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Vol. 38, No. 15

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April 12, 2023

Also serving North Riverside

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North Riverside United sweeps village trustee election PAGE 3 Incumbents hold off challenge in Lyons Township D204 PAGE 5

Cannabis firm eyes Ogden Ave. building for dispensary Hearing on special use for vacant former medical office on April 27

By BOB UPHUES

Love thy neighbor?

As Holy Week approached, vandal spray painted rainbow symbols at LGBTQ+ welcoming church in Brookfield REPORT BY BOB UPHUES, PAGE 6

Editor

PROVIDED

A cannabis firm already working on plans for a cultivation center in Broadview and a dispensary downstate has submitted a special use application to the village of Brookfield to operate a cannabis dispensary in a vacant Ogden Avenue storefront.

The Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission later this month will conduct a public See CANNABIS on page 12

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The Landmark, April 12, 2023

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The Landmark, April 12, 2023

North Riverside United sweeps field in trustee race

Santucci tops field, Mandel out after one term in office

IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Four years ago, Marybelle Mandel cruised to her first term as a North Riverside trustee, besting a field of six candidates by a wide margin, a night so humbling to the VIP Party that it would collapse and disappear within a year.

But whatever connection Mandel had with voters in 2019, it appears to have vanished in 2023.

Updated unofficial vote totals with all four precincts reporting as of April 10 show that the VIP Party’s successor coalition, North Riverside United, swept all three trustee seats up for election.

Retired police officer Antonio “Tony” Santucci, in his first campaign for office, amassed 760 votes to lead the field, followed by his slate mates, incumbent Deborah Czajka (748) and fellow first-time candidate Nicholas Tricoci (676).

“I’m still in shock; The people have spoken, I guess,” said Santucci amid a throng of well-wishers at North Riverside United’s victory party at Tipster’s Village Pub. “I’ll do my best to help [residents] and do everything I can to keep this community great.”

Mandel topped her slate of three candidates, an apparent fourth-place finisher with 504 votes. Her running mates, Sandra Greicius and Joseph Maruska had amassed 460 and 407 votes, respectively, as of April 10.

Jose Del Angel, an independent who was making his first bid for elective office, had 248 votes. The Cook County Clerk will certify election results no later than April 25, so final vote totals may still change somewhat, but the margin of victory would appear to assure the result.

While the 2023 campaign was not as overheated as the mayoral election in 2021, where Mandel lost in a bid for the mayor’s position, it did contain plenty of negativity, particularly on social media, where Mandel supporters launched aggressive attacks

BOB UPHUES/Editor

Antonio “Tony” Santucci reacts to being the top vote-getter in a 7-way race for three seats on the North Riverside Village Board during the North Riverside United slate’s election night party at Tipster’s Village Pub on April 4. against North Riverside United candidates.

Mandel called repeatedly for a forensic audit of village finances and late in the campaign seized on the village’s water rates as an issue, saying she would advocate leaving the Brookfield-North Riverside Water Commission in favor of McCook, implying it would lower rates.

While her surrogates blasted North Riverside United and the village’s administration for a lack of transparency, Mandel and her running mates avoided being pinned down publicly on issues. No one from the slate, which ran under the Municipal Integrity Party banner, sat for formal interviews with the Landmark, while the rest of the field did.

The only person from the slate to appear at a public candidate forum hosted at the Village Commons by the Landmark on March 22 was Greicius. On the morning of the event, Mandel issued a press release claiming, without any evidence, that the newspaper would not be impartial and that her slate’s candidates would be heckled by a rowdy audience.

Attempts to reach Mandel for comment on the election results were not successful.

Czajka, the only VIP Party candidate elected in 2019, was ushered into her third

full term as trustee. She was initially appointed in 2013, replacing her ailing husband, Randall. She was elected to full terms in 2015 and 2019.

“We went to every door, whether they had a Mandel sign in front or not,” Czajka said.

“We were prepared to address every issue without slamming [opposing candidates]. I think we were just being honest.”

Tricoci, who sits on both the North Riverside Police Pension Board and the North Riverside Fire Pension Board, said he felt North Riverside United’s decision to run a positive campaign resonated with voters.

“We stated the facts and kept everything positive,” Tricoci said. “The village is headed in the right direction.”

Although he trailed the field, Del Angel said he wished the winners well and said he was glad to see Mandel defeated at the polls.

“If I was able to help knock out a counterproductive incumbent who didn’t contribute, if I was able to do that, that’s a win,” Del Angel said.

With independent trustee H. Bob Demopoulos choosing not to run for a fourth term, the election results mean a single party will occupy every seat on the North Riverside Village Board for the first time since 2011.

Editor Bob Uphues Staff Reporters Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com Publisher Dan Haley Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

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

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

A one-year subscription costs $41 within Cook County and $51 outside the county. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2023 Growing Community Media NFP.

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The Landmark, April 12, 2023

True Crime Club returns

Join the True Crime Club at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3514 Park Ave., as they host guest speakers Todd Ganz and Stephani Young from the “If Walls Could Talk” podcast, who are experts on the chilling history of now-demolished Edgewater Hospital, on April 19 at 7 p.m.

During their presentation “The Voice from the Grave,” they will lead the group TERESITA BASA through the true crime case of nurse Teresita Basa. Register to attend by calling 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or at brookfield.evanced.info/signup.

April 12-19

BIG WEEK Jewelry Show in North Riverside

North Riverside Parks & Rec invites the community to its firstever Jewelry Show, a free event featuring more than 30 vendors on April 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave. All of the jewelry is either handmade or new from a distributor.

Get your Mother’s Day shopping done early or just pick up something for yourself.

FLOS Landscape Workday

The Frederick Law Olmsted Society invites you to join them and volunteers from Riverside-Brookfield High School to spruce up Riverside’s greenspaces during the RBHS PTO Community Day/FLOS Landscape Workday on April 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Meet at Indian Gardens just east of the Scout Cabin at 380 Fairbank Road. From there, volunteers will be assigned projects throughout Indian Gardens, Guthrie Park, Patriots Parks and possibly other locations depending on turnout.

Come for as long as you like. Supervised children welcome. Service hour credits available. Bring work gloves and a bottle of water. All other supplies and snacks will be supplied. Look for the public works dump truck.

Hauser Orchestra spring concert

The music program at Hauser Junior High School in Riverside invites you to enjoy the Hauser Orchestra’s spring concert, which will be held in the Great Room of the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, on April 15 at 11 a.m.

The concert will feature both ensemble and solo performance by middle school students.

And more Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., presents “One Ends and Another Begins” featuring the work for Regin Igloria and “Over the Rainbow, One More Time,” featuring the work of Laura Kina through May 6. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.

There’s also “Everything Fades,” featuring the paintings of Natalie Shugailo at the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road in Riverside through June 30. The township hall is open Monday-Thurs■

day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit riversideartscenter.com for more.

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents After School Art Escape (child with adult) on April 13 at 4 p.m., Lego Club on April 14 at 4 p.m., Mixed Media Car Drop-in on April 15 at noon, Morning Munchkin Stories with Ms. Karen on April 17 at 10:30 a.m., Safari ABCs (child with adult, every other week in Spanish) on April 19 at 10:30 a.m. and Tai Chi with Age Options on April 19 at 2:30 p.m. Register for programs online at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new.

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Become a compost volunteer Join the volunteers at the Riverside Community Garden, 400 Nuttall Road (Ascension Lutheran Church), for a special session about their Community Compost Program on April 19 at 5 p.m.

While you’ll learn composting best practices, participants are invited to become compost volunteers by contributing kitchen scraps to the garden’s compost system from April through October.

It’s a great way to learn about composting, reduce household waste and help the garden provide fresh produce to the community. Event will be rescheduled in case of inclement weather.

Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., presents Fairytale Storytime on April 13 at 10:30 a.m., Register for Senior SNAP Benefits on April 13 at 1 p.m., Intro to Video Editing on April 13 at 7 p.m., Yoga Storytime (ages 2-5 with caregiver) on April 14 at 1 p.m., Maker Studio 101 on April 15 at 3 p.m., Chair Yoga (virtual) on April 17 at 11 a.m. and Storytime Stars (ages 2-3 with caregiver) on April 18 at 10:30 a.m. Call 708-485-6917 or visit online at brookfield.evanced.info/signup to register for programs.

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Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents Crafting at The Spot: Bad Art (ages 12+) on April 13 at 7 p.m., Ukulele Friday Outside Storytime on April 14 at 10 a.m., Mindfulness Together meditation on April 14 at 11 a.m., Mini-Movers Storytime (babies to age 3) on April 17 at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m. and Little Hands Activity Time (ages14) on April 18 at 9:30 a.m. To register for programs, visit online at riversidelibrary.org/events.

The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts its next bingo session on April 16. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games start at 2 p.m. with cash payouts.

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The Landmark, April 12, 2023

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Albores, Daniels, Dillon claim seats on the D204 school board Democratic Party-endorsed candidates win election campaign featuring outside partisan support

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Two incumbents and a second-time candidate who was unintentionally drawn into an alliance with them triumphed in the hotly contested Lyons Township High School District 204 school board race that had distinct ideological overtones.

The three candidates supported by the Democratic Party of Illinois -- Tim Albores and incumbent Jill Beda Daniels and school board President Kari Dillon -- won the three seats being contested on school board defeating challengers Frank Evans, Tim Vlcek and David Herndon in a race that drew unprecedented outside involvement.

The three winning candidates combined for 55.02% of the vote while the three candidates endorsed by conservative groups received 38.38% of the vote. Non-aligned candidate Justin Clark finished last with 6.61 percent of the vote.

“I’m over the moon proud of our community for showing up for this election, and I can’t wait to continue our work of the next four years,” Dillon said in a text message.

Albores, who finished last in the LTHS school board election just two years ago, went from last to first this time, receiving 7,256 votes to lead the field, according to updated unofficial vote totals posted by the Cook

County Clerk on April 10.

Daniels finished second with 7,170 votes and Dillon won the last seat up for election with 7,072 votes. Herndon, the most moderate of the conservative trio, finished fourth with 5,283 votes with Vlcek receiving 4,079 votes and Evans 4,634 votes. Clark trailed the field with 2,576 votes.

“I’m humbled by the support I’ve been given,” said Albores, a LaGrange Park resident who is a director of student services for Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202. “This was not Tim Albores getting elected; this was Tim Albores and a lot of people helping him.”

While Albores, Daniels and Dillon ran independent campaigns, they became something of a slate when they received the endorsements from the Democratic Party of Illinois, the LTHS teachers’ union and the state teachers’ union and a newly formed local group called Support Our School, which was created to support Dillon, Daniels and Albores.

One of the founders of Support Our School is Terrie Pickerill, a Democratic political consultant who lives in Western Springs.

Support Our School sent out mailers sup-

porting Albores, Daniels and Dillon and attacking Evans, Herndon and Vlcek. The group also bought and put up yard signs supporting Albores, Dillon and Daniels.

Albores said being linked to the incumbents and having outside groups support them helped.

Daniels said she was gratified to be elected to another term and thanked all those who supported her. She said that the community made its voice heard in the face of some strident opposition to the incumbents.

“I think the community heard us and understood what we were up against, and they wanted to make sure that their voices were heard,” Daniels said.

Herndon, Vlcek and Evans received a late endorsement from the controversial conservative group Awake Illinois. Herndon disavowed the endorsement and Vlcek and Evans said that they had no connection with Awake Illinois and did not seek their endorsement. Nevertheless, some voters were concerned about the link to Awake Illinois.

“I did not want to vote for the people being put up by the Awake group, absolutely not,” said Gail Petrenko, a retired high school Eng-

lish teacher who voted for Daniels, Dillon and Clark.

Vlcek, who attended a candidate training workshop co-sponsored by Awake Illinois and another conservative group, said that he accepted the election results.

“It’s OK, no sour grapes from me,” Vlcek said. “We did the best we could. The results are the results. I don’t know what else to say.”

A political action committee led by conservative activist and radio talk show host Dan Proft paid for a mailer that supported Evans, Herndon and Vlcek. Proft, who co-hosts a radio show on WIND-AM now lives in Florida, although he ran for governor of Illinois in 2010 and has spent most of his life in Illinois.

Peter Rijks, who voted for Albores, Daniels and Dillon, did not think that someone who lives in Florida should have become involved in a local school board race.

“If he wants to stay involved in local politics, he should stay here,” Rijks said.

Albores deplored the divisiveness of the campaign can end and said that he hopes the LTHS community can come together.

“I really, really hope that we can get back to being a civil society that knows how to disagree respectfully,” Albores said. “There was a lot of ugliness in this campaign that made me sad and I’m hoping that we can come back together with very similar interests in making LT great.”

Brookfield resident tops field in race for D102 school board Molly Knott an easy winner, incumbent Bessie Boyd loses re-election bid

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A Brookfield resident and former teacher at Congress Park School was the runaway winner in the race for four seats on the LaGrange-Brookfield Elementary School District 102 Board of Education.

Updated unofficial vote totals from the Cook County Clerk on April 10 showed that Molly Knott led the six-candidate field with 3,189 votes. The others elected were LaGrange residents Catherine Murphy (2,756), incumbent Tiziana Lambert (2,713) and Kathryn McQuiston (2,624).

Incumbent Bessie Boyd, a retired elementary school principal who has deep ties to the district as a longtime LaGrange resident and Congress Park School graduate, was defeated in her run for a second term, finishing 219 votes behind McQuiston with 2,405 votes as of April 10.

First-time candidate Therese O’Sullivan, who did not participate in an online public forum hosted by the League of Women Voters and did not fill out a candidate questionnaire for the Landmark, finished last with 1,289 votes.

Boyd, 68, the only Black member of the school board, said she was at peace

with losing her bid for a second four-year term.

“My belief is that wherever God wants me to be is where I’m going to be,” Boyd said. “I did my four years and I believe I did a great service to the community, and when your time is up your time is up.”

Boyd said she intends to remain active in school district matters.

“I will continue to work in the community,” Boyd said. “I will continue to advocate for students and parents.”

Knott, who now teaches science at an elementary school in Berwyn, will be the third member of the District 102 school

board from Brookfield, joining school board President Michael Melendez and board member Ed Campbell.

Knott taught for seven years at Congress Park School in Brookfield and two years at Cossitt School in LaGrange before taking a job in Berwyn Elementary School District 100.

During the campaign she said that she could bring a different perspective to the school board as a former teacher in the district as well as the mother of two children who went through District 102 schools.

Bob Skolnik contributed to this report.

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The Landmark, April 12, 2023

Brookfield church serving LGBTQ+ community vandalized Rainbow pride symbols overpainted in second homophobic incident in past 6 months

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.”

The flyer also had been posted on the doors of at least two churches in LaGrange, according to Brookfield police, and Holy Covenant’s pastor, the Rev. Martha Daniels

By BOB UPHUES said the flyer cast a pall.

Editor “Since we had the flyers put up in the For the second time in the past six fall, I no longer stay here by myself after months, Holy Covenant Metropolitan Com- dark,” said Daniels during an interview at munity Church, 9145 Grant Ave. in Brook- the church last week.

While the church does have a Ring doorfield, has been targeted by those opposed to the congregation’s inclusive philosophy, bell on the back entrance of the church, it did not activate for either incident, and neiwhich embraces the LGBTQ+ community.

In the more recent incident, which oc- ther incident was captured by security camcurred overnight on March 30-31, someone eras elsewhere in the neighborhood, accordused blue spray paint to deface a sign in the ing to police.

In the wake of the front stairs and door Maple Avenue side yard and the front stairs being vandalized, Daniels and door of the church. said a security camera is beThe person who defaced ing installed at the front of the property specifically took the property and she’s looking pains to overpaint symbols at putting another security identifying Holy Covenant as camera toward the rear of the a church welcoming to the LGproperty.

BTQ+ community. The front The incidents, which clearly stair risers had been painted targeted the church’s mission about two years ago to create to serve the LGBTQ+ commua rainbow of colors leading REV. MARTHA DANIELS nity, have also led to Daniels to the front door, where the Pastor, Holy Covenant Church giving tips to church ushers to rainbow reference was again keep the alert for any potential repeated. threats on Sundays when the The sign in the side yard church hosts services. had featured a stylized rain“It’s a tough balance bebow cross. The vandal spray tween being welcoming and painted over that cross and being safe,” Daniels said. then painted on blue crosses In the wake of the vandalism, the head of on either side of where the rainbow cross the Metropolitan Community Church worldhad been.

Last October, someone left a laser-print- wide, the Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, deed flyer on the church doors calling the cried the vandalism, but reinforced Daniels’ church’s teachings “an ABOMINATION to message, which she posted to the Brookfield God” and stating, “homosexuality is a SIN Connections Facebook community group last week, that the church would not be inand has no place in the body of Christ!”

The flyer wrapped up with what could timidated.

“It is profoundly sad that someone would be construed as a veiled threat, offered as a take the time and effort to deface the steps “message” from Jesus, quoting the Book of and sign of Holy Covenant MCC -- a place Mark in the New Testament:

“I no longer stay here by myself after dark.”

BOB UPHUES/Editor

The Rev. Martha Daniels, pastor of Holy Covenant Church in Brookfield, says congregation members will repaint the vandalized front steps and door sometime this spring.

It’s the second time the church, which serves a predominantly LGBTQ+ congregation, has been targeted by homophobes. where all God’s people are welcome to worship,” Eggleston said in an email sent April 7. “Scripture tells us that the rainbow is a sign of the relationship between God and all creation, including all God’s people. I know that this damage will simply strengthen the resolve of Rev. Martha Daniels and the congregation of Holy Covenant MCC to bring hope, joy and justice to the community that they serve.”

Brookfield Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla said that detectives have canvassed the neighborhood for any witnesses and security camera video, but those efforts haven’t resulted in anything of value, and police said they don’t know if the October and March incidents are related or whether the same person is responsible.

“We’re still working to identify a suspect,” Kuruvilla said. “Until we do that, I can’t definitively state anything.”

Brookfield police have placed a special watch on the church property, Kuruvilla confirmed, with officers patrolling that neighborhood more often.

If police do end up making an arrest in the vandalism case, Kuruvilla said he would refer it to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to see whether it might be classified as a hate crime.

“We would ask the state’s attorney to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” Kuruvilla said.

The front stairs and door will be repainted sometime in the next month or so as the weather improves, said Daniels, and the sign for the side yard will be replaced.

In the meantime, Daniels said the church has received an outpouring of support from well-wishers online, many of whom have volunteered to help restore the rainbow paint scheme to the front entryway. Others have donated money to the congregation.

Holy Covenant MCC has occupied the modest white frame church at the corner of Grant and Maple avenues since 2001 and serves a small congregation of principally LGBTQ+ members but is open to anyone.

Active members range in age from teens to older adults and hail from places as far away as Aurora and Hoffman Estates.

Daniels, an Indiana native, has been pastor at Holy Covenant for nearly seven years, returning to her Midwestern roots after leading an MCC congregation in Windsor, Ontario for 11 years.

Around 2010, as issues such as gay marriage began to rapidly mainstream, Daniels said she and other MCC and other welcoming church leaders wondered if such congregations would continue to be needed.

“There was a lot of conversation … of what are going to do? Is there still work for us to do or are we winding things up?” she said. “And we soon found out that, no, we are still needed.”

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

The Landmark, April 12, 2023

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North Riverside police arrest alleged package thief A 33-year-old Clarendon Hills woman faces a misdemeanor theft charge after police arrested her for allegedly taking a package from a building in the 2200 block of 17th Avenue on April 5 at about 3:35 p.m.

Police responded to the scene after someone called 911 to report a suspicious person hiding in a gangway between two buildings. The witness pointed police in the direction of a woman walking northbound on 17th Avenue.

Officers stopped the woman, who reportedly had placed the package in front of a building before being detained. She reportedly admitted having taken the package, which contained an air freshener set and a Dutch oven.

Doorbell camera video reportedly captured the woman in the gangway between the two buildings where the alleged theft occurred.

Police later located a damaged tree near the property where the fight occurred.

They also recovered two open beer cans from the truck’s center console. The driver did not want to pursue charges against two other men involved in the fight, according to police.

Kia stolen from North Riverside

A 61-year-old Lyons man called North Riverside police on April 3 at about 2:45 p.m. after someone stole credit cards and gift cards from his wallet, which he left in the center console of his unlocked vehicle while he went into the BP gas station minimart at 2558 Desplaines Ave. Security video from the business showed a man exiting a gray sedan and entering the victim’s vehicle. As he ransacked the interior the gray sedan is seen leaving the scene and the offender is then seen running in that direction away from the gas station.

North Riverside police recovered one stolen vehicle while another was able to flee police after a resident called to report suspicious red Kia and blue Kia circling the 2500 block of Keystone Avenue on April 6 at about 7:15 a.m.

Police located a blue Kia driving westbound on Village Commons Drive and tried to block it from exiting onto Desplaines Avenue. The vehicle drove onto the grass parkway around police and sped off northbound in the southbound lanes of Desplaines Avenue at a high rate of speed. Police terminated the pursuit near Roosevelt Road.

The blue Kia’s license plates registered to a North Riverside address, where officers found evidence that one of the vehicle’s windows had been broken to gain entry.

They also reported locating a red Kia, which had Nebraska license plates, abandoned in the rear parking lot of a building in the 2500 block of Desplaines Avenue. It had a broken rear window and its steering column had been peeled. According to police, the vehicle had been stolen within the prior two days in Chicago.

DUI charge follows fight

Mystery colostomy bags

Riverside police charged a 20-year-old Waukegan man with driving under the influence of alcohol and damage to village property after he allegedly backed his pickup truck into a tree in the 200 block of East Burlington Street while fleeing a party where some of his comments angered others, sparking a fight, on April 1 at 3:45 a.m.

When police arrived at the scene, those involved in the fight had left the area, but an officer on patrol located the pickup truck and pulled it over near South Cowley Road and East Quincy Street.

The truck’s rear passenger window was broken out, with glass inside the cab. The driver was also bleeding from his face and the truck had fresh scrapes and a broken mirror as if it had struck something.

Brookfield police responded to the 9000 block of Sahler Avenue on the morning of April 4 after someone called to complain about finding two colostomy bags on the pavement of his driveway.

According to police, the resident said colostomy bags appearing on his driveway is an ongoing problem and he wanted it documented.

Theft from vehicle

Aggravated speeding Riverside police charged a woman with misdemeanor aggravated speeding after an office on patrol reported clocking her vehicle traveling at 83 mph in a 35-mph zone while southbound on First Avenue from Ridgewood Road on April 1 at about

12:50 a.m.

The officer, who was driving northbound, made a U-turn and caught up with the white Lincoln at Ogden Avenue, where the woman reportedly drove through a red light before pulling over near 43rd Street.

While police say the woman had admitted to drinking alcohol prior to driving, she reportedly did not appear to be intoxicated.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, April 1-9, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

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PEOPLE WITHOUT A FILING REQUIREMENT MAY MISS OUT ON A REFUND IF THEY DON’T FILE A 2022 TAX RETURN

S

ome people may choose not to file a tax return because they didn’t earn enough money to be required to file but may miss getting a refund if they don’t file. While the filing deadline is the middle of October to file 2022 tax returns, the IRS strongly encourages individuals to consider filing sooner, rather than later, especially if they’re due a refund.

In most cases, income, filing status and age determine if a taxpayer must file a tax return.

Other rules may apply if the taxpayer is selfemployed or can be claimed as a dependent of someone else. The Interactive Tax Assistant can help people determine if they need to file a tax return.

Look at tax withheld or paid. Excess tax withholdings are only returned in the form of a refund when someone files a tax return. This can affect students and part-time workers

where the tax withheld from their wages is at a rate that is too high. Seniors and retirees who make estimated tax payments or have money withheld from their retirement fund and Social Security disbursements may also be eligible for a refund.

Individuals who answer yes to any of these questions, may be due a refund and must file a tax return to get their money.

• Did the taxpayer’s employer withhold federal income tax from their pay?

• Did the taxpayer make estimated tax payments during the tax year?

• Did they overpay last year on their taxes and have it applied to their 2022 tax?

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8

The Landmark, April 12, 2023

4 incumbents, 1 newcomer win election to D208 school board Incumbent school board president tops field in race for 4-year terms

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Three incumbents have been re-elected to another four years on the RiversideBrookfield High School District 208 Board of Education, with a first-time candidate from North Riverside also winning election, according to unofficial election results from the Cook County Clerk’s Office.

When updated vote totals were released by the Cook County Clerk on the afternoon of April 10, school board President Deanna Zalas, of Riverside, had edged ahead of North Riverside resident Nicholas Novak, who led by less than 20 votes on election night.

As of April 10, Zalas had 2,197 votes to Novak’s vote total of 2,181.

“I think it shows people appreciate the direction RB is going and how we’ve grown out of the pandemic and how we’ve charted our goals and agenda moving forward,” said Zalas.

That Zalas surpassed him in the days following April didn’t diminish Novak’s accomplishment. It’s Novak’s first attempt at winning elective office Novak, and even

with updated totals on April 10, he appears to have finished comfortably ahead of two others elected to the board.

“I look forward to the opportunity. I’m thrilled the people elected me and have the faith I’ll do right by the school,” said Novak.

Also elected to fill the four four-year terms up for election were incumbent school board members William Durkin (2,073 votes) and Laura Hruska (1,844).

Trailing the field was first-time candidate Kenyon Duner, of Brookfield, who had amassed 1,636 votes, unofficially.

While poor weather during the middle of the day on April 4 may have depressed voter turnout somewhat, the lack of contested municipal elections in both Riverside and Brookfield also played a part.

In Brookfield voter turnout was about 12%, while in Riverside it was an abysmal 10.3%. In North Riverside, where there was a contested election for village trustee, turnout was noticeably higher at 26%.

As a result, voter turnout for the seats on the District 208 Board of Education was just 15% -- a very low result for a contested election in the district. That’s even lower than the 16% turnout in 2021, when there

were also uncontested municipal races in Brookfield and Riverside.

“The contested race in North Riverside really helped,” said Novak, who added that both Zalas and Durkin both reached out to congratulate him on election night.

In 2019, when Brookfield had its last contested municipal election, turnout for the RBHS school board race was 20.7%. The last time all three municipalities had contested municipal elections, in 2009, voter turnout for the RBHS school board race was 37.5%.

“You’d like to see more people engaged in these decisions,” said Zalas of the turnout.

“That’s challenging, and there are some lessons the board can take from that. We need to better communicate out what we’re doing and get greater civic engagement down the road.”

Lach secures 2-year term In the race for one two-year term on the District 208 school board, a battle between appointed incumbents, North Riverside resident Carolyn Lach was a comfortable winner with 1,654 votes compared to Michael Welch’s total of 1,180.

“It’s a honor and privilege to be elected

against Michael Welch. I liked working with him,” Lach said.

About the contested election in North Riverside, she said, it “got the people out.”

The North Riverside turnout in the past two elections also has resulted in North Riverside having three residents on the RBHS school board, Hruska, a Brookfield resident, won election to her fifth term on the District 208 school board, while Zalas and Durkin will be sworn in for their second terms after votes are certified by the Cook County Clerk later this month.

Riverside-Brookfield High School’s Board of Education is expected to seat the newly elected members at their meeting on May 9.

Novak, who grew up in Forest Park and is a relative newcomer, having moved to North Riverside in 2016, has had two sons graduate from RBHS and a daughter who will enroll there while he’s serving his first term.

Lach is new to the RBHS school board, having been appointed to fill a vacancy just six months ago, but she’s no stranger to the position. Lach had served on the Komarek School District 94 Board of Education from 2015 to 2021.

Welch, a former D208 board president who was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2021, had indicated that even if he was elected in 2023, it would be his last race.

Final seat on Brookfield Library Board still too close to call lead had grown to 17 votes – still as of April 10. fall I felt it was time to put my own words 17 votes separate two Mihelic’s Finishing second and third, within 11 into action.” too close to call with official certification later this month – but it was trend- votes of one another as of April 10, were Kampschroeder, who was elected to her candidates as of April 10 pending first-time candidate Mitzi Norton (1,071 third full term, was first appointed to the ing in his favor.

By BOB UPHUES Editor

As election night came to a close on April 4, J. Edgar Mihelic, an incumbent seeking re-election to the Brookfield Public Library Board of Trustees, was ahead of first-time candidate Karl Olson in the race for the fourth and final seat up for grabs.

By one vote.

A full week later, with mail-in votes being tallied slowly by the Cook County Clerk,

“You know what they say about chickens and eggs hatching,” said Mihelic when asked if he felt confident he would pull off his re-election. “No matter who wins, the library as an institution will be very well served. All who ran believe in the mission of the library.”

Winners of the three other four-year terms up for election are not in doubt, despite votes still being counted. Jennifer Paliatka, a first-time candidate who works as a librarian at Elmhurst College, appears to have grabbed the top spot with 1,135 votes

votes) and incumbent Linda Kampschroeder (1,060).

Norton, who is the manager of executive administration at NielsenIQ, is co-founder of the progressive group Indivisible Brookfield. She participated in the library’s strategic planning listening sessions and felt this was the right time to take a more active role in local governance.

“Being involved with Indivisible Brookfield, I’ve talked to our members about the importance of not just the work we do, but of running for office,” Norton said. “Last

library board in 2014, before being elected to full four-year terms in 2015 and 2019.

She has served in the past as the library board’s president and is one the board’s long-range planning committee.

“I’m so thrilled to know the [new] library [building] and campus turned out so well,” said Kampschroeder, who was on the board during its long campaign to get a new facility constructed. “We have a facility that now will match the programs and other things we want to do moving forward.”

The Landmark, April 12, 2023

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10

The Landmark, April 12, 2023

Sponsored by Riverside Township

Saturday, April 22nd

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Riverside Masonic Lodge parking lot 40 Forest Avenue, Riverside

Exhibition features fantastical paper mache ‘alebrijes’

This FREE event is only for Riverside Township residents and only for personal, confidential documents. No business shredding, magazines, or junk mail. Each household is restricted to no more than 3 boxes of paper.

By KELLY POLLOCK

Your documents will be securely destroyed on site by American Mobile Shredding and Recycling.

Contributing Reporter

As always, this will be a contactless, drive-up event. No need to get out of your car; place the documents in your trunk, follow the signs at the event and then simply pop the trunk. We will remove the documents from your vehicle and shred them for you.

Please bring a non-perishable, unexpired food item to donate to the Riverside Township Food Pantry!

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When Jeanne Heller, director of marketing for North Riverside Park Mall, saw the “Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World” exhibition at Cantigny Park in Wheaton last year, she fell in love with the pieces and immediately reached out to Fernando Ramirez, president and founder of the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage who sponsored the exhibition.

“I was standing in front of them thinking, ‘These would be really cool in a mall,’” she said.

That vision has come to life with “Cartoneria: The Mexican Tradition of Paper Mache,” an exhibition that runs through May 7 at the mall, 7501 Cermak Road in North Riverside.

After several months outside at the park, the pieces were all in poor condition. Ramirez explained that the mall wouldn’t be getting a finished exhibition but could be part of the restoration process.

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volve the community,” said Heller. “Thirty-five to 40 percent of our guests are Hispanic and speak Spanish. To have these Spanish-speaking artists from Mexico City onsite and able to speak with guests has been incredible.”

Volunteers were invited to help on five consecutive Saturdays in February and March with work on Jonas the whale, one of nine alebrijes monumentales at the mall.

Alebrijes are imaginary creatures that are made up of parts from different animals and have components of the four classical elements: earth, water, air and fire. They date to the 1930s when Pedro Linares fell into a fever and had a vivid dream where he saw creatures calling out to him saying, “Alebrijes!”

When he awoke, he used his skills as a cartonero, someone who works with paper and paste, to recreate what he had dreamt.

Because the creatures in his dream were “ugly and terrifying” he painted them in bright colors and vivid patterns to make them less scary.

The mall exhibit also includes 11 tones or spirit animals which are smaller and resemble normal animals except for their colors and patterns.

Of the original six artists who participated in the Cantigny exhibition, three have returned from Mexico to take part in

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The Landmark, April 12, 2023

TODD A BANNOR

Artist Perla Miriam Salgado Zamorano works on an ‘alebrije’ for the Mexican Cartoneria folk art exhibition at North Riverside Park Mall on March 25. the mall exhibition where each has three alebrijes on display.

Alejandro Camacho Barrera and Perla Miriam Salgado Zamorano are a husband-wife team of toymakers who started making alebrijes in 2010. That year, they

participated in the annual “La Noche de los Alebrijes” parade sponsored by the Museum of Popular Art in Mexico City and won first prize.

Salgado described herself as “an artisan at heart” and credits her husband

with teaching her their trade.

“We help people understand Mexican culture through our toys,” she said.

Camacho is part of the third-generation in his family to make things from wood.

His grandfather worked on the boats on the canals in Xochimilco, a borough of Mexico City, and his father was a carpenter.

“When I was a child, there were always tools and materials at home, so I learned how to use them,” he said.

He described his pieces as being like a metaphor for humanity: different parts coming together to make a whole.

Artist Edgar Israel Camargo Reyes discovered alebrijes at the Sonora Market in Mexico City when he was a child. He soon found a teacher who taught him the cartonería process.

He later attended the National Institute of Fine Arts majoring in ceramics and sculpture. Camargo gets inspiration for his alebrijes from nature, especially patterns that occur on fish and insects.

At first, he was nervous about the language barrier when working with the community volunteers last month, but then he enjoyed the process of teaching others again after not having been able to because of the pandemic.

“People were eager and excited to help out and learn,” he said.

Camargo never expected to be able to make a living as an artist, much less gain national recognition and be able to travel to different countries.

“It’s surreal,” he said.

The process of making the alebrijes can take six to 12 weeks. It starts with a boceto (a sketch) and then a maqueta (a mockup). A steel skeleton is welded together and then chicken wire and Styrofoam are used to give the alebrije shape.

Finally, eight to 20 layers of paper and paste are used to cover the form before it is painted. At the mall, the artists are using thicker paper and an acrylic-based paste to shorten the process.

The alebrijes and spirit animals at the mall are all going on to permanent installations elsewhere when the exhibition closes.

“Their first life was at Cantigny, their reincarnation is at the mall, and their second life will follow,” said Ramirez.

“Cartoneria: The Mexican Tradition of Paper Mache” runs through May 7 at North Riverside Park Mall.

Visit northriversideparkmall.com/ alebrijes for more information.

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12

The Landmark, April 12, 2023

CANNABIS

Needs village approval from page 1 hearing on the application by The 1937 Group Ltd. to run a dispensary out of the building at 8863 Ogden Ave., which most recently housed a medical office but is probably best known locally as the former home of Bambino’s restaurant.

The hearing will be on April 27 at 7 p.m. in the council chamber of the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. In 2019, the Brookfield Village Board approved an ordinance allowing recreationaluse cannabis dispensaries as special uses in the village’s commercial and industrial districts.

Special use applications trigger a hearing process where members of the public can provide comment before the Planning and Zoning Commission, which is tasked with making a recommendation either in favor or against granting the special use. The commission may also choose to impose conditions on the permit.

However, the village board will have the fi-

nal say on whether or not to grant a special use permit for the dispensary. The soonest such a vote might be before the board looks to be late May, although it could come in June.

According to The 1937 Group’s website, its chairman and CEO is Ambrose Jackson, a longtime healthcare administrator. Jackson applied for and was granted licenses in Illinois to cultivate, sell and transport cannabis, and within the past month opened a cultivation center in Broadview and a dispensary in downstate Tilton, near Danville.

The company takes its name, according to the website, from the federal Marijuana Act of 1937 which was “fueled by widespread racial discrimination -- leading to the weaponization of the cannabis plant against Mexican Americans and Blacks.”

A summary of the company’s plan for the Brookfield location, which was included with its special use application, also states that The 1937 Group’s chief legal counsel is a Brookfield resident.

The company’s website identifies that person as Sonia Antolec, whose signature appears on the special use permit application.

Antolec was appointed a part-time judge on the Illinois Court of Claims by Gov. J.B Pritzker in 2021.

She previously was director of policy for

The Mom Project and director of legal hiring for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Antolec said The 1937 Group’s goal is to obtain the maximum 10 licenses allowed in Illinois and build a company able to compete with larger multi-state operators, or MSOs, as they are known in the cannabis business.

“Ours plans are to be a disruptor for MSOs ... and be a one-of-a-kind social equity MSO,” Antolec said.

Plans on file with the village indicate that The 1937 Project intends to buy the property if its application is granted, completely renovate the existing office building at the southeast corner of Prairie and Ogden avenues and demolish the single-family home at the rear of the property.

“It’s such a great location, considering the towns west of us are not opting in [to allow cannabis dispensaries],” said Antolec in a phone interview.

The parking lot would be expanded to provide 22 spaces, and the southwest corner of the lot would be landscaped, including new trees. A new curb would run along the rear lot line to block vehicular access between the alley and the parking lot.

According to the application, a new curb cut is proposed to provide entry/exit into the rear portion of parking lot from Prairie Ave-

nue. The company would like to eliminate the existing curb cut on Ogden Avenue allowing access to the parking lot.

The Illinois Department of Transportation would have to sign off on removing that curb cut, since Ogden Avenue is a state highway.

The interior of the vacant commercial building would be converted into a retail sales space, with the main entrance on the east side of the building, opening into a controlled vestibule/ID check area. An interior door leads to a 358-square-foot retail space.

The exterior of the building will be coated with stucco and articulated by diagonally placed decorative wood battens, according to the plans, and a window opening on the west side will be filled in to create a large space for a mural.

A steel canopy will wrap around the east and north sides of the building and new parapet walls on the east, north and south facades will screen rooftop mechanical units. The existing pole sign along the Ogden Avenue frontage would be removed in favor of a pylon sign.

If the planning and zoning approval process turns out to be a smooth one, Antolec said the company would like to open the dispensary’s doors in “no more than a few months.”

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Opinion

The Landmark, April 12, 2023

13

THE LANDMARK VIEW

KOSEY CORNER

Lessons learned

Brother, can you spare some tech support?

W

hat lessons can we take away from the 2023 local elections? Actually, there are a few that spring readily to mind.

First off, your vote really does matter. When the dust settled on election night, two candidates vying for the fourth and final seat on the Brookfield Public Library Board of Trustees were separated by just one vote.

As mail-in vote counting dribbled in over the next week, that margin increased to four votes and then, on April 10, to 17 votes.

There are likely still a few more mail-in votes to count, so that race is still too close to call. When it’s all said and done, it’s likely the margin of victory in that race will be around two dozen votes.

The second takeaway is that when you don’t have contested races for municipal offices, no one bothers to turn out to vote – and that has a knock-on effect on races connected to those municipalities, particularly school board races, that are contested.

Voter turnout in Riverside for the past two local elections has been mired in the 10% range, while Brookfield’s has had a tough time breaking 15%.

In school board and library board elections, where elsewhere in the nation very different visions for public education are locked in an existential struggle, low turnouts can lead to some very alarming results.

In Lyons Township High School District 204, there was for the first time active, unsolicited partisan activity in a non-partisan school board election. The more organized activity came from the Democratic Party of Illinois and a local group with ties to a wellknown Democratic strategist.

That message appears to have motivated those voters, who re-elected two incumbents who because of a poorly timed and clumsily rolled out land sale proposal were really on the ropes earlier this year.

After the school board shelved the land sale, somewhat defusing a volatile campaign issue, focus turned to education policy and the partisan messaging that fueled it. Despite a lot of heat online and in social media, voter turnout in the D204 race was about 27%.

So, 73% of registered voters simply rolled the dice and hoped for the best for the high school district to which a huge chunk of their property tax bills goes.

In the contested race for the North Riverside village board, where since 2015 turnout has never been lower than 36%, voter turnout in 2023 was 26%.

That’s in line with other contested races, like LTHS’, but turnout likely wasn’t helped by one entirely negative campaign led by an incumbent who called her opponents liars and failed to show up for a candidate forum, implying her neighbors couldn’t behave themselves.

If Donald Trump taught the nation anything, it’s that you might be able to get away with that act once, but it grows tiresome and shallow very quickly.

H

i all. Well, here I am attempting to write my column on my new Chromebook. I have heard it’s easy to learn how to use, but I think they are referring to an 8-year-old and not an 80-year-old. Daughter Tina has patiently been walking me through things in person and by phone.

So, here I am staring at this machine whose purpose is making my life easier, which I supposed will happen in time. I have started this particular column quite a few times due to errors on my part.

I am used to working with a mouse, which kept my right hand busy and my left just there but in no trouble. Now it seems my left hand is touching something on the keyboard and I either lose everything or other things pop up on the screen. I keep looking around for that smart 8-year-old, but there isn’t one here at the Woodlands, although I have been told if I ask anybody, they will know what to do.

My first attempt proved wrong, of course, since I asked during the night and the aide was less than enthusiastic. Then Nurse Dana appeared on the scene,

dropping off the morning pills and noticing my Chromebook. She would be one to ask, but she is always on the run.

Roy and George would help but they are busy with rehab, maybe after hours or if they are not getting us busy with group therapy, which is fun. We work with weights and dumbbells, the weighted kind, not people.

You may have realized or heard that I am receiving rehab to continue to get stronger.

I am also being treated for something else, which I am told is treatable, which is good news to me.

I am still at Cantata in the Woodlands section. I have a studio apartment, but one-bedroom apartments are also available. I will keep you in the loop as to what is happening.

What’s fun is how many people have said they didn’t see their names in the column, I will do my best. If your name is omitted, don’t take it personally, just let me know.

Can’t forget Margaret, Billy, MaryAnn and Cindy (my angels), Chyann, Sergio, Adam, Julie, Meghan, Lisa Capone and Dan Urban – they are among the many who have been helping get me back and running.

Thanks, Skylar, for helping me with this.

JOANNE KOSEY

LETTERS

North Riverside should rotate auditors Rotating auditors is sound practice and can protect taxpayers from potential corruption and abuse. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), a membership organization that represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada, recommends governments complete a full-scale competitive search for the selection of independent auditors, rotate auditors every five years, and replace engagement partners and senior managers if rotation is not possible.

Two years ago, North Riverside took a big step in securing the confidence of its residents and maintain-

ing governmental transparency by hiring a finance director with extensive experience in municipal finance.

However, for the last 17 years, North Riverside has engaged the same auditing firm, even though there are at least three other firms with extensive experience auditing municipal governments in our region.

Further, the current village administrator for the last two years served as the North Riverside’s finance director for approximately 20 years.

We need a fresh perspective.

I urge the leaders of the village of North Riverside to follow GFOA recommendations to rotate audit firms and to alternate senior managers to participate in the audit process.

Caroline Teter

North Riverside

14

The Landmark, April 12, 2023

OBITUARIES

John A. Dunlop, 83 Retired LaGrange Park police chief John A. Dunlop, 83, a longtime former resident of Riverside and retired police chief of LaGrange Park, died March 31, 2023.

Mr. Dunlop was born July 2, 1939 and most recently was a resident of Indian Head Park and Fort Myers, Florida.

After serving one year with the Illinois State Police, Mr. Dunlop served the village of LaGrange Park and the residents from 1961 until his retirement in 1995. He served on many boards and committees, particularly during his eight years as police chief, working to improve the lives of those in the LaGrange Park community.

He was always looked up to in the village and throughout law enforcement and had received numerous awards and commendations for his service. He enjoyed taking his motorcycle for a ride, including as a member of the Blue Knights, travelling with Donna, and visiting the shores of Lake Michigan near Mackinac Island.

Mr. Dunlop is survived by his wife Donna (nee Prucha); his daughter, Laura (John) Buckley; his grandsons, John Richard Buckley (Christen Wesley) and Michael Andrew Buckley (Shuyan Zheng); two great-grandchildren, John Lucas and Eva Magdalena Wesley Buckley; his sister, Lenore (Herb) Lawrence; his niece Elizabeth Retke and nephew David (Dini) Lawrence.

He is also survived by Donna’s children, Brian Dohney, Cory (Jimmy) Guttillo and the late Robert Dohney. He was

Grandpa John to their children, Savanah, Alexis, Dakota, Kaylee, Sierra, Jimmy, Jake and Shyanne.

Mr. Dunlop in death by his father, Andrew Patterson Dunlop, his mother, Beatrice (nee Jedlin) and his brother, James Douglas Dunlop.

Service and burial are private.

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

Helene Fitzsimmons, 72 Former Brookfield Zoo CFO Helene Fitzsimmons (nee Bralles), 72, a longtime resident of North Riverside, died April 1, 2023.

Ms. Fitzsimmons was born Aug. 31, 1950 and was a former valued employee of the Brookfield Zoo in the capacity of CFO. She enjoyed movies, plays, music concerts, family gatherings, outings of all kinds – especially to the casino.

She was the dearly beloved wife of the late Harold; the daughter of the late Dan and the late Connie Bralles; the cousin of Mary Lou Jacobs, Giene Maloney, Lynn Creedon and Liz Krage; and a step mother to Mary Wilson, Greg Fitzsimmons and Liz Natale. She was also a special friend to Rich Hennessey, Peggy Devlin, Jennifer Schroeder and Ann Petric.

Friends and family will gather for a memorial visitation on Friday, April 14 from noon to 2 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 Cermak Road, Forest Park In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helene’s memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Illinois, alz.org/

illinois.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnchicago.com.

Dick Klang, 86 Brookfielder was Army veteran Dick “Swede” Klang, 86, of Brookfield, died April 4, 2023.

Mr. Klang served as a military police officer in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves and National Guard. He worked as a machinist for a manufacturing company prior to retiring.

Mr. Klang was the husband of Joy Klang (nee Nagl); the brother of Carl (Edda) Klang and Linda-Lou (Bob) Rompala; and the brother-in-law of Danny (Jolene) Nagl, the late Terry R. (Marge) Nagl and Bobby Lee Nagl.

Services have been held. Interment is at Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery, Oakbrook Terrace.

Memorials are appreciated to the Brookfield Joshua Harris VFW Post 2868, 8844 Ogden Ave., Brookfield, 60513 or St. Barbara Food Pantry, 4008 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, 60513 or St. Croix Hospice, 665 W. North Ave. Suite 100, Lombard, 60148.

Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Express condolences online at HitzemanFuneral.com.

Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Dick “Swede” Klang family.

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Sports

The Landmark, April 12, 2023

15

RBHS girls race to 4th place at Bulldog Relays

Kahle battles through pain to take 2nd in long jump

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Despite chronic pain, senior Quinn Kahle can smile again about competing the maximum four events in meets for the Riverside-Brookfield High School girls track and field team.

“I think it’s more fun because you’re just doing as much as you can to help,” Kahle said.

Kahle not only has returned from being diagnosed with three cracks in her spine as a junior. She was among the top performers April 8 at the 42nd annual Bulldog Relays.

The RBHS girls finished fourth in varsity events and fourth in the combined score.

Kahle was most excited about her second-place long jump of 4.82 meters/15 feet, 9.75 inches, her longest by 6.25 inches.

“When it’s nice out and stuff, I think it’s a good time to [get personal records]. If I keep improving, that’s all I want,” Kahle said.

Seniors Bryce Pacourek (1,600-meter run in 5:33.09) and Ava Connerty (100 high hurdles in 17.13) were event champions.

Connerty tied the school-record time even with a far-from-perfect race. Her third-place 51.35 in the 300 low hurdles was a personal best.

“I’ve been wanting to break [the 100 hurdles record] since my sophomore year and I’m so excited I matched it,” Connerty said.

“The last few hurdles I messed up. I had a few extra steps so I’m excited to see what’ll happen when I fully get my steps down.”

Kahle also was third in triple jump (9.56m/31-4.25) and fourth in the 100 (13.69) and with Jenny Thomas, Jojo Rodriguez and Alexandra Dominguez in the varsity 400 relay (54.02).

Kahle was an all-conference high jumper as a sophomore and usually competed three field events and one running event.

Kahle said her spine injury occurred from

overuse competing high jump and pole vault while also training for club gymnastics.

“I think I have a pretty good pain tolerance. I kind of assumed my back hurts like everyone else’s and I didn’t say much about it until it got to the point when I couldn’t walk,” Kahle said.

Kahle returned to track action late last April but only as a runner and no field events. She continued with long jump but has had to stop pole vault and high jump.

April 8 was only her third triple jump competition.

The back injury is permanent, Kahle said. Part of her focus as an athlete is overcoming constant pain, which she says she’s learned to tolerate and reduce through six months of physical therapy.

“I kind of feel it all the time but I’ve kind of gotten used to it because I’ve been dealing with it for a year and a half now,” Kahle said. “It’s kind of a static pain that I’ve gotten used to so I don’t really need medications. If it’s hurting, I can generally get it to stop within the next day.”

Also taking third were the junior varsity 1,600 relay (Emma Acamovic, Sophia Richter, Lara Huns, Melissa Perez in 4:52.58) and the JV 1,600 sprint medley relay (Sophia Maletta, Mia Linares, Huns, Mia Weisman in 5:54.38). Gianna Gelb was fourth in the 1,600 (5:52.55).

RBHS boys track and field Senior Zack Gaynor was part of the Bulldogs’ 3,200 relay that just missed qualifying for state in 2022.

On April 8, the lineup of Gaynor, William Kallas, Hayden Marrs and Jack O’Brien had another anxious moment during the 52nd annual Bulldog Relays when the baton was dropped during the final exchange, but O’Brien was able to pick it up and race to the win.

IAN MCLEOD

RBHS senior Quinn Kahle finished fourth in the 100-meter dash on April 8 at the Bulldog Relays. She also placed second in the long jump and third in the triple jump.

O’Brien completed the Bulldogs’ victory in 8:17.24 and Marrs, Gaynor, Jackson Drumheller and Kallas also prevailed in the varsity 1,600 relay (3:37.82). RBHS finished second in varsity events and fourth in the combined score.

All-stater O’Brien, Gaynor, Kallas and Marrs were among the Bulldogs who helped the boys cross country team win the Class 2A state championship in November.

The momentum has carried over to the Bulldogs thinking about qualifying for state in the 3,200 relay among other events. “[State cross country] definitely made us way more motivated coming into track, and there’s been a lot more training in general,” Gaynor said. “This time last year we were not in as good shape as we are now. We’re hitting some of the times we were hitting at the end of last season.”

Junior Luke Smithing was second in his 2022 state-qualifying event, the 300 intermediate hurdles (42.37). Kallas (3.50m/11-6 in pole vault) and the sophomore 1,600 relay (Henry Walker, Diego Lopez-Molina, Brady Norman, Asa Kahle in 3:49.93) also were second.

O’Brien (1,600 in 4:30.33), Norman (3,200 in 9:50.48), the varsity 400 relay (Muhammad Salem, Sean Rau, Samuel Elusoji, Drumheller in 45.67); the freshman 1,600 relay (Quinn Hendricks, Sam Lee, John Evans, Clayton Dosek in 4:08.18); and the frosh-soph 1,600 sprint medley relay (Mateo Santini, Wayne Torrens, Hendricks, Asa Kahle in 3:57.59) were third.

Elusoji (11.06m/36-3.5 in triple jump) and the varsity 1,600 sprint medley relay (Luke Schmitz, Charlie Yager, Eamon Ryan, William Sessler in 3:56.35) were fourth.

16

S P O R T S

The Landmark, April 12, 2023

RBHS lacrosse looks to take next step in second season Bulldogs look to cut down on mistakes, play tough

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

After its first official varsity season in 2022, the Riverside-Brookfield High School boys lacrosse program is looking to take the next step.

That includes an IHSA playoff victory after losing last season’s Marist Sectional opener to Hillcrest co-op 10-9 in overtime to finish 4-13. “[We have] a strong core group of guys.

They play together as a team and play tough,” RBHS coach Joe Urbanski said. “[Our goals are] finish the season with a

winning record and win in the playoffs.

We need guys to buy in and commit to the process, get healthy and clean up the silly mistakes.”

The Bulldogs are 3-5 with victories over Buffalo Grove 11-7 in the season opener, Taft 8-4 and Brother Rice 9-2.

Seniors Drew Swiatek, Cirian Mathews, Dan Domeier and Hunter McClintock and sophomore Max Strong are returning starters.

Key lineup newcomers include senior Sam Tomas, Ryan O’Donoghue, Philly Vazzana and junior Seamus Keohane.

Tomas leads the Bulldogs with eight goals, followed by McClintock (seven), senior Jacob O’Brien (six), Mathews (five) and Swiatek (four).

LTHS boys lacrosse The Lions are off to a 5-0 start after

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brookfield High School’s Jacob O’Brien (in white) lets a shot go against Conant during a match earlier this season. beating Waubonsie Valley 13-7 on April 10 in Aurora.

Following an 8-1 season-opening victory over Batavia, the Lions have reached double digits every game, beating Prospect 12-1, Wheaton Warrenville South 15-7 and St. Charles East 11-8.

Top players include seniors Finn Buckley, Liam Carolan, Christian Cho, Quinn

Farnan, Henry Fink, Will Glimco, Ashton Hutchins and Joe Mazurowski, juniors Jack Campbell and Sean Cherry and sophomores Colin Kultgen and Sean Kultgen.

Last season, the Lions finished 10-9, losing their playoff opener to Batavia 7-6 in the Naperville North Sectional quarterfinals.

Hastings homers to cap Senior Day win over Richards Bulldogs earn second straight victory to push record to 5-3

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Ellary Hastings added to her memorable Senior Day for the Riverside-Brookfield High School softball team April 8 with a new experience.

Hastings delivered her first over-thefence home run as the Bulldogs edged Richards 4-3 at Ehlert Park in Brookfield.

“Right before I hit that home run, the other team’s coach told the pitcher I couldn’t hit the ball. Many other memorable things, but that’s one thing that stuck in my mind,” Hastings said.

The Bulldogs (5-3) won their second straight while honoring seniors and fouryear program members Paige Fudacz, Mia Gonzalez, Hastings, Luna Lloyd and Lian-

na Noel.

“I’ve been playing with these girls for a really long time and just being able to play with them in a different setting than travel [softball], it’s just like a second family,” Luna said. “I honestly couldn’t ask for a better team.” “[I love] just the environment,” Fudacz said. “There’s a lot of leadership and I feel like there’s a lot of competition with all of us that we kind of make each other better.”

Noel is a third-year varsity player after playing with the junior varsity as a freshman. The other four seniors are in their second varsity seasons.

“Something that’s made me continue to play is the energy and support from my teammates,” Hastings said. “I feel like

right away I was able to come to the team and feel supported by everyone. Everyone here wants to improve and we all work hard to make sure we can help the team.”

The seniors hope to continue the momentum and emotion generated by last year’s group, which won its IHSA Class 4A regional by beating Downers Grove South 7-1 at Veterans Park in North Riverside.

“As a varsity player, that’s something you don’t always get to experience,” Luna said of a regional title. “It was really just like a surreal moment.”

Even the 3-1 Marist Sectional semifinal loss to the host RedHawks, who went on to finish second in state, made a lasting impression on these seniors.

“Last year’s sectional game, even

though it was kind of bittersweet, seeing the seniors leave, the team energy and chemistry was top notch and kind of a fiery way to start this season and want to do better,” Gonzalez said.

The Bulldogs return their three 2022 All-Metro Suburban Conference players in Zoe Levine, Emily Organ and Ellie Megall.

Newcomers, such as sophomore Ella Jurgens, already are contributing. Jurgens went 3 for 3 with four runs batted in April 6 as the Bulldogs beat Hinsdale South 11-1 after Jurgens’ three-run, game-ending homer in the bottom of the sixth.

Levine and Lloyd also homered and had two hits along with Noel and Organ.

Freshman winning pitcher Abby Weinert threw a two-hitter with four strikeouts.

S P O R T S

The Landmark, April 12, 2023

17

Deason smacks first home run in RBHS win over IC get my first one,” said Deason, a starter for School boys tennis team played Timothy promising freshmen,” Weiss said. “[Our Bulldogs overcome the sophomores in 2022. “I’ve been seeing Christian as scheduled last week, it was goals are] aggressiveness, consistency ball really well lately. It was my second the first and only one of two home match- and a love for the game.”

Knights in seesaw contest the at bat against that pitcher. He left one over es this season.

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Junior first baseman Wes Deason has been hitting well in his first varsity season for the Riverside-Brookfield High School baseball team.

On April 6, his SPORTS ROUNDUP first varsity home run in the bottom of the sixth inning proved to be the game-winner. The Bulldogs (4-4) edged Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep 9-8 at Ehlert Park in Brookfield.

“I [nearly] had one a couple of games ago, and actually I had one my first at bat [against IC] that almost got out. I’m super excited to

the plate and obviously I got it well.”

Sam Didio, who relieved in the sixth, was the winning pitcher. Ryan Novak pitched a scoreless seventh to join Robert Drake in earning a save this season.

“It was a great game. We’d been scoring every inning back and forth. This was awesome,” Deason said. “We’re continuously putting balls in play. We usually get a lot of energy going and it’s just fun to be out here.”

The Bulldogs lost to Maine West 16-1 on April 8 and Wheaton Academy 14-3 on April 10.

RBHS tennis When the Riverside-Brookfield High

Junior Ian Dimaano and senior Marc Kaplan return to this season’s varsity lineup.

Dimaano played No. 1 doubles in 2022 and in the Lyons Township Sectional with graduated brother Ethan. Kaplan was the only current senior on last season’s roster.

Key newcomers are seniors Noah Lenaghan and Santiago Herrera. Lenaghan previously attended RBHS and returns after transferring from Nazareth Academy.

RBHS coach Sam Weiss hopes that a new challenge system will increase competition within the team. “[Our strengths are] consistency, a strong junior and senior lineup and

RBHS water polo

The RBHS girls (1-6-1) earned their first victory by beating Hinsdale South 7-1 on March 22.

Claire Cervi and Olivia Dobbe scored twice and Eleanor Glenni, Lorelei Leimberer and Priscilla Gil also tallied. Goalie Edie Hamilton made 19 saves.

The RBHS boys (3-8) lost to Maine East on April 3.

Current stats leaders include Bradley Ruska (31 goals), Murphy Regan and Hayden Marrs (12 assists each), Marrs (16 steals), Avinesh Ponnappan (14 goals), Alex Jacobs (13 goals) and goalie Martynas Bieliauskas (50 saves).

LTHS soccer maintains perfection with 3 more wins

Lions girls have not conceded a goal thus far in 2023 campaign

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Even before this girls soccer season, Lyons Township High School junior Brennan Israel and SPORTS ROUNDUP senior Chandlar Lay were a pretty tight-knit pair.

“Chandlar and I, we’re with each other all of the time,” Israel said. “If you see us at school, every single hallway, we’re together.”

Now they’re together even more as the central defenders of another strong defense.

On April 4, they helped the Lions open West Suburban Conference Silver Division action successfully with a 2-0 victory at Downers Grove North.

The Lions are now 7-0 and have yet to yield a goal. They defeated Glenbrook South 3-0 on April 8 and Lake Forest 3-0 on April 10. Last year’s team allowed only seven goals in finishing 20-2 and reaching

the sectional finals.

“Our defense has done a really nice job,” LTHS coach Bill Lanspeary said. “They’re just getting more comfortable with each other. And not only our backs, but our midfielders and forwards do a nice job of pressuring and keeping the ball for us, too.”

Also a starting central defender in 2022, Israel is now the veteran of the backline, which has Caroline McKenna, Avery Wengerd, Abby Brown and Jillian Herchenroether on the flanks and new goalies Nora Ezike and Sarah Schinker, who often have been playing one half each.

Another defensive newcomer, Lay played forward in 2022 but suffered a knee injury last fall. She began playing defense last August and approached Lanspeary about switching her position after her return to action in February.

“Honestly, I feel like I like [defense] a lot more. It’s a better fit. I think there’s more communicating on defense,” Lay said.

Izzy Wirtz also has been a solid contributor as the defensive central midfielder. On April 8, she scored twice and Niahm Griffin also tallied. O’Malley had all three assists.

Wirtz, O’Malley and Peyton Israel scored April 10 with two assists from O’Malley and one by Niamh Griffin.

Freshman Carolina Capizzi and Caroline

Mortonson scored against Downers Grove North with O’Malley assisting Mortonson.

LTHS boys water polo Senior Brendan Whelton and his Lyons Township High School boys water polo teammates know strong competition is only going to make them better.

On April 8, the Lions (10-6) reached the title match of their annual invitational but lost to York for the second time this season 14-4.

“It’s a really tough team obviously. We play a tough schedule. We put up a good fight,” said Whelton, one of the few returning starters from last year’s third-place state finisher.

“We lost a lot of guys, a lot of seniors, so we’ve had to really step it up big time this season. It’s kind of a struggle, it’s a difficult task, but we’re overcoming it.”

In pool play, the Lions defeated LincolnWay East 15-7, St. Rita 16-8 and Neuqua Valley 12-10.

York, however, scored on it first three possessions of the final. The Lions closed to 3-2 on Whelton goals assisted by Louis Grib and Sami Rabah and trailed 7-3 at halftime, but the Dukes then scored the next seven goals.

LTHS baseball The Lions (5-2, 2-1 in West Suburban Silver) lost at Downers Grove North 7-6 on April 10 on a run in the bottom of the seventh inning after tying the game with two runs in the top half.

Sam Viniard (2 for 4, 2 RBIs) hit his third homer of the season and Jack Falls (3 for 4, 3 RBIs), Frederick Ragsdale III (2 for 4) and Troy Stukenberg doubled. The Trojans pulled ahead 6-3 with a five-run fourth.

The Lions again beat Glenbard West 11-2 on April 6. Falls (home run, 4 RBIs), Ragsdale (double), Stukenberg and Viniard each had two hits. Winning pitcher Brady Chambers struck out eight in four innings.

LTHS had a 13-1, five-inning victory over Morton on April 8. James Georgelos was 3 for 3 with two RBIs. Stukenberg (5 RBIs, triple), Ryan Jackson, Patrick Engels and Michael Mango had two hits. Winning pitcher Nate Anderson (6 strikeouts in 4 innings) and Tristan Clark combined on a one-hitter.

LTHS softball Lily Prendergast (.385 batting average, 4 RBIs, triple, double), Tess Meyer (.333, home run, 2 RBIs, double) and Kaitlyn Filkins (.333, double) are top hitters for the Lions (0-4), who have lost to Sandburg 11-1, Mother McAuley 5-1 and Andrew 8-1 and 15-3.

18 The Landmark, April 12, 2023 Growing Community Media

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

HELP WANTED LICENSED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Licensed Environmental Health Practitioner in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https:// www.oakpark.us/your-government/ human-resources-departments.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

SEASONAL FARMER’S MARKET ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmer’s Market Assistant in the Health Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmer’s Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

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HUMAN RESOURCE COORDINATOR

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Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled, first review of applications will be on April 14, 2023.

POLICE RECORDS SUPERVISOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Supervisor in the Police Department. This position will manage, supervise, plan and coordinate the activities and operations of the Police Records Division Support Services Bureau, within the Police Department including records maintenance and management services; and coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies and the general public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications will be April 21, 2023.

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This position is cross-trained with the other Customer Service Representative IIs in the Village. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is posted until filled with first review April 20, 2023.

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The Landmark, April 12, 2023 19

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice of Amended Budget

Attention: Parents of Homeschooled Students On Tuesday April 25, 2023 at 1:00pm, Forest Park Schools District 91 will conduct a meeting at the Administration Office, 424 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities and/or students that are eligible to receive Title 1 services who attend private schools and/or home schools within the district boundaries for the 2023-2024 school year. If you are the parent of a homeschooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and/or is eligible to receive Title 1 services and you reside within the boundaries of Forest Park Schools District 91, you are urged to attend. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact David Mekhiel, Director of Student Services, at (708) 3665700 ext 3306.

Notice is hereby given by the Board of Education of Riverside School District No. 96 in the Cook County, State of Illinois, that an amended budget for said school district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, will be on file and available for public inspection by appointment Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm starting the 16th day of April 2023, at the district’s administrative offices on 3340 South Harlem Avenue in Riverside Illinois.

To schedule an appointment please email fittonj@district96.org.

Notice is further given that a public hearing on said amended budget will be held at 7:00 o’clock p.m. on the 17th day of May 2023 followed immediately by the scheduled regular board meeting.

Board of Education Riverside School District No. 96 Cook County, Illinois

Published in Forest Park Review April 5, 12, 2023

By: Wesley Muirhead Board Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE

Published in RB Landmark April 12, 2023

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of JORGE PENA, Petitioner and BEYERLY MOORE PENA, Respondent, Case No. 2023D002416.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Beverly Moore Pena the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, Jorge Pena for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

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: Y23010346 on March 21, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of FLOOFS RANDOM WORKSHOP with the business located at: 339 S TAYLOR AVE OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CARSON HARRIS 339 S TAYLOR AVE OAK PARK, IL 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal March 29, 2023

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your Appearance and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before May 3, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

IRIS Y. MARTINEZ, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal April 5, 12, 19, 2023

Starting a New Business?

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CALENDAR NUMBER: 08-23-Z HEARING DATE: May 3, 2023 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302 APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Mathew Soukup and Anna Louis-Soukup, seeking a variance from Section 4.3 (Table 4-1: Residential Districts Dimensional Standards) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance requiring a 19’–1” front yard setback to permit construction of an open porch addition with a proposed 12’ setback, in line with the existing front setback of the residence, at the premises commonly known as 645 N. Grove Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-06-322-011-0000 (“Subject

Property”), in the R-2 SingleFamily Zoning District.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@ oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal, April 12, 2023

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

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status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

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

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

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION TRINITY FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC Plaintiff, -v.DANIEL V. GALARDE, LAVITTA M. GALARDE, 720 N. AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 21 CH 4185 720 N. AUSTIN BLVD, UNIT 2-SW OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 11, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 15, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 720 N. AUSTIN BLVD, UNIT 2-SW, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-105-0211009 The real estate is improved with a condominium.

The judgment amount was $17,234.13.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the

purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact Noah Weininger, THE WEININGER LAW FIRM LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 161 North Clark St., Suite 1600, Chicago, IL, 60601 (312) 796-8850.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

Noah Weininger THE WEININGER LAW FIRM LLC 161 North Clark St., Suite 1600 Chicago IL, 60601 312-796-8850 Fax #: 312-248-2550 E-Mail: nweininger@weiningerlawfirm.com Attorney Code. 63307 Case Number: 21 CH 4185 TJSC#: 43-1440 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 21 CH 4185 I3217776

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