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Vol. 39, No. 12

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Also serving North Riverside

March 20, 2024

Ehlert Park renovation moves forward PAGE 7

@RBLandmark

LT school board awards $30.5 million construction contract PAGE 13

Riverside grapples with costs on the Groveland Floodwall

Energizing Bulldogs

The project has ballooned to $17.9 million

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Can they recapture the the regional title this year?

REPORT BY BILL STONE, PAGE 17

STEVE JOHNSTON

Five months after the design process on Riverside’s Groveland Floodwall stalled over budget constraints, village officials are taking halting steps to restart the project.

At Riverside’s March 7 village board meeting, United States Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager Thomas R. Kanies asked trustees for further direction after he and his project team encountered greater-than-expected costs that prohibited them from finishing the project.

The Army Corps has been in charge of designing the

Riverside-Brookfield’s Eleanor Megall (10) connects against Lyons during a nonconference game Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Western Springs.

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The Landmark, March 20, 2024

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The Landmark, March 20, 2024

FLOODWALL Shoring up from page 1 floodwall since trustees OK’d the project in 2020. Work on the floodwall has been in progress on-and-off since 2013, when a record-breaking Des Plaines River crest — more than a foot and a half higher than the previous record — caused extensive flooding in Riverside. After the flood, the Army Corps first proposed the floodwall that autumn as one of several flood-prevention projects along the river.

In 2023, the team said the project’s $7.2 million price tag from 2018 had not changed. But when Kanies took over in October 2023, he said, the cost had gone up to $17.9 million as a result of changes in scope and the price of construction materials.

The problem that the project team is facing, Kanies said, is they cannot move forward on the project without going over a maximum spending cap. Under the authority of Congress, flood-risk reduction projects like the Groveland Floodwall each have “a federal dollar limit of $10 million,” he said.

The Army Corps has agreed to pay exactly 65% of the cost of the project, leaving Riverside on the hook for the other 35%. If the Army Corps were to spend all $10 million that it can on the floodwall, Riverside would have to spend about $5.4 million for its share, meaning the project has a combined funding cap of $15.4 million. That figure is more than $2 million lower than the current estimated price for the project, which is why progress on the floodwall’s design halted in October.

For the village’s 35% share, Riverside has partnered with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, which has pledged to “see the project through,” Village Manager Jessica Frances said at the meeting. In the initial agreement, the MWRD only committed to providing about $2.6 million of funding, which would have been enough to cover the village completely at the original project price.

In order to get more funding for the project, Riverside must make a formal ask of the MWRD’s board for a specific amount.

Frances said that while MWRD staff working on the project had given feedback and “expressed support” for it, they could not say whether the board would approve specific funding requests. That means the village cannot ask how much funding is available before deciding on a path forward, an idea trustee Megan Claucherty suggested during discussion.

Three proposals

COURTESY OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

This map, presented by Army Corps Project Manger Thomas R. Kanies, shows the original proposed scope for the Groveland Floodwall.

The original design that Army Corps was working on — which Kanies said was 90% complete before he and his team noticed the funding issues — would have included the full floodwall extending north of Forest Avenue as well as two pump stations, one north and one south of Forest Avenue, which would allow the village to pump rainwater into the river and store water underground during extreme flooding.

At the meeting, Kanies presented the village board with three possible alternative floodwall designs, which each had different flood-preventing capabilities at different costs that would fall under the Army Corps’ federally dictated budget cap.

Kanies’ first proposed alternative design would not

include either of the pump stations or the underground storage. Instead, the floodwall would have five separate drainage outlets that would allow water to flow back into the river during some flooding events. The design would cost $8.3 million for construction and about $12 million overall, he said.

The second alternative design would lose the north pump and underground water storage but keep the south pump, which would allow for potential connections to the storm sewer in the future, costing $11.4 million for construction and about $15 million overall, Kanies said.

The third and final alternative option, coming in at $10.3 million for construction, would feature a reduced-capacity south pump but otherwise be the same as the second option. Kanies did not mention the total price for this option.

Next steps The presentation seemingly left village trustees unsure of where the project stood or when it would be completed as they discussed options to move forward.

“How long will this project take to complete?” trustee Alex Gallegos asked Kanies after he had finished presenting the alternative design options.

“Depending on — so that’s why, too, we’re looking for that design and, basically, the capabilities that we’re trying to bring with the project,” Kanies said in response. “It would vary, but design remaining would be a couple months, half a year of design, and then it would go out for contract, and then construction would start post-contract, depending on weather and time of year.”

“So you can’t give me a timeline as to when this will finish, is that right?” Gallagos asked.

When Kanies said he said he couldn’t give an exact date, Gallagos scoffed and interrupted him.

“So if I hired a contractor to come to my house and said, ‘I need you to do this and this and this,’ [and they said to me] ‘I don’t know when I’ll be done,’ is that an accepted answer?” Gallagos asked.

Kanies said it was not.

“It seems that our next decision is what to ask MWRD,” Village President Douglas Pollock said toward the end of the discussion. “I think that I can safely guess that everyone would say, ‘Hey, if we can get the full $8 million, let’s ask for it,’ right? It’s a no-brainer.”

Ultimately, Pollock said he and Frances would “further strategize” over the next week to find the best way to approach the MWRD for additional funding.

IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Editor Erika Hobbs Staff Reporters Trent Brown, Amaris Rodriguez Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com Publisher Dan Haley Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 E-MAIL erika@growingcommunitymedia.org ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00.

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The Landmark, March 20, 2024

March 20-27

BIG WEEK Compiled by Grace Harty

Slime Club: Shamrock Slime Friday, March 22, 4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library Calling all children grades 1-5: Do you love to make slime, but your parents banned it from your house?

Well, worry no more because the library has the answer for you! The library’s Slime Club meets every month to make this ooey-gooey craft. This month’s slime is St. Patrick’s Day-themed — very fitting if you ask me. Walk-ins and new members are welcome. 3541 Park Ave.

Radio Players Easter Show Friday, March 22, 7:30 p.m., Riverside Township The Riverside Township Radio Players will present their March shows this Friday. They will present two comedies with Easter themes including an episode of Burns and Allen entitled “Easter Hat War Council” and a Great Gildersleeve episode entitled “Easter Sunrise Service.” This free performance is at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Riverside Township Hall. For more information, go to riversidetownshipradioplayers. com or follow the group on X @radioplayers. For more information, please contact Ellie Babka at 708-4428810 or email babka@att.net. 27 Riverside Rd.

Brookfield Zoo Bunny Hop!

Saturday, March 23, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. , Brookfield Zoo Hop on over to Brookfield Zoo Chicago for its new Bunny Hop Easter event Saturday, March 23. Guests of all ages can participate in an all-day scavenger egg hunt throughout the park. Show off your moves at the Bunny Hop dance party, take photos with the Bunny-costumed character posed in front of a spring-themed background, and more. The zoo’s volunteer educators will also be at the pavilions engaging guests in a fun activity of showcasing a variety of eggs and having zoogoers guess what animals laid them. At Hamill Family Play Zoo, animal care staff will present special chats at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with the zoo’s domestic rabbits — Houdini, Copper and Cloudy. While at the Play Zoo, youngsters can also stop by the workshop and create their own Easter-themed piece of art to take home (while supplies last). There is so much to do at this Bunny Hop — the staff hopes to see you at this egg-citing event! 3300 Golf Rd.

COURTESY OF FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED SOCIETY

2024 Landscape Workdays Schedule Select Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Would you like to help make the streets of Riverside beautiful? This is your chance to become a volunteer for the Frederick Law Olmsted Society. Landscape Workday volunteers have been taming and maintaining Riverside’s public parks for 55 years, planting, pruning, weeding, mulching, and clearing debris. Some upcoming workdays include April 13, the RBHS Community Day at Indian Gardens and Patriot’s Park; April 27, at Scottswood Common; May 18, at The Longcommon to honor Carolyn Huson; and June 1 at the Big Ball Park. For more information and future landscape days, visit olmstedsociety.org. Feel free to come out: New volunteers are always welcome!

Easter Basket Raffle & Split the Pot

Sunday, March 24, 3 p.m., St. Paul VI Parish, Riverside The St. Paul Holy Name society will hold their fourth annual Easter basket raffle and split the pot on Sunday at 3 p.m. About 35 Easter baskets, each containing a spiral cut ham, smoked sausage, rye bread, butter lamb, Easter lamb cake, jellybeans, Peeps and more will be raffled.

There will also be a split-the-pot with thousands of dollars in cash prizes. $5 per entry with a bonus at $20 increments. The raffle will be streamed on the parish website at www.saintpaulVIparish.org. There will also be a coloring contest for children and adults. Details and entry forms are available on their website or by calling 708-602-1927.

CALENDAR EVENTS ■ If you would like your event to be featured here, please send a photo and details by noon of the Wednesday before it needs to be published. We can’t publish everything, but we’ll do our best to feature the week’s highlights.

Email calendar@wjinc.com.

The Landmark, March 20, 2024

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Brookfield residents can now track municipal improvements online The village is working on more than $22 million of improvements this year

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

If you’re curious about what improvement projects are underway within Brookfield, that information is now at your fingertips.

Brookfield announced March 8 that it had launched a new homepage on its website where residents are able to see and track all of the village’s capital improvement projects for 2024. The page includes an interactive map of all of the planned improvements as well as information about the scope of work, schedule and primary contact for each project.

To access the page, go to Brookfield’s website at brookfieldil.gov and click on the word “maps” under the “community” tab at the top. That will bring you to a landing page for several interactive Brookfield maps, including the map of capital improvements, which encompass Brookfield’s plans to replace water mains and lead service pipes, the Burlington Avenue improvements, the Congress Park station area improvements and more.

Big year for improvements At the Brookfield village board’s March 11 committee of the whole meeting, Village Engineer Derek Treichel presented a list of the village’s capital improvement projects for this year, which represent $22,280,000 of work to improve the village’s streets, pipes, parking lots and more.

“We’re about to embark on what I think is probably the largest capital improvements year that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Treichel said at the meeting.

While $22 million may seem like a large figure, about $12 million is funded through loans while nearly $6.5 million more is funded through grants. Brookfield will only spend $3.66 million altogether on the projects, covering about 16% of the total cost of the improvements.

Treichel’s list included improvements that are already underway on construction as well as so-called “advance engineering” projects that are further out but still eligible

for contingency funding through the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Surface Transportation Program. The program is an agreement between Chicago and the nearly 300 municipalities within CMAP’s regional area that are split into 11 groups by location, which allows them to share excess funding between them.

“The region always wants to make sure they spend all of their STP funding,” Treichel said at the meeting. “Any time one of the other councils or Chicago doesn’t spend its funding, it becomes eligible for the other councils to go ahead and apply if they have shelf-ready plans and are able to get out for bids.”

This year, he added, it is estimated there will be $100 million available in contingency funding that municipalities can apply for.

“I’m always amazed at governments and agencies giving back grant money because they don’t have the plans or the shovel ready or the match,” Village President Michael Garvey said at the meeting. “We’ve been the recipient and the [beneficiary] of it. I mean,

I don’t know that we’ve ever given anything back in terms of funding.”

At the end of his presentation, Treichel attributed Brookfield’s success in finding and securing funding for improvement projects to village staff ’s “aggressive” approach and the village board’s cooperation with approving engineering projects in advance.

“That allowed us to leverage a little over $12 million in [Illinois Environmental Protection Agency] loan funding,” he said. “It’s the fact that you approved the engineering ahead of time, and when some of those other projects that were approved for funding last year weren’t ready by Jan. 1, we were able to jump in line and claim this funding.”

“We had years where we had done $4 [million] to $5 million in street improvements, and that was a huge project at that time, and we’re looking at $22 million over the next year-ish or so,” trustee Kit Ketchmark said at the end of the meeting. “It’s everything coming together that allows us to do this, so it’s historical in that way, too, for the village.”

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The Landmark, March 20, 2024

RB school board approves 16 small classes The board vice-president also signals support for 3 fulltime music teachers

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Sixteen classes with fewer than 20 students will run next year at Riverside Brookfield High School.

“This is higher than normal,” Beth Augustine, assistant principal for student services, told the school board at the March 12 school board meeting.

This school year, only seven classes are running with fewer than 20 students, and in the 2023 school year, 10 classes ran with fewer than 20 students. Classes with fewer than 20 students do not run without special board approval because the general policy is not to run classes below that threshold.

Augustine and Kylie Lindquist, assistant principal for curriculum and instruction, presented a detailed report about staffing and course enrollment before the unanimous vote to the minimum requirement.

The classes with fewer than 20 students include four Advanced Placement classes, including AP Music Theory, and sophomore reading for students who need additional support.

The smallest class will be a combined French IV/AP French class, which will have only seven students next year.

“We want to be the kind of school that offers multiple languages to our students,” Lindquist said.

Long-time school board member Laura Hruska voted to waive the 20 student minimum for the 16 classes despite saying that it went against every fiber in her body.

“I lived through when this policy and I lived through the years we cut everything

Latest News from the

BOB SKOLNIK

RBHS students, music supporters, looking at enrollment and staffing summary report presented at March 12 school board meeting. and it took so long to bring it back, but out of respect for just the tremendous work that Beth and Kylie did I’ll support them,” Hruska said.

In contrast, board member Ryan Ven Horst voted without hesitation to waive the 20- student minimum.

“I think all the numbers are reasonable with regards to running the courses the students are selecting and I’m in favor of giving the students the opportunity to take the courses,” Ven Horst said. “I don’t have the moral objection to it in the first place so I’ll just voice my support to say that I

think, in my opinion, it’s not a hard decision to say those courses should run.”

Twenty other classes were cancelled because too few students signed up to take them, including six classes that enrollment. Sixteen students signed up for a human growth and development class, but that class will not run this year. The class’s name might be changed in the future in an attempt to boost enrollment.

Only six students signed up for a new class called Bulldog Buddy choir, which would have paired special education students and general education students. No one signed up for a class on world percussion. Only two students signed up for a seminar on Shakespeare.

In an intriguing development, board vice-president Lorena Gasca indicated some support for staffing the music department with three fulltime music teachers, as music supporters, both parents and students, have been demanding, instead of the 2.6 full ime equivalent positions that the administration is recommending.

“Let’s look at it from a programmatic view,” Gasca said. “Let’s look at the music as a music program not as Ms. Smetana, not as Mr. Loeb, not as Mr. Baum, but let’s look at as music program,” Gasca said. “Are we going to support the full staffing, the 3.0 staffing of the music program, or are we just going to hold fast to those numbers and let our students just become a number because that is what it feels like.”

The audience, which was made up almost entirely of music supporters, erupted with applause when Gasca finished speaking.

Olmsted Society Stewards of the land and Olmsted’s Plan

Two presentations you won’t want to miss! Both will be at the Riverside Public Library. Sponsored by the Library and the Olmsted Society. Admission is free.

Thursday, 3/28, 7 PM Hidden Gems Road Trip - Along the Des Plaines River with Author Pat Camalliere Wednesday, 4/10, 7 PM Spongy Moths & Cicadas: Facts & Fallacies, Presenters Dr. Frederic Miller of the Morton Arboretum & Riverside Village Forester Mike Collins olmstedsociety.org |

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The Landmark, March 20, 2024

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Brookfield selects former RBHS contractors for Ehlert Park renovations The village aims to complete the $1.26 million project by next March

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

By this time next year, Ehlert Park will likely have received another major facelift.

At its March 11 meeting, the Brookfield village board approved a contract with Wight & Company, an architectural firm with two locations in Chicagoland, to oversee the analysis, design and construction of the village’s project to renovate the southwest corner of Ehlert Park.

At the meeting, Luke Gundersen, Brookfield’s parks & recreation director, said the design process will take place in March and April before the project is sent out to bid for construction in May. Construction will start in late July or early August, he said. According to a village staff memo, Brookfield’s goal is to complete the project by March 2025.

The village first set its sights on the project in 2022 as the last piece of redevelopment work on Ehlert Park that has been underway for more than 16 years.

Renovations and additions The project will see the park’s playground and the nearby picnic shelter, memorial plaza and baseball field get full renovations. The renovated playground will sit on top of pour-in-place rubber, which will “dramatically enhance the accessibility,” Gundersen said.

The memorial plaza will be updated with repurposed pavers, new places to sit and short plants. The baseball field renovations will include new fencing and seating for spectators, mixed soil for the infield, newly seeded turf for the outfield and accessible dugout connections.

Some parts of the outfield will overlap with green space traditionally used for football practices, but it will not prevent the space from being used in that way, Gundersen said.

Beyond the renovations, additions to the park will include a new, dedicated soccer field west of the playground with spectator seating, as well as a new game table space with pingpong and chess tables between the playground and the picnic shelter. A new rain garden next to the playground with native plants will provide green infrastructure for the park alongside low grasses, perennial flowers and other plants that cover the ground.

“The proposed improvements will be located to minimize site disturbance and preserve the existing mature

COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

This map, presented to the Brookfield village board by Luke Gundersen, Brookfield’s parks and recreation director, shows the scope of changes coming to part of Ehlert Park by next year. tree grove on that northeast corner” of the project area, Gundersen said.

“It’s exciting to have this grant coming to us, and it’s going to be nice to have an inclusive playground put in here and have the updates done to this park,” Trustee Jennifer Hendricks said at the meeting. “I’m excited for it.”

Disruption concerns At the meeting, Trustee Nicole Gilhooley raised concerns about construction on the project disrupting athletic groups that heavily use that area of Ehlert Park. Gundersen said he had been in contact with AYSO soccer and Riverside-Brookfield football groups, which use the park for sports practices, and informed them of the project and its proposed timeline. He said other groups that use the space, like Western Conference baseball and Brookfield Little League, “shouldn’t be affected too bad” aside from parking constraints that may arise.

Gilhooley also asked whether the construction would affect the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce’s National

Night Out, a day of celebration for public safety officers, on August 6. Gundersen said construction “could affect” the event but that it might begin after National Night Out rather than before it.

Wight and the parks and recreation department are planning to get resident feedback on the project through online surveys and a community open house, Gundersen said, although the details have yet to be finalized.

How did this project come to be?

Partnering with Wight will cost Brookfield $125,000 and up to $2,500 more in expense reimbursements for the firm, according to the agreement between them. Brookfield is receiving funding for the project in the form of a $600,000 grant from the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program, an Illinois-financed initiative that helps local governments acquire or develop land for public park space. Illinois awarded Brookfield the grant, which will See EHLERT PARK on page 8

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The Landmark, March 20, 2024

Dave Novak, former park district director, dies at 73 Novak worked for the park district for 33 years and played an instrumental role in the village’s annual No Glove Nationals

Softball started in Chicago in 1887. The first game was played at the Farragut Boat Club with “softballs” made out of boxing gloves. Though those later became the 16inch softballs used today, players continued to not wear gloves, unless they opted to play with a smaller softball.

Jim Sarno, the park district’s director before Novak, started No Glove Nationals in 1968, and it remains the only national tournament played without gloves.

Though Sarno launched the invitational, Novak started running it when he became superintendent of recreation.

“Dave was the guy who pretty much ran it all the time,” said Larry Piekarz, who was the park district’s director after Novak.

“My dad took it over and blew it up to make it iconic,” said Dan Novak, who was a Forest Park village commissioner and is now the director of athletics and facilities

at the Wheaton Park District. His brother, In addition to his contribution to the Nic, also works for the Wheaton Park Dis- park district, Novak served on the board trict, following in their father’s footsteps in for both the Chamber of Commerce and public recreation. the Main Street Redevelopment AssociaAt 16, the Novak brothers started work- tion. He was also on the District 91 school ing as grounds crew staff for No Glove Na- board. tionals and playing 16-inch softball. Dan “Having kids in the school district, he really Novak has countless fond memories of ex- saw the needs and the wants,” Piekarz said. periencing the tournament with his father.

Novak was also a part of the Forest Park “Family, every single friend, we all Community Education Council, which went,” Dan Novak said. is no longer in existence. The council inIn 1997, Dave Novak was cluded the village, the school inducted into the Chicago district and the park district, 16-inch Softball Hall of which collaborated toward Fame, the year after it was community goals. founded. The 16-inch Soft“To me, that’s one of the nicball Hall of Fame Museum est things about Forest Park. opened in the Park in Forest There’s no competition or anyPark in 2014. thing,” Piekarz said. “EveryPiekarz’s favorite memobody wants to work together to ry about Dave from the No make a great community, and Glove Nationals tournaDave was a big part of that.” ment was “how many people “He cared about everyone. knew Dave,” Piekarz said.

That’s why he got involved,” “It would just amaze me, the Dan Novak said. respect and the admiration After Novak retired from the DAN NOVAK people had for him.” park district, he and Carol, who Son When Novak stepped still lives in Forest Park, spent down as park district diover 20 years leisurely traveling. rector in Jan. 2007, he had “He enjoyed life to the fullworked in the position for est,” Dan Novak said. “Every 23 years, and was with the [St. Patrick’s Day] parade, evpark district for around 33. ery party, he was the life of it.”

Piekarz took over as diOne of the things that Piekarz rector before retiring in will remember most about No2018. Before he became director, Piekarz vak is his sense of humor. started as the park district’s superinten“He was a great guy to work for, and he was dent of recreation then, just like Novak, a great teacher to me,” Piekarz said. “He bemoved up to assistant director. came not just my boss, but a friend. And to “Everything about the park district, you me, that was just everything.” He added, “He could ask Dave, and he knew. He was a true really was a pillar in that community. And I mentor to me,” Piekarz said, adding that know a lot of people say that, but he was.

“He touched so many generations,” Novak continued to give him advice, even after he retired. “He made doing the job a Dan Novak said. “Forest Park will never be the same.” lot of fun.”

grant will cover up to 15.25% of the project cost due to the village partnering with an architectural firm. That means Brookfield will use up to nearly $19,500 from the grant for this piece of the project, depending on how much it ultimately reimburses Wight.

Wight — the same firm that designed more than $60 million of renovations for Riverside-Brookfield High School that

were completed in 2010 — was selected from five groups that submitted proposals. The firms’ qualifications, experiences, references, methodologies and proposed costs were each evaluated and ranked, Gundersen said.

The three firms with the best overall scores were invited to complete virtual interviews with him, Hendricks and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kyle

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Dave Novak, Forest Park resident and longtime employee of the Park District of Forest Park, died Tuesday at age 73. Novak was on a Cayman Islands cruise, snorkeling over a shipwreck, when he had a fatal accident, according to his son, Dan Novak.

Novak is survived by his wife, Carol, sons Dan and Nicholas Novak, and six grandchildren. He was a beloved member of the Forest Park community.

Novak grew up in Riverside and attended Riverside-Brookfield High School. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in recreation administration. A year after graduating, he became the softball league supervisor at Forest Park’s park district.

From 1975 to 1983, Novak was the park district’s superintendent of recreation.

He then became director. While working at the park district, Novak met his wife, who taught dance, also at the park district.

During his time as director, Novak supervised projects like the construction of the $3.1 million Forest Park Aquatic Center in 1995, plus softball and soccer field renovations. But perhaps one of his most wellknown legacies is his work on No Gloves Nationals, the annual 16-inch softball invitational tournament in Forest Park.

EHLERT PARK from page 7 cover nearly half of the expected total $1.26 million cost for the project, in early 2023.

According to Brookfield’s request for proposals for the project, the OSLAD

Dave Novak

“He touched so many generations.

Forest Park will never be the same.”

Whitehead, who then selected Wight — which had the best overall score out of the five initial applicants — as the recommended firm for the project.

“All five of them did have high qualifications. They were all very qualified and able to do the job,” Gundersen said at the meeting. “After speaking with [Wight] in their interview process, they did stand out out of all these companies.”

The Landmark, March 20, 2024

Two Dads Defending Democracy marks return of GCM Conversations Joe Walsh, Fred Guttenberg speak at Dominican University Growing Community Media is bringing back its Conversations series with two men who hold quite different political views but have come together with the shared message that American democracy is in peril this year and we need to face that reality.

“Two Dads Defending Democracy: Bridging the Gap During Divisive Times” features former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh and gun safety activist Fred Guttenberg.

The GCM event will be April 9 at 7 p.m. at Dominican University in River Forest.

Tickets will be on sale by mid-week. Visit AustinWeeklyNews.com for details.

Through their visits to colleges and universities during this election season, they are modeling how to engage in respectful dialogue with people with whom they vehemently disagree. The greatest threat to democracy right now is the tendency to demonize and want to destroy the “other.”

The immediate political environment is a part of the presentation, but the moderated conversation is framed more broadly. They agree, “Our democracy is preserved if we can engage, listen to, and understand those with whom we disagree. If we can no longer do this our democracy fails.”

Growing Community Media is the nonprofit parent company of Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest, Austin Weekly News, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and the Forest Park Review, as part of its “Conversations” series. Previous guests have included Peter Sagal of “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me,” Democratic strategist David Axelrod, filmmaker Steve James, and broadcast executive Candi Carter.

According to Guttenberg’s LinkedIn post: “… Joe and I disagree on a lot, but once we started listening to each other, we developed a friendship. Now, we hope we can show America that it is okay to disagree and talk and to get out and vote for democracy.”

Here’s how they describe the Two Dads tour: “As we look forward to the 2024 election,

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The Landmark, March 20, 2024

Brookfield food pantry moves to self-serve grocery format The Share Food Share Love pantry wants to present a ‘more dignified’ option to its users

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield’s Share Food Share Love is hoping to destigmatize food pantries by getting creative with how it distributes food to its visitors.

The nonprofit pantry, located at 9030 Brookfield Ave., announced March 13 that it had moved to a grocery store-style format for food distribution, meaning visitors in need can look through goods on shelves in aisles like at any grocery store.

The pantry had previously used a tabletop format, where goods and food items were arranged openly on tables within the pantry for visitors to take.

“In all that we do, we want to remove the stigma experienced by neighbors who are just trying to make ends meet,” said

John Dumas, Share Food Share Love’s administrative director, in a written statement. “A self-serve grocery store format is one step.”

Share Food Share Love serves 15 communities in western suburban Cook County, including Brookfield, Riverside, North Riverside and the surrounding communities. According to the announcement, more than 7,000 people within the pantry’s service area were estimated to be living below the poverty line by the last U.S. Census.

The food pantry is open Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Pantry visitors must bring proof of residency within one of the 15 communities and are allowed to take items on a first come, first served basis. For more information, visit the pantry’s website at sharefoodsharelove.com.

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Items inside the Share Food Share Love food pantry are arranged on shelves in aisles to replicate the experience of grocery shopping.

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The Landmark, March 20, 2024

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11

12

EASTER CHURCH GUIDE

The Landmark, March 20, 2024

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

HOLY WEEK

Saturday, March 23 Saturday, March 23 Saturday, March 23 Sunday, March 23 Sunday,March March24 24Saturday, Saturday, March 23 4:00 PM St. Mary Church 4:00 PM St. Mary Church 4:00 PM St. Mary Church ater Christi (en Español) 4:00 PM St. Mary Church Mater ChristiChurch Church (en Español) 4:00 PM St. Mary Church 5:00 PM Mater Christi Church Saturday, March 23 5:00 PM Mater Christi Church 5:00 PM Mater Christi Church .t.Mary 5:00 PM Mater Christi Church MaryChurch Church 5:00 PM Mater Christi Church 4:00 PM St. Mary Church ater Christi Mater ChristiChurch Church 5:00 PM Mater Christi Church St. St.Mary MaryChurch Church Mater MaterChristi ChristiChurch Church .t.Mary MaryChurch Church

Sunday, March 24Saturday, Saturday,March March23 23 Sunday, March 24 Sunday, March 24 Sunday, March 24 Sunday, March 24 8:00 AM Mater Christi Church (en Español) 4:00(en PM St. MaryChurch Church 8:00 AM Mater Christi Church (en Español) 8:00 AM Mater Christi Church (en Español) 4:00 PM St. Mary 8:00 AM Mater Christi Church Español) 8:00 AM Mater Christi Church (en Español) 8:00 AM St. Mary Church 5:00PM PMMater MaterChristi ChristiChurch Church Sunday, March 24 5:00 8:00 AM St. Mary Church 8:00 AM St. Mary Church 8:00 AM St. Mary Church 8:00 AM St. Mary Church 8:00 AM AM MaterMater Christi Church (enChurch Español) 9:30 Christi 9:30 AM Mater Christi Church 9:30 AM Mater Christi Church 9:30 AM Mater Christi Church 9:30 AM Mater Christi Church 8:00 AM St. Mary Church 10:00 AM St. Mary Church 10:00 AM St. Mary Church 9:30 AM AM Mater Christi Church 10:00 AM St. Mary Church 10:00 St. Mary Church 10:00 AM St. Mary Church 10:00 AM St. Mary Church 11:00 AM Mater Christi Church 11:00 AM Mater Christi Church 11:00 AM Mater Christi Church 11:00 AM Mater Christi Church 11:00 Mater Christi 11:00 AM AM Mater Christi ChurchChurch 5:00 PM St. Mary Church 5:00 PM St. Mary Church 5:00 PM St. Mary Church 5:00 PM St. Mary Church 5:00 PM St. Mary Church 5:00 PM St. Mary Church

Altar of Repose and Adoration at Mater Christi Church and St. Mary Church until Midnight

Altar of Repose and Adoration Altar Repose and Adoration Altar of Repose and Adoration Altar Altar ofofofRepose and Adoration atatatatat AltarofofRepose Reposeand andAdoration Adorationatat Altar Repose and Adoration Mater Christi Church and St. Mary Church until Midnight MaterChristi ChristiChurch Churchand andSt. St.Mary Ma Mater Christi Church and St. Mary Church until Midnight Mater Christi Church and St. Mary Church until Midnight Mater dnight Mater Christi Church and St. Mary Church until Midnight Midnight Mater Christi Church and St. Mary Church until Midnight

Saturday, March 23 Sunday, March 24 No Regular Saturday Evening Masses 8:00 AM Mater Christi Church (en Español) 4:00 PM St. Mary Church 8:00 AM St. Mary Church 5:00 PM Mater Christi Church 9:30 AM Mater Christi Church 10:00 AM St. Mary Church No Regular Saturday Evening Ma No Regular Saturday Evening Masses Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord, March 31, 2024 No Regular Saturday Evening Masses No Regular Saturday Evening Masses No Regular Saturday Evening Ma No Regular Saturday Evening Masses No Regular Saturday Evening Masses 11:00 AM Mater Christi Church 5:00 PM St. Mary Church

, March d, March31, 31,2024 2024

12:00 PM St. Mary Church

Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord, March 31, 2024 Mass the Resurrection the Lord, March 31, 2024 Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord, March 31, 2024 Mass ofofof the Resurrection ofofof the Lord, March 31, 2024 Mass the Resurrection the Lord, March 31, 2024

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12:00 PM St. Mary Church 12:00 PM St. Mary Church 12:00 PM St. Mary Church 12:00 PM St. Mary Church 12:00 PM St. Mary Church

St. Mary Church 105 Herrick Road Riverside, IL 60546

12:00PM PMSt. St.Mary MaryChurch Church 12:00

The Landmark, March 20, 2024

LT school board awards contract for summer construction The cost is higher than expected

By BOB SKOLNIK

board decided not to build ticket booths outside Bennett Field. That will save $90,000 to $100,000.

The school board also awarded a $209,000 The Lyons Township High School District 204 Board of Education awarded a contract for asbestos removal to Chica$30.5 million-contract for major construc- go- based Shawn Brown Enterprises in tion work mainly at LT’s South Campus conjunction with the construction work.

The next lowest bid was for $298,500 from next year.

The unanimous vote awarded the con- Wauconda based EHC Industries. That difference raised some eyebrows, but the tract Waukegan-based Happ Builders. school’s consultant checked out the referThe work will include construction of a new, two-story cafeteria-collaborative ences of Shawn Brown Enterprises and space at South Campus; the relocation and said that they appear to be reliable and competent, although the consulrenovation of the music area tant didn’t have any firsthand at South Campus; the addiexperience with the firm. Direction of air conditioning to tor of Business Services Brian the South Campus E-Wing; Stachacz confirmed that Shawn replacement of pool and fieldBrown pays prevailing wages. house lighting at South CamShawn Brown Enterprises is pus; and the replacement of based on South Side of Chicago decaying doors at both the and is a Black-owned firm.

North and South Campus.

The cost of the work this sumThe cost is about $6.5 milmer means that LT may have lion more than originally to scale back on the work that forecast because bids came in school officials hope to do in ELVIA NAVA higher than expected. But the 2025. Projects that were tentaSchool board member school board, at the suggestively scheduled for 2025 include tion of board member Elvia the modernization of about Nava, who was appointed last 46 North Campus classrooms, year to fill a vacancy created adding more air conditioning after Julie Swinehart moved to North Campus, installing a out of state, is saving some new turf field at the West Field money. Happ mistakenly unathletic complex, replacing the derbid its proposal to replace the doors, but said they’d honor the price. turf field at Bennett Field and performing maintenance on the D-Wing roof at The board accepted.

“It just seems like it makes more sense South Campus.

That work is expected to cost $20 million to go with Happ,” Nava said. “I would preto $24 million, but LT currently has only fer to save some money and take care of about $14 million budgeted for that work. our school.”

Supt. Brian Waterman said that perConstruction begins this summer.

Adding the air conditioning to the E- haps the mechanical work can be done Wing at South Campus will make South first and the classroom modernization Campus approximately 90% or more air can be phased in at a slower pace than previously projected. conditioned.

“It’s going to require some significant Because the bids came in higher than expected, the administration and the school discussion,” Waterman said.

Contributing Reporter

“It just seems like it makes more sense to go with Happ.”

13

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The Landmark, March 20, 2024

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Intoxicated woman arrested for property damage after she and ex give conflicting stories An intoxicated woman was arrested March 9 in Riverside for criminal property damage after police said she broke a window at her ex-boyfriend’s apartment.

Police were dispatched to the man’s apartment around 2 a.m. that morning after he called them. One officer spoke with the woman while another spoke with the man.

According to police, the woman was “visibly upset” and declined medical attention. She did not provide an ID or driver’s license but gave a name, which police later confirmed was false, and birthdate. The woman said that she had been with her friend, who left her at the corner of Longcommon Road and Forest Avenue to go to the gas station nearby. Then, she said the man, whom she said she didn’t recognize, approached her and tried to sexually assault her and force her to take drugs, which she later admitted was not true. The woman said she had not taken any drugs or had anything to drink that night, police said.

The man told police a different story. According to police, the man said that he and the woman, who he had dated about seven years ago, had gone out to eat around 10 p.m. before they returned to his apartment. The man said the woman went to the bathroom

and became upset after seeing another woman’s things, so she started yelling at him.

The man told the woman to leave, and later they walked out of his apartment together.

The man said he drove off in his car as the woman told him she would get an Uber, but he turned around after realizing he had left his phone behind and quickly returned, at which point he saw the glass had been kicked in, police said. Since the woman was still there, the man said he confronted her about the glass but that she denied breaking it. At that point, the man said, he called the police, and the woman threatened to tell police that he had put his hands on her. The man said the woman had also drunk “about a pint of tequila” that night, police said.

Ultimately, police arrested the woman for breaking the window and paramedics who arrived brought her to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn to be evaluated. After she was discharged from the hospital, police took the woman to the station for fingerprinting, which confirmed her identity.

Around 6 a.m., the woman spoke with police again. According to police, she said See POLICE REPORTS on page 16

Opinion THE LANDMARK VIEW

A

Waiting for a flood

s we sit here on a cloudy spring day wondering if this is the year the Des Plaines River floods once again, we imagine the owner of a home in Riverside being told by his contractor that the cost of a highline new kitchen has gone from $7.2 million to $17.9 million.

Sticker shock. Indignation. And, back in our real world, serious concern over whether the Army Corps of Engineers has the capacity or the smarts to actually build something that will keep portions of Riverside from being seriously underwater — again.

It was in 2013 that the river crested at 18 inches above any previously recorded level. It has now been 11 years of mutual indecision, endless dickering over design, and discussions with nearby homeowners — all interrupted by a pandemic and supply chain issues — and we still have an undesigned, unbuilt and inadequately funded fix for a real world, climate-warming river that does not want to be fully contained.

So where are we now? The village is figuring out how much money it can wrangle from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to plug the massive funding gap. And the Army Corps is offering up lesser options that chop off aspects of what had been promoted as the necessary solution.

At a meeting on March 7, Thomas Kanies, project manager for the Army Corps, said the design for the full project was 90% complete when his staff noticed the price tag had exploded by more than double. This does not inspire confidence.

So the options Kanies presented included lopping off both pumping stations and underground water storage. Or cutting off one pumping station and keeping underground water retention capacity.

Our proposed option is chain link fencing but much taller. And affordable.

Brookfield’s big plans

Two stories out of Brookfield. Both are infrastructure related. And notable in a town where, until the past two decades, infrastructure issues had been fundamentally ignored.

At a meeting last week, the village’s contracted engineer said Brookfield will undertake the largest roster of notable projects in memory this year. More than $22 million in infrastructure projects — streets, pipes, parking lots — will be invested. The replacement of water main and lead water service pipes will expand. Burlington Avenue will be remade. And improvements are coming to the Congress Park station area.

Derek Treichel, the engineer, said a goodly portion of this season’s work is possible because the village has been aggressive in preparing engineering plans for projects in advance of securing funding. In a competitive world this has allowed, he said, for Brookfield to jump the line when other communities are not ready with shovel-ready projects that match the funding timeline.

Also worthy of mention is the village’s updated infrastructure map on its website. Residents can follow along as progress on specific projects is made, or delays occur. With so much work just ahead, this real-time information will be useful to locals.

The Landmark, March 20, 2024

15

LETTERS

Domestic violence is a community problem Thank you for posting the recent letter to the editor about domestic violence by former Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel [Our response to domestic violence must change, Opinion, March 13]. He describes how police can help in a practical way.

In 1992 Riverside experienced a horrific DV case in which a dad murdered his 9-month-old twins. I was friends with the mother and was horrified to learn that I knew nothing of her husband’s abusive behavior. I had been to their apartment several times dropping off baby equipment and supplies that my own twins had out-

grown. The husband was charming and very thankful for my help. I later learned how polite and charming abusers can be.

I swore then and there that when I retired from teaching at RBHS, I would volunteer for a DV agency. I am happy to report that after extensive training, I now answer the crisis line each week for a DV agency in Forest Park called Sarah’s Inn. The staff is caring and compassionate. Many a victim has received help there.

If someone you know needs help, please have her call Sarah’s Inn at 708-386-4225 for counseling, orders of protection and other services. Although it is not a shelter, the phone is answered 24/7. For shelter, call the Illinois DV helpline at 877-863-6338.

Victims can get the help they need. Perpetrators can learn to deal with their anger in ways that do not include violence.

Jan Goldberg Riverside

OBITUARIES

Ed Look, 97 Engineer Edward Carl Look Jr., 97, of Riverside, died on March 14, 2024 at his home.

He earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University in 1949. Following graduation, Ed proudly served ED LOOK his country as an officer in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Following his military service, he began a long and successful career with Unocal Corporation. A devout Catholic, he was a parishioner of St. Paul VI in Riverside.

Ed is survived by his wife, Patricia Look (Murphy); three children, Aimee Look (Scott Loeff), Christy Brandt (Mike), and Julie Melidis (Ceasar); four grandchildren,

Edward, Mae, Caliope and Lola Melidis; and his brother Richard Look (Bunnie).

Services will be private.

Memories of Ed and condolences to the family may be shared at www.ivinsfuneralhome.com.

Janet Olsen, 84 Humanitarian Occupation: Office Clerk / Humanitarian Janet Olsen (nee Curda), 84, a lifelong resident of Brookfield, died on Feb. 26, 2024.

A humanitarian who worked as an office clerk, Janet was the mother of Wilfred (Maureen)

JANET OLSEN

See OBITUARIES on page 16

16

The Landmark, March 20, 2024

POLICE REPORTS from page 14 she met up with the man around 9 p.m. the previous night to go out to eat. Later, when they went back to the man’s apartment, the woman said he tried to pressure her into having sex with him, which she refused.

After this happened, the woman said the man got upset and told her to leave. He saw her out of the building and slammed the door behind her when she left, which is when the glass broke, the woman said.

According to the woman, the man said he would call the police and say she broke the glass, so she said she would say he put his hands on her if he told that lie, police said.

The woman told police then that the man had not tried to sexually assault or rape her and that she only claimed as much because he said she had broken the door.

The woman was charged with one count of criminal damage to property and released. An April 5 court date was set.

Arrested for an active warrant A man with an active warrant was arrested March 9 in Riverside after a police

officer on patrol saw his car make an illegal turn.

Police said the officer first saw the man’s car traveling north on South First Avenue around 12:30 a.m. in the left lane before turning right from that lane onto 31st Street, at which point the officer started following the car and learned its registration was expired. The car then turned right onto Woodside Road and right onto Maplewood Road, where the officer started a traffic stop.

The man and his passenger both provided driver’s licenses when the officer asked for them. According to police, the officer ran their information through the database, which revealed the man had an active warrant from McLean County and his passenger’s license was revoked. At that point, the officer placed the man under arrest and asked his passenger to step out of the car so it could be towed. The passenger was sent on his way.

After arresting the man, the officer searched his car. Inside, they found a “green leafy cannabis substance” in a plastic bag and a .40-caliber pistol containing 12 bullets, although dispatch advised the officer that the man had a valid conceal and carry license. The officer transported

the man to the station for fingerprinting.

He was issued citations for his warrant and for his traffic violations and released.

An April 19 court date was set.

Arrested for driving under the influence A man was arrested March 12 for driving drunk in Riverside after an officer on patrol saw his car drive through a stop sign.

The officer first saw the man’s car heading south on Longcommon Road around 2:30 a.m. before disregarding the stop sign at the intersection with East Burlington Street just before the train tracks. According to police, the officer started following the man’s car after it passed the railroad and turned onto Bloomingbank Road. The officer saw the man’s car also disobey the stop sign at the intersection of Bloomingbank Road and Barrypoint Road before turning onto Fairbank Road, where the officer started a traffic stop.

According to police, the officer immediately noticed the smell of burnt cannabis coming from the car. The man provided a valid driver’s license to the officer. The officer had the man step out of the vehicle due to the odor of cannabis, and while talking

with the man, the officer also noticed the smell of alcohol on the man’s breath.

At that point, the man agreed to take field sobriety tests but denied drinking.

The officer observed multiple indicators of impairment, so the man was offered a portable breath test, which showed .17 blood alcohol content.

The man was arrested and taken to the station but continued to deny having drunk alcohol. The man was charged with two counts of disobeying a stop sign and two DUI charges before being released to a sober friend.

These items were obtained from the Riverside Police Department reports dated March 9-12 and the Brookfield Police Department reports dated March 11-18; 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 Trent Brown

OBITUARIES continued from page 15 Olsen, Steven (Neuza) Olsen, Richard Olsen, Michael Olsen and Diane Olsen; the grandmother/Nana of Meaghan (Tim) Martinak, Timothy (Denika) Olsen, Catherine (Nick) Izzo, Shannon Olsen and Sean Olsen; and the great-grandmother of Charlotte, Claire, Cleo and Isla.

Services and interment are private.

In lieu of flowers, please support your local public radio/broadcasting station.

Arrangements were handled by Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513.

If you wish to send a Sympathy Card to the family, please send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, c/o the Janet Olsen family.

Judy Johnson, 79 Brookfield resident Judy G. Johnson (nee Oesterriech), 79, of Brookfield, died on March 11, 2024. A general office employee for an insurance agency, Judy was the husband of Daniel Johnson; the mother of Jennifer (Adam) Reeger; the

grandmother of Aiden Reeger; the sister of Pamela (the late Dennis) Meehan, William (Judi) Oesterriech and Michael (Mary) Oesterriech; the sister-in-law of David Johnson; and the aunt of many JUDY JOHNSON nieces and nephews.

Visitation March 18 and 19 at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513. A funeral Mass was celebrated on March 19 at St. Louise de Marillac Church in La Grange Park, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

Memorials are appreciated to CatNap from the Heart, 1101 Beach Ave., La Grange Park, IL 60526.

Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com.

Sports

The Landmark, March 20, 2024

17

Bulldogs boosted by 3 Division I recruits

Can they recapture the regional title this year?

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Seniors Emily Organ and Zoe Levine aren’t wasting time making an impact in their fourth varsity seasons for the Riverside Brookfield High School softball team.

They already smacked their second homers, Saturday, as the Bulldogs defeated Lyons Township 3-1 in Western Springs.

“Just knowing that I’m starting off really strong this season [is great], and part of it is just having fun with it. The confidence is there,” Organ said.

“We’ve come out with great energy, something we haven’t seen as strong in the past. I think that’s going to carry us through the season.”

The Bulldogs (3-1) bring power and experience fueled by three Division I players, Organ (Bradley), Levine (DePaul), and junior Ellie Megall (Oakland), also a varsity starter since freshman year.

Last season, the Bulldogs (19-9) were second in the Metro Suburban Conference (7-3). They won seven of their last nine but just missed a second straight regional title, losing to LTHS 15-3 in five innings in the Class 4A RB Regional final.

RBHS beat Addison Trail 11-6 in this season’s March 12 opener and Argo 10-0, March 13, and lost 11-1 on Thursday to Oak

Park and River Forest, who were third in Class 4A last season.

“Definitely energy is something we’ve been working on and we have a really strong connection as a team, which really helps,” Levine said. “Everybody’s there for us so it’s a lot easier to play loose.”

In 2023, catcher Levine (.495, 19 doubles, 6 home runs, 40 RBIs), shortstop/third baseman/catcher Organ (.448, 8 HR, 30 RBIs) and third baseman/shortstop Megall (.415, 31 RBIs) led an offense that scored fewer than four runs in only four games.

Junior second baseman/shortstop Ella Jurgens (.359, 4 HR, 15 RBIs) joined them as four of the five 2023 All-MSC selections.

Senior outfielders Kelley Tyler (.278, 12 RBIs) and Julia Madera and sophomore pitchers Stevenson (.250, 17 RBIs) and Abby Weinert also are returning starters.

As pitchers, Stevenson was 9-6 in 15 starts with 63 strikeouts in 106.2 innings, including a five-inning no-hitter in the regional semifinals. Weinert was 4-0 in five starts with 30 strikeouts in 45 innings. Both also play first base.

Other team members are freshman Reese Milchhoefer, another pitcher; sophomore Olivia Ballon; senior Natalia Ibarra; and juniors Tali Herrera and Abbey Tyler. “[We’re] anticipating another successful season,” RBHS coach Doug Schultz

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brookfield’s Julia Madera (4) chases down a fly ball hit by Lyons during a nonconference game Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Western Springs. responded. “We feel we will be able to produce high-scoring games to be very competitive.”

Schultz said he was excited how the Bulldogs rallied against Addison Trail from a 3-0 deficit after three innings with help from Organ and Levine homers. Stevenson had two doubles.

The trio also had two hits each against LTHS. In the Argo victory, Jurgens homered and doubled in going 3 for 3 with five RBIs. “This year, we’re taking it inning by inning,

trying to win each little part of the aspects of the game,” Organ said. “I think that’s going to help us in the future and the playoffs.”

The pitching progress of Stevenson and Weinert should further complement the offense. Milchhoefer already has worked 8.1 innings.

“They’re hitting their spots a lot better and they’re a lot more confident,” Levine said of the sophomores. “They’ve already been through a year [on varsity] and they know they can cut these hitters down.

They’re doing a great job.”

Lions’ O’Flaherty, Wilkins start over with new outlook

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

After being part of a great finish in 2023, Lyons Township High School seniors Peyton O’Flaherty and Kaitlyn Filkins are en-

couraged by an even better start this softball season.

“I feel like we have a good bond,” Filkins said. “We’re very close already, so having that good bond is definitely going to show more on and off the field.”

The Lions are combining veterans with several new faces to build on 2023 — a 10-19 overall record with a 5-2 finish that included their first back-to-back regional titles since 2016-17 under first-year coach Megan Pyles, after starting 1-9.

LTHS scored double digit runs in four of those final victories, including 15-3 over Riverside Brookfield in five innings in the Class 4A RB Regional. LTHS lost to York 8-0 See LTHS SOFTBALL on page 18

18

The Landmark, March 20, 2024

S P O R T S

RBHS senior captains lead five All-MSC soccer returnees

By BILL STONE

Argo 6-0 in the March 12 opener and lost to Lockport 8-0, March 14, and Leyden 2-1, Thursday.

Larson, Hall and Bisiules are team captains. In the fall, Larson became the starting placekicker and first girl on the RBHS varsity football team.

“We’re senior-led,” Halic said after the Argo victory. “They’ve been with me for four years, so absolutely high expectations, and rightfully so.”

Last season, RBHS finished 16-7-1 with an 11-4-1 finish and placed second in the MSC, down to four teams for 2024. The Bulldogs lost to eventual sectional champion Hinsdale Central 4-1 in the RB Regional final.

Hall (17 goals, 6 assists) and Larson (15 goals, 8 assists) were the top 2023 scorers, followed by Caputo (3 goals, 9 assists), Bisiules (2 goals, 6 assists), Panduro (4 goals), Jurkovic (2 goals, 2 assists) and Newberry and Ford (2 goals each).

Most of this season’s scoring has come from Larson (5 goals, 3 assists), Caputo (4 goals, 4 assists) and Hall (3 goals, 1 assist), who had a hat trick against Argo. Newberry scored against Nazareth.

“I think we have key players all over the field, so I think we don’t really struggle in any spot,” Larson said. “I think we’ll have a really good season.”

Experience has allowed the Bulldogs to experiment with a 3-2-4-1 formation with one forward and Drenth anchoring the defensive line.

“As a team, we know our strengths individually and how to come together, and I think we do it really well,” Bisiules said.

“Having Lucy on defense [is a strength].

She’s been working really hard and she’s such a key, especially when we run our new formation. In the middle, we work really well together.”

Last season, Drenth moved from outside to central defender with graduated all-sectional Jessica Sharenow after the seasonending injury to graduated standout Lena Lembcke.

The defense has received a big lift from multi-sport standout Krueger playing goalie for the first time. A volleyball player and gymnast at RBHS, Krueger began training during the indoor club season.

“We have really great players able to step in and fill those [defensive] positions really well,” Drenth said. “It’s going to be an adjustment. [But] I think we’re going to be coming out strong.”

and Filkins (Benedictine) will play college softball.

Last season, O’Flaherty (.443 batting average, 1.266 OPS, 5 home runs, 35 RBIs) was one of the Lions’ two All-West Suburban Conference Silver Division selections with graduated Tess Meyer. LTHS tied for fourth in the Silver with a 5-7 record.

O’Flaherty will play third base, her primary position in traveling softball, and shortstop. Leadoff hitter Filkins (.375, 4 HR, 16 RBIs) will play shortstop and catcher.

Seniors Ida Castro, Clare Kelliher and Arianna Amella, juniors Isabella Evans and Lucy Dreher and sophomores Ava Jacklin and Lucy Lee also return. Varsity newcomers are junior Maddie McLane, sophomore Avery Hicks and freshmen Julia Ahrens and Mary Sandman.

O’Flaherty already has homered in each of the first two games.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting it. I feel like I’m starting to get into my groove after winter, so it feels nice,” O’Flaherty said.

“We definitely progressively got better over the span of [last] season so we’re hoping for that. We’re going to hopefully get used to each other and the way everybody plays so we can go pretty far as well.”

Outfielder Castro (.297, 2 HR, 19 RBIs) and second baseman Jacklin (.293, 19 RBIs) also started in 2023 and catcher/outfielder Amella played in 16 games. Dreher was a postseason call-up.

At pitcher, Lee made 15 appearances and 10 starts, striking out 38 in 54.2 innings.

Evans and Kelliher also bring varsity experience after both being injured last sea-

son. Evans returns as pitcher and will help offensively. Kelliher is the team’s lone slap hitter and will be part of a faster roster bolstered by Dreher and the newcomers.

Multi-sport Ahrens has played catcher and middle infield. Sandman, who usually plays on the left side of the infield, has moved to first base for the Lions and also pitches.

In Saturday’s junior varsity second game, Sandman’s walk-off, two-run single completed a wild 13-12 victory in which the Lions scored eight runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Counting that game, Sandman is hitting 4 for 9. Sandman (2 for 3) and Filkins doubled in the varsity game.

“As a team I’m going to set high goals for us, high expectations because I really do think we could go far this year,” Filkins said.

Contributing Reporter

With numerous returnees for the Riverside Brookfield High School girls soccer team, senior forward Hazel Hall already sees major strides ahead.

“I’m hoping [for] team unity, team bonding. We really want to become stronger as a group,” Hall said. “[RBHS coach] Ivek Halic always says we start out as teammates, become friends, and end as family. We’re really trying to keep that motto up throughout the season.”

There should be some great memories for the Bulldogs (3-2), who boast seven seniors and four of their five 2023 All-Metro Suburban Conference honorees: seniors Niamh Larson, Maddie Bisilues and Hall, junior Ella Caputo and sophomore Lucy Drenth. Hall and Larson also received honorable mention all-sectional.

Also returning are seniors Kate Newberry and Cassidy Erb and juniors Isa Hernandez and Raleigh Jessewin. Senior Andrijana Nikovic, junior Abigail Jurkovic and sophomores Abigail Ford, Michelle Panduro, Audrey Raymond and Sofia Sanchez also received promotions during the season. Newcomers are senior Annabel Krueger, junior Katie Doyle and sophomore Mariana Giron.

The Bulldogs beat Montini Catholic 3-0, Monday, in the Glenbard South Invite and Nazareth 4-0 in Friday’s home opener. In the Reavis Tournament, the Bulldogs beat

LTHS SOFTBALL from page 17 in the Marist Sectional semifinals.

So far, the Lions (0-2) lost to RBHS 3-1, Saturday in Western Springs, and 14-3 in five innings to defending 4A state champion Marist in Friday’s opener.

“Last season, we didn’t get hot until the end. We don’t have to get hot. It’s just an enjoyable environment [this season],” Pyles said.

“It’s really exciting at practices. The girls are constantly communicating. It’s just a different environment. This group clicks so well.”

O’Flaherty (Tennessee-Chattanooga)

BILL STONE

Seniors Maddie Bisiules (left), Niamh Larson and Hazel Hall are team captains and returning All-MSC players.

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PUBLIC NOTICE Annual Town Meeting Notice is hereby given to the legal voters of the Town of Riverside, in the County of Cook, and the State of Illinois, that the Annual Town Meeting of said town will take place on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, being the second Tuesday of the month, at the hour of 6:01 pm, at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL, for the transaction of miscellaneous business of the said town; and after a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of the officers, and decide on such measures as may, in the pursuance of the law, come before the meeting; and especially to consider & decide on the following: Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Election of the Moderator, Oath of the Moderator, Approval of the Minutes from the Last Annual Town Meeting, New Business, Township Reports, Setting the date for the next Annual Town Meeting, and Adjournment.

Jay Reyes Clerk, Riverside Township March 12, 2024 Published in RB Landmark March 20, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE Notification of Destruction of Records

Riverside School District 96 will properly dispose of all temporary student files from 2017-2018 on April 26, 2024. Permanent student records are retained for 60 years. A parent/ guardian has the right to copy any student record prior to destruction.

To request a copy of your student record, email Nancy Schuenemann at the District 96 Administrative Offices at schuenemannn@district96.org no later than April 19th. A nominal copying fee may be charged.

Published in RB Landmark March 20, 2024

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ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS President and Board of Trustees Village of Brookfield 8820 Brookfield Avenue Brookfield, IL 60513 Separate sealed BIDS for the construction of the Village of Brookfield’s 2024 Water Main Improvements will be received by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield at the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois up until the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 25, 2024, and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud.

“Any contract or contracts awarded under this invitation for bids are expected to be funded in part by a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA).

Neither the State of Illinois nor any of its departments, agencies, or employees is or will be a party to this invitation for bids or any resulting contract. The procurement will be subject to regulations contained in the Procedures for Issuing Loans from the Public Water Supply Loan Program (35IAC Part 662), the Davis-Bacon Act (40 USC 276a through 276a-5) as defined by the United States Department of Labor, the Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act (30 ILCS 570), Illinois Works Jobs Program Act (30 ILCS 559/20-1), and the federal “Build America, Buy America Act” requirements contained in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. No. 117-58.

This procurement is also subject to the loan recipient’s policy regarding the increased use of disadvantaged business enterprises. The loan recipient’s policy requires all bidders to undertake specified affirmative efforts at least sixteen (16) days prior to bid opening. The policy is contained in the specifications.

Bidders are also required to comply with the President’s Executive Order No. 11246, as amended.

The requirements for bidders and contractors under this order are explained in 41 CFR 60-4.”

The CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be examined at the following location: Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154 Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ehancock.com and a non-refundable fee of Thirty dollars ($30.00) will be required. All bidders wishing to obtain bidding documents must be approved by the Village prior to obtaining bidding documents. Proposals must be submitted on the forms provided and will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Thursday, April 4, 2024.

BY ORDER THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS Published in RB Landmark March 20, 13, 2024 2024

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