Landmark_031826

$ 1. 0 0

Vo l. 41, No. 11

R I V E R SI D E B R O O K FI E L D

@riv ersidebrook fi eldla nd mark

C ar e er at t h e z o o

@riv ersidebrook fi eld _la nd mark

Mar c h 18, 2026

@ R BLa nd mark

Brook fi eld neig hbors celebrate veteran’s 100t h birt hday

Theate r B uildi ng co uld beco me apart me nts or a hotel

Joe Mo rrissey h as live d o n Bl a nc h a n Ave n u e f or m ore t h a n 5 0 ye ars

By STELL A B R O W N St af f Re p o rt e r

N ei g h b o r s p a st a n d p r e s e nt o n t h e 3 8 0 0 bl o c k of Bl a n c h a n A v e n u e s h o w e d o ut t hi s w e e k e n d t o r e c o g ni z e r e si d e nt J o e M o r ri s s e y o n hi s 1 0 0t h bi r t h da y.

B o r n M a r c h 1 4, 1 9 2 6, M o r ri s s e y i s a v ete r a n of W o rl d W a r II a n d h a s liv e d i n hi s h o u s e i n B r o o kfi el d si n c e 1 9 7 9, h e s ai d.

L e d b y p oli c e s q u a d c a r s a n d a fi r et r u c k, n ei g h b o r s p a rt i ci p at e d i n a r olli n g r all y wit h d e c k e d- o ut v e hi cl e s t o c el e b r at e M o r ri s s e y’ s mil e st o n e bi r t hd a y o n S at u r d a y. M o r e t h a n 2 0 n ei g h b o r s al s o g a t h e r e d o n f o ot o ut si d e hi s h o m e , a s r e p r e s e nt ati v e s f r o m A m e ri c a n L e gi o n P o st 1 9 4 1 i n L a G r a n g e r e c o g ni z e d hi m f o r hi s s e r vi c e i n t h e fi n al y e a r s of W o rl d W a r II a s a n a vi ati o n o r d n a n c e s p e ci ali st i n t h e N a v y.

T o c a p of f t h e f e stiviti e s, Su s a n D a ni el s, a f o rm e r n ei g h b o r w h o o r g a ni z e d t h e r all y, p r e s e nt e d M o r ri s s e y wit h a c oll e cti o n of m o r e t h a n 4 0 0 bi r t h da y c a r d s wit h m e s s a g e s f r o m m e m b e r s of t h e B r o o kfi el d c o m m u nit y, f r o m n ei g h -

P ag e 4

Br o o k fi eld o ffi ci als he ar d fro m 1 of 2 p ot e nti al devel o pers

By STELL A B R O W N St af f Re p o rt e r

D a ni el s s ai d s h e fi r st m et M o r ri s s e y aft e r h e r f a mil y m o v e d i n a c r o s s t h e st r e et f r o m hi m i n 2 0 0 4.

If B r o o kfi el d t r u st e e s s el e ct t h e d e v el o p e r s at R e d w o o d C o n st r u cti o n t o r e d e v el o p t h e sit e of t h e T h e at e r B uil di n g, G r a n d B o ul e v a r d c o ul d b e c o m e h o m e t o t wo fl o o r s of a p a r t m e nt s, o r t h r e e fl o o r s of a h ot el, a b o v e a g r o u n d-fl o o r r e t ail s p a c e.

Vi ll a g e of fi ci al s o n M o n d a y, M a r c h 9, h e a r d f r o m t h e fi r st of t wo d e v el o p m e nt fi rm s t h at r e s p o n d e d t o B r o o kfi el d ’ s r e q u e st f o r p r o p o sal s r e g a r di n g t h e hi st o ri c p r o p e r t y. D u e t o l a stmi n ut e s c h e d uli n g i s s u e s, t h e ot h e r fi rm, N at h C o n st r u cti o n, c o ul d n ot a tt e n d t h e m e eti n g.

See M O R RI S S E Y o n p a ge 1 0

See T H E A T E R o n p a ge 1 7

TO D D B A N N O R

Wo rl d Wa r II vetera n J oe M o rrisse y wav es t o neigh b ors g at he red a t his h o use cele brat i o n of his 1 0 0t h birt h d ay o n Marc h 1 4. b o r h o o d ki d s t o of fi ci al s at Vill a g e H all.

M o r ri s s e y’ s f a mil y al s o h el d a p ri v at e bi r t h d ay c el e b r ati o n o n S u n d a y, M a r c h 1 5, at t h e J o s h u a H a r ri s V F W P o st 2 8 6 8 i n B r o o kfi el d.

F oll o w u s o n I n st a gr a m!

@riversidebrookfield _land mark

T o p st ori e s, l o c al g o v er n m e nt, f e at ur e s, e v e nt s, di ni n g, art, a n d s p ort s ri g ht at y o ur fi n g erti p s!

2

e L a n d m ar k, M arc h 1 8, 2 0 2 6

I g ot m y

s e c o n d c h a n c e.

E R f or e x p ert h e art & str o k e c ar e F e eli n g s e e n c a n b e t r a n sf o r m a ti v e. B ef o r e h e r h e a r t a t t a c k, Ni c h ol e’ s p h y si c al a n d m e n t al h e al t h h a d n’ t b e e n h e r p ri o ri t y. B u t i n t h e U C hi c a g o M e di ci n e A d v e n t H e al t h E R, t h e e x c e p ti o n al c a r e t h a t q ui c kl y s a v e d Ni c h ol e’ s lif e w a s d eli v e r e d wi t h s u c h c o m p a s si o n t h a t i t r e st o r e d h e r h e al t h — a n d h e r e n ti r e o u tl o o k. “ U C hi c a g o M e di ci n e A d v e n t H e al t h s e t m e f r e e, ” s a y s Ni c h ol e.

“I’ m li vi n g t h e lif e I w a s al w a y s m e a n t t o li v e. ” O u r w o rl d - cl a s s E R t e a m k n o w s y o u h a v e a l o t of g r e a t li vi n g l ef t t o d o.

C hi c a g ol a n d E R E x p e r t s. c o m

The Landmark, March 18, 2026

Sole resident on Harris Road wants his street fixed

IN THIS ISSUE

Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Riverside officials say other streets need work first

General Manager Max Reinsdorf

By STELLA BROWN

Staff Reporter Stella Brown

Staff Reporter

Riverside resident Chester Stock and his family have lived on Harris Road by Harrington Park for around three decades, he said. In that time, they’ve remained the only residents on the street, which juts out north of Olmsted Road immediately west of Harlem Avenue.

Now, Stock says it’s time the village resurfaced Harris to improve the quality of the road and put in extra drainage to deal with standing water that has historically pooled up after rain or snow. But village officials say there are no plans for such a project.

“There’s no other drainage here at all.

You see how torn up it is, patched? Kids come by here, little kids. It’s a very busy place in the summertime,” Stock told the Landmark. “[The park] is higher than [the road], so all the water comes in here. There are no sewers. There should be a curb here on both sides, like a normal street … The street is in bad shape.”

Stock said he had records of drainage issues going back 16 years, which more recently led to flooding issues in his home’s basement. He said he’s reached out to village staff and officials about having the street improved and the sewers connected, but he’s heard back that such a thing is out of the village’s budget, and there are no plans to fix the issues he’s noticed.

In an email, Village Manager Jessica Frances said Stock first reached out to village staff in 2019 about people parking illegally on the road, creating depressions, and that he reached out again late last summer about resurfacing and connecting the sewers.

“The depressions had standing water, which was his concern. [In 2019], he was asking that a sewer connection be installed to allow for drainage and eliminate the standing water; however, there is no ability to connect to a sewer in that location. Since

Senior Audience Manager Stacy Coleman Contributing Editor Donna Greene Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial & Digital Design Lead Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls STELLA BROWN

Chester Stock, one of Harris Road’s sole residents, is calling for Riverside to improve conditions.

2019, the Parks and Recreation Department has worked with the police department to enforce no parking on that road during peak times,” she said in the email.

Since 2019, she said, Riverside’s public works and parks and recreation departments have worked together to “periodically” fill depressions on the side of the street near Harrington Park “as needed,” but the village does not have plans to resurface Harris Road within the next 10 years, as “there are other streets that are in worse condition.”

According to a village-wide pavement rating from 2024 that Frances shared, Harris Road is ranked between 59 and 69 out of 100, higher than several other roads in town that are ranked below 59, including Olmsted Road, to which Harris connects.

Frances attributed the tendency for standing water to sit on Harris Road to the topography of the area; some parts of the road are lower than the surrounding properties, including Stock’s, causing the water to col-

lect there, she said.

Stock said he worries mosquitoes and other insects could breed in the standing water and cause further issues for him and parkgoers.

He said officials told him it would cost $35,000 to resurface Harris Road. Frances confirmed the figure was the village engineer’s estimate in 2025.

“This request must be evaluated with all the other water main, sewer and street needs of the village that may be in a worse condition,” she wrote. “To ensure that the village are good stewards of resources, costs are always a concern coupled with how many [people] will benefit from the improvements.”

Despite Riverside’s lack of a plan to resurface Harris Road, Stock still says he’d like to see conditions improved.

“It’s a safety factor. If water is going to still stand because the park is higher than the rest, they have to have curbs and sewers,” he said. “That’s the right way to do it.”

Marketing & Advertising Associate Emma Cullnan Legal Notices Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com Operations Associate Susan Babin Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera Senior Advisor Dan Haley

HOW TO REACH US PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305 PHONE: (708) 442-6739 E-MAIL: dhaley@wjinc.com ONLINE: www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published digitally and in print by NEWSWELL. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00.

A one-year subscription costs $57 within Cook County and $95 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, PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305. © 2026 NEWSWELL

3

4

The Landmark, March 18, 2026

RB grad nears 16 years with Brookfield Zoo Chicago Racquel Ardisana started as a teenage volunteer before making her career at the zoo

By STELLA BROWN

up loving wild places and knowing that these wild places need our help,” she said. “When people connect with wildlife and fall in love When Racquel Ardisana started volunteer- with wildlife and fall in love with wild places, ing at Brookfield Zoo Chicago as a teenager, they’re more likely to want to conserve and she didn’t know that she would go on to work protect those places.”

Ardisana said one of her earliest inspirafull-time at the zoo — or that she would do so tions was Rachel Carson, a for nearly 16 years. marine biologist and conArdisana, who grew up servation writer known in Riverside and graduated for her nature books pubfrom Riverside Brookfield lished in the 1940s, ‘50s High School in 2006, is the and ‘60s. zoo’s associate director of “I remember very discarnivore and small mamtinctly in fifth grade, I did mal care and conservation. a book report on ‘The Sea Before that, she worked as Around Us,’ which I think an animal care specialist. my teacher was a little “I have several keepers surprised by,” she said. “I that I work with in the delearned about her from partment. I oversee a whole a young age. [She was] a bunch of different things, very famous marine bifrom daily husbandry to COURTESY OF BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO ologist, and I was so interspecies survival plan recested in her books and her ommendations,” she told Racquel Ardisana is research. That’s why my the Landmark. “I have Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s original dream was to be a actually worked at the marine biologist.”

Brookfield Zoo for all of associate director of carnivore In high school, Ardisana my adult life. I started here and small mammal care and said she volunteered at the as a youth volunteer … and conservation.

Shedd Aquarium, too. absolutely loved the zoo. I “There was a person worked here throughout college in the education department, and af- there in their education department named Nicole Pearson, and she was a big inspirater college, I started my animal care career.”

She said one of her favorite parts of her tion to me. I got very lucky; early on, I had job is interacting with members of the a lot of female mentors … who I really felt public, educating them about the zoo’s dif- helped push me into this career,” she said. ferent animals and the importance of con- “Dana Murphy was the head of the youth volunteer program [at the zoo], but she servation.

“I grew up loving the zoo, but I also grew helped me and my sisters. We all went into Staff Reporter

Office Space Available Great location on Broadway Avenue in Brookfield.

Small offices for rent in a clean, quiet and newly remodeled building Call 708-539-1483

FILE PHOTO

Racquel Ardisana feeds the Brookfield Zoo giraffes in 2015. careers similar to this. She kind of championed us and always was helping us find new opportunities.”

Indeed, a love for animals runs in Ardisana’s family. Her older sister spent much of her career working as a veterinarian, while her younger sister worked for several years as an animal care specialist at the Dallas Zoo, she said.

“My dad, I will say, was another man who inspired us when we were young. My dad was from Chicago but grew up visiting and spending the summer on his aunt and uncle’s farm in Wisconsin every year. He had a love of animals, and from an early age, we found an injured animal, and we were like, ‘Can we take care of it?’” she said.

“People were like, ‘The Ardisana sisters will take this animal until we can get it to a rehab center,’ and my dad always supported us in that.”

To any youngsters with a fledgling interest in caring for animals like she had, Ardisana suggested seeking out opportunities and mentors alike.

“There are great opportunities out there for high school students to get involved.

There are a lot of stewardship days for [the Cook County] Forest Preserves. There’s volunteering here [at the zoo],” she said. “I did have some really great mentors who continued to push for me and open my eyes to more opportunities that I didn’t realize were out there.”

Golden GoldenWok Wok Restaurant Restaurant

1122 N. Maple - 17th Ave. LaGrange Park • 708-354-3930 www.wok138.com Finest Cantonese & Mandarin Food at reasonable prices.

Finest Cantonese and Mandarin Food at reasonable prices.

Indoor Dining is Back!

TUES - SUNDAY: NOON - 8PM • CLOSED MONDAYS

MON-THU:11AM-9PM • FRI & SAT 11:00AM-9:30PM • SUN: NOON-9PM

Dining Room Is Currently Closed CARRY-OUT • DELIVERY • goldenwokcuisine.com WE ARE OPEN FOR CARRY-OUT & DELIVERY

P R O P E R T Y

T R A N S F E R S

The Landmark, March 18, 2026

The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Clerk from December 2025. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the clerk’s office.

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!

4510 Raymond Ave., Brookfield

708-387-1030

BROOKFIELD ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

4510 Raymond Ave 4528 Elm Ave 3434 Arden Ave 3600 Mccormick Ave 3931 Maple Ave 3621 Madison Ave 3251 Grand Blvd 3525 Hollywood Ave 3227 Harrison Ave 4125 Deyo Ave 4210 Maple Ave 3921 Sunnyside Ave 3345 Prairie Ave 4240 Custer Ave 9532 Lexington Ave 3334 Prairie Ave 3800 Rosemear Ave 3634 Prairie Ave 9003 Burlington Ave 4127 Vernon Ave 3623 Blanchan Ave 4111 Eberly Ave

$908,000 $775,000 $635,000 $525,000 $475,000 $450,000 $415,000 $405,000 $400,000 $369,000 $367,000 $360,000 $345,000 $340,000 $336,000 $315,000 $300,000 $270,000 $260,000 $248,000 $71,500 $70,000

Imx Grp Llc Pettinger John Maloku Granit Hybela Jaroslava Tr Bell Lauren Aguilar Jacob A David Alexander P Tr Ortega Luz Maria Mancilla Axiom Home Investments Llc Balaguer Jose A Tanykeev Isa Mathew Tony Amaro Angela Guzman Stephanie Proper Kristen M Petrovich Christiana J Shedis Susan J West Frank A Poskonka Fred Feeney Mary W Dohnal Jr John Cp Bldr Llc

Gasienica Joseph Tlevgabylov Daniyar Arenas Caesar Bauer Megan Dominguez Christopher Stoker Krista Bond Prince E Est Zavala Diego P Crenshaw Benjamin James Jacobo Juan Dare Shane E Surgal Rita Dirito Mclaughlin Robert Duran Marianne Filec Francis Trujillo Noemi Healy Renovations Llc West Evan Healy Renovations Llc Garcia Piero Hendrix Robert Kozelka Kenneth

RIVERSIDE 197 Herrick Rd 231 Lawton Rd 135 Northgate Rd 601 Selborne Rd 503 Longcommon Rd 204 E Burlington St 354 Lionel Rd

$555,000 $537,000 $499,000 $473,000 $462,000 $457,500 $410,000

Sasak Anthony Extr Trust Number 8002391737 Berhane Robbel Duve Christina M Tr Perez Victoria T Filec Francis G Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr

Lynch Timothy J Janson Louise E Pluzycki Thomas Balk Lori Deluca Alyssa Colbrese Ryan Pasciak Marek

Scan here to visit Cantata.org

Independent Living•Assisted Living•Memory Support Short-Term Rehab•Long-Term Care•Home Care

Member SIPC

Your life. Your money. Your terms.

After we get to know you on a personal level, we’ll partner with you throughout your journey, always sharing strategies to help bring you closer to the future you see for yourself.

Let’s start building the future today.

Michael J. Ward Financial Advisor

6 E Burlington Street, Suite 1C East Riverside, IL 60546 708-447-7091 EFA-21410-A-E-AD AECSPAD

5

6

The Landmark, March 18, 2026

Brookfield ups vehicle sticker fees for 2026 Village investigates new virtual vehicle sticker option

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield residents can expect a bump in the fees they pay for vehicle stickers when the renewal period opens in May. Village trustees on Monday, March 9, approved increases to the fees that will go into effect for this year.

A regular passenger vehicle sticker will cost $60, up from $50, while motorcycle stickers will cost $30 instead of $25. Vehicles registered at the senior citizen rate, which is limited to one car per household, will have stickers costing $10, up from $8. Trucks weighing less than 8,000 pounds will now have stickers that cost $96 instead of $80, and those heavier than that will require stickers costing $150, up from $125.

Late fees will also increase. If you’re late to register your car, you’ll owe $30 extra rather than the previous $20, leaving a total late price of $90, up from $70. Senior

late fees will rise to $5 on top of the regular price, motorcycle late fees will rise to $10, and all truck late fees will rise to $50.

All fee increases are about 20% of the previous sticker price, Finance Director Doug Cooper told the Landmark. According to a staff memo Cooper wrote, this increase is Brookfield’s first since 2019; with about 3% annual inflation in operational costs over the seven years, the fees will just about even out with inflation.

Vehicle sticker renewal will open on May 15, Cooper said, and run through June 30.

Late fees and police enforcement will go into effect on July 1.

The memo estimates Brookfield will bring in $111,445 more than last year, based on the number of vehicle stickers it sold in each category.

Cooper said the bulk of the newly generated revenue will go toward the village’s public works department.

“We’re looking at hiring a new assistant public works director, and that led me to

Serving your Community Since 1982

Replace that old water heater!

Professional Installation www.Sullivans-Plumbing.com

50.00 OFF

$

Limit 1 coupon per Heater

7018 W. 16th St, Berwyn, IL 60402

review all of the expenditures within that fund, and I noticed that it was time to look at some possible fee adjustments that needed to be made in order to appropriately fund that particular department,” he said.

“We need to fund salt, all the manpower involved with clearing the streets, the leaf program, patching — anything that has to do with street maintenance, those costs have risen.”

He said staff discussed the fee increases during the village’s budgeting process last year as staff looked ahead to this year.

In addition to raising the fees for vehicle stickers, Brookfield staff are working to do away with the physical stickers themselves. Instead, the finance and police departments are working together to implement digital vehicle stickers, though Cooper said staff are still in the “initial stages of investigation” to determine if the program is viable with the village’s existing software.

“When people pay for the sticker, it will

get into our database, and what we would end up doing is taking our current database with the newly purchased stickers and putting that into a license plate reader over in the police department,” he said.

“As they go down the road, the license plate reader would be able to determine whether or not the car is registered to a Brookfield address and whether or not they actually purchased the vehicle sticker.”

Announcements related to the virtual sticker program will be made to the community as village staff iron out the details, he added.

Cooper acknowledged that some residents may be unhappy with the rising costs associated with vehicle ownership.

“Unfortunately, we need to increase the fee to maintain our current service level on the streets,” he said. “We need to meet inflationary expectations, and we are trying to keep our costs to a minimum. This was one of the few ways we could see to fully fund that department.”

H S E R F CAL O L & NEWS Call Jill at (708) 524-8300 or visit RBLandmark.com/subscribe

The Landmark, March 18, 2026

In collaboration with Dominican University School of Education Presents

A Conversation with Dr. Eve L. Ewing: Education, Equity and Justice from Original Sins to Superheroes

Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m.

Dominican University Lund Auditorium 7900 Division Street, River Forest

Photo: Jaclyn Rivas

Author, scholar and community activist Dr. Eve Ewing’s most recent book, Original Sins: The (Mis) education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism, was named a Best Book of 2025 by The New Yorker, Esquire, Elle and the Chicago Public Library.

Dr. Ewing also has been involved in several projects for Marvel Comics, including the Black Panther and Exceptional X-Men series. Her Ironheart series provides the Chicago backstory of young genius Riri Williams following her introduction in the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Her first book for young readers, Maya and the Robot, received starred reviews in School Library Journal, Kirkus and Publishers Weekly.

Dr. Sara Rezvi, Dominican University School of Education, will moderate the conversation with Dr. Ewing.

Dr. Ewing will be signing books, available through The Book Loft.

Tickets & info:

Tickets $15 for the public $10 for WJ donors and subscribers This event is free for Dominican students, faculty and staff.

Tickets at www.dom.edu/arts-minds

7

8

e L a n d m ar k, M arc h 1 8, 2 0 2 6

Lyo ns’Gettyjoi ns batc h ofi ndepe nde nts r u n ni ngi n Nov. for 4t h District seati n co ngress Gett y f o ur t h i n de pe n de nt c an di d a te t o a n n o u nce

By B O B S K OL NI K

C o nt ri b uti n g Re p o rt e r

L y o n s M a y o r C h ri st o p h e r G ett y h a s a nn o u n c e d h e i s r u n ni n g f o r C o n g r e s s a s a n i n d ep e n d e nt. G ett y j oi n s C hi c a g o al d e r m a n B r y o n Si g c h o- L o p e z, f o r m e r D e m oc r ati c P a r t y o p e r at i ve M a y r a M a ci a s, a n d a cti vi st Li n d s a y C h u r c h i n a n n o u n ci n g t h at t h e y a r e r u n ni n g a s i n d ep e n d e nt s t o c h all e n g e J e s u s “ C h u y ” G a ri c a’ s h a n d pi c k e d s u c c e s s o r P att y G a r ci a. T h e t wo G a r ci a s a r e n ot r el at e d .

G ett y , wh o h a s b e e n t h e m a y o r of L y o n s si n c e 2 0 0 9, a n n o u n c e d hi s c a n di d a c y a s a n i n d e p e n d e nt at hi s a n n u al f u n d r ai si n g e v e nt w h i c h w a s h el d F e b. 2 6 at G i b s o n s r e st a u r a nt i n O a k B r o o k.

C h u y G a r ci a di d n ’t a n n o u n c e t h at h e w a s n ot r u n ni n g f o r a n ot h e r t e r m i n C o n-

g r e s s u ntil aft e r t h e fili n g p e ri o d f o r t h e M a r c h 1 7 p ri m a r y h a d p a s s e d alt h o u g h h e t ol d hi s t h e n c hi e f of st af f P att y G a r ci a a f e w d a y s b ef o r e t h e c l o s e of t h e fili ng p e ri o d t h at h e w a s n ot g oi n g t o r u n f o r a n ot h e r t e r m. Aft e r P att y G a r ci a fil e d at t h e l a st mi n ut e t o r u n i n t h e D e m o c r ati c p ri m a r y C h u y G a ri c a wit h d r e w f r o m t h e r a c e l e a vi n g P att y G a r ci a a s t h e o nl y c a ndi d at e o n t h e b all ot i n T u e s d a y ’ s p ri m a ry. “ R e c e ntl y w e s aw o u r c u r r e nt c o n g r e s sm a n c h o o s e t o b y p a s s t h e d e m o c r ati c p r oc e s s h a n d pi c ki n g hi s s u c c e s s o r in st e a d of all o wi n g t h e v ot e r s t o d e ci d e w h o g et s t o r e p r e s e nt t h e m, ” G ett y s ai d i n hi s a p p r o x i m at el y 1 0 mi n ut e l o n g s p e e c h a n n o u n c i n g hi s c a n di d a c y at hi s fu n d r ai s e r . “ N o o p e n d e b at e , n o r e al c h oi c e f o r t h e p e o pl e.

T h at ’ s n ot h o w d e m o c r a c y i s s u p p o s e d t o w o r k . R e p r e s e nt ati o n i s e a r n e d, n ot

in h e rit e d. L e a d e r s hi p s h o ul d b e a c c o u nta bl e a n d t h e p e o pl e s h o ul d al w a y s h a v e t h e fi n al s ay. W e d e s e rv e b ett e r. ” G ett y , w h o al s o s e r v e s a s t h e T o w n s hi p S u p e r vi s o r i n L y o n s T o w n s hi p, p or t r a y e d hi m s elf a s a n o ut si d er. “ T hi s c o n g r e s si o n al s e at d o e s n ot b e l o n g t o in si d e r s , it b el o n g s t o t h e p e o pl e , ” G ett y t ol d a n e nt h u si a sti c c r o w d of s u p p o r t e rs.

T o g et o n t h e N o v e m b e r b all ot a s a n i n d ep e n d e nt r e q ui r e s s u b mitti n g 1 0, 8 1 6 v ali d si g n at u r e s o n n o mi n ati n g p etiti o n s f r o m r e gi st e r e d v ot e r s i n t h e 4t h Di st ri c t t o t h e Illi n oi s St at e B o a r d of El e cti o n s b y M a y 2 6, n ot a n e a s y t a s k. “ R u n ni n g a s a n i n d ep e n d e nt t a ke s c o u r a g e, it t a ke s a n o r g a ni z ati o n, it t a ke s r e s o u r c e s, it t a ke s all of u s , ” G ett y s ai d. “ T h e y m a y h a v e t h o u g ht t h e y c o ul d t a ke

VILL A G E OF LYO NS

C h rist o p her Getty t hi s c h oi c e a w a y f r o m u s , t h e y m a y h a v e t h o u g ht t hi s el e cti o n w a s al r e a dy d e ci d e d b ut t h e y u n d e r e sti m at e d t hi s c o m m u nit y a n d t h e y u n d e r e sti m at e t h e st r e n gt h i n t hi s r o o m.”

G ett y s ai d h e a n d v ot e r s a r e f e d u p wit h

The Landmark, March 18, 2026 the dysfunction and partisan squabbling in Washington, D.C. “I’m running as an independent because this moment demands an independent voice,” Getty said. “I don’t answer to a party, I answer to the people. I’m running because our country faces serious challenges: rising costs, immigration and public safety concerns, economic uncertainty and a political system that feels increasingly disconnected from reality. We don’t need more partisan talking points, we don’t need more backroom deals. We need leaders who unite us and put the people first.”

Getty was elected mayor of Lyons for the first time in 2009 when he was only 26 years old. In his speech last month Getty said that he was then the youngest person elected mayor in Illinois. Getty has led a powerful political organization in Lyons since becoming mayor dominating village government and taking control of the Lyons Elementary School District 103 Board of Education. His father, the late Ken Getty, had also been the mayor of Lyons in the 1990s. In 1998 Ken Getty Sr. was convicted of mail fraud in a bid rigging scheme and sentenced to 66 months in prison. Ken Getty Sr. always proclaimed

his innocence and after his father got out ing this district up.” Getty said.

After 17 years as mayor he said that he of federal prison Chris Getty appointed his father to the Lyons Zoning Board. Ken is now ready to heed calls to run for higher office.

Getty Sr. died in 2025.

“This is our moment, this is our moveGetty could have a powerful ally if Steve Landek, the mayor of Bridgeview ment; our time is now,” Getty said.

Macias grew up in the Back of the Yards and the Lyons Democratic Committeeman from Lyons Township, decides to neighborhood in Chicago and graduated from Yale University in support him. Landek did 2010. She spent her first not return a phone call or two years after graduattext message asking him ing from Yale as a Teach if he was going to supfor America Middle port Getty’s campaign for School teacher. Since Congress. then Macias has worked Getty’s time as mayor in politics first as a field has not been without organizer in Florida for controversy. In 2019 FBI CHRISTOPHER GETTY Barack Obama’s reelecagents raided the Lyons Village of Lyons mayor tion campaign in 2012.

Village Hall as well as the She went on to work for offices of Getty Insurthe Florida Democratic ance which was run by Party and the Latino Chris Getty and his late Victory Project and also father. No charges were worked on the unsucever filed against Chris cessful Kamala Harris presidential camGetty or anyone in Lyons as a result of paign in 2024. She has also worked for the raids.

Getty said he would focus on issues in Building Back Together, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the his campaign for Congress.

“This campaign is not about tearing economic and political agenda of the anyone down; this campaign is about lift- Biden administration.

“This is our moment, this is our movement; our time is now.”

Sigcho-Lopez is a Democratic Socialist who is the alderman for Chicago’s 25th ward located on the near west side of the city. Sigcho-Lopez, like Getty and the other independent candidates, has expressed outrage over the way that Chuy Garcia withdrew from the race to give Patty Garcia a free ride in the Democratic primary.

“It sends a bad message to our constituents, to the city, something like this, especially by someone who portrayed himself as a progressive and a reformer, this doesn’t speak to those values,” SigchoLopez told the Landmark a few months ago when he was exploring running as an independent. “We want to make sure people know that as progressives, people committed to public service, that we don’t stand by that.”

Church, who lives in Berwyn with her wife and child, is described on her campaign web site as veteran, non-profit executive, and a LBGTQ+ leader. She served in the Navy as a Persian-Farsi linguist.

After leaving the Navy she earned a bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studies and International Relations from the University of Washington. She is the co-founder and executive director of Minority Veterans for America.

Local journalism matters. That’s why we made a bold decision to protect its future.

The RB Landmark is now part of NEWSWELL, a nonprofit 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.

9

10

The Landmark, March 18, 2026

TODD BANNOR

Neighbors present World War II veteran Joe Morrissey with a gift-wrapped box full of birthday cards with 100th birthday wishes from Brookfield residents on March 14.

TODD BANNOR

Neighbors gather in front of Joe Morrissey’s house.

MORRISSEY ‘I have friends’ from page 1

“He was in his 80s, he was an elderly man, and he was out there every day shoveling snow,” she told the Landmark. “It was amazing to watch. I was observing from afar for a little bit, but then, at one point, I went over there. It was a really bad snowstorm, one for the years, and I went over.

I grew up learning that you take care of your elderly neighbors. I started to shovel his snow, and he was like, ‘No, no, no. I got this.’”

Over time, she got to know him as a neighbor and a friend, listening to his stories of his life from before and after he moved to Brookfield.

His son, Tom Morrissey, said the centenarian grew up with “a rather large Irish family on the South Side of Chicago.” He married his late wife, Rose Therese Morrissey, nee Sentivanac, in 1952, and the couple had Tom in 1953.

For nearly two decades, Morrissey worked for A&P, the grocery chain that

TODD BANNOR

Brookfield emergency vehicles lead a procession of cars past Joe Morrissey’s house. started as a tea and coffee retailer, his son said, before he moved into the banking world for another 20 years or so.

Tom Morrissey said he and his siblings grew up in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago and that his father’s Navy service inspired his own three-decade military career. Of the couple’s four children,

TODD BANNOR

Members of American Legion Post 1941 congratulate Joe Morrissey.

eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, one of their grandsons felt the same and has served for more than 10 years in the military, he said.

“It is heartening to me to see the outpouring of love for my father. This is not the first year that they’re doing something like this. This is maybe the biggest, be-

cause it’s a 100-year celebration, but the kids and the neighbors have always come by to visit, to say hello, to bring balloons,” Tom Morrissey said. “He is a really amazing person. At 100 years old, he has a crystal-clear mind … He still does the taxes for my siblings, if you can imagine that. He was always a math expert.”

e L a n d m ar k, M arc h 1 8, 2 0 2 6

W A N T E D: D E A D !!

I n v a si v e S p eci e s U nraveli n g c o nf usi o n & misi nf or m ati o n Wyatt Wi d mer ( a k a: Wyatt E. C oyote) C hec k O ut O ur C ale n d ar t o Re gister f or All Eve nts

S at ur d a y, M arc h 2 1st, 1 0: 0 0 a m Riversi de Li brary

• April 11th: Inaugural Landscape Workday, Longco m mon, 9:00a m • April 22nd: West Side Architecture, Lee Bay, Chicago Sun-Ti mes 7:00p m • May 16th: Landscape Workday, Longco m mon, 9:00a m

w w w.ol mstedsociety.org ME M O RY C A RE

P R O VI DE D B Y T OM M O R RISSE Y

J oe M o rrisse y (le ) is pict ure d “so me w here i n t he P a cifi c” d uri ng his ti me servi ng i n Wo rl d Wa r II.

S HELTE RE D C A RE

S KI L L E D N U R SI N G

R E S PI T E C A R E

Yo u ca n r el a x k n o wi n g w e c a r e.

R e c ei v e $ 5 0 0 o ff s h elt e r e d c ar e & m e m or y c a r e e v e r y m o nt h f o r 1 2 m o nt h s.

C all u s at 7 0 8- 4 4 7- 5 0 9 2 t o l e a r n m o r e a b o ut s h elt e r e d c a r e a n d m e m o r y c a r e at C al e d o ni a S e ni o r Li vi n g.

C al e d o ni a S e ni o r Li vi n g. o r g

TO D D B A N N O R

J oe M o rrisse y wi t h t wo y o u n g neig h b or s D a ni el s s ai d s h e felt c o m p ell e d t o o r g a ni z e t h e r all y f o r M o r ri s s e y b e c a u s e of w h at a n i m p o rt a nt c o m m u nit y fi xt u r e — a n d a “ r eall y, r e all y g r e at g u y ” — h e’ s b e c o m e . “ T o b e livi n g a s l o n g a n d a s w ell a s h e d o e s; h e still liv e s at h o m e al o n e . H e h a s f a mil y, a n d h e’ s v e r y p r o u d of hi s f a mil y.

H e c a n t al k t o y o u f o r h o u r s a b o ut hi s f a m-

ily, ” s h e s ai d. “ H e d e s e r v e s t hi s. ” A s t h e c el e b r ati o n s w e r e wi n di n g d o w n o n S at u r d a y, M o r ri s s e y s ai d h e k n e w t h e r all y h a d b e e n pl a n n e d b ut w a s n ’t e x p e cti n g t o s e e s o m a n y c o m m u nit y m e m b e r s t u r n o ut.

“I n B r o o kfi el d, I d o n’ t h a v e n ei g h b o r s , ” h e s ai d. “I h a v e f ri e n ds. ”

R B l a n d m a r k. c o m

a d v e r ti s e• 7 0 8- 4 4 2- 6 7 3 9

11

12

Marc h 1 8, 2 0 2 6

S p eci al A d vertisi n g S ecti o n

MARC H 2026

W o m e n i n B u si n e s s ST R E N GT H E N | C R E AT E | B UI L D | T R A N S F O R M |

G R E Y P H O E N IX A R T S T U D IO A w o m a n -o w n e d c re a tiv e s a n c tu a ry w h e re a ll a rtis ts a re c e le b ra te d g r e y p h o e n ix a r ts tu d io .c o m

3 7 3 0 - 3 7 3 2 P r a ir ie A v e . B r o o k f ie ld , I L

F oll o w u s o n I n st a gr a m!

T o p st ori e s, l o c al g o v er n m e nt, f e at ur e s, e v e nt s, di ni n g, art, a n d s p ort s ri g ht at y o ur fi n g erti p s!

@riversidebrookfield _land mark

M E NT O R

S p eci al A d vertisi n g S ecti o n

Marc h 1 8, 2 0 2 6

T

he Bl ue Water Lo u n ge has bee n a n ic o nic Bro ok fi el d s p ot si nce it o pe ne d i n 2 0 0 0.

N o w, wit h S ele ne at t he hel m si nce 2 0 2 3 it re mai ns a f u n, frie n dly a n d welc o mi n g s p ot wit h a vast selecti o n of marti nis a n d ot her wo n derf ul dri nks.

T here is a re n ovati o n u n der way a n d S ele ne i nvites yo u t o e nj oy t he process w hic h will be c o m plete d i n May.

13

“I a m tr uly gratef ul t o have all of t he s u p p ort fro m o ur f or mer a n d re g ular c ust o mers,” s he says. “T he Bl ue Water Lo u n ge tea m has bee n cele brati n g every h oli day a n d a ny of o ur c ust o mer’s s pecial eve nts wit h t he m ost welc o mi n g h osti n g service. My tea m a n d I make s ure t o provi de a war m a n d j oyf ul place f or all of o ur c ust o mer ex perie nces.”

T here are m ore t ha n 1 3 0 o p p ort u nities f or f u n a n d refres h me nt o n t he Marti ni Bar me n u. Yo u’ll als o fi n d wi ne, c ha m pa g ne a n d m ore t ha n 2 0 b ottle d beer o pti o ns. N o o ne leaves t hirsty!

T he Yel p revie ws back u p S ele ne’s pri de of o w ners hi p wit h t he frie n dly barte n ders a n d sta ff re g ularly c alle d o ut. “S uc h a f u n s p ot,’” wrote o ne revie wer. “A great fi n d. A l oc al ge m,” wrote a n ot her. A n d t he n, “S uc h a n ic o nic place i n Bro ok fi el d,” ro u n ds o ut t he e nt h use d c o m me nts.

A n d d o n’t f or get t hey have a S u n day Bl o o dy Mary Bar!

S ele ne ur ges yo u t o f oll o w Bl ue Water Lo u n ge o n s ocial me dia.

B L U E W A T E R L O U N G E • 9 0 1 6 3 1 S T S T • B R O O K FI E L D, I L 6 0 5 1 3

Cele br ates o ur

W O M E N I N B U SI N E S S! L AC E Y SI K O R A

J E S SI C A M O R D AC Q

L E F T T O RI G H T: L O U R D E S NI C H OLL S, E M M A C ULL N A N, S T AC Y C OL E M A N, S U S A N LI S S B A BI N, JILL W A G N E R, M A RI B EL B A R R E R A

S T ELL A B R O W N

S U S A N M C K EL V E Y

14

S p eci al A d vertisi n g S ecti o n

Marceh L1a8,n d2 0m2ar6 k, M arc h 1 8, 2 0 2 6

Marc h 1 8, 2 0 2 6

13

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Drunk driver nearly struck by another vehicle Brookfield police arrested a 40-year-old Oak Forest woman on March 2 after an officer witnessed her almost being hit by a car.

Around 8 p.m., an officer was on patrol on Ogden Avenue when they witnessed the woman walking in the roadway, narrowly avoiding being hit by a vehicle before she walked up to her car, which was street parked with a wheel mounted on the curb. The officer parked in a nearby parking lot and made contact with the woman, who said she had tried to park her car but had accelerated too hard and hit the low curb.

The officer noticed the woman had “glossy, bloodshot eyes” and “appeared confused,” and there was vomit on the ground by the driver’s door; they also smelled an alcoholic odor emanating from the woman’s breath.

When asked for her driver’s license, the woman shrugged and said it was somewhere in her car, police said.

After being advised of the reason for the officer’s contact, the woman said she knew she had been in the street but did not know she had almost been hit by a vehicle. After multiple requests from the officer, the woman found her driver’s license within her car and provided it.

When asked, the woman said she had vomited on the ground. She said she had been coming from work and had drunk two beers “down the street” about half an hour earlier, police said. The officer told the woman they were suspicious of DUI, to which the woman said she had been drinking, according to police.

The woman agreed to take field sobriety testing, during which she failed to follow instructions. She also agreed to take a preliminary breath test, during which she again failed to follow instructions, so no blood alcohol content level was returned.

The officer arrested the woman and transported her to the Brookfield Police Department, where the woman could not accurately say what time it was or at first remember when she had last eaten. She struggled to recall at what time she had been approached by the officer and said she believed she had been at a gas station then. After a 20-minute observation period, the woman declined to take a chemical breath test.

Police cited the woman for driving under the influence and failing to provide proof of insurance before setting an April 20 court date. She was given paperwork relating to her citations and car tow and released from the station.

Expired plates and license Brookfield police on March 6 ticketed a 46-year-old Brookfield woman.

Around 8:30 a.m., an officer was on patrol, heading north on Maple Avenue at the intersection with Prairie Avenue, when they observed a silver car with license plates that they ran and learned to be expired.

The officer pulled the car over at Bartlett Avenue and made contact with the driver, who provided proof of insurance and a driver’s license, which the officer ran and learned had expired less than a year ago. The officer issued the woman two citations and set a March 24 court date.

Suspended registration Brookfield police ticketed a 28-year-old Berwyn woman on March 6.

Around 8:45 a.m., an officer was heading west on 31st Street, approaching Maple Avenue, when they observed a white car, which had its registration suspended due to a lack of insurance. The officer pulled the car over at Arthur Avenue and made contact with the driver.

The woman was unable to provide either a driver’s license or proof of insurance.

She told the officer she had no insurance, police said, and the officer ran her information and learned her license had been expired since 2022.

The officer ticketed the woman for driving with an expired license of over one year, driving without insurance and driving on a suspended registration. The officer set a March 24 court date and provided her with pre-trial paperwork, advising her against driving.

These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department reports dated March 2-9; they represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stella Brown

The Landmark, March 18, 2026

15

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONCRETE

CONCRETE

COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • RESIDENTIAL

708.442.7720

DRIVEWAYS • FOUNDATIONS • PATIOS • STEPS CURB/GUTTERS • SIDEWALKS • SNOW PLOWING STAMPED, COLORED & AGGREGATE CONCRETE • FREE ESTIMATES • LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

ELECTRICAL

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Ceiling Fans Let an American Veteran do your work Installed We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

FLOORS

HANDYMAN

KLIS FLOORING INC.

Mike’s Home Repair

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

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

708-296-2060

Thinking about a career in local government?

Community • Connection Service • Respect

The Village of Oak Park has job opportunities available.

Please visit www.oak-park.us or scan the QR code

16

The Landmark, March 18, 2026

Almost The Greatest Baker Local student and chef Edgar Ki makes his mark

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

He investigated to make sure it was legit.

He also saw that the owner of Carlo’s Bakery, Buddy Valastro was involved.

“When I was a kid, I used to watch TV Maywood resident and Sugar Fixe baker Edgar Ki has loved baking and cakes for as and videos about cake design and stuff like that. And Valastro is a very well-known perlong as he can remember.

“My grandma used to make an orange son in that field,” Ki said. “I saw that he was cake, and I really fell in love with it,” Ki said. a part of it and you’d get to meet him and “I loved watching her go through the process. take a picture with him. I was so excited.”

The online competition involved cooking It spurred my own dreams of wanting to items that were voted on. His instructors, bake cakes and design them myself.”

And there was something else that struck a fellow students and community got behind him. chord with Ki and baking.

“I thought he was going to win,” Marvel “The thing that’s really inspirational for me, as a deaf person, is that communica- Petergal. “He has an incredible work ethic tion can sometimes be hard because I feel and he’s just like kind of the sweetest pride like I can’t connect with the hearing world in to be around.”

Ki made it to the quarter finals. the same way that others do,” he said. “But “And then I found out that he didn’t when I’m baking, it’s something that I can just do with my hands, and it doesn’t require share with us that he placed so high, because I think he felt communication.

I that wasn’t good can express myself enough,” Clem said. through my baking, “I was like, come on, and that’s what I reit was against 300 ally love about it.” people.”

Ki got his profesEven though he sional start at Oak didn’t win the cash Park’s Sugar Fixé or meet with cake bakery. He was hired boss Valastro, Ki is as a dishwasher, but still pursuing his he let his desire to passion.

Among work as a baker be other things at Sugknown early on. ar Fixé, he makes “I quickly realized the decorated sugar that he is passioncookies. ate about decorative “For Christmas, work,” Sugar Fixé for Halloween, for Chef Emma Marvel Valentine’s Day, I’m Petergal said. “He the one who does the has an artistic eye.”

EDGAR KI designs,” Ki said. “I To reach that goal, like to put funny litKi also enrolled in Cinnamon rolls at Sugar Fixé tle designs on them Triton College’s as well. That’s someHospitality Industry Administration program. He excelled there thing I really enjoy.”

“I just like let him have the reins,” said too.

“It’s never just the class assignment for Petergal. “Whatever cookies he wants to him,” department chair Christoper Clem bake, whatever shapes, whatever designs. said. “He’s not gonna just settle for any- He knocks them out of the park every time.”

As for his future, Ki said, “I wanted to thing, he’s always looking for the next eletravel to France to learn more skills at École ment of excellence.”

Then Ki spotted The Greatest Baker con- Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie and the Asian area to learn my skills. Travel test.

“I saw an advertisement about it on social to any country to learn their new desserts, media and I kept seeing it. It was saying you bread, etc. from famous dessert shops all over the world.” could win $10,000,” Ki said.

Eats Reporter

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Edgar Ki in Triton’s hospitality kitchen

EDGAR KI

Hawaiian-themed sugar cookies at Sugar Fixé

e L a n d m ar k, M arc h 1 8, 2 0 2 6

T HE A TE R

YO U R

Ap ar t me nts or hotel?

B EST

f r o m p ag e 1 R e p r e s e nt ati v e s will p r e s e nt N at h’ s p r op o s al f o r mi x e d- u s e a p a r t m e nt s at a n u p c o mi n g c o m mitt e e of t h e w h ol e m e eti n g b ef o r e t r u st e e s pi c k o n e d e v el o p e r o v e r t h e ot h e r .

T h e vill a g e a c q ui r e d t h e T h e at e r B uil d i n g at 3 7 2 3 G r a n d Bl v d. i n S e pt e m b e r 2 0 2 4 a n d a n ei g h b o ri n g r e si d e n c e at 3 7 1 7 G r a n d Bl v d. i n J a n u a r y 2 0 2 5. I n S e pt e m b e r 2 0 2 5, t r u st e e s di r e ct e d vill a g e st af f t o d e m oli s h t h e st r u ct u r e s o n b ot h p a r c el s , m a ki n g w a y f o r n e w r e d e vel o p m e nt.

B ot h of R e d w o o d ’ s p r o p o s al s w o ul d f e at u r e a 3, 5 2 5 s q u a r e f o ot r et ail s p a c e o n t h e g r o u n d fl o o r. It s p r o p o s al f o r a p a r t m e nt s w o ul d f e at u r e 2 0 r e nt al u nit s s p r e a d a c r o s s t h e s e c o n d a n d t hi r d l ev el.

T h e p r o p o s al f o r a h ot el w o ul d i n cl u d e at l e a st 2 0 r o o m s a c r o s s t h e t hi r d a n d f o u rt h l ev el; t h e s e c o n d fl o o r w o ul d eit h e r b e h el d f o r a n e v e nt o r s e c o n d r et ail s p a c e o r w o ul d h ol d 1 0 m o r e h ot el r o o m s f o r a t ot al of 3 0, b a s e d o n t h e vill a g e b o a r d’ s di r e cti o n, s ai d St e v e Bl e ntli n g e r , a d e v el o p m e nt l e a d at Re d w o o d . “ Y o u h a v e o n e of t h e g r e at e st att r a cti o n s i n all of t h e s u b u r b s , e s p e ci all y al o n g t h e B N S F li n e, i n t h e B r o o kfi el d Z o o . T h at ’ s a g r e at a s s et t h at att r a ct s I d o n’ t e v e n k n o w of f t h e t o p of m y h e a d h o w m a n y p e o pl e a n d vi sit o r s p e r y e a r, ” Bl e ntli n g e r s ai d. “ T h e r e’ s n ot r e all y a pl a c e f o r s o m e b o d y t o st a y i n B r o o kfi el d if t h e y w e r e vi siti n g, s o t hi s w a s t h e c at al y st f o r t h e c o n v e r s ati o n a b o ut wh et h e r t h e h ot el c o n c e p t c o ul d w o r k h e re. ” Vi ll a g e P r e si d e nt Mi c h a el G a r v e y l at e r s ai d B r o o kfi el d Z o o C hi c a g o st ati sti c s s u g g e st it s e e s a b o ut t wo milli o n vi sit o r s i n a y e a r, w h i c h c o ul d g r o w f u rt h e r a s t h e z o o m a k e s i m p r o v e m e nt s a n d i m pl e m e nt s n e w pr o gr a ms .

S h o ul d t h e b o a r d o pt f o r R e d w o o d a n d it s h ot el c o n c e pt, t h e fi rm w o ul d c o n d u ct a m a r k et st u d y t o d et e r mi n e if it mi g ht b e e c o n o mi c all y vi a bl e, Bl e ntli n g e r a d d e d.

If it w e r e f o u n d t o b e vi a bl e, a n d t h e p r oj e ct p r o c e e d e d, R e d w o o d w o ul d eit h e r o p e r at e t h e h ot el it s elf o r p a r t n e r wit h a n e st a bli s h e d h ot el m a n a g e m e nt c o m p a n y w h il e r e m ai ni n g t h e l o n g-t e rm o w n e r of t h e p r o p e rt y, h e s ai d. “ W e c o ul d c at e r t h e h ot el l ay o ut s o t h at if, s a y, w e tr y it, a n d fi n a n ci ally, d o w n t h e r o a d, it d o e s n ’t w o r k o ut t o o p e r at e a s a h ot el, w e [ c o ul d] m a k e it v e r y e a s y t o c o n v e r t

17

L IF E w it iith th L is th iisa sa C a ppon sa on e on S o c ia l L iv in g B e n e fits CO U R TES Y OF RE D W O O D CO NST R UCTI O N

is ren der i ng s h o ws w hat a t hree-st or y a par t me nt b uil di ng wi t h gro u n d-le vel ret ail s p ace c o ul d l o o k li ke al o ng Gr a n d B o ule v ar d.

CO U R TES Y OF RE D W O O D CO NST R UCTI O N

is ren der i ng s h o ws w hat a f o ur-st or y b o ut i q ue h otel c o ul d l o o k li ke i nste a d. t h o s e [ r o o m s] t o st u di o o r o n e- b e d r o o m a p a r t m e nt s, ” h e s ai d. “ W e h a v e t hi s s e c o n d a r y o pti o n t h at if, f o r s o m e r e a s o n, w e c a n ’t g et t h e o c c u p a n c y, a n d w e d o n’ t s e e t h e i n c o m e n e e d e d t o m a k e t hi s [ h ot el] l o n g-t e rm, fi n a n ci all y vi a bl e, w e ca n e a sil y c o n v e rt it. ” A s p a r t of t h e p r o p o s al, R e d w o o d w o ul d p r eli mi n a ril y r e q u e st at l e a st $ 2. 3 milli o n i n f u n di n g f r o m B r o o kfi el d ’ s d o w nt o w n t a x-i n c r e m e nt f u n di n g di st ri ct.

I n a TI F di st ri ct, t h e o v e r all v al u ati o n of t h e p r o p e r t y wit hi n t h e a r e a i s f ro z e n w h e n t h e di st ri ct i s c r e at e d. A n y p r o p e r t y t a x r e v e n u e t h at i s g e n e r at e d a b o v e t h e f ro z e n v al u e d u e t o i m p ro v e m e nt s t h at a r e m a d e i s s e nt t o a s p e ci al f u n d t h at t h e vill a g e c a n u s e t o p a y f o r f ut u r e i m p ro v em e nt s . I n Illi n ois, TI F di st ri ct s c a n n ot l a st l o n g e r t h a n 2 3 ye a r s u nl e s s a n e xt e n si o n i s s o u g ht o ut a n d g r a nt e d b y l o c al t a xi n g b o di e s a n d t h e st at e.

F o r t h e a p a r t m e nt p r o p o s al, R e d w o o d w o ul d c o m e o ut wit h a b o ut $ 2. 4 milli o n i n l o s s e s, a n d f o r t h e h ot el, wit h a b o ut $ 3. 4 milli o n i n l o s s e s, if n ot f o r TI F f u n d s t h at B r o o kfi el d c o ul d p r o vi d e . I n eit h e r c a s e , m o st of t h e f u n di n g w o ul d b e r e q u e st e d u p f r o nt, wit h a b o ut $ 5 0 0, 0 0 0 all o c at e d a s t h e p r oj e ct p r o g r e s s e s , r e q ui ri n g B r o o kfi el d t o b o r r o w m o n e y a g ai n st t h e di st ri ct’ s TI F f u n d, w h i c h d o e s n ot h a v e e n o u g h m o n e y t o m e et R e d w o o d ’ s r e q u e st s.

D e s pit e t h e p r eli mi n a r y fi g u r e s, G e of f r e y Di c ki n s o n, a p a r t n e r at B r o o kfi el d ’ s TI F c o n s ulti n g fi rm, S B F ri e d m a n, s ai d it w o ul d b e dif fi c ult t o s a y w h et h e r s u c h a r e q u e st w o ul d b e vi a bl e b ef o r e B r o o kfi el d pi c k s a d e v el o p e r t o w o r k wit h. “ T h e y’ v e g ot t o e v ol v e t h ei r p r oj e ct, a n d a s t h e p r oj e ct e v ol v e s , t h e TI F fi n a n ci al s e v ol v e. W e ’ ve d o n e TI F p r oj e cti o n s o n y o u r b e h alf f o r t h e t wo s c e n a ri o s, ” Di c ki n s o n s ai d. “ F r a n kl y, w e d o n’ t h a v e a n a n s w e r q uit e y et. I t hi n k it’ s d o w n t o, ‘ W h at e x a ctl y i s t h e n e e d ? H o w f a st d o t h e y n e e d it ?’ …

W e ca n d o m ulti pl e s c e n a ri o s f o r m ulti pl e p r oj e ct s , b ut e v e nt u all y, at s o m e p oi nt, y o u g ot t o pi c k a l a n e . ” Vi ll a g e M a n a g e r Ti m W i b e r g s ai d t h e b o a r d c o ul d a s s e s s t h e f e a si bilit y of p r ovi di n g TI F f u n di n g t o e a c h d e v el o p e r b e f o r e fi n all y c h o o si n g o n e. “ L et’ s s a y w e w o r k wit h R e d w o o d, b ut w e ju st c a n’ t r e a c h a n a g r e e m e nt t h at’s a c c e pt a bl e t o t h e b o a r d. T h e y m a y d e ci d e , o r w e m a y d e ci d e , ‘ Yo u g u y s , w e ’ re d o n e wit h y o u.’ W e ca n b ri n g b a c k t h e ot h e r d e v el o p e r a n d r u n t h r o u g h t h at s a m e p r o c e s s wit h t h e m, ” h e s ai d.

L iv in g in a re tire m e n t c o m m u n ity c a n o ffe r s e v e ra l s o c ia l a d v a n ta g e s ffoo r o ld e r a d u lts . T h e s e c o m m u n iitie tie s a re d e s ig n e d to p ro m o te s o c ia l in te ra c tio n , e n g a g e m e n t,, a n d a s e n s e o f b e lloo n g in g . H e re a re s o m e o f th e s o c ia l a d v a n ta g e s to liv in g in a re tire m e n t c o m m u n ity : S o c ia l E n g a g e m e n t: D a ily a c tiv itie s llik ikk e o u tin g s , fitn e s s c la s s e s , h o b b y g ro u p s , a n d g a m e n ig h ts k e e p re s idd e n ts a c tiv e a n d in te ra c tin g .

S e n s e o f C o m m u n ity ty : A c lo s e ty k n it e n v iro n m e n t fo s ttee rs m e a n in g fu l re la tio n s h ip s a n d re d u c e s lo n e lin e s s .

B u ilt-In S o c ia l N e tw t o r k : L iv in g a m o n g p e e rs in a s im ila r life s ta g e m a k e s it e a s ie r to c o n n e c t a n d b u iild ld s u p p o rrtiv tiv e n e tw o rk s .

C o n v e n ie n c e : O n -s ite d in in g , fitn e s s , a n d c o m m o n a re a s m a k e g a th e rin g w ith frie n d s s im p le a n d a c c e s s ib le .

S u p p o r tiv e E n v ir o n m e n t: R e s iidd e n ts s h a re e x p e rie n c e s , o ffe rin g e m o tio n a l s u p p o rt a n d e n c o u ra g e m e n t to o n e a n o th e r.

E a s e o f M a k in g F r ie n d s : F re q u e n t e v e n ttss a n d s h a re d s p a c e s n a tu ra lly c re a te o p p o rtu n itie s fo r n e w fri ie n d s h ip s . frie

V is it C a n ta ta .o r g ffo r m o r e s e n io r liv in g a d v ic e o r c a ll (7 0 8 ) 3 8 7 - 10 3 0 .

In d e p e n d e n t L iv in g • A s s is te d L iv in g • M e m o ry S u p p o rt S h o rt-T e rm R e h a b • L o n g -T e rm C a re • H o m e C a re

18

The Landmark, March 18, 2026

LETTERS

Glib about the impact of AI As someone who has had direct interaction with Kylie Lindquist, assistant principal for Curriculum & Instruction at RBHS, I take major issue with her statement in the article titled, “Is AI doing harm to local students?” published on March 4. In the article she states, “We recently just talked about AI in terms of when we started giving calculators to kids, so, so long ago. That was like everyone thinking, ‘But they’re not going to be

able to do math in their head. We’re giving them calculators and that’s going to cripple them.’ And it was the same thing when we gave kids computers.” My issue is it’s clear that Ms. Lindquist, in a position of great power at the high school, is not educating herself about the dangers of AI and, what’s worse, she thinks that computers haven’t had an impact on learning. A simple search reveals that, “The U.S. spent $30 billion to ditch text-

books for laptops and tablets: The result is the first generation less cognitively capable than their parents” (https://fortune. com/2026/02/21/laptops-tablets-schoolsgen-z-less-cognitively-capable-parentsfirst-time-cellphone-bans-standardizedtest-scores).

It is deeply concerning that our leading educators aren’t educating themselves on the real impacts of AI and tech in school and are thinking of it in such a glib way.

Sadly, I’m not surprised by her statement — when I spoke with her about my disdain for the flipped classroom model, her responses were similarly uneducated and irresponsible.

While I didn’t grow up with technology in my hand, I sure did have a calculator in my D96 and D208 schools and I sure can’t do math in my head.

Nicole Cavaliere

OBITUARIES

Kent Borkovec, 90 Physician and suave dancer Kent F. Borkovec, M.D., 90, of Oak Brook, formerly of Westchester and Riverside, died on March 6, 2026. Born on Aug. 11, 1935, he was a proud graduate of Notre Dame, Class of 1957 and a voracious fan of the Irish. A 29-year resident of Riverside, he was a physician for 35 years at LaGrange Hospital and MacNeal Hospital, where he served as president of the Medical/Den-

tal staff for five years. He loved to spend time with his children and grands and loved watching sports at his “cottage” in Michigan with his many friends. In his earlier years, he loved sailing the Chicago lakefront and enjoyed scuba diving, snorkeling, skiing and protecting the fish in his backyard pond. He was well known for providing comfort to many patients as a physician and being a suave dancer.

Ken was the husband of the late Mary “Sharon” (nee O’Rourke) Borkovec; the father of Mary Susan (Maury) Jones, Brian (Mary), John (Kathy), David (Moira) and Dan (Laura) Borkovec; the grandfather of Tom (Katie) Konopacz, Sara (Ryan) Ahern, Rachel Konopacz, Olivia (Keegan) Mawhorter, Dylan (Madisyn) Jones, Meredith and Jack Jones, Kyle (Stephanie) Borkovec, Morgan (fiancé Jet Thompson)

Ivins /Moravecek

Funeral Home & Cremation Services Family owned since 1885 David Moravecek - Owner Additional Suburban Chapel Locations Available Specializing in Pre Need & Veteran Care

80 E. Burlington St., Riverside (708) 447-2261 | www.ivinsfh.com

Borkovec, Kathleen (Kyle) Petty, Allison (Colin) Vale, Craig (Colleen) Borkovec, Cara Rose (Nathan) McConnell, Caelah (Matthew) Clark and Nolan (fiancée Lexy Kocsis) Borkovec; great-grandfather of Mia and Cooper Borkovec, Lyla, Lucas and Nicholas Konopacz, Nora and Henry Ahern, Griffin, Lucy and Lorelai Vale, Brooklyn and Jack Petty and Shea and Maddie Borkovec; and brother of the late Jerry (Peggy) Borkovec.

Visitation was held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester on March 17 from 9 a.m. until chapel prayers at 11 a.m., then to St. Mary Church (St. Pius VI Parish) in Riverside to celebrate a funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Heart Association (www.heart. org) would be appreciated. Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko, Director.

John Hronec, 80

father of Tyla Rose Ferrill; the son of the late Elmer and Rosemarie (nee Agnello) Hronec, the brother of Terry (Deann) Hronec, and Yvonne (Dan) Agnello-Adams; the uncle of Timothy Hronec and Terry Hronec; godfather of Natalie Hronec; friend of Uncle Joe Discipio and his feathered grandson, Sunny the Cockatiel.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, 3847 Prairie Ave., Brookfield.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at St. Francis Xavier Church, LaGrange. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

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

Sport pilot John M. “Jack” Hronec Sr., 80, of Brookfield, died on March 9, 2026 at LaGrange Hospital. Born on Feb. 18, 1946 in Chicago, he worked as an operating engineer at Western Electric and later at the Dirksen Federal Building before retiring. He was an avid sport pilot.

Jack was the father of Suzette Ferrill and the late John M. Hronec Jr.; the grand-

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

The Landmark, March 18, 2026

19

LTHS girls water polo return many from state runners-up Abernathy, Douglas, Romero veterans for Bulldogs’ younger roster

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior and returning first team all-stater Bella Recker made huge contributions to the Lyons Township High School girls water polo team reaching last year’s state championship game.

The Lions’ second-place finish, the program’s highest ever only to their 2010 state ch a m p i o n s h i p, has them eager for what would be a fourth state quarterfinal berth in the past five seasons.

“There’s been a BELLA RECKER collective buzz full of anticipation for the season,” Recker said. “Last year’s success has carried over to this year’s preparation and enthusiasm through creating a team atmosphere where everyone is very excited and ready to grow together towards continuous improvement this season.”

The Lions finished 24-5-1 last season and added to their team trophies for taking third in 2024 and 2022 and fourth in 2015.

As huge underdogs, they lost to undefeated, No. 1-ranked and two-time defending champion Stevenson at its home pool 6-5 for the title after leading 4-2 entering the fourth quarter.

Seniors Bebe Wright, Avery Watanabe, Rose Frank and Abbey Danaher, junior Eileen Cavaliere and sophomore Maddie Wieczorkiewicz also are returning starters or experienced returnees. Seniors Katie Coyne and Isabelle Maslan and juniors Claire Collins and Eve Muscato also saw 2025 varsity action. Newcomers are sophomores Lindsay Jablonski and Caroline McNaughton, both promoted for the postseason, Kerryn Monohan and goalie Taylor Thalji.

The Lions (2-2) won their opener over Fenwick 17-8 March 11 and were 1-2 at the Stevenson Tournament Saturday, beating Lincoln-Way East 16-3 while losing to the host Patriots 18-5 and Punahou School from Honolulu, Hawaii 16-5.

Recker (18 goals, 6 assists), Wright (4 goals, 12 assists), Wi e c z o r k i e w i c z (4 goals, 6 assists) and Watanabe (5 AVERY WATANABE goals, 2 assists) are among the team’s offensive leaders.

Thalji has 28 saves.

“Some team strengths are attitude, chemistry, and speed,” Recker said.

Last year Recker was among six nonseniors on the 10-player all-state first team.

She led the Lions with 96 goals along with 48 assists and 58 steals.

Recker also was first team all-sectional.

Wright (43 goals, team-high 68 assists and 83 steals) was second team and Watanabe (28 goals, 40 assists, 23 steals) was honorable mention.

In 2024, Recker was second-team all-state in 2024 after a team-high 113 assists while

STEVE JOHNSTON

RBHS’s June Manning (13) takes a shot on goal against Metea Valley during the Red Devil Invitational, March 14, in Hinsdale. being second in goals (85) with 39 steals.

Wright (30 goals, 22 assists, 73 steals) and Watanabe (15 goals, 23 assists, 26 steals) also made significant contributions in 2024.

LTHS coach Megan Jacobs was named last year’s Coach of the Year for the state and sectional.

“I hope to work alongside my fellow teammates and see improvement individually and team-wise,” Recker said. “I wish to continue to grow our team chemistry and see what we can do. I aspire to keep playing the sport that I love at the highest level possible.”

RBHS girls water polo After saying goodbye to seven seniors, the Bulldogs return this season with 10 players.

Team members are seniors Bella Abernathy, Claire Cameron and Kate Zobel, juniors Meara Douglas, Andi Ginder and Carly Romero, sophomore Mia Torres and freshmen Becca Gonzalez, June Manning and Monica Miranda.

“Strengths are communication and a willingness to learn and teach each other,” RBHS coach Amy Frey said. “I have many

new players this year, which means we have been focusing on learning the game rather than strategy or other ‘higher level’ drills. Each player is kind, brings a positive attitude, and all love to work hard.”

Abernathy is a fourth-year player, and three-year starter Romero and goalie Douglas are third-year players. Ginder returns after also playing freshman year.

“Bella was a strong player for us last year who is going to be a very important player and has earned her starting role. Already we have seen her defense improve tremendously,” Frey said.

New seniors coming from the volleyball program are Cameron, that program’s alltime leader in career assists, and Zobel.

Frey is also the volleyball team’s varsity assistant coach.

The Bulldogs lost to Lincoln-Way West 13-3 in the fifth-place match at the Hinsdale Central Invite Saturday.

Last season, the Bulldogs finished 2-14 and lost to Mother McAuley 12-0 in the sectional quarterfinals.

“Goals for the season are to improve each game and have a good time doing it,” Frey said. “Before each game, I set a non-score related goal for us to focus on, and if we have achieved that goal, we won the game.”

20

e L a n d m ar k, M arc h 1 8, 2 0 2 6

S P O R T S

R B HS po ms tea m makes histor y wit h fi rst trip to U D A Natio nals

B ull d ogs e nj o y Dis ney me m or ies, f oll o w with t o p-f o ur fi nishes a t I DT A st a te

By BILL ST O NE

C o nt ri b uti n g Re p o rt e r

P R O VI DE D

R B H S p o ms t r am w ith sec o n d- pl ace Lyr ic al Di visi o n tr o p hy at t he Illi n ois Drill Te a m Ass oci ati o n st ate meet i n S p ring fi el d.

c o a c h e d at L y o n s T o w n s hi p.

T o get t o U D A N ati o n al s , t h e B ull d o g s fi r st h a d t o a c hi e v e T h e cli m a x of t h e Ri v e r si d e B r o o kfi el d Hi g h S c h o ol a q u alif yi n g s c o r e t hi s p a st s u m m e r. N e xt c a m e t h e t a s k of c o m p etiti o n p o m s s e a s o n a p p r o p ri at el y i n cl u d e d t h e p r og etti n g t o F l o ri d a. g r a m’ s fi r st tri p t o t h e U ni v e r s al D a n c e A s s o ci ati o n N ati o n al S h e r m a n s ai d t h e t e a m p r o b a bl y c o v e r e d a b o ut 9 0 p e r c e nt D a n c e T e a m C h a m pi o n s hi p f o r Di vi si o n I (l a r g e s c h o ol s) at of t h ei r e x p e n s e s t h r o u g h f u n d r ai si n g. t h e Walt Di s n e y W o rl d R e s o r t, F e b. 6- 8, i n O rl a n do, Fl o ri d a.

T h e ef f ort w a s w o r t h it.

T hi s s e a s o n t r ul y w a s m a gi c al. “ T h e gi r l s ju st e m b r a c e d e v e r y m o m e nt of t h e tri p , ” C o a c h “ W e’ v e w or k e d s o h a r d t o g et t o n ati o n al s a n d h a v e put i n s o S h e r m a n s ai d. m u c h ti m e , ” s e ni o r c o- c a pt ai n A u b r e y A g n e s ai d. “ C o m p etiti o n wi s e it w a s s o c o ol t o b e u p a g ai n st s o m a n y “( T h at) d efi nit el y p ai d of f a s w e m a d e R B hi st o r y a n d m a d e t h e m o st a m a zi n g m e m o ri e s a s a t e a m. W e a r e v e r y g r a t ef ul elit e t e a m s f r o m a r o u n d t h e c o u nt r y. Th e y h a d t h ei r b e st p e rf o rm a n c e s t h at t h e y c o ul d h a v e h a d. W e di d n ’t f o r e v e r y o n e w h o s u p p o r t e d u s t h r o u g h o ut t his m o v e o n t o s e mi s b ut w e b e at a f e w t e a m s a n d p r o c e s s a n d h el p e d u s g et t o n ati o n al s . ” w e ’ re h a p p y wit h t h at. ” T h e B ull d o g s t r ul y e nj o y e d a m e m o r a bl e p e rT hi s s e a s o n w a s a s p e ci al g r o u p wit h m a n y f o rm a n c e i n t h e J a z z a n d P o m di vi si o n s f o r l a r g e t e a m v et e r a n s . F o r S h e r m a n, t h e t e a m r o st e r s c h o ol s , foll o w e d b y t wo t o p-f o u r fi ni s h e s a n d i n cl u d e s h e r d a u g ht e r, t wo ni e c e s a n d h e r b e st m o r e p r o g r a m hi st o r y at t h e Illi n oi s D rill T e a m f ri e n d’ s d a u g ht e r.

A s s o ci ati o n C h a m pi o n s hi p s M a r c h 1 4 i n S p ri n g“ M a n y of t h e m h a v e be e n d a n ci n g t h ei r w h ol e fi el d. liv e s t og et h e r, ” S h e r m a n s ai d. “ N ot o nl y di d w e T e a m m e m b e r s a r e s e ni o r c o- c a pt ai n s I s a b ell a g o t o c o m p et e w ell a n d s h o w c a s e t h e s c h o ol b u t K i r s c h a n d A g n e, s e ni o r s Li v C r e e d o n, Oli vi a al s o t o c el e b r at e all t h e y di d t h e s e p a st f e w y e a r s K r z y st ofi a k, S ofi a Mill e r , Lili a n a Ni et o , K ail y n t og et h e r a n d c el e b r at e t h e s e ni o r s a n d h o w m u c h N o v a k, E m eli a R o y e r a n d S a di e T o w e r s , ju ni o r s I S A B ELL A KI R S C H ti m e t h e y’ ve d e v ot e d. ” S a m a nt h a B olt, C h a r l ott e C a p o ni o- K al n e s , A v e r y T h e B ull d o g s fi ni s h e d 2 2 n d ( 7 9. 1 6 6 7) i n t h e J a z z C a v ali e r e, A d di e S e g u r a a n d A n ni k a W e e k e s , Di vi si o n o ut of 3 2 t e a m s a n d 2 5t h ( 7 5. 0 8 3 3) i n t h e P o m Di vis o p h o m o r e Eli n P et e r s o n a n d f r e s h m e n f r e s h m e n D alil a h si o n o ut of 2 7.

C a still o , Mi a M a ci ej e w s ki, E lli s M al o n e y , T e s s a S h e r m a n a n d N ot a d v a n ci n g t o t h e s e mi s di d all o w m o r e f r e e ti m e f o r t h e R af a el a Vi etti. Ti a S h e r m a n i s t h e h e a d c o a c h. a m u s e m e nt p a r k a n d t o u ri n g. “ A s a t e a m, w e fe el s o l u c k y t o h a v e t h e o p p o r t u nit y t o s et “I h a d s o m u c h fu n b ei n g i n s u c h a fu n a t m o s p h e r e wit h m y a p r e c e d e nt f o r R B p o m s , ” K i r s c h s ai d. “ O v e r t h e y e a r s, w e t e a m. W e s h a re d s o m a n y l a u g h s wit h e a c h ot h e r a n d c r e at e d h a v e w o r k e d s o h a r d s o it f e el s s o r e w a r di n g t o s e e it p a y of f.”

C o a c h S h e r m a n n o w h o p e s t hi s c a n b e c o m e a r e g ul a r o c - m a n y m e m o ri e s t h at will l a st a lif eti m e , ” A g n e s ai d.

T h e p e rf o r m a n c e al s o w a s m e m o r a bl e f o r b ei n g o n t h e f ac u r r e n c e f o r t h e B ull d o g s e v e r y t h r e e o r fo u r y e a r s. S h e r m o u s st a g e r e n o w n f o r n ati o n al c oll e g e c o m p etiti o n s . m a n fi r st t o o k a p o m s t e a m t o F l o ri d a w h e n s h e p r e vi o u sl y

T h e a nti ci p ati o n st a r t e d ju st wit h t h e b a c k st a g e w a r m u p al o n g si d e ot h e r t e a m s a n d at hl et e s .

“I t hi n k a hi g hli g ht w a s t h e e xt r a a d r e n ali n e w e all h a d, ” K i r s c h s ai d. “ U D A N ati o n al s i s t h e m o st elit e hi g h s c h o ol d a n c e c o m p etiti o n s o w e w a nt e d t o p ut o u r b e st w o r k o n t h e fl o o r. B a c kst a g e w e w e r e all fe eli n g n e r v o u s , b ut w e g a v e p e p t al k s a n d h y p e d e a c h ot h e r u p . F o r m e , aft e r t h o s e m o m e nt s, t h e n e rv e s t u rn e d i nt o e x cit e m e nt. ” W hil e e x h a u st e d, t h e B ull d o g s al s o e x c ell e d at I DT A st at e e v e n wit h j u st a f e w d a y s i n b et w e e n.

I n t h e A A A Di vi si o n f o r l a r g e st s c h o ol s , t h e y fi ni s h e d s e c o n d i n L y ri c al a n d f o u r t h i n O p e n Po m. I n t h e J u ni o r V a r sit y Di vi si o n, L y o n s T o w n s hi p w a s t h e hi g h- p oi nt wi n n e r i n L y ric al hi g h- p oi nt wi n n e r ( 2 7 5. 1 i n L y ri c al) a n d al s o s w e p t t h e J V J a z z a n d O p e n P o m titl e s . “ W e w e r e v e r y p r o u d of h o w o u r r o uti n e s w e nt, e s p e ci all y c o m p eti n g t wo r o uti n e s , w h i c h i s s o m et hi n g w e h a v e n’ t d o n e i n t h e p a st, ” A g n e s ai d. “ W e w e nt o ut o n t h at fl o o r a n d p e rf o r m e d f o r e a c h ot h e r. It w a s s o s p e ci al a n d I’ ll n ev e r f o r g et m y l a st ti m e d a n ci n g wit h t hi s t e a m.”

K i r s c h a n d R o y e r m a d e hi st o r y b y b e c o mi n g t h e fi r st B ulld o g s t o p a rt i ci p at e i n t h e I DT A i n divi d u al c o m p etiti o n o p e n o nl y t o s e ni o r s.

K i r s c h w a s a m o n g t h e 1 5 fi n ali st s o ut of 6 8 c o m p etit o r s a n d fi ni s h e d ni nt h. Ki r s c h s ai d s h e w a nt e d “t o t r y s o m et hi n g n e w ” a n d h a d c o m p et e d s ol o f o r h e r B e y o n d W o r d s st u di o .

“I fe el s o l u c k y a n d h o n o r e d t o m a k e hi st o r y (f o r R B H S p o m s). I w o ul d n ot b e h e r e wit h o ut m y c o a c h e s , t e a c h e rs, t e a m m at e s a n d f a mil y, ” Ki r s c h s ai d. “ M y g o al w a s t o gi v e m y a b s ol ut e b e st p e rf o r m a n c e a s a tri b ut e t o m y d a n c e c a r e e r. M a ki n g it t o fi n al s a n d p l a ci ng ni nt h w a s t h e c h e r r y o n t o p of t h e e x p e ri e n ce. ”

S P O R T S

The Landmark, March 18, 2026

21

Manning, RBHS boys water polo knows success can happen Kozak, Musgrove lead Lions’ high hopes of return to state quarterfinals

By BILL STONE

Lincoln-Way Central 16-3, Hinsdale Central 19-3 and Shepard 12-4. “(Our goal is to) be competitive in all of Riverside Brookfield High School senior the games we’re playing, see us win a game Henry Manning enjoyed a great finish in at sectionals and just to improve every game like we did last year,” second-year RBHS boys swimming.

He won the 50-yard freestyle at the Upstate head coach Mike Laurich said.

The Bulldogs graduated top scorer Avi Eight Conference Meet.

“It was awesome being the only one from Ponnappan and goalie Marty Bieliauskas, the team who brought home a gold (first who set documented program records for place),” Manning said. “That was a good feel- saves in a season and one match.

New goalie Vining and definitely cenzo George and a good way to close Douglas already are off my swim career showing the benin high school.” efits of playing club He hopes his final water polo last sumboys water polo seamer. son with the BullOn Saturday, dogs also finishes Douglas and Lacey much better than each had three last season. goals. Manning and Manning missed Meshke had two the latter half of HENRY MANNING AIDAN DIAZ apiece. the 2025 season af“Enzo has develter suffering a brooped into a pretty good goalie. ken nose during a game against We put him in last year and he Maine East at the Buffalo Grove picked it up pretty quickly,” LauQuad last April 19. He will play rich said. this season with NBA-like pro“(Meshke) as a driver is going tective nose gear. to be a key for us (offensively).

“At very least I’m hoping to AJ is probably the most imshow off a little bit to Maine proved. We’re looking for him to East (this season),” said Mando good things.” ning, who is considering the Laurich once again will reclub swimming team at Arizona ZACHARY KOWALSKI ceive a boost from assistant State. “I’m pretty sure it was an coach Tatum Bruno, also an aselbow across the nose. I reached up and I could feel the line where it has bro- sistant for Laurich in boys swimming. The former RBHS girls water polo all-stater also ken, so I was like, ‘I’m going to hop out (of played at Wittenberg University. the pool).’”

“She’s really taken control of the proManning is among three seniors and five returnees for the Bulldogs, who finished 4-16 gram. I help her out,” Laurich said. last season and lost in the sectional quarterfinals 19-8 to state quarterfinalist Brother LTHS boys water polo Rice after beating Solorio 13-5 for their first After winning the 2024 state title, the Lisectional victory since 2023.

This year’s varsity roster consists of se- ons had a relatively inexperienced lineup in niors Aidan Diaz, Manning and Zachary 2025 that lost in the sectional final.

The Lions, who did not reach at least the Kowalski, juniors Victor DiForti, AJ Douglas, Marcello George and Emerson Lacey state quarterfinals for the first time since and sophomores Vincenzo George and Ryan 2014, are determined to return.

“The goal is to get to the state tournament,” Meshke. The entire program is at 17 players.

Manning, Lacey, Marcello George and LTHS coach Doug Eichstaedt said. “I love Meshke are returning starters. The Bull- our depth and balance. The players gained dogs opened the season Saturday at the valuable experience last year, and other playBradley Bourbonnais Tournament, losing to ers have taken some big strides during the Contributing Reporter

STEVE JOHNSTON

RBHS’s Henry Manning competes in the 200 Yard Freestyle against St. Charles East, Dec. 11, 2025 in Riverside. offseason. We also have some talented freshmen that are ready to make the jump.”

Seniors Ben Kozak, Wesley Musgrove and Tommy Stamer and junior goalie Vadran Petrovic are returning starters for the Lions, who finished 16-12 last season and lost 19-14 to state quarterfinalist Brother Rice in the sectional finals.

Other team members are senior Brice Hurley, juniors Joaquin Cooke, Nolan Fey, Leo Obloy, Joaquin Fabara from Brookfield, Finn Hunek and Collin McNeil, sophomores Tucker Offenbacher and goalie Nathan Sinars and freshmen Leo Frank and Tim Kozak.

Ben Kozak, Musgrove and McNeil BEN KOZAK are team captains.

Ben Kozak was third team all-state and first team all-sectional in 2025 after collecting 33 goals, 26 assists and 20 steals. Musgrove was second team all-sectional with 40 goals, 26 assists and 21 steals.

“Our biggest key to success is our commit-

ment to playing together and playing hard every possession,” Eichstaedt said. “Water polo is a demanding sport, and the teams that succeed are the ones that consistently outwork their opponents and stay disciplined in their roles.”

The Lions started 2-1 at the Stevenson Tournament Saturday, beating Whitney Young 11-4 and Fremd 14-10 while losing to the first-place host Patriots 9-7.

Eichstaedt said Obloy is among the emerging newcomers.

“For us, it starts with defense. When we defend well, communicate, and take pride in blocking shots and winning possessions, it naturally creates WESLEY MUSGROVE opportunities for our offense and allows us to play the fast, attacking style we want,” Eichstaedt said. “Another key is our culture. If we stay connected as a group, defend with intensity, and keep improving week by week, we give ourselves a chance to compete with anyone.”

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

Let the sun shine in...

PUBLIC NOTICES

Your right to know...In print • Online

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

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: 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

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: 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

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID

NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING LEGAL NOTICE Village of Oak Park NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park will hold a Public Information Meeting #1 in an open house format welcoming all community members to learn about the Bridging the Ike study and participate in the planning process. During the meeting, officials will discuss opportunities for expanded bridge decking over I-290, which could yield new development, public plazas and park spaces over the expressway.

Date: Tuesday April 7, 2026 Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Location: Oak Park Conservatory, Rubinstein Community Room, 615 Garfield St, Oak Park, Illinois.

The Bridging the Ike study aims to examine community needs including safety, roadway improvements, mobility and connectivity and the best uses for any newly created spaces on expanded bridge decks.

This initial meeting serves as an opportunity to introduce the project and solicit resident feedback to understand the important issues that will help develop and refine the improvement opportunities at these bridges. For more information about the public information meeting and ways residents can share their priorities for future bridge crossing improvements, visit https://engageoakpark.com/

The Board of Education, Riverside Brookfield Township School District 208, will receive sealed bids for: Bus Transportation Services (Field Trips and Athletics) for RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT 208 160 Ridgewood Road Riverside, Illinois 60546-2408 The Bid Opening will be on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the Business Office, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, IL 60546-2408. At this time the Bids will be publicly opened and read. It is the policy of Riverside Brookfield Township School District 208 to provide equal opportunity to all qualified businesses in the awarding of contracts and accordingly promotes the utilization of diversified businesses to the maximum extent feasible in any contract issued against this solicitation to bid. Bid Documents can be obtained at the Riverside Brookfield Township School District 208 Business Office or by visiting www.rbhs208.net/bids One original and one copy of executed Bid Form(s), and all other documents required by this Bid Package for Bid submittal, shall be enclosed in a sealed, opaque envelope, and clearly addressed as follows: SEALED BID FOR STUDENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Attn: Dr. Kristin Smetana, Assistant Superintendent Riverside Brookfield Township School District 208 160 Ridgewood Road Riverside, Illinois 60546-2408 The District reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive irregularities in the bidding procedure, or accept the Bid that in its opinion will serve its best interest.

Any such decision shall be considered final.

Published in RB Landmark March 18, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICES

RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING CONDUCTED IN PERSON AND ELECTRONICALLY TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVa. General Assistance Administrator EN to the legal voters, residents b. Township Youth and Family of the Township of River Forest Services in the County of Cook and State c. Township Senior Services of Illinois, that the Annual Town d. River Forest Senior Outreach Meeting of the RIVER FOREST Coordinator TOWNSHIP will take place on e. River Forest Mental Health Tuesday, April 14, 2026, being the Committee second Tuesday of said month, f. Township Supervisor at 6 P.M. at the River Forest Civic g. Township Assessor Center at 8020 Madison Street, h. River Forest Civic Center 2nd Floor, River Forest, Illinois Authority Building 60305. If you would like to par8. Resolutions to come before ticipate via zoom, please contact the Electors - None Submitted clerk@RiverForestTownship.org 9. Public Comments (limit to 3 for the information. minutes each) The Electors present at the An10. Proposed Date, Hour, and nual Town Meeting, are meeting Place of 2027 Annual Town for the transaction of the misMeeting: cellaneous business of the said a. April 13, 2027, being the Township; and after a Moderator second Tuesday, at 6:00 P.M. having been elected, will proceed b. River Forest Civic Center to hear and consider reports 2nd Floor - 8020 Madison of officers, and decide on such Street, River Forest measures as may, in pursuance 11. Adjournment of law, come before the meeting; All interested citizens, groups and and especially to consider and organizations representing the decide the following agenda: interests of senior citizens, youth 1. Call to Order & family services, mental health, 2. Pledge of Allegiance and intellectual/developmental 3. Clerk to Note Public Notice disabilities are encouraged to atand Availability of Financial tend. River Forest Township does Statements and Posting not discriminate on the basis of Thereof handicapped status; those need4. Execution of Affidavits of ing special accommodations are Standing as Electors asked to provide 48 hours notice 5. Selection of Moderator and to Clerk@RiverForestTownship.

Administration of Moderator org. Given under my hand in the Oath by Township Clerk Village of River Forest, County of 6. Approval of the Minutes of Cook, State of Illinois, this 10th last Annual Town Meeting on day of March, 2026.

April 8, 2025 MARK HOSTY, 7. Reports of Township Year In River Forest Township Clerk Review

PUBLIC NOTICES

Follow us on Instagram!

Top stories, local government, features, events, art, and education news right at your fingertips!

Published in Wednesday Journal March 18, 2026

Published in Wednesday Journal March 18, 2026

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice:

Your right to know...In print • Online

Published in RB Landmark March 11, 28, 25, 2026

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.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

PUBLIC NOTICES

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

@riversidebrookfield_landmark @wednesdayjournal @forestparkreview @austinweeklynews

e L a n d m ar k, M arc h 1 8, 2 0 2 6

E v e nt s

Sub mit eve nts a nd see full cale ndar at r bl a n d m ar k.c o m/ eve nts

23

24

e L a n d m ar k, M arc h 1 8, 2 0 2 6

2 1 E. B U R L I N G T O N R O A D, R I V E R S I D E |

JU

S

O T S

LD NE

W

TI LI S

NG

3601 McCor mick Ave, Brookfi eld $479,000

RI

VE

R

O FR

7 0 8. 4 4 7. 7 2 0 7

V RI

ER

O FR

220 Maple wood Rd, Riverside $1,175,000

3111 Wenonah Ave, Ber wyn $475,000 NT RI

236 Maple wood Rd, Riverside $1,300,000

VE

R

NT

E VI

WS

176 Riverside Rd, Riverside $1,475,000

W h e n i t c o m e s t o s elli n g a n d b u yi n g h o m e s... e x p e ri e n c e, r e s ul t s a n d ti e s t o t h e c o m m u ni t y m a k e all t h e di ff e r e n c e.

C uri o u s a b o ut t h e c urr e nt r e al e st at e m ar k et a n d t h e i m p a ct o n y o ur h o m e’ s v al u e ? T hi n ki n g a b o ut s elli n g, b ut n e e d t o fi n d y o ur n e xt h o m e fi r st ? C a n’t fi n d y o ur dr e a m h o m e i n t hi s c o m p etiti v e m ar k et ? C o nt a ct o n e of o ur l o c al m ar k et e x p ert s f or a fr e e, c o n fi d e nti al c o n s ult ati o n.

E Q U A L H O U SI N G O P P O R T U NI T Y