first year.”

Food love is in the air

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Eats Reporter

You can be a food lover or you can shower your love with delicious foods. Either way you’re a winter winner. In this season of amore, let the deals hit your eye like a big pizza-pie.

Bite the Burbs asks you to tuck your napkin in and dig in to more than 80 area restaurants. Re gional tourism bureau, Explore Oak Park and Beyond, has organized enticements aplenty happening Feb. 26 –March 7. To highlight a few:

Prix-fixe menus, where you get a full meal for a set price are offered at Q-BBQ, 124 N. Marion St. in Oak Park; D’Vino, 1527 S. Harlem Ave. in Forest Park; and The Chew Chew, 33 E. Burlington St. in Riverside.

Many restaurants are offering 15% of f your total check such as Taco Amor y Mas, 8420 Brookfield Ave. in Brookfield,

Caffe DeLuca, 7427 Madison St. in Forest Park, and Egg Harbor, 1111 South Blvd. in Oak Park

Everyone loves free! Get a free appetizer when you order at places like Chef Shangri-La , 7930 W. 26th St. in North Riverside; or free desser t at Irish Times Pub and Restaurant , 8869 Burlington Ave. in Brookfield, and Grape Leaves , 129 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Pa rk. Visit Explore Oak Park and Beyond’s website for a complete list.

What’s the buzz in the old Buzz Cafe location in the Arts District? No news to share yet on the ground floor, but a level up, on the second floor a venture called Pizza Dom has found a home. Dominic Vallone is an Oak Parker who got into pizza making during the Covid lock-down, as seen on his Instagram DeathByDough handle. He is using the kitchen to prep for his mobile pizza oven catering biz and coming, possibly as soon as March, he will

offer carry-out versions of his Neapolitanstyle pizzas, focaccia and other Italian artisanal delights from the building at 905 S. Lombard Ave., Oak Park

Hungry, but don’t know for what? Get a main dish sur prise for $5 at Scratch on Lake, 733 Lake St. in Oak Park, or Scratch Public House, 7505 Madison St. in Forest Park. All you need to do is ask, “What’s on the secret lunch menu today?”

Offerings change each week, but recently it was a double smash burger

Eats-out ventured to Café Cubano on Jan. 20. The meal was delicious (a new favorite of mine is their papas rellenas appetizer, fluffy potato surrounding seasoned ground beef, then fried to a crispy shell). The conversation with new foodie friends was

I scheduled our January outing at the same time as Soup and Bread West, which is at Robert’s Westside, 7321 Madison St. in Forest Park, on the third Tuesday of each month. I’ve been meaning to go sip some soup, where proceeds go to a different area charity each month. So…

The next Eats-out will be on Thursday, Feb. 19 at Little Owl Social Pub, 3747 Grand Blvd. in Brookfield. The meal will be $25 per person. (If you want alcohol that’s on your own dime.) Get your seat to dine with up to eight local food enthusiasts by emailing me at the address below. Got news, questions or ideas for this column? Email them to us at Eats@oakparkeats.com.

Endinghungerbyconnectingthefourcornersofourcommunity

Showingisbetterthantelling.

Showingisbetterthantelling.

VideosofcurrenteventsinMinneapolisshowtheinnertensionsof acommunitythatfeelsthreatened. It ’simpossibletowatchthose videosandnotfeeltheneedtotakeastand. Butwhatshouldbe theroleofalocalfoodpantryduringtimeslikethis?

VideosofcurrenteventsinMinneapolisshowtheinnertensionsof acommunitythatfeelsthreatened It ’simpossibletowatchthose videosandnotfeeltheneedtotakeastand. Butwhatshouldbe theroleofalocalfoodpantryduringtimeslikethis?

Thereareover 60,000 foodpantriesinAmerica. Over 800 inCook Countyalone. Tensofthousandsofourneighborsarefood insecure. ManyareHispanic . Andforthatreason, manyfood pantrieshaveexperiencedasignificantat-largedropinthe numberofvisitsfromourmostimperiledneighborsinneed.

Thereareover 60,000 foodpantriesinAmerica. Over 800 inCook Countyalone. Tensofthousandsofourneighborsarefood insecure. ManyareHispanic . Andforthatreason, manyfood pantrieshaveexperiencedasignificantat-largedropinthe numberofvisitsfromourmostimperiledneighborsinneed.

This , atatimewhenthehighercostoflivingisburdensomeforall ofourneighborsinneed Whenfederalfundingoffoodbankshas beensignificantlyandpermanentlycut . Andwhenfederalfunding forSNAPhasbeencutbyalmost $200 billion.

This , atatimewhenthehighercostoflivingisburdensomeforall ofourneighborsinneed. Whenfederalfundingoffoodbankshas beensignificantlyandpermanentlycut . Andwhenfederalfunding forSNAPhasbeencutbyalmost $200 billion.

Seeingisbelieving.

Seeingisbelieving.

Watchthevideo...

Thewayforwardforourfoodpantryisclear. Asacommunitybasedorganizationweareguidedbyasimplesetofcorevalues . Foremostofwhichistosafeguardthedignityofpeople. Tosee whatthatlookslike , pleasewatchthedocumentaryvideonow postedonourwebsite. Seewhatalocalfoodpantrycando whenacommunitycomestogether ! Watchthevideo...

Thewayforwardforourfoodpantryisclear. Asacommunitybasedorganizationweareguidedbyasimplesetofcorevalues . Foremostofwhichistosafeguardthedignityofpeople. Tosee whatthatlookslike , pleasewatchthedocumentaryvideonow postedonourwebsite. Seewhatalocalfoodpantrycando whenacommunitycomestogether !

We' reallneighborshere . Todossomosvecinosaqui .

sharefoodsharelove .org

EXPLORE OA K PARK AND BEYOND

Q-BBQ participates in Bite the Burbs

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Double smash burger at Scratch on Lake

HANK TIBENSKY

Eats-out outing at Café Cubano

A

Brookfield could strike a deal with the zoo

$5,000 package will

‘work both ways’ to cross-promote the village and its businesses

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield trustees are suppo rt ive of a p otential promotional package d eal with Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

Libby Po povic, Brookfield’s director of c ommunity development, presented the package to the village b oard on Jan. 26. C osting the village $5,000, the d eal would provide a value of $7,500, Po povic said, allowing the village to host events at Brookfield Zoo facilities and provide c omplimentary tickets on top of promotional o pportunities for businesses in town or the village itself

“We’ re t rying to suppo rt business en-

gag

ement, reco gnizing different businesses, cross-promoting and using the zoo in a different capacity,” Po povic said. “We c an use some of their facilities to bring more p eople there ve r sus having things here at Vi llage Hall. We ’re leve raging the existing re gional asset tha t we have there. ”

As pa rt of the d eal, Brookfield will host i ts Brookfield S hops gr aduation for the 2025 c ohort vendors at the zoo on Fe b. 6 with room for up to 100 people. On March 6, Brookfield will host i ts State of the Vi llage a ddress with room for up to 200 people

T he event will “sho wcase wh at the village has d one, is doing and will be doing,” Po povic said.

Each room rental is wo r th about $2,000, she said.

T he zoo will also provide 50 free g eneral admission tickets, normally $29.95 each, and 25 free pa rk ing p asses, normally $20 each, a dding up to a total value of $1,997.50.

T he d eal will include an “on-site tabl e activation” for one weekend day thi s s pring, allowing business or village re presentatives to promote their organizations at the zoo directl y.

It will also feature promotion of Brookfield and i ts businesses in Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s digital newsletter with about 300,000 subscribers, wh ich will “[give ] us exposure to markets and channels that we ’ve neve r used before,” Vi llage Manager Tim Wiberg said.

Trustee Ky le Whitehead said he would li ke to hear from businesses in town about how they think the partnershi p c ould benefit them.

“I know we ’ve tried various initiative s over the years in terms of promoting the downtown to visitors at the zoo,” he said.

“I do n’ t know if that’s business owner s being present at the zoo, i nteracting directly with customer s, but I’d be curious with how some of our businesses f eel li ke they can be directly involved.”

Po povic said village staf f have been in

c ontact with the Brookfield C hamber of C ommerce to d etermine how to b est leve rage the d eal in suppo rt of businesses.

Brookfield is g etting such a d eal, she a dded, d ue to zoo officials’ b elief in the value of a par tnership with the village.

“For them it draws in other p eople that might not be going to the zoo re gularly,” Po povic said. “They have sponsorships and partnerships with other c ommunities and other businesses as well.

T hey’ve tailored this one because thei r other sponsorships and partnerships we re a little outside of wh at we could afford, so they really tailored this to wo rk b oth ways.”

Village trustees reached a consensus to support the initiative at their meeting .

“I think this is wonderful to see,” sai d Trustee Nicole Gilhooley. “We’ve b een talking about this t ype of relationship and taking it in a different direction fo r a long time. It ’s g ood to see it c ome to fruition. ”

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ICE

Charges led from page 1

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Saracco did not identify himself as an agent of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the footage, which is partially redacted. Saracco did tell police that Held “followed me from my work.”

Held told the Landmark in December that he followed Saracco from the ICE detention facility in Broadview, which he also told Brookfield police, according to their incident report, which was obtained through the same records request.

Representatives of ICE and the United States Department of Homeland Security have referred to Saracco as an ICE officer.

“It is gross that our officer is facing charges for responding to a direct threat against him and his safety. We stand firmly behind our officer,” said Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, in a written statement provided to the Landmark by Erin Bultje, ICE’s Midwest director of public affairs, on Jan. 27.

In the statement, McLaughlin called Saracco “an off-duty ICE law enforcement officer [who] was targeted and aggressively harassed by a known ICE agitator.”

She described Held’s following and filming of Saracco as “clear attempts to dox our officer. The officer, who was alone and without protective equipment, acted to protect himself when faced with this

threatening behavior. We won’t accept this; stay tuned.”

McLaughlin said ICE agents “are facing a 1,300 percent increase in assaults against them and an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against them,” though the source of that data is unclear.

In a press release dated Jan. 28, Held called McLaughlin’s statement false.

“I didn’t stalk anyone. What she calls ‘malicious rhetoric,’ I call documentation. What she calls ‘agitation,’ I call accountability. What she calls a ‘threat,’ a local police department and prosecutor call battery,” he said. “I was not a threat to Saracco … He is a federal agent who tried to silence me with violence.”

Brookfield Vi llage President Michael Gar ve y c alled Saracco ’s status as an I CE agent “i rrelevant” to the charge s against him.

“The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, after review of the evidence in the case, including videos of the occurrence and witness statements, made a decision to charge the individual with a misdemeanor battery. His employment status did not and should not have played any role in the charging decision, to the best of my knowledge,” Garvey said. “I know it didn’t play any role in the Brookfield Police Department’s investigation.”

Re presentatives from Indivisible West Suburban, a local activism group whose members have been outspoken and protested against ICE’s immigration enforcement activities in the Chicagoland area, did not return a request for comment by the Landmark.

COURTESY OF BROOKFIELD

Ice agent Adam Saracco is seen in Brook eld police body camera footage from Dec. 27 a er he allegedly assaulted lawyer Robert Held.

Father and son arrested following escalation

Brookfield police arrested a 41-year-old Brookfield man and his son on Jan. 22 when the situation escalated after the child was caught driving without a license.

Around 2:35 p. m ., two officers we re c onducting patrol in an unmarke d ca r at the 9500 block of Garfield Avenue du e to an anonymous c omplaint of drugd ealing activity performed by a minor without a drive r’s license who may have b een driving a f amily member ’s vehicl e.

T he officers witnessed the minor and an unknown f emale subject enter the ca r, wh ich proceeded east p ast the officer s before they lost sight of it

About 15 minutes later, the same ca r p assed the officers heading west on Garfield, and they obser ve d the juvenile driving. As the car approached Kemman Avenue, it rolled through a stop sign , p olice said. Police activated their squad car’s emergency lights and obser ve d the juvenile and the unknown f emale subject climbing into the backseat of the ca r.

One officer remove d the minor from the car and p laced him i nto hand restraints d ue to his “furtive and suspicious movements” and took him i nto c ustody for operating a vehicle without a license, wh ich p olice had previously c onfirmed. Due to the c old temperature, p olice p laced the minor i nto the back of their unmarke d car to ke ep him war m.

Police attempted to speak with the female, who said she was 18 but failed to produce a driver’s license before being sent on her way with another minor who had been in the backseat. One of the of ficers saw the juvenile inside the unmarked car manipulate the handcuffs around his legs to be in front of his body and advised him against “doing anything ille g al.”

Shortly afterward, the minor’s parents came outside and pled with police not to ar rest their son or tow their vehicl e. T he officers told them both to step away from the unmarked vehicl e, as they were attempting to speak with their son, to which neither complied. As police continued to tell the parents to step away, the fa-

ther “grew more upset” and called one of the officers pejoratives before placing a finger “within an inch” from their face

According to p olice, the officer f eared battery from the man and ordered hi to p lace his hands b ehind his back and submit to ar rest after escorting hi aw ay from the ca r. Police said the man “continuously tensed his arms to defeat the ar rest,” so the officer swep t his legs out and, with the man’s stomach to the ground, leaned their chest on his back to ke ep him grounded .

During this time, the minor, who had again manipulated the handcu ff s to be in front of his bo dy, exited the unmarke d squad car and ran at the of ficer; the other officer i nterce p ted him and p ushed him to the ground. T he officer returned the minor to the car and told him he was under ar rest.

Police placed the juv enile’s father into c ustody and transported both of them to the Brookfield Police Department, where they we re read their M iranda warning s. T he minor ’s father c ontinued to berate the officer and threatened to sue them.

Police charged the man with one c ount of assault and one c ount of resisting and obstructing ar rest. He was released with a Fe b. 27 court date.

Police also charged the man’s son for obstructing arrest, driving without being issued a license, driving without insurance and disregarding a stop sign. He was released to his mother with a Feb. 10 court date

These items we re o btained from th e Brookfield Po lice Department re port s dated Jan. 19-26; th ey re present a portio n of the incidents to wh ich police responded. Anyone named in these re ports ha s only b een charged with a crime and cases ha ve not yet b een adjudicated. We re port the ra ce of a suspect only wh en a serious crime has b een c ommitted, the suspect is still at la rge and police ha ve provided us with a detailed physical d escription of the suspect as th ey seek the public’s h elp in making an arrest

Compiled by Stella Brown

THE L ANDMARK VIEW

Here’s what’s gross

To their credit the PR people at the Department of Homeland Security are both responsive and just as surly as their on-the-ground ICE and Border Patrol agents We learned that last week when the Landmark, which broke the story of the ICE agent being charged with misdemeanor battery of a phone-wielding critic, received a response from the Assistant Secretary for Public Af fairs at the Department of Homeland Security.

T ricia McLaughlin’s name is often in the news. Half the time it is when she issues some sort of mean-spirited response to Americans protesting this oppressive re gime and the other half as news outlets try to figure out how her husband, the CEO of a New York ad agency, benefitted from a lucrative contract with the de par tment she works for to create an anti-immigrant ad campaign.

In her response, she said “it is gross” that of fduty ICE agent Adam Saracco has been charged by Brookfield police and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office with misdemeanor battery after he threw an elderly fellow to the ground at a Brookfield gas station because the man was filming him with his phone

McLaughlin said Robert Held, a 68-year-old attorney, was a direct threat to Saracco’s safety and that Saracco was “targeted and threatened by a known ICE agitator.”

“We won’ t accept this. Stay tuned,” she sputtered Here’s what’s gross: a taxpayer-funded PR lackey who does not understand the concept of free speech, the right to protest abusive gover nment action up to and including killing American citizens on the streets of an American city.

We applaud the ef for ts of Brookfield police to actually investigate the actions of a ro gue ICE agent in our community and then to bring charges. It is a rare occu rrence, so rare that the New York Times picked up the Landmark story.

It is McLaughlin and her Kristi Noem acolytes who need to “Stay tuned.” Because clearly, a rising tide of Americans won’ t acce pt what the Trump administration is pe rpetrating on this nation.

LETTERS

In praise of Tom Weitzel

Illinois needs more levelheaded people like Tom Weitzel who are willing to stand up for values and laws that so many Illinois residents believe in. He is an experienced, respectful, and thoughtful voice who has more than earned the right to describe himself as the for mer Riverside police chief. His participation with Awake Illinois is a blessing to those of us who think Gover nor Pritzker r ushed through

the Safe-T act and believe it is wrong to discriminate against someone simply because they were employed by ICE (Just like it is wrong to discriminate against students who protested Israel’s war in Gaza). I look forward to hearing the for mer police chie f’s perspective and think future Illinois law enforcement will benefit .

Mike Dobbins

Landmark ’s police reports

The Landmark is highly hypocritical in their reporting. In the “Police Reports” section, “anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated.” The only description in these reports is identified as a “man,” “driver,” “woman,” etc. Yet on page 1 of the Jan. 26 issue, “ICE agent charged in Brookfield battery case” lists the man’s actual name and photo. Your “Police Reports” section should be as thorough. Readers should know the actual names of people accused of committing crimes in their community.

OBITUARIES

Richard Ware, 89 Teacher and coach at RBHS

David Buckley

Richard James Wa re, 89, died on Jan. 22, 2026. Born in Muscatin e, Iowa, son of the late James Melvin Wa re and Melva (Faulhaber) Mar garet Wa re, he gr aduated from Muscatine High School in 1955 where he pl ayed b aseb all and b asketball. Th e highlight reel of Dick ’s athletic career be g an with backto-back c onference titles in b asketball for the Muscatine Muskies. T he 1954 team was crowned Iowa State C hamp s, a memor y for the ages Highly c ompetitive, he c ontinued hi s athletic career at Muscatine Jr. C olle ge, where he and his teammates won yet another state champi-

onshi p, and he was named A ll-Stat e. At Iowa Stat e Teachers C olle ge (ISTC) he earned his de gree in teaching mathematics, gr aduating in 1959. He pl ayed b aseball for I STC and the team went on to the NCAA C olle ge Wo rl d Serie s, one g ame aw ay from playing for the National C hampionshi p. Always humble and matter of fact, he gave luck a lot of credit for his athletic success.

During his senior year he met his f uture w ife, Betty Hammer, during a snowball fight on the c ommons. He spotted her because she c ould throw li ke a gu y. T heir c ourtship was short, but they we re married for 66 year s. T hey left the Mi dwest for a year wh i le he earned his Master of Mathematics de gree from the Unive rsity of S outh Carolina. T hen they live d on Kemman Avenue in La Grang e Pa rk , raising a f amily, teaching and c oaching at Rive rside Brookfield High School, playing bridg e,

See OBITUARIES on page 15

OBITUARIES from page 14

bowling, and, of course, fishing . His love of fishing, with f amily and the best friends a man could have, beat all. A f anatic from the beginning with his father, brother and uncle on the Mississippi River, and for tunate to have a wife who also loved to fish, he knew he had it made. His wonderful life will long be cherished by his f amily and friends. He will be remembered for his concern for others, dedication to f amily, sense of fair play, and as a mentor to many, living by the golden rule.

Richard was the husband of Betty Lou Ware (nee Hammer); father of Wendy (John) Polisini and James (Jennifer) Ware; grandfather of Jack (Alex) Polisini, Samuel Polisini, Joshua Ware and Korissa Ware; great-grandfather of Murphy Polisini and Quinn Polisini; and the brother of the late Edward (Deanna) Ware and Judith (the late William) Evans. His family expresses sincere gr atitud e for the help and care given by the staf f at Aspired Living of La Grange and services from Family Paramount Hospic e. A C elebration of L ife will take p lac e on Saturday, Fe b. 7, from 2 to 5 p. m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st St., Brookfield. I nterment Pr ivat e.

Greg Bosw ell , 55

Ph ar ma cy tec hni ci an Gregory Robert Boswell, 55, of Brookfield, died on Jan. 30, 2026. Bor n on Nov. 12, 1970, he worked as a pharmacy technician at Walg reens.

Greg was the husband of Catherine Feeney, the father of Gregory, Cece and Eva Boswell, and the brother of Mark Boswell.

Vi sitation will be held on We d nesd ay, Fe b. 4 from 3 to 8 p. m. and T hursd ay, Fe b. 5, from 9 a.m. until the f uneral servic e at Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, 3847 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, at 10 a.m. Interment at Mount Glenwood Memor y Gardens West C emeter y, Wi llow Springs. Online c ondolences, memories and p hoto gr aphs may be shared with the f amily at www.JohnsonNosek.com.

Naz grad Julian Love makes Super Bowl debut on Sunday

2016 Nazareth graduate Julian Love and the Seattle Seahawks w ill play the New England Patr

Super

Strong safety Julian Love will enjoy another football milestone with the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Feb. 8.

The 2016 Nazareth Academy graduate and offseason LaGrange Park resident makes his Super Bowl debut when the Seahawks (16-3) meet the New England Patri-

winning streak into their first Super Bowl appearance since their first championship victory in 2014. The for mer all-stater previously starred at Notre Dame

A 2023 Pro Bowl selection, Love began this season in the starting lineup and returned Dec. 18 after missing nine games on injured reserve.

Love has 34 tackles (23 solos), one inter-

had 31-27

NFC

ry in the 41-6 er the San

and of f the field, Love also is the team’s 2025 Steve Largent Award winner and nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

T he Seahawks’ opponents this season included for mer Roadrunners C.J West (49ers) and JJ McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings).

COURTESY OF NAZARETH AC ADEMY

iots in

Bowl LX.

Sports

O’Connor, RBHS wrestlers reach another regional success

Bulldogs collect third straight regional title; LTHS advances ve individuals

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

The wave of success for Riverside Brookfield High School senior boys wrestler Nick O’Connor, Saturday, began by winning the 175-pound title at the Class 2A Glenbard South Re gional.

“That was my first varsity tournament win,” exclaimed O’Connor (28-5) after his pin in 3:14. “It’s always been second, third, sometimes fifth. I’m proud of myself. I always come up short in the finals.”

Moments later, O’Connor was infor med that his title all but mathematically clinched a third straight re gional team title for the Bulldogs (180.5 points), who won by nine points over Hinsdale South while advancing eight individuals to the Hinsdale South Individual Sectional, Feb. 13-14, with top-three finishes.

Senior Izaiah Gonzalez (28-3 at 132), junior Tony Lombardo (25-4 at 138) and sophomore Riley Cavaliere (18-14 at 106) also were re gional champions.

Seniors Jayden Tulian (10-13 at 126) and Gerald Evans (24-12 at 190) were second and seniors Aiden Veltman (14-13 at 150) and Joe Alberts (15-14 at 215) were third. One victory from advancing were fourth-place senior Miles Russell-Barnes (18-16 at 113) and sophomore Elijah Rambis (7-22 at 157).

With its sixth re gional title in seven seasons, RBHS also advances to the 2A Evergreen Park Team Sectional Thursday. A sectional victory means a trip to the state team quarterfinals, Feb. 27-28, in Bloomington.

“We talked about that. You’re not just wrestling for yourself. You’re wrestling for your teammates and to continue the tradition we have,” RBHS coach Nick Curby said. “I was really happy with the way the guys responded.”

In their title victories, Lombardo (2:46) and Cavaliere (2:46) won with second-period pins and Gonzalez had a 15-0 technical fall. With third place and a sectional berths on the line, Alberts had a 41-second pin.

RBHS’s Nick O’Connor wrestles Elgin’s Josiah Turner at 175 pounds during an Upstate 8 Conference match, Dec. 17, 2025 in Riverside.

Veltman won with a pin 14 seconds into the third period with the match scoreless.

Veltman nearly competed at re gionals last season but was injured. Battling injury again, he had just one practice before re gionals. He also overcame his headgear strap breaking in the first period. When Curby couldn’t repair it, Veltman borrowed Evans’ headgear.

“A few weeks ago, my goal was if I make it to sectionals I’m happy. And if I make it to state, I’ll be even happier,” Veltman said.

Tulian is excited to return to sectionals after finishing fourth last year while battling nausea. He just missed qualifying for state as a sophomore, and recent illness and injury isn’t going to stop him from trying to advance.

“[Last season] motivated me a lot,” Tulian said. “Now that it’s my senior year, I have to go and give it my all and leave it on

the mat.”

Nazareth Academy was seventh (82). Junior 126 champion Alek Ramos (29-5), second-place junior Richie Gulli (21-7 at 120) and third-place junior Emilio Fortiz (22-10 at 113) and freshman Joaquin Fortiz (2210 at 132) advanced for the Roadrunners.

LTHS boys wrestling

Lyons Township senior Luca Ligammari didn’t know his overall wrestling record this season before or even after the 3A Naperville North Re gional.

“I don’t follow it because it doesn’t really matter,” Ligammari said. “Once you get to the state series, it’s all its own thing.”

All the No. 5 seed at 106 pounds knows is he’s elated about advancing to the Hinsdale Central Sectional after finishing second following a pin over the No. 1 seed in the

semifinals.

“I’m really just excited. It kind of shows once the state series starts, anything can happen,” said Ligammari, now 12-21. “Coming in against a No. 1 seed, semis, but got it done, never stopped wrestling.”

The Lions advanced five with top-three re gional finishes and were fourth (107.5 points). Senior Grif f Powell (25-3 at 138), an all-state sixth in 2025 at 132, won a re gional crown. Seniors Jimmy Hillmann of Brookfield (33-13 at 285) and Cornell Fennessee (30-18 at 165) and sophomore Jesse NunezGarcia (30-15 at 150) finished second.

“We lost a couple of close matches, but to get five guys into the finals, this is a very tough re gional. I’m really proud of their effort,” LTHS coach Grif f Powell said. Powell won his title match by technical fall (23-7 in 5:45) over Montini Catholic senior Jermey Huf (22-11).

In their championship matches, NunezGarcia lost by technical fall 19-4 and Ligammari and Hillmann were pinned in 2:16 and 1:39, respectively. Fennessee took an injury default in 4:56 after aggravating his shoulder injury while losing 10-0. Hillmann and Fennessee also were 2025 sectional qualifiers. Nunez-Garcia joins Ligammari in making first trips after only a few varsity matches as a freshman.

“I really feel like I want to prove myself,” Nunez-Garcia said. “As a sophomore, I want to go as far as I can and reach my full potential so I think reaching sectionals in another step toward the big goal of state in the future.”

In one of the tougher brackets, senior Luke Wilhelm (32-15 at 190) was fourth. Wilhelm led in the third period but was pinned in 4:41 after losing 4-3 in the semifinals. In 1:16, Ligammari pinned Hinsdale Central freshman Bryce Enway (22-12), who finished fourth to also advance. Was that Ligammari’s greatest victory so far?

“If I went all the way back, I’d find some contenders but definitely up there. One of the most pumped up wins I’ve ever had for sure,” he said.

STEVE JOHNSTON

LTHS girls basketball seniors lead the way

RBHS, LTHS boys continue winning streaks; RBHS girls defeat Elgin

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School seniors Emma O’Brien, Avery Mezan, Gwen Smith, Anna Bigenwald and Fiona Sullivan envisioned perhaps taking the court together during Senior Day, Saturday.

With O’Brien and Bigenwald currently injured, the recent return of Mezan from her injury during the 44-26 victory over Lincoln-Way Central was the next best thing.

“All of the seniors playing together is just fun to do. We’re really sad, though, that Emma and Bigs are on the bench because it’s not the same,” Smith said. “I was really excited once [Mezan] got cleared and she’s already making a huge difference. Definitely it makes the last few games of the season more exciting and fun.”

The Lions (16-9) continue to progress with their current lineup that includes sophomore Sydney Munson and freshmen Kennedy Moore and Evie Riopell. They moved to 6-4 in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division by beating Proviso West 79-19 Friday after losing to Waubonsie Valley 69-49, Jan. 29.

Cornell recruit and all-state candidate O’Brien is scheduled for ACL surgery on her left knee, Feb. 10. Bigenwald no longer needs the protective boot for her high ankle sprain and said she expects to return soon.

Mezan had been out since breaking her dominant right hand in action, Dec. 26. Mezan returned Friday of f the bench in the first quarter to a standing ovation from teammates and the home crowd.

“That was wonderful. I expected a few claps but more than I was expecting,” she said. “Every now and then my hand starts to hurt, especially when I overwork it. There’s a little bit of pain but not too much to push through and I can still play normally. My mind has gone back to normal. It’s just my body that’s hurting a little bit.”

O’Brien and Mezan have played varsity all four years. Smith first emerged as a starter last season. Bigenwald, a Loyola women’s soccer goalie recruit, joined this year’s starting lineup.

“This group really likes each other. That’s all you can ask for,” LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens said. “I was very excited

threes) and Cimino (14 points) fueled the victory over Elmwood Park

The LTHS boys (16-6, 6-1 in WSC Silver) have won five straight after beating Clark 7152 Saturday at St. Patrick, Proviso West 82-43 Friday, and Hinsdale South 64-43, Jan. 27. Grant Smith (22 points, 10 rebounds), Nate Woods (16 points), Timmy Sloan (15 points, 8 assists) and Owen Carroll (10 points) reached double figures against Clark. The same four had double figures against Proviso West – Smith (25 points), Woods (14 points), Carroll (12 points) and Sloan (11 points, 5 assists). Carroll (21 points), Smith (14 points) and Woods (10 points, 6 rebounds) led the attack against Hinsdale South.

The RBHS girls (7-17, 4-6 in UEC East) beat Elgin 60-48, Jan. 27, and lost to Glenbard East 55-51 Friday. Senior Night is Feb. 10.

STEVE JOHNSTON

LTHS’s Avery Mezan (20) dribbles up cour t against St. Ignatius during the LTHS anksgiving Tournament, Nov. 24, 2025 in La Grange

to have (Mezan) back not just became she helps us offensively, defensively but because she’s a senior. I want her to play, feel good, to leave with that opportunity. You could tell the kids were really excited to have her back.”

Sullivan, a varsity reserve, is enjoying her first full sports season since tearing her right ACL during girls basketball action in December 2024. During flag football in the fall, she was still recovering and only able to play on that Senior Day.

“It’s definitely different because there’s not much more mobility. It’s been fun. I’m glad I can play,” she said.

In the meantime, Smith has taken on more leadership on the court. She had 20 points and 12 rebounds Saturday, followed by Moore (10 points, 5 rebounds), Munson (8 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists) and Mezan (6 points). Smith (19 points), Munson (13 points), Sullivan (12 points) and Nyla Kuta (10 points) reached double figures against Proviso West.

At Hinsdale Central, Jan. 24, Smith helped the Lions overcome a nine-point, fourth-quarter deficit before losing in overtime.

“Gwen never imagined her senior year being this way. Man, does she turn it on when she wants. Really, we ended up going into overtime because of her,” Hutchens said. “She just has another gear and that’s why I’m excited she’s going to play (at Gannon University) and continue to grow.”

“It’s really different, difficult playing without [the seniors], but I feel like the underclass players have stepped into their starting roles,” Smith said. “We’ve been improving each game so it’s really been positive.”

The Riverside Brookfield boys (18-5, 8-1 in Upstate Eight Conference East Division), meanwhile, extended their winning streak to 10 in a row by beating Elmwood Park 78-43 Friday and Morton 67-55, Jan. 27. The Bulldogs outscored Morton 16-7 in the fourth after trailing 23-15 after one quarter but closing to 34-33 by halftime.

Cameron Mercer had 25 points with 4 three-pointers, eight rebounds and seven deflections. Colin Cimino (14 points, 8 rebounds) and Liam Enright’s double-double (11 points, 10 assists) also contributed.

Sophomore Noah VanTholen’s 22 points with 5 threes, Mercer (16 points with 4

Addie Vaia (19 points), Arianna Hudson (14 points, 9 rebounds) and Kate Hamilton (13 points, 7 rebounds) and Abby Weinert (7 points, 8 rebounds) led the victory over Elgin. Hudson (21 points, 11 rebounds), Hamilton (12 points, 5 rebounds) and Vaia (10 points) also excelled against Glenbard East. Sophomore starter Claire Evans has been out with an ankle injury.

Girls gymnastics

Riverside Brookfield and Lyons Township girls gymnasts teams competed at the Lincoln-Way East Re gional Tuesday with hopes of advancing to the Oswe go Sectional, Feb. 11.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs finished second at the Upstate Eight Conference Meet (125.20 points) and second in the final overall standings.

Paige Phelan was second in all-around (33.45), third on floor exercise (8.7), tied for third on vault (8.7) and was fourth on balance beam (8.1) and sixth on uneven parallel bars (7.95). Cora Rosenfeld was sixth on floor (8.25) and beam (8.0) and all-arounder Brooklyn Tabb tied for sixth (29.45).

The Lions were fifth at Thursday’s West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet (129.45) and fifth overall. Emily Martinez was fifth in all-around (34.00) and tied for fifth on vault (8.775). Clare Byrne (8.2) and Martinez (8.125) were fifth and sixth on uneven bars.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF MECHANIC’S LIEN

Notice is hereby given under the Illinois Labor and Storage Lien Act (770 ILCS 45/1) that the undersigned holds a lien in the amount of $19,200 for unpaid charges related to storage, labor and/or materials for the watercrafte described below:

Boat Description: 1992 Fountain 38 Sport

Hull Registration FGQ38614G192

White/Teal/Pink

Registered Owner: Frank Esposito 7211 Division, River Forest, IL 60305

The watercraft is currently located at: Ben Watts Marina Inc., 116 S. Route 12. Fox Lake, IL 60020

Unless full payment is made within 30 days of this notice, the vessel may be sold at public or private sale to satisfy the lien, pursuant to 770 ILCS 45/1.

Lienholder: Ben Watts Marina Inc.

116 S. Route 12, Fox Lake, IL 60020

Published in Wednesday Journal January 21, 28, February 4, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M26001248 on January 15, 2026 Under the Assumed Business Name of NEXT SEASON

WELLBEING with the business located at: 604 LYMAN AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is:

LORI JANU-CHOSSEK 604 LYMAN AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA.

Published in Wednesday Journal

January 21, 28, February 4, 2026

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Monday through Friday 7�30 a.m. to 4�00 p.m. local time until 2�00 p.m. on Wednesday February 18, 2026 for the following:

Village of Oak Park

2026 Irrigation Maintenance Bid Number: 26�106

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website http://www.oak-park. us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at �708� 358� 5700 during the hours above.

Published in Wednesday Journal February 4, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE

Village of North Riverside Joint Planning Commission Public Hearing Notice

Notice is hereby given that the Village of North Riverside Joint Planning Commission will hold a public hearing for the purpose of making a recommendation on the adoption of the Village’s first Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

Date: Thursday February 19, 2026 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Village Hall 2401 Desplaines Avenue North Riverside, Illinois

All interested persons are invited to attend and be heard. Written comments may be submitted in advance of the hearing to phughes@northriverside-il.org.

The proposed Comprehensive Land Use Plan is available for public review on the project website at: https://egretandoxplanning. mysocialpinpoint.com/ northriverside-plans/ northriverside-comp-plan

For additional information, please contact the Community Development Department at (708) 762-5924 during regular business hours.

Published in RB Landmark February 4, 2026

Submit events and see full calendar at rblandmark.com/events

BLACK HISTORY

Fr the West Side with L e

Cover and spread photography by KENN COOK JR.

a time marked by economic strain and cultural uncertainty, staying grounded has become increasingly difficult. Anxiety is rising across the nation, and underserved communities are feeling the weight of these challenges most intensely.

Kenn Cook ’s loving view of the West Side

#MyWestSideStory is a testament to the enduring strength of Chicago’s Westside, a visual diary that captures the soul of the community. Through my lens, I seek not just to document faces but to reveal lives in full: the struggles, the triumphs, and the undeniable resilience that defines this place. This project is a love letter to the streets, the culture, and the spirit that pulse through this neighborhood, honoring a Black experience too often overlooked.

I want to move beyond the headlines to show a world where life persists despite systemic hardships. Through intimate portraits and unguarded moments, this work challenges the limited narratives imposed on the Westside. These are faces of strength, unity and pride -- a counter to the nar row portrayals of crime and neglect.

This project is more than a collection of images; it is an invitation. I want viewers to feel the streets beneath their feet, hear the laughter rising from the corners, and sense the deep history in the air. It is a call to see this community not as outsiders but as part of a larger shared human experience. For the residents of the Westside, I hope these photographs reflect their power not as victims of circumstance, but as architects of their own narrative, proud of their past and empowered in their present.

From The Westside, With Love is not just a documentation of a place it is a celebration of its people. It amplifies voices too often silenced, giving them space to tell their own stories. The heart of this community beats not just in its trials, but in its triumphs, its beauty, and its unity.

Building Strength through Peace: Join us this June 4th to Kickoff National Gun Violence Awareness Month 2-Mile Walk, 5k, 8k, or Kids for Peace Sprint June 4th � 6pm The 13th Annual Race Against Gun Violence in Grant Park

The Gun Violence Prevention Expo Goes National September 24th - 26th at Hilton Chicago � FREE General Admission contact info@stridesforpeace.org for booth space CONNECT. COMMIT. CONTRIBUTE. CHANGE. www.stridesforpeace.org 200 West Madison, 2rd floor, Chicago IL 60606 Peace is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Kenn Cook Photographer

DOORS OPENING AT CENTRAL, CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2023: is photograph was made at the Central Green Line stop, a point of entry into Chicago’s Westside.

‘Held in the highest esteem’

Tea party for Black and Brown girls promotes leadership

By DEBORAH BAYLISS Contributing Reporter

Black and Brown girls “understood the assignment” as they showed up wearing beautiful white dresses in a wide array of designs for Ase Production’s 5th Annual Uniquely You Tea Party held at Oak Park’s 19th Century Club Sunday afternoon.

Held annually under one of five tenants -- friendship, resilience, creativity, culture and leadership -- the event is really a social and emotional workshop where elementary and middle school girls are surrounded by reinforcement to be proud of who they are and that being Black or someone of color, is a beautiful and special thing.

Juanta Griffin, Ase Productions executive director, added that because African Americans are sprinkled here and there through-

out Oak Park, Black girls are not necessarily aware that they are a part of a larger Black community until they get to junior high school.

Her daughter Yemi Griffin, now in 8th grade, attended Horace Mann Elementary School in northwest Oak Park which is predominantly white.

“So putting on events like the Tea Party is a way to help Black and Brown girls feel seen,” Griffin said.

What started with empowering Black girls in Oak Park has grown over the years to include girls from neighboring communities

“When we did that we got more girls with more experiences and we got a richer, more fulfilling workshop where the girls are really sharing, “ Griffin said.

Elementary and middle school girls are the focus of the event. With the exception of the 8th grade mothers who took part in the rite of passage ceremony, mothers are not allowed to attend so that girls feel free to express themselves

Ryann Dawson, a junior at Fenwick High School served as emcee for the event. An icebreaker session kicked off the event with 100

or so girls seated at tables covered in white tablecloths, chanting “I love being Black.”

“Speaking up, knowing when to listen,

and continuing to learn are three leadership characteristics,” Dawson told the girls, her voice filling the second-floor banquet hall

ERICA BENSON

Cook County Board Commissioner Tara Stamps asks Oak Park stude nt Oliv ia Br yant what it means to be a leader

with a kind of “Black girl magic.”

Dawson also introduced the Inaugural 2025 Uniquely You Tea Party Court made up of 8th grade girls referred to as ‘butterflies’ which symbolizes their evolution from middle to high school.

Presented with class and elegance in an upbeat manner to the delight of all in attendance, the court entered the banquet room in step with Kendrick Lamar’s “They Not Like Us.”

Wearing white cowboy hats topped with lights, the court performed a line dance to the popular “Boots on the Ground” song with fan popping and audience participation part of their routine

The “It Takes a Village” saying was put into play with people from all walks of life in Oak Park and surrounding communities including elected officials who either sponsored, in some way supported or attended the event.

State Sen. Don Harmon, Oak Park’s village clerk’s office, The Nova Collective, Suburban Unity Alliance and Westgate Flowers sponsored the event. People from the community donated all of the swag bag items that were gifted to the girls.

Khalida Himes, a social worker at Oak Park and River Forest High School and mentor fo r the event, led this year’s leadership-themed exercise centering around putting the girls in

the mindset of creating a product and owning their own company.

“I like being here because a lot of these 8th graders are going to be seeing me next year,” Himes said. “So, it’s really important for them to see a Black woman in the building.

I just love being involved with anything that’s going to help them with their social and emotional health.

It was 13-year-old Journi Bolar’s third time taking part in the event.

“I feel special and I learn something every time.”

Sophy and Katara Watson were among the mothers and daughters who took part in what was a tearful, and emotional rite of passage ceremony for the eighth-grade girls.

they’ve received

“This event allows my daughter to be involved culturally and to experience sisterhood,” Sophy said.

Juanta and her own daughter, Yemi, were also part of the rite passage ceremony.

ERICA BENSON

Eighth-grade members of the Butter y Cour t dance during the tea party.

The ceremony was also an opportunity for words of appreciation, encouragement and support as mothers placed a gold key – symbolic of unlocking the door to the future –around their daughter’s neck.

The daughters in turn presented their mothers with a meaningful bouquet of flowers and a word describing the parenting

In a touching exchange, Juanta told her daughter that her wish for her was that when she made decisions for herself, that she would also make them for others and also fo r her community. Yemi expressed her appreciation for her mother’s hard work.

“I love being part of the event,” Yemi told Wednesday Journal prior to the ceremony. “It’s a way for [girls] of color to feel included They come here and feel supported. My main takeaway is women empowerment. I’m in a room filled with powerful women.”

Tara Stamps. 1st District Cook County commissioner, has been part of the event since the beginning

“Juanta does so much for the community at large,” Stamps said. “Specifically trying to amplify the voices, the images and the selfconfidence of Black and Brown girls in the Oak Park community which has a history of being very liberal and welcoming but that’s not always the experience of our girls.”

Vicki Scaman, Oak Park village president, was in attendance, telling Wednesday Journal the event was a display of Black excellence.

What’s behind the big numbers in participation? Griffin said she thinks it’s because people want to connect culturally and belong.

“I like cotillion culture,” Griffin said. “That’s a part of our culture that I want to reclaim. This is like a mini cotillion. Our girls deserve to be presented and held in the highest esteem and have beautiful things around them and to dress beautifully. I think this is important for all Black girls.”

SNOW CONES, CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: One person hands a snow cone to another on a warm day, a simple act of care and connection.

SPLASH , CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: Children play on a hot summer day, running through sprinklers and chasing laughter across the street.

SMILE, CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: is photograph captures a bright, open smile from a Westside resident.

Photography by KENN COOK JR. founder of Westside Historical Collective kenncookjr.com

QUEEN ESTHER JACKSON #2, CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: Queen Esther Jackson has lived and owned her home on the Westside for over forty years.

DAYDREAMING, CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: A quiet moment of pause when someone is lost in thought while the neighborhood continues around him.

MACA R THUR’S LOBB Y, CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: is photograph was made inside the lobby of MacArthur’s Restaurant, a place deeply tied to my ow n memories of the Westside.

BIG & LIT TLE RALPH GO FOR A WALK , CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: A father and son walk together, their steps in rhythm with each other and the street around them.

A HOUSE IN AUSTIN, CHICAG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: is photograph shows a group of students from Nash Elementary School sitting in front of the building that houses A House In Austin.

SUN SHINE, CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: is photograph was made at the Marshall High School All-Class Reunion. A young boy holds a family member closely, his body pressed into their arms, taking in the energy of the celebration

SAVING OUR PARK , CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2023: Westside residents rallied to protect Amundsen Park from a proposal to conver t it into a temporar y migrant shelter.

NO LOITERING, CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: On a summer a ernoon, a group of older Black men hang outside, sharing stories and laughter.

WESTSIDE STRONG, CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: #WestsideStrong

HOLDING HISTORY, CHIC AG O ’S WESTSIDE, 2024: Inside a woman’s home, a hand rests along a worn staircase banister.

Whether you’re making improvements or purchasing your first home — FPB can help make it happen.

First elected to Congress in 1996, Davis has spent 46 years in elected o ces

DEBORAH BAYLISS Contributing Reporter

As an eight-year-old son of a sharecropper in 1949 who spent his days picking and chopping cotton in the sweltering fields of Parkdale, Arkansas, Danny K. Davis could never have foreseen he would become a noted African-American member of the U.S. House of Representatives with a tenure spanning decades.

Davis, a Democrat who currently represents Illinois’ 7th Congressional District that includes parts of Cook County, this summer announced his retirement from public office. He will trade Capitol Hill for quiet mornings and peaceful evenings chatting with wife Vera G. Davis.

At the end of next year, Davis will have been in public office for 46 years including the 11 years he served on the Chicago City Council as an alderman prior to serving in Congress.

He said he always has seen his primary responsibility to be to help lift the lives of those that have been stuck at the bottom.

“That’s been my focus but not to the neglect of any other segment of society,” he said. “I just feel good when I see the desolate person uplifted. When I see a kid go to colle ge who wouldn’t have been able to go unless they got some help which is what we did with my scholarship fund.”

Reflecting on where it all started, Davis, born in 1941, credits his parents, his teachers and his church, for bestowing upon him the foundation necessary to reach the highest plateaus this country offers.

“We lived on a farm and my parents were sharecroppers,” Davis said in his distinguished baritone, echoing the cadence of Frederick Douglass, who was born into slavery, later a free man, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman who played a crucial role in the fight against slavery.

He added: “I had two wonderful parents. My dad finished the fourth grade when he was 19 years old. My mother finished the eighth grade. Where we lived, they didn’t always have a school and they certainly did not have a high school.”

Young Blacks who were of high school age had to go to another town to continue their education, Davis explained.

“Parkdale was real rural but the people were wonderful,” he said. “The average family size was five or six. In my family there were nine of us children. In our church we had about 10 families. When you added all the children in, there would be about 100 people at church on a Sund ay.”

Despite working hard on the farm, chopping and picking cotton and all the other labor that was necessary, along with the hardships Black families faced during those times, Davis describes his childhood as “pretty cool.”

Cong. Danny Danis has deep West

roots.

“There were always chores, including milking a cow,” he said. “You learned to do it all and generally started when you were eight or nine years old. You talk about child labor…We’d actually do what you would

call a full day’s work and you only went to school about five months out of the year.”

From the middle of July until the middle of August was referred to as the “lay by season,” meaning there was no work to be done because the crops had all been planted and cultivated. Davis explained.

The congressman moved to Chicago in 1961, after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arkansas A.M. & N. Colle ge at 19. He subsequently earned both Master’s and Doctorate de grees respectively from Chicago State University and the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“I was part of what you would call that last big migration wave that came from the rural South,” Davis explained. “Chicago was ‘poppin’” in the neighborhood I came to live in which was the North Lawndale community. There were just eons of people. I mean Black people were leaving the South, trying to get away from racism and there were plenty of jobs so people came.”

Things were also changing in terms of technology so work on the far ms was decreasing. The previous manpower or womanpower needed to work a farm was no longer as necessary due to farm machinery becoming more proficient.

Davis has never lived in any other area in Chicago except the West Side.

“When I got here, I had two sisters who lived here so of course my first stop was living with them,” he said. “Quite honestly, I fell in love with the West Side and decided as I sized things up, that this was where I was going to live and where I was going to try and be helpful.”

Davis had not set his sights on Congress at that point but knew he wanted to be publicly eng aged.

After working a short while for the postal service, Davis began a teaching career in the Chicago Public School system in North Lawndale at age 20, something he said he always knew he would do.

“This was during the Civil Rights Movement,” he said. “I went to meetings and listened to (Rev.) Dr. (Martin Luther) King and all of those things,” Davis said. “That was my motivation to do public work. I was teaching G.E.D. classes at one of the Urban Progress Centers when I met Ms. Rosemarie Love who was chairman of the personnel committee for the Greater Lawndale Conservation Commission.”

Love convinced Davis to leave his “good” teaching job to work for the Conservation Commission, his entry into public involvement. From there, it was a continuation of working for one agency or another.

As an alderman during the Harold Washington era, Davis was known as an inde-

pendent who was not part of the “political machine” that was still the dominant force in Chicago politics, he said.

Davis was elected to the Cook County Board where he remained for six years and was elected to Congress in 1996 and started his service in 1997.

“At the end of next year, I will have spent 30 years as a member of the House of Representatives,” he said.

“You’re asking people to put their faith and trust in you to represent them and their positions on things.” Davis said of his role in public life. “So, if they’re going to give you that kind of responsibility, then you got to try and live up to it.”

Davis responded to the Trump administration’s ef for ts in turning back civil rights and other gains made over the years,

“The road has been rugged,” he said. “We made progress during the reconstruction period where we elected African Americans to public office, even two Black Senators from Mississippi. Then all of those individuals were put out. There were ef for ts to make them look bad and redistricting. These are the things that the Trump administration is doing now.”

He added: “The only thing I can figure out about the Trump administration is that they must be checked! They must be fought and we have to say ‘we’re not going back.’ The courts in some instances have been complicit. It seems to me that some of them are following the Trump law more than they are following the constitution of the United States.”

In order to get back on track, Davis said it is time to change leadership.

“If we don’t change leadership, we don’t change our direction, so there’s no other way,” the congressman stressed. “I’m amazed at the number of people who did not vote in the last election so, everywhere I go, I’m saying vote.

Josie Ware, Davis’s scheduler and office manager, has worked with him for years.

“I am proud to have known Rep. Danny K. Davis for at least 40 years, if not more,” Ware said. “He has served in several elected government positions and has proven to be a trailblazer throughout his public service career, who always put the interest of the people he re presents first.”

Davis has two sons, Jonathan and Stacey (deceased), and is a member and Deacon of the New Galilee M.B. Church