RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Follow us online! rblandmark.com
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Vol. 37, No. 6
@riversidebrookfieldlandmark @riversidebrookfield_landmark
February 9, 2022
Brookfield village planner fatally struck by Metra train PAGE 3
Also serving North Riverside
@RBLandmark
Downstate judge’s ruling has schools scrambling on masks PAGE 7
Work resumes at Brookfield Ave. bridge site Wells drilled to remove ground water to prep for dam installation, creek excavation By BOB UPHUES Editor
After a layoff of nearly five months due to unforeseen difficulties rerouting a water main, work has resumed at the site of what will be a new Brookfield Avenue bridge over Salt Creek. More exactly, crews are working immediately north of Brookfield Avenue, preparing for the installation, perhaps as early as next week, of an aquadam to expose the Salt Creek riverbed so a trench can be excavated for the new water main. There is a 16-inch water main that runs eastwest under Brookfield Avenue. Because the new bridge will be so much wider than the former one, that water main needs to be rerouted north under the village hall parking lot and then west under the creek before jogging back south to reconnect with the existing Brookfield Avenue main. The village, along with its engineering consultant, Ciorba Engineering, and its general contractor, Lorig Construction, had hoped to bore a hole beneath Salt Creek north of the bridge site for the water main. However, after augers hit solid objects on two attempts late last summer, officials halted work in order to get permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation, which is the lead agency for the project since it involves federal grant funding. See BRIDGE SITE on page 17
COURTESY OF BRIANNA KWASIBORSKI
Lemoni Hernandez and Kayla Krol work on a kindergarten project at Hollywood School in Brookfield in 2019.
D96 appears poised to embrace full-day kindergarten
No school board opposition voiced to committee’s recommendation By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
It appears likely that full-day kindergarten will come to Riverside Elemen-
tary School District 96 for the 2022-23 academic year. Although a final decision won’t be made by the school board until its Feb. 16 meeting, a staff committee formed to
investigate the pro and cons of full-day kindergarten delivered a report to the school board at their Feb. 2 committee See D96 on page 17
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
D96, Brookfield agree to deal on crossing guards No charge for schools, but village can use Hollywood for programming
By BOB UPHUES Editor
The village of Brookfield and Riverside Elementary School District 96 have finally hammered out an agreement regarding crossing guards the village supplies for Hollywood School, one which will involve no cash payments from the school district. Village trustees unanimously approved the agreement Jan. 10 with the District 96 school board following suit on Jan. 19, capping an effort initiated by Brookfield Village Manager Timothy Wiberg more than a year ago. “I do think it’s a very good conclusion,” Wiberg told village trustees. “It really is what we should have been doing, what every government should be doing -- day in, day out, year in, year out – so I’m hopeful this will lead to further, whether it’s with District 96 or other governmental bodies that serves Brookfield, that this makes sense of the way we should be operating.” Wiberg was referring to intergovernmental cooperation in cases where agencies’ responsibilities intersect, such as in the case of crossing guards. While public
safety is an essential role of village government, ensuring the safety of students in and around its buildings is also a responsibility shared by public school districts. Initially, Wiberg suggested that District 96 compensate the village financially for recruiting, training and paying the two crossing guards assigned to Hollywood School during the mornings and afternoons of school days. District 96 had agreed, reluctantly, in 2014 on a cost-sharing agreement with the village of Riverside, which provides crossing guards at the district’s four schools in that village. However, school board members were not prepared to pay for crossing guards at Hollywood School given the fact that Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District 95, which also has its crossing guards supplied by the village, does not pay for that service. However, the village argued, Brookfield is compensated by District 95 in other ways, namely by agreeing to allow the village use of its facilities for recreation department programming.
While there was some resistance on the part of the school board to a similar agreement for District 96, that’s eventually what the final deal reflected. In exchange for crossing guards at Hollywood School, the school board agreed to allow the village to use Hollywood School for recreation programming. The agreement expires Dec. 31, 2023 and will automatically renew unless either party serves written notice within 60 days to the contrary. According to the terms of the agreement, the village will be able to use a classroom, the outdoor play space and the gym at Hollywood School three weekdays per week during the school year from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The village may also get written permission to use Hollywood School facilities on non-attendance days and school holidays, and District 96 will also permit the village to use the school during the summer break from June 1 through mid-August from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to host summer camp programming, The village in exchange will provide a crossing guard at Hollywood and Washington avenues and at Hollywood Avenue and
the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad crossing from 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. and from 2:55 to 3:30 p.m. each school day. One concession Brookfield has made at the request of District 96 is that the village will charge Brookfield resident rates to non-Brookfield residents for District 96 student participation in summer and extended-day programs at Hollywood School. The non-resident exception does not extend to ordinary Brookfield Parks and Recreation Department programming. While voting for the agreement, school board member David Barsotti said he was “a little disappointed” it did not extend the Brookfield resident recreation rates for ordinary programs to all District 96 residents who don’t live in Brookfield. “I’m glad it’s at least definitely for the kids, or I should say summer camps for the kids, so I’m glad that’s in there,” Barsotti said. He also suggested reviewing the agreement annually. “I would like to review this and see how compliance is with this, just to make sure that the village is adhering to this as we expect them to,” he said.
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
Metra train fatally strikes village hall staffer Police, medical examiner say Kendra Kuehlem’s death was accidental By BOB UPHUES Editor
Brookfield officials have confirmed that the person who was fatally struck by a westbound Metra express train at the Prairie Avenue crossing just before 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 was Village Planner Kendra Kuehlem. Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla said the investigation indicated Kuehlem’s death was accidental. “We were able to secure video and witness statements that all corroborate that,” Kuruvilla said. An eastbound Metra commuter train was stopped at the south platform at the time of the incident. The railroad gates were down and signals were active, said Kuruvilla. Kuehlem reportedly was attempting to cross the railroad tracks at Prairie Avenue from the north. “It’s just horrendously tragic,” Kuruvilla said. Immediately following the accident, Metra shut down all train traffic on the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe line. At about 6:15 p.m., Metra opened one track to allow “inbound and outbound train movement operating at restricted speed” through Brookfield. The Prairie Avenue grade crossing was reopened shortly before 8 p.m.
Village hall employees returning to work on Feb. 7 were greeted by yellow ribbons in memory of Kuehlem tied around the columns and along the railing of the village hall entrance. Assistant Village Manager George Issakoo said Cari Sheehan, an administrative assistant who worked with Kuehlem in the Community and Economic Development Department, put up the ribbons in her memory. A grief counselor was onsite at village hall Feb. 7 as a resource for employees, who were still coming to grips with the loss, said Issakoo. Kuehlem, 27, was hired as Brookfield’s village planner in April 2021. It was a homecoming of sorts for Kuehlem, who served as an intern in the village’s Community and Economic Development Department during the summer of 2017 shortly after graduating with a degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “Kendra was certainly an up-and-comer in the planning field and had a bright future ahead of her,” said Brookfield Village Manager Timothy Wiberg. “Not only from a staff perspective but her work with the plan commission and the village board, her presence is going to be missed by a lot of people. It makes it all the more tragic.” Jennifer Hendricks, who worked with Kuehlem as both a member of the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission and as a village trustee, said Kuehlem leaves a legacy in Brookfield. “She took on a challenging position in a very difficult year and handled it all with poise, energy and professionalism,” said Hendricks.
IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 KENDRA KUEHLEM “I think that the one bit of comfort I can take from this is that her profession as a planner made her legacy and her influence on our community tangible. We can look around Brookfield every day and see her there. “I will miss her.” Before returning to Brookfield in 2021, Kuehlem was an associate planner/zoning administrator in Plainfield. She had also served as an assistant planner in 2019 at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). An avid photographer, Kuehlem also had her own photography business. Kendra Christine Photography LLC, focusing on portraits and weddings. As village planner in Brookfield, Kuehlem worked closely with the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission, reviewed building permits and development applications and wrote reports and recommendations related to zoning matters for the village board. An online fundraiser has been started to support Kuehlem’s family and help with funeral expenses. The fundraiser can be found at gofundme.com/f/kendra-kuehlem-memorialfund.
Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Digital Publishing & Technology Manager Briana Higgins Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer
HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 E-MAIL buphues@rblandmark.com ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com
BOB UPHUES/Editor
Yellow ribbons adorn the columns and railings of the Brookfield Village Hall entrance on Feb. 7 in memory of Village Planner Kendra Kuehlem, who was fatally struck by a Metra train on Feb. 4. Her death was accidental.
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 $36 within Cook County and $46 outside the county. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2022 Growing Community Media NFP.
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
BIG WEEK
Experience ancient Mexican culture through dance
Learn about the tradition of La Danza De Los Concheros as North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents Xochital-Quetzal Aztec Dance on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. This dynamic and vibrant performance is a visually entertaining and educational presentation on the heritage and culture of the indigenous tradition of Flor y Canto of ancient Mexico. The program is free and open to all ages. Register to attend by visiting the library in person, calling 708-447-0869 or at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new.
February 9-16
Grade school chess tournament
St. Mary School, 97 Herrick Road in Riverside, will host an All-Area Chess Tournament for kids in grades K-8 on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Players will be divided in two divisions (K-3 and 4-8) and everyone plays five rounds. Top 10 scorers in each division get trophies and medals. Best school team in each division wins a trophy. Entry fee is $45 and includes wrapped pizza lunch and beverage. Snacks available for purchase. Guardian needs to be present for children 11-under.
Valentine Senior Social Senior citizens can join the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce for their annual Valentine Senior Social on Sunday, Feb. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the council chamber of the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. You can also participate virtually from the comfort of your own home or at a friend’s. Play bingo, enter the raffle and more. A donation of $5 per person is requested. Register to attend and get more information on how to attend virtually by visiting brookfieldchamber.net/events/seniorsocial. The deadline for registration is Feb. 9 or when the event is full.
And more AARP Tax Aid is back at Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, and the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., to provide free tax assistance for those 60 and older. Volunteers will be at the Riverside Public Library on Wednesdays through April 6 and at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library on Fridays through April 8. You must register for appointments in person at the respective libraries. Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., presents “Muse,” an exhibition of photography and costumes by Niki Grangruth and James Kinser, through Feb. 19 and “The Bigger the Fear and Despair …” a two-person show featuring the work of Mayumi Lake and Stacia Yeapanis through February. Proof of vaccine required. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday ■
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from 1 to 5 p.m. North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents a virtual Crafternoons: Valentine Sock Gnomes on Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m. If you need assistance with your smartphone, tablet or e-reader, drop in on Feb. 16 between 4 and 6 p.m. for some Device Advice. Those in grades 6-12 can play the Jackbox game Split the Room on Feb. 12 from 3 to 4 p.m. Kids ages 4-up can participate in the hybrid programs Lapsit Storytime (Zoom only) on Feb. 10 at 10:30 a.m.; After School Art Escape on Feb. 10 at 3:30 p.m.; ABCs and 123s (Zoom only) on Feb. 14 at 10:30 a.m.; Story Safari (Zoom only) on Feb. 16 at 10:30 a.m.; and Silly Science, Crazy Construction & Stuff on Feb. 16 at 4 p.m. ■
Register at learningmeansfun.com/signup. Enter code SMR2.12.22. More info? Call 847-482-9999 or email registration@ learningmeansfun.com.
Virtual Valentine’s Day concert
Art contest at North Riverside Mall
North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, invites budding artists of all ages to participate in their Art Fest Contest, which runs through February. Visit Digital Hot Shots on the lower level of the center court and pick up an 8-by-10 inch canvas and paint. You can take the canvas home or paint it right there at the mall. Bring back your completed canvas by Feb. 20 for a chance to win a mall shopping spree. Artwork will be displayed in the mall and online voting will be conducted Feb. 21-28 on the North Riverside Park Mall’s Facebook page (@NRPMall). Winners will be announced March 1.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., through music CLARENCE GOODMAN during My Favorite Love Songs with Clarence Goodman on Monday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. Goodman will appear virtually in front of an audience that will gather in the lower-level meeting room of the library. Register to attend by visiting brookfield.evanced. info/signup. Register for programs at northriversidelibrary.org/ events-new. Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., invites you to Chair Yoga via Zoom on Feb. 10 at 11 a.m.; Felt Flower Making in the Maker Studio on Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.; join the knitting and crochet group and Stop and Knit Awhile (adults) on Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. in the Maker Studio; Genealogy Club: Organizing with Evernote on Feb. 8 at 4 p.m.; and Craft Craze: Wooden Hearth Decoration (grades 1-5) in the Storytime Room on Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. Visit brookfield.evanced.info/signup to register for programs. Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, hosts What Should I Grow in my Medicinal Herb Garden? via Zoom with on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.; After ■
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School DIY for teens on Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m.; and an evening with romance author Jasmine Guillory via Zoom on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. Visit riversidelibrary. libcal.com/calendar to register. Through March 25, the Lyons Township High School South Campus Fieldhouse indoor track, 4900 S. Willow Springs Road in Western Springs, will be open to the public from 6 to 7 a.m. on days LTHS is in session. There is no admission charge or fee to use the track. Please bring an ID and be prepared to sign in. The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo the second Sunday of every month. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games start at 2 p.m. with cash payouts. The next date is Feb. 13. ■
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
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Illinois attorney general addresses organized retail crime New legislation proposed to crack down on ‘criminal rings’
By JERRY NOWICKI
enterprises coordinating the thefts of many items of high value. Those items are often resold, and the funds are often used to fund drug Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul ap- trafficking and human trafficking.” While high-profile smash-and-grab burglarpeared with the president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association on Feb. 7 to outline a ies reported along Chicago Mag Mile and at high-end retail stores elsewhere, proposed legislative package takthe phenomenon has had an iming aim at organized retail crime. pact locally in recent years. Warning of “criminal rings” On Dec. 7-8, a burglary crew and “illicit trade,” Raoul, appeartwice forced its way into North ing with IRMA President Rob Karr, Riverside Park Mall and stole differentiated what he referred to about $5,000 in merchandise from as “organized retail crime” and a store there before eluding police the types of retail theft committed during a high-speed chase. Police by “ragtag, low-level offenders.” later learned the same crew was The legislative package addressinvolved in a liquor store burglary ing organized retail crime has not on Dec. 8 in Chicago. yet been drafted. But Raoul and KWAME RAOUL In late January, burglary crews Karr said it will aim to define orbroke into two North Riverside esganized retail crime in law, allowing prosecutors greater leeway to charge those tablishments to steal thousands in cash from participating in it, while also holding online ATMs serving the business’ video gambling marketplaces accountable and aiming to pro- terminals. In 2018 and 2019, burglary crews conducted vide more state funding to address organized ATM smash-and-grabs at liquor stores and conretail crime. “Organized retail crime is not like your cus- venience stores in Riverside and Brookfield. tomary retail theft, and our laws should not Other burglary crews have stolen vehicles treat them as such,” Raoul said. “These crimes from North Riverside car dealerships, once usare perpetrated by sophisticated criminal ing a stolen car to ram the dealership gate in Capitol News Illinois
order to allow other vehicles an exit route. Karr said organized retail theft is not a victimless crime. “While the [Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago] and high-end stores have captured headlines, neighborhoods and retail corners throughout the state have been victims,” he said. “But it isn’t just faceless stores that are victims, either.” Clerks who fear coming to work, consumers who worry about visiting stores, commuters and tourists who worry about downtown shopping, the hospitality industry which relies upon visitors, and anyone seeking economic development are all victims, he said, as are Illinois taxpayers, who rely on retail as the second largest generator of tax revenue. “In my nearly three decades involved with retail, this is the first time that safety and crime has been one of the top two concerns as stores decide whether to locate or keep stores open,” Karr said. Raoul touted an organized retail crime task force overseen by his office, a public-private collaboration that includes retailers, online marketplaces, law enforcement agencies and state’s attorneys. Its first major bust was announced in early December, when over $1 million of stolen goods were recovered after an
Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight Creative Party Packages Plus 9105 Ogden Ave, Brookfield IL 60513 708-255-5014 www.creativepartypp.com
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y name is Tania Gonzalez and my daughter (Adrianna Almaraz) and I own “Creative Party Packages Plus” located at 9105 Ogden Ave, here in Brookfield and we are celebrating our upcoming 1-year anniversary at our store front this coming February 1st. We are a balloon shop / event venue / party rental location and we are so happy to be here in such a great community within Brookfield. I’m sure many have passed by the shop and seen a lot of our balloon displays that we put out periodically to show our work and what we can do. Although we are celebrating our 1-year anniversary we have been in business for a little over 2 years, started in our basement and garage and ventured out to open our retail storefront last year. It may not have been the best time to
open a business with the pandemic and all but we were inspired enough by our clients requests to bring our talent and love for decorating to Brookfield. I’m sure some of you have seen our best-selling balloon displays throughout Brookfield these past summer months. And I bet you didn’t know that we also install balloon yard décor throughout the winter months as well! This is a year around business and we love that we can be a part of everyone’s celebrations through one way or another. From a simple balloon bouquet or fresh floral arrangement to some of our most detailed birthday balloon installations, back drop walls, yard cards and much, much more. We are always happy to assist in making any celebration worth wild for all. The best part about having our business in Brookfield is the support that we receive from all of the community. We have met so many new people and always make a connection when helping them prepare a special something for that special someone. Bringing smiles to the young and old is by far the best part of our business and we look forward to doing just that for years to come.
In light of our upcoming anniversary we would like to offer a 15% discount to anyone that comes into the shop to place an order and mentions reading this in the Landmark for the whole month of February. We look forward to a very prosperous future here in Brookfield and we ask that you stop in and check us out anytime during business hours.
unrelated weapons arrest in Chicago. But law enforcement alone can’t stop organized retail crime, Raoul said. The effort must also include retailers, online retailer platforms and lawmakers. According to a news release, in the new proposal, prosecutors would be given wider discretion to bring charges regardless of where the crime takes place, meaning if the conspiracy, theft, and selling all occurred in different jurisdictions, each jurisdiction would have the ability to prosecute the entire crime. The attorney general would also have the ability to prosecute via a statewide grand jury. Online third-party sellers would be required to verify the identity of high-volume sellers using bank account numbers, taxpayer IDs or other information, and to suspend sellers for non-compliance. The plan would also require the courts to give retail crime theft victims seven days’ notice of a court hearing. The proposal also calls for an unspecified amount of funding, according to a news release, to create new positions in the attorney general’s office and various state’s attorney offices to investigate and prosecute retail theft and illicit trade. Bob Uphues contributed to this report.
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
New COVID testing site opens in Brookfield Local businessman opens walk-up location near Eight Corners By BOB UPHUES Editor
When the Center for Covid Control, which is under investigation in multiple states and by the federal government, voluntarily closed down its COVID-19 testing site at 9219 Broadway Ave. on Jan. 14, the village was left without a free walk-up testing site. On Feb. 7, however, a new free COVID site opened its doors in the Eight Corners district at 9039 Monroe Ave., next door to Boxless Media, whose owner Jason Baumann is a partner in a COVID-19 testing business called Illinois Health Testing Services. The site will be able to serve walk-up clients on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though there may be weekend times added later, Baumann said. Illinois Health Testing Services provides both rapid and PCR tests, said Baumann. The rapid test results are available within 15 minutes, he said, while PCR test results are transmitted within 72 hours. In addition, anyone wishing to have someone come to their home to do the testing can text or call Illinois Health Testing Service at 708-426-1199. The company’s website can be found at ilhealthtesting.com. Although other COVID testing operations have drawn scrutiny due to widespread reports of test mishandling, failure to produce test results and sometimes out-and-out fraud,
Baumann says his firm is different. “So many people are doing this wrong,” said Baumann, who is a Brookfield resident as well as business owner. “Especially to do this in my community, I wanted to make sure it’s right.” As free COVID-19 testing operations go, Illinois Health Testing Services is small. The Brookfield location will be just its third walkin site and as of last week had seven employees, Baumann said. Illinois Health Testing Services opened a drive-thru clinic Jan. 24 at the city hall in south suburban Harvey, where Baumann also works as the municipality’s director of communications. The company, which Baumann incorporated last November according to Illinois Secretary of State records, previously focused on workplace testing for foodservice and manufacturing businesses, Baumann said. And while the positivity and new case rates have fallen from their omicron variant peaks, Baumann says, “The answer is there’s still a need. People are traveling, going to theaters. We’re doing this to provide a service to the community in a way that can be trusted.” Baumann says his partner in Illinois Health Testing Services is Aref Abdellatif, whose LinkedIn page indicates he’s a veteran Chicago Fire Department firefighter/ paramedic, who serves as the department’s infection control officer and assistant to the special project chief. Abdellatif has also served as a paramedic instructor and training coordinator. Baumann says that’s where he got to know Abdellatif many years ago. Abdellatif served as Baumann’s instructor when he was training to be a firefighter/paramedic for the Central Stickney Fire Protection District.
BOB UPHUES/Editor
A new COVID-19 testing site opened Feb. 7 at 9039 Monroe Ave. (above) in Brookfield. Illinois Health Testing Services uses Morton Grove-based Zenix Labs as its testing laboratory. Zenix Labs LLC was incorporated last September by Riffat Pervaiz, who lists his address as a commercial storefront at 2658 W. Devon Ave. in Chicago. That storefront is home to a clothing business called Taj Sari Palace International Ltd., whose manager, apparently a relative, is listed in Illinois Secretary of State Records as Usman Pervaiz. Riffat Pervaiz is also listed as the manager of a corporation called Design Concepts LLC, doing business as Med Concepts, a Chicago-based medical supplies company with another Devon Avenue address also associated with Taj Sari Palace. According to the Centers for Disease Control online database, Zenix Labs has been reimbursed nearly $658,000 by the federal
government for claims it has made related to COVID testing. According to Baumann, no one is charged a fee for testing. Those with insurance are asked to provide that information so Zenix Labs can file a claim with them. The balance of any amount not covered by insurance or for anyone who is uninsured is submitted to the federal government for reimbursement. Zenix handles all of the billing and then pays Illinois Health Testing Services a portion. Baumann said he intends on setting aside a percentage of those proceeds to reinvest in Brookfield. He said that likely will be through things like sponsorships for Brookfield Chamber of Commerce events and other sponsorship opportunities. “Brookfield is home to me,” Baumann said. “I’ve worked hard over the last couple of years to be invested in this neighborhood.”
COVID case numbers crater to pre-omicron levels Local positivity rates now under 5%; three more deaths reported
By BOB UPHUES Editor
The number of new weekly cases of COVID-19 in Brookfield, Riverside and North Riverside plummeted to pre-omicron variant levels in the seven-day period ending Feb. 7. That mirrors a steep drop in local positivity rates over the past month. According to the Cook County Department of Public Health, Brookfield recorded just six new cases in the week ending Feb. 7 after recording nearly 140 the week prior. In North Riverside, there was just one new case during the most recent week compared to almost 40 the week prior. While Riverside recorded the most new
cases – 13 – in the week ending Feb. 7, that was still far fewer than the 99 it recorded the prior week. The Northwestern School of Medicine’s online dashboard for COVID-19 data showed that the seven-day rolling positivity rate as of Feb. 7 in Brookfield was down to 4.75 percent. Exactly one month earlier, on Jan. 7, Brookfield’s positivity rate was 21.96 percent. The seven-day positivity rate was also way down in the 60546 ZIP code, which includes both Riverside and North Riverside, as of Feb. 7 at 3.82 percent. On Jan. 7, the area’s rolling positivity rate was 18.74 percent. The three villages have not recorded
such a low number of new cases combined since late October 2021. Despite the good news on new case rates, three more local residents have died after contracting COVID-19, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. In Brookfield, an 80-year-old woman and a 79-year-old woman died from COVID-19 on Jan. 30 and Feb. 5, respectively. In all, 27 residents of Brookfield have died from the virus, with 13 of those deaths coming in the past three months. A 50-year-old North Riverside man died from COVID-19 on Jan. 2, the medical examiner reported last week, the second fatality in the village in January, bringing the village’s total number of fatalities to six.
Nine Riverside residents have died of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. A majority of those deaths, five, were reported between Dec. 24, 2021 and Jan. 26. Statewide, hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 are on the decline, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. As of Feb. 6 there were 2,744 COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds in the state, compared to 7,066 on Jan. 14. The seven-day rolling average number of deaths from COVID-19 on Feb. 7 had fallen to 81 compared to 132 on Jan. 25. The single-day number of deaths on Feb. 7 was 31, far lower than the omicron-variant surge single-day high in Illinois of 198 on Jan. 20.
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
Court ruling has school districts scrambling on mask mandate
Local requirement still in place, but some defy face-covering rule By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
A Brookfield mother of three says she is considering suing Riverside-Brookfield High School and Brookfield-LaGrange Park District 95 after her three children were segregated from their classmates on Feb. 7 after refusing to wear face masks in school. Cheryl Ferguson said she and her children decided that they would not wear masks in school after a Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge ruled on Feb. 4 that Gov. J.B. Pritzker did not have the authority to require school children and employees to wear masks in schools. That ruling is being appealed. “This is a decision the family made as whole,” Ferguson told the Landmark in a telephone interview on Monday. Ferguson’s son, a junior at RBHS, along with another student who also refused to wear a mask in school on Feb. 7 spent the school day in empty offices, where they were allowed to do school work but were not connected to their classes. “They had a study hall where they were able to social distance, pull their masks down and do asynchronous work for their classes,” said RBHS Superintendent Kevin Skinkis. Ferguson also accompanied her two children who attend S.E. Gross Middle School to school on Feb. 7. When she made clear that they would not wear face masks the two middle schoolers were placed in the school’s library and allowed to participate in their classes via Zoom. “They Zoomed into their classes very similarly as to how they otherwise would have Zoomed had they been on an e-learning day,” said Mark Kuzniewski, the superintendent of Brookfield-LaGrange Park District 95. Ferguson believes that requiring school children to wear masks all day has been damaging to their mental health. “The mental and emotional toll it has taken on our kids has been dangerous and scary,” Ferguson said. “It robs them of their freedom and robs them of their innocence and their youth. It installs fear in them.” Ferguson, who said she and one of her children had contracted COVID-19 and recovered quickly, claims the school districts cannot enforce mask mandates after
Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Crischow ruled, in a case that did not involve District 95 or RBHS, that. Pritzker did not have the legal authority to issue an executive order requiring face masks in schools. But school administrators say that since RBHS District 208 and District 95 were not party to lawsuit heard in Sangamon County, the ruling does not apply to them. All of the school districts in the Landmark’s coverage area, none of whom were named in the lawsuit, have maintained their mask requirements. “I think our decision to continue requiring masks is consistent with the advice that our attorneys and every attorney that was on a panel that I participated in [on Feb. 6],” Kuzniewski said. “We were not party to that suit because we’re not a named district and as such we are still required to follow the executive order and, as such, we are continuing with our mitigation strategy until something different changes with the law.” Kuzniewski said that the two Ferguson kids were the only District 95 students who would not wear a mask in school on Monday. Kuzniewski sent out an email Sunday to parents saying that students who wouldn’t wear a mask would be provided an “alternative learning environment.” At Park Junior High in LaGrange Park, two students who refused to wear masks were allowed to stay with their classmates but were required to be socially distanced them and their teachers while remaining in their classrooms, according to LaGrangeBrookfield District 102 Superintendent Kyle Schumacher. No students in Komarek School District 94 or Riverside Elementary School District 96 refused to wear masks on Feb. 7, according to the superintendents of those school districts. Neither Lyons Township High School Principal Jennifer Tyrrell nor Superintendent Brian Waterman responded Monday to an inquiry from the Landmark, asking whether any LTHS students refused to wear masks on Feb. 7. Lyons-Brookfield District 103 Superintendent Kristopher Rivera did respond to a phone message from the Landmark. While most school districts in the Chicago area seem to be sticking with compulsory masking some, such as Arlington Heights District 25 and Hinsdale Elementary School District 181, have made masking optional. The federal Centers for Disease Control still recommends masking indoors for anyone over the age of 2. On Monday the New York Times reported that the governor of New Jersey announced
FILE
Students in Christina Duve’s fourth-grade class go over an assignment at Ames Elementary School in Riverside in 2021. that beginning in early March face masks won’t be required in schools and face masks may not be required in Connecticut after Feb. 28. Gov. Ned Lamont recommended that the statewide mask mandate end on that date. Also on Feb. 7, California Gov. Gavin Newsome announced that the state’s indoor mask mandate would end next week for those who are vaccinated, though the requirement will continue for school children and those who are unvaccinated. At its regularly scheduled school board meeting on Feb. 10 the District 95 school board will discuss and review recent developments in masking and “next steps.” Kuzniewski told the Landmark that he and other educators have been discussing next steps for some time, before the controversial court ruling on Feb. 4. “We just really want to begin this conversation with our community,” Kuzniewski said. “It just really hasn’t been brought to a public level, but we’ve been talking about it.” Changes could include relaxing rules about adult volunteers in schools and how many people can attend sporting and music events. Skinkis also said that he is hopeful that COVID mitigation measures can be relaxed soon. “I think we need to continue to watch the numbers and work with the health department and hopefully things will move in the right direction where we can begin to roll back the mitigations,” Skinkis said.
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
New elective combines learning with service to others Inquiry and Innovation class at S.E. Gross puts students in charge By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
This year students at S.E. Gross Middle School are learning about teamwork, collaboration and service thanks to a new elective class called Inquiry and Innovation. Divided into two five-week segments, the first requires students pick a topic that they are passionate about, research it and deliver presentation, which could include anything from creating art work, a performance or giving a lecture. In the other five week segment, students choose a service project. Recently S.E. Gross School students in the class collected food that was delivered to a Brookfield food pantry last week. Other students collected winter clothing that they donated to Goodwill in Westchester. A group of girls donated feminine hygiene products to Sarah’s Inn, a Forest Park-based agency that aids victims of domestic violence. A group of sixth-graders made and sold Rainbow Loom bracelets, donating the money they made to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Some seventh-graders wrote cards to soldiers stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, while a
PROVIDED
Among the service projects chosen by students in S.E. Gross School’s Inquiry and Innovation class were a Yuda Band fundraiser (above, left) to further the college education of a Zimbabwean student and writing letters and cards (above, right) to soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas. group of eighth-graders sold Yuda Bands and other bracelets, putting half of the money they raised toward the education of a 20-yearold student from Zimbabwe who hopes to study medicine in the United States and become a surgeon. The other half of the proceeds went to the artisans in Guatemala who make the bracelets. Eighth-grader Zoe Jeffcott, who has a cousin who teaches in Guatemala, came up with the idea of helping poor students and artisans there. “I thought the bracelets were really some-
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
S.E. Gross Principal Ryan Evans helps students load up boxes of food in the parking lot of the school on Feb. 4. Students collected the items to donate to a food pantry in Brookfield.
thing that would sell well to the students here year for another elective class. Cannon has had a passion for service-oriented learning at school,” Jeffcott said. Jeffcott was right. From a table in the caf- for a long time. “Volunteering and service learning projeteria they sold all of 200 Yuda bracelets that ects are something that I did as a middle they had ordered. The students even got a chance to have a schooler and high schooler,” Cannon said. Last year Cannon talked with students Zoom conversation with the Zimbabwean about what kind of class they student, Courage Kuku, they were wanted to see and students said helping out. that they wanted something dif“I thought it was really cool that as a class we were able to collaboferent and hands on, not just anrate on our ideas and our interests other paper to write. to come up with something that “They just talked about wantwe all cared about,” Jeffcott said. ing to collaborate, wanting to Seventh-grader Rachel Amundwork together, something that’s son helped organize a letter-writmore engaging,” Cannon said. ing campaign to soldiers at Fort Veteran music teacher Barb Hood, where her brother is staHendrickson teaches the class. tioned. They penned more than She mainly acts as a support perCAMERON FOX 500 letters and cards. son, letting the kids do as much as “It was really fun,” Amundson S.E. Gross School sixth-grader they can on their own.
“I learned that you could help people. It was really a fun feeling.”
said. Sixth-grader Cameron Fox chose the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes of children suffering from life-threatening diseases, as the beneficiary of her project. Students donated all of the money they made selling Rainbow Loom bracelets to the organization. “I learned that you could help people,” Fox said. “It was really a fun feeling.” The class was the pet project of Cathy Cannon, the director of teaching and learning for Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District 95. The pandemic limited the number of students that could be in a music class at any one time and opened up time during the school
“The goal was that the students would drive the majority of the work and organization of those projects and causes that they chose,” Cannon said. “The students would have the ideas. We could facilitate and provide suggestions, ideas, and directions and let them work on executing it.” Cannon hopes the class can continue on in some form next year, even if things return to normal. She has found it gratifying to watch students identify a need and seek ways to help out and improve things. “I’m just so proud of our students,” Cannon said. “They showed so much passion and organization and dedication to make this happen.”
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Love & Football Winter 2022
Local suggestions for a super weekend of Romance & Rooting
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Combine Rooting and Romance in the kitchen
This year, the Super Bowl falls on Valentine’s Day weekend and we have some creative ways to combine love and football
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homecooked meal is a fine way to show the love in your life how much you care and these recipes give a nod to the big game. Be sure to shop locally for the ingredients for use in these recipes. Cheers!
MELISSA ELSMO Cheer for Food Writer
Cincinnati!
Cincinnati-style chili is undeniably special and altogether crave-worthy — the sweet-spice laden dish is a regional specialty and perfect gameday fare for the sweetie in your life. Since the city’s football team is headed to the Big Game next weekend try whipping up a batch of this customizable chili to show your favorite fan how much you love them! Be sure to begin preparing this dish the day before you plan to serve it. Cincinnati Chili (serves 10) Ingredients: 6 Cups of water 2 pounds of ground chuck 8 garlic cloves, smashed and minced
1 large onion finely chopped 2 ½ Tablespoons cider vinegar 1 ½ Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 14.5-ounce can of tomato sauce 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoons ground cloves 2 bay leaves 1-ounce of baking chocolate, grated Garnishes: cooked spaghetti, grated sharp cheddar cheese, diced white onion, and dark red kidney beans, hot sauce, oyster crackers and mini hot dogs in buns. Instructions: Bring the water to a boil. Whisk in the raw meat taking care to break it up well. Lower the heat to a simmer and add the garlic, onion, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce and tomato sauce. Stir in all the spices, bay leaves and chocolate. Simmer the soup on low, uncovered for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Add more water ½ cup at a time if the mixture becomes too thick as it cooks. Remove the bay leaves, cool the chili and refrigerate overnight. To serve, discard the fat from the top of the cooled chili. Reheat the chili and serve over spaghetti noodles with desired garnishes.
Cincinnati Chili: Cheer for the Bengals when you whip up the regional chili for your love.
Avocado Toast: Cheer for the Rams when you serve avocado egg toast to your Valentine.
Kick it California Style! Rooting for the Rams can be downright delicious! Bring a brunch vibe to your game day menu with avocado toast — the dish has been quintessential California fare since the 1800s and it manages to feel modern to this day. You’ll feel like a Sunshine State champion when you show the breakfast fan in your life a little love! Visit oakpark.com and search avocado toast to learn how to poach an egg. Avocado Egg Toast (serving two) Ingredients: 2 slices of wheat bread, toasted 1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced 4 (1/4 thick) slices of red ripe heirloom tomato 2 eggs, poached or sunny side up 2 slices of thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional) Shavings from a block of ParmigianoReggiano 1/2 Cup of baby arugula leaves 1 sliced yellow or orange grape tomato (optional) 2 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions: Place the toast on two plates. Fan the sliced avocado on top of the toast and sprinkle it with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place the tomato slices on the avocado and season lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the tomato with half the crumbled bacon if using and 1-2 shavings of ParmigianoReggiano. Assemble the toast to this point and then cook your egg. Place the egg over the tomato in the center of the toast. Sprinkle the egg lightly with salt and pepper and top with the baby arugula leaves. Drizzle the olive oil over the arugula, sprinkle the toast with the remaining bacon and a few more Pamigiano-Reggiano shavings. Tuck a few slices of yellow grape tomato on the toast to add a contrast of color if desired.
all photos: Melissa Elsmo
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Feel the local love: here’s how to combine rooting and romance L
Brews and Bubbles in Oak Park
balanced beer is One Lake’s nod to American-made beers from Appalachia. And wings and beer are always a good idea — OLB serves up some mighty fine wings, too!
et’s put the cheers in cheering! If you are looking to pop some corks during the big game, next weekend provides the ideal opportunity to pick up rosy hued bubbles from Anfora Wine Merchants, 128 S. Marion St. Owner Adrian Weisell recommended a duo of sparkling roses to bring a Valentine’s Day color palate to your glass. He suggested a Mariotti ‘Set e Mez’ Rose from Emilia-Romagna, Italy — a fruity, cherry-colored bottle-fermented sparkler. Drinkers should expect a whiff of raspberry before diving into Weisell’s second recommendation — sourced from Lombardy, Cesarini Sforza Trento Brut Rosé has a light pink hue and delicate flavor profile. Fun fact — fried chicken and dry sparkling wine are a practically perfect paring. Pair either or both sparkling wines with some hyperlocal brews from One Lake Brewing, 1 Lake St., to satisfy the football fans in your house. Snag a crowler or two of OLB Lager Beer to bring an all-American feeling to your game day celebration. It is easy to love this dry, light and easy-drinking lager. Commonwealth is another popular choice for the local beer lover — this toasty and well-
Wings and Roses in Brookfield
Embrace tradition on Grand Boulevard in Brookfield and visit neighboring shops to make the most of both game day and Valentine’s Day. Ranking second only to pizza, football fans typically consume more than a billion chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday making them one of the most popular game day snacks. Folks in Brookfield can pop into Pisan’s Pizzeria, 3720 Grand Blvd., to pick up an array of traditional or boneless chicken wings to enjoy during the big game. Pisan’s award-winning wings come tossed with a choice of sauces including dragon, chipotle BBQ and garlic parmesan. With gameday snacks covered it is time add a little romance — thankfully all you’ll need to do is make your way down the block to pick up some roses to go with those wings. More than 150 million roses were sold in the days surrounding Valentine’s Day last year and the folks at Christopher Mark Fine Flowers, 3742 Grand Blvd., are ready to whip up an arrangement for the love in your life — preordering is encouraged. This will be the final Valentine’s Day for the longtime Brookfield floral shop —
Brews and Bubbles: Libations from Anfora and One Lake are the perfect addition to this weekend’s festivities.
Wings and Roses: Hot wings from Pisan’s match perfectly with roses from Christopher Mark Fine Flowers and Gifts See LOCAL LOVE on page 15
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February 9, 2022 15
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LOCAL LOVE from page 12 owner, Christopher Mark is retiring at the end of February to focus on his health and loved ones. Order a dozen roses to go with those wings to show some someone special in your life how much you care.
Burgers and Bonbons in Forest Park
Burgers have been beloved gameday fare for decades, but this year a traditional burger should have a little Valentine’s flair. Fat Duck Tavern, 7218 Madison St. in Forest Park, offers a signature burger brimming with French inspired ingredients. Cupid would approve of the addition of romantic and melty Brie cheese and caramelized onions to the bacon topped Duckfat Burger. Order enough to feed the fans gathered at your house for the Big Game and be sure to skip across the street to snag some chocolates from La Maison de Bonbon. The boutique chocolate shop, located at 7353 Madison St., is a tiny jewel box of a store with room for just a few shoppers at a time. In addition to the silky-smooth original French Crème confections, they have been whipping up since 1921, La Maison de Bonbon also offers traditional dark or milk chocolate assortments boasting pink, red and white decorations for Valentine’s Day.
Roses from Christopher Mark in Brookfield bring love and passion to Valentine’s Day.
Butter and Brown Bistro
420 North Austin Boulevard Oak Park (708) 9Butter www.butterbrownbistro.com
Burgers and Bonbons: Fancy French toppings elevate your game day burger to new romantic heights. Order from Fat Duck Tavern and skip across the street to La Maison de Bonbon to buy artisan sweets for your sweetie.
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all photos: Melissa Elsmo
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
BRIDGE SITE
better.” Pumps will be running 24 hours a day for about 10 days to drain the wells, said Singer. In the meantime, a series of eight 18-inch diesel-powered bypass pumps – six operational and two in reserve – will be set up on the east side of Salt Creek.
Workers will then install a pair of tubular aquadams, which Singer described as “big water balloons” filled with water and placed across the creek bed to define the work area. The pumps will then remove the water from the work area and then run continuously in order to divert 50,000 gal-
lons of water through three 24-inch highdensity polyethylene lines to Salt Creek downstream of the south aquadam. The pumps for both the wells and to divert Salt Creek are equipped with noisesuppressing equipment, said Singer, but noise from the pumps, which will operate 24 hours a day, is inevitable. A notice on Brookfield’s website about the project states the sound likely will be similar to “an idling semi-trailer truck.” Once the dams are in place and work area is dewatered, an excavator will dig a trench across the Salt Creek bed where the water main and a ComEd power line will be placed. After the water main is tied in, it will be chlorinated and pressure tested. That work was tentatively scheduled to begin the week of Feb. 21, with a breakdown of the bypass pumps and piping, wells and aquadams scheduled for the week of Feb. 28. The work schedule is wholly dependent on weather conditions. Heavy rain or snow likely will result in delays. There’s plenty of work remaining once the water main is rerouted, including the demolition of the old bridge superstructure on the east side of Salt Creek and the installation of the new bridge itself. It’s unclear exactly how long that work will take to complete. Brookfield Avenue between the village hall and Forest Avenue has been closed to traffic since last May.
the student would only attend the morning portion of the full-day class. The kindergarten teachers on the committee said full-day kindergarten would make for less rushed kindergarten experience and allow more time for individual exploration and a lot more hands-on learning. School board President Dan Hunt asked about research that indicates academic benefits of full-day kindergarten tend to disappear after a few years in school. But administrators said they believe that the weight of research indicates full-day kindergarten offers many benefits. Those benefits seem most pronounced for low-income and Black and Hispanic students. One 2017 study reviewed by the committee showed full-day kindergarten significantly reduced the disparities in first and second grade among low-income and Black and Hispanic students compared to higherincome and white students. “The balance tips toward the education benefit [of full day kindergarten],” said District 96 Superintendent Martha Ryan-Toye. “It seems that there is evidence of educational benefits for students.” Dolezal said that even if the gains are transitory, full-day kindergarten can help students who often struggle in school. “If we can help our students sooner with a full-day program rather than continuing to have students who are struggling because they’ve been in a half day program and continuing to need to provide interventions because they’ve been in a half day program, I think that’s better for them and it also addresses our strategic plan of looking at eq-
uity and opportunity,” Dolezal said. On the day after the Feb. 2 meeting, Hunt said he was still making up his mind about how to vote. “The discussion last night, the information that we were provided was pretty positive, gives me a lot of reasons to vote in favor, but I can’t say that I’m committing to vote one way or another,” Hunt told the Landmark in a telephone interview. But Hunt also noted community support for full-day kindergarten. In December the district surveyed the community and found overwhelming support for full-day kindergarten. Of the 389 people who directly weighed in on whether they supported full-day or half day kindergarten, nearly 73 percent said that they supported full-day kindergarten compared to just 7 percent who that they opposed it. The rest had no preference. Switching to full-day kindergarten is projected to cost the district an additional $434,385 next year and approximately $3.5 million over the next five years. District 96 will have to hire four additional kindergarten teachers; one additional teacher each for art, music and physical education; and four parttime midday aides. The school district will also need to spend about $24,000 for furniture and about $20,000 for social-emotional learning supplies. But since District 96 has been running large operating surpluses and has ample reserves, the district will not have to raise taxes to pay a full-day kindergarten. “The current fund balance could very easily absorb the additional personnel costs for fullday kindergarten,” said David Barsotti, the
chairman of the school board’s finance committee. “It actually should be more of what I consider more of just a footnote.” Recent expansions at the district’s elementary schools means that space would not be an issue. “We wouldn’t have to make any major changes at any of the buildings,” said Jim Fitton, director of finance and operations for District 96. Over the years many, parents have urged District 96 to switch to full-day kindergarten saying that it is hard to find daycare for students in half-day programs. Full-day kindergarten has been on the radar of district officials for some time, but this year the district decided to take an in-depth look since recent expansions at the district’s elementary schools made such a program more viable option. Class sizes in kindergarten could increase some if the district switches to full-day kindergarten. Since kindergarten attendance is not required, some families in District 96 have chosen to keep kids in private full-day preschool or kindergarten programs and not enroll their children in District 96 until first grade. “I think our kindergarten class sizes could be a little larger, but not larger in the primary grades,” Ryan-Toye said, estimating that kindergarten class sizes could increase from the high teens to the low 20s. School board members seemed poised to approve the switch at the Feb. 16 meeting. “I’m really proud of this district for continuing to move forward,” said school board member Lynda Murphy.
Pumps will be noisy from page 1 IDOT approved the roughly $470,000 opencut project in December. The water main rerouting effort and other change orders have pushed the total cost of the new bridge to about $4.5 million, 80 percent of which is being covered by the federal grant. On Feb. 1 crews began drilling the first of the eight 45-foot-deep wells – four on either side of Salt Creek – in preparation for the installation of the aquadam, which had been tentatively scheduled for installation the week of Feb. 14. Heavy snow delayed the well-drilling work by two days last week. As of the morning of Feb. 7, five of the wells – including all four on the west side of the river -- had yet to be drilled. Piping and a pump were delivered to the site that morning. According to Jesse Singer, Ciorba’s lead project engineer for the Brookfield Avenue bridge, ground water will be pumped from the wells to ensure that there will be no upwelling into the creek bed when the aquadam is installed and water pumped from that area. “We‘re hoping for not a lot of additional snowfall,” said Singer. “The dryer it is the
D96
Parents very supportive from page 1 of the whole meeting and recommended the switch. No school board member voiced opposition to the recommendation. District 96 is the only school district covered by the Landmark not offering full-day kindergarten. Along with the Riverside school district, River Forest District 90, Western Springs District 101 and Hinsdale District 181 are among the few western suburban districts still offering only half-day kindergarten. The school district’s Full Day Kindergarten Action Team, comprised 15 District 96 staff members, including five of the district’s six kindergarten teachers. The committee, led by Director of Teaching and Learning Angela Dolezal and Blythe Park School Principal Casimira Gorman, met seven times over the last four months and concluded there are both educational and social-emotional benefits to full day kindergarten. “When you have that gift of time, you can address the needs of all students,” Dolezal said. Under a proposed full-day kindergarten schedule released by the committee, mornings would focus more on building academic skills while afternoons would allow more time for play-based activities and hands-on learning. Assuming full-day kindergarten is approved by the school board, families will still have to option to send their child for half days, but there will be no separate half-day class. Rather
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BOB UPHUES/Editor
Piping and a large pump that will divert water from the Salt Creek work site were delivered to Brookfield on Feb. 7 as work to reroute a water main started again after a five-month layoff.
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
Opinion KOSEY CORNER
THE LANDMARK VIEW
Full on for full-day Olympics is can’t miss viewing around here
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ll signs point to Riverside School District 96 finally taking the plunge and instituting a full-day kindergarten program for the 2022-23 school year. Families throughout the school district are no doubt rejoicing. It’s taken years to get to this point, and school officials have been steadfast in trying to hold the line. In years past, one of the roadblocks to full-day kindergarten voiced often by officials was that there was simply no room to pull it off. With the district spending millions in recent years to purchase property and expand the footprints of its schools, that particular hurdle became easier to clear, even at tiny Blythe Park School, which is also looking to gain more interior space by converting its auditorium into a multipurpose room. The cost of creating a full-day program has also been cited as a reason against in the past, but the truth is Riverside District 96 is flush with cash, still reaping the financial benefits gifted to them by voters by referendum in 2004. That referendum brought in more tax revenue than voters could have imagined back when it was being sold, and those same taxpayers have pretty clearly let school officials know that they support their money being put toward a full-day kindergarten program. In a recent survey conducted by the school district, out of nearly 400 people responding directly to a question about the subject, 73 percent indicated they supported a full-day program. That’s what they call in politics a landslide. The school board is slated to cast a formal vote on Feb. 16 on a recommendation by a board-created committee to move ahead with full-day kindergarten. We’re guessing it’ll pass with flying colors and District 96 can join the rest of its neighboring districts in offering what undoubtedly will be a popular program to local families.
M
any times I am asked the question of how I come up with subjects to write about week after week. Sometimes it is easy and sometimes it isn’t. This week, for instance, I didn’t get all my info in time so, the column I had planned for this week you’ll see next week. It will be about a documentary film done by Riversideraised Patrick Creadon about my favorite sports story, the 1963 Loyola Ramblers basketball team. In the meantime, let’s talk about the Olympics. Leaving out the politics, we enjoy watching the Olympics from the opening ceremonies, with their wonderful the fashion parade of countries, to the closing ceremonies. There are a few hats I wouldn’t mind having. This year, many of the countries chose not to attend and many of the athletes have been sidelined with COVID-19 and are compelled to view the events from the Olympic Village or a place where they can be quarantined. We all share in the disappointment that many of them experience when after all that strenuous training they can’t participate. We also grimace when a skater
JOANNE KOSEY
LETTERS
Make Grant/Prairie 4-way stop Consideration should be given to making the Grant/ Prairie intersection a four-way stop if any additional parking is to be added to Grant Avenue. What about added parking to the south side of Grant
Heartbreaking loss
Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Kendra Kuehlem and her colleagues at Brookfield Village Hall. The 27-year-old Kuehlem, who had served as Brookfield’s village planner since last April, died after being struck by a Metra train at the Prairie Avenue crossing last Friday evening. It’s an absolute tragedy and a terrible reminder of the dangers that come with having a busy commuter and freight train line running through the heart of the community. The village experienced a similar accidental incident at the same crossing in March 2020, when an 11-year-old boy was struck by a train while crossing at Prairie Avenue. By some miracle, Maxx Kusper survived and recovered. Kuehlem’s death was heartbreaking. Please be careful. Be patient.
falls on the ice. Don’t you wonder how they can just pop up and continue on? I, if I could even ice skate, would most likely sit there and cry until someone came and helped me up. Last night watching the skiers on the moguls, I thought they must have knees that will never make it until they are 35. How they fly down those hills and flip themselves up and twist in the air blows my mind. Ski jumping is up there for thrills and reminds me of when Riverside hosted ski jumping at Swan Pond. I think it was put on by the Norge Ski Club, which has several athletes in this year’s Olympics. It was sad to see the woman who was thought to be gold medal contender in the giant slalom who fell -- all that practice to wait another four years. I’m also still trying to figure out curling. Spring must be coming: Naturescape, our lawn treatment service called to schedule an appointment. This year, we’ll get those grubs. Happy Valentine’s Day to all. Be of kind and generous of heart.
and maintaining and improving parkway landscaping on the north side of Grant?
James Mann
Brookfield
OBITUARIES
Gregory J. Bartik
ment and later at the pain clinic. Mr. Bartik was a tremendous advocate for working people in all fields. He actively demonstrated his support for union workers by marching side by side, supporting their goals Gregory John Bartik, of Chicago and forfor better working conditions, compensation merly of Riverside, died Jan. 21, 2022 in New and workers’ rights. Orleans. Mostly, he was a candid and frank friend, Mr. Bartik grew up in Riverside and then especially when he felt you might be endanmoved to Chicago. He attended St. Mary gering yourself. School in Riverside and Riverside-Brookfield Greg enjoyed life. All he ever wanted for High School. GREGORY J. BARTIK all of us was to wake up, stop suffering, unHe received his nursing degree from Northclench and live a little -- right now, today, evern Illinois University and began his nursing ery day or least for a few minutes. career at the University of Chicago Hospital. He went on to a decades’ long career at the Jesse Brown V.A. Medical Center in Chicago, initially in the Urology DepartSee OBITUARIES on page 20
Registered nurse
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
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Bulldogs wrestlers looking to surpass historic 2020 run RBHS advances 14 to sectionals, returns to IHSA team tourney By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
As a freshman, Mateo Costello was a football player who happened to be in the third-period algebra class of Riverside-Brookfield High School wrestling coach Nick Curby. Right before the season, Curby approached Costello about trying out. “I never wrestled. I didn’t really think it was a real sport, besides WWE,” Costello recalled. “Stepping on the mat the first time was definitely something I had to get used to.” Now a senior, Costello is part of the large and strong veteran lineup determined to surpass the history the Bulldogs made in 2020 when they qualified for the IHSA Class 2A team state quarterfinals for the first time. The individual state tournament comes first and the Bulldogs advanced 14 wrestlers to the Hinsdale South Individual Sectional this weekend with top-three finishes at the Hinsdale South Individual Regional on Feb. 5. Senior Brock Hoyd (31-4 record at 170 pounds) and Costello (31-5 at 126) -- the two Bulldogs with IHSA individual state meet experience – won their classes as well as seniors Liam Cote (20-6 at 182) and Thurman Givens (13-10 at 195) and junior Quintavius Murrell (21-17 at 120). Seniors Matt Decosola (20-14 at 106) and
Daeshawn Jackson (17-9 at 285), junior Joe Midona (16-13 at 220), sophomore Jacob Noe (15-19 at 145) and freshman Edgar Mosquera (7-5 at 113) finished second. Seniors Mike Racanelli (18-19 at 138) and Ethan Ranft (16-7 at 160), junior Bill Martin (11-11 at 152) and sophomore Josh Gonzalez (19-15 at 132) were third. Top-four individual sectional finishers advance to state. Hoyd qualified as a freshman at 120 but suffered a mid-season back injury in 2020 and came one sectional victory short of advancing again. Especially with no 2021 IHSA state tournament, Hoyd decided not to play football this fall to improve his all-state chances. “I definitely want to get on the podium at state this year, and then team-wise I think we have a great shot,” Hoyd said. “I did offseason [training] all summer, which usually football stopped me from doing. I decided to completely dedicate myself to wrestling.” Hoyd and Costello epitomize the dedication and progress the program has made through this senior class. Hoyd has wrestled since he was about 6 years old. Costello went from a wrestling education on the freshman team to a 2020 IHSA state qualifier at 113. “Bringing that love of wrestling to the rest of the program has been a big part of their leadership, big contributions,” Curby said. This season, Costello has returned from a separated left shoulder that sidelined him for two months. He returned to action Dec. 2 and the next day won the Fenton Invite. Costello said part of the credit for his allstate potential has been Hoyd.
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
RBHS Mateo Costello brings his 31-5 record to the IHSA sectional meet this weekend. He was the 126-pound regional champion on Feb. 5 along with teammates Brock Hoyd (170), Liam Cote (182), Thurman Givens (195) and Quintavius Murrell (120). “He’s a big part of the team. I think everyone looks to him as the vet,” Costello said. “Sophomore year, I couldn’t have gone much further if it weren’t for him helping me out. I definitely think he’s one of the biggest parts of the team’s success and my success.” By winning regionals on Feb. 5, the Bulldogs also advanced to the IHSA 2A Team Sectional at Brother Rice on Feb. 22. The 2020 downstate team berth remains the seniors’ greatest memory. After just missing state individually, Hoyd used his recovery time and experience to help the Bulldogs de-
feat Brother Rice in the sectional to advance downstate. “[Brother Rice] might have been my greatest feeling, when our whole team was in it, guys were screaming,” Hoyd said. In the 2A team quarterfinals, the Bulldogs lost to eventual state runner-up Washington. “I realized that my Class of 2022 were the ones that were supposed to make the biggest impact for the program,” Costello said. “By senior year, I was hoping our program was going to be a lot better than when we were freshmen.”
LTHS girls power past foes to sweep up conference title Big wins over OPRF, Downers North ice first outright crown since 2015 By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Last season, senior guard Olivia Mezan and her Lyons Township High School teammates nearly captured an outright West Suburban Conference Silver Division title. But, in that abbreviated season’s final hurdle, the Lions lost at Downers Grove North on a last-second, three-point bank shot and settled for a three-way tie with the Trojans and York. “That was a bad loss,” Mezan said. “It really hurt but I think we came back and proved that we can definitely beat any team.”
With this season’s outright title already in hand before the conference finale on Feb. 4 at Downers Grove North, Mezan and the Lions instead made quite a statement. They dominated the second-place Trojans 63-30 to complete a perfect 12-0 conference run and extend their winning streak to 12. With perhaps their best quarter this season, the Lions (24-3) outscored Downers North 19-1 in the first quarter. “We held them to one point and I think we were sharing the ball really well. We weren’t really overthinking any of our decisions,” Mezan said. “Our two main strengths are shooting threes really well and we’re really
fast. I feel like tonight we really showed that.” Mezan scored 15 points (11 in first half) with four of the Lions’ 12 three-pointers. Junior Ally Cesarini (14 points, 11 in second half), sophomore Elin O’Brien (12 points on 4 threes), seniors Izzy Lee (7 rebounds) and Hailey Markworth (4 assists) and junior Ella Ormsby (8 points, 3 steals) also contributed. The Lions made 12 of their first 19 shots, six of them threes, in leading 30-7. O’Brien added two more threes for a 36-12 halftime advantage. This marked LTHS’ first WSC-Silver title in a full 12-game schedule since consecutive ones in 2015 and 2016. The Lions clinched
their first outright title since 2015 at home Feb. 1 by beating Oak Park and River Forest High School 67-29 behind Lee’s career-high 26 points. The Lions won the back-and-forth first meeting with Downers North (21-7, 9-3 in Silver) on Dec. 17 in LaGrange 31-29 on Markworth’s basket with 7.9 seconds. “Defensively the first game we played really well. We didn’t shoot well. This time we wanted to incorporate it all like we knew we could,” LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens said. “For them to create seven turnovers and then utilize them at the other end, that’s perfect basketball for us.”
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S P O R T S
The Landmark, February 9, 2022
RBHS freshman gymnast ending season on high note Pair of 9’s at sectionals could land an at-large state bid By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Riverside-Brookfield High School freshman gymnast Lia Christiansen was elated when she received her first 9.0 score on an event Dec. 4. In what might have been her final meet this season on Feb. 7 at the IHSA Oswego Sectional, Christiansen earned two – a 9.0 on vault and 9.05 on floor exercise after one of the best performances of her usually strongest event. “My floor routine felt so good. I hit it well. I was happy. I showed it off. I had fun,” Christiansen said. While no area gymnasts earned top-five sectional finishers to automatically qualify for next week’s state meet, there’s still a chance some could advance at-large. Christiansen and Lyons Township High School junior Annmarie Holmes have the best chance after tying for sixth on floor (9.05), but the at-large state cut has been higher nine for the last 10 times. If not, there’s next season for both. “It’s making me really excited to even improve more and possibly make it to state next year with more solid routines,” Holmes said.
OBITUARIES
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
RBHS freshman Lia Christiansen racked up a 9.0 on vault and a 9.05 on floor exercise during the IHSA sectional meet on Feb. 7 in Oswego. She also placed 11th in the allaround competition (34.05) and 12th on uneven bars (8.4) at the meet. Primarily because there was no 2021 IHSA postseason, Holmes and RBHS senior Nora Ford were the lone area gymnasts with previous sectional experience. Christiansen was 11th in all-around (34.05) and tied for 12th on uneven bars (8.4). Her 9.0 vault did not place because was not a sectional qualifier on the event.
RBHS sophomore Annabel Krueger was 30th on beam (7.25) and 31st in all-around (30.175). In her second sectional, Ford was 33rd on vault (7.85). “My beam has always been my best event and I love to show it off,” Krueger said. Holmes, who was 14th in all-around (33.275), had reason for excitement on vault, a
Richard C. Krueger, 64
Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at KuratkoNosek.com.
continued from page 18
Electrician
Mr. Bartik had an enormous circle of friends across the country and around the world. He thoughtfully assigned nicknames to all. Greg was “The Nurse” but sometimes “Uncle Buck” or “Whitey.” People who didn’t understand Greg are poorer because of it. He was a brilliant man who enjoyed the company from all walks of life. A dinner with Greg was always an opportunity to learn and to teach. Greg always was larger than life. Please, no donations. Instead take a page from Greg’s book and enjoy a great meal with people you love. He will be missed by his hundreds of friends. Mr. Bartik was the son of the late Raymond and Frances Bartik. He is survived by his siblings, Mary Bartik (Mario Garcia), Edward Bartik (Janice), Michael Bartik (Cheryl) and Raymond Bartik (Evon). A celebration of his life will be held in May.
Richard C. Krueger, 64, of North Riverside, died Jan. 31, 2022 in Maywood. Mr. Krueger was born Feb. 12, 1957 in Hammond, Indiana, and worked as an electrician for a telecommunications company. He was the part- RICHARD C. KRUEGER ner and friend of Marianne Bianco; the father of Kurt, Richard, Joshua and Abigail Krueger and Jessica (Jeff) Ragland, Melissa Slattery and Kristina (Kris) Kush; the grandfather and great grandfather of many; the brother of Bonnie (Ken) Krochmal, Marlaine Petika, Gwendolyn (Michael) Perz, Leslee (Gregg) Norris, Mary Pritza and the late Donna Byrne; and an uncle to many. A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 7 at Mater Christi Church in North Riverside. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Dianne J. Leeson, 82 Retired telephone company dispatcher Dianne J. Leeson, 82 of Oak Brook and formerly of Brookfield, died Jan. 29, 2022 at the Grove of LaGrange Park. Ms. Leeson was born Dec. 14, 1939 in Crown Point, Indiana. She was retired from a career as a disDIANNE J. LEESON patcher for the telephone company. She was the mother of Annette Clemens and William (Alison) Clemens Jr.; the grandmother of Alyssa (Joel) Vejendla; and the sister of Muriel Loftus and the late Glen Leeson, Audrey Wilkinson, Jack Lesson and Roger Leeson.
non-qualifying event. Holmes landed her tuck Yurchenko for the first time in a meet for a 9.05. “I’ve been landing them at practice but then the nerves of the competition, they’ve just been feeling different,” Holmes said. Also representing LTHS were freshman Emmy Bertucci (tied for 22nd, 8.05) and sophomore Emily Tucker (33rd, 7.25) on uneven bars, sophomore Gabi Sanchez on vault (tied for 26th, 8.425) and senior Ellie Dillon on floor (32nd, 8.125). Bertucci won regionals (8.7) and overcame a late-season foot injury that limited the allarounder to uneven bars and beam. “This was a goal from the very beginning, to at least make it to this,” Bertucci said. “I’m very motivated. I really think I can fix a lot of my skills.” Tucker excelled on her one postseason event after missing the conference meet when she sprained her ankle during warmups. Dillon was the first floor performer Monday. “I had so much fun. I loved it. It was a great way to end senior year,” Dillon said. Nazareth Academy sophomore M.J. Drabik was 26th in all-around (31.40), tied for 30th on uneven bars (7.45) and was 32nd on beam (7.15). Drabik and Nazareth senior Bella Brunke have competed together as individual entries the past two seasons at many of RBHS’ nonconference duals and invites. “I’m definitely going to do this next year. I’m going to try and get someone else to join me,” Drabik said.
Private cremation services have been held. Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements. Online condolences memories and photographs may be shared at JohnsonNosek.com.
Edwin Sytko (Szczytko), 81 Brookfield resident Edwin Sytko (Szczytko), 81, of Brookfield died on Jan. 26, 2022. Mr. Sytko was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Gertrude Szczytko; his wife, Lucille Sytko; his daughter, Suzanne; and his sisEDWIN SYTKO ter, Dorothy Stephansen. He is survived by his children, Christine Raush (Phillip) and Daniel Sytko (Mary); his grandchildren, Jennifer Bell (Nathan), Andrew Raush, Phillip Raush, Alexander Raush (Samantha), Mason Amedeo, Stanley Sytko, Frank Sytko, Jack Sytko; and nieces and nephews.
The Landmark, February 9, 2022
Growing Community Media
21
HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
HELP WANTED POLICE RECORDS CLERK
HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. DEFINITION To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES: Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential duties and responsibilities 1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture. 2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays. 3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers. 4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management. 5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software. 6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system. 7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review. 8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning. 9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs. 10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,
software and other forms of systems and data. 11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training. 12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling. 13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions. Other important responsibilities and duties 1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures. 2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports. 3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies. 4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems. 5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations. 6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner. 7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis. Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android. Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology. Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down. Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant. Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and
VB scripts. Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment. Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages. Ability to: Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following: - Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time - Operating assigned equipment - Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance - Working in and around computer equipped vehicles Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for: - Making observations - Communicating with others - Reading and writing - Operating assigned equipment and vehicles Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others. Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require. Experience and Training Guidelines Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking. Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred. WORKING CONDITIONS Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. This position will perform a wide variety of specialized clerical duties in support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs.
SANITARIAN
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Sanitarian in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http:// www.oak- park.us/jobs.
ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN III & OPERATING ENGINEER II
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will be accepting applications for the following classification(s): Engineering Technician III (Original) Operating Engineer II (Original) Additional information regarding salary, job description, requirements, etc. can be found on the District’s website at www.districtjobs.org or call 312-751-5100. An Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D Health Specialties Teacher, Post-Secondary sought by Pan Ethnic International, Inc. dba Taylor Business Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Duties include teaching and curriculum development for health specialities including courses in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, coding and billing. Required: Bachelor’s degree in medicine, anatomy or biology. Must be a certified medical coder and have at least 1 year of patient-related experience in the medical field and 1 year of experience teaching a medical subject as well as outpatient and inpatient billing. Please reply to Janice.Parker@tbiil.edu.
National Accounts Rep Get a job super close to home!
Top rated firm, Alpina Manufacturing LLC, founded in 1992, locally Manufacturing owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals. We are seeking a college educated trainee to become an office professional. Work is in person at our beautiful, safe, spread out, elegant executive offices in Galewood. We train, no travel, work in Galewood. Open to any backgrounds. Excellent pay, salary, benefits, friendly caring management, Oak Park owner. Please send resume to careers@fastchangeframes.com. Visit www.fastchangeframes.com/careers for more details. 6460 W. Cortland Street, Chicago, IL 60707
SEASONAL FARMERS’ MARKET MANAGER
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Manager in the Health Department. This position manages the Oak Park Farmer’s Market including the vendors that sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This is a part-time seasonal position with work from January-mid November and work required on Saturday’s from May through October. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.
SAWA’S OLD WARSAW RESTAURANT
Help wanted. Hiring all positions. Apply in person at 9200 W Cermak Rd, Broadview, IL 60155.
PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER
Call contracter for more info. 708-738-3848
JANITORIAL
Part-time. 3-5 days per week. Evening hours 5-9. $13-15/hr to start. Job located in Morton Grove, IL. Must have own transportation. Call Larry for more information. 773636-2505
COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Community Service Officer in the Police Department. This position will perform a variety of public service, customer service and law enforcement related duties and responsibilities that do not require the services of a sworn police officer; and to perform a variety of administrative duties. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.
PART-TIME COMMUNITY SERVICE COORDINATOR
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Part-Time Community Service Coordinator (up to 10-15 hrs./week) in the Adjudication Department. Thisperson monitors individuals who have been ordered to provide community service in the Village, coordinates with organizations that provide community service opportunities, etc. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park. us/jobs. Open until filled.
ACCOUNTANT CLERK
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Account Clerk II. This position which performs a variety of accounting clerical duties involving financial record keeping and/or transactions including accounts payable and receivable and to provide a variety of accounting support to the Development Customer Services Department. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Public Health Nurse in the Health Department. This position will provide professional public health nursing services including health education and promotion which includes disseminating information, making referrals, and counseling as well as managing caseloads, and performing a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled with first review of apps 2/2/22.
PART TIME DELIVERY DRIVER
Local company looking for part time driver. Must be drug free and have a valid IL DL. Must be able to lift 75lb. $15/hr Email resume: HR@sievertelectric. com
LITIGATION ASSISTANT
Established boutique law firm moving from Chicago Loop to Oak Park, and seeking experienced litigation assistant to work with senior partner. Competitive salary and benefits. Send resume to mkarson@laroseboscolaw.com
In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | AustinWeeklyNews.com | RBLandmark.com | ForestParkReview.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
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PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed separate bids will be received by the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (the “Board”) for the following project: OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 SD97 SUMMER 2022 LIFE SAFETY WORK OAK PARK, IL 60302 BID GROUP 1 – ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, ROOFING, GENERAL TRADES Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. CST on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Administrative offices, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, and will be virtually opened via zoom and read at 2:15 p.m. CST on that date. Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked: Oak Park Elementary School District 97 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 Attention: Bulley & Andrews Project: SD97 - SUMMER 2022 LIFE SAFETY WORK Virtual Bid Opening will be held at 2:15pm CST on 2/10/2022 per link: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web. zoom.us/j/83956673114 Meeting ID: 839 5667 3114
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HEARING DATE: March 2, 2022 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 07-22-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a variance application filed by the Applicant, Oak Park and River Forest High School, seeking variances from the following district dimensional standards, fences, and walls regulations of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Oak Park, to demolish existing tennis courts and construct new regulation sized tennis courts and associated accessory components (gates and screens), at the northwest corner of the school lot at the property commonly known as 201 N. Scoville Avenue, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-221008-0000 (“Subject Property”) in the I institutional Zoning District: 1. Section 6.2 (Table 6-2: District Dimensional Standards) of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Oak Park requires a 15-foot front yard setback along Erie Street. The proposal shows new tennis courts and associated accessory components (gates and screens) within the 15-foot front yard setback, featuring an approximately zero (0’) foot setback along Erie Street, matching existing conditions; and 2. Section 6.2 (Table 6-2: District Dimensional Standards) of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Oak Park requires a 15-foot corner side yard setback along Lyman Avenue. The proposal shows new tennis courts and associated accessory components (gates and screens) within the required 15-foot corner side yard setback, featuring an approximately ten (10’) foot setback along Linden Street, matching existing conditions; and 3. Section 9.3 (L) (2) (a) of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Oak Park requires that open wire fences located within 35 feet of a front lot line cannot exceed eight (8’) feet in height. The proposal features a ten (10’) foot tall black coated chain link fence along the north and west border of the tennis courts within 35 feet of the front lot line, matching existing conditions; and 4. Section 9.3 (L) (2) (b) of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Oak Park requires that fences located more than 35 feet from a front lot line cannot exceed eight (8’) feet in height. The proposal features a ten (10’) foot tall black coated chain link fence around the perimeter of the
tennis courts located more than 35 feet from the front lot line, matching existing conditions. A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The hearing will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@ oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 2, 2022. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning @oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. Individuals who sign up to participate in-person will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone. The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022
Scope of work for Bid Group 1 generally includes: Electrical, Mechanical, Roofing, Plumbing, General Trades All bids must be submitted in accordance with the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project. Bid security in the form of a bid bond in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid amount shall be submitted with the bid. Should a bid bond be submitted, the bond shall be payable to the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. All documents and information required by the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project shall be submitted with the bid. Incomplete, late or non-conforming bids may not be accepted. No bids shall be withdrawn, cancelled or modified after the time for opening of bids without the Board’s consent for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled time of bid opening. The Bidding Documents for the project (which include the bidding instructions for the project and other related documents) will be available Tuesday January 25th, 2022 and are available for viewing/download online without cost or purchase on the Bulley & Andrews, LLC One Drive, located at the following link. No username or password is required. https://tinyurl.com/k5r9y82r The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District. The site will be available for visits by appointment to be coordinated with Bulley & Andrews, LLC. Interested parties may inspect the existing conditions. Schedule an appointment with Robert Cotan of Bulley & Andrews in advance if you wish to visit the sites. All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all Contractors working on public works. If during the time period of work, the prevailing wage rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount. All bidders must comply with the Illinois Statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.
The Landmark, February 9, 2022
CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICES For additional information on the project, contact Robert Cotan of Bulley & Andrews, LLC at rcotan@ bulley.com or 708-315-8468. Dated: 1/25/22 Robert Cotan Bulley & Andrews, LLC Published in Wednesday Journal February 2, 9, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Mercedes De La Paz Buck Case Number 20224000323. There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Mercedes De La Paz Buck to the new name of Cedes Delapaz Buck. The court date will be held: On Tuesday March 22, 2022 at 11am via Zoom: Meeting ID 936 6870 5913 Password: 826976 at 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood, Cook County, IL in Courtroom #0111. Published in Wednesday Journal January 26, February 2, 9, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division. In re the marriage of BEATRIZ MIGUEL-VILLAOBOS, Petitioner, and FRANCISCO ORTIZ-FERNANDEZ, Respondent, Case No. 2022D000652. The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before April 28, 2022, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition. DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal February 2, 9, 16, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT OF RACINE COUNTY Case No. 21-CV-1437 Case Code No: 30101 NATHANIEL C. ERHARDT, Plaintiff, and, WISCONSIN PIPE TRADES HEALTH FUND, UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY, Involuntary Plaintiffs, -v.ALLSTATE FIRE AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, J.C. MOVERS & LUMPERS SERVICES, INC., DAMILLON D. THOMAS, ERIE INSURANCE EXCHANGE, Defendants. PUBLICATION SUMMONS THE STATE OF WISCONSIN TO: Damillon D. Thomas 215 Des Plaines Avenue Forest Park, Illinois 60130 THE PERSONS NAMED ABOVE AS DEFENDANT: You are hereby notified that the Plaintiffs named above have filed a Complaint for damages against you.
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BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
Within forty (40) days after the 16th day of February 2022, exclusive of the date just stated, you must respond with a written demand for a copy of the complaint. The demand must be sent or delivered to the Court, whose address is: Clerk of Circuit Court - Racine County 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin 53403 and to Gruber Law Offices, LLC, Attorneys Patrick K. Ritter and Nicholas L. Hermann, the Plaintiff’s attorneys, whose address is: 100 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2800, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202. You may have an attorney help or represent you. If you do not demand a copy within forty (40) days, the Court may grant a Judgment against you for the award of money or other legal action requested in the Complaint, and you may lose your right to object to anything that is or may be incorrect in the Complaint. A Judgment may be enforced as provided by law. A Judgment awarding money may become a lien against any real estate you own now or in the future and may also be enforced by garnishment of wages or seizure of property. Dated at Milwaukee, Wisconsin this 26th day of January 2022. GRUBER LAW OFFICES, LLC Attorneys for the Plaintiff, Nathaniel C. Erhardt By: /s/Patrick K. Ritter Patrick K. Ritter State Bar No.: 1092393 Email: patrickritter@gruber-law.com Nicholas L. Hermann State Bar No.: 1082796 Email: nh@gruber-law.com POST OFFICE ADDRESS: 100 East Wisconsin Avenue Suite 2800 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 Telephone: (414) 276-6666
PUBLIC NOTICE VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Riverside will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, in the Riverside Township Hall, Room 4, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, to consider an application for a variation from Section 10-7-3(D)(2) (Accessory Structures and Uses) of the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance to allow the construction of a deck addition five feet (5’) above grade and from Section 10-10-4(C) (Nonconforming Buildings and Structures) of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance to allow an existing nonconforming deck to be enlarged by 238 square feet.
PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD
tation must be submitted in Adobe PDF format to the District’s Architect via the email address listed above on or before 8:30 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022. A Bidder’s failure to submit the required prequalification documentation will be considered grounds for rejection of the Contractor’s bid.
Published in Wednesday Journal February 2, 9, 16, 2022
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: Y22008574 on January 26, 2022 Under the Assumed Business Name of ADVENTURES WITH ABUELA with the business located at: 1001 SOUTH GROVE AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: VIRGINIA MARTINEZ 1001 SOUTH GROVE AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA Published in Wednesday Journal February 9, 16, 23
PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE Invitation to Bid The Park District of Oak Park will accept sealed bids for Bus Transportation Services. The bid specifications will be available on the Park District’s website as of 10:00 am Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Copies of the bidding specifications are available via the Park District of Oak Park website at: http://www. pdop.org/bids-and-rfps/. Bids must be placed in a sealed envelope marked “Bus Transportation Services” and must be delivered on or before 1:00PM CST on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 to the Hedges Administrative Center. Immediately thereafter, bids will be opened and read. For further information, contact Maureen McCarthy at Maureen.McCarthy@pdop.org. By: Maureen McCarthy Park District of Oak Park, 218 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL, 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal February 9, 2022
Application No.: PZ22-02 Petitioner: Martin and Deborah Lubeck Property Commonly Known As: 490 Uvedale Road, Riverside, Illinois PIN: 15-25-403-046-0000 The Property is legally described as follows: LOT 1431 IN BLOCK 39 IN THE THIRD DIVISION OF RIVERSIDE IN SECTION 25, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST IN THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Proposed Variations: 1. A variation from Section 10-7-3(D) (2) (Accessory Structures and Uses) of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance, which states that decks shall not be raised more than four feet (4’) above the established grade. The current deck is five feet (5’) from the established grade and the proposed deck addition would match the existing deck height from grade. 2. A variation from Section 10-104(C) (Nonconforming Buildings and Structures) of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance, which states that a building or structure that is nonconforming with respect to its bulk shall not be added to or enlarged, unless permitted by certain other specified subsections. The proposed addition would enlarge the current nonconforming deck by 238 square feet. The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. During the Public Hearing the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters. Persons wishing to appear at this hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the proposed variations. Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearing or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to Village Planner Francisco Jimenez via email at fjimenez@riverside.il.us or delivered to the attention of Village Planner Francisco Jimenez at the Village Offices at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the public hearing. The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The proposal and zoning relief sought may be added to, revised, altered or eliminated as a result of the Public Hearing and prior to final action by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Riverside. Dated this 9th day of February, 2022. Jill Mateo, Chairperson Planning and Zoning Commission Published in RB Landmark February 9, 2022
Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission February 24, 2022, at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider a request by the Village of Brookfield, as petitioner, to amend the text of the Village of Brookfield Zoning Ordinance in Chapter 62 of the Municipal Code for required parking in the SA 1 and SA 4a zoning districts. The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/or written comments. Please check the following webpage more information: https://brookfieldil.gov/ community-developmentdepartment/planning/brookfield-development-projects/ Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kendra Kuehlem, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kkuehlem@brookfieldil.gov. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing. The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. 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 accommodations in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 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 February 9, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICE The Brookfield - La Grange Park School District 95 Board of Education is accepting bids from roofing contractors only for a roof renovation at their middle school in Brookfield, Illinois. The roofing contractor will act as a general contractor. The scope of work includes providing all labor, materials, fabrication, machinery, tools, equipment, and other means of construction necessary for completion of the work indicated in the Bid Documents including, but not necessarily limited to, the following: limited roofing repairs to SBS-modified bituminous roof membranes & insulation, application of liquid-applied polyurethane roof membranes and flashing, stone coping repairs, and limited masonry tuckpointing. The work site is S.E. Gross Middle School, 3524 Maple Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. On-site construction is scheduled to begin Monday, June 13, 2022. The Contractor must achieve Substantial Completion on or before Friday, August 12, 2022. Liquidated damages apply to the Substantial Completion date. Bid Documents may be obtained after 12:00 noon on Friday, February 11, 2022, from the District’s Architect, the Cashman Stahler Group, Inc., by sending a written request by email to Mr. Stephen Cashman at scashman@cashmanstahler.com. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at S.E. Gross Middle School, 3524 Maple Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. A Bidder’s failure to attend the mandatory pre-bid meeting will be grounds for rejection of the Contractor’s bid. Required prequalification documen-
Sealed bids must be received by Dr. Mark Kuzniewski, District Superintendent, at the District Office, 3724 Prairie Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 before 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022. The sealed bids will then be publicly opened and read. It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded by the Board of Education at their regular meeting on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Each bid must be accompanied by a bid security in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the Base Bid. The successful Bidder will be required to furnish construction performance and labor and material payment bonds in the full amount of the final Contract Sum. Contractor shall not pay less than the prevailing rates of wages to all laborers, workmen, and mechanics performing work under this contract, and shall comply with the requirements of the Illinois Wages of Employees on Public Works Act (820 ILCS 130/1-12). The Contractor will be required to submit electronic copies of their certified payrolls with each application for payment using the Illinois Department of Labor’s Prevailing Wage Portal. The Brookfield - La Grange Park School District 95 Board of Education reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, reject nonconforming bids, reject conditional bids, waive irregularities in the bidding procedures, or to accept any bid that, in its sole opinion, best serves the interests of the School District. Published in RB Landmark February 9, 2022
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.MARY WOLFE, CITY OF CHICAGO Defendants 2019CH11236 1028 S AUSTIN BLVD OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 14, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 8, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 030R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1028 S AUSTIN BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-331-015 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-08871 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH11236 TJSC#: 42-331 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2019CH11236 I3186705
Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: Commonly known as 1032 N. Austin Blvd., Unit 1N, Oak Park, IL 60302. P.I.N. 16-05-314-031-1001. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection For information call Ms. Mary E. Spitz at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 Lucerne Drive, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130. (440) 572-1512. ILF1810025 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3186451
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST N.A., AS TRUSTEE OF THE SCIG SERIES III TRUST; Plaintiff, vs. GAD IKEANUMBA AKA GAD C. IKEANUMBA; 1030-32 NORTH AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AKA 1030 -32 N. AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AND HENRY SILVERMAN LIVING TRUST U/A/D AUGUST 26, 1996; Defendants, 11 CH 33740 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, March 14, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West
knowingly accept any
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY 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 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. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777. Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review
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The Landmark, February 9, 2022
LY MI A F ILT MU
LY MI A F ILT MU
84 Riverside Rd, Riverside
337 Longcommon Rd, Riverside
356 Herrick Rd, Riverside $365,000
2916 S Harlem Ave, Riverside $549,000
302 River Oaks Dr, Calumet City $325,000
166 Northgate Rd, Riverside $379,000
8107 30th St, North Riverside $350,000
231 S Maple Ave #C, Oak Park $240,000
873 N Larabee St, #701, Chicago $405,000
530 Byrd Rd, Riverside $475,000 AL NT E R
5475 Hirsch St, Chicago $399,000
9841 S Hoyne Ave, Chicago $510,000
10710 Central Ave, #3D, Chicago Ridge $145,000
817 Lake St, 1S, Oak Park $155,000
58 Lincoln, #3, Riverside $1,700/mo
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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
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