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Vol. 38, No. 9

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Also serving North Riverside

March 1, 2023

D102 school board appoints new superintendent PAGE 3

Evans picked to lead D95 as next superintendent Kuzniewski to stay on as schools chief, mentor through 2024-25

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Brookfield-LaGrange Park District 95’s school board has identified its next superintendent, and it didn’t have to go far to find him.

In February, the school board announced that Ryan Evans, who has been principal of S.E. Gross Middle School in Brookfield for the past nine years, will succeed Mark Kuzniewski.

“I appreciate that the school board gave the opportunity for consistency and the sees the value in growing their own superintendent and allowing me to work with them to implement the vision for the next decade,” Evans said.

The appointment comes after a four-month search process that vetted internal candidates only. Last October, the school board hired BWP and Associates to lead that process, which included a district-wide survey to get input from residents about what they wanted to see in the next superintendent and meetings with three focus groups.

Some 400 people completed the survey, said Kuzniewski, and the focus groups included staff and community

@RBLandmark

North Riverside mayor ‘squashes’ forensic audit talk PAGE 9

Towering project North Riverside awards $1.5 million water standpipe refurbishment contract SEE STORY, PAGE 8

BOB UPHUES

See EVANS on page 11

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The Landmark, March 1, 2023

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The Landmark, March 1, 2023

D102 board selects high school administrator as new chief

School board likes Covino’s background in curriculum development

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The next superintendent of LaGrangeBrookfield School District 102, which also serves southwest Brookfield, will be someone who has spent his entire career at the high school level.

On Feb. 23 the District 102 Board of Education voted unanimously to hire Chris Covino, who’s in his third year as the assistant superintendent for academics at Hinsdale High School District 86, to replace retiring Superintendent Kyle Schumacher this summer.

Covino, 46, began his career in 1998 as English teacher at Neuqua Valley High School, moved on after three years to become the language arts division chair at West Chicago High School, then was the assistant principal for curriculum and instruction at York High School before being named principal at Argo High School. He joined District 86 three years ago.

“We liked his experience,” said District 102 school board President Mike Melendez, a Brookfield resident. “Very process orientated type of leader, very good with data.

When we interviewed him, it was clear he did this homework on the district.”

Covino received a three-year contract and will be paid $225,000 in his first year.

Melendez acknowledged Covino’s lack of experience at the elementary and junior high level.

“Obviously we were aware of that,” Melendez said. “High school is different than K through 8. On the flip side of that, he will also understand what it takes to succeed at the high school level and with his experience in evaluating and building curriculum, he can take what he understands about being successful at the high school level and help ensure that our curriculum

“Ive had a number of experiences that will provide a firm foundation for doing a lot of the K-8 work that is ahead.”

CHRIS COVINO

Next D102 superintendent

is structured the demands that our kids are going to face when they get to LT.” Melendez said the school board liked Covino’s strong background in curriculum, especially in language arts.

“Reading is critical in everything we do,” Melendez said. “He has familiarity with building curriculum.”

Covino noted that he has worked in a couple K-12 unit districts, in Elmhurst (York) and Indian Prairie (Neuqua Valley), so that he is not entirely unfamiliar with curriculum below the high school level.

“I do have a lot of experience working with elementary and middle school teach-

ers on curriculum alignment, assessment development and just in general professional development planning around literacy work,” Covino told the Landmark.

“So, I do feel that I’ve had a number of experiences that will provide a firm foundation for doing a lot of the K-8 work that is ahead.”

Covino grew up in southern California steeped in education. His father is a former English professor who is now a college president, and his mother is a pre-school teacher.

When his father was hired as an English professor at University of Illinois at Chicago, Covino came along and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English education and English at UIC. He went on to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership from Benedictine University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Aurora University.

More than 50 people applied for the job.

The school board interviewed seven candidates and then had second interviews, which included a meal at Capri restaurant in Burr Ridge, with each of the three finalists.

Melendez says Covino was the best choice to build on the advancements made under Schumacher’s leadership for the past eight years.

“Kyle is leaving us in a very good place, and we think that Chris is the right person to kind of take the baton and take off running with it,” Melendez said. “And the nice thing is that we have this transition period now. He’ll find ways to meet with Kyle.

“Fortunately his current employer isn’t too far away, so being able to meet in the evening or after work hours to kind of talk and get to know the district before he starts is going to be a huge advantage for him and good for us as a district.”

Read it online at www.rblandmark.com

IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Editor Bob Uphues Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com Publisher Dan Haley Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, 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 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 $41 within Cook County and $51 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. © 2023 Growing Community Media NFP.

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The Landmark, March 1, 2023

March 1-8

BIG WEEK Think spring

Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, and the Riverside Community Garden invite you to start thinking spring with a pair of programs on March 4.

From 10 to 11:15 a.m. join them for a Community Seed Swap in the library’s lower-level Community Room. Then hang around and learn what to do with those seeds during Seed Starting with the Community Garden from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

100-year logo contest

Did you know that the village of North Riverside turns 100 years old in 2024? As part of their preparation for celebrating the centennial, North Riverside Parks & Rec invites you to enter their contest to create a 100-year logo.

Only North Riverside residents are eligible to submit logos, and all logos must include aspects of the existing North Riverside logo and the North Riverside Historical Society logo.

Submissions must be made by March 20. Send them to recreation@northriverside-il.org. Call 708-442-5515 with questions.

Planting medium, spray bottles, tools and a limited amount of seeds will be supplied. You can also bring containers and seeds of your own.

Register to attend at riversidelibrary.org/events.

And more Riverside School District 96 will host a virtual kindergarten information program on March 2 at 6 p.m. If your child will be 5 years old before Sept. 1 you are invited to attend. Visit district96.org for details.

Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., presents the 13th Annual Riverside-Brookfield High School Advanced Placement Art Exhibition from Feb. 24 through March 18 in the Freeark Gallery. Open Thursday-Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.

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There’s also “Mujer Quetzalcoatl” featuring the work of Alex Velazquez Brightbill, through March 30 in the lobby of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road in Riverside. Viewing hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents Preschool Yoga & Storytime (ages 2-5 with adult) on March 8 at 1 p.m. and Hell Hath No Fury: The Wild, Wicked and Wonderful Women of the Windy City with historian Clarence Goodman on March 8 at 6:30 p.m. Register ■

Get your Irish up

Pop tops for Ronald McDonald House

Riverside Parks & Recreation encourages you to dispose of aluminum can pop tops at their Giving Tree drop location at the recreation HQ, 43 E. Quincy St., through the month of March.

Pop tops will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities, which will recycle them to raise funds to support sick children with healing and coping. Drop off your pop tops Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 31.

Hibernian Radio Hour, which focuses on Irish American first responders, will broadcast every Wednesday night at 7 p.m., starting March 1, from Big Corner Tavern, 8405 Cermak Road in North Riverside.

Every week, host Mike “Houli” Houlihan interviews a variety of Irish cops, firefighters, MIKE HOULIHAN paramedics and nurses, interspersing them with comedy bits, Irish obits, music and trips to “Houlitown” for the weekly craic.

The show is streamed online every Saturday night at 7 p.m. on Global Irish Radio, GIR.ie and is podcast at hibernianradio.org.

The League of Women Voters of the LaGrange Area will host an informative session about the state’s lead water service line replacement mandate, which became effective Jan. 1, 2022 and requires all lead service lines to be disconnected from the drinking water supply.

The Illinois Environmental Council will explain what the law requires of communities, how communities may fund replacement and what those who have lead service lines should do.

The presentation is on March 2 at 7 p.m. at the LaGrange Public Library, 10 W. Cossitt Ave., LaGrange.

No advance registration required.

for programs online at northriversidelibrary.org/ events-new.

Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., presents Unicorn Storytime on March 2 at 6 p.m., Chair Zumba on March 3 at 1:30 p.m., Intro to D&D for Teens (grades 6-12) on March 3 at 4 p.m., Legotastic Saturday on March 4 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Chair Yoga (virtual) on March 6 at 11 a.m., City of the Sun: The Ancient City of Cahokia on March 6 at 7 p.m. and Investigative Genetic Genealogy with the True Crime Club and Genealogy Club on March 8 at 7 p.m. Call 708-485-

6917 or visit online at brookfield.evanced.info/ signup to register for programs.

Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents Friday Storytimes (all ages) on March 3 at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., First Saturday Storytime (all ages) on March 4 at 10 a.m., a Riverside Chapter of the Chicago Lyric Opera lecture on Bizet’s “Carmen” on March 5 at 2 p.m., Mini-Movers Storytime (3-under with caregiver) on March 6 at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m. and a Living History Portrayal of Julia Child by Leslie Goddard on March 6 at 7 p.m. To register for programs, visit online at riversidelibrary.org/events.

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Learn about lead water line replacement

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The Landmark, March 1, 2023

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LTHS board candidate attended Awake Illinois workshop in Jan. Vlcek says he attended candidate training session but is unaffiliated

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Despite saying that he doesn’t know anything about the right-wing advocacy organization Awake Illinois, Tim Vlcek, a candidate for Lyons Township High School District 204 school board, attended one of Awake Illinois’ candidate training workshops in January.

Awake Illinois is a Naperville based organization that got its start opposing mask mandates in schools and describes itself as a “parental rights” group. It is a vocal critic of newer approaches of teaching about gender, sexuality and race and other hot-button issues in schools. It stands for traditional values and its critics describe it as anti-LGTBQ+.

Joining Vlcek at the Awake Illinois training workshop on Jan. 14 was Molly McShane, an active supporter of Vlcek, Frank Evans and Dave Herndon who are all running for the school board and are loosely allied with each other.

McShane, who has been sending emails and text in support of Vlcek, Evans and Herndon, described herself a “precious volunteer” when asked what her role in the campaign was.

Vlcek said he didn’t recall how he learned of the Awake Illinois workshop. He said that he went to learn about how to run for the school board.

“We attended an event for training for an election,” Vlcek told the Landmark when shown a photo of him and McShane at the Awake Illinois event.

The workshop, which was held at a hotel in the western suburbs, went over the nuts and bolts of how to run a school board race.

“The workshop provided information on how to create a successful campaign for school board elections,” Vlcek told the Landmark in an email.

Even after attending the workshop, Vlcek told the Landmark that he doesn’t know anything about Awake Illinois or what their philosophy is.

PROVIDED

Lyons Township High School District 204 Board of Education candidate Tim Vlcek (in vest) and Molly McShane, a volunteer boosting Vlcek and two other candidates through emails and text messages, stand front and center of a group who attended an Awake Illinois training workshop on Jan. 14. In the foreground are Awake Illinois founder Shannon Adcock (left) and John Anthony, a former state representative and avid Donald Trump supporter who hosts an AM radio talk show called “Black & Right.”

Vlcek, Evans and Herndon have said that they are not accepting the support of Awake Illinois or any other outside group, a point made at the end of emails sent out by McShane to voters encouraging them to vote for the three candidates.

“We are completely independent,” McShane said.

McShane said the candidates are self-funding their campaigns and don’t need outside support.

The three candidates have separate campaign signs and are not running as a formal slate. Vlcek’s slogan is “Kids 1st.”

Vlcek, a 62-year-old lifelong resident of LaGrange Park, graduated from LTHS and works as a plant manager for Weinstein Wholesale Meats. He has drawn the most attention for his views.

Indivisible LaGrange/LaGrange Park, a left-leaning proDemocratic Party group, criticized Vlcek and Awake Illinois in an email sent to the Landmark. The statement acknowledged that there is no evidence that Awake Illinois is explicitly endorsing Vlcek, Evans and Herndon but noted that local Awake Illinois leaders are backing them.

“Candidate Tim Vlcek’s anti-teacher and anti-LGBTQIA social media posts reflect Awake’s values, and Indivisible vehemently and absolutely disavows these positions,” the statement said in part. “Any candidate that espouses these positions -- and/or any candidate that allows themselves to be aligned with candidates that spout these positions -- is not fit to be on any school board.”

Vlcek denies that he is anti-teacher, noting that his wife teaches at a Catholic school and that he has other relatives who are teachers.

Vlcek recently made his Facebook settings private, but before he did, the Landmark saw that he had posted an image of a man splitting logs with a boy watching.

“Teach your boys to be men before their teachers teach them to be women,” read the message on the image.

“I just thought it was funny and I shared it,” Vlcek said.

Vlcek said that he made his Facebook page private because someone -- he didn’t have a name but said he believes that person works at LTHS -- was bashing him on Facebook and trying to defame him. He said that he was victim of cyberbullying.

“I regret even being on Facebook,” Vlcek said. “It’s toxic.

I’m really upset about it.”

Vlcek said that while he is conservative in his thoughts, he considers himself a pragmatist and a problem-solver. He said that he is not a polarizing person.

“People that do know me know how I am,” Vlcek said.

Vlcek notes that school board races are supposed to be nonpartisan and says he just wants to give back to the school he and his four children attended. He volunteers as a mentor in the business incubator program at LTHS. “I really am a caring person, and I don’t want be political, I don’t want it to be a political thing,” Vlcek said.

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The Landmark, March 1, 2023

Mall security guard charged with aggravated assault

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R E P O R T S

A 52-year-old Carpentersville man who works for a private firm as a security guard at North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, was charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault after he pointed a pepper spray gun at a fellow security guard during a confrontation in the mall food court on Feb. 25 at about 5:25 p.m.

A mall patron called police to report that two security guards were engaged in a verbal altercation near Dunkin Donuts when one of the men pulled out a weapon and pointed it at the other.

Security camera video reportedly showed the victim walking east approaching the food court when he stops and looks behind him.

The offender reportedly approached the victim at a rapid walking pace and the two went chest to chest, speaking closely to each other.

The victim at some point pushed the offender’s body up against the counter at Dunkin Donuts, causing the offender to shove him away with both hands, pull out his pepper spray gun and point it directly at the victim’s face before re-holstering it. An employee from a nearby kiosk then stepped between the two men.

DUI after crash at Harrington Park ■ Riverside police charged a 28-year-old Berwyn man with drunken driving, fleeing and eluding, speeding and other offenses after he reportedly tried to speed away from a police officer trying to conduct a traffic stop and ended up crashing into a tree and wood safety barrier on the perimeter of Harrington Park at the intersection of Gage and South Delaplaine roads on Feb. 21 at about 10:20 p.m.

The driver’s blood-alcohol content reportedly was .12, which is greater than the legal limit of .08.

In addition to the drunken driving charges, fleeing/eluding and speeding, the driver was cited for illegal transportation of alcohol, damage to village property, possession of cannabis and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

■ A 38-year-old Stickney woman was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after she reportedly crashed her blue Jeep into a traffic signal at the intersection of First Avenue and Ridgewood Road, Riverside, on Feb. 19 at 5:15 a.m.

The driver was not hurt, but police reported that a child inside the vehicle was bleeding

from his nose. According to police, the driver said she was coming home from a party at a family member’s house and that she did not recall what caused the crash, only that it happened.

In addition to DUI, police charged the driver with endangering the life of a child and damage to a highway structure.

Stolen vehicles recovered North Riverside police recovered two vehicles at the North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, one a Kia and the other a Hyundai, that had been stolen elsewhere last week.

On Feb. 20 at about 12:25 p.m., police observed a silver Kia, with a broken rear passenger window covered by a sheet and a peeled steering column, parked in the lower-level parking deck. Security camera video showed that the vehicle entered the mall parking lot behind an orange Kia, which also had a broken rear window.

On that same day, there was a retail theft in the mall and one of the offenders was observed running toward the silver Kia. The person was being chased by store employees and instead got into the orange Kia, which fled the area.

On Feb. 21 at about 12:20 p.m., one of the village’s Flock license plate reader cameras sent an alert of a stolen black Hyundai entering the mall from 26th Street. The vehicle pulled into a space in the lower-level parking deck and two people, a 21-year-old Cicero man and a juvenile, exited.

Police detained the two, charging the adult with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and illegal possession of cannabis. The juvenile, who was the alleged driver of the vehicle and had gotten permission to drive it from someone for $50, was transferred to the custody of Cook County Juvenile Justice authorities for possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Feb. 19-26, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

The Landmark, March 1, 2023

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RBHS’ senior school board member says education is changing Hruska favors exploring unit district, expanding dual-enrollment options

By BOB UPHUES

dates running for four four-year terms on the RBHS District 208 school board. She is by far the longest-serving incumbent, first As the COVID-19 pandemic set in, Laura elected in 2005 to her first term. After losHruska was laid off from her position as ing in 2009, Hruska has been elected in three certification director for the American Os- consecutive elections, despite being an octeopathic Association. She pivoted to work- casional thorn in the side of the teachers’ ing the dock at UPS, working 10-hour mid- union.

Her time substitute teaching in Elmhurst night shifts in the midst of the pandemic and picking up additional hours driving a has her believing school districts that feed into Riverside-Brookfield High School grocery delivery truck for Jewel.

The 60-year-old Brookfield resident admit- would benefit from consolidation into a unit district, something that’s really ted that her experience during never been considered seriously COVID played a part in her imin the past. patience with teachers at RivUnit districts offer teachers erside-Brookfield High School, more mobility, Hruska said, alwhere she has served on the lows sharing of resources and school board for 16 years. provides better long-term planShe criticized opposition from ning in preparing students for the RBHS teachers’ union to exhigh school. pand in-person learning during “You would have to get the the 2020-21 school year, saying unions of every [district] togeththe teaching staff were “bullyer,” Hruska said. “When you’re ing” families by insisting on a a unit district, your gradehybrid model she felt was failing school teachers do better. The students. high school teachers are going “Some of the meetings where to fight it, because they are not I was a little angry with the going to get those Cadillac salateachers, I was at [the UPS loadries. But we’ve already put some ing hub],” Hruska said. “There things in motion to cap those was a thousand of us every shift, high salaries.” every day, so that your dog food, Hruska says RBHS can do a your Chewy order, your crayons, better job reaching students who pencils and everything you were are not planning to attend colordering [got delivered]. But it lege by perhaps expanding vowas OK for us to work.”

LAURA HRUSKA cational offerings and lowering Hruska ended up being the lone vote against a new three- D208 school board candidate graduation credit requirements.

That would allow students to year teacher contract approved graduate in three years, Hruska last year. said, giving them space in their “I just felt like they needed to fourth year to take dual enrolltake a pause, and say thank you for what [the school board] did for us during ment classes in cooperation with Triton Colthose two years of COVID,” Hruska said. lege that would also provide them college “Because I took a $40,000 pay cut from CO- credits or professional certification affordVID and I know a lot of other families are ably.

“I feel senior year of high school for a lot scratching.”

Still working part-time as a dispatcher at of students is a waste,” Hruska said. “They UPS, Hruska now spends her days working don’t want to be there, they’re checked out. as a substitute teacher in Elmhurst Commu- But if they’re getting their first-year college nity Unit School District 205 and is working credits, OK then it makes it worthwhile to toward a master’s degree through a pro- stay engaged.

“We need to think about school differgram at Western Illinois University so she ently.” can teach high school math in the future.

Her feelings about delivering education This spring, Hruska is one of five candiEditor

“I feel students are reinventing high school right underneath us.”

differently is again informed by her own experience. Hruska said she graduated from Morton West High School in three years and then enrolled at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

“Why is this [idea] so painful?” Hruska said.

“I did this in 1980. This is 42 years later. When a kid is done, you’re not doing any service by forcing that kid to stay in school.”

In terms of meeting the needs of a more demographically diverse student body – RBHS’ enrollment is about 40% Hispanic – Hruska said she favors all communication between the school and families needs to be in both Spanish and English.

“We have to be better at that, knowing there’s a need in the community and make

sure that any kind of information that goes home about your students is in both languages,” Hruska said.

Hruska said she believes RBHS delivers an excellent education to its students, but that school board members need to realize that expectations around education have changed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The resources are amazing and I hope our students realize that,” Hruska said. “Now I want to be part of it to say, ‘How do we take everything we have and move it in this new millennium to make it fit our new lives?’

“I’m reinventing myself, the students are reinventing themselves, you feel that. I feel students are reinventing high school right underneath us.”

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The Landmark, March 1, 2023

North Riverside OKs $1.5 million standpipe overhaul

Major water infrastructure project expected to begin in Aug., take 90 days

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The village of North Riverside later this summer will embark on a long-awaited refurbishment of its 2.5 million gallon water standpipe, a critical piece of water system infrastructure built 23 years ago and which has been targeted for an overhaul for years, but which has been deferred due to tight finances.

On Feb. 20, trustees voted 5-1 to award a $1.5 million contract to Neumann Company Contractors Inc. of Merrillan, Wisconsin, to refurbish the standpipe both inside and out. Trustees also voted 5-1 to award a $40,000 design engineering contract for the project to Novotny Engineering and a $34,440 contract to Lansing, Michiganbased Nelson Tank to perform inspections throughout the refurbishment project.

The lone vote against the contracts came from Trustee Marybelle Mandel, who expressed a preference to defer coating the standpipe’s exterior in order to keep pursuing possible grant funding.

Mandel pointed to a recommendation in an inspection report delivered to the village in July 2021 from Dixon Engineering, stating that the exterior sandblasting and coating could be “delayed until aesthetics dictate.”

Dixon’s assessment of the exterior was that it was in “fair” condition, but that there were “spot failures to the substrate” and “numerous coating failures throughout.” When the inspection report was issued, it also recommended completing the work “in one to two years.”

“Can we just get by with just doing [the inside] work … and we can continue with the outside work once we do have the final assistance guaranteed?” Mandel asked prior to the vote on Feb. 20.

Mandel said the exterior work would cost about $225,000, but that figure is not so clear in the bid submitted Neumann Company Contractors. The bid states the exterior painting will cost $213,000. However, the exterior must be sandblasted prior to

painting.

The bid combines the interior and exterior sandblasting as one item, costing $925,600, which includes the entire water tower being encased in a dust containment system during the project.

The interior sandblasting alone would not require such a containment system, according to John Fitzgerald of Novotny Engineering, the village’s longtime engineering firm.

However, deferring the exterior work until later will still require the water to be drained from the tank and refilled both times, Fitzgerald said, which takes the tower out of service twice for long periods of time.

The village of Riverside also is a partner in the North Riverside standpipe and is responsible for paying 25% of the cost for refurbishment. Both villages have the full expense budgeted this year.

North Riverside Public Works Director Vince Ranieri told the Landmark a standpipe like North Riverside’s ought to be refurbished every 15 years in order for it to attain its 100-year life expectancy. Deferring maintenance might jeopardize that long-term life and risks failure requiring an emergency response.

“We’ve pushed it off as long as we can push it off, and now it needs to be done,” Ranieri told the Landmark. “We can’t lose the standpipe. It’d be as if taking the heart out of someone’s body.”

The project, which is expected to begin between Aug. 1 and Aug. 15, is a complicated one that will take 90 days to complete, said Ranieri. It requires the village to secure multiple backup water supplies in the event of an emergency.

North Riverside will continue to be fed water by the Brookfield-North Riverside Water Commission. There’s a standpipe bypass system through which water can be pumped using electric pumps.

In the event of a power outage, there are diesel generators as a backup to that system. The village’s water system also cross-connects with the systems in River-

BOB UPHUES/Editor

The North Riverside water standpipe, tucked away behind Costco near the intersection of 26th Street and Harlem Avenue, was built in 2000 courtesy of a $3.5 million state grant. The tower is also an important part of Riverside’s water system. side, Berwyn and Broadview and as a last resort, North Riverside can be fed from a Brookfield water tower.

“Water systems are designed to be redundant,” Fitzgerald said. “But you don’t want to take them offline [often] because that’s the normal way it works, and having water in the tank creates the water pressure for North Riverside.”

The first step in the project will be to erect the dust containment barrier and drain the 150-foot tall, 54-foot wide tank, which alone will take three to four days.

The surfaces inside and out will be sandblasted, and workers will check the integrity of the joints and welds on the steel structure and make needed repairs.

Workers will also need to repair the standpipe’s cathodic protection system, which has been broken since summer 2021.

That system helps prevent interior corro-

sion. They will also add a water mixing system, which was not available in 2000, and allows water to be moved inside the tank to prevent ice buildup in below-freezing temperatures.

When that work is complete the interior and exterior will get an epoxy coating before the standpipe is refilled at a rate of about 300 to 400 gallons per minute. Work is expected to be completed sometime in November.

According to Ranieri, the exact color of the new exterior paint job hasn’t been finalized but is likely to be similar to the existing coating, which camouflages it somewhat.

The Joe Rizza Ford advertisement, for a long-gone car dealership, would not be part of the new coating. Rather the contract amount allows for the village logo to be painted on opposite sides of the standpipe.

The Landmark, March 1, 2023

North Riverside mayor brushes off ‘forensic audit’ request Asked for evidence of crime, trustee says residents want ‘transparency’

By BOB UPHUES Editor

North Riverside Mayor Joseph Mengoni announced during the Feb. 20 village board meeting that he would “squash” calls for a “forensic audit” of village finances being pushed by Trustee Marybelle Mandel, who is running for re-election in April, and her surrogates on social media.

The calls for such an audit on social media generally cite spending decisions made in the past by various village boards, from hiring practices and salaries to the purchase of land at 24th Street and 8th Avenue, to a now-discontinued practice of underfunding pension obligations.

Forensic audits are conducted to uncover evidence of financial crimes, such as embezzlement, to long-term professional services contracts.

The village’s financial statements are audited annually by a third-party auditor and no suspicion of criminal activity has ever been leveled against North Riverside officials.

“The village has a comprehensive structure of internal controls in place that has been discussed and adopted by the board and is the subject of annual reviews by the auditor,” said Mengoni, reading from prepared remarks during his mayoral report at the Feb. 20 village board meeting.

He also addressed Mandel directly, asking her to provide specific evidence of “any misconduct for this board to review immediately.”

“Without any evidence of misconduct, this board will not consider any further action on this matter,” Mengoni added, handing over to Mandel a folder containing a decade’s worth of the village auditor’s management letters from North Riverside’s annual finance reports, which are mandated by law.

Mandel declined to offer any evidence of criminal activity on the part of any elected officials or employees, instead saying her support for a forensic audit was based on concerns she was hearing from residents.

“I’m not accusing anyone of anything,” Mandel said. “I’m just saying that I’m speaking on behalf of the residents. …

The residents want to be more transparent with the government here.”

Mengoni said the village’s annual financial audits were available on the North Riverside municipal website, which includes reports dating back to 2005.

Mandel gave as an example a forensic audit underway in the village of Westchester. In that particular case, the Westchester Village Board last June voted to engage a firm to conduct the audit following the sudden, unexplained resignation of its village manager amid questions over a major municipal construction project.

The Westchester Village Board hired StoneTurn Group LLP to conduct the forensic audit at a rate of $415 per hour.

There was no cap on the amount of money the village would spend on the audit.

As of Feb. 21, StoneTurn Group had invoiced the village $50,420 for forensic auditing services, according to information contained in village board meeting packets on the Westchester website.

Asked if she knew why Westchester had initiated the forensic audit, Mandel responded that she had heard “multiple reasons.” She said she favored a forensic audit in North Riverside “if we have nothing to hide and want to be transparent.”

She also intimated that residents didn’t trust the village’s financial statements because North Riverside had hired Lauterbach & Amen, its independent auditor for at least two decades, on a contract basis in September 2021 to perform accounting services for the village. At the time, the village’s finance director position was vacant.

Lauterbach & Amen submitted the lowest of three cost proposals for the work, village board Finance Chair Terri Sarro noted at that time, adding that no one assigned the accounting duties would be involved in the audit of village finances.

“You have no idea what auditing entails,” Mengoni told Mandel.

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The Landmark, March 1, 2023

First-time candidate but veteran public servant seeks RBHS board seat “With a background in special That he’s looking to serve recreation, I feel I’m a strong on a school board is also not advocate for special education, surprising. His mother was a for job training, for that popuschool teacher, and after gradulation,” Duner said. “Having ating with a degree in philososomebody to actively advocate phy from Clarke University in for that, I’d be willing to do.”

Dubuque, Duner’s day job is Duner said while his daughter recreation supervisor for New is still a few years from attendStar Recreation Services, a speBy BOB UPHUES ing Riverside-Brookfield High cial recreation cooperative servEditor School, the chance to impact ing the south suburbs as well as KENYON DUNER learning there before she gets It’s not a surprise that Brookfield resident Broadview and Maywood. He there is appealing.

He also beKenyon Duner would look to serve as an also serves as an IHSA umpire lieves electing another Brookfield resident for girls softball. elected official in his hometown since birth.

This spring, Duner is one of five candi- to the school board was important.

The 48-year-old father of an elementary “There’s only one other board member school age daughter already has served on dates looking to be elected to one of the four from Brookfield, Laura [Hruska], and I the Brookfield Parks and Recreation Com- four-year terms on the Riverside-Brookfield felt that having the perspective of a secHigh School Board of Education.

Early votmission since 2014, and his mother, Dianne ond board member whose kids are going ing starts March 20, with Election Day on Duner, is retiring after 24 years of service through the programs in Brookfield [was April 4. on the Brookfield Public Library Board of important],” Duner said.

It’s his first bid at elective office.

Trustees.

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said. “As a board member, that would be one of my focuses, is to make sure they follow through with what the previous board and administration have decided and not just rock the boat for the next big thing.”

Duner supports expansion of RBHS’ dualenrollment offerings, which allow students to obtain college credits while working to complete high school graduation requirements. That view, he said, was borne out of his experience attending College of DuPage for two years after graduating from Lyons Township High School.

The community college option, provided him with a low-cost, low-risk entry into posthigh school education.

“Sometimes students need that space between high school and making a big financial commitment to college,” Duner said. “I think it’s important to have an opportunity – those dual-credit options for Triton College – not to just focus so much on ‘the result of high school is getting into a college.’ The result of high school is having the resources needed to succeed in the next step, whether that’s through a trade school, through a community college or a four-year institution.”

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Duner said the experience demonstrated a recognition that high school was not just for those on a college track, but for those looking to enter the workforce after graduation.

It also showed how important it is for students to be around other students, he said, and reinvigorated parent involvement in the discussion of how education should be delivered.

“I think it empowered parents to take an active role,” Duner said.

That involvement has not always been positive and school board members have encountered parental hostility as well. Duner said it’s important to hear those voices, but at the end of the day, educators should be making decisions regarding curriculum.

“While I would of course listen to any concerns or opinions the community had in regards to curriculum and would express my opinions on it during meetings, I feel the curriculum is best developed by the school administration,” he said.

The Landmark, March 1, 2023

EVANS

Kuzniewski said. “It’s a built-in mentoring program.”

Evans, a lifelong Brookfield resident who served two terms as an elected official on the Brookfield Village Board, has spent his from page 1 entire career in education in District 95. A graduate of Nazareth Academy and Monmembers both with and without children mouth College, Evans was a student teacher attending school in the district. at S.E. Gross before landing a teaching posi“The primary themes that emerged from tion at the school. the survey and focus groups were a desire He was a classroom teacher for eight years to keep our already outstanding school before moving into the role of assistant district moving forward in a manner conprincipal for two years. Evans was promoted sistent with current practice to principal of S.E. Gross Middle with a focus on future growth, School in 2014. a desire to train and/or hire The school board is expected the next leader who could do to announce its process to find both the role of superintendent a replacement for Evans as S.E. and chief business official and a Gross Middle School principal leader who would embrace existat its meeting this month. That ing D95 traditions,” said school process may very well be similar board President Katie Mulcrone to the superintendent search, as in a press release announcing S.E. Gross has an experienced the decision. assistant principal in Jeffrey Evans said he appreciated the Tumpane, who has served in vetting process, saying it was that role since 2014, already in important for the school board the building. to reach out to the wider comThe new principal is expectmunity for input. ed to be in place for the 2024-25 “They found [the community] school year. was looking for stability and con“We’ve looked at a succession sistency, to take the things we’re plan that can utilize the talent doing here now and expanding within the building,” Kuzniewsthem in the future,” Evans said. ki said. “Jeffrey Tumpane is an “I know that there was support outstanding leader.” out there … and it gives me heart While he still has a couple of that moving forward the things years to complete a victory lap, we look to do will also be supKuzniewski called his upcomported by the community.” ing retirement after 16 years as Evans won’t take the reins District 95 superintendent and RYAN EVANS right away. Instead, he’ll conmore than 30 years as an educaFuture D95 superintendent tinue to serve as principal of tor “bittersweet.”

S.E. Gross Middle School, with “It’s sweet in that I’ll finalize Kuzniewski remaining as supera career in education, but there intendent, throughout the 2023will be a lot of things that I’ll 24 school year. miss, like the administrative During that year, he’ll learn the ropes of team here,” Kuzniewski said. the job, including that of being the school Kuzniewski, 53, built that administrative district’s business manager, a position the team and can look back on a number of acsuperintendent has always performed in complishments as superintendent, includDistrict 95. ing getting the school district on sound “Those larger tasks, like the budget, Ryan financial footing, leaving a team capable of will start doing this year, and he’ll be look- carrying on work seamlessly upon his deing over my shoulder,” Kuzniewski said. parture and, perhaps most notably, presidDuring the 2024-25 school year, Evans will ing over a $35 million renovation and expanmove into an interim deputy superinten- sion of S.E. Gross and Brook Park schools dent role, where he’ll begin to take on other and the introduction of full-day kindergartop administrative duties. Kuzniewski will ten. remain as superintendent that year as well, “It’s really the perfect way to exit by helpcompleting the two-year transition on June ing to mentor the next leader,” Kuzniewski 30, 2025. said. “I’m leaving the district in very capa“That [second] year, a lot will be him do- ble hands, not only Ryan but the entire ading the work as I look over his shoulder,” ministrative team.”

Transition period

“It gives me heart that moving forward the things we look to do will also be supported by the community.”

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The Landmark, March 1, 2023

Reyes slots in as Riverside Township clerk

He later worked as deputy general coun- mother was a longtime board president.

After Dropka moves sel for the Illinois Department of Financial He was elected as a Riverside Township and Professional Regulation and general trustee in 2017 and then ran successfully from township, Wilt taps counsel for Illinois Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sangui- for township clerk in 2021. netti.

Dropka was a former campaign manager longtime local politicoAccess to Care & the Cook County Department of Public work In 2010, Reyes became the firstHealth Hispanic for expensive? the VIP Party in North Riverside and Is seeing a local doctor too

By BOB UPHUES

member of the Triton College Board of Judy Baar Topinka’s spokesman durtogether to educate & protect communities against COVID-19 andwas flu.

¿Es demasiado caro ver2011.a Inuningmédico local?

Trustees, where he served until her time as Illinois comptroller. When

Editor

2015, he was again appointed to the Triton Topinka died, Dropka assumed her role as Riverside Township committeeman and board, serving until 2019.

Riverside Township SupervisorLikVera e sharing life's most meLost aningyour ful job & access to a doctor? ¿Perdió chairman su trabajo y Riverside acceso aTownship un médico? of the ReguBoth Dropka and Reyes ran unsuccessWilt on Feb. 14 administered the oath of JAY REYES MICHAEL DROPKA m o m e n t s , s h o w y o u r f a m i l y a n d f r i e n d s lar Republican Organization. fully in 2016 to be delegates for U.S presioffice to the township board’s new clerk, Need your prescriptions filled? ¿Necesita surtir sus recetas? and has(aall In June 2022, Reyes was elected Republiyou loveested them . Hcertainly elp them ndthe credentials dential candidate John Kasich at that Jay Reyes, after revealing that Michael we need.

Republican National Convention, can committeeman of Riverside Township year’s ¿No es elegible para Medicaid/Medicare?

Don't qualify for Medicare/Medicaid?

Dropka hadLost resigned due to moving out of your job & access y acceso a un médico? youto rsealf!doctor? ) s“Since tay upclerk to dis at¿Perdió enot onafrvoting eesu trabajo position, where Donald Trump was nominated by and in late November took over as chairthe township.

VID-filled?

1when 9 anIdhad flu avawilling ccinesperson . Va¿Necesita cctoinfill atiothe n surtir va- the Need your susparty. recetas? man of the Riverside Township GOP. Reyes immediately took prescriptions a seat C atOthe cancy [I acted].”

Reyes also initially filed to run as a ReMeanwhile, Wilt said she expects to fill c o n t i n u e s t o b e o u r b e s t w e a p o n board table at the township board’s meet¿No es elegible para Medicaid/Medicare?

Don't qualify for Medicare/Medicaid?

Reyes, an attorney who is chief counsel publican candidate in the 4th Congressio- the vacancy on the township board created ing that night to begin his new role.aWhile gainst COVID and flu. the township board could have solicited let- for the American Bar Association and has nal District for the 2018 election, but he by the death in late January of Trustee Liane Blauw on March 14. Wilt declared the ters of interest for the position, Wilt said a private practice in Riverside, has had a withdrew shortly after filing.

Dropka, who works as village administra- vacancy at the township board’s Feb. 14 Reyes was both interested in and qualified long career in politics. He served as legal Para Miembros Incluyen: Everyonecounsel 6 monto ththe s alate nd oJudy lderBaar is elTopinka igBenefits ible towhen reInclude: ceivtor e ain CO VID vView, accin e (served 1st, 2nin d aannumber d 3rd doBeneficios ses) Member Forest has meeting, announcing she would accept letfor the post. & a flIu shthe ot. Riverside You can bresident e vaccinserved ated oas r bIllinois oosted fo OVID &invalocal ccinand atestate d forgovernment flu at the samters e tiof meinterest . ofr C capacities “When Mike told me he was leaving, Copagos deand $5resumes por: until March 1. also served as Topinka’s for many years.

From 2009 to 2011, Dropka The township board will interview canasked if he had any thoughts on a replace- comptrollerVand $5 ounMiembros ty.com or cIncluyen: all 833-308-1988. isit ww w.Co-pays BoosBeneficios tUpCfor: ookC Para Member Benefits Include: Visitas ilimitades unatmédico local behind closed con doors a special ment and maybe if he could talk to Jay,” deputy when she served as the Riverside served as a member of the Komarek School didates Unlimited visits a local doctor Copagos dewith $5District por: Rayos X, pruebas de laboratorio y said Wilt. “I met with Jay and he was inter- Township Republican committeeman.

94 Board of Education, where his meeting slated for March 9. $5 Co-pays for:Department of Public Health X-rays, lab tests & mammograms re & the Cook County work Visitas ilimitades con un médico local mamografías Access to Care y el Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Cook trabajara Unlimited visits with a local doctor Counseling sessions (up tode 8 sessions) Rayos X, pruebas laboratorio y Sesiones de asesoramiento (hasta 8 sesiones) educate & protect communities against COVID-19 and flu.

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February 2023

February 2023

Opinion

The Landmark, March 1, 2023

THE LANDMARK VIEW

KOSEY CORNER

Keeping it old school

Cracking the case of the long lost book

R

iverside may have, in these times, an unusual way of staffing its two fire stations, but one thing you have to admire is the relative cost compared to its neighbors.

The village has never had a full-time fire department, relying instead on a cadre of paid-on-call firefighters, often employed full time as firefighters elsewhere, who must live in or near enough to the village in order to respond in a timely manner to fire emergencies.

Those firefighters are paid only when they respond to an incident, at most a few hours at a pop. There aren’t that many structure fires anymore and the village’s mutual-aid agreements with neighboring towns ensure firefighters from somewhere will always arrive at a scene.

The overwhelming majority of emergencies the fire department responds to are medical calls. For decades the village has contracted with a third party to provide those services. It’s not cheap, often approaching close to a half million dollars a year, and it’s expected to get more expensive this year – rising to an estimated $770,000.

The village does derive some revenue via private insurance as well as Medicaid and Medicare to recoup some of that expense.

Since 1998, Riverside also has staffed its second fire station, north of the tracks, only on weekdays, first from 8 to 4 and then from 8 to 6. Doing so allowed the village to have a fire engine available for immediate emergency response.

On Jan. 1, the department began staffing that station around the clock, 365 days a year. That comes with an additional cost, but those personnel are considered part-time employees with no benefits – again, often full-time firefighters elsewhere picking up a few more hours.

Despite the increases expected in paramedic services and the new around the clock staffing at Fire Station 2, the Riverside Fire Department total expense is estimated in 2023 at $1.8 million.

That’s a big increase in costs over the past decade, which fluctuated between $1.4 and $1.5 million a year. But Riverside is staffing a department with five people per shift (three firefighters and two paramedics) for a fraction of what it costs full-time departments.

North Riverside’s 2022-23 budget estimated the fire department expenses – and this is for a department that has been under staffed for several years – at almost $6.7 million. Brookfield, with two fire stations to staff fully at all times, expects to spend about $5.5 million in 2023.

We’re not sure what lessons are to be drawn from Riverside opting to run counter to what at one time was a popular decision – suburbs moving to full-time professional fire department staffing instead of consolidating resources to spread the cost around – but it sure has saved Riverside taxpayers a whole lot of money.

F

inally! I finished a book by John Grisham but not without a few bumps along the way. Seems every time I pick up a book by one of my favorite novelists, I either misplace it or it gets put somewhere where I don’t get to finish it.

My thought while I was at Cantata was that my book would be on the table next to me and be safe. Unfortunately, that was not the case. It disappeared only to be found at the front desk. Don’t ask me how it found its way there. It was returned, slightly wrinkled, but back to me anyway.

For those of you who are not familiar with the prolific writer, he has written over 40 novels, almost all making their way to the best-seller list. The law is the central theme of most of his works, a subject he is familiar with.

I was surprised at how many of my friends are Grisham readers. My friends Jenny and Pat White stopped by with not only flowers, but another Grisham book, which I have already started.

Louise Wimmer brought me a Grisham book which was part of her late husband Mike’s collection of. I

13

knew Mike to be a good friend and avid reader. So, take my book recommendations when it comes to Grisham. I still have quite a few in my book basket. The one I first finished is already promised to its next reader.

The Riverside Person of the Year Award is a longstanding Riverside Township Lions Club tradition, seeking to honor those who have given particular service to their community.

The club is compiling nominations for 2023 right now, so if you have someone you’d like to present, send your suggestion to Lions Club member Alex Gallegos at alexander.galleos5@yahoo.com. Nominations will be accepted until March 31.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Gallegos at the above email or from any member of the Riverside Lions Club.

The Lions are also looking to increase their membership, which is open to men and women residing in the area. Dinner meetings are held monthly at P.J. Klem’s Restaurant in Lyons. The Lions Club is a philanthropic organization serving sight sound, and local charities.

JOANNE KOSEY

LETTERS

Retail trends may limit mall redevelopment options There is no doubt that the North Riverside Mall faces many challenges from the reduction of the number of potential major retail anchors, a reduction of smaller chain stores attracted to malls and, mall vs. internet shopping.

First signs occurred in the original Hillside Mall which is now a site for a single business -- CarMax. More recently, the Yorktown Mall has seen the effects of a decline in mall shopping. The outlying strip shopping is gone and there has been a large-scale infu-

sion of multistory residential.

While most communities would like to see replacement mall uses as generators of new and additional income, the reality may be limited taxable uses including residential, senior housing, medical support facilities and personal services.

Wishing the village of North Riverside the best in replanning the mall for the future.

James Mann

Brookfield

14

The Landmark, March 1, 2023

Audrey L. Overholt, 95, beloved Brookfield resident Presided over local baseball tourney with husband Roy for decades

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Audrey L. Overholt, who along with her beloved husband, Roy, were household Brookfield names and presided for more than a half century over an annual youth baseball tournament featuring top teams from neighboring communities, died Feb. 25, 2023 at the age of 95.

Born Audrey Lavenau on Sept. 26, 1927, she was raised in Riverside and attended Hauser Junior High in that village.

It was when she was a freshman at Riverside-Brookfield High School in 1941 that she would meet her future husband, Roy, a native of Brookfield’s Hollywood section, who was a senior at the time.

While Roy was serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, said their daughter Nancy Nobile, Audrey lied about her age to volunteer as a Red Cross “candy striper” at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn.

The couple married on Jan. 24, 1948 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Berwyn and were wed for 65 years until Roy’s death in 2013 at the age of 89. The couple moved back to Brookfield in 1961, and two years later started their eponymous season-ending baseball tournament, held at Kiwanis Park, directly across the street from the family home on Arden Avenue.

Roy Overholt’s passion for baseball was perhaps matched only by his passion for manicuring the baseball field, later named in his honor, at Kiwanis Park. Sitting atop a green tractor called “Little Audrey,” he’d maintain the field daily.

OBITUARIES

Leo J. Augustinas, Sr., 81 Retired from International Harvester Leo J. Augustinas Sr., 81 of Riverside, died Feb. 23, 2023.

Mr. Augustinas was born May 28, 1941 and served in the U.S. Air Force. He retired from International Harvester after 40 years of dedicated service and was past president of the Holy Name Society of St. Mary Church. Mr. Augustinas was an avid golfer, bowler, card player and friend to all.

He was the husband of Arlene (nee Bouchard); the father of Julie and the late Leo J. Augustinas Jr.; the grandfather of Andrea, Sara and Michelle; the brother of Shirley (late Joseph) Masek; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews

FILE

Audrey L. Overholt “He was there a lot, but she loved the game as much as he did,” Nobile told the Landmark. “They loved any ballpark, but especially that one.”

While Roy was the face of the Overholt Tournament, Audrey worked behind the scenes, creating signs, making out the schedule – “the stuff no one ever sees,’ Nobile said -- and arranging for the inevitable victory parties at Buresh’s Lobster House.

“They’d travel for baseball games,” Nobile said. “They didn’t have to have kids playing in them.”

Visitation is Saturday, March 4 at St. Mary Church, 126 Herrick Road, Riverside, from 10 a.m. until time of funeral Mass at noon. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. Arrangements handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko, funeral director.

Catherine Berger, 86 Riverside mom of 13 was active at St. Mary’s Catherine “Kay” Berger, 86, of LaGrange Highlands, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Feb. 23, 2023.

She was born in Chicago on Sept. 20, 1936 to the late James and Catherine (Farnan) Ellis. She grew up in St. Gabriel Parish where she married Tom, her cherished and beloved husband and best friend of 64

Mrs. Overholt worked for 16 years as the secretary and Sunday School teacher at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Brookfield. She was a member of the church’s Altar Guild for 45 years, was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and served as an election day poll worker.

After Roy Overholt retired in 1986, the couple spent six months of the year at their home in Florida, but they would return promptly each spring in time for Brookfield Little League’s opening day. “[Roy] would have to be out there for the first pitch,” Nobile said.

He’d also throw the first pitch at his own tournament, a job Audrey assumed after his death. She continued to attend every Overholt Tournament, throwing out the first pitch until 2021. She attended the 2022 tournament last fall but did not throw out the first pitch.

“They used to call my dad Mr. Baseball in Brookfield,” Nobile said. “When people would call her Mrs. Baseball, she would answer to it.”

Mrs. Overholt was the wife of the late Roy A. Overholt; the mother of Ray (Pam) Overholt, Thomas (Julie) Overholt, David (Dale) Overholt, Nancy (David) Nobile and the late Gary Overholt; the grandmother of Kristen, Meggen, Samuel, Joseph, Andrew, Scott, Kimberly, Nicole, Jack and Natalie; and the sister of the late Arthur Lavenau.

She will lie in state on Wednesday, March 1 from 10:30 a.m. until the time of a funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9035 Grant Ave., Brookfield. Interment is at Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park.

Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Online condolences, memories and photographs may be shared at JohnsonNosek.com.

years.

They were 44-year residents of Riverside, where Kay was heavily involved at St. Mary Parish and School. Kay taught math for one year but found her true calling as wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

She was a proud member of her high school and college “clubs” from Mercy High School and St. Xavier College. Family always came first. In her presence, you were always welcomed and embraced.

Ms. Berger is survived by her devoted husband, Tom; 13 children, Cathy (Don) Josefik, Mary (Kevin) Syring, Tom (Cindy) Berger, Jim (Nancy) Berger, Michael (Terri) Berger, Peggy (Rick) Orabutt, Kevin (Pam) Berger, John (Kris) Berger, Jeanne (David) Witz, Stephen (Meg) Berger, David (Colleen) Berger, Anne (Greg) Deis, Daniel (Theresa) Berger; 47 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and many nieces and

nephews.

She is also survived also by her adoring baby sister and best friend, Margie King, who thought of ”Kite” as her guiding light and inspiration; her sisters and brothersin-law, Jim and Ellen Berger, Beth Berger, Queenie Berger and Butch Iglinski. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Carey Berger, and sisters and brothersin-law, Jack King, Frank Berger, Joe Berger, Jack Berger and Mary Kay Iglinski.

A funeral Mass was held Feb. 27 at St. John of the Cross Church. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, memorials to CMTA (Charcot Marie Tooth Association, cmtausa.org) appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko, funeral director.

See OBITUARIES on page 16

Sports

The Landmark, March 1, 2023

15

Nazareth girls smother Friars to reach state’s Final Four Roadrunners meet Peoria March 3 in Class 3A semifinals

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Nazareth Academy girls basketball player junior Amalia Dray recently made a verbal commitment to play soccer at Boston College.

During a one-minute span of the IHSA Class 3A Concordia University Supersectional on Feb. 27, Dray displayed her full-court sprinting talents to complete the efforts of the Roadrunners’ often tenacious defense.

Her eight points off four consecutive steals sparked the Roadrunners’ decisive spurt in a 53-20 victory over Fenwick for a return downstate trip to the state semifinals.

“For sure, it’s a lot of back and forth, like soccer,” said Dray, whose game-high 21 points was just shy of her personal best. “Everybody just knows to look up as far as we can down the court because that’s how we get so many breakaway layups.”

Nazareth (33-1), the top-rated team in Class

3A, surges into the 10 a.m. state semifinal on March 3 in Normal against Peoria (28-3) riding a 28-game winning streak.

The winner plays Lincoln (35-0) or Deerfield (29-5) for the state championship at 5:30 p.m. on March 4 or for third place at 7 p.m. on March 3.

The Roadrunners also are undefeated in Illinois, losing only 64-38 to Notre Dame Academy of Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Dec. 3.

Senior and DePaul recruit Grace Carstensen (8 points, 2 threes, 5 steals), juniors Olivia Austin (8 points), Danni Scully (4 steals, 4 assists) and Mary Bridget Wilson (3 points, 3 assists) and freshman reserve Stella Sakalas (8 points, 2 threes) also contributed to the supersectional victory.

With four returning starters and Wilson, last season’s first player off the bench, the Roadrunners know all too well anything still can happen.

Last season, they finished second in state, losing to East Suburban Catholic Conference rival Carmel 43-39 after winning both regular-season meetings. The Roadrunners also finished second in 2018 and third in 2019.

“I think that’s what really lifts us up the most is that we don’t want to be in that position again, losing a championship that we

SARA JANZ

Nazareth’s Amalia Dray drives toward the basket during the Roadrunners’ supersectional win over Fenwick on Feb. 27. easily could have won,” Dray said. “We’re going to treat every game like it’s our last game.

Last year, we let it slip but this year, we’re in it to win it.”

Fenwick (19-17) took a 6-4 lead but Nazareth scored the last 10 points of the first quarter to lead 18-8.

With Nazareth leading 28-14 at halftime, the Friars scored the first two baskets of the third quarter before the Roadrunners’ defense burst into action. Dray stole the ball and scored on a layup and followed with two

LTHS’ Collins medals four times at state swim meet

than they might have imagined at the FMC tied for 11th (1:34.86) and 12th-place 400 free Senior sets school record Natatorium in Westmont. relay with junior Peter Smith, Walls and Tra“I’m glad I got a year where we got third at janovski (3:08.69). in 200 individual medley state. This year, I really had to step up and be As a team, LTHS finished tied for 21st place.

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School senior Quinn Collins once again made the finals in all four of his events at the boys swimming and diving state finals.

After being part of last season’s third-place state trophy team, this time Collins was the veteran who helped the Lions achieve more

a good leader for the people around me,” Collins said.

Collins’ four top-12, all-state medals on Feb. 25 followed the school record for the 200-yard individual medley he set in the Feb. 24 preliminaries (1:50.77).

He finished a first-team, all-state fifth in the 100 backstroke (50.48) and 12th in the 200 IM (1:52.38) and was part of the 200 medley relay with junior Jack Dillon and seniors Garrett Walls and Marko Trajanovski that

The only returnees from last year’s state lineup were Collins and junior diver Matt Adler, who was 15th in the preliminaries to reach the top-16 semifinals (302.70 points for 9 dives).

“I’m really glad I got the [200 IM] record.

That’s a goal I’ve had since freshman year,” Collins said.

Trajanovski emerged as a strong freestyle anchor with sub-21 and 47-second splits at state, including a team-best 46.90 in the finals.

more layups off back-to-back steals by Scully and Carstensen.

Dray nearly had a fourth consecutive layup off another Carstensen steal but was fouled driving to the basket and hit both free throws for a 37-18 lead. The Roadrunners increased the margin to 46-20 after three quarters.

Nazareth’s 15 steals were half of Fenwick’s 29 turnovers.

“The half-court trap was just sensational.

[Dray] was all over the place,” Nazareth coach Eddie Stritzel said.

He also reached state in the 50 free (22nd, 21.40).

“Coming into the season, I wasn’t so sure about how state would go. Now that I’m more experienced, I was more comfortable swimming at a higher level,” Trajanovski said.

In the 400 relay, Walls cut another .37 for a 46.94 split. Smith went from 49.31 at sectionals to 47.69 Saturday.

“It was my first time here. A lot of it was surreal. Definitely happy with how I swam,” Walls said.

Adler also is motivated for next season after improving from 23rd at state (203.30 for 6 dives) in his first year as a diver. He was just 17.90 points from a top-12 finals berth.

See SWIMMING on page 16

16

The Landmark, March 1, 2023

LTHS upsets Curie to reach sectional finals Lions to face Hinsdale Central for third time this season

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior Graham Smith was part of an incredible postseason run with the Lyons Township High School football team in the fall.

Now he’s gaining believers on the basketball court.

In the Lions’ final home game, Smith was among many seniors who came through big-time as the No. 5-seeded Lions defeated No. 3 Curie 49-46 in the IHSA Class 4A regional championship game on Feb. 24 at Lyons Township.

“It feels great. No one thought we were going to win this game but we’re back [at sectionals], baby, and we’re rolling,” said the Yale-bound Smith, the tight end on the Lions’ Class 8A state quarterfinal football

SWIMMING from page 15 “[Just missing finals] was a little disappointing but I still accomplished my goal [semifinals] so that was pretty cool,” Adler said.

Rosa notches personal bests at state Another boys swimming and diving state meet Friday truly brought out the best in Riv-

OBITUARIES Continued from page 14

Germaine A. Rejdukowski, 82 Department of Defense secretary Germaine Ann Rejdukowski (nee Pora), 82, of Mesa, Arizona, and formerly of Brookfield and Oswego, died Feb. 15, 2023.

team.

The Lions (26-5) now face No. 2 Hinsdale Central (30-3) in the Hinsdale Central Sectional semifinals on March 1 after losing both of their regular-season meetings. No. 1 Whitney Young (23-7) are set to play No. 4 Downers Grove North (27-3) in the other sectional semifinal on Feb. 28. The sectional finals are March 3.

Seniors Jackson Niego (15 points), Smith (12 points, 13 rebounds), Nik Polonowski (7 points, 8 rebounds), Carroll (7 points) and Carter Reid (6 points) led the Lions.

The only player in double figures for Curie (20-11) was senior Jeremy Harrington Jr. (27 points with 3 threes), who had 13 points in the first quarter.

The Lions trailed much of the game but after entering the fourth quarter down 3432, Niego hit two free throws and Smith scored inside off a Reid pass for a 36-34 lead and the Lions never trailed again.

LTHS stayed ahead by hitting 10 of its first 13 free throws in the quarter. After Niego’s free throw gave the Lions their 49-46 lead with 32.6 seconds left, he later

missed two in the double bonus with 14.1 seconds.

The Condors called a timeout with 10.4 seconds and went for a quick 2-pointer but as the driving shot missed, the rebound batted around in the lane and time expired.

“I had to make it close at the end,” said a grinning Niego. “It was a great win, a team win, as always. I felt like everyone did their part, handling the ball, handling pressure, sitting down on defense, a couple of last key possessions.”

Like their Senior Night Blackout game Feb. 17, the Lions retained their black uniforms and were fueled by an enthusiastic home crowd.

They also executed their game plan.

“Three things coming into the game – we had to handle the ball against pressure, we had to defend the drive and we had to rebound. We weren’t perfect with it. But I think we won those battles more than we lost them,” LTHS coach Tom Sloan said.

Smith embodied that toughness with 10 first-half rebounds, including two putback baskets to complement threes by Niego, Po-

lonowski and Reid.

Before Niego’s final free throws, Smith blocked a shot left of the lane with Polonowski getting the rebound.

“We came out here knowing they were going to be a physical team,” Smith said.

“Our goal was to not let them get offensive rebounds. Whoever controlled the boards was going to win the game.”

Niego (7 points), Carroll (5 points) and Smith (4 points) did most of the fourthquarter scoring. Carroll hit a driving shot and two free throws with 1:56 left for a 46-42 lead followed by Harrington’s final three.

Last season, Carroll’s older brother Will hit the game-winning three in overtime to get the Lions past Curie in the sectional semifinals before losing to Whitney Young in the sectional final.

“Not as dramatic as a game-winning three but definitely the same outcome, which was awesome,” Carroll said.

The University of Illinois at Chicago Supersectional is March 6 against the winner of the St. Rita Sectional, where Kenwood and Brother Rice are the top two seeds.

erside-Brookfield High School junior Drew Rosa.

Now it’s time to become even faster.

Rosa just missed reaching the top-12 finals with his preliminary times but did so with lifetime competitive bests, including his club seasons.

Rosa was 14th in the 100-yard butterfly (50.73) and 15th in the 100 breaststroke (57.53). The cuts for Saturday’s consolation finals were 50.55 and 57.26.

“It was pretty good overall, but I know I can do better,” Rosa said.

“I did want to be a little bit faster in both of my events, especially the 100 fly. I wanted to be 49 and 56 in the 100 breast. However, I

did drop in both events (from sectionals) and I really can’t complain about lifetime bests.”

Rosa improved upon his sectional times that had him the No. 15 seed in the 100 fly (50.95) and No. 27 in the 100 breast (58.50). He continues to inch closer to older brother Michael’s 57.14 school record for the 100 breast.

Also encouraging is that Rosa was beaten by seven seniors in the 100 fly and six in the 100 breast.

“I’ve already set my (2024) goal. My goal for next year is to make a final in both of my events,” Rosa said.

At least for now, the quest toward improving and swimming in college continues without a break. For club competition, Rosa

has the Illinois Swimming Senior Championships March 2-5 at FMC and the National Club Swimming Association Spring Nationals March 14-18 in Orlando, Fla. Rosa got the taste of swimming with expectations at state after taking 25th in the 200 individual medley (1:56.30) as a sophomore.

“I thought actually (this) was a little more intimidating because last year I wasn’t really seeded as high so there wasn’t a huge pressure to make finals,” Rosa said. “Obviously I was trying to make finals (as a sophomore) but it was a little more out of reach.

This was right there. I was a little more excited.”

Ms. Rejdukowski was born April 21, 1940 and worked as a secretary for the U.S. Department of Defense.

She was the wife of the late Thomas J. Rejdukowski; the mother of Thomas (Sue) Rejdukowski and Robert (Christy) Rejdukowski; the grandmother of Steven, Abigail, Callysta and Sofia; and the sister of Ray (Kathy) Pora.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 24 at St. Barbara Church in Brookfield, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

Memorial donations to St. Jude Chil-

dren’s Research Hospital would be appreciated.

Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared at JohnsonNosek.com.

Ms. Tippin was the wife of Martin Tippin; the mother of Michael D. Tippin; the sister of John F. Mack, Gloria Mack, Christine Bruzan and the late Frank C. Mack; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Wednesday, March 1 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home 9445 31st St., Brookfield. Interment is private.

Express condolences online at HitzemanFuneral.com. Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Antoinette Tippin family.

Antoinette R. Tippin, 69 Veterinary assistant Antoinette R. Tippin (nee Mack), 69, of Brookfield, died Feb. 25, 2023. She worked as a veterinary assistant.

The Landmark, March 1, 2023 17 Growing Community Media

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

HELP WANTED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

HELP WANTED

INFANT TEACHER

HELP WANTED

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Human Resources Generalist in the Human Resources Department. This position will perform a variety of professional and technical functions in support human resource management including orientation, hiring, employee testing, classification analysis, compensation analysis and benefits administration.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Position opened until filled.

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

IT OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of IT Operations Specialist. The ideal candidate is responsible for the effective operation of information technology services and support across the organization. The IT Operations Specialist serves as a technical expert for the implementation, maintenance and support of systems and networks. The IT Operations Specialist plans and carries out various complex assignments and develops new methods and approaches in a wide variety of IT specialties. Evaluates new and enhanced approaches to deliver IT services; test and optimize the functionality of systems, networks, and data; and define technical requirements. The IT Operations Specialist is responsible for providing various forms of computer-related technical assistance and improving the efficiency of the work of the staff through the use of technology. Interested and qualified applicants can visit our website at http://www.oakpark.us/ for more details.

Under the guidance of the childcare center Director, the Teacher is responsible for planning and implementing an effective developmental program to meet the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each child in line with the philosophy and mission statement of The Giving Tree. In addition, the Teacher is responsible for efficient and timely communication with parents.

One year of child development experience in a school or childcare setting, along with CPR, First Aid and Food handlers’ certifications. (Required but can be obtained upon hiring) Medical insurance offered.

Salary commensurate with experience and education.

Contact information.

Director Hazel Bell 708-209-1555 hazeltbell@gmail.com

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Administrative Assistant in the Public Health Department. This position provides a variety of responsible administrative and analytical functions; records and monitors department budget and fiscal requirements of grant-funded programs; oversight of Accounts Payable process; prepares reports and serves as a resource for computerized office applications. 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.

PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER Call for more info.

708-738-3848

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Riverside Department of Public Works is seeking energetic, responsible, and motivated applicants who enjoy working outdoors. This is a part-time, seasonal position lasting from approximately May through September. Applicants will be expected to work up to 40 hrs. per week or as scheduled by staff. Primary tasks will include, but not limited to: cutting grass, maintaining athletic fields, general facilities maintenance, flushing hydrants, reading water meters, installing water meters, cleaning/televising sewers, assisting full-time employees, and other duties as assigned.

Applicants must be 18 years old, possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug/ alcohol screening.

Applications can be downloaded from the Village website at www. riverside.il.us or picked up at the Riverside Village Hall located at 27 Riverside Rd, Riverside, IL 60546.

Completed applications should be submitted to the Riverside Village Hall or the Riverside Public Works Department, 3860 Columbus Blvd, Riverside, IL 60546. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Pay rate is $18/hr.

FARMERS’ MARKET MANAGER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Farmers’ Market Manager in the Health Department. This position manages the strategic planning and operation of the Oak Park Farmers’ Market; develops sustainable food strategies; and provides health and nutrition education, programming and promotion for the Village. During the Market season, this position would manage the internal staff and contractors needed to operate the Market, provides staff level support to the Farmers’ Market Commission, and manages vendor relations.

The Market season runs from May through October, with the Market itself held outdoors each Saturday.

During this time, the work week for this position is Tuesday through Saturday. Year-round, this position will provide nutrition education programming for the community in collaboration with the Health Education and Nursing divisions. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at https://www.oakpark.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

River Forest Public Schools

River Forest Public Schools District 90 currently seeking three paraprofessionals/ teacher aides to start immediately for the following roles: • Special Education Teacher Aide - Full-time • Special Education Teacher Aide - Part-time, 1:30pm - 3:15pm, Monday - Friday •Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Aide Part-time, 11:30am - 3:10pm, Monday - Friday Qualifications: a) Current Illinois Paraprofessional License, Professional Educator License or Substitute License, b) Successful teacher assistant experience is preferred in regular education or special education.

Job Duties: The instructional assistant in Special Education will work with both general education and special education staff members to support learning for identified child(ren) with special needs. Responsibilities include instructing students in small groups and one-on-

one settings. This will also encompass helping students to develop positive interpersonal relationships with peers and adults: utilizing and modeling school behavior management programs: and assist in communications between students, teachers and parents as requested.

As an equal opportunity employer, it is the policy of the River Forest Public Schools, District 90, to not discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment. District 90 values a talented and diverse workforce, and will attempt to recruit and hire minority employees.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at district90.org



River Forest Public Schools

River Forest Public Schools, D90 is seeking a temporary Summer School Nurse for Willard Elementary School.

• Start Date: June 20th – July 21st (No school July 4th) Hours: 8:15am-3:15pm Qualifications: (a) Registered Nurse License, (b) CPR certified; (c) experience working with children is preferred Job Duties: The summer school nurse will provide direct professional nursing services, first aid, illness and emergency care to students and staff in response to the nursing assessment and in accordance with professional standards, school policy and procedures, and state and local mandates. He/she will administer or supervise the administration and proper storage of medication with

appropriate documentation. The nurse will review and evaluate records of students with medical conditions; maintain communication with parents and staff regarding children’s medical issues in accordance with procedural protocols as specified by the Illinois Department of Public Health. He/she will also perform other duties as assigned by the school principal.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at district90.org

   

18 The Landmark, March 1, 2023

CLASSIFIED BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG MARKETPLACE

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Ferrari’s, James Jaguars,• 630-201-8122 Muscle Cars, Collector Mustang & Mopars

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Restored or Unrestored WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, 630-201-8122 Cars & Vintage Motorcycles photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

Domestic / Import Cars: Call Uncle Gary Mercedes,708-522-3400 Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Cars, R E N TAMuscle LS Mustang & Mopars

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FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

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HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

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CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost • 708.749.0011

WOODWORK Terry's

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Contact Terry Seamans at 630-379-7148 or terryseamans@yahoo.com

PUBLIC NOTICES 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: Y23010173 on February 9, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of MARY CANTU CREATIVE with the business located at: 704 N KENILWORTH AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: MARY CANTU 704 N KENILWORTH AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302.

Published in Wednesday Journal February 15, 22, March 1, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE SUMMONS (Family Law) CITACIÓN (Derecho familiar) CASE NUMBER (NÚMERO DE CASO): HF22130927 NOTICE TO RESPONDENT (Name): AVISO AL DEMANDADO (Nombre): ANGELO C GALLARDO You have been sued. Read the information below and on the next page.

Lo han demandado. Lea la información a continuación y en la página siguiente.

Petitioner’s name is: Nombre del demandante: MERCEDITA M. GALLARDO You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, phone call, or court appearance will not protect you.

If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs.

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

esta Citación y Petición para presentar una Respuesta (formulario FL-120) ante la corte y efectuar la entrega legal de una copia al demandante. Una carta o llamada telefónica o una audiencia de la corte no basta para protegerlo.

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: Y23010237 on February 27, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of DOUG MCGOLDRICK PHOTOGRAPHY with the business located at: 1034 WISCONSIN AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: DOUG MCGOLDRICK 1034 WISCONSIN AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304.

Si no presenta su Respuesta a tiempo, la corte puede dar órdenes que afecten su matrimonio o pareja de hecho, sus bienes y la custodia de sus hijos. La corte también le puede ordenar que pague manutención, y honorarios y costos legales.

Para asesoramiento legal, póngase en contacto de inmediato con un abogado. Puede obtener información para encontrar un abogado en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en el sitio web de los Servicios Legales de California (www.lawhelpca.org) o poniéndose en contacto con el colegio de abogados de su condado.

NOTICE—RESTRAINING ORDERS ARE ON PAGE 2: These restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.

AVISO—LAS ÓRDENES DE RESTRICCIÓN SE ENCUENTRAN EN LA PÁGINA 2: Las órdenes de restricción están en vigencia en cuanto a ambos cónyuges o miembros de la pareja de hecho hasta que se despida la petición, se emita un fallo o la corte dé otras órdenes. Cualquier agencia del orden público que haya recibido o visto una copia de estas órdenes puede hacerlas acatar en cualquier lugar de California.

FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.

EXENCIÓN DE CUOTAS: Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario un formulario de exención de cuotas. La corte puede ordenar que usted pague, ya sea en parte o por completo, las cuotas y costos de la corte previamente exentos a petición de usted o de la otra parte.

1. The name and address of the court are (El nombre y dirección de la corte son): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, 24405 AMADOR STREET, HAYWARD, CA 94544 - FAMILY LAW DIVISION 2. The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, are: (El nombre, dirección y número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante si no tiene abogado, son): SATNESH S. PRASAD, 607 LONGWOOD AVE., HAYWARD, CA 94541 Date (Fecha): OCT 21, 2022

For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courts.ca.gov/ selfhelp), at the

CHAD FINKE, Clerk, by (Secretario, por) SARAH GOUVEIA, Deputy (Asistente)

California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.

Published in the Wednesday Journal March 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023

Tiene 30 días de calendario después de haber recibido la entrega legal de

[SEAL]

Published in Wednesday Journal March 1, 8, 15, 2023

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 Wednesday, March 22, 2023 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 variations from Section 10-7-3(D) (Accessory Structures and Uses) and Section 10-7-4 (Permitted Encroachments) of the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance. The variations are sought to build a first-story deck that will encroach 5 feet into the street yard and to build a deck on the second story of the house.

Application No.: PZ 23-0003 Petitioner: Romney Cirillo Property Commonly Known As: 95 Groveland Avenue, Riverside, Illinois PIN: 15-35-204-008-0000 Variations: The variations sought include, but may not be limited to, variations from the following sections of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance: a variation from Section 10-7-3(D) (Accessory Structures and Uses) and Section 10-7-4 (Permitted Encroachments), which state decks are prohibited in street yards; and a variation from Section 10-7-3(D) (Accessory Structures and Uses), which states decks shall not be higher than the elevation of the first floor of the principal building.

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 Anne Cyran via email at acyran@riverside.il.us or delivered to the attention of Village Planner Anne Cyran 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

The Landmark, March 1, 2023 19

CLASSIFIED BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

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.

PUBLIC NOTICE VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS

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.

Petitioner: Riverside School District 96 Property Commonly Known As: 94 and 100 Akenside Rd and 61, 63, and 65 Woodside Rd, Riverside, Illinois PINs: 15-36-104-049-0000; 15-36104-044-0000; 15-36-104-048-0000; 15-36-104-024-0000; and 15-36104-023-0000

Dated this 1st day of March, 2023.

Jill Mateo, Chairperson Planning and Zoning Commission Published in RB Landmark March 1, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN PROJECTS The Village of Brookfield will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 13, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the Village Board Room, 8820 Brookfield Avenue Brookfield, Illinois to obtain public comment regarding its intent to apply for Low-Interest Loans from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) for various water system improvements.

The public hearing is being held in accordance with the State of Illinois Rules for Public Water Supply Loans, Part 662.330.

The purpose of the hearing is to obtain public comment on the Project Plan and the IEPA’s Preliminary Environmental Impacts Determination for the following proposed projects.

The Project Plan and the IEPA’s Environmental Impacts Determination are available for inspection at the office of the Village Manager located at the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois during regular business hours.

The Project Plan Environmental and Impacts Determination include the following projects.

Water Main Replacement Projects (Phase I and Phase II) which include the installation of 15,300’ of ductile iron pipe water main to replace aging cast iron water mains.

Lead Service Line Replacement Projects (Phase I, II, and III) which include the installation of 1,915 copper water services to replace existing lead water services.

The Office of the Village Clerk will receive written comments for a period of 10 days following the public hearing.

Brigid Weber Village Clerk Published in RB Landmark March 1, 2023

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 Wednesday, March 22, 2023 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 review and consider various changes to the Village’s site plan review process as set forth in the Riverside Zoning Ordinance.

Application No.: PZ 23-0005 Petitioner: Village of Riverside Proposed Text Amendments: Various changes to the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance regulations relative to Site Plan Review. The affected section(s) includes, but may not be limited to, Section 10-2-2-4 (Site Plan Review). Among the potential changes being considered include possibly changing the process as to how Site Plans are reviewed and approved, and what body has final decision making authority over Site Plans and under what circumstances. Other procedural and process changes to the site plan review provisions in the Village’s Zoning Code may be considered.

The application and proposed text amendments are available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. The proposed text amendments may be added to or otherwise revised as a result of the public hearing. During the Public Hearing the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on this matter. Persons wishing to appear at the hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the proposed text amendments. Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearings or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to Village Planner Anne Cyran via email at acyran@riverside. il.us or delivered to the attention of Village Planner Anne Cyran at the Village Offices at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the public hearings.

Please specify the public hearing to which your comments pertain.

The public hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The proposed text amendments

Dated this 1st day of March, 2023 Jill Mateo, Chairperson Planning & Zoning Commission Published in RB Landmark March 1, 2023

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 Wednesday, March 22, 2023 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 variations from Section 10-7-3 (Accessory Structures and Uses), Section 10-7-4 (Permitted Encroachments), Section 10-8-9 (Required Off Street Parking Spaces), Section 10-9-5 (Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping), and Section 10-9-6 (Interior Parking Lot Landscaping) of the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance.

The variations are sought to install a 4-foot-tall black wrought iron style fence that encroaches into the Akenside Road street yard for a length of approximately 189 feet along Akenside Road; to install two, 4-foot-tall black wrought iron style fences that encroach into the Akenside Road street yard for lengths of approximately 183 feet and 173 feet perpendicular to Akenside Road; to install a 20-foot-tall PVC-coated chain link backstop fence that encroaches approximately 21 feet into the Akenside Road street yard, approximately 167 feet from the street; to build an approximately 282 square foot refuse enclosure within the Akenside Road street yard, approximately 150 feet from the street; to install a 10-foot-wide sidewalk instead of the maximum 5 feet wide sidewalk perpendicular to Akenside Road that encroaches into the street yard for a length of approximately 188 feet; to build a parking lot with 87 spaces instead of the required 114 spaces; to allow the perimeter parking lot landscape buffer from Akenside Road to be less than 10 feet wide near two parking spaces; to install 12 interior landscape medians instead of the required 17 medians for the proposed 87 parking spaces; and to install 8 interior landscape medians that are smaller than required.

Application No.: PZ 23-0002

Variations: The variations sought include, but may not be limited to, variations from the following sections of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance: variations from Section 10-7-3 (Accessory Structures and Uses), which states that fences shall be a maximum of 6 feet in height, that fences shall not be located in street yards, and that refuse enclosures shall not be located in street yards; a variation from Section 10-7-4 (Permitted Encroachments), which states sidewalks up to a maximum of 5 feet in width are permitted in street yards; a variation from Section 10-8-9 (Required Off Street Parking Spaces), which requires the site to have 114 off-street parking spaces; a variation from Section 10-9-5 (Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping), which requires a 10-foot-wide landscape buffer between the parking lot and the property line; and variations from Section 10-9-6 (Interior Parking Lot Landscaping), which requires 17 landscape medians for the proposed 87 parking spaces and requires landscape medians to be a minimum of 144 square feet in area.

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 Anne Cyran via email at acyran@riverside.il.us or delivered to the attention of Village Planner Anne Cyran 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

PUBLIC NOTICES Village of Riverside.

Dated this 1st day of March, 2023.

Jill Mateo, Chairperson Planning and Zoning Commission Published in RB Landmark March 1, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Abigail LeBlancAlexander LeBlanc Case Number 20224005878.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Abigail LeBlancAlexander LeBlanc to the new name of: Abigail LeBlanc The court date will be held: On March 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at 1311 Maybrook Dr, Maywood, IL 60153 in Courtroom #112 Published in Wednesday Journal March 1, 8, 15, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES 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 knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

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

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

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Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice in • Austin Weekly News • Village Free Press • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (CWALT 2005-56); Plaintiff, vs.

CELESTE MARIOTTI; MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC.; THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2005-56, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-56; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 18 CH 10982 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 20, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West 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 634 South Scoville Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304.

P.I.N. 16-18-213-013-0000.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 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 Mr. Andrew Houha at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Johnson, Blumberg & Associates, LLC, 30 North LaSalle, Chicago, Illinois 60602. (312) 541-9710. IL 21 8605 ADC INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3213310

Call the Experts Before You Place Your Legal Ad! Contact Kamil for details: kamil@growingcommunitymedia.org

Let the sun shine in...Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year • OakPark.com • RBLandmark.com • ForestParkReview.com • AustinWeeklyNews.com • VFPress.news

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The Landmark, March 1, 2023

2 1 E . B U R L I N GTO N R OA D, R I V E R S I D E | 70 8 . 4 47.72 07 NG MI O C

ON SO

NG MI O C

ON SO W NE

G TIN S I L

W NE

G TIN S I L

308 Nuttall Rd, Riverside

258 Nuttall Rd, Riverside

465 Northgate Ct, Riverside $450,000

320 Nuttall Rd, Riverside $1,100,000

1510 Franklin Ave, River Forest $750,000

2558 5th Ave, North Riverside $500,000

1519 William St, River Forest $697,000

1568 Aberdeen Ct, Naperville $319,000

35 West Ave, #2S, Riverside $189,000

126 Peachtree Ln, Westmont $248,000

T LO T N CA VA

1516 S Wabash Ave, #902, Chicago $485,000

225 S Sangamon St #706, Chicago $485,000

380 Herrick Rd, Riverside $474,900

4534 Arthur Ave, Brookfield $169,900

AL CI R E MM O C

7722 Madison St, River Forest $18/sq ft

When it comes to selling and buying homes... experience, results and ties to the community make all the difference.

Curious about the current real estate market and the impact on your home’s value? Thinking about selling, but need to find your next home first? Can’t find your dream home in this competitive market? Contact one of our local market experts for a free, confidential consultation.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY