Roughly 150 Riverside Brookfield High School students walked out of their classes Friday afternoon to march to Brookfield’s Eight Corners, protest-
RBHS students walked out of classes and marched along Washington Street to Eight Corners in protest of Trump Administration policies on March 6.
ing the tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Little kids shouldn’t have to run away from ICE agents and fear for their parents to not come back home,” said $1.00
As the students streamed eastward along Washington Avenue, holding up signs that displayed their disdain for ICE, drivers sounded their horns in support. That blare only increased when they reached the roundabout at Eight Corners.
Brook eld o cials highlight development and business
e zoo hosted Brook eld’s inaugural State of the Village address on ursday
By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter
Officials, business owners and community members alike flocked to Brookfield Zoo Chicago on Thursday, March 5, for Brookfield’s inaugural State of the Village address, which celebrated the village’s recent achievements and spotlighted where it hopes to target next for development.
Riverside could regulate outdoor dining standards
Some kinds of barriers may need to be replaced down the line
By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter
Riverside officials could mo late outdoor dining within the stringently, most notably in determining which kinds of physical barriers are pe mitted for cordoning of f dining areas and which are not.
At the village board’s March Community Development Director Cyran presented staf f recommendations for new standards related to outdoor dining, including the barriers, umbrellas, lighting, decorations and service equipment that restaurants use.
The issue will go before the village nomic development commission and its planning and zoning commission before possibly returning to the board meeting for a vote on implementing an ordinance.
Trustees were widely suppo of the new standards — like ensuring umbrellas are anchored properly scuring signs and closed outside of ness hours, securely fastening decor to the wall or ground to avoid safety hazards, keeping bus carts and other service equipment out of the view of the public rightof-way, and re gulating ambient lighting to face downwards to align with the village’s pre-existing lighting standards.
three-and-a-half feet, so diners can see out of the space and passers-by can see in.
CO RRECTI ON
Cyran recommended re gulating barriers based on material, height and visual transparency. She said the move to implement standards was not based on complaints the village had received but rather on the suggestion of village board members.
She suggested specifying “durable materials” that will be allowed in the village code, including “finished wood, aluminum, commercial-grade resin, which is plastic, high-grade plastic, and painted or powder-coated steel or iron.” Less durable materials, like chain link fencing or pressure-treated lumber, should be expressly prohibited, she said.
Cyran also recommended limiting barriers, which include those for med by plants within planters, to a height of 42 inches, or
She said barriers ought to be re gulated to have a certain amount of visual transparency, recommending 50% transparency as a benchmark figure that other municipalities enforce or 30% as a more opaque option.
“The code doesn’t currently state that barriers have to have any transparency. If you’ve got a planter where you have space between the plants, that opens up the space, but if you have a solid fence, it does create a little bit of a visual barrier between the dining area and the sidewalk. Generally, good practice is to have a bit of an open area to activate that space,” Cyran said.
The board appeared split on whether to re gulate the transparency of barriers and how to handle existing barriers. Village
An article titled “Riverside OKs bike plan creation” that ran in print March 4, 2026, misquoted resident Valerie Kramer. She spoke of traffic calming in her public comment to village trustees, not traffic quality. The Landmark regrets the error.
President Doug Pollock threw his voice behind lowering the visual distinction between the streetscape and its outdoor dining areas.
“People gravitate toward those types of areas. They don’t want to sit behind an enclosed fence; it might as well be indoors.
dhaley@wjinc.com
w ww.RBLandmark.com
CA$H 4 VINYL!
Aono stepping down as Arts Center gallery director
But she will still serve as volunteer curator on exhibitions committee
By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter
Joanne Aono has been the gallery director at Riverside Arts Center since 2021 but has worked with the organization in some capacity since 2016, including volunteering on the exhibitions committee.
She’s loved every minute of it. But like a lot of great experiences, the time has come to move on.
Sort of. Ann Filmer, RAC executive director, said the search for Aono’s replacement is underway, but until then, she has ag reed to stay on. She’ll also remain as a volunteer curator on the exhibitions committee.
Still, it is a time of goodbyes on some level. Never an easy thing.
“I will really miss the people,” she said. “I really enjoy working with the staf f and the exhibitions committee and the guest curators and the people that walk in.”
Being the g allery director at one of the Chicago suburbs’ most prestigious art centers isn’ t an easy thing. Consider that last year, RAC hosted 19 exhibitions across the Freeark Gallery, Sculpture Garden, the F lexSpace and Riverside village hall, with 30 events associated with those exhibitions.
That’s a lot. It also implies the toughest part of the job.
“Scheduling is really difficult, because we have so much going on and I’m dealing with so many people,” she said, “getting things in, getting things picked up, certain exhibits are really demanding.”
But RAC has evolved in her 10 years, and especially the last four as gallery director. Filmer is one of the many who has appreciated her efforts.
“I have had the great pleasure of working with Joanne Aono over the last 15 months,”
Joanne Aono
RBHS Students Exhibiting at Riverside Arts Center Starting March 13
Twenty-seven Riverside-Brookfield High School Advanced Placement Studio Art students will have their work displayed at the Riverside Arts Center’s Freeark Gallery from Friday through April 11.
The students’ work – ranging from drawings to 3D sculpture to photography – is provocative, avant-garde and in some cases, surrealistic, like senior Rebecca Dosek’s acrylic paint and marker drawing of a lion getting its mane permed.
“Honestly, big cats are some of my favorite animals, and I thought it would be funny,” said Dosek, who is headed of f to Illinois State next year. “I was experimenting with how humanity treats animals.”
Senior Bella Dematteo developed a dress made out of common materials like plastic grocery sacks, but look deeper. The dress is mounted on a mannequin she built with recycled fabric
“The dress I would characterize as fashion, but I built the mannequin itself so I consider that sculpture,” said Dematteo, of f to Illinois Wesleyan next year. “The mannequin took me a month and the dress itself took me a week.
Filmer said. “With her passion, dedication to artists, her exquisite taste and attention to every detail, Joanne has been a force directing and elevating RAC’s exhibition program.”
Years ago, renowned local artist Anne Harris was chairperson of the center’s exhibition committee. She asked Aono to join the committee, which proved to be prescient.
“She has an excellent eye and a deep knowledge about the arts in Chicago and very aware of who is showing where,” Harris said, “and looking at artists who are showing at artist-run, artist-founded spaces
“At one point, when we had a g allery director leave, she was asked to be the interim g allery director. She’s been doing this job for four years and she’s terrific. She has a lot of inte g rity and works great with artists and the committee.”
Jeremy Black serves on the exhibitions committee with Aono, Harris and Laura Husar Garcia.
“I’ve worked with Joanne for years as
Senior Audrey Hostrawser isn’t sure where she will study graphic design next year, but her portrait of a girl walking a dog along a busy city area, complete with diverse shops and restaurants, will be the second time she has exhibited at RAC.
“I think last year it was an amazing experience to see other people viewing your art,” she said. “It was a really good opportunity and made me feel like I have a voice with my ar twork.”
The students are under the tutelage of Suzanne Zimmerman, and she said departing RAC gallery director Joanne Aono has been instrumental in the exhibition, in its 16th year.
“We’re lucky to have her expertise,” Zimmerman said. “She’ll talk to my students about how the gallery is curated, and we’ve had students yearly that intern there.”
Friday’s opening night rece ption will run from 5-7 p.m. and will include pizza donated by Paisans Pizza of Brookfield. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
— Gregg Voss
the for mer president of the board for the Riverside Arts Center and went from there to working with her on the exhibitions committee,” Black said. “Through that time, I’ve gotten to know her very well. She’s taught me a lot about curating, how to analyze and think about how work should be displayed, how to mesh these ideas of different visual elements from different ar tists
“She has a real knack for the aesthetic, bringing together really interesting people and very interesting work.”
Black said that it’s sad to see Aono move on, “but she’s got other things to do.”
That includes pursuing her own artistry in her studio at Bray Grove Farm in Morris, where she hosts the alternative art project Cultivator, the Chicago Art Exhibitions & Farm Projects.
So Aono will be keeping busy.
“The art I make is about the environment,” she said. “It’s also about the theme of immigration and how immigration ties into food sovereignty, (how) immigration ties into all different types of people.”
Brookfield’s ONLY Senior Living Community!
With Cantata’s continuum of care, you can live your best life today, tomorrow and into the future. We’ve been here, right across from the zoo, for more than a century passionately serving the needs of local seniors.
Tour our 10-acre campus today!
708-387-1030
Independent Living•Assisted Living•Memory Support Short-Term Rehab•Long-Term Care•Home Care
TAKE
KEY STEPS NOW TO PREPARE FOR FILING YOUR 2025 TAX RETURN NEXT YEAR: PART Ill
Prepare to include digital assets on taxes in 2026
Just like previous filing years, taxpayers must report all digital asset-related income when they file their 2025 federal income tax return. A digital asset is property that is stored electronically and can be bought, sold, owned, transferred or traded. Examples include convertible virtual currencies and cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
If a taxpayer had digital asset transactions last year, they should be sure to keep records that prove their purchase, receipt, sale, exchange or any other disposition of the digital assets and that includes the fair market value, as measured in U.S. dollars of all digital assets received as income or as a payment in the ordinary course of a trade or business.
When filing 2025 federal income tax returns, taxpayers will be asked to answer “Yes” or “No” to
the following question: At any time during the tax year, did you:
(a) receive (as a reward, award or payment for property or services); or
(b) sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of a digital asset (or a financial interest in a digital asset)?
Taxpayers should be prepared to answer the question by reviewing the digital assets landing page and FAQ available on IRS.gov. In addition to checking the “Yes” box, taxpayers must report all income related to their digital asset transactions. Information on how to report digital asset transactions, including calculating capital gain or loss, determining basis and reporting the income on the correct form can also be found on the digital assets landing page.
By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.
Brook eld’s library promotes civic discourse
Its ‘One Small Step’ program through April encourages discussing di erences
By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter
From now through the end of April, the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library is asking community members to take One Small Step toward understanding each other.
One Small Step is the name of the initiative the library is putting on in collaboration with StoryCorps, a nonprofit work to share the importance of each individual’s story. As part of the program, the library is offering “a few different simultaneous initiatives that are passively taking place at the library,” said Executive Director Kim Coughran. Those include seve events that will invite attendees to bridge the gap and get to know other people in their community.
“One Small Step, at its core, is a bridgebuilding initiative,” Coughran said.
A full list of events is available on the library’s website.
For the duration of the program, a monthly question will be available to answer digitally and in-person, with some answers displayed in the library’s lobby For March, the library is asking, “Who has been the most influential person in your life? What did they teach you?”
LET ’S TALK: New librar y program encourages civ ic and civ il discourse.
A station with vintage phones where you can listen to a snippet of a prerecorded conversation between two people participating elsewhere in One Small Step will also be available through April.
“They often have two different people meeting one-on-one to discuss a particular subject,” Coughran said. “That could be food insecurity, divorce, etc. Issues that
OUTDOOR DINING
Regulations debated
from page 3
The attraction of the outdoor dining is, ‘I get to be part of the street life. I get to enjoy that ambiance,’” he said.
Trustees Alex Gallegos and Elizabeth Kos were vocal in supporting grandfathering in existing barriers so that restaurant
people grapple with in their li Community members will get the chance to participate in their own face-to-face discussions, too. Teens are invited to play the conversational dice g ame Talk & Toss with pizza and snacks at 3 p.m. on March 24 and April 21, both Tuesdays.
Teens will also have the chance to submit a short video explaining a current event or civic issue and why it matters to them; a winner will be chosen at the end of April to serve as an honorary page to Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid in Springfield for
owners would not need to spend time and money replacing them. Kos said she felt the optimum opacity of a barrier would depend on the location of the outdoor dining area.
“I love eating outside at La Estancia with that taller fence because there’s a lot going on on that street. There’s a lot happening there,” she said. “Not everybody wants to have a conversation with everybody that goes by, especially in a town like Riverside, where I feel like a lot of people know each other.”
picture of, and writing a few words about, their favorite changemaker, be it a historical figure or a community member.
Finally, the library will offer a series of civics education events in April, starting with a lecture by Elmhurst University professor Scott Braam on the importance and mechanics of local elections, on Monday, pril 13, at 7 p.m.
On the same day, and on the following two Mondays, the library will make its way through a showing of the seven-episode 2008 miniseries “John Adams,” starring Paul Giamatti and chronicling the adult life of the second president.
On Sunday, April 19, the library will show “To Begin the World Over Again: The Life of Thomas Paine,” a one-man play by Ian Ruskin about the life of the author of “Common Sense,” a widely read revolutionary-era pamphlet advocating American independence.
PROVIDED
a day the legislati process.” Submissions are due via email by Friday, April 17, to reference@lsfbrookfieldlibrary.org.
Adults are invited to “One Small Step: Brookfield in Conversation, Part 1,” where they’ll be matched up for lengthy, deep, one-on-one conversations with facilitators and guiding questions. Re gistration is required ahead of time, online, in-person or over the phone.
Younger children can participate in the Changemakers Art Gallery by drawing a
“I would say the experts are the actual restaurant owners. They know their clientele better than we would. They know their industry better than we would,” Gallegos added.
Trustees Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga and Jill Mateo advocated for phasing out existing barriers within five years with new ones that fit the village’s new standards.
“In general, for a street- and public-facing dining area, I do prefer to have some transparency. I think it’s a friendlier look and approach,” Marsh-Ozga said.
Finally, on Thursday, April 30, Illinois oad Scholar speaker Raff Donelson will ve a talk about the history of activism and the United States Supreme Court. oughran said she heard about One Small ep as it made its way through the circuit of library conferences, and she saw other libraries implementing its programming
“In this 250th year of our national experiment, we’re very excited to be offering this as a bridge-builder initiative for the community. We feel it’s quite right for the moment,” she said. “We may not be able to impact the story on the national level, but what we can do is offer this opportunity to the Brookfield community to stand with each other, get to know each other and find compassion for one another.”
“I think uniformity in our central business district — both business districts — would be much nicer than what we have now,” Mateo said.
Trustee Cristin Ev ans said she could see justifications for making barriers more transparent or allowing them to remain opaque.
The village board will likely have another discussion to reach a group consensus on both points surrounding barriers before any for mal action is taken to codify the proposed standards.
is rendering shows the proposed new playground for Turtle Park. e rendering does not include the park’s turtle climber, which is set to be refurbished.
Turtle Park playground work makes progress
Riverside sta are working to reduce th e village’s costs
By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter
Riverside officials reviewed an update on the renovations proposed to come to Turtle Park, with expectations that the work will be completed before the end of the year.
The project will see the entire playground at the park redone, with the southern area expanded to make room for larger play equipment, according to a staff memo. Exposed aggregate concrete will be installed over the walkways between the park’s different elements, with the sand and turtle in the southeast set to be refurbished
To match the park’s theme, turtle tracks will be left in the pavement before it dries, said Steve Konters, a vice president at RVi Planning and Landscape Architecture, the firm behind the plans
The swings on the north side of the park will also be replaced. The two toddler swings will remain, while the other two swings will be replaced with an accessible swing and a parent-and-child swing, Konters said.
“The proposed design not only maximizes available funding but addresses the feedback we received from residents, which was natural appearance, increased size of playground and activities for a wider range of ages,” said Ron Malchiodi, Riverside’s director of parks and recreation, at the village board’s March
5 meeting
Most of the new playground equipment will be made of Robinia wood, which “has the same longevity as metal equipment,” according to the staff memo, while the swing set’s new frame will be made of steel in natural colors due to size constraints, Konters said.
According to the memo, the budget for the project was set at $250,000 to match the size of a state grant that Riverside staff are waiting to be disbursed shortly. In addition to the grant, the village will have access to leftover funds raised by its sesquicentennial committee now that the celebrations for Riverside’s 150th anniversary of incorporation have concluded. That gift will be about $20,000.
According to the memo, the project still comes in over its budget at about $402,000, but Malchiodi said staff are working to reduce the costs
“While this project may appear over budget, the only estimate for this project was based on the available state funding of $250,000, so even the most basic replacement would have been over that threshold,” Malchiodi said.
“The village manager, public works director and myself have met and already determined ways to lower costs by purchasing equipment directly and performing some aspects of the project in-house.”
That “most basic replacement” would have cost about $323,000, according to the memo.
Konters said the project will be ready to go to bid for construction contractors in April.
“This could still take advantage of the early spring bid market and set you up for a springsummer construction to have this open still this year for play,” Konters said.
Local journalism matters. That’s why we made a bold decision to protect its future.
The RB Landmark is now part of NEWSWELL, a nonpro t journalism organization that provides resources, technology, and long-term support to community newsrooms across the country.
This partnership strengthens our foundation while keeping everything that matters the same. Our newsroom remains local. Our staff remains in place. Our commitment to this community is unchanged. With the added support of NEWSWELL, we are better positioned than ever to continue delivering the independent, community-focused journalism our readers rely on.
Same mission. New chapter. Stronger future.
All donations support local operations.
COURTESY OF RVI PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
A new sign is coming to Harlem and Longcommon
Gateway signage will be installed this year to promote village visibility
By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter
Riverside trustees approved an agreement to install new gateway signage on private property at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and Longcommon Road
The flag-like sign, attached to a pole, will indicate to drivers on Harlem Avenue that they are passing by Riverside. It will feature Riverside’s logo, call out the village as a National Historic Landmark and note its year of establishment in 1869. The sign will be installed on a piece of grass between the street and the sidewalk immediately south of the parking lot at the Shining Smiles strip mall.
The village is also set to install three bike racks, new brick pavers, and perennial plants in a teardrop-shaped planter on the other side of the sidewalk, closer to the parking lot, beautifying the area and making it more accessible for cyclists
According to a staff memo, the total cost for the improvements is $152,640. The money will from the village’s Business District One fund, consisting of sales tax revenue generated from sales in the district, which comprises the strip mall and the gas station south of the intersection.
The fund has a positive balance of about $10,000 and is expected to have a ne gative balance of about $37,463 at the end of the year, with revenues expected to surpass $125,000. Only about $500 is budgeted in expenses next year, with a similar amount of revenue projected, meaning the fund’s ne gative balance will be offset by the end of 2027.
e le most sign is set to be installed later this year at the intersec tion of Harlem Avenue and Longcommon Road.
“The village will realize cost savings if the project is completed this year due to rising construction and material inflation costs,” said Community Development Director Anne Cyran. “A proposal and ag reement for the work will be an upcoming agenda item for the board’s consideration. Of note is that this item meets a few of the board’s strategic goals, but most notably to enhance the attractiveness of the north entry of the village with signage and other enhancements.”
The village board, which unanimously approved the resolution, last discussed the project in January 2025, when it selected the shape of the planter bed and approved installing the bike racks. At that time, trustees directed for there to only be one sign installed after having considered installing a second gateway sign at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and East Burlington Street.
Local journalism matters. That’s why we made a bold decision to protect its future.
The RB Landmark is now part of NEWSWELL, a nonpro t journalism organization that provides resources, technology, and long-term support to community newsrooms across the country. This partnership strengthens our foundation while keeping everything that matters the same. Our newsroom remains local. Our staff remains in place. Our commitment to this community is unchanged. With the added support of NEWSWELL, we are better positioned than ever to continue delivering the independent, communityfocused journalism our readers rely on. Same mission. New chapter. Stronger future.
All donations support local operations.
COURTESY OF
STATE OF VILLAGE
Focus on grants
from page 1
The well-attended event saw speeches given by Community Development Director Libby Popovic, Village President Michael Garvey, Village Manager Tim Wiberg and Jennifer Baader, the zoo’s vice president of governmental af fairs.
In a prerecorded video, Popovic shouted out the Brookfield Shops retail incubator program, which opened to the public last June. The program allows entrepreneurs to open temporary storefronts in 15-feet-by15-feet sheds located next to Eight Corners.
Six new businesses opened there last year, with three of them electing to stay on for the 2026 season; another business opened there earlier this year, with two more scheduled to open in May.
“We took a small, underutilized, triangular piece of land, and we have developed it into six incubator hubs where small businesses can thrive and test out their businesses,” Popovic said in the vide Brookfield envisions for Eight Corners is small businesses that thriv within this community, that are accessible to our schools, to our local business community and to the [community] members living there.”
In a speech, Garvey emphasized field’s ability to earn grant funding various departments and projects, especially to go toward its police department and its street resurfacing projects. He pointed to some of the village complishments, including the bronze electric vehicle readiness designation in August and its ongoing ef fo and modernize its zoning code, likely be completed this year.
“Brookfield is not standing still. planning intentionally, modernizing responsibly and creating opportunities that will benefit residents and businesses for years to come,” he said.
ogress on replacing leaded water service lines. The efwhich calls local municipalities to begin replacing 2027 and be on track to re-
about who’s placement. Is it the village? The vilvillage commitwater system issue; it. They adopted a water rate our lead line replacements, and I’m happy to announce that, e going to be done replacing all the lead lines,” he said.
Wiberg also addressed common quesabout upcoming the kind planned for areas along Grand Boulevard and Ogden Avenue and near the Congress Park Metra station, among other spots in town.
He attributed Brookfield’s strides to all of its village departments but especially the village manager’s office, which is responsible for communication between the village and residents, from sending letters to residents near planned development projects to managing Brookfield’s growing social media presence.
“I was proud of the village back when I started 25 years ago, but I’m more proud than ever before based on the strides that we’ve made, and it’s based on our whole
team of staf f,” he said.
When Wiberg took the stage, he credited some of Brookfield’s progress to the village’s comprehensive plan, which he said shapes the “development decisions, infrastructure upgrades and land-use strategies that we’re exploring and pursuing,” and staffers’ ability to find and successfully apply for grant funding to build upon existing village funds, especially engineers at Hancock Engineering in relation to street
“I get asked all the time, ‘What’s happening here? Why isn’t development happening downtown?’ I hear you. Development is a long, tedious process, and it takes a long time to make all the stars align and get everything planned and organized. Bear in mind that we generally don’t own the properties; we have to work with developers, and developers have their own timelines and their own priorities,” he said. “We are on the cusp of a lot of exciting private development projects that are going to happen and hopefully start in 2026.”
Spring Landscaping Starts Here
With the rapid approach of spring, the landscape season is right around the corner.
If you haven’t thought about your 2026 projects, now is the time to start! The early warmth has lit the flame of urgency, with many first-time and perennial clients calling and asking to be put on our schedules.
As you plan for this season, here’s a quick checklist to keep in mind: Scope - determine what vision you have for your landscape. Whether softscape, hardscape, architectural features or lighting, knowing what you want to transform is the most important piece.
Budget - establish a realistic budget that can provide you with the means to transform your dreams into reality.
Schedule a meeting – set up a consultation with our sales and design staff to give you a true understanding of what it will take to make this transformation.
Design - after the consultation, let our talented team bring your ideas to paper.
These four simple steps can help make 2026 your landscape’s best!
NOTE: The closer we get to spring, the more our backlog fills, so act quickly to ensure you receive priority.
TODD BANNOR
Guests at Brook eld’s State of the Village event at Brook eld Zoo Discovery Center on
TODD BANNOR
Village President Michael Garvey speaks at Brook eld’s State of the Village event.
Scott McAdam Jr.
Family ties, bruising politics in race for county board
By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar began his career in elected office in 2002 by defeating Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez in a race for a seat in the Illinois General Assembly. In that race Aguilar was a Republican. Now a Democrat Aguilar, 65, will have to fend off a strong challenge from Lisa Hernandez’s daughter, Miranda Hernandez, to keep hi seat on the Cook County board. The 34-year old Miranda Hernandez, a resident of Riverside, and Berwyn City Clerk Leticia “Letty” Garcia are challenging Aguilar in the March 17 Democratic primary.
Miranda Hernandez moved to Riverside last year when she returned to the Chicago area from Washington, DC following the in auguration of Donald Trump as president. In Washington Hernandez worked for a congresswoman and two senators and served as a staffer for the Senate Judiciary Committee. Her last job in Washington was as a political appointee in the Department of Justice during the administration of Joe Biden. Hernandez is a lawyer who now works in criminal appeals for the Cook County State’s Attorney office after initially being hired last year to be the Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. Hernandez’s mother, Lisa Hernandez (DCicero), is the deputy majority leader of the Illinois House of Representatives and the chair of the Illinois Democratic Party. Those connections are helping her daughter’s first run for public office. Miranda Hernandez has been endorsed by powerful insiders such as for mer State Rep Mike Zalewski, the Riverside Township Democratic Committeeman, for mer State Senator Steve Landek, who serves as the mayor of Bridgeview and is the Lyons Township Democratic Committeeman, Cicero Town President and Cicero Township Democratic Committeeman Larry Dominick and powerful Melrose Park Mayor Ron Serpico.
Lisa Hernandez’s campaign committee is paying the salary of a Democratic Party of Illinois staffer who is working on Miranda Hernandez’s campaign. And the connection to her mother has certainly helped with fundraising as Miranda Hernandez’s campaign committee has outraised Aguilar raising more than $50,000 last year with sizable contributions from politicians and unions
“I’m ve proud of da Hernand Miranda Hernand her mother helped her fundraising and campaign
Hernandez said she is running to be a new generation of Hispanic leader noting that her experience working in Washington and her joint law and MBA degrees from Northern Illinois University make her more than qualified.
“It is my hope that you will continue see a stronger, more educated Latine next generation of leadership that comes into this space,” Hernandez said. “I am a qualified candidate here so apart from any helpful connections there just look at my record of experience in public service.”
Hernandez said she didn’t have any criticisms of specific votes that Aguilar has taken but said her qualifications stand out and pointed to Aguilar’s past as a Republican. If elected Hernandez said she would try to be a visible county board member.
“I want folks to know who their county commissioner is and what the county board does,” Hernandez said. “I want them to know they have representation in this space.”
In a telephone interview Aguilar claimed that a disagreement he had with Dominick about a remark Dominick made in 2024 about undocumented immigrants led to Dominick searching for a candidate to unseat him.
“I’m not going to tolerate bigotry, I’m not
publicans and were once strong supporter of each other.
Aguilar, who lives in Cicer any specific criticisms of Her “She’s young,” Aguilar said. “She has a very bright future and they put her to up to it.”
was elected City Clerk in Berwyn.
Aguilar, who was appointed to the County Board when the now deceased Jeffrey Tobolski resigned, pointed to his work on the county board to combat flooding.
Aguilar has his own list of big name endorsers led by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and for mer Congressman Luis Gutierrez.
Aguilar has also been endorsed by 12 of his fellow county board members and the mayors of North Riverside, LaGrange, Maywood, Bellwood, Broadview, Hillside, Stone Park, Summit, Hillside, Westchester, Forest View and Hodgkins as well as by Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman.
“People know my background, they can look me up and make their decision,” Aguilar said. “The people will determine who is the better candidate. I’m proud of my record.”
Garcia, the Berwyn City Clerk, is also running a strong campaign albeit one without the financial resources and big name back-
She is counting on a network of volunteers because she’s raised less than $10,000 according to state records.
“That’s what actually sets me apart from them,” Garcia said. “The fact that I really am a true democratic grass roots campaign. So the people are actually out here volunteering, doing the work that these other candidates are paying for. They’re getting endorsed by big political machines, they’re being endorsed by big names. I don’t need that.”
Garcia hopes that the door knocking of her volunteers can counteract the direct mail pieces that her opponents are sending to voters.
Garcia, a nurse by profession, said that Aguilar has directed a disproportionate amount of county funding to Cicero while neglecting other parts of the district.
Garica is also on the ballot running to become the Democratic State Central Committeewoman from the 4th Congressional District. Her opponent in that race is the incumbent, Elizabeth “Lisa” Her nandez
Frank Ag Miranda Hernandez PROVIDED
Leticia “Letty” Garcia
Two locals vie for judgeship in 3rd subcircuit
Marrello, a fo
By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
A resident ofRiverside is mer Riversider in a race for judge in the Democratic primary on 17. Riverside resident Rachel Marrello, a for mer member ofthe Riverside Elementary School District 96 Board ofEducation, is facing for mer Riverside resident Martin Re ggi in the 3rd Judicial Subcircuit includes much ofRiverside and pa Brookfield.
Marrello, 51, has been an attorney the Cook County Health system since 2022. Prior to that she worked for an investigator for Cook County of Inspector General. She is a ofEarlham Colle ge and rece de gree from the Chicago Kent Colle Law. Before going to work for Marrello worked for the court appointed Shakman compliance officer responsible for rooting out patronage in Cook County and had contract assignments with two law firms.
Marrello served one term on the District 96 school board from 2013 until 2017. She did not run for reelection but was a member ofthe school board who was not afraid to speak out. She was a critic of mer superintendent Bhavna Sharma-Lewis who ran District 96 for only two years before resigning under pressure in 2015.
Marrello’s husband Dan is a for mer Riverside police officer who does security work at Riverside Brookfield High School. Re ggi, 73, is making his fourth run for judge, having lost races in 2014, 2018 and 2024. He is a for mer prosecutor and longtime criminal defense attorney who has a solo law practice based in Berwyn.
While both Marrello and Re ggi are rated as qualified or recommended by a number ofdifferent bar associations both are rated as not recommended by the Chicago Bar Association.
The Chicago Bar Association’s guide to judicial candidates describes Marrello as “articulate” and states that she has an “excellent demeanor and works well with people.” But the CBA says it can’t rate her as qualified because she has never tried a case.
“Although Ms. Marrello handled simple
nning for 4th time
rience required to serve as a Circuit Court judge,” the Chicago Bar Association’s judicial candidate guide states.
In a telephone interview with the Landmark Marrello said while she has never tried a case she has the attributes that a good judge needs.
“My response is yes, it is correct, I don’t have trial experience but I have a lot oflegal experience,” Marrello said. “Demeanor is the most important thing in being a judge. The rest ofit takes practice and you can learn. But learning to have good judgment and a positive demeanor, being respectful in how to handle people is an inherent trait.”
Marrello said she is a lifelong learner and she will quickly learn how to run a courtroom and preside over a trial.
“I will do everything that I need to do to make sure that I am well prepared and well-studied, but I have the fundamental skills to be able an effective and upstand-
e,” Marrello said. Chicago Bar Association also rated ggi as not recommended.
“The committee has concerns about Mr. Re ggi’s organizational skills and whether he could manage a call and listen to evidence and arguments and organize facts properly to analyze them and apply the law,” the Chicago Bar Association’s guide states.
The Landmark twice reached Re ggi by telephone for this story but each time Re ggi said that he couldn’t speak at that time, once because he was in court. Re ggi did respond prior to deadline to a text message from the Landmark asking for an interview.
The 3rd Judicial District includes much ofRiverside, Brookfield, North Riverside, Berwyn, Cicero and parts of the southwest side of Chicago.
Judge John Carroll, a for mer member of the Riverside Township Board is running unopposed in the other 3rd Judicial Subcircuit race. Carroll was appointed to bench by the Illinois Supreme Court last year.
t y : S o c i a l E n g a g e m e n t : D a i l y a c t i v i t i e s l i k e o u t i n g s , f i t n e s s c l a s s e s , h o b b y g r o u p s , a n d g a m e n i g h t s k e e p r e s i d e n t s a c t i v e a n d i n t e r a c t i n g .
S e n s e o f C o m m u n i t y : A c l o s ek n i t e n v i r o n m e n t f o s t e r s m e a n i n g f u l r e l a t i o n s h i p s a n d r e d u c e s l o n e l i n e s s .
B u i l t - I n S o c i a l N e t w o r k : L i v i n g a m o n g p e e r s i n a s i m i l a r l i f e s t a g e m a k e s i t e a s i e r t o c o n n e c t a n d b u i l d s u p p o r t i v e n e t w o r k s
C o n v e n i e n c e : O n - s i t e d i n i n g , f i t n e s s , a n d c o m m o n a r e a s m a k e g a t h
student Jazlyn Trujillo, holding a small me gaphone that she raised from time to time to urge her fellow students on.
“That’s why I organized this, because I want people to know that I’m not okay with this, and I wanted to start this movement so people would know how corrupt the government is and to tell people from other countries that the people in Brookfield do not support this.”
Nearby, marcher Aiden explained why he joined the protest.
“It’s for my people,” he said, preferring not to use his last name. “They say they want to take the criminals. Yeah, they are taking the criminals but they are taking the innocent people, too, people with lives and families and stuff.”
He pointed to an incident where a friend’s family members were taken out of their car by ICE agents while waiting for their child at school.
Angelica, another student who asked that her last name not be used, said the protest was partly org anized through word of mouth, but also through a dedicated Instagram account.
“My friend Jazzy had seen stuf f online and it was really upsetting her and she wanted to bring it to the school’s attention,” she said. “The school was kind of
shutting it down, making it seem like it was a terrible idea.”
In a letter delivered to parents and students in February, consequences for a walkout like Friday’s were outlined, including students being assessed an unverified absence that can’t be cleared by a parent or guardian. Students leaving during a test or quiz won’t be allowed a makeup, and they won’t be permitted back in school for the remainder of the day or for after-school activities.
For seniors, leaving could also result in losing a final exam exemption, a privilege
students gain by achieving a high grade in a given subject or a pre-set ACT score in that subject.
Riverside Brookfield principal Dr. Hector Freytas was not immediately available for comment Friday, but his presence was felt.
“He said anyone that walks through that door, you’re not going to be able to make up your assignments, you’re not going to be able to do your tests and quizzes,” said student Mariam Abdel-Havez. “I know he doesn’t have that much leeway, but at the end he did say, if you’re going to go, go. If
you’re not, go back to class. They didn’t force us back or anything.”
What kind of change did she hope to achieve through the march?
“Let’s defund ICE and let’s stop going overseas to Iran to fight all of these wars and look at the problems in our own country,” she said, “because there are still millions of homeless Americans, starving Americans, yet ICE has better living conditions than our homeless shelters.”
Village of Brookfield police chief Michael Kuruvilla also wasn’t available for comment Friday. The only police presence was one squad vehicle at Eight Corners monitoring the protest that coalesced with roughly 100 students on the northern corner of Maple Avenue. There, students chanted against ICE, President Donald Trump and cheered drivers who sounded their horns in support.
Ana Alvarez-Lundvick, one of the few adults that were present Friday, said she has not had any run-ins with ICE but is working with Brookfield to pass an ordinance to make the village a welcoming city.
“The consequences of the seniors not being able to have their exemption is not good,” Alvare z-Lundvick said. “I feel like if they worked hard for that, they shouldn’t be punished for something that they worked hard to achieve.
“As far as missing the tests and stuf f, that is a choice the kids have to make and live with that,” she said. “That’s part of being an adult. Do what you need to do, whatever makes you comfortable. The risk tolerance of that is important.”
TODD BANNOR
TODD BANNOR
Riverside Brook eld High School students walked out of classes and marched along Washington Street to Ei ght Corners in protest of Trump Administration policies on March 6.
Spring 2026
Education and Guide Enrichment
local schools | early learning | tutoring programs
PO LICE REPO RT S
Erratic, drunk driver arrested
Brookfield police ar rested a 28-year-old Berwyn man on Feb. 28 for driving drunk after he was observed speeding and driving er ratically.
Around 10:30 p.m., an officer observed car traveling southwest on the 9100 bloc ofBroadway Avenue before it parked and the driver entered Leo’s Liquor. T he officer waited and saw the man exit the stor with a bag before g etting back in his ca and driving around Eight Corners at high speed to turn southeast on Grand Boulevard. T he officer followed the ca to the intersection ofPrairie and Ogden avenues, where it ignored a “No Turn on Red” sign and ille g ally turned right to head west on Ogden Avenue
T he car continued speeding down the road, passing the radar of another of ficer on patrol, who marked that it was going 56 mph in a 30-mph zone. Both officers followed the car, which was driving on the wrong side ofthe road with its lights of f and did not yield to the emergency lights on their cars, until it turned south onto Banchan Avenue and came to a stop at Rochester Avenue
T he officers made contact with the man, who had already exited his vehicle. T hey smelled alcohol on his breath as he slur red his words and spoke in a confused, re petitive manner. T he man apologized for not pulling over sooner and sai d he hadn’ t realized he was speeding. The man admitted he had had one drink but said it was not alcoholic before telling police to “call a lawyer,” police said. Officers asked the man to take field sobriety testing, which he declined to do twice, before ar resting him for driving under the influence.
Police transported the man to the Brookfield Police Department and had his car towed. T he man again declined to take a chemical breath test before police charged him for speeding, driving recklessly, going the wrong way, disobeying the traffic light, failing to use his car’s lights, improperly using the traffic lanes and driving under the influence ofalcohol.
Police set an April 21 court date, which the man verbally acknowledged but did not sign paperwork for. Police released the man to his brother in the lobby
Speeding on a suspended license
Brookfield police on Feb. 25 arrested a 24-year-old LaGrange man for speeding.
Around 9:08 p.m., an officer was driving southwest on the 8800 block ofPlainfield Road when they observed a vehicle heading northeast at 46 mph in the 30-mph zone. The officer made a U-turn and followed the vehicle, pulling it over near the intersection with Ogden Avenue in Lyons.
The officer made contact with the driver and explained the reason for the stop before he provided a driver’s license and proofof insurance. After running his information through the police database, the officer learned the man’s license had been suspended in September, which the man acknowledged he had been aware of.
The officer arrested the man, called for his car to be towed and transported him to the Brookfield Police Department, where they cited him for driving on a suspended license and for speeding. The officer set a March 24 court date and released the man with his paperwork on pre-trial conditions.
These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department reports dated Feb. 23 to March 2; they represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race ofa suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description ofthe suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.
Compiled by Stella Brown
Harrell only candidate at 8th District forum
Local journalism matters.
That’s why we made a bold decision to protect its future.
The RB Landmark is now part of NEWSWELL, a nonpro t journalism organization that provides resources, technology, and long-term support to community newsrooms across the country. This partnership strengthens our foundation while keeping everything that matters the same. Our newsroom remains local. Our staff remains in place. Our commitment to this community is unchanged. With the added support of NEWSWELL, we are better positioned than ever to continue delivering the independent, community-focused journalism our readers rely on.
Same mission. New chapter. Stronger future.
West Side minister rips into alleged backroom deal making
By BILL DWYER Contributing Reporter
Pastor John Harrell found himself the sole candidate for the 8th District Illinois State House Democratic primary at a forum at the LaFollette Field House in North Austin on March 6.
The development was under standable, with all the oxygen taken by the long afternoon memorial service for civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, Sr Harrell noted the forum’s scheduling conflict but said his political rivals could have made more of an effort. “I came from the Jesse Jackson funeral,” he said. “If it was so important to people, why aren’t they here?”
Among his policy ideas, Harr that homeowners aged 75 and older paid real estate taxes for at least 20 years no longer be subject to property taxes.
All donations support local operations.
backroom politics was being practiced in his race.
“There was a conversation, a meeting that was had,” Harrell said. “And they said, ‘Here’s what we’re gonna do; Mr. Speaker, do you want to be the (state) central committeeman? Emma’s daughter, do you want to be state rep? Emma, do you want them to support you for central committee woman? LaShawn, you want them to support you for Congress? How ‘bout we all come together and let’s just support one another.’”
But, Harrell said, “When I got in the race, it upset the whole apple cart.” He took specific aim at fellow candidate Shantel Franklin, saying, hy did they put Shantel Franklin in the race? Because they knew, or they thought, that Shantel could beat Ems daughter.”
TIF money, Harrell said, should be better accounted for, and more incentives directed to small businesses on the West Side. He was particularly focused on assuring that investment in West Side communities be better targeted. “Investment in the community doesn’t mean to invest in structures, it means to invest in people,” he said. “Money goes to developers who don’t live in the community, They give all the incentives to the big boxes (stores).” Those businesses, he said, leave when incentives expire.
“We’ve got to bring all the stake holders to the table,” he said. “And you’ve got to make sure our youth are a part of the stakeholdership.” He said attention must be paid to local groups doing the actual work, an d that too many agencies outside West Side neighborhoods actually rece ive the gr ants.
“They c ome to us and give up p eanuts when we do all the wo rk ,” he said. “Ther e are organizations doing the wo rk , but they do n’ t get the money.”
C alling himself “a public servant, not a p olitician,” Har rell suggested old school
“They gave this young lady $200,000,” Har rell said, adding, “C’mon, man! 31 years old hey said she was a block club president, only to find out she ust org anized the block club.”
“They” include the Chicago Teachers Union ($72,500) and the Illinois Federation of Teachers ($30,000), as well as Franklin’s boss, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who’s given her $50,000 since Jan. 1, and $80,000 total.
Har rell, who had the strongest fundraising in the 4th quarter of 2025 with $69,800, finished with $18,300 on hand. But he has received no large donations in the new year, while Franklin has surged ahead with more than $200,000 during the first two months of 2026.
Latonya Mitts had $39,899 banked as of Jan 1, thanks largely to $31,000 in contributions by LIUNA Chicago Laborers’ District Council PAC and other contributions. Since then she’s received another $45,000 from labor, including another $35,000 from LIUNA.
Approximately half of the 8th House area within the boundaries of the City of Chicago is in the 37th Ward, whose alderwoman and committeeperson is Mitt’s mother, Emma Mitts.
Harrell did not mention a fourth candidate, Jill Bush. She has seen no large donations since the new year. She had $10,650 on hand on Jan. 1.
JOHN HARRELL
Four vie in state’s 8th District to replace Rep. La Shawn Ford
Four Austinites compete for open seat in Democratic primary
By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
With long-time incumbent State Rep. Shawn Ford (D-8th) running to succeed U.S. Cong. Danny Davis (D-7th), voters will see someone new in that seat no matter who gets elected next Tuesday, March 17. The district includes parts of Austin, Oak Park, Forest Park, Brookfield and North Riverside. Ford represented the district since 2008, and four candidates, all Austinites, are running to replace him – Latonya Mitts, Shantel Franklin, John Harrell and Jill Bush. Since no Republican filed to run for the seat, the winner of the March 17 Democratic primary election will win by default unless an independent challenger emerges and collects enough signatures to get on the ballot.
She previously said her priorities would include supporting af fordable housing and economic development in the district, as well as bringing more state funding to area healthcare providers.
politics, and she cu of the two committeepersons ing the 7th Congressional District on the Democratic State Central Committee, the governing body of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
March 2013, she worked at Loretto Hospital in various capacities, eventually ing her way up to interim director for the hospital’s foundation. Bush ran for 29th rd alder man in 2011.
Bush’s campaign website lists six priority areas. Most notably, she calls “for responsible tax cuts that ease burdens without harming essential services,” without elaborating on it, and promised to fight “predatory evictions [and] rent hikes.”
The site also states that, to promote public safety, she would support community policing, “engage youth programs” and expand mental health services.
Franklin is a real estate agent who served as a legislative liaison for Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul until last summer. She previously told this newspaper that “experience from being in public service and my community-lived experience motivated me.”
“It’s really not about the seat for me; it’s about expanding and continuing the work that I’ve already been doing,” Franklin
Harrell is a pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Austin. He also leads Proviso Baptist Church in Maywood and serves on boards of Loretto Hospital and Hire 360 Workforce Development. Harrell was the first candidate to jump into the race, filing the paperwork on July 10. His campaign website stated that, if elected, his priorities will be to advocate for what his constituents want and make sure they “receive the maximum services they are entitled to receive from the State of Illinois.”
Mitts is the daughter of long-time Ald. Emma Mitts (37th). The elder Mitts is an influential figure in West Side Democratic
The younger Mitts currently works for an insurance company, and she previously served as State Rep. Jawaharial “Omar” Williams’ (D-10th) chief of staf f. Her campaign website states her biggest priorities include “fully funding public schools,” increasing youth access to mental health services and “investing in community-based resources that keep neighborhoods healthy and safe.”
Bush serves as Director of Community Engagement for Ald. Chris Taliafer ro (29th) and is a property manager for her family’s property management company, Bush Properties. Between January 2004
Bush was the only candidate who tried to throw one of her opponents of f the ballot. Once the candidates submit their nominating petitions, any re gistered voter within the district they run in can challenge the paperwork, usually by trying to get as many signatures declared invalid as possible. Bush, who has previously filed objections against candidates challenging Taliafer ro, challenged Mitts’ signatures on usual technical grounds, alleging that signatories didn’t live in the district, listed the wrong address or used a signature that didn’t match voter records.
While Chicago Board of Election Commissioners disqualified 588 out of 1,224 signatures, this still left Mitts with 636 valid signatures – 136 more than the 500-signature legal minimum.
By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
The Austin Voice newspaper is returning to re gular publication starting this week under Strategic Human Services, the Austin-based nonprofit that also publishes the North Lawndale Community News newspaper
Founded in 1986, the Voice hasn’t seen re gular publication since founder and editor Brad Cummings, 76, perished in a June
2025 arson fire that also took the lives of Gina Brown Henry, 32; Destiny Brown Henry, 28, and Jayceon Henry, 5. Lontray Clark, 23, reportedly threw a Molotov cocktail at a friend’s apar tment because he believed the firend may have been dating his exgirlfriend.
Cummings launched Austin Voice launched in 1986, after newspapers that covered the community for decades either closed down or left in late 1970s. The Garfield Lawndale Voice edition launched in
2005.
SHS executive director and North Lawndale Community News publisher Isaac Lewis told Austin Voice that the Voice Newspapers advisory board approached him about potentially taking over the paper early last fall. A few October issues of the NLCL included a smaller version of the newspaper, simply called the “The Voice” as an insert. A special 40th anniversary issue was published on Feb. 14. Lewis said that the upcoming issue will
be the first full-fledged issue under SHS. He said that he initially wasn’t sure whether the paper would come out once every two weeks or once a month, but he got enough advertising revenue to make it bi-weekly, at least for now.
“it’s going to be critical that we get businesses and the organizations and the individuals who advertise to support the paper going forward,” Lewis said.
He said that North Lawndale Community News still be published weekly.
LATONYA MIT TS SHANTEL FRANKLIN JOHN HARRELL JILL BUSH
LETTERS
Political signage
Has anyone else noticed the growing forest of political signs around Brookfield?
In particular, along Grand Avenue and Broadway thoroughfares. This display is normally confined to times closer to elections and clustered about polling places
Parkways should not be available to the littering of these displays. This classes up the village like an off ramp of the Eisenhower in Chicago.
C.R. Blackburn Brookfield
David Lewis, 84
Sound engineer
David E. Lewis, 84, of Riverside, died on Feb. 13, 2026. Following his 1963 graduation from Valparaiso Technical Institute, he was employed as a versatile sound man by Universal Recording Corporation in Chicago until its closing in 1989. Then he worked at Safe-Air Dowco in Cicero until his retirement in 2011. At that time, he entered what he believed to be his true calling in life, serving full time at Zion Lutheran Church in as chairman, head elder, and “go-to guy.” His life was full and active until his savior took him home.
David was the husband of Mary Lewis (nee MacLeod) for 59 years; the father of Sarah (Robert) Thompson; grandfather of Matthew Thompson and Emma Thompson; brother of Sherri (Leonard) Faralli and the late Jean (Jerome Koch) Lewis; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews.
A visitation and funeral service were held on March 7 at Zion Lutheran Church, 7930 Ogden Ave., Lyons, IL 60534. Arrangements were handled by Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to Zion Lutheran Church, 7930 Ogden Ave., Lyons, IL 60534 or Touched by an Animal, P.O. Box 59067, Chicago, IL 60659. Interment private.
Send letters to the editor
Ken Trainor, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark E-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com
Please include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.
OBITUARIES
Patricia Ann Seno, 82
Great-grandmother of 12
Patricia Seno, 82, died on March was the mother of Larry (Pamela) and Wi Cullagh, Sherry (late Michael) Schumacher, Ca ol and Michael (Diana) Michon; grandmother of Ryan, Dillon (Nick), Emil lie, Joseph, mantha), Bianca, Michael Jr.; Lilianna, Mia, Amelio, Mason, Maxwell, Madeline, Asyrah, Victoria and Joseph; and sister of the late Ronald Seno.
ing for Elsevier Publishing in marketing, including a year in the Elsevier Switzerland office.
Visitation and services were held on March 5 and 6 at Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
Linda Langer, 80
Loved singing
Linda Langer, 80, died on Feb. 6, 2026. Born on Sept. 19, 1945 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was a graduate of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School and earned a BA de gree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She worked in marketing for the Practicing Law Institute in New York City, moved to Princeton, New Jersey briefly, returning to New York City, work-
She married Stephen Langer (who preceded her death) in 1982 continuing to live rk in marketing in New York City. Upon retirement, she and her husband d to their house in upstate New York She spent her final few years with her sister in Illinois. She is survived by her sister Paula.
ved New York City and upstate rk. She was smart, generous and loving, well-read, loved to travel, enjoyed entertaining family and friends, volunteered in her church food pantries and d singing in school, church and the Berkshire Bach Society choirs.
Phyllis Gronek, 95
ber of Mater Christi Parish
Phyllis A. Gronek (née Drackner), 95, died on March 3, 2026, in North Riverside. Born on Aug. 11, 1930, in Chicago, she lived a full life characterized by her vibrant passions, devotion to family, and an enduring sense of community. She had a deep lo ming, cooking and baking and was known among her family for her meringue kisses and kolacky. She found joy in old movies, reading and music. She was also an active
and longtime member of the Mater Christi Women’s Guild, the North Riverside Sportsman’s Club, and Sokol Tabor, where she fostered friendships and a sense of belonging. Her life was a tapestry woven with love, creativity, and community spirit. She will be profoundly missed.
Phyllis was the wife of the late Fred Gronek for 56 years; the mother of Linda (Randy) Blaser and the late Gayle (late Kenneth) Neuzil; grandmother of Natalie (Danny Zeckhauser) Blaser, Steven (Jasimine) Blaser, and Michael (Lauren Drysdale) Blaser; great-grandmother of Luke, Ori, Savannah, Araceli and Isaiah; sister of Phyllis, Joan (late James) Curran; and aunt of many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Al (late Rita) Fail.
Visitation was held on March 5 at Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, 2447 S. Desplaines Avenue. Funeral Mass was celebrated on March 6 at Mater Christi Church, North Riverside. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family at www. ratkoNosek.com.
To run an obituary
Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.
Sports
Nazareth girls basketball adds to state titlesthis time 4A
Roadrunners win their last 25 games with solid defense
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
About the only thing tighter than the defense of the Nazareth Academy girls basketball team is the bond between senior starters Stella Sakalas and Lyla Shelton. That wasn’t the case before high school, as opponents in traveling basketball.
“We played against each other a couple of times. It was a bit of a rivalry. We were enemies on the court,” remembered Sakalas, the two-time 4A first-team all-stater and BYU recruit.
“I didn’t know her. She didn’t know me. As soon as we started playing Naz basketball together, we were instant best friends. It happened immediately.”
On Saturday, they and the Roadrunners united for a truly historic performance in winning their first state championship in Class 4A by beating Loyola Academy 55-23 at Illinois State University in Normal. Juniors Sophia Towne (17 points with 4 three-pointers, 5 assists) and Sam Austin (7 points, 10 rebounds), freshman Mia Gage (11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals) and Shelton (8 points with 2 threes) and Sakalas (7 points, 4 rebounds) led the Roadrunners (35-3).
Nazareth won its last 25 games since Dec. 30 and equaled the single-season record for victories with its first 2023 state 3A champions (35-1).
“I’m going to remember the fact that I got to win a state championship with my best friends,” Shelton said. “We knew what it was like to lose in the sectionals last year and feel
like our season was incomplete. As seniors, Stella and I knew we couldn’t go out like that again and what we had to do to win.”
The Roadrunners have been downstate six of the past eight postseasons. Besides two titles, they’ve finished second in 2024 (4A) and 2022 and 2018 (3A) and third in 3A in 2019. Moved up to 4A because of the program’s postseason success, the Roadrunners lost to Loyola 44-40 for the 2024 state title. Last year, they lost in the 4A sectional semifinals by one point to eventual state champion Kenwood. They truly earned this title considering five of the nine top-ranked Associated Press teams in the final poll, Feb. 18, were in their potential postseason path. The Roadrunners were ranked No. 2 behind Loyola (34-3).
“This year we really set a goal for ourselves. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we played our best basketball in March and I think we showed that,” Nazareth coach Eddie Stritzel said.
“Loyola’s a really good team but I think we showed everyone that we’re the best team in Illinois.
We’re a 3A school so it’s one thing to win in 3A and to do it in 4A with the [postseason] schedule, I could not be any more proud of our girls.”
Since girls basketball expanded to four classes in 2009, this marked the largest margin of victory in the 4A state championship game and fewest points allowed. Loyola had won 25 straight by double digits and scored at least 40 points every game besides its last loss (5038 Dec. 20).
had a steal and layup for a 31-13 advantage. Nazareth led 42-17 entering the fourth quarter
“After I made that layup, we knew what we were going to do. We were going to peck and peck until we won and that showed,” Gage said.“It’s such a surreal moment. I’m just so proud of my team and what we’ve accomplished.”
The lead extended even with Sakalas sitting out the final minutes of the first half with three fouls and during the third quarter with four. Sakalas scored 30 points Friday on 13-for-17 shooting in the 54-36 semifinal victory over third-place Belleville East (30-6).
“They believe in me and I believe in them 1,000 percent so I had absolutely no worry. And they did their job,” Sakalas said. A four-year varsity player, Sakalas was the sixth player for the 2023 state champions and started for the 2024 runners-up. Towne played briefly in the 2024 final. Shelton, Austin and an injured Moore were on the postseason roster.
as a freshman.
“Either way it’s such a cool experience, but this time around I feel super-close to the team,” Austin said. “It feels more personal and this achievement has been so important to me throughout the season.”
With Sakalas in foul trouble, junior sixth player Molly Moore entered at guard and Towne moved to wing on the matchup zone defense usually out of a 2-3 formation.
“[Winning state was such a great feeling,” Moore said. “It’s genuinely one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever had.”
Eddie Stritzel shared this title with his children, assistant coach Annie and scout Matthew, and assistant coaches Nicole Rivera, Lauren Matthews and Sean Ryan. Annie Stritzel usually alerts the players of opponents’ season-low scoring totals. Saturday was the 17th time opponents scored fewer than 30 points
“Every single game our goal is to hold the other team to a season low,” Austin said.
Sakalas graduates as the Roadrunners’ leader in career rebounds and second in points to Annie Stritzel. The Roadrunners’ other all-staters were Towne (third team) and Austin and Gage (special mention).
The Ramblers closed to 15-13 on the first possession of the second quarter, but the Roadrunners answered with a 16-0 run to take command. With a 26-13 halftime lead, Towne hit her third three on the Roadrunners’ first third-quarter possession and Gage
“I didn’t really play much [as a freshman] but it prepared us all for this moment,” Towne said. “We knew we weren’t going to lose this. We just wanted it so badly all season.”
Austin’s older sister, Olivia, now playing at Dartmouth, started for the 2023 and 2024 state teams. Samantha played three varsity games
“Being able to show everybody what we’ve been working so hard on for so many years, it truly feels surreal,” Sakalas said. “Starting here and ending here and every game in between, I’ve had such a great career with so many great people and great coaches and influencers. I really have nothing but good things to say about Nazareth.”
BILL STONE
e Nazareth Academy girls basketball team won the Class 4A state championship Saturday in Normal.
MIA GAGE
LTHS poms team makes history with second place at 3A state
Lions add to rst state trophy with h in debut at UDA nationals
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Senior Hayden Frazier and her Lyons Township pom teammates were on the verge of program history at the IHSA competitive dance state meet after reaching finals with the third highest qualifying score.
“LT poms has never gotten top three – or we call it The Podium,” Frazier said.
The program’s greatest postseason ever concluded with arguably their greatest performances. The Lions earned second in Class 3A, Jan. 31, in Bloomington with a score of 96.60, just shy of state champion Lake Park’s 96.88, after scoring 95.26 in prelims.
“We made it our goal to make it to the top three. Actually accomplishing that (trophy) and not only that but second, was a big goal,” Frazier said. “Third place (is hard) because you either move down and lose the podium or move up. It was so relieving and so exciting to get second.”
State performers were seniors Peyton Carmody, Frazier, Alexis Jain, Brooke Manley, Lily Martin, Maeve McCormack, Lucia Nemeth, Liza Shor rock and Karina Singh, juniors Failenn Daley, Campbell McCarthy and Natalya Thompson and sophomores Madison Carmody, Julia Dienes, Alexa Far mer, Payton Gourley, Bella Holcer and Kassidy Powell. Other team members are seniors Maya Bylsma, Maddie Dienes, Nora Foley, Greta Newlin, Samantha Sexton and Elaina Stoltz, juniors Siena Giordano, Aara Maheronnaghsh and Reese Morgan and sophomore Caroline Ketchum.
The Lions are coached by head coach Brittany Smith and assistant Annie Pinta. The program has flourished under Smith,
qualifying for state nine straight years. In 2024, the Lions reached the 12-team finals for the first time and finished sixth. Last season, they were seventh at state and captured their first sectional title.
With this season’s Dracula-themed routine, choreographed by Frazier and Foley, the Lions also won the Maine South Sectional (94.20 Jan. 24) and the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet (87.53 Jan. 19).
“We have put so much hard work into the season and it was so rewarding to be able to make state history for our program in return,” Peyton Carmody said. “We were able to leave a le gacy on the program and, as a senior, could not be happier leaving on such a high note.”
Final state standings are based solely on championship performances. While pleased with their routine, the Lions had a moment of concern as only the top three teams were announced during awards. Stevenson finished third at 94.86 after being fourth in prelims.
Had the Lions moved up or down?
“When they announced second (for LTHS), it was chaos. We were screaming, crying and all of the emotions with the coaches in the circle,” Frazier said. “We were all celebrating and it was a surreal feeling being the ones to walk across the stage and get a trophy We’d always seen other teams do that. Being able to do that was such a crazy moment and I’m so glad I got to experience that.”
The Lions added to their trophy collection in the program’s first trip to the Universal Dance Association National Dance Team Championship for Division I (large schools) at the Walt Disney World Resort, Feb. 6-8, in Orlando, F lorida. The Lions were fifth in the Jazz Division (88.425) as well as 11th in the Game Day Division in reaching the semifinals (84.7333). The team only had three days of practice between returning from state and leaving for Florida.
“We made sure to use our successes at state as a motivating factor for nationals
LTHS poms team
and the excitement of the new, unknown experience and also helped us get through the short week,” Peyton Carmody said.
Frazier said Smith jumped on her back crying after receiving the news the Jazz routine advanced to finals, even with a perfor mance they felt could have been better
In finals, the Lions were even more determined to go out with no re grets
“That was the most united we’ve ever been on the floor,” Frazier said. “Everyone gave everything they had, knowing we’d never do that dance again.”
T he Game Day performance also was memorable and successful, especially considering the Lions practiced mostly on the Dracula routine.
“All 27 team members were on the floor (competing) so that was a fun experience as well,” Frazier said.
T he g enesis and evolvement of the Dracula routine added to the accomplishments. In past seasons, the Lions’ routines have been choreo graphed professionally.
Dressed in all black, the Lions first added contrasting red skirts as planned during the Silver Meet and improved upon the addition at sectionals.
“We made sure to tell each other we were doing this (routine) for us and created our success ourselves and that’s what really made a difference,” Frazier said.
“Even though Nora and I choreo graphed that routine, it was really the whole team putting ef fort into it and that’s what made it our success and so proud of it.”
Frazier will join the dance team at the University of Michig an. Other seniors are considering colle ge dance teams as well.
“I hope that our team has helped future LT poms teams make a name for themselves,” Peyton Carmody said. “I also hope that this season will remind and motivate the rest of my teammates to focus on one another and be personable to achieve whatever goals they have set.”
LTHS boys gymnasts improving for themselves and team
Senior TJ Carr and his Lyons Township boys gymnastics teammates received a for tunate second chance last season. After initially not qualifying for the 10-team Illinois High School Gymnastics Coaches Association state meet. The Lions are determined to create their own luck this season with hard work – and teamwork.
“We didn’t really have the best team aspect wanting to get better. This year it’s a complete 180,” Carr said. “Every single day it’s about the team. Everybody wants to do better for the team. That kind of cohesion, seeing that coalesce into maybe a state berth, if we grow tighter as a team, that’s a successful season for me.”
The Lions finished ninth at the 2025 state meet (131.05 points). They had the 11th-highest sectional score (130.75) but were then added to the state field after qualifier Geneva withdrew because of no regular-season participation. Carr, senior Jack Michaelson, sophomore Evan Ries and junior Ignacio Rodriguez return from the state lineup. Other contributors this season include freshmen Patrick Radditz and Dante Rodriguez, who is not related to Ignacio.
Being their best by sectionals will be a gradual process for the Lions, mostly because of varsity inexperience and injuries currently to Ignacio Rodriguez and Raddatz. They opened Friday with 89.20 at Hinsdale Central’s Wanner Invitational.
“We are working basic routines in March while preparing for more competitive rou-
tines in April in order to make the big push for state in May,” LTHS coach Sam Zeman said. “We have a group of guys that believe in team. I am proud of the way they are coming together and understand the more they work together and commit to each other, the more each one of them can benefit in the long run.”
Carr and Michaelson are fourth-year team members. All Lions are all-arounders except Michaelson (vault and floor exercise) and Ignacio Rodriguez (floor, still rings and vault).
At 2025 state, Carr was 17th on pommel horse (8.1) and still rings (7.9) and 19th in all-around (46.05) and Michaelson also was an individual qualifier. Ries and Ignacio Rodriguez competed for the team only.
“We (also) have a lot of new freshmen. They’re very motivated in learning new
skills and to push themselves,” Michaelson said. “This team, compared to last year, is a lot more motivated and willing to push each other further to be better. Seeing that pay off, especially for me and TJ as seniors, would be great to see.”
On Friday, Carr was second on rings (8.0) and horizontal bar (7.0), third on horse (7.3) and fifth on vault (7.0) in taking fourth in all-around (43.80). Michaelson was sixth on floor (8.1). Michaelson said he will gradually improve after a limited offseason. Carr, who just qualified for state swimming, is working his way back from a two-month shoulder injury.
“We’re gradually getting better. I’m in the same boat,” Carr said. “I’m going to get better as they’re going to get better. That’s a big motivation helper.”
New coach Headley brings ‘bite’ to RBHS boys lacrosse
Maryland native takes over program coming o rst sectional victory
By LILY KOCOUREK Contributing Reporter
The Riverside Brookfield High School boys lacrosse program isn’t easing into spring. Under new varsity head coach Justin Headley, the Bulldogs are committing to a faster pace, physical play and relentless effort.
“I’ve been across programs where you’re managing colle ge-bound athletes, communicating expectations, and making sure players feel supported,” Headley said. “I want lacrosse to be fun, but we’re going to compete at a high level every time we step on the field.”
Headley has claimed RBHS boys lacrosse’s new motto, “No Bark, No Bite,” which stands for belief, inte g rity, togetherness and ef fort. Whether RBHS is protecting a lead or fighting from behind, he wants the Bulldogs, scrapping until the final whistle. He arrives with a deep background in the sport as both a player and a coach. A Maryland native, he played varsity lacrosse
at Per ry Hall School (Baltimore) as a long-stick midfielder before continuing his career locally Concordia University in Ri Forest, where he played through spring 2023 before the prog ram disbanded.
His coaching career be gan in 2020 with the Baltimore Swar during the COVID-19 pandemi an experience that forced adaptability from the start. Since then, Headley has coached at youth and high school levels, including his role as assistant coach for two seasons at Brother Rice. That staf f doubled its win total, and helped send multiple players to Division II colle ge programs
to quit after the first quarter RBHS lacrosse is going to be the most annoying team to play – not because we’re dirty, but because we never give up.”
The Bulldogs are coming one of the most successful seasons in their history. Under mer head coach Joe Urbanski, they finished 2025 with an 11-7 record and achieved a historic milestone by winning the program’s first-ever postseason game, a 19-0 victory over Brother Rice. RBHS fell 18-1 in the sectional semifinals to Downers Grove co-op, but the breakthrough win marked a turning point for the program.
Outside of practice, Headley emphasizes fundamentals, especially wall-ball and playing the game at a fast pace
“The power of lacrosse is how quickly things happen,” he noted. “The more reps you get on your own, the better prepared you are.”
The Bulldogs open with Oak Park and River Forest – a consistent top-30 team in the state – March 18. Games against Fenwick and Oswe go follow, reflecting Headley’s belief in challenging his roster early. He believes the approach will build resilience reinforcing the Bulldogs’ competitiveness.
As the season approaches, Headley’s message to players and fans is simple
The competitive identity will be clear from the stands. Headley describes his coaching style as “East Coast lacrosse with Midwest Grit.”
“We want to play fast, push transition, and be physical,” he said. “We’re not going
Continuity remains a strength. Varsity assistant coaches Jason Kaumeyer and Richard Dosek are returning this season, providing stability and familiarity within the program as RBHS marks a new transition under Headley.
“It’s not going to be easy,” he said, “but nothing wor th doing in life is easy Be prepared to work, g rind, and be part of something bigger than yourself. The brotherhood lacrosse brings is something you’ ll carry with you for the rest of your life.”
TJ C ARR
JACK MICHAELSON
JUSTIN HEADLE Y
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: M26001367 on February 24, 2026
Under the Assumed Business Name of EFW ASSOCIATION with the business located at: 167 LINDEN AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JOSHUA D. WOOD 167 LINDEN AVE OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA
Published in Wednesday Journal March 4, 11, 18, 2026
the
in the conduct or transaction of
in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M26001358 on February 23, 2026 Under the Assumed Business Name of NEXTGEN SOCIAL with the business located at: 2312 NORTH CLIFTON AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60614. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ANTHONY RIVECCO 2312 NORTH CLIFTON AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60614
Published in Wednesday Journal March 4, 11, 18, 2026
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M26001433 on March 6, 2026
Under the Assumed Business Name of VARGAS BLUE LINE ELEC with the business located at: 1545 S. 56TH CT., CICERO, IL 60804. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: ORLANDO VARGAS SOTO 1545 S. 56TH CT. CICERO, IL 60804, USA
Published in RB Landmark March 11, 28, 25, 2026
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CALENDAR NUMBER: 12-26-Z
HEARING DATE: April 1, 2026
TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits
LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302
APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicants, Roberto Quinones and Nelida Quinones (ZEB Development LLC), seeking a special use permit for a reception/banquet facility, pursuant to Section 8.3 (Table 8-1: Use Matrix) and Section 5.4(K) (Table 5-12: RR District Use Restrictions by Building Type) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 6136 Roosevelt Road, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-17-328-034-0000 (“Subject Property”), in the RR Roosevelt Road Form-Based District.
A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@ oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.
The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2026
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CALENDAR NUMBER: 11-26-Z
HEARING DATE: April 1, 2026
TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits
LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302
APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Tatanisha Funches (Virtual Health 78 & Wellness Center), seeking a special use permit for a medical clinic, pursuant to Section 8.3 (Table 8-1: Use Matrix) and Section 5.4(K) (Table 5-12: RR District Use Restrictions by Building Type) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 6142 Roosevelt Road, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-17-328-031-0000 (“Subject Property”), in the RR Roosevelt Road Form-Based District.
A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@ oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.
The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2026
PUBLIC NOTICE
STATE OF ILLINOIS
VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD
Notice of Public Hearing
Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission
March 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM
NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue Illinois for the purpose of considering a request from 3415 Maple LLC for Variations from:
§42-86 Permanent Sign
Regulations to allow three wall signs, the mounting height of the wall signs from 15’ to 22’ and 24’-1”’ and the wall sign height of 7’ rather than the maximum of 4’, and,
§62-13 Setback and Yard Exceptions to reduce the driveway setback to a side lot line from 12” to 0”, and,
§62.267 Parking Lot Drive Aisle Width to reduce the drive aisle from 24’ to 20’, and,
§62-269 Access to allow a driveway width greater than 24’ to 106’ – 3”, and,
§62.290 Number of Parking Spaces to reduce the number of required parking spaces from 59 to 30, and,
§62-315 Loading space; description to allow a Loading Space to impact the parking lot drive aisle, and,
§62-320 Required Loading spaces, generally to eliminate the one required Loading Space, for the purpose of developing a restaurant on the existing C-3 Centralized Commercial District property located at 3415 Maple Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513.
Legal Description:
PARCEL 1: LOT 33 IN BLOCK 22 IN BROOKFIELD MANOR, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 34, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, (EXCEPT THE RIGHT OF WAY OF THE SUBURBAN
RAILROAD COMPANY) IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
PARCEL2: LOT 32 IN BLOCK 22 IN BROOKFIELD MANOR, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 34, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, (EXCEPT THE RIGHT OF WAY OF THE SUBURBAN RAILROAD COMPANY) IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
PARCEL 3: LOTS 29, 30, AND 31 BLOCK 22 IN BROOKFIELD MANOR, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 34, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, (EXCEPT THE RIGHT OF WAY OF THE SUBURBAN RAILROAD COMPANY) IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
(PIN 15-34-221-004-0000, 15-34221-005-0000 and 15-34-221006-0000)
The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Libby Popovic, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, lpopovic@ brookfieldil.gov, or 708-485-1113. Oral or written testimony may be given during the public hearing. The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 26-01. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall. By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.
Published in RB Landmark March 11, 2026
Submit events and see full calendar at rblandmark.com/events
