Landmark_051425 by Wednesday Journal

Brookﬁeld library trustee steps down after 44 years of ‘getting things done’

Carol Vaughan Ki rst won her se the board in 1981

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

When Carol Vaughan Kissane earned the second-most votes out of nine candidates for the then-Brookfield Public Library Board of Trustees in 1981, she said the possibility her tenure could last 44 years did “not even remotely” cross her mind.

That tenure will come to a close the Linda Sokol Francis Library’s May 28 board meeting. Kissane, who did not seek reelection, will leave her seat after four new trustees are sworn in at the Brookfield board’s May 12 meeting. Those elected defeated four other candidates in last month’s consolidated election.

This wasn’t the first time Kissane considered leaving her post.

“Every time, I said I wasn’t she told the Landmark Tuesd about seeking reelection after each of her previous terms. “One time, it was be-

See LIBRARY on pa ge 10

Carol Vaughan Kissane, is giving up her seat on the Linda Sokol Francis Brookeld Librar y Board of Trustees a er 44 years.

Protestors will line the sidewalks of gden Avenue May 18

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Protestors in black holding signs will take to the sidewalks along Ogden Avenue this weekend to protest the actions of the Trump administration that the vast majority of political scientists say are bringing the United States closer to authoritarianism according to NPR.

The Hands Across Chicagoland protest will take place Sunday, May 18, from noon to 2 p.m. forming a literal human chain linked

PROTEST on page 9

Brookﬁeld is building a new dome to store salt for winter

It’s ‘a relief for our entire team,’ says DP Director Lauren Mo

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield may solve its road salt problems by the end of the year.

Lauren Moore, the village’s public director, told the Landmark a project to build a new salt dome this year will reduce waste caused by the salt’s exposure to the elements under Brookfield’s cu age setup.

“It clumps. It’s not supposed to get wet. There’s run-of f into the storm system, and, obviously, we don’t want a bunch of salt running of f into our freshwater areas,” she said Wednesday. “The clumps cause an issue for the augers in our trucks that basically spit the salt out of the trucks. When you get those clumps, you got to pull them out and break them up, and they’re pretty hard. They’re like concrete.”

GOOGLE MAPS SCREENSHOT

Brook eld’s public works department stores about half of its road salt under an aw ning, leav ing it exposed to potential rainfall and other environmental issues

The salt, which Brookfield uses to clear icy roads in the winter, is stored in two places at Brookfield’s public works building, 4545 Eberly Ave.

“Half of the salt goes in the Quonset hut. The other half goes under the awning and is protected by a tar p, per se, in the winter months,” Moore said.

If everything goes according to plan, “We would like to have the [new] storage up and ready for salt by September,” she said.

According to a memo from the village board’s April 28 meeting, public works’ existing storage areas can hold roughly 700 tons of salt, which is only about half of the amount it orders each year. The new storage hut will be 60 feet by 60 feet, or 3,600 square feet, and hold up to 1,500 tons of salt, Moore said.

She said a joint purchasing ag reement with Illinois means Brookfield has to find a way to store salt it might not need throughout the year.

“They basically say, ‘OK, you bought your amount. You have to take it because we can’t store it for you.’ If you don’t take

it, you lose it, essentially, so you find a place to put it, anywhere in the building, anywhere on the property,” she said.

Rocco Barbanente, Brookfield’s superintendent of public works, said the village has been splitting its salt between the Quonset hut and awning since last year.

“We had Westchester and L aGrang e Pa rk storing some of our salt because we had an abundance of salt, because we have n’ t had any winter s, but we took that q uantity back from b oth those locations,” he said. “We started to use the other Quonset hut to b asically makeshift a new salt area because we j ust didn’t have the spac e. ”

Moore and Barbanente said one issue contributing to the need for more storage space is that Brookfield rarely needs all the salt it orders due to lighter snowfalls in recent winters.

“It’s a tough call, because if you do get slammed in a winter, then you need it You do n’ t want to necessarily say yo u do n’ t need it because, if you say that, then you’ re paying premium pricing to

t ry and g et it after that,” Barbanente said. “You might not g et it, and you do n’ t want to be in that situation where yo u do n’ t have the material.”

The village also holds onto excess salt from previous years and uses it when needed, rotating it out of storage to make room for newer salt, they added.

Vi llage trustees on April 28 approved a c ontract with Valdes Architecture and Engineering, a L ombard-based fi rm , for $36,100’s wo r th of d esign and installation wo rk . According to the b oard memo, the entire project will c ost about $435,000, with $375,000 estimated for construction and roughly $60,000 budg eted for engineering.

“The idea of having the ability to p ut all our salt in one p lace and free up spac e, I think, is kind of a relief for our entire team,” Moore said. “For some of the guys in the back shop, they ’re li ke, ‘A l right, I need to mo ve five things in order to g et to one thing,’ so it gives us a little more room to move around, wh ich is probably the nicest thing.”

Contributing

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza

Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls

Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com

Operations Associate Susan Babin

Weinheimer

Nile Wendor f

Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 E-MAIL dhaley@wjinc.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 $45 within Cook County and $65 outside the county. Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling

Riverside swears in Joseph Fitzgerald as trustee

e new trustee takes the seat of Megan Claucherty, who was honored with a proclamation

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Riverside has welcomed a new village board following the April 1 consolidated election.

Village Clerk Emily Stenzel swore in Trustee Joseph Fitzgerald at the village board’s May 1 meeting, following the Cook County Clerk’s certification of the election results. Fitzgerald is the sole new member of Riverside’s village board.

Stenzel also swore in reelected trustees Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga and Elizabeth Kos and Village President Doug Pollock. All four officials will serve a four-year term until 2029.

At the meeting, Pollock read of f a list of “brief highlights” of the village’s achievements since 2021, when outgoing Trustee

Village Clerk Emily Stenzel swears in newly elected Trustee Joseph Fitzgerald to the Riverside village board May 1

He named the creation of business districts on Harlem Avenue at Longcommon Road and East Burlington Street and the opening of 10 brick-and-mortar businesses in town in 2024.

“I want to mention the rental re gistry and inspection program. Me gan’s legal

background [as an attorney] and measured am helped us tremendously in getting that done. That’s a very important program for this village It’s made a real difference in the lives of people who live in this village,” he said. Riverside last month settled the legal action against the owners of a downtown

rental property that led to the creation of the program.

Pollock also read a for mal proclamation honoring Claucherty for her service as a trustee and contributions to the Riverside community.

Claucherty was gifted a framed copy of the proclamation as well as a framed copy of the general plan of Riverside, depicting its winding roads and green spaces.

Your News. Your Community.

Pop-up boutique ﬁnds home at Brookﬁeld Shops

Kelly ompson’s Shop Salon & Style House joins the retail incubator

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Kelly Thompson, owner and operator of the Shop Salon & Style House, 3735 Grand Blvd., is expanding her bimonthly pop-up fashion boutique into an every-weekend af fair with a spot at the Brookfield Shops retail incubator program.

Thompson and her mother-in-law, Kelly Stevens, opened the salon side of the business in 2019, and they launched the Style House side with a pop-up event inside the brick-and-mortar store in December.

“We’ re limited [due] to space and [to] Sundays,” Stevens said in a joint interview with the Landmark. T hey had run the pop-up at the Yorktown Center in Lombard, “but it’s hard to compete with your T.J. Maxx.”

Despite the logistical limits, they said they found a growing customer base with their fashionable wares.

“When we started our first few pop-ups, we didn’t have our own clothing line. We just opened it up to other vendors in a way to network and bring in traf fic for the hair salon,” Stevens said. “As we were launching, we were like, ‘You know what? Why don’t we buy a few pieces of clothing. Let’s just throw it out there and see how it goes.’ And it turned out to be really successful.”

Along with Thompson’s 9-year-old daughter, Mia, the family said they curate a selection of clothes so women of all ages can feel and look their best.

“Mia is our biggest critic. She’ll say, ‘Yeah, yeah. Are you crazy? You can’t wear that,’” Stevens said. “Especially women of my ag e, what we find is, OK, yes, we are mature, but we still want to dress fashion-forward. ”

Thompson said the Brookfield Shops location, which will open Fridays through Sundays starting June 6 through December, will sell accessories like jewelry and hats — “Things that make up an outfit,” she said — alongside their line of clothing.

Stevens said Brookfield staf f first approached Thompson to be a member of the retail incubator’s selection jury, which heard pitches from about 20 potential ven-

dors and nar rowed them down to six. In-

stead, Thompson told them she was interested in applying for one of the spaces, and the self-titled “three gems” went before the jury themselves.

When they were told they had been selected, the women said they were excited but scared.

“Oh shoot, this is really happening! Now we have to start figuring it all out,” Stevens said.

Thompson said she’s still been learning as the vendors have gone through preparatory work with the village since the cohort was announced in March.

“I know how to open the salon, but the boutique is a little bit different,” she said.

“It’s not my first time opening a business, but it’s just a different venture, and it’s [Brookfield’s] first time, too, so I think

we’re kind of leaning on each other.”

Stevens, who owns the brick-and-mortar space the salon operates out of, said the dynamic as renters has been a new experience.

“Brookfield has b een so suppo rt ive and amazing in offering so many di ff erent incentive s, ” she said. “It’s different. We are moving into their space. We ’re in this spac e, [but] this was our s, so now we ’re leasing from them. Li ke she said, opening up a b outiqu e, there’s so much that you do n’ t think about. … Li ke the hanger s. I neve r looked at so many hangers in my life!”

Thompson said trying to fit a dressing room into the 225 square foot space — 15 feet by 15 feet — has been one of the biggest challenges so far.

“Actually picking out the clothing is the least. We love to shop. It ’s second na-

ture to us,” St evens said. “It’s everything else that you do n’ t realize that needs to be figured out.”

T hompson said she’s relied on the Brookfield business c ommunity to help make the o pportunity wo rk . Employees from Prairie Path Vi ntage Market, across the street from the salon, will staf f the shed on weekends so she ca n c ontinue to run the salon herself

Ultimately, she said, the goal is to be known as the place for fashion in Brookfield and connect with the community in another way than doing hair.

“[I’m] really hoping that we could be their spot. Like, if we need something to wear for the weekend, let me shoot over there. Being that for [the town], where they can find confidence in the clothing we provide, that’s an amazing feeling,” she said.

PROVIDED BY KELLY THOMPSON

Audrey Hostrawser, Kelly ompson, Kelly Stevens and Rebecca Barry. Hostrawser and Barry are Prairie Path employees who will sta the Style House’s Brook eld Shops shed.

Opinion

THE L ANDMARK VIEW

Heart of Brook eld

Carol Vaughan Kissane describes the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library as “the heart of Brookfield.” As Kissane steps down this month after 44 years as a library trustee, you could describe her as the heart of the library. It is a remarkable record of service and accomplishment by Kissane, who certainly has stories to tell but is fully focused on the future of Brookfield’s library. She recalls that she joined the library board in 1981 when the library had one window air-conditioning unit and one electric typewriter. And she describes the string of special projects that kept her running for reelection over the decades. It was the search for a new library director or remodeling the old library. More recently, it was building the new library.

“With the new building, I wasn’t going to tur n it over to someone new. I had to stay to see it through,” she said.

Kissane says the per petual remaking of library technology has been the constant theme across her years of service. Toni Hergenrother has worked at the library since 1986 and sat in on our interview with Kissane last week. She described Kissane as a force to be reckoned with during her board service.

“I always thought she was pushy, but things got done that way,” she said. “She had a voice, and she used it and got things done.”

Now, as she is leaving, Kissane remembers positively her role in the statewide library association and marching in the 4th of July parade as highlights. But she also touts the wonders of the new library, the wide range of programs and services it offers, the technology and the breadth of the collection and the intense use its meeting rooms and study rooms get each day.

We join the community in thanking her for her enormous service.

Salt of the earth

It is one of the most basic of all local government services. Salting the streets in winter. Plow and salt well and the public works crews become heroes. Botch it and residents have long memories.

Brookfield is about to invest in what is just about the most fundamental infrastructure project in municipal gover nment. It is building a salt shed. One place to safely and conveniently store the tons of salt it orders for each winter season.

Right now, the makeshift facilities for salt storage holds 700 tons. The new salt dome will hold 1,500 tons, more than Brookfield orders each year. And, in an upgrade, all that salt will now be protected from the weather, so it doesn’t either get wet and run of f into the sewers or clump up into concrete-like chunks.

Not cheap at $435,000, but another good investment in efficient local government from Brookfield.

OBITUARIES

Devin Ekstam, 25 Gi ed athlete

Devin J. E 25, of Brookfield died unexpectedly on May 10, 2025. Born on Ju 1999, in Chicag Devin was a less child loved to bike, board, skateboard, wakeboard, nate any sport, climb tall trees, go fishing, and catc frogs. He ne shied away from ad venture and up to be a athlete, and a ligh in all our live A 2017 gr of Lyons To High School, Western Springs, he was a multi-MVP through four years of soccer as defender, striker and captain, and took his skills to Parkland Colle ge in Champaign-Urbana. His talent on the pitch was matched by his infectious smile and unflinching drive. He expressed his artistic flair through rap, saxophone and design. Everywhere we turn, we find reminders of him and the fun we experienced throughout his life. While we can no longer hug him in this life, we trust he is kicking a goal or passing a football somewhere, his spirit shining over us.

Devin leaves behind a broken-hearted family to treasure the joy, laughter, and unbridled energy he gave the world. Though his earthly time was brief, his impact on others will be endless. We love you r and always, Devy Joe. for privacy and praye rs du ring this difficult time. A private f amily servic e

Denise Polerecky, 78

Denise Ann Marie Polerecky (née McEnerney), 78, of Westchester, for merly of Brookfield, Cicero and Chicago, died at her home on April 24, 2025. Denise graduated from St Mary High School in 1965, attended Morton College, and was a longtime employee of Mid America Bank. She loved to travel and experience new places. If there was an outdoor concert nearby, she would be there. She was very active with her Mid-America as well as her Weight Watchers friends, and was a huge animal lover, quick to pass out dog treats to all of her Dan Haley, Ri

Please include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

Sports

Bulldogs’ Eggers breaks 39-year school record for 400

Senior stars at Oak Forest Invite, helps winning 4x800 at UEC Meet

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School senior Jorie Eggers needed a break from the 400-meter run during her 2024 girls track and field season.

“I struggled with my confidence in running the 400 so I switched over to 300 (low) hurdles towards the end of the season,” Eggers responded.

Eggers has returned to the 400 with a run for the ages May 1.

Her second-place 59.95 seconds at the Oak Forest Invitational broke a 39-year school record.

“Out of my track accomplishments, this ranks No. 1,” Eggers responded.

“Even though I have great memories and accomplishments running relays with my team, breaking the school record was always my top goal. It feels very rewarding to finally have reached my goal.”

The Bulldogs and Lyons Township now go after state berths at the Class 3A Oak Park and River Forest Sectional Friday on the Huskies’ new track. Top-two sectional finishers automatically advance as well as entries that achieve state-qualifying stan-

dards at the meet.

Eggers ran 1:01.68 April 21. At Oak Forest, Eggers beat the 60.8 school record by Lucie Dobrovolny from 1986.

“I knew that I broke 60 (seconds) and I knew the time I needed to beat was 60.8,” Eggers responded.

“When I realized I broke the record, I started jumping up and down with joy. My teammates ran up and hugged me right away. I’m extremely grateful to have such supportive and amazing teammates and coaches.”

At their first Upstate Eight Conference Meet Thursday, the Bulldogs’ Eggers, senior Gianna Gelb and juniors Addie Vaia and Rebecca Dosek could celebrate winning the 4x800 relay in 10:20.07.

Third-place Vaia (800 in 2:32.33) and fourth-place Eggers (300 low hurdles in 51.14) also earned all-conference honors with top-four finishes.

The 4x400 with Dosek, junior Kira Hanson, Vaia and Eggers was fifth (4:25.65). Hanson (400 in 1:04.99) and Dosek (800 in 2:34.28) were sixth.

The Bulldogs (33 points) were ninth.

In 2024, Gelb and Vaia also won the 4x800 as the Bulldogs won their final Metro Suburban Conference Meet. Gelb also was part of two second-place MSC Meet finishers in 2023 with Eggers and 2022.

“Going into the 4x800 relay (Thursday), I felt very confident in not only my ability but my teammates’ abilities as well to do great,” Gelb responded.

Lyons Township’s Lindsey Dunneback competes in the long jump dur ing the WSC Silver Girls Outdoor Championship Fr iday, May 9, 2025 in Downers Grove.

“We weren’ t shooting for a specific time, but focusing more on placement and trying to race. For my last conference meet, it was a very exciting moment, and I was so grateful that I got to share that with my relay team.”

The Lions finished sixth (41 points) at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet Friday at Downers Grove North.

Leigh Ferrell (in pole vault) and Karen-

na Knop (100 high hurdles in 16.50) were second. High jumpers Vesta Samoulis and Chloe Russell tied for fourth (1.47m/4-9 3/4) and the 4x100 (Adalyne Flynn, Knop, Lucy Laux, Lindsey Dunneback in 50.13) and 4x200 (F lynn, Brooke Bonniwell, Nora Ezike, Russell in 4:11.65) also were fourth. Sarah Wiggins (300 low hurdles in 49.87) and the 4x400 (Laux, Natasha Lumb, Isabella Ballarini, Russell in 4:11.65) were fifth.

Brejcha, D’Antoino among strong LTHS soccer seniors

Lions peaking entering playo s

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School girls soccer players Catie Brejcha and Sophia D’Antonio have elevated their games on and of f the field this season.

Not only are the two important as seniors. The four-year program members and second-year varsity players also are among

several new starters after the graduation of most of the 2024 lineup, often playing most of the 80 minutes.

“Definitely the conditioning part (has helped me) and when you step on the field, you have to be responsible and lead the younger players. I think that’s an impor-

tant part,” Brejcha said.

“Compared to last year, how the majority, the whole team, was basically seniors, from playing little time and now this year, it’s a big difference.”

See SOCCER on pa ge 16

STEVE JOHNSTON

JORIE EGGERS

Second chance for LTHS gymnasts with state berth

Other team’s withdrawal puts Lions into 10-team eld for eighth straight trip

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School junior TJ Carr and senior Jack Michaelson received the text from boys gymnastics coach Sam Zeman on Thursday morning still somewhat in disbelief.

In roughly 14 hours, the Lions went from being the highest-scoring sectional team not to make the 10-team Illinois High School Gymnastics Coaches Association state meet to then the last team to advance for Saturday’s competition at Hof fman Estates

“It was a roller coaster,” Carr said. “(Michaelson and I) were sitting in class. We looked at each other and we’re like, ‘Wow That’s crazy.’ ”

Lions the final night.

On Thursday morning, Geneva (151.15), third at the Glenbard West Sectional May 5, withdrew from the state meet. The team of three all-arounders had not competed in any meets during the re gular season.

After the Lake Park Sectional, Zeman said he was infor med the Lions may advance instead for their eight consecutive state trip.

“We knew it was a debate but I didn’t want to say anything to anybody because I wanted to see that officially,” Zeman said.

“I would say kind of an emotional roller coaster. The kids have the opportunity now to see both sides, what it’s like to not make it and what it’s like to get in so they can appreciate it more.”

niors Sean McCabe (rings, vault, horizontal bar), Devon Mackenzie (floor, vault, horizontal bar) and Maks Kasprzak (parallel bars) and juniors Ryan Renderman and Michaelson both on floor. Senior Drake Levreau, freshman Evan Ries and sophomore Igancio Rodriguez also were part of the sectional lineup.

Disappointed after following the Lake Park Sectional results online, Carr said Zeman first told his gymnasts something was going on but couldn’t elaborate.

Last year, a similar situation occurred and the No. 11 sectional team replaced another in the state field. 2024 was the first IHSGCA state meet after previously being an IHSA-sanctioned sport.

“It was a very weird 24 hours. When we finally got the news we were in, it was very surreal,” Carr said.

tionals in all-around (45.95), tied for third on horizontal bar (7.35) and was fourth on rings (7.8). Mackenzie’s third-place 9.35 on floor was a personal-best score.

“I’m used to doing well on pommel horse but that was my best routine of the season,” Carr said. “When I saw my name up against the other people (in the results), that was a mood changer.”

Water polo

Lyons Township and Riverside Brookfield play in the LT Sectional week with the champions May 17 heading to the eightteam state meet.

The LTHS girls (19-4-1) are the No. 1 seed. In the May 14 quarterfinals at LTHS, the Lions play No. 8 Argo and No. 7 RBHS (2-13) meets No. 2 Mother McAuley (6-17).

After all three sectionals were completed May 7, the Lions’ 130.15 points at the Niles West Sectional May 6 was the 11th best sectional score behind 10th-place Fremd (131.85), one of three teams to outscore the

SOCCER

from page 15

The quickly improving Lions beat Nazareth 2-0 Saturday in their 16th annual Pink Out game in La Grange for their third straight win and fifth in their last six.

The event supported the Karen Dove Cabral Foundation game and also served as Senior Day for Brejcha, D’Antonio, Avery Egan, Grace Lanspeary, four-year starter Caroline Mortonson and Claire Parkhill after four earlier games for the freshman and three junior varsity teams.

“One of my favorite things about (LTHS girls soccer) is just the team, just the friendships on the team,” D’Antonio said.

“The program does a really good job of just making sure everybody’s really connected and we build this community together, no matter what (level) you’re on. That’s why I think Pink Out is one of my favorite things. I always look forward to it

Ca rr shared the sectional title on p ommel horse with a personal-best 8.1 and also q ualified for state individually in all-around, still rings, vault and horizontal ba r.

Also qualifying individually were se-

because it’s fun to see other teams that support everyone. And the support we get from friends and family is just really great.”

The Lions (8-8-1, 3-2 in West Suburban Conference Silver Division) won Saturday as freshman Emma Thimm scored on a cross and Mortonson scored with junior Estelle Giustini assisting.

Mortonson now has a team-best 12 goals with five assists. Junior Carolina Capizzi, injured for Saturday’s game, has six goals and a team-best nine assists.

“A lot of the younger players are stepping up and filling the footsteps that people left last year,” Mortonson said. “It’s really fun to see them grow throughout the season. Everyone supports each other.”

It’s one of the smaller senior classes for LTHS coach Bill Lanspeary but as distinctive as previous ones. Outside defender Grace Lanspeary is his youngest child.

“Not only coaching here, but I’ve known all of these other kids for so many years. When they were younger, I coached them (in youth soccer) so it’s special,” Bill

“We definitely did not have our best meet (at sectionals). It’s a second chance to show how we really are as a team.”

The Lions still had their third 130-plus score of the season with a season-high 133.00 April 25.

Besides horse, Carr was second at sec-

Lanspeary said.

“(The seniors) have been around the program a little bit and kind of seen how the older seniors treated the other kids and picked up on it and made it their own, doing their own thing. It’s a great group.”

Brejcha usually plays center forward or an attacking wing. D’Antonio plays center back or stopper for another strong defense.

“The team dynamic has definitely changed (this season). Now we have a lot more variety, which is really great to see younger players plays because we all can learn from each other,” D’Antonio said.

“I love how so many girls come from so many different clubs and how we can play together as a team in a matter of weeks,” Brejcha said. “I just love the team and how bonded we are.”

The victory follows beating Oak Park and River Forest 3-1 Friday and Benet 1-0 May 2 and St. Charles East May 1. Four of the Lions’ losses are by one goal.

“Even through those close losses, we knew we were losing to really good teams.

The LTHS boys (13-11) are seeded No. 2 to Brother Rice (25-1), which beat the Lions 13-9 March 22. No. 8 RBHS (3-14) plays the Crusaders in the May 15 quarterfinals if it beat No. 9 Solorio Tuesday. The Lions play No. 7 Kennedy or No. 10 Argo in the quarterfinals.

We just kept saying this is going to make us better, as long as we stay positive and keep working, and I think it has,” Lanspeary said.

“To their credit, they’ve been able to do that, which is not always easy.”

The Lions and Riverside Brookfield (5-131, 2-4 in Upstate Eight Conference Red Division) are the No. 5 and 10 seeds in the Class 3A Downers Grove South Sectional.

RBHS opens May 20 with No. 7 Morton, which has beaten the Bulldogs 5-0 and 2-0 this season.

LTHS plays No. 11 Reavis Tuesday with hopes of a Reavis Re gional final most likely against No. 4 Fenwick May 23.

The Bulldogs tied Rolling Meadows 1-1 Monday as Jocelyn Jaimes scored assisted by Abigail Jurkovic. They beat Ridgewood 6-0 May 1 for their second straight UEC Red victory behind Abby Caputo (3 goals, assist), Jurkovic (goal, assist), Charlotte Pinnick and Aylin Romero (goal each) and Michelle Panduro, Abby Ford, Audrey Raymond and Ruby Boyle (assist each).

TJ C ARR

LEGAL NOTICE

ORDINANCE 2025 – 24

ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (IEPA) TO BORROW FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC WATER UTILITY SYSTEM (PWS) LOAN PROGRAM IN ORDER TO FUND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FOR THE VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

WHEREAS, the Village of Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois (the “Village”) is a non-home-rule municipality, having all the powers and authority granted to municipalities pursuant to Article VII, Section 7, of the Illinois Constitution of 1970;

WHEREAS, the Village operates its public water supply system (the “System”) in accordance with the provisions of 65 ILCS 5/11-139-2;

WHEREAS, the President and Board of Trustees of the Village (the “Corporate Authorities”) have determined that it is advisable, necessary and in the best interests of public health, safety and welfare to improve the System, including the following:

1. Completion of the Lead Water Service Line Replacement Program

2. Future Water Main Replacement programs together with any land or rights in land and all electrical, mechanical or other services necessary, useful or advisable to the construction and installation (the “Projects”), all in accordance with the plans and specifications prepared by consulting engineers of the Village; which Projects have a useful life in excess of 20 years;

WHEREAS, the estimated cost of construction and installation of the Projects, including engineering, legal, financial and other related expenses is $50,000,000, and there are insufficient funds on hand and lawfully available to pay these costs;

WHEREAS, the costs of the Projects are expected to be paid for with a loan to the Village from the Public Water Supply Loan Program through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Debt Reform Act, as amended, 30 ILCS 305/0.01, et seq. (the “Act”), with the loan to be repaid from revenues of the system, and the loan is authorized to be accepted at this time pursuant to the Act;

WHEREAS, the loan shall bear an interest rate as defined by 35 Ill. Adm. Code 662, which does not exceed the maximum rate authorized by the Act at the time of the issuance of the loan;

WHEREAS, the principal and interest payment shall be payable semi-annually, and the loan shall mature within 30 years, which is within the period of useful life of the Project;

WHEREAS, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Village is authorized to borrow funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000 to provide funds to pay the costs of the Projects; and

WHEREAS, the loan to the Village shall be made pursuant to loan agreements, including certain terms and conditions, between the Village and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (the “Loan Agreements”); NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield as follows:

Section 1: INCORPORATION OF PREAMBLES. The Corporate Authorities hereby find that the recitals contained in the preambles are true and correct, and incorporate them into this ordinance by this reference.

Section 2: DETERMINATION TO BORROW FUNDS. It is necessary and in the best interests of the Village that

the Village construct the Projects for the public health, safety and welfare, in accordance with the plans and specifications, as described; that the System continues to be operated in accordance with the provision of the Act; and that for the purpose of constructing the Projects, it is hereby authorized that funds be borrowed by the Village in an aggregate principal amount (which can include construction period interest financed over the term of the loan) not to exceed $50,000,000.

Section 3: PUBLICATION. This ordinance, together with a Notice in the statutory form (attached hereto as Exhibit A), shall be published once within ten days after passage in the Riverside/Brookfield Landmark (a publication of Growing Media Market), a newspaper published and of general circulation in the Village, and if no petition, signed by electors numbering 10% or more of the registered voters in the Village (i.e., 1,323) asking that the question of improving the System as provided in this ordinance and entering into the Loan Agreement therefor be submitted to the electors of the Village, is filed with the Village Clerk within 30 days after the date of publication of this ordinance and notice, then this ordinance shall be in full force and effect. A petition form shall be provided by the Village Clerk to any individual requesting one.

Section 4: ADDITIONAL ORDINANCES. If no petition meeting the requirements of the Act and other applicable laws is filed during the 30-day petition period, then the Corporate Authorities may adopt additional ordinances or proceedings supplementing or amending this ordinance providing for entering into the Loan Agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, prescribing all the details of the Loan Agreement, and providing for the collection, segregation and distribution of the revenues of the system, so long as the maximum amount of the Loan Agreement as set forth in this ordinance is not exceeded and there is no material change in the Projects or purposes described herein. Any additional ordinances or proceedings shall in all instances become effective in accordance with the Act or other applicable law. This ordinance, together with such additional ordinances or proceedings, shall constitute complete authority for entering into the Loan Agreement under applicable law. However, notwithstanding the above, the Village may not adopt additional ordinances or amendments which provide for any substantive or material change in the scope and intent of this ordinance, including, but not limited to, interest rate, preference or priority of any other ordinance with this ordinance, parity of any other ordinance with this ordinance, or otherwise alter or impair the obligation of the Village of Brookfield to pay the principal and interest due to the Public Water Supply Loan Program without the written consent of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Section 5: LOAN NOT INDEBTEDNESS OF VILLAGE. Repayment of the loan to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency by the Village of Brookfield pursuant to this ordinance is to be solely from the revenue derived from revenues of the system, and the loan does not constitute an indebtedness of the Village of Brookfield within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation.

Section 6: APPLICATION FOR LOAN. The Village President is hereby authorized to make application to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for a loan through the Public Water Supply Loan Program, in accordance with the loan requirements set out in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 662.

Section 7: ACCEPTANCE OF LOAN AGREEMENT. The Corporate Authorities hereby authorize acceptance of the offer of a loan through the Public Water Supply Loan Program, including all terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement as well as all special conditions contained therein and made a part thereof by reference. The Corporate Authorities further agree that the loan funds awarded shall be used solely for the purposes of the project as approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement.

Section 8: OUTSTANDING BONDS. The Village of Brookfield has outstanding bonds, payable from revenues of the system, that are senior to the loan authorized by this ordinance; and the Village of Brookfield establishes an account, coverage and reserves equivalent to the account(s), coverage(s) and reserve(s) as the senior lien holders in accordance with 35 Ill. Adm. Code 662.350(a) (9)(C)(PWS).

Section 9: AUTHORIZATION OF VILLAGE PRSIDENT TO EXECUTE LOAN AGREEMENT. The Village President is hereby authorized and directed to execute the Loan Agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The Corporate Authorities may authorize by resolution a person other than the Village President for the sole purpose of authorizing or executing any documents associated with payment requests or reimbursements from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in connection with this loan.

Section 10: SEVERABILITY. If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this ordinance is held invalid, the invalidity of such section, paragraph, clause or provision shall not affect any of the other provisions of this ordinance.

Section 11: REPEALER. All ordinances, resolutions or orders, or parts thereof, which conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are, to the extent of such conflict, hereby repealed.

ADOPTED this 12th day of May 2025 pursuant to roll call vote as follows:

AYES: Ketchmark, Narimatsu, Gilhooley, Hendricks, Whitehead, and Kaluzny

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTENTION: None

APPROVED by me this this 12th day of May 2025.

Michael J. Garvey, President of the Village of Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois

ATTEST: ______/s/_________________________________

Michael G. Melendez, Village Clerk of the Village of Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois

Exhibit A NOTICE OF INTENT TO BORROW FUNDS AND RIGHT TO FILE PETITION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to Ordinance Number 2025-24, adopted on May 12th 2025, the Village of Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois (the “Village”), intends to enter into Loan Agreements with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000 and bearing annual interest at an amount not to exceed the maximum rate authorized by law at the time of execution of the Loan Agreements, for the purpose of paying the cost of certain improvement to the public water supply system of the Village of Brookfield. A complete copy of the ordinance accompanies this notice.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that if a petition signed by 1,398, or more electors of the Village of Brookfield (being equal to 10% of the registered voters in the Village), requesting that the question of improving the public water supply system and entering into the Loan Agreements is submitted to the Village Clerk within 30 days after the publication of this Notice, the question of improving the public water supply system of the Village of Brookfield as provided in the ordinance and Loan Agreements shall be submitted to the electors of the Village at the next election to be held under the gubernatorial primary election on March 17, 2026. A petition form is available from the office of the Brookfield Village Clerk.

_________/s/__________________________________________

Village Clerk

Village of Brookfield Cook County, Illinois