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Riverside sets referendum for public safety remodel

Voters will decide the project’s fate next April

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

St. Paul’s Lutheran School

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Brookfield is expanding to include cur riculum for high school students in the ninth through 12th grades at the star t of the 2026-27 school year this fall.

Principal Kate Thoelke said the decision to expand beyond K-8 education was made last fall before she joined the school, 9035 Grant Ave., in January as an

Riverside is working to finalize a referendum question for next April’s municipal election that, if voters approve, would enable the village to fund its project to rebuild the combined home of its police and fire depar tments next to township hall.

Right now, according to village materials, the question that Riverside is considering proposing reads as follows: “Shall bonds in the amount of not to exceed $29,990,000 be issued by the Village of Riverside for the purpose of financing the development of a new public safety facility (including without limitation demolition and construction relating thereto, and the acquisition of equipment and fur nishings therefor), bearing interest at the rate of not to exceed 9%?”

STELLA BROWN

Local school districts still dealing with tax proceeds distribution delay

District 208 short $1.6 million in property tax revenue

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Local school districts are still financially dealing with the fallout of Cook technology implementation that tax bill distribution last year

Tax bills that were supposed to tributed in July 2025 were delaye vember due to a technolo gy issue ing software from Tyler Technolo that was re placing a 1970s-era mainframe computer.

For the moment, Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208 is shor t lion in proper ty tax levy revenue on what was budg eted, according to assistant superintendent Dr Kristin S who said it’s unclear when those will ar rive.

“For tunately for the district, we strong financial reserve we’ve been to draw on the past couple of months we use that to pay our bills,” she said. have the ability operate for six without seeing revenue. Beyond that be a significant burden for the district.

In an ideal world, those funds would arrive by the end of the district’s fiscal year of June 30, but Smetana said, “We don’ t have any additional info rmation. ”

She said the district has not employed an Illinois Tax Anticipation Warrant, or TAW, which bridges the time between tax levy and tax collection, allowing public entities like school districts to pay imminent expenses

The reason is it has cash on hand in its fund balances for six months and did receive about $11.9 million in property tax funds in late April. Still, she said, $1.6 million is not an insignificant amount of money

“It is definitely a concer n,” she said. “If we don’t receive it at the close of this fiscal year, I’m hopeful we’ ll get it early next.”

Over at Riverside School District 96, interim finance director Dr. Mark Kuzniewski, who is retiring at the end of this fiscal year, said his district is still looking to collect $2.5 million for its education fund budg et alone While that may

Riverside Brook eld High School

seem like a lot, he pointed out that District 96 has about 82% of its second collection proper ty tax levy fund s.

“Right now, we’d like to see that closer to 95% or 96%, but the bills were late,” he said. “We’ re a little bit light, but to be honest with you, it’s not awful.

“Should it be better? Yes. Does everybody want the county to figure out the issues with its software? Yes. We have two months to collect this money … $2.5 million is a lot of money, don’ t get me wrong, but it’s not an amount of money where the district should be panicking.”

Complicating matters, Smetana said, is the fact that the county can’ t currently discern from what levy year funds are coming.

“The county would nor mally say the levies will come from 2024 or 2025, but

they can’ t tell us,” she said, adding the district has rece ived 57% of levy funds through the end of April, but from what year is a myster y.

“The 57%, we don’ t know if it’s coming from the 2025 levy,” she said. “We can’ t track the money coming in to find out. At the end, we’ ll all have to get reconciled.”

Does this situation r un the risk of becoming a financial vicious circle that will take years to unravel for local districts?

“I wish I had a crystal ball to know,” Smetana said.

Kuzniewski was more concrete

“I think this has the potential to do that,” he said. “I don’ t know that we’re there yet. I think this idea of now knowing what collection the money comes from is as crucial as the timeliness of the collections.”

TODD BANNOR

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THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!

TOMATO & HERB PLANT SALE!

The available supply of this delicious seasonal commodity is usually sold out within days of its arrival. Be sure you get your fair share of this year’s crop! For more information, contact the Onion Sale Committee at 708-447-9628

Friday, May 8th (9:30am to 5:30pm)

Saturday, May 9th (9:30am to 5:30pm)

Zoo workers go on strike

Hundreds of union employees rejected the zoo’s nal o er last week

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

More than 200 employees at Brookfield Zoo Chicago have gone on strike. Pickets were out in force Monday after noon at the zoo’s south gate.

The striking workers are members of the Teamsters Local 727 union. Members voted April 28 to authorize a labor strike beginning Monday, May 4, after the existing collective bargaining agreement ended at 11:59 a.m. on Friday, May 1.

The vote occurred after members of the union — which represents workers in the zoo’s animal care, custodial, grounds and police departments — agreed to reject the zoo’s last, best and final offer, given Monday, April 27. Continued bargaining the mor ning of May 1 seems to have been unsuccessful, as union workers at the zoo began striking on May 4, according to a zoo press release issued that mor ning

The zoo said some animal encounters and programming may be adjusted or postponed in the event of a strike but that it plans to

remain open to the public with animal care as a priority. In a late after noon statement on May 4, the zoo said union animal care staff will continue to go to work and provide necessary care while other union workers strike.

Statements from both the zoo and the union dated on April 29, say workers were seeking increases to wages and guarantees of staffing levels. The zoo said its offer included a 14.5% increase to wages over four years and new bonus compensation opportunities tied to the zoo’s annual perfor mance. Teamsters said the zoo offered increases of less than 3.7% on average over the four-year span of the proposed agreement without long-ter m staffing guarantees

“There were three main issues that we started off wanting to be addressed,” said Sean McGough, a business agent at Teamsters Local 727, on April 29. “Almost every department in the zoo had reported understaffing and, in some cases, safety implications with the short staffing. Wages and subcontracting” were the other two issues, though he said the zoo has made concessions in some areas.

“Throughout bargaining, the union was pointing out that there were health insurance issues, too The zoo wasn’t contributing enough to the employees’ health care costs,” said McGough. “There was no proposed health care plan that the zoo had

TODD BANNOR

e south entrance to Brook eld Zoo Chicago

in place to re place their current, existing health insurance.”

He said zoo representatives made mention of providing health insurance but did not provide any details to the bargaining team.

In statements dated May 4, the zoo has stated it “does not administer or control the healthcare plan for Teamsters Local 727 employees,” and it instead pays into a unionmanaged fund. The zoo maintains that it has offered to continue contributing to workers’ healthcare coverage throughout the bargaining process

McGough did not respond to a request for further comment between when the strike began on May 4 and the Landmark’s print deadline the afternoon of May 5.

The union said in its April 29 press release that a full day of bargaining was scheduled for April 27, and a half day on April 29 before zoo representatives “abruptly ended bargaining early” on the for mer date

The expired agreement was in place since April 1, 2022, McGough said. It was set to expire April 1 and was extended another month to allow for continued negotiations.

In the course of bargaining, the union said the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates Brookfield Zoo Chicago, committed “numerous” unfair labor practices, which

McGough named as the cause of the strike.

“Throughout the course of bargaining, the union had filed 10 unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB [National Labor Relations Board],” McGough said. “Direct dealing, refusal to bargain, failure to provide information, bad faith bargaining, unilateral changes, retaliation and intimidation. These are all wrapped up over the course of the last couple of months during negotiations.”

The zoo purports its employees’ wages fall into the top 25% among accredited institutions by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It said the requested wage increases would cost it about $16 million over the life of the four-year contract with no clear funding source for the additional expenses.

In the zoo’s initial statement, President and CEO Michael Adkesson called the strike “unnecessary and avoidable.”

“We deeply value every member of our team and the important work they do each day,” he said. “Our responsibility is not only to today’s workforce, but to the future of this institution.”

Kelsey Mauro, the zoo’s associate vice president of communications and marketing, has provided the Landmark with updated statements from the zoo since April 29, but no zoo officials have been available to comment.

Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight

NPN Flooring – Community Cornerstone Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Member

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(630) 206-3173

www.npnflooring.com

NPN Flooring – Community Cornerstone Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Member

When it comes to transforming a space from the ground up, NPN Flooring brings over 27 years of hands-on expertise, trusted craftsmanship, and a true commitment to quality. As a family-owned and operated business, NPN Flooring has quickly established itself as a reliable partner for both residential and commercial flooring needs since opening in September 2023. Specializing in a wide range of services, NPN Flooring

offers professional installation of hardwood, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), laminate, carpet, tile, rubber, and epoxy flooring. Whether you’re upgrading a single room or renovating an entire property, their team delivers precision work designed to enhance both the look and longevity of your space. Beyond installation, they also provide hardwood refinishing and restoration, flooring repairs, subfloor preparation, carpet re-stretching, and custom area rug and carpet binding.

What truly sets NPN Flooring apart is its customer-first approach. They work closely with homeowners, property managers, and business owners to recommend flooring solutions tailored to style, durability, and budget. Their convenient mobile showroom and shop-at-home service allow customers to view samples in their own space, making the selection process easier and more personalized.

From furniture removal to final installation, every detail is handled with care, professionalism, and clear communication. NPN Flooring takes pride in delivering results that not only look beautiful but also stand the test of time.

As a valued Community Cornerstone member, NPN Flooring continues to strengthen our local business community while helping residents and businesses create spaces they’re proud of—one floor at a time.

With Cantata’s continuum of care, you can live your best life today, tomorrow and into the future. We’ve been here, right across from the zoo, for more than a century passionately serving the needs of local seniors. Tour our 10-acre campus today!

OBrook eld Fire Department Headquar ters

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

INFORMATION FOR ORGANIZATIONS APPLYING FOR TAX-EXEMPT STATUS

rganizations applying for tax-exempt status must be organized and operated exclusively for any of these purposes: charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amatuer sports competition, or preventing cruelty to children or animals. To apply for tax-exempt status under IRC 501(c)(3), organiztions must complete and file a Form 1023-series application. Form 1023-series applications for recognition of exemption must be submitted electronically online at Pay.gov. The application must be complete and include the user fee.

Some types of organizations don’t need to apply for Section 501(c)(3) status to be tax exempt. These include churches and their integrated auxiliaries, and public charities with annual gross receipts normally no more than $5,000. Every tax-exempt organization needs an employer identification number (EIN), even if

they don’t have any employees. An EIN is a ninedigit number the IRS assigns for tax filing and reporting purposes. An organization must include their EIN on the application. Organizations can apply for an EIN online.

The effective date of an organization’s tax-exempt status depends on their approved Form 1023. If they submit this form within 27 months after the month they legally formed, the effective date of the organization’s exempt status is the legal date of its formation. If an organization doesn’t submit this form within those 27 months, the effective date of its exempt status is the date it files Form 1023.

A charitable organization must make certain documents available to the public. These include its approved application for recognition of exemption with all supporting documents and its last three annual information returns.

Brook eld rati es deal with re ghter union

Interim re chief says the department is hiring to ll 6 positions

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield’s firefighters have inked a new deal with the village through the end of 2028.

The collective barg aining ag reement, which was under ne gotiation by re presentatives of the village and the Brookfield Professional Firefighters Local 4828 union from December until April, calls for wage increases for members of the fire de partment of 4% this year, 3.5% next year and 3% in 2028. Village trustees approved the new contract at their April 27 meeting

Aside from the wage increases, there were no notable changes from the previous contract, which extended from Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec 31, 2025, Interim Fire Chief Matthew Dubik said. The contract includes a new monetary incentive to each firefighter who joins a “special team,” he said.

“We’re part of MABAS [Mutual Aid Box Alar m System] Division 10, so we contribute to all the other fire departments around us It’s nice to have members on the team and be an active participant within the division, so we tried to incentivize them [with] $500 a year for each person who is on a team,” Dubik told the Landmark. “Other than the wages and the incentive, there was nothing substantial.”

Dubik said the negotiations took place substantially from December through late February, when the two sides reached an impasse before negotiating a deal with the help

TODD BANNOR

of a federal mediator on April 7, the soonest date the mediator was available.

“The impasse was on wages, the addition of Juneteenth as a holiday, and the village wanted to be able to assign those individuals who were working light duty in other areas than the fire department,” he said.

If a firefighter is injured on the job, they are asked to complete what Dubik called “light work” — think administrative tasks that are less intensive than the regular call of duty — until their doctor says they can retur n to the rest of their job, Dubik said.

“We wanted to be able to send them to where we needed someone to do clerical work,” he said. “Those three issues were the impasse We were able to solve and tentatively agree on many things over the three months, and those three things were the hangup.”

During a five-hour mediation session, the two sides compromised. The village dropped its light work demands while the union dropped its request for Juneteenth as an annual day off for the firefighters, Dubik said, and they came to an agreement on wages.

Dubik said he thinks the presence of a majority of union workers within village hall creates parity between members of different departments

“When there’s an imbalance between one bargaining unit and another, it doesn’t leave a good feeling with everybody else. It’s pretty important to keep all the union contracts up to date and to keep things fair,” he said. The interim chief said this year was the first time that mediation was needed to set-

tle a negotiation between the village and the fire union.

“I’ve been in the department for 20, almost 25 years, and I’ve never been to or heard of mediation. This was all very foreign to me, and it was a very pleasant process,” he said. “Something new is always a little bit scary, but the federal mediator was wonderful.”

The state of the depar tment

Dubik said he’s acted as interim fire chief since Jan. 5 after for mer Fire Chief Jim Adams de par ted in the last week of December with just five days’ notice.

“Jim was here for six years, and he was actually of fered a dif ferent position somewhere else in the private sector Unfortunately, it was a take-it-or-leave-it [situation], which led to a quick de par ture,” Dubik said. “Is that ideal for the fire depar tment or the village? No, but at the end of the day, it was a take-it-or-leave-it thing and a hard situation for him.”

Dubik said the de par tment is seeking to hire six new full-time firefighters in the near future. It currently employs 24 members, and the new hires would bring the total up to 30, he said.

“Our testing cycle just ended April 17, and April 29 … we had oral interviews of all the candidates from our written test. There were 10 scheduled, and two were noshows, so our current list, which I’m staring at right now, will have eight individuals on it,” he said. “From this list, we will attempt to fill six vacancies.”

Ending hunger by connecting the four corner s of our communit y

May is National Women’s Health Month.

May is National Women’s Health Month

Here's what that means for many of our neighbors in need...

At our food pantr y, women registrants outnumber men by a 2 :1 ratio. This month, women here and across the nation are struggling to put food on the table for millions of families that are food insecure.

At our food pantr y, women registrants outnumber men by a 2 :1 ratio.

This month, women here and across the nation are struggling to put food on the table for millions of families that are food insecure.

Historically, two federal programs have helped.

Historically

two federal programs have helped

The federal Supplemental Nutrition A ssistance Program (SNAP), is the nation’s largest and most effective anti-hunger program. Studies show SNAP reduces food insecurit y among households by up to 30%. Helping 42 million Americans buy food each month. That ’s one in eight Americans , and 70% of those par ticipants are the elderly, disabled, or children.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants , and Children ( WIC), provides critical nutritional suppor t to 6.8 million infants , young children, and their mothers .

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants , and Children ( WIC), provides critical nutritional suppor t to 6.8 million infants , young children, and their mothers

Now, both programs are being cut .

Now

both programs are being cut .

Last year, federal legislation reduced SNAP funding by about $186 billion over the nex t 10 years . Food bank s experienced an immediate reduction of $1 billion. And now, as of May 1, an estimated 150,000 Illinois households will be denied continued federal SNAP suppor t

Presently, the House Appropriations Committee has proposed an additional $6. 2 billion cut to the 202 7 SNAP program. The Committee has also proposed a $200 million cut to the 202 7 WIC program.

You can help ...

sharefoodsharelove .org We' re all neighbor s here . Todos somos vecinos aqui .

ghters assess the damage to the home at 4401 Vernon Ave. in Brook eld a er a house re in 2021.

Ending hunger by connecting the four corner s of our communit y..

Greenhouse, cafe and garden supply store proposed for vacant Galewood Building

Good Ea

By MICHAEL LIPTROT Block Club Chicago

A family-owned River Forest garden center business with South Side roots is coming to the site of a long-vacant building in Galewood

Good Ear th, featuring a greenhouse, fresh market and cafe, will be coming to the site of a for mer McDonald’s at 1933 N. Harlem Ave., the business announced Saturday.

The fifth-generation family business beg an on the South Side in 1928 and since 2001 has operated a location in River Forest, known as Good Ear th Greenhouse. Good Ear th’s plans for the site come after community members rejected a proposed five-story rental development at the lot in July and another failed plan for a car wash in 2023.

Renderings show a renovation of the lot’s existing building to house a retail space as well as a new outdoor garden center behind the building, an expansion of existing patio and the building a new 3,000-square-foot greenhouse beside the building.

T he retail space will house a market that will of fer produce and other food products from local far mers, business owners said.

T he Galewood location will operate similarly to Good Ear th Greenhouse at 7900 Madison St. in River Forest, which features a similar setup including a garden center, florist and cafe, business owners said. The store re gularly holds events celebrating the s pring equinox, national puppy day and Ear th Day.

Galewood neighbors c an expect “premium q uality p lants, annuals, ga rden i tems and great service” at the new business, management said.

“We’ re all about c ommunity,” Good Ear th manager Re g an Cronin said at a neighborhood meeting announcing the new store Saturday. “Our business is [about] making things look g ood, so presentation is ke y. We want to bring beauty to a spot that’s been vacant for year s. ”

A rendering of Good Earth, a business featuring a greenhouse, fresh market and cafe, announced to be coming to the site of a closed McDonald’s on 1933 N. Harlem Ave.

Good Ear th was i ntentional in c oming to the Galewood area d ue to i ts many neighbors who are i nterested in gardening. Several neighbors at the meeting recognized the business from patronizing the River Forest location, Cronin said.

“Love the neighborhood. It’s fabulous. It’s got great people living here, beautiful homes and people who like to garden, who like markets,” Cronin said. “We [are bringing] a cafe and a food market there, so we have a good place for neighborhood gatherings.”

T he f amily business was star ted by Cronin’s great grandfather, who opened

T he Egg Store in Bridg epor t, which operated for more than 80 years before closing

around 2010, she said.

Store of ficials said they want to “bring every aspect of our business that we have spent the past five g enerations building” to the Harlem Avenue location.

In August, a five-story, market-rate rental building was proposed by Noah Proper ties and would have brought around 80 apar tments to the site, but these plans were met with overwhelming opposition from community members and nixed by Ald. Chris Taliafer ro (29th). A car wash was proposed for the location in 2023 but never moved for ward, according to an Austin Weekly re port

Good Ear th is in the process of seeking a zoning change to operate at the location,

a measure Taliafer ro said he would support . In the meantime, store of ficials are looking for a permit to set up a pop-up garden center at the site for this current garden season.

Taliafer ro said he is excited about Good Ear th’s presence in the neighborhood.

“I think this is a great oppor tunity, not just for the ward, but for the immediate neighborhood it sits in,” Taliafer ro said. “We have to have a vibrant ward and that helps to sustain our community We’re taking proper ties that have been vacant for a long time and just trying to bring the right fit for our ward. ”

For more info rmation on Good Ear th, visit the business’ website.

PROVIDED/HAGUE ARCHITECTURE

A new Brook eld Shops cohort opens next week

Vendors hosted an open house on Fr iday, May 1, ahead of the grand opening

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

The six vendors at the Brookfield Shops retail incubator near Progress Park are gearing up for the of ficial grand opening of the 2026 cohor t on Friday, May 8.

In the meantime, operators from each of the six shops — The Vulg ar Ve g an, Four Star Cof fee Company, The Shop Salon & Style House, 34Designed, Makrame Green and Down to Ear th Herbal Infusions — were peddling their wares during an open house on Friday, May 1.

Jacqui Payne, the owner of custom apparel store 34Designed, said she was relieved to see her new 15-feet-by-15-feet location set up and ready for customers.

“I definitely lear ned a lot about setting up and all the pieces that I have to think about as far as displays and how to patch holes, but it was also kind of fun imagining it and thinking about how my product is going to show,” she told the Landmark.

Payne said she plans to design a new Brookfield-centric shirt design each month that her shop is open to encourage retur ning customers.

“I grew up in this area, and bringing myself back here and feeling really rooted here, I love seeing people,” she said. “Knowing that my product is going to be par t of [the lives of] kids in the area I grew up in, and them wearing it and growing up here, is really special to me.”

Fabiola Jimene z and Leo Navarro of Makrame Green said they had a quick tur naround, only be ginning to set their shop up the weekend of April 25.

“It was kind of exhausting, I’m not going to lie,” Navarro said.

He said they’ re most looking forward to getting to host plant-centric events with members of the Brookfield community.

“Being able to get incorporated with everybody, star ting to get known and selling more stuf f. Hopefully, everybody wants more plants,” he said.

Nelly Garcia, who runs Down to Ear th, said designing the interior of her shed space was the hardest par t of the process

Healthy Minds Matter YOUR BEST

with Lisa Capone

e Brook eld Shops at Progress Park are set to open for 2026 on Friday, May 8.

so far.

“Just Wallpaper was really nice They donated the wallpaper for us, so I think it was getting some input and their exper tise on what designs to go with and also utilizing our lo go colors,” Garcia said. “We’ve been doing far mers markets, and it’s a lot of moving pieces to it, so it’s really nice to have a stable location to connect with the community and keep building on what we’ve been growing.”

Right now, one cor ner of Garcia’s shop holds a few photos of community members who visited the shop at the Brookfield Far mers Market. Over time, she said she hopes to add more photos as people become inte grated with the tea vendor.

For each of those three vendors, May 8 will be their first for mal day of operation

in the retail incubator, which will run through December

The other three vendors have been allowed to open already due to their existing experience Four Star and the Style House were both members of the inaugural Brookfield Shops cohor t last year, while the Vulg ar Ve g an was allowed to open at the end of January due to owner Valerie Vedral’s experience at the similar Berwyn Shops program.

“We weren’ t really sure what to expect, because in winter, people aren’t out as much, but it’s been pretty good. Business has been steady. Compared with some of the indoor far mers markets we’ve done, this is always a sure thing. We can always

BROOKFIELD SHOPS on pa ge 17

May is Mental Health Awareness Month a time to shed light on an important but often overlooked topic: the mental well-being of older adults. Many seniors face unique emotional challenges, including loneliness, grief, changes in health, or the stress of transitioning to a new lifestyle

Here are some simple, effective ways seniors can support their mental health every day:

Stay Connected: Reach out to family, friends, or neighbors regularly. Even a short conversation can lift your mood

Keep Moving: Gentle exercises like walking, stretching, or chair yoga can boost your energy and reduce stress.

Try Something New: Learning a hobby, craft, or game helps keep your mind sharp and gives you a sense of accomplishment

Stick to a Routine: Daily structure provides a sense of stability and purpose Get Outside: Fresh air and sunshine can naturally improve your mood

Rest Well: Good sleep supports emotional balance and clear thinking

Mental health matters at every age This May, take small steps each day to care for your mind you deserve it

Visit Cantata.org for more senior living advice or call (708) 387-1030

STELLA BROWN

SMALL BITES

Mother, may I?

Will month of Mother’s Day have challeng ing weather? Stay warm? Cool o ? Either way, plenty of restaurant options

Did you ever “Mother, may It’s the same as “Simon Sa I feel like I need to ask Mother Nature’s mission every time I choose an outfit these days. Wi be near 80 de grees or 40? I eat al fresco, or do I need co zy hot drink? Either here are some highlights for the war ming month.

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Taglio, 809 South Blvd in Oak Park, has opened its doors. Roman-style pizza is sold by the slice or by the pie and six dif ferent focaccia sandwiches are on offer too

Friday, May 8 Scratch Public House, 7505 Madison St. in Forest Park, is hosting an “In Bed by 10 p.m. 80s Dance Ritual” par ty with a live DJ, unlimited bar and there’s pizza, so that makes it food news. Tickets/wristbands are $40.

The Forest Park Kiwanis Club is hosting a pasta dinner in conjunction with Piacere Mio on May 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd. in Forest Park. You choose from three types of pasta, Italian sausage, salad, bread, dessert and more. There will be live enter tainment from The Brothers Sinatra and raf fle prizes. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and children. For those who loved Forest Park’s depar ted farm-to-table restaurant The Heritage, check out its chef, Sieger Bayer, this spring on “Top Chef ” season 23. As of now there is some mystery about his elimination on e pisode 6 and why he wasn’t seen in “Last Chance Kitchen.” I suppose we’ ll have to keep watching to find out.

Don’t forget Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10. So many beautiful brunch options abound in Oak Park Hemmingway’s, Crepas Culichi, Maya Del Sol; in Forest Park Charlie’s Restaurant, Fat Duck Taver n, Rhythm & Blues Cafe. And how could we not mention Mother’s Day Restaurant in

verside!

Amerikas, 734 Lake St. rk, Chef Ar mando z and his team will be learing out the restaurant e space for music (and you like) on Sunting on May 17, from p.m. Along with the tunes they will be serving specialty tacos, with both meat and vegetarian options, along with $12 mezcal and tequila margaritas, and palomas Memorial Day, on Monday, May 25, is the traditional start of summer Keep the reason for the holiday front and center with the 101st annual River Forest Memorial Day Parade, Picnic and Business Bash. Watch the parade that starts at 9:30 a.m., starting

Slice options at the just opened Taglio

at Iowa and Ashland Streets and ends in Keystone Park, 7920 Central Ave. An honor roll ceremony in the park is paired with a free hot dog lunch. Food trucks will also be on hand What’s Blooming on Harrison takes over Harrison Street in the Oak Park Arts District from Humphrey Avenue to Ridgeland Avenue on May 30 starting at 11 a.m. Artists, crafters and makers booths share the street with food vendors, live music and a huge children’s carnival. Babygold BBQ and FitzGerald’s host a beer garden and Anfora Wine Merchants host a wine garden. Vendors go until 7 p.m. and the music rocks until 9 p.m.

Roosevelt Road. in Berwyn, summer gets a warm welcome with a Hawaiian luau. Babygold is taking care of the tropical pig roast with fried dirty rice and Chef Steve’s Hawaiian hot sauce. Authentic Hawaiian dancing by The Barefoot Hawaiian, including fire dancers!

Continue to welcome summer on Sunday, May 31, on FitzGerald’s patio, 6615 W.

Want to write for Eats? We are looking for food-oriented, word-loving writers to help cov er the tasty happenings in Austin, Brookfield, Forest Park, Oak Park, and Ri verside. Email the address below to find out more Got news, questions or ideas for this column? Email them to us at Eats@oakparkeats.com.

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

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Wired Wisdom provides a surprising windo the online lives of people sixty and over— o essential insights, no matter one ’s age. In t opening book on the internet ’s fastest-gro demographic, John Palfrey and coauthor Hargittai paint a more nuanced picture de common myths about older adults’ interne presenting hope and a necessary call to ac book provides practical advice and show s that our stereotypes can be hurdles that keep us from building intergenerational- support communities, helping loved ones adopt new technology that may improve their lives, and thriving together online.

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Moderator

REFERENDUM

If voters say ‘yes,’ Riverside would be able to issue bonds equal to or less than $29,990,000 with a maximum interest rate of 9% to go toward the demolition, construction and furnishing of the new building that would house the village’s public safety workers.

“It is worded, in consultation with attorney [Bob] Pickrell, in a very flexible manner. If certain surpluses are derived, or things come in under budget, then we can accomplish other things that were beyond that $29.9 million proposal,” Village Manager Jessica Frances said. “The river path, if you recall, the part that actually comes out of the back of the building is included in the scope, but the connecting path from the swinging bridge to Swan Pond is not, and that was estimated to be around $3 million.”

Frances said some amenities ma y require staff to seek grant funding beyond the bonds the village is proposing if the community would like to see them.

An open house is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at fire station number one, adjacent to township hall, where representatives from Williams Architects, which has led the project through its design phase, will seek feedback from residents on the proposals. Williams will present the feedback it receives to members of the village board at a meeting in June

“When you have a referendum you want to appear at an election — we’re targeting the April 6, 2027, election — you start on that date, and you work backwards to establish all the deadlines. The most important dead-

line for the village board is Jan. 15, 2027. By that date, we would have to pass this resolution or another version that the board agrees to,” Pickrell said, in reference to a draft ordinance contained in agenda materials from the April 16 meeting

“Within 10 days after that, we have to certify it and send it over to the county. Then, there’s a series of deadlines that follow, in

which the county provides notice. We also have to provide notice and post it on the wall in village hall and take a series of other steps,” Pickrell added.

He told trustees that, under the law, village resources “cannot be used to promote a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ [vote] on a referendum,” and neither can village officials or staff advocate either way in the course of their public duty

“We can offer information, factual information, but we cannot advocate,” he said.

“The fact that you are legislators and members of [the board of] trustees does not mean that you have lost your First Amendment rights. You, as individuals, can advocate one way or the other; you just cannot do so on company time or using company resources, as it were.”

JAVIER GOVEA

Celebrating Mother's Day

This Mothe r’s Day, treat the amazing moms in our communit y to something as special as they are. Introducing our limited-time Golden Hug Latte — a comforting blend of vanilla, caramel, and a gentle hint of cinnamon, cra ed to feel like a warm embrace in ever y sip.

To all the mothers who ll our days w ith love, strength, and kindness — thank you. We’re g ratef ul for you today and every day.

Stop by, sip, and celebrate w ith us.

With love, Maria (Araceli) Loca Mocha Cafe

The Language and Music School

Established in Oak Park in 1994

Private lessons and tutoring for all ages, taught by experienced educators and professional artists in a historic Oak Park setting.

We offer:

• Music lessons: piano, guitar, drums, voice, strings, winds, and more

• World languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, and more

• Academic tutoring: Math, Language Arts, SAT/ACT preparation

• Flexible scheduling for children, teens, and adults

The school is also home to a K–12 microschool, offering a highly individualized educational environment, as featured on WGN Chicago’s Very Best. Learn more at lmschool.com riday, May 8th (9:30am to 5:30pm) Saturday, May 9th (9:30am to 5:30pm)

Woman arrested for battery at Phil’s Sports Bar

Brookfield police on April 21 ar rested a 47-year-old Chicago woman for domestic battery.

Around 9:30 p.m., of ficers responded to Phil’s Spor ts Bar & Grill on Burlington Avenue on a re port of the woman hitting a man as they were leaving the bar. Some of the of ficers met with the woman, who said she was arguing with the man at the bar, but she denied making physical contact with the man. While of ficers were standing with her, she was yelling at the man to leave to gether and ignoring their requests not to speak to him

Other of ficers spoke to the man, who appeared intoxicated and said the woman had hit him in the face multiple times, showing police his bloodshot left eye and a bloody scratch on his right cheek.

Officers met with the complainant inside the bar, who said she had witnessed the woman taking the man’s cap off his head and striking him in the face with the cap and her fists before she asked them to leave and called police. The complainant identified the woman and man as the people she’d witnessed. Police later obtained video footage from inside the bar showing the incident.

The man told police he did not want to pursue criminal charges before firefighter paramedics took him to the hospital. Police placed the woman under ar rest and transpor ted her to lockup in Berwyn, where they took her finger prints, read her Miranda war ning and charged her with one count of domestic battery.

Caught ignoring a stop sign

Brookfield police ticketed a 20-year-old Chicago man on April 22 after his car failed to stop at a stop sign

An officer was on patrol around 11:40 a.m. near the intersection of Shields and Eberly avenues when they observed a car disregarding the stop sign there. The officer followed the car south before pulling it over at the intersection with Sahler Avenue.

The officer approached the car and spoke to the driver, who was not able to provide his driver’s license or proof of insurance on the

vehicle. The officer used the man’s state ID card to search for his information in the police database and learned it had expired

The officer issued citations to the man for disregarding the stop sign, driving on an expired license and operating an uninsured vehicle. The of ficer set a May 12 cour t date and told the man to legally park his vehicle and wait for his parents to pick it up.

Driving while high

Brookfield police on April 22 ticketed a 35-year-old Brookfield man for driving high

While on patrol around 3:30 p.m., the officer was driving west on Ogden Avenue near Prairie Avenue behind a blue car, which they observed swerving due to the driver reaching around inside the vehicle before seeing “a heavy billow of smoke” within the car.

The officer conducted a traffic stop on the 4100 block of Eberly Avenue and spoke to the driver, who said the car was swerving due to his being distracted by something in his car. The officer noticed a strong odor of cannabis and asked if the man had been smoking it, which he admitted. The man provided his driver’s license and proof of insurance before producing at the officer’s request a small pipe with bur nt cannabis on the end and a small container with more inside

The officer had the man step out of his car before conducting a search with the man’s consent, which did not tur n up any more contraband, police said. The officer issued a citation for prohibited possession of cannabis and set an adjudication date for May 18.

These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department reports dated April 20-26; they represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest

Compiled by Stella Brown

ST. PAUL

Adding a high school

from page 1

education consultant.

“At that point, the church and the school board had made the decision to move forward with seeing if there would be interest in the high school,” T hoelke told the Landmark. “We sat down and talked about setting up a plan for enrollment Going to 12th grade is really necessary for a classical education so that [students] are w ell prepared for undergrad or whatever they plan to do after they ’re finished with us.”

While some might expect a high school expansion to star t with a freshman class that leads the way until they graduate and make room for the years below them, T hoelke said St. Paul’s is opening enrollment to all four high school grades due to the requests of the existing alumni community

“One of the impetuses for star ting this high school is that we have a f antastic alumni base, where the students who are currently in high school that graduated from St. Paul’s in Brookfield come back every single week and study to g ether because they want to be on campus,” she said. “Having that kind of desire on the part of the children to be back and to be a part of what we’re doing, in some small way, and continue that work — it makes sense for the church to say, ‘We should provide this for them.’”

T hoelke said school administrators are expecting a minimum of five students per high school grade level in the f all, with room for up to 12 students per grade in the first year

She said the school is planning to expand its roster of staf f for both the exist-

BROOKFIELD SHOPS

from page 9

count on having people come in, whereas markets are more volatile, I feel like, right now,” Vedral said.

With the business boasting custom cupcake confections, Vedral said she’s most looking forward to continuing to let her creativity shine.

“Next week, for the grand opening, we’re going to launch a cupcake called the Brook-

ing K-8 grades and the new 9-12 grades with “some really re putable, wonderfu l teachers” who all have personal connections to St. Paul’s.

To round out the cur riculum for junior and senior students, St. Paul’s is par tnering with Concordia University Chicago, a private Lutheran university in River Forest, T hoelke said. Many of the school’s current faculty are Concordia graduates, including herself, she said.

“[Upperclassmen] will have dual-credit enrollment at Concordia University Chicago,” she said. “Our children will have the oppor tunity to go to their campus, lear n alongside freshman in colle ge or sophomores or older, in their labs, especially for sciences and math. T here are also other areas where Concordia will be endorsing our teachers, so they’re also going to be able to gain colle ge credit on our campus.”

She said the par tnership should prepare St. Paul’s students for colle ge even more than an Advanced Placement (AP) course would. High school students across the country can take colle ge-level AP classes and ear n colle ge credit based on their perfor mance on a test at the end of the year

“Having that par tnership for our children will be a benefit for everyone all the way around,” T hoelke said. “It will cer tainly save them a lot of money when you look at how much colle ge in America costs.”

Meet the principal

Thoelke said she came on as the principal at St. Paul’s earlier this year when the school found itself in need of a new leader while she was consulting with them.

appointment in Se ptember as the vice president of finance and chie f financial of ficer of Concordia University Chicago.

T hoelke graduated from Concordia in 1996 with a bachelor’s de gree in elementary education and a certification in paris h music before ear ning her master’s in education administration there. Since then, she’s spent her career working in Lutheran schools around the country, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Houston, Texas

She said her first taste of Illinois came when she became a teacher at another chapter of St. Paul’s in Hamel, Illinois, a small town east of St. Louis with fewer than 1,000 people.

“They promoted me to principal while I was there, and we built that school. It had star ted at 13 [students], and w hen I left, it was around 80 students. We were having f amilies move to the area, to this small, little, 800-person village, to attend this school,” she said.

“Hav ing that partnership (w ith Concordia) for our children will be a bene t for ever yone all the way around.”

KATE THOELKE

St. Paul’s principal

T hen, she moved to Houston to build up another Lutheran school, Our Savior, where she worked until she came to Brookfield.

“We built that school from 265 [students] to completely full. When I left in December, there were 411 [students]. It’s the largest classical Lutheran school in the nation,” she said.

With it being National Teacher Appreciation Week, T hoelke gave her thanks to the teaching staf f she works with at St. Paul’s.

“One of my greatest joys is being able to lead a school like this and, for families, provide them with a very meaningful, enduring education that helps families to have a school that partners with them and all the hard work that they do,” she said. “Brookfield is such a lovely community.”

fielder that you’ re only going to be able to get here. It’s going to have a juniper extract and syrup on it, since we’re the village of trees,” she said. “What I love doing the most is coming up with new recipes, new cupcake creations, and things that will bring people in the door.”

At Four Star, Jose Camacho said he’d like to see his family ’s business be allowed to post more signage

“That’s one of the things that’s very difficult, because it’s a business, and the customers don’t see any signs about what we are,” he said.

T hoelke said she moved to the area with her husband, John T hoelke, following his

He said the biggest takeaway from the previous year spent at the Brookfield Shops has been to persevere.

“Don’t give up When you have a business, don’t expect to have a ton of customers come in [at first]. It’s a process that you have to take it or leave it, because if you’ re a business, you have to trust,” he said. “You have to gain customers, maybe one every month, but that’s good. That means you know that you’ re doing good.”

Kelly Stevens, one of two Kellys (alongside her daughter-in-law, Kelly Thompson) who run the Style House, ag reed that build-

“I’ve had some of the best teachers to work with in the places that I’ve serve d, and now, coming here to Brookfield, we’ve got wonderful, educated, high-quality, caring teachers, and that is what’s going to continue to help Brookfield thrive, ” she said. “What a blessing it is to have them and the benefits that our families in Brookfield are receiving as a result of that hard work.”

ing relationships has been the key to success

“It was easy. It’s natural. I feel very blessed,” Stevens said. “I’ve made not just customers but relationships. It’s been amazing. At first, when you have a brickand-mor tar, you de pend on foot traf fic. While we have it, it’s a little dif ferent. We’re not on LaGrange Road; we’re here at Eight Cor ners, and there’s never been a boutique herein Brookfield. When I have people coming from LaGrange Park, Brookfield, Oak Park, and they’re retur n customers, it’s a great accomplishment.”

COURTESY OF ST PAUL’S LUTHERAN SCHOOL

Maripat Scanlon, 85

Long time Riverside volunteer

Maripat Scanlon, 85, of Riverside, died on April 25, 2026, sur rounded by family. Bor n on Oct. 23, 1940, she was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and taught until she married Bill, her husband for 64 years. After their children were grown, she enjoyed a career in real estate and worked alongside Bill at Access Benefit Plan Consultants

She was dee ply eng aged in her community. She star ted a volunteer org anization at Brookfield Zoo, volunteered at MacNeal Hospital, was a Lone Tree Area Girl Scout Council director and Girl Scout leader, ran the Riverside Community Fund, and served on the Riverside Plan Commission. She also enjoyed being treasurer of the Riverside Garden Club and on the board of the Olmsted Society Her life was defined by her zest for living. She approached everything she did with great gusto, whether it

OBITUARIES

was creating adventures for her children to explore ar t, theater, music, and the city of Chicago; having an opinion on any and all topics and sticking to it with conviction; talking about current news and politics; devouring British mystery books; decorating the house for every holiday from Mardi Gras to Christmas and everything in between; planning both the family ’s annual trips to Door County and her outfits. She was a spirited and passionate person who lived a life filled with love, purpose, and dedication to her family

Maripat was predeceased by her husband, Bill Scanlon She was the mother of Jacqueline (Michael) Lurie, Courtenay (Edward) Erb, Alyson Scanlon, and Blake (Anne) Scanlon; the grandmother of Bradford (Samantha) Lurie, Blaire Lurie, Sheridan Lurie, Laramie Scanlon, Colin Scanlon, Nolan Scanlon, and Cassidy Erb; and the greatgrandmother of Margot Lurie. She was the daughter of the late Wilbur and Margaret Higgins (nee Sheridan); the sister of the late John Higgins (Diane) and James Higgins (Rosemary); the sister-in law of Mary Catherine (the late John) Durkin, Noreen (the late Philip) Cherep, the late John D. (Jane) Scanlon, the late Edward “Butch” (the late Colleen) Scanlon, and the late Andrew “Skip” Scanlon. She was the aunt of many nieces, ne phews, and cousins, and a friend to many.

A visitation will be held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cer mak Road, Westchester) on Friday,

May 8 from 3 until 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, at St. Mary Church in Riverside To livestream, please visit conboywestchesterfh com/obituary/maripat-scanlon.

Inter ment private In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maripat’s memory to Riverside Public Library Ar rangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko, Funeral Director.

To run an obituary

Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@newswellchicago.org, before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible

Sports

RBHS track’s 34 seniors share spotlight in girls, boys dual

Bulldogs, Lions prepare for girls conference meets, 3A

sectionals

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior Bella DiMatteo joined the Riverside Brookfield High School girls trackand-field team in 2025 for more than just running

“I run 300 (meter) and 100 hurdles Just flat running never drew me in as much,” DiMatteo said. “Running over obstacles felt like an achievable skill I wanted to lear n. I love the technicality of hurdles and the conce pt that you’ re not just fighting yourself but also driving through the hurdles.”

DiMatteo was among 15 girls and 19 boys honored on Senior Day before the Bulldo gs’ April 28 dual with Elmwood Park The meet was rescheduled from the previous day.

“Senior Night was exciting because got to par ticipate in events that usually don’t get to,” said RBHS boys senior Quinn Hendricks, a four-year team member three seasons on varsity. “I’ve had a role models throughout the years. It mak me want to be someone to look up to for all the underclassmen.”

Other senior boys honored were Joey Al ber ts, Angelo Cardenas, Zachary Conrad, Clayton Dosek, Nathan Dransof f, Au Favar ula, Jayden Karas, Ryan Kendall, se ph Klinhom, Connor Kolodziejski, Lee, Nick O’Connor, Emmitt Olson, chael Rafael, Cooper Sahlas, Keenan ton, Kaiser Zabek and Kevin Zuniga

The other senior girls are Emma Acamovic, Alekse Alijosius, Bella DiMatteo, Rachel Dosek, Rebecca Dosek, Carley Freeman, Kira Hanson, Emma Hlavaty, Mariella Hutar, Clara Jordan, Soleil Kaciuba, Sophia Maietta, Mykah Matheny,

Savanna Murillo, Hannah Richter, Claire Shadduck and Addie Vaia.

The three Doseks among the two teams are triplets.

With his 400 skill, Hendricks reached the 2024 Class 3A state meet as an alternate for the 4 x 400 relay. He also usually runs 800s and with the 4 x 800 relay.

“I like doing those events because I get to run with my close friends and I know that we are all motivated to give our best every time we go out on the track,” said Hendricks, who will attend Illinois.

“My greatest moments were going to state sophomore year and getting to experience the meet. Other good moments I’ve had include being the last le g of the 4 x 400 and being in a high-intensity environment where the team is relying on me to win.”

After a previous-best 54.86 for the 300 low hurdles at the 2025 sectional, DeMatteo be g an this season with a conver ted 52.44, April 8, and broke 52 seconds (51.98) for fourth at the Leyden Invite, April 15.

Riverside-Brook eld’s Sophia Maietta

in the triple jump dur ing the Bulldog Relay, April 11.

“On my first 300 of the season I (got a personal record) by five seconds it’s really made all my work wor th it. Also (I like) seeing our varsity perfor ming so much etter this season,” DeMatteo said. the 100 hurdles, DeMatteo also was th at the Oak Forest Invite (18.84) and has run a conver ted 18.44. Rebecca Dosek, Elizabeth Moran and Natalie Moran that invite’s 4 x 800 (10:19.99). Other invite champions were Rebecca (800 in 2:24.10) at the Leyden Invite Natalie Moran (3,200 in 12:07.54) at andburg ’s Eagle Classic April 23.

a two-year cross country r unner, DeMatteo will attend Illinois Wesleyan on a pre-med track.

“Senior Night was really special. I nevimagined they would go so far and plan much for us,” DeMatteo said. “Track een a lot more emotional for me than other spor t I have played and seeing the possibility of it ending soon makes me really sad.”

At the boys Leyden Invite, April 16, Hendricks, Olson, Dosek and junior

Bryson Reum won the 4 x 400 (3:42.88) and 2,800-meter distance medley relay (7:41.79) and Karas won the 100 (11.30).

At the Hinsdale Central Invitational April 23, the 4 x 400 (3:40.29) and 4 x 800 (8:37.06) were third and Karas was four th (200 in 23.71).

T he girls compete at the Upstate Eight Conference Meet on T hursday, May 7, in Elgin followed by the Class 3A St. Ignatius Sectional May 13.

LTHS girls track

Lyons Township plays host to the West Suburban Conference Silver Division championships on Friday, May 8. Discus and shot put will be contested May 7 at Downers Grove Nor th.

At Wheaton Warrenville South’s Tiger Invite Friday, sophomore Bianca Taylor won long jump (5.44 meters/17 feet-10 1/4 inches) with an outdoor best. Junior Lucy Laux was second in the 400 (1:00.82).

The Lions compete at the 3A Shepard Sectional May 13.

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brook eld’s Quinn Hendricks runs the anchor leg in the 4x800 relay during the Bulldog Relays, April 11, in Brook eld.

STEVE JOHNSTON

competes

RBHS girls lacrosse learns from four seniors

Led by Schultz, Porter, Je cott, Sweeney, Bulldogs just miss rst victory

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School senior Zoe Jeffcott joined the girls lacrosse team as a sophomore and quickly adapted to her new sport.

“Lacrosse is very different from dance, but you still have to rely on your teammates to be there for you to be able to perfor m your best,” Jeffcott said. “I have lear ned how to work as a team and discipline myself. I have gained so many friendships and memories that I will always remember.”

The Bulldogs have just four seniors this season – Tali Schultz, Maggie Porter, Ava Sweeney and Jeffcott – after 11 in 2025, yet Senior Night April 28 was just as memorable and exciting.

They nearly pulled off their first victory but lost to Rosary 11-10 when the Royals converted a rebound with 6.7 seconds left. RBHS (0-8) trailed Rosary (1-9) midway through the third quarter 8-3 but kept playing as though the score was tied.

Four unanswered goals – two each by sophomores Cora Rosenfeld and Allie Ferguson – tied the game 10-10 with 59.7 seconds remaining

“We definitely all put in our best effort, especially since we were so close,” Jeffcott said. “I think now that some of the newer players felt the energy when we were tied Hopefully they will have that same energy no matter the score in future games.”

Co-captains Schultz and Porter plus Sweeney are four-year varsity members. Schultz ear ned all-sectional honors in 2025.

“Every year, no matter our record, we have

Riverside-Brook eld’s Cora Rosenfeld (21) chases dow n the ball during a nonconference game against St. Laurence, March 24.

fun as a team. The friendships and bond of the team makes the experience,” said Schultz, also a standout golfer and a competitive cheerleader for two years. “I really appreciate the effort the team put into that. Senior Night is a great memory as I close out my high school sports. Lacrosse is a fun team sport. Being able to cheer and encourage my teammates during the game is always a highlight. I was not able to do that much in

golf or cheer.”

Porter, who will attend Indiana, is a threesport standout. She also played basketball and tennis this past fall after three seasons of volleyball.

Jeffcott will try club lacrosse at Iowa. Schultz (Illinois) and Sweeney (Iowa) also are considering the club route. RBHS coach Elise Husemann was a club lacrosse player at Illinois.

“They’re a fantastic group They truly are great leaders,” Husemann said. “They all have their own type of leadership style Maggie and Tali are very vocal on and off the field. They are very much involved with having ideas about what we can change on the field and what we need to do.

“Ava and Zoe step up to that lead by example role They’re both really good at staying positive and truly showing the younger, newer players where to go and what to do on the field and what’s expected of them.”

Ferguson is a second-year varsity player who previously never played lacrosse. She’s truly been impacted by all four seniors.

“Tali’s just held that leadership vibe. She really helped me catch on and kept me motivated and not giving up because it’s hard to catch on at first,” Ferguson said. “I love playing with (Porter). She has that grit. She doesn’t give up Even if we’re losing by 10, she still wants to win. Ava’s a sweetheart. I can always look at her and know that she won’t be mad at me for doing something. I wouldn’t be on the team without (Jeffcott). She gave me rides to practice, always patting my back. They’re just a good, emotional support team.”

Ferguson achieved her first hat trick against Rosary. Rosenfeld also had three goals and sophomore Mia Wichmanowski and Schultz scored twice. Schultz, Porter, Rosafeld and Wichmanowski were active players the entire 48 minutes.

“It felt good to work for it, just knowing what we’re capable of and not giving something up when we have it literally there,” Ferguson said. “Now it’s securing the win next time.”

Lions’ Slightom continues prowess with no-hitter

LTHS honors nine seniors

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School senior Jack Slightom has become used to Major League Baseball scouts coming in droves to watch him pitch. Last month, Prep Baseball Repor t ranked Slightom No 4 in Illinois, No 1

among Illinois pitchers and No. 113 nationally. The University of Cincinnati recruit is expected to be selected in the MLB draft, July 11-13.

“The first time (with scouts), it was cool. I was excited and the excitement kind of took over a little bit. The first outing was OK but then after that it was good,” Sligh-

tom said. “I just acted like they weren’ t there. I usually don’t know who or how many until after the g ame, talking with my agent.”

In similar fashion, Slightom made some personal history, April 28, with his first no-hitter for the Lions in a 10-0 five-inning home victory over York.

“I didn’t really know until the fifth inning when it was over,” said Slightom, who struck out eight with one walk. “It was fun, especially being my first one here (at LT). It was pretty much fastball. I was just able to attack, just ride the whole game.”

The Lions (17-5, 8-2 in WSC Silver) won two of three against the Dukes (9-12, 5-7)

STEVE JOHNSTON

Lozano is Bulldogs’ rst UEC Meet badminton champ

Sophomore wins at No. 2 singles; RBHS, LTHS prepare for sectionals

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School sophomore Mariana Lo zano experienced intense emotions entering as the No 1 seed at No. 2 singles for the Upstate Eight Conference East Division Badminton Meet.

“I felt a lot of pressure to deliver and proved that I de serve d to be the No 1 seed,” Lo zano said. “But I think that also gave me confidence that I won against these girls and I’d be able to do it again if I put my mind to it. I definitely felt more tense than relaxed, even when I was playing my hype musi c.”

Her success continued. She also made team history by winning twice in straight sets, Saturday, at West Chicago, including over Glenbard East’s No. 2 seed, Tailor Washick, 21-14, 21-16 for the title

Lo zano becomes the first UEC Meet champion for the Bulldogs, who made their conference debut last season. At the 2025 UEC Meet with the two divisions combined Lo zano was third at No. 5 singles

“I felt very accomplished. Winning conference made my season feel complete, that the work I put in allowed me to accomplish the goals I had and more,” Lo zano said. “(This season) I think I’ve improved my mentality for badminton, lear ning how to manage the adrenaline r ush from the stress I feel when I play and overall lear ning to recover on the next point, only thinking forward and not staying on the previous point. I star ted training more physically, lifting weights and g etting in better shape, doing more strenuous private lessons with better people to lear n from.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brook eld’s Mariana Lozano lines up a shot during a match against Glenbard South, April 16, in Riverside.

T he Bulldogs finished four th overall with 18 combined points from UEC East and dual meet results with a 1-4 dual record

Sophomore Demetra Foster was second at No. 3 singles as the No. 2 seed. In doubles, senior Rhea McDonald and

to remain tied for first in the loss column with Hinsdale Central (14-7, 7-2).

Slightom is now 5-0 with no ear ned runs allowed and 49 strikeouts in 25.1 innings with six walks. Ratcliffe homered with three runs batted in.

In F riday’s 7-2 victory, freshman pitcher Tommy Cavaliere (4-0, 0.80 ERA) delivered a three-hitter with four strikeouts after York won 4-3, April 29, the Lions’ third loss by one or two r uns Nick Hines was 2 for 3 with three RBIs F riday.

“I would say overall our pitching has been pretty consistent. Our hitting has been inconsistent. Our defense has been inconsistent,” LTHS coach Kevin Diete said. “We’ve got to g et those three phases to g ether and then we’ ll be a dangerous team.”

T he battery of Slightom and catcher Justin Heydorn were among the nine se-

niors the Lions honored Saturday before their 7-3 WSC crossover loss to Downers Grove South.

Other seniors are Abe Caseres-Cuello, Tanner F ridrych, Tommy Georgelos, Dylan Justinich, Marco Mor rone, Lou Ratcliffe and Lon Robert s. Caseres-Cuello (Milwaukee Tech), F ridrych (Illinois Wesleyan), Georgelos (Easter n Illinois), Heydorn (Nor th Central), Mor rone (Hamline), Ratcliffe (Wisconsin-Oshkosh) and Rober ts (Webster) also plan to play colle ge baseball. Justinich will attend Iowa.

“A lot of us have been on (varsity) since junior year. T he dugout was absolutely buzzing with the juniors cheering for us,” Heydorn said.

“I think we have such a special group of guys We’re just really dedicated and we have just a good camaraderie.”

T he senior class has continued one

re second at No. 2.

excited that her family was able to watch her Saturday. Surprisingly, she thought the regular-seaWashick was “more stressful crowd-wise” bere the final match and players from both teams re watching courtside.

(Saturday) was harder – less stressful but more ysically demanding than our earlier match,” Lozano said. ied over to doubles As the No 3 seed, Lozano McDonald, won a three-set semifinal over No 2 seed West Chicago 21-17, 15-21, 21-7.

that was my favorite doubles match. There were wns but I think that was the best (we) ever zano said. “Our spacing was good. Our shot was properly executed and we stayed positive and in a good competitive mindset. We didn’t lose focus of at we wanted to gether.”

wnship finished fifth at the West Suburban ConDivision Meet Friday at Hinsdale Central and fifth in the final overall standings after a 2-3 dual record senior Juliet Dillenbeck and junior Sophia Dalgety were second at No. 2 doubles as the No. 2 seed

Taking third in singles were Dalgety (No. 3), senior Luci Mini (No. 5) and juniors Ella Gryfakis (No. 4) and Sophia Gonzalez (No. 6).

The Bulldogs and Lions compete at sectionals Thursday, May 7. RBHS is at Naperville Nor th and LTHS is at Glenbard East.

The top four finishers in singles and doubles at each sectional advance to the state meet. In 2025, RBHS senior Aubrey Kaczmarek and the doubles team of McDonald and Lozano each finished 1-2 with victories in the consolation bracket.

team tradition from a couple of years ago – team breakfasts at the nearby Honey Bee Café in Wester n Springs, usually on Saturdays.

“This (senior) class is some of the tightest we’ve ever had. We don’ t have a single kid that’s kind of odded out,” Slightom said. “All nine of us are completely tog ether, bought in, always working.”

Heydorn continues quite an LTHS f amily tradition. His grandfather and father both attended the school.

His father, Jim Heydorn, was a longtime LTHS baseball coach on the sophomore and freshman levels. Justin now is witness to numerous fish frys at his house with other for mer LTHS baseball coaches, including for mer varsity head coaches George Ushela and Ter ry Sullivan.

“I’ ll hear umpteen stories every year (about) this player, that player,” said Hey-

dorn, who has been a catcher since his early days of Little League. His dad was a catcher at Car thage

“It means a lot with my dad playing baseball and my grandfather attending here,” Heydorn said. “Being able to continue that is really special.”

T here is also a special on-field relationship between Heydorn and Slightom.

Heydorn said they pretty much have free reign to call Slightom’s pitches For other pitchers, LTHS assistant coach Ryan Malloy communicates with Heydorn through the PitchCom on-field device.

“It’s fun to be able to say, ‘Yeah, I catch the No 1 pitcher in the state,’” Heydorn said.

“His command is so there. If I want it outside, it’s there. Inside, it’s there. That makes it so fun to work hitters when you have a guy that can execute on command.”

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: M26001576 on April 17, 2026 Under the Assumed Business Name of ATWOOD STUDIOS with the business located at: 9214 BROADWAY AVE, BROOKFIELD, IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JUSTIN

LYSONS ATWOOD 9214 BROADWAY AVE BROKFIELD, IL 60513, USA.

Published in RB Landmark April 22, 29, May 6, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICES

RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 208

TIMELY AND MEANINGFUL CON-

SULTATION FOR PARENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF PRIVATE AND HOME SCHOOLED CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

In accordance with the requirements of Section 612(a) (10) of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004 (“IDEA 2004”), Riverside Brookfield High School will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 9:00 AM at Riverside Brookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Il 60546 The purpose of this meeting is to discuss how students with disabilities, who attend private schools or are homeschooled within the district boundaries, will be served by District 208 during the 2026-27 school year. Parents and private school administrators who would like to attend should contact Kevin Baldus, Director of Special Education, at baldusk@rbhs208. net.

Published in RB Landmark April 29, May 6, 13, 2026

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR LOCAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing will be held before the Preservation Commission of the Village of Riverside on Monday, June 1, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., in Room 22 of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, to consider an application for a local landmark designation for the trolley shelter on 26th Street near Harlem Avenue and the trolley shelter on Des Plaines Avenue near Northgate Road.

The Petitioner, Ashley Boduch, on behalf of the Village of Riverside, submitted an application to amend the text of Title 11, Chapter 1, Section 5 Appendix D of the Village Code by adding subsection number 73 to designate the trolley shelters as local historic landmarks. A description of the locations is as follows:

The trolley shelter on 26th Street is on the south side of the street near the intersection of Harlem Avenue in Riverside, Illinois. The coordinates are 41.842974, -87.803998. The trolley shelter on Des Plaines Avenue is on the east side of the street near the intersection with Northgate Road in Riverside, Illinois. The coordinates are 41.841280, -87.822599.

Permanent Tax ID Number: The shelters are in rights-of-way, which do not have Permanent Tax ID Numbers

Common Address: The shelters do not have common addresses

Persons wishing to appear at such public hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the requested landmark designation. Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed with the Village Clerk, or at such hearing.

The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546.

Dated this 6th day of May, 2026. Charles Pipal, Chairperson Preservation Commission

Published in RB Landmark May 6, 2026

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR LOCAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION

The Petitioner, Sander Kaplan, on behalf of the Village of Riverside, submitted an application to amend the text of Title 11, Chapter 1, Section 5 Appendix D of the Village Code by adding subsection number 74 to designate the stone gutter in Harrington Park a local historic landmark. A description of the location is as follows:

The structure is linear and runs for approximately 40 feet along the east side of South Delaplaine Road, directly across from 108 South Delaplaine Road, on the west side of Harrington Park in Riverside, Illinois. The coordinates of the stone gutter are 41.82712, -87.80487.

Permanent Tax ID Number: The stone gutter is in Harrington Park, which does not have a Permanent Tax ID Number

Common Address: The stone gutter does not have a common address

The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546.

Dated this 6th day of May, 2026.

Charles Pipal, Chairperson Preservation Commission

Published in RB Landmark May 6, 2026

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Riverside will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, in Room 4 of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, to consider an application from the Village of Riverside to review and consider various changes to the Riverside Zoning Ordinance.

Application No.: PZ 26-0002

Petitioner: Village of Riverside

Proposed Text Amendments: Various changes to the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance. The affected chapters in Title 10 (Zoning Code) include, but may not be limited to, the following: Chapter 5 (Business Districts) and Chapter 11 (Definitions). The topics of the changes being considered include, but may not be limited to, defining mobile food units and specifying in which Zoning Districts mobile food units may operate.

The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. During the Public Hearing the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters. Persons wishing to appear at this hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the matters being considered. Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearing or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to the Village’s Community Development Department at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois prior to 4:00 p.m. the day of the public hearing.

The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Dated this 6th day of May 2026.

Jennifer Henaghan, Chairperson Planning & Zoning Commission

Published in RB Landmark May 6, 2026

Application No.: PZ 26-0001

Petitioner: Village of Riverside Proposed Text Amendments: Various changes to the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance. The affected chapters in Title 10 (Zoning Code) include, but may not be limited to, the following: Chapter 7 (Site Development Standards) and Chapter 11 (Definitions). The topics of the changes being considered include, but may not be limited to, which structures are included in the calculation of building coverage.

Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearing or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to the Village’s Community Development Department at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois prior to 4:00 p.m. the day of the public hearing.

The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Dated this 6th day of May 2026. Jennifer Henaghan, Chairperson Planning & Zoning Commission

Published in RB Landmark May 6, 2026