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Vol. 38, No. 20

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May 17, 2023

D95 curriculum director pitches therapy dog program PAGE 6

Also serving North Riverside

@RBLandmark

North Riverside administrator’s contract extended PAGE 11

Juvenile charged with attempted murder in LTHS attack

Plugging a hungry gap

LaGrange police investigation remains active, victim still hospitalized

Riverside Presbyterian Church’s food pantry is feeding more local families than ever, says director Lynda Nadkarni (right) and volunteer Stephen Marcus

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

A juvenile was arrested on May 10 and charged with attempted first-degree murder in connection with an attack on a Lyons Township High School student two

SEE JACKIE PISANO’S STORY ON PAGE 12

JACKIE PISANO

See LTHS ATTACK on page 5

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The Landmark, May 17, 2023

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The Landmark, May 17, 2023

Brookfield public works director to retire IN THIS ISSUE

After much turnover at the top, Muell brought stability to department

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The village of Brookfield is on the hunt for a new director of public works for the first time in more than four years. Carl Muell, who was hired as public works director in February 2019, will retire June 1 after a 32-year career in the field.

“Working here was a pleasure,” Muell told the Landmark in an interview last week.

“Working with [Village Manager] Tim [Wiberg] and the board was great. They are the best people I’ve worked for in my career.”

Muell, 56, started his career as a laborer, working his way up through the ranks of the public works department in his boyhood home of Broadview for more than 16 years before moving on to the village of Lisle where he was streets superintendent.

Carl Muell Prior to his move to Brookfield, Muell served as public works superintendent in “These guys know who I was and what I’d Westchester for six years. done,” Muell said. “They respected that and “I started working in the ditches, snow believed in what I was teaching them.” plowing, tree trimming – I did it all,” said One of the first things Muell changed was Muell. the way the department handled He came to Brookfield after snow plowing, which had been a period of relative turmoil handled by two large dump in public works. When he was trucks that often had trouble hired, Muell was the fourth digetting down Brookfield’s narrector the department had seen row side streets when cars were in 22 months, and no departparked on both sides of the ment chief had lasted more than street overnight. three years since 2006.

Muell kept using the dump “When I got to Brookfield in trucks for snow removal, but he October of 2018, there was no also added two smaller one-ton director,” said Wiberg. “And I trucks, with different plows, to would say that the place needed the operation. That gave crews a director. And when we hired two trucks to use in each zone TIMOTHY WIBERG Carl, he definitely calmed the and guaranteed they could get Brookfield village manager place down. … Carl really did a down the streets. nice job of smoothing processes “We were going to be able to and provided some stable leaderget bare pavement one way or ship.” another,” Muell said.

Muell was not an engineer, in Once streets were cleared, contrast to his two immediate crews then concentrated efforts full-time predecessors, but his in the downtown and Eight Corners busiexperience in operations was viewed as cruness districts. cial to bringing some stability to the departWhile residents likely will never be happy ment and in getting buy-in from rank-andwith the state of Brookfield’s gravel alleys, file employees.

Muell updated equipment and instituted an

“When we hired Carl, he definitely calmed the place down.”

BOB UPHUES/Editor

alley-grading schedule that ensured alleys were graded up to seven times a year.

“We began grading alleys like street sweeping,” Muell said. “That really cut down on the service requests.”

Muell got other programs established for the forestry, streets and water divisions, updated work schedules and made sure the department had updated equipment.

“I was told the department needed to provide great service, not just good service, and I took that to heart and that’s what we provided,” Muell said. “Hopefully it will get even better after I leave.”

Muell said he’s planning to take a couple of months off and then probably seek opportunities in the private sector, perhaps in sales or as a consultant.

“I’m ready to start a new chapter,” Muell said.

Wiberg said Public Works Superintendent Rocco Barbanente, the department’s No. 2, will serve as acting public works director while the village conducts a search for a new director, which will be handled through the village manager’s office.

“I’m hoping to have somebody identified in the next couple months,” Wiberg said.

“Hopefully, by July or August we’ll have a new director named and beginning.”

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

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

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

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The Landmark, May 17, 2023

BIG WEEK

May 17-24

Yard sale junkies unite!

Can’t get enough of garage and yard sales?

Then May 20 is your lucky day.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. you can hop around Brookfield during the 2nd Annual Brookfield Community-Wide Yard Sale, which has nearly 300 participating households selling and/or giving away items.

For more information on how to participate visit fb.me/e/2j5IAH1Tn. For a map of participating households visit bit.ly/ brookfieldyardsale2023. The rain date is May 21.

Clothing Swap

Kayak rentals return

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., will host a Clothing Swap where you can exchange items you want for ones you do.

On May 20, those who donated clothes are invited to a VIP swap from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Adults who did not donate are invited to look for items they’d like to take home during normal library hours May 22-27. For more, call 708-4470869 and ask for the reference desk.

Kayak rentals return to Riverside on May 21 courtesy of Paddle On Outfitters, which will be leading four trips – at 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – with single sit-on, sit-in and tandem kayaks available.

Rentals can be purchased at tickettailor.com/events/paddleonoufitterscom/912397. Call 815762-4009 or email paddleon2018@gmail.com with questions.

708-442-5515 for more.

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents After School Art Escape (child with adult) on May 18 at 4 p.m., Baby & Me (4-24 months w/adult) on May 19 at 10:30 a.m., Yarn Orbs (grades 6-12) on May 20 at 1:30 p.m., Morning Munchkin Stories with Ms. Karen on May 22 at 10:30 a.m., Silly Science (8-under) on May 22 at 4 p.m., a Koko’s Film Club screening of “Big Fish” on May 23 at 2 p.m. and Safari ABCs (child with adult) on May 24 at 10:30 a.m. Register for programs online at northriversidelibrary.org/ events-new.

Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., presents Thursday Thrillers Book Club on May 18 at7 p.m., Yoga Storytime (ages 2-5 w/ caregiver) on May 19 at 1 p.m., a Concert on the Plaza featuring the folk duo Hungrytown on May 21 at 3 p.m., Chair Yoga (virtual) on May 22 at 11 a.m. and Chicago: Aviation’s Incubator with historian Michael Haupt on May 22 7 p.m. Call 708485-6917 or visit online at brookfield.evanced.info/ signup to register for programs.

Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents Chess Meet Up (grades K-8) on May 18 at 4 p.m., Introduction to Vegetable

And more The Riverside Township Radio Players close out their 24th season on May 19 at 7:30 p.m. when they perform “The Barrio Case” from “Richard Diamond, Private Detective” and “The Election Committee” from the “Phil Harris Alice Faye Show” on the stage of the Riverside Township Hall auditorium, 27 Riverside Road in Riverside. Free.

North Riverside Parks & Rec hosts a Kids Indoor Flea Market featuring clothing, toys, books and more on May 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave. Call ■

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RAC unveils two new shows

Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., will host opening receptions on May 20 from 3 to 6 p.m. for a pair of new exhibitions, which will run through June 24.

“Introspective Dream Assembly,” an exhibition of paintings and mixed-media art by Ryan Burns and Ari Norris, is in the Freeark Gallery, while “Reflection of a Community as It Is,” featuring large-scale drawings by Jesse Howard, is in the FlexSpace Gallery.

The receptions are free and open to the public.

Regular gallery hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.

LSF Brookfield Library book sale

The Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., invites you to find a bargain for your bookshelf at the Friends + Foundation Book Sale at the library on May 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Call 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or visit brookfieldlibrary.info for more info.

Park in the municipal lot at 65 E. Burlington St. to catch a shuttle to the Scout Cabin where trips on the Des Plaines River will begin. The takeout is at Stony Ford launch, where a shuttle will return you to the parking lot. Trips can take up to two hours.

Jesse Howard, “The Soul of Urban Life,” charcoal and acrylic paint on paper, 37x29 inches)

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Gardening at the Riverside Community Garden (400 Nuttall Road) on May 18 at 6 p.m., Friday Outdoor Storytime on May 19 at 10 a.m., Knitting, Crochet and Needlework Group on May 22 at 7 p.m., Little Hands Activity Time (ages 1-4) on May 23 at 9:30 a.m. and All in the Family Genealogy Group on May 23 at 7 p.m.

To register for programs, visit online at riversidelibrary.org/events.

The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts its next bingo session on May 21. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games start at 2 p.m. with cash payouts.

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The Landmark, May 17, 2023

P O L I C E

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R E P O R T S

Berwyn man charged with Riverside car break-in A 50-year-old Berwyn man faces a felony burglary charge after he allegedly entered an unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway of a home in the 400 block of Blackhawk Road, Riverside, late on May 3.

According to Riverside police, a security camera at the residence captured video of Michael Goetz at about 11:50 p.m. walking past the front door of the home into the driveway, where he is seen pulling on a vehicle’s door handle.

Discovering that door is locked, police said, Goetz is then seen opening the door to another vehicle parked on the driveway, entering it and using a flashlight to look around. The car’s owner received an alert that someone was on the property and yelled at the person inside her vehicle.

That person, later identified as Goetz, then ran eastbound toward Harlem Avenue.

Police reported locating Goetz near Harlem and Ogden avenues, where they took him into custody. While the police report does not detail how Goetz was detained, it does state that paramedics had to be called to the scene and that Goetz was taken to MacNeal Hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. He was later also charged with resisting arrest.

According to police, Goetz had suspicious items on his person, including several credit cards with other people’s names on them and two sets of keys.

LTHS ATTACK

Video of attack surfaces from page 1 weeks ago that left victim severely injured.

The victim remained in the hospital receiving treatment, according to an email sent last week to LTHS families. The extent and type of the injuries have not been revealed, but an email sent to the press and LTHS families described his injuries as “significant.”

The juvenile arrested May 10 is the second person charged with the attack.

On May 5, LaGrange Police arrested an 18-year-old Brookfield man, who is an

As of May 15, Goetz was still being held at Cook County Jail awaiting separate hearing dates at the Maybrook courthouse, on May 25 and June 1.

Stolen car checks end in charges ■ North Riverside police charged Jerika Jackson, 28, of Harvey, with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, manufacture/delivery of MDMA and criminal trespass to a vehicle after officers converged on CVS, 7200 Cermak Road, on May 10 at about 10:15 a.m.

A license plate reader camera alerted police to a stolen Hyundai Sonata traveling northbound on Harlem Avenue from 25th Street and police located the vehicle in the parking lot of CVS. Officers detained a passenger, a 29-yearold Chicago man, who was seated in the rear of the parked vehicle. He was charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle. Jackson, the driver, was taken into custody as she exited the store.

Inside her purse, which was behind the driver’s seat, police reported finding a loaded .40-caliber handgun and a plastic bag containing 26 pills, which field-tested positive for MDMA, or ecstasy.

■ David Robinson, 48, of Blue Island, was charged with felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle after he reportedly was

LTHS student, and charged him with misdemeanor battery. He posted bail and was released.

The juvenile arrested May 10, whose age and hometown were not revealed, faces more serious charges. He was charged with both attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.

Other participants in the attack are apparently still being sought. Jack Knight, the village manager of LaGrange, declined to say whether the juvenile charged May 10 was an LTHS student or whether the juvenile remained in custody. However, the investigation into the incident is not finished.

“The investigation remains open and active at this time,” said a press release from

caught behind the wheel of a U-Haul van that had been reported stolen out of Chicago two days earlier.

A North Riverside police officer on patrol on May 8 at about 2:20 p.m. received an alert that the stolen van was traveling northbound on Harlem Avenue from 26th Street. The officer located the van waiting at a stoplight at Cermak Road and followed it north to Roosevelt Road, where he initiated a traffic stop.

Robinson reportedly attempted to run from the scene but was apprehended by police after a short chase. Two other people inside the vehicle were released without being charged.

DUI rollover crash Riverside police charged a 26-year-old Chicago woman with driving under the influence of alcohol after she allegedly drove a Chevy truck northbound on Powell Avenue in Lyons through the stop sign at Ogden Avenue, and struck a westbound Toyota on May 3 at about 1:10 a.m.

The impact of the crash rolled the truck over onto its side. Neither the driver of the truck nor the two people inside the Toyota, an Uber driver and his passenger, were hurt. Both vehicles were inoperable after the crash.

The driver of the truck reportedly told police she had stopped at the stop sign, but

the village of LaGrange. “This was an isolated incident and does not pose a threat to the community. The LaGrange Police Department has worked closely with school administrators throughout its investigation and will continue to pursue leads as the case develops.”

The attack occurred at approximately 4:10 p.m. on May 1 outside Exit 7 at LTHS’s North Campus and apparently occurred across Park Road from the school. A student who has seen a video of the incident said that at least one person was stomping on the head of the victim.

“The incident involved an altercation involving several juveniles and an adult, which resulted in the injury of two juveniles, one of whom was injured severely,” the press release stated.

both the Uber driver and an independent witness contradicted that claim. She told police she was driving from a bar in Lyons to a friend’s house in Riverside when the crash occurred.

According to police, the truck driver failed sobriety tests and a breath test revealed her blood-alcohol content to be .168, which is more than twice the legal limit of .08.

Reckless driving A 24-year-old Lyons woman called police on May 9 to report that while she was driving westbound in the center lane on 47th Street, another vehicle recklessly cut in front of her, striking the front passenger side of her car.

The victim snapped a photo of the vehicle, a two-tone bronze and silver PT Cruiser, which the victim said she had observed driving recklessly on 47th Street the previous day.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, May 3-14, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime.

These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

Student hit by car seriously injured Separately, another LTHS student was seriously injured on May 10 when he was hit by a car on Brainard Avenue as he was leaving North Campus. The student was hit east of the Vaughn Building.

“The student was seriously injured and transported to the hospital via ambulance,” wrote LTHS Principal Jen Tyrrell in an email sent to LTHS families and the press that night. “The La Grange Police Department is currently investigating.

“As more information becomes available, we will share that with our community. At this point, we are unable to share specific information.”

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The Landmark, May 17, 2023

Therapy dogs could be in the cards in District 95 Curriculum director pitches school board on introducing animals into schools

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Therapy dogs have long been used in hospital settings to provide comfort and support for patients battling physical maladies and struggling with mental health. In recent years, the animals have been introduced into school settings, including at Hauser Junior High in Riverside and Park Junior High in LaGrange Park.

Now officials in Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District 95 are mulling whether there’s a role therapy dogs can play at Brook Park Elementary School and S.E. Gross Middle School.

Cathy Cannon, District 95’s director of teaching and learning, certainly thinks so.

“The more research I do on this, the more momentum that it has gained in other school districts … there’s just so many benefits for how we can utilize this at Brook Park and at S.E. Gross,” Cannon said during a formal presentation on the subject at the May 11 school board meeting.

Cannon said she has gotten more of a ground-level look at what teachers and building administrators are seeing while she fills in for Brook Park K-2 Principal Kelly King, who is on maternity leave.

“Just thinking about post-COVID, we continue to deal with some challenges,” Cannon

said. “Some things have changed, we think about things have changed, student behaviors have changed, but at the end of the day we have to continue to move forward and think of different ways that we can make changes to support those types of things in our schools.”

Superintendent Mark Kuzniewski, who indicated that in the past he wasn’t so sold on the concept of therapy dogs in schools, said if the school board was interested, he would dedicate staff time to exploring it further.

Kuzniewski echoed Cannon’s reference to new challenges school faculty face in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think in our conversations when we’ve talked about this, what it keeps coming back to is a targeted group of students that have specific sets of needs as opposed [general visits] ,” Kuzniewski said. “I think our idea is to address some of these behaviors and unique needs that we are seeing that we’ve never seen before.”

While there’s still more study to be done in District 95 to identify exactly how therapy dogs would be introduced, school board members appeared to favor looking into the subject more as a way of addressing the specific issues Kuzniewski mentioned.

“I think it’s a good idea, especially for kids who are really struggling and every intervention is not working,” said board member

Jessica Filbey. “You have to mix it up and try something new.”

Cannon said research she’s read demonstrates the importance of therapy dogs in addressing anxiety, serving as a communication bridge when communicating with a student has been a struggle and motivating students to attend school and practice skills in a classroom setting that they may normally resist, like reading aloud.

Dogs can also provide emotional support, Cannon said.

“They now have these dogs that go into schools that also help with some of the stress that might be happening, not just with the students, but with teachers,” Cannon said.

The presence of therapy dogs can improve a school’s culture and climate, Cannon said, pointing to their use in Palos Heights School District 128, where former Riverside District 96 administrator Merryl Brownlow is now superintendent.

Brownlow told the Landmark that District 128 uses five to six therapy dogs that rotate in and out regularly. The dogs are in the building typically twice a week in a designated space where kids in grades four through eight who opt to participate in the program are scheduled for 15-minute visits.

“When you bring the dogs in, it’s fascinating to witness how they automatically affect the climate and culture,” Brownlow

said. “We already had a positive culture, but this just enhanced it and brought so much joy to kids, teachers and families.”

Cannon said there are several companies that provide therapy dogs to schools, matching up needs of school districts with available animals, who along with their owners must be certified. According to Brownlow, District 128 uses a nonprofit company called Happy Tails Canine Therapy.

At the level District 95 would likely employ therapy dogs, their presence would come at no cost, Cannon said, since their owners need a certain number of training hours on an ongoing basis to remain certified.

School officials are hopeful that word District 95 is considering therapy dogs will end up drawing the attention of someone local whose dog is a certified therapy dog, much like the experience in Riverside District 96, where a therapy dog owner who was also the mother of a Hauser Junior High student offered her services.

That dog comes to the school before school starts and at dismissal several times a week.

“I think you start small,” said Cannon, maybe introducing them into the school a couple of times a week or in small group sessions, “to see how students are reacting, how is this going? If things are going really well then you build on it.”

Pritzker reflects on 3 years of pandemic as disaster declarations end The May 11 end of state, federal orders will affect some federal benefits

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – In the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker recalls being handed a report from researchers at the University of Illinois.

The analysis was written by scientists and mathematicians who were trying to estimate how many deaths and hospitalizations would occur under different scenarios – one if the state took no action, another if it imposed only moderate mitigation measures and yet another if it imposed significant measures, such as a stay-at-home order.

“And without any mitigations, their pro-

jection was, just in the Chicago area alone, we would see 40,000 deaths in approximately four months,” Pritzker recalled in an interview last week.

He said he still keeps a copy of that report in his office.

On March 9, 2020, Pritzker issued his first statewide disaster declaration related to COVID-19, a declaration he would go on to renew every 30 days for more than three years.

In the following days, he would issue executive orders closing schools to in-person attendance, then closing bars and restaurants and, eventually, a general stay-athome order that would shutter all “nones-

sential” businesses for months to come.

“We were advised by the Department of Homeland Security that there were certain kinds of businesses that should be deemed ‘essential,’ and the Department of Homeland Security had a list that they had put together for these sorts of emergencies,” Pritzker said. “And so that was what we used and what virtually every state used to determine what should stay open and how to keep people safe.”

Now, more than three years after he issued that first disaster declaration, the last of his pandemic-era executive orders have expired. Pritzker announced in January that Illinois’ disaster declaration would

end on May 11, the same day chosen by the Biden Administration to end the federal COVID disaster declaration that also dates back to early 2020.

From a practical standpoint, most people won’t notice the end of the disaster declaration because the state pandemic-related orders that most directly affected their daily lives – school closures, mask mandates, limits on public gatherings – have long since expired.

But for some, it will mean the end of certain federally funded benefits.

“There are no restrictions,” Pritzker said.

See COVID-19 on page 8

The Landmark, May 17, 2023

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Activity fee for clubs, sports in D95 going up next year Superintendent recommends hike from $60 to $95

By BOB UPHUES

increase, although Kuzniewski declined to say how much he expected that to be, citing pending collective bargaining negotiaThe fee families pay for their children to tions.

School board President Katie Mulcrone participate in extracurricular activities in Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District suggested perhaps raising the activity fee 95 is likely going up for the 2023-24 school to $75, but Kuzniewski pushed back on that, year, but just how much remains to be seen. saying that revenue from a $75 activity fee District 95 Superintendent Mark would cover a smaller percentage of the Kuzniewski at the May 11 meeting of the overall budget to run activities than the $60 rate covered when the fee was school board recommended hikinstituted. ing the fee to $95 per student per A $95 activity fee next year activity from the existing $60, would allow the school district an increase of 58%. to cover the same percentage, The fee is imposed equally no Kuzniewski said, as the $60 fee matter what the extracurricudid five years ago. lar activity is – whether a stuKuzniewski said that while dent is part of the Rubiks Cube it was a big one-time hit, the Club or the S.E. Gross varsity school district had not raised basketball team – and it has not the fee in five years and could been raised since it was instihave opted to raise it incrementuted in 2019 to recover part of MARK KUZNIEWSKI tally each year instead. He said the cost for having teachers suthat if the fee was increased to pervise them.

There are dozens of clubs, some with just $95 for next year, he didn’t anticipate the a handful of students, and the cost to the school board having to revisit the fee soon.

“I think there are mechanisms in place district to run them far exceeds activity fee revenue. For the 2022-23 school year, said where that $95 isn’t going to have to be Kuzniewski, the school district collected discussed for a number of years, because I $92,535 in student activity fees, about 37% don’t believe the costs will escalate at the of the cost to run them. The expense for same rate they have in the past,” Kuzniewsteachers supervising the programs was ki said.

In response to board Vice President Jack$249,468, plus another $10,000 in supplies in ie Jordan’s question about how much rais2022-23, according to Kuzniewski.

The district’s administration is in the ing the activity fee from $60 to $95 might process of negotiating a new teacher con- impact participation in extracurriculars, tract, said Kuzniewski, and the cost to Kuzniewski said he felt the additional $35 supervise those programs is expected to per activity would not drive families away Editor

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D95 school board swears in new member, re-appoints officers also elected in 2019 to fourKristin Reingruber, one year terms, chose this year of three candidates elected to run for a pair of two-year to the Brookfield-LaGrange terms that were up for elecPark District 95 Board of tion.

Education in April, took her The first is to finish out place at the board table after the remaining two years on reading her oath of office at Wood’s unexpired term. The the beginning of the May 11 other two-year term finishes school board meeting. out the unexpired term of The other four people Melissa Biskupic, who was elected last month, Katie KRISTIN REINGRUBER appointed to the board in Mulcrone, Elizabeth Loerop, June 2021 after just two canMeaghan McAteer and Jackdidates ran for three open school board ie Jordan, were incumbents.

Mulcrone was elected to her second seats that spring. Biskupic declined full term on the school board after first to run to retain that seat for two more winning election in 2019. This is Lo- years.

Following Reingruber’s swearing in, erop’s first full four-year term on the District 95 school board, having been school board members voted to re-elect appointed in August 2021 to replace Kyle Mulcrone as school board president, Jordan as board vice president and Wood, who resigned after moving out of McAteer as board secretary. the district.

— Bob Uphues Both McAteer and Jordan, who were from activities.

“It’s a valid concern that people would not have access due to not being able to pay,” Kuzniewski said. “But I don’t really think that is a problem. It’s not that we don’t have people who struggle financially, but I don’t know that our families aren’t taking the opportunities to go into clubs due to $60

versus $95. … They don’t let money stand in the way of their children’s opportunities.”

Whatever the school board decides, Kuzniewski said, the amount of revenue generated by the student activity fee would not have a significant impact on the school district’s roughly $15 million operating budget.

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The Landmark, May 17, 2023

Local high school boards welcome new members Welch, Kelly praised as they make way for the newly elected

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The school boards for Riverside-Brookfield High School and Lyons Township High School both said goodbye last week to one popular and highly respected member and each board swore in one new member.

Mike Welch left the RBHS board after being defeated by fellow incumbent Carolyn Lach in the April election. Alison Kelly left the LTHS school board after deciding not to run for a second term.

Welch served on the RBHS school board for nearly 10 years in two different stints. He was first elected to the school board in 2009 and was reelected in 2013. He served as school board president from 2015 until 2017 when he left the board.

In 2021 Welch came back to the RBHS school board when he was appointed to fill a vacancy. Mark Klaisner, executive director of the West 40 Intermediate Service Center, an arm of the state board of education, appointed Welch after the school board had deadlocked on choosing a replacement for Tom Jacobs, who had moved out of the district.

Welch, who has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting and works as IRS agent assigned to the United States Attorney’s Of-

COVID-19

Communication vitally important from page 6 “Why was there a disaster declaration?

Because in order for us to receive the federal benefits that were being offered to SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] recipients, who are the poorest people in our state, people who needed Medicaid, who are the poorest people in our state, you needed to match up your disaster declaration and executive orders with the federal government’s executive orders and disaster declaration. So we did that.”

Pritzker said some people will receive less aid through SNAP and some Medicaid recipients could lose their eligibility, but he said those changes will not have a significant impact on the state budget.

fice, was lauded by his colleagues. member who was appointed last “Your financial expertise and fall to succeed Ramona Towner, knowledge have been unparaldidn’t campaign much either in leled,” said school board Presithe low key-race for a two-year dent Deanna Zalas. term. Lach benefited from a Board member Laura Hruska strong turnout in North Riverpraised Welch for what she deside which, unlike Riverside and scribed as his “acute” financial Brookfield, had a contested muknowledge and said that other nicipal election. board members will have to up However, Lach ran strongly their game without him examinthroughout the district, receivNICHOLAS NOVAK ing financial affairs. ing 55 percent of the vote in the Riverside portion of the district.

“You always asked the right Welch will be replaced on the school board questions at the right time,” Hruska said to Welch in his final moments on the school by Nicholas Novak, who ran for a four-year term. Novak is now one of three residents of board.

In his final remarks from the board table, North Riverside on the RBHS school board, Welch noted that when he was first elected the others being Lach and board Vice Presito the school board in 2009, RBHS was run- dent Lorena Gasca.

Zalas was re-elected school board president ning a structural deficit and spending more by a 6-0 vote as Gasca missed the meeting. money that it was taking in.

“I’m leaving this school and this district in Gasca will remain as board vice president. a better place,” Welch said.

Welch, a soft-spoken school board member who never sought to call attention to himKelly, who will be replaced by on the LTHS self, was an indefatigable door to door camschool board by Tim Albores, was praised paigner in his first two campaigns for the by her colleagues for her radiant smile and school board, but this year he didn’t really her enthusiasm for all things LTHS. campaign.

“You’re a true inspiration,” said board Lach, a former Komarek District 94 board

member Julie Swinehart. “You always put students first.”

Kelly, who graduated from LTHS in 1984, thanked her colleagues.

“It’s been an absolute honor and an absolute privilege TIM ALBORES to serve the community for these last four years,” Kelly said.

The LTHS school board unanimously chose Dawn Aubert to replace Kari Dillon as school board president for the next two years. Dillon did not seek another term as school board president.

Aubert has been on the LTHS school board since being elected in 2021. She served on the LaGrange-Brookfield Elementary School District 102 Board of Education for eight years, from 2007 until 2015.

“We would like to just continue our work and progress on the strategic plan and continue making LT the best educational system for our students and our community,” Aubert said after being selected as school board president on May 8.

ences – usually accompanied by his public health director at the time, LaGrange resident Dr. Ngozi Ezike – to relay the most recent information, announce new mitigation orders and provide the latest statistics on infection rates, hospitalizations and deaths.

“Remember, communication to the public was vitally important when the federal government was providing very little,” Pritzker said. “And so that’s the reason why I was at that podium every day, for months straight. It was because people needed to know what the latest information was.”

By summer 2020, the state began to gradually roll back many of the mitigation orders on a region-by-region basis and by the end of the year, the first vaccines became publicly available.

Throughout 2021, new variants of the virus would emerge, leading to temporary spikes in COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths. But as the vaccines became more widely distributed, the death and hospital-

ization rates started falling steadily, and in 2022 Pritzker began phasing out many of mitigation orders that had been in place.

Pritzker maintains that as a result of those measures, Illinois avoided the direst predictions of the mathematicians and scientists at the University of Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, as of April 30, the entire state of Illinois has seen 36,850 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, and another 5,155 “probable” disease-related deaths.

“But if one were to look at how Illinois handled the pandemic – and this is kudos and gratitude to the people of Illinois – people did the right thing,” Pritzker said.

“And the vast majority of people in Illinois understood what they needed to do. They heard what they needed to do from the experts, and they did it. And the result of that is, to the extent one can use the word ‘success’ here, the result is that we had real success here at keeping people safe and alive.”

New D204 school board president

The end of the disaster declaration also meant that as of May 11, testing and many of the treatments for COVID-19 will no longer be free, although Pritzker said they will be covered by insurance.

Looking back over the last three years, though, Pritzker reflected on what it was like during the initial weeks and months of the pandemic when scientists and public health officials all over the world were still trying to understand this novel virus.

“We didn’t know much about COVID-19, or even how it was spread,” he said. “Remember early on, there was some belief that it could be spread on surfaces. And so people were wearing gloves to open their packages and things like that.

“So there wasn’t a lot of information.

What we knew was that the most effective way to keep people safe in the early moments of this would be for people to keep some social distance.”

Over the course of the next several months, Pritzker held daily news confer-

The Landmark, May 17, 2023

■ Rethinking Central Avenue PAGE 6

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Riverside moves to acquire Harlem Avenue building Ownership of tax-delinquent commercial structure a bit murky

By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot attended the last groundbreaking ceremony as Chicago mayor of her administration’s signature program, Invest South/West, where it all began – in Austin.

“So West Side, here we go again,” she said Wednesday, May 5 at the new Aspire Center, 5500 W. Madison St., to the approximately hundred people who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Among the attendees were local community leaders, business leaders and elected officials Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th), Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) and Congressman Danny Davis (IL-07).

“The $41 million Aspire Center is a joint effort by many community leaders and advocates including Austin Coming Together, the Jane Addams Resource Corporation, West Side Health Authority, State Rep. La Shawn Ford, demonstrating how

Lightfoot makes exit in Austin

STORY ON PAGE 8 BOB UPHUES/Editor

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Editor

For first firstt time time ever, ever women outnumber men on Riverside, Brookfield village boards

FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ REPORTS, PAGE 8

See ASPIRE on page 4

By BOB UPHUES

Majority rules

Mayor’s farewell address at BUILD Chicago

Brookfield trustees (from left) Jennifer Hendricks, Julie Narimatsu, Nicole Gilhooley and Katie Kaluzny gather in front of photos of the village’s all-male roster of village presidents on May 8.

The village of Riverside will move to acquire a tax-delinquent commercial building on Harlem Avenue through Cook County’s No Cash Bid Program after village trustees voted unanimously on May 4 to make that request this month.

The building in question is officially listed as 3250 Harlem Ave., but the one-story building comprises five storefronts, three of which are occupied by Comic Collector, Strive 4 Fitness and Psychic Readings with Sarah White.

According to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, the owner of record is a corporation called Harlem Jam LLC, whose managers are Jeanne See NO-CASH BID. on page 7

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New ordinance in the works to address violence, nuisance spilling into Oak Park

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter

Almost one year has passed since a rolling shootout over Memorial Day weekend on Roosevelt Road caused much distress to Oak Park residents who lived nearby.

The incident stemmed from an altercation at the popular bar Mike’s Place, 6319 Roosevelt Rd., in Berwyn, which shined a light on the propensity of bargoers to park on neighboring Oak Park streets, causing brawls, disturbances and public urination.

“It went from more of a nuisance to violence,” said Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson during a presentation at the village board’s May 8 meeting.

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Oak Park Police Department has proposed an ordinance to implement a tow zone in the Oak Park areas most affected by

After 46 years, co-founders Henry Laskowski, left, and Paul McKenna sell sub shop to Oak Park’s Kettlestrings group REPORT BY TOM HOLMES , PAGE 16

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New Mission: Retirement

After 46 years, Henry Laskowski and Paul McKenna sell Starship Subs to Oak Park group REPORT BY TOM HOLMES, PAGE 8

See COMMISSIONERS on page 7

See MIKE’S PLACE on page 15

Summer internships for youth in Proviso

Council appointments turn contentious

While village commissioners who won the highest number of votes traditionally had their pick of departments to oversee, there have been times when the village council broke with that tradition – and the May 8 meeting proved to be one of the exceptions.

In the April 4 election, Commissioner Jessica Voogd received the highest number of votes. But as the council began the selection process for departments, Mayor Rory Hoskins nominated Commissioner Maria Maxham for the position as head of Accounts & Finance, saying that her professional qualifications made her better suited for the task. Voogd objected, arguing that commissioners’ professional qualifications don’t matter given that village commissioners don’t actually run their department on a day-to-day basis, and said that her record on the council made her more qualified.

The commissioner also denounced the process, saying that it was decided behind the scenes. Maxham confirmed to the Review that Hoskins offered her the position before the meeting. The mayor also said that Voogd didn’t

MAY 10, 2023

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Staff Reporter

This summer, the annual Safe Summer Initiative sponsored by the Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network – PTMAN, returns to Proviso. The initiative, started in 2016, aims to keep Proviso youth active while providing valuable work experience.

“We’re looking forward to our May breakfast where we will have a mini kickstarter to continue the momentum in providing these opportunities for our youth in the Proviso township area,” Rev. Albert Johnson, director of the Safe Summer Internship, said in a live stream last week.

Starting on July 5, participating youth ages 13 to 17 attend a paid internship program at local businesses in the Proviso area for 4 hours per day, 4 days a week, for 4 weeks of the summer (4x4x4).

“The blessed thing about this is that it was born out of a compassion for our youth,” Johnson said.

“This program is designed for us to fund it and for us to invest in our children, to let them know that we see them, we value them and we love them.”

Johnson said the program is a way to build a supportive community, something he remembers he experienced growing up on Chicago’s West Side, in the Lawndale area.

See SUMMER JOBS on page 8

New elected board members Sandra Hixson, Jennifer Barbahen, and David Ocampo were sworn into the Proviso Township High School District 209 Board of Education on May 4, 2023.

Board member Amanda Grant voted new board president

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

A standing ovation and roars of applause accompanied the three newest members of the Proviso Township High School District 209 Board of Education as they made their way to the podium to be sworn into their seats, bringing with them pledges of a breath of fresh air and hope for the Proviso community.

During a May 4 special meeting of the school board, held at Proviso Math and Science Academy, 8601 Roosevelt Rd., Forest Park, newcomers David Ocampo, Sandra Hixson, and Jennifer Barbahen took their oath of office, pledging to keep

the taxpayers and students’ best interest at heart in front of a packed room of residents and community members who hope the slate mates and help restore the district.

Hixson, who received the second largest number of votes during the April 4 Consolidated Election thanked the community for its support and vote of confidence, also hoping to encourage those to go after what others might deem impossible.

“The more bricks they put on your back, the tougher your back must become,” said Hixson to an applauding audience.

Barbahen, who remained in a tight race against incumbent Theresa Kelly until the certified results were released on April 25, thanked everyone who was a supporter of the Proviso 209 United slate and shared in the vision of moving the district forward, saying she was “ready

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to respectfully serve.” Barbahen won the third open seat on the board with a 12vote margin.

Kelly was not in attendance during Thursday’s reorganization of the board.

As the new members took their seats, Arbdella Patterson, who was serving as the board president, called for the nomination of a new president, who will serve a one-year term. Met with a roar of applause from the audience, Amanda Grant was nominated by Hixson and received a unanimous vote of approval from the board.

“It’s a new day Proviso, it’s a new day,” exclaimed a member of the audience.

Two members of the HBO slate also accepted nominations and will begin their time on the board with additional responsibilities. Ocampo will serve as vice president and Barbahen will serve See NEW SLATE on page 5

9

10

The Landmark, May 17, 2023

Public Meeting

Berwyn-Riverside BNSF Railway At-Grade Railroad Crossings Planning and Environmental Linkages Study The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) will hold a public meeting regarding the ongoing study of the BNSF Railway’s at-grade road-rail intersection crossings from Delaplaine Road in Riverside to Ridgeland Avenue in Berwyn, including Illinois Route 43 (Harlem Avenue). This meeting will be in an open house format, with a narrated presentation in English and Spanish.

Purpose of the meeting: • Review transportation needs for all modes of travel • Discuss project goals • Answer questions and receive public input

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Riverside Town Hall, 2nd Floor Auditorium 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL 60546

SCAN the QR Code for more info and to submit comments.

We invite you to submit comments at this public meeting by email to TMurtha@cmap.illinois.gov or by mail to CMAP, Attn Tom Murtha, Project Manager, at 433 W Van Buren Street, Suite 450, Chicago, IL 60607. Comments received by July 10, 2023, will become part of the official record.

This meeting will be accessible to people with disabilities.

Anyone needing a special accommodation should contact Jill Kramer by phone at (773) 458-2835 or by email at jill.kramer@jacobs.com.

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Judge levies additional fines against Riverside nuisance property owner to formulate a “safety plan” to ensure Homeowner socked with days his order is complied with. fines are not paid, Forte said, the vil$6,600 penalty, ordered lageIf the would enter a lien against the property.

At a Feb. 21 hearing, Lee had imposed to submit safety plan fines of $1,850 but held them in abeyance to provide an incentive for Golba to comply with the “no visitors” order and attend Editor to property maintenance, health and fire A Cook County Circuit Court judge on safety violations that had been flagged by a May 9 did not find Riverside resident Robert village inspector.

Following that February hearing, howevGolba in contempt for repeatedly er, police repeatedly returned to violating a February court order Golba’s house at 225 Millbridge after he found Golba’s Millbridge Road, including arresting two Road home a chronic public nuico-defendants in the case who sance.

Lee had ordered to stay away, But Judge Kevin Lee warned William Bellavia and Caroline Golba in no uncertain terms O’Brien, on April 3. during the hearing, which was Public Safety Director Matheld via Zoom, that Golba faced thew Buckley said police enstiffer penalties in the future if countered O’Brien twice more at anyone other than Golba himGolba’s home on May 3 and May self, a home healthcare profesROBERT GOLBA 7. Both times she was advised to sional or general contractor leave the property but was not was found visiting, staying temporarily or living in in the home in the arrested, Buckley said.

In asking for the additional fines and for future.

“You have to take this matter seriously,” extending the “no visitors” order, Forte Lee told Golba, 64, who attended by phone pointed out that the village was not yet after about a half-hour delay because he seeking to bar all persons – Golba included was having trouble accessing the hearing – from the property, a penalty which Riverside’s chronic public nuisance ordinance via Zoom. provides for.

“Fines and penalties can increase if In response Judge Lee imposed addithere are further violations of this order,” said Lee, who imposed a new fine totaling tional fines and warned him that the defen$6,600 at the May 9 hearing, ordering those dants, including O’Brien, must be barred from his residence, Golba stated he would fines to be paid immediately.

The amount of the new fine corresponds “guarantee” that would be the case.

William Bellavia, who also attended the to the total the village has tallied in legal fees since Feb. 21, when the judge entered hearing via Zoom, also promised to stay his preliminary injunction against Golba away from the home in the future, although and other defendants, said Carmen Forte, he mentioned he still had possessions the attorney representing the village at the there and might need a police escort to retrieve them. Judge Lee, however, rejected May 9 hearing.

Judge Lee also agreed with Forte’s re- Bellavia’s request to be dismissed as a dequest to extend the one-year “no visitors” fendant in the case, saying the village had order by having it end on May 9, 2024, in- to request that. stead of Feb. 21, 2024, and he ordered Golba The next hearing date will be June 13 at to meet with Riverside police within 14 11:30 a.m.

By BOB UPHUES

The Landmark, May 17, 2023

11

Scarpiniti reappointed North Riverside administrator Pay raise comes with two-year contract extension

her own.’ That’s what this village needs, somebody with strong leadership.”

Hired full time in 2001 as North Riverside’s finance director after working on a contract basis for two years, Scarpiniti was elevated to interim village administrator in early 2020 just as the COVID-19 panBy BOB UPHUES demic hit.

Editor She remained in that capacity until May 2021 after Mengoni North Riverside trustees at was elected mayor that spring their regular business meeting and he removed the interim tag. on May 15 voted unanimously At that time, the village board to reappoint Sue Scarpiniti as voted to award Scarpiniti a twovillage administrator and apyear contract and an annual proved a new two-year contract salary of $185,000. that raises her annual salary to The new contract, apart from $196,250. the pay raise and new end date, Scarpiniti’s contract expires contains language identical to May 5, 2025, which coincides SUE SCARPINITI the first one. In addition to the with the end of Mayor Joseph salary, the village will contribMengoni’s term of office. ute $7,500 a year into a deferred compensa“I think she’s done a fantastic job,” Men- tion plan for Scarpiniti. She gets 26 vacagoni said of Scarpiniti. “She has the fi- tion days and six paid days off per year, and nances down, the ins and outs. When I sit the village will provide her with a vehicle in on meetings with her, I think, ‘She’s got and $1,200 annually as a cellphone stipend.

Mengoni said that although village trustees are faced annually with potential hefty operating budget deficits, Scarpiniti manages the finances throughout in a way to keep the budget on track.

“This is my 11th budget,” said Mengoni, who served two terms as a trustee before being elected mayor. “Everyone gets so scared [of projected deficits] but we always do good. She holds the line when things need to be delayed, so it never scares me when we go into these discussions.”

Change in legal counsel on tap?

One matter that was originally on the village board’s May 15 agenda – but was pulled a short time after the agenda was first published on May 12 – was a change in the firm that serves as the village’s general legal counsel.

The resolution pulled from the agenda would have authorized the mayor to appoint the firm of Storino, Ramello & Durkin as North Riverside’s general counsel.

The firm has been serving as the village’s

lead labor counsel since 2021.

Storino, Ramello & Durkin, which has served as legal counsel for the village of Brookfield since 2005, specializes in state and local government law and represents municipalities and townships, park districts and school districts.

While they haven’t represented North Riverside in a general legal capacity in more 20 years, Mengoni said the firm has long ties to the village.

In May 2021 when Storino, Ramello & Durkin was appointed labor counsel, Mengoni appointed the firm of Peterson, Johnson, Murray as North Riverside’s general legal counsel.

Mengoni said he was thinking of keeping both firms on retainer but flip-flopping their duties.

“We’re in discussions about possibly changing,” Mengoni told the Landmark.

“Our in-house counsel has great labor relations attorneys that I want to capitalize on, and our current labor counsel has a longstanding connection to the community.”

12

The Landmark, May 17, 2023

RPC’s food pantry plays vital role in feeding the community was one of the things we did about it — What started as a simple this create this pantry. At the beginning, it was just donations from church people and was mission serves about 100 stocked a couple of times a week. Little by little, demand has increased.” people per day Though the Riverside area is serviced by

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

According to 2020 Census data, the median household income for Riverside is $120,336. In North Riverside, the number is a little less than half that of its neighbor, at $55,879.

Though both figures are well above Illinois’ poverty threshold of $27,479 for a family of four, LaGrange Park resident Lynda Nadkarni would be one of the first to tell you that there are certainly food-insecure families in what most would consider an affluent community.

Nadkarni, who serves as the minister of mission and outreach at Riverside Presbyterian Church, says that this year alone, nearly 80% of patrons to the church’s food pantry have identified themselves as residents of the 60546 ZIP code.

Since 2018, the 154-year-old church has operated its Little Food Pantry — a 6-foottall, glass-front shelving unit located right outside the church’s office entrance where anyone in need can come and take whatever food is available — 24 hours a day.

In the same vestibule, the church also supplements nonperishable food items with fresh produce inside two small commercial-grade refrigerators.

Though Riverside, North Riverside and its neighboring communities aren’t often considered to be places where residents struggle to make ends meet, Nadkarni says that five years ago, the church recognized a growing need for those who had fallen on hard times, specifically regarding food insecurity.

“In 2018, our then pastor really got the church to think about how we could be very mission-focused and intentional,” Nadkarni said. “We picked hunger, and

larger food pantries, including one run by Riverside Township, Riverside Presbyterian Church’s Little Food Pantry sees itself as a vital, supplemental resource for food.

“The setup is what makes us very unique,” Nadkarni said. “We don’t have any set hours, because it’s completely userchoice and because we don’t require people to register to use the pantry.”

From conversations with patrons, Nadkarni says many who are “house poor,” including renters who choose to live in the area for the public school systems and have little money left over at the end of the month for essentials like food and utilities.

In recent months, the pantry has seen an

JACKIE PISANO

The food pantry is able to stock perishable food items in two small commercial-grade refrigerators.

JACKIE PISANO

Riverside Presbyterian Church food pantry coordinator Lynda Nadkarni (left) and volunteer Stephen Marcus pack a container with fresh produce and other items for those in need of food. About 80% of the food pantry’s clients come from the 60546 ZIP code. uptick in use, specifically as inflation has led to higher grocery bills and increased gas prices, and from last month’s statewide cessation of special pandemic SNAP benefits.

With close to 100 daily users, the church stocks the pantry twice a day — once first thing in the morning and a second time around dinner time. A team of pantry volunteers schedules produce pickups and stockers, ensuring not one day goes by with empty shelves.

Though the majority of clients come from Riverside and North Riverside, Nadkarni says patrons also come from Brookfield, LaGrange Park, Berwyn, Forest View, Lyons and Stickney. Most hear about the pantry by word-of-mouth, while others discover it by online postings from Nadkarni on community Facebook pages.

Each week, the church collects around $250 to purchase food. And, thanks to ongoing support twice a week from both Riverside Foods and Aldi in Lyons, a grant from Riverside Township and funds from other local groups including Eagle Scouts and Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity, what started as a church-supported mission has turned into a community-wide effort.

Stephen Marcus, a lifelong member of the church and former Riverside resident who now resides in Lyons, is one of the pantry’s dedicated volunteers.

For him, the motivation to step forward

and help was simple.

“There but for the grace of God go I,” he said. “I’ve been in need before. I’m not prescient. I don’t know whether I’ll be in this situation to need this pantry’s services in the future again. I may, but I just want to do this.”

In addition to stocking the pantry, Marcus also delivers food to neighbors in his apartment building who can’t make the trip themselves.

“I believe in this mission, and I feel like the local need for the pantry is growing,” he added.

To Nadkarni, hearing the many stories of clients is what continually inspires her to serve the community in this way.

“During spring break, I was stocking the pantry, and there was a mom there with two children, who said, ‘I can’t thank you enough for this. We come here during breaks and in the summer because we don’t get a free lunch [at school].’

“That is one way in which the pantry is making a difference in a community that is seemingly well-to-do, and we want to make sure everyone knows they are welcome.”

Riverside Presbyterian Church, 116 Barrypoint Road, welcomes new clients and volunteers to its Little Food Pantry.

For more information on volunteer opportunities or food and financial partnership, email Nadkarni at missionandoutreach@rpcusa.org.

Opinion M

ay 11 came and went without much fanfare, but it was actually a significant date for the history books, in the U.S. at least.

That was the day the federal COVID-19 disaster declaration, instituted in March 2020, ended. Gov. J.B. Pritzker also ended the state of Illinois’ COVID emergency declaration that day.

Of course, COVID-19 remains with us. To date, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the cumulative number of reported COVID-19 cases through May 7 had topped 4.1 million in the state.

The IDPH’s website puts the death tally at more than 36,000 people. While reported cases remain pretty low, COVID-19 has not disappeared. On May 7, according to IDPH, Illinois recorded more than 3,600 cases and seven fatalities.

The end of the emergency means that we’ve concluded COVID-19 is endemic and that we’ll all deal with it as we do with other endemic diseases.

Luckily, there are plenty of effective vaccines for preventing its spread, and for now the U.S. government is distributing free COVID-19 vaccines to adults and children. At-home tests are not likely to be covered by insurance any longer, but treatments like Paxlovid remain free while supplies last, according to the Centers for Disease Control. After that, we’ll be at the mercy of drug and insurance companies, which is cold comfort.

The COVID-19 pandemic could have been the catalyst for a host of positive changes in the ways healthcare is delivered in the U.S., but it’s looking like not much has changed at all.

Healthcare, for the most part, in the U.S. remains incredibly expensive and tied to employment.

The Affordable Care Act was a good start and has helped many millions of people who otherwise would be without health insurance, but there’s been no move to expand those benefits or lower those costs.

One thing we did witness during the pandemic was the enormous power of the federal government to make vital healthcare available to all. If only we had the collective political will to harness that revelation and initiate real change that improves the physical and financial lives of people who are burdened with a health system that delivers less care for more money.

Of course, those kinds of problems don’t actually face the people making those decisions. And there are too many people in this nation who seem to cling to the belief that suffering indicates moral failure and ought to be punished and not a symptom of a system with its priorities in the wrong order.

There are lessons to learn if only we would see them.

13

KOSEY CORNER

THE LANDMARK VIEW

Out with a whimper

The Landmark, May 17, 2023

I

Living the sweet life in Riverside

n 1971 a young woman from Berwyn graduated from Morton West High School. Unsure what she wanted to do, she stayed home and helped her family for the next two years. Today we would call them “gap years.”

In 1973 she came to Riverside and applied for a job at Aunt Diana’s OldFashioned Fudge. She got the job, and this year Patty Miglore celebrates 50 years at the shop.

New to the village in the 1970s, the shop in Riverside was owned by Jerry Gits who grew up in Riverside. Miglore learned the art of making chocolate from Gits and over the years has brought her own special touch to the special sweet treats.

As the years went on, Miglore assumed more responsibility in the shop as Gits moved to Indiana and passed away. Auntie Patty, as she is affectionately known, assumed even more of the day-to-day duties of running the shop.

High school students she employed now return to visit with families of their own. The prom pictures and other milestones can be evidenced on a board in the back of the store.

According to Miglore, her customers have been very supportive and that was proved when she was chosen

Riverside’s Person of the Year for 2014 by the Riverside Township Lions Club.

Over 100 people filled the Riverside Golf Club to honor her and hear her friend Carol Kraus say some heartfelt and witty words about Riverside’s favorite business person.

Over the years, Auntie Patty has shown her creative side with her chocolate designs for holidays. She also lends personal touches in chocolate for people throwing parties. Her holiday windows show only a small sampling of what is inside the store on its shelves. There are Santas in all sizes as well as chocolate houses, each individually decorated.

It is with appreciation we salute Auntie Patty for 50 years of being what makes a good business. Stop by and wish her the best and she will greet you with a smile.

Asked if she had anything special to say, she replied, “Where else can I show up in sweats, T-shirts, and gym shoes?”

No dress code! Thanks to Patty Miglore for taking that big step 50 years ago and coming to Riverside and Aunt Diana’s. You and your hard work have been appreciated. By the way, have you tried her popcorn? Can you imagine how many apples she has dipped over the years? A lot!

JOANNE KOSEY

OBITUARIES

Jerome E. Gauthier, 87

where he received his BA/BPh degree from the University of Ottawa.

In his earlier years, he served as a counselor at the Boy Scout Green Mountain Council Summer Camp. He worked at Jerome E. Gauthier, 87, of Brookfield, Southern Vermont Apple Orchard, Old died peacefully surrounded by his famBennington Weavers and Benmont Papers. ily on May 9, 2023. He was the loving In later years, he continued his career as son of Hector L. Gauthier and Lyda M. an industrial specialist for the U.S. Navy LaFlamme, and most grateful stepson of Material Inspection Service and the DlA James P. McGurn.

Born in Bennington, Vermont, he atJEROME E. GAUTHIER Contract Administration Service. He retired as a staff industrial specialist in 1991. tended Sacred Heart Catholic Church and After his schooling, Jerry immediately School and was in the parish Boy Scout joined the U.S. Marine Corps “for the discipline.” His Troup 45, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He spent two years at Saint Michael’s College in Winooki, Vermont, and Saint Paul’s Seminary in Ottawa, Canada, See OBITUARIES on page 14

Industrial specialist for U.S. Navy

14

The Landmark, May 17, 2023

OBITUARIES continued from page 14 boot camp training was at Paris Island, South Carolina, and he was subsequently assigned as an intelligence assistant to the Headquarters Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

Jerry was with his unit in 1957 when they landed in Lebanon on a peacekeeping mission and served as the unit’s French translator. His unit was awarded for their participation in that peace effort.

Returning to the U.S., Jerry was transferred to the Marine Air Training Command, Naval Air Station in Glenview.

While there, he frequently visited the USO in Chicago, where he met his future wife, Sylvia V. Wuensch. After four years in the USMC, Jerry was discharged as a lance corporal in 1961, receiving the Good Conduct Medal and the Marksmanship Award.

Jerry and Sylvia were married on Sept.

2, 1961 at Blessed Agnes Church in Chicago. They moved to Brookfield in 1964. For many years he was an active parishioner at St. Barbara Parish, where he served as a catechist, Eucharistic minister, minister

to the sick, and adoration coordinator.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia (nee Wuensch) Gauthier; his children, Deborah (John) Parisi, Catherine (Steven) Gauthier-Nelson and Jerome M. Gauthier; his grandchildren, Ryan Parisi, Julia (Austin) Williamson and Siena Nelson; and many nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Lorraine (Frederick) Young, Paul Gauthier, Jeanette (Francis) Paul and Doris Gauthier, who died two years before he was born.

A funeral Mass was celebrated May 16 at St. Barbara Church followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Barbara Catholic Church.

Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Jerome Gauthier family.

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Delores J. Kiss, 88 Active at St. Mary’s Delores June Kiss (nee Mauch), 88, of Riverside, died May 13, 2023.

Ms. Kiss was born June 19, 1934 in Michigan City, Indiana. She was a member of the choir and prayer shawl group at St. DELORES J. KISS Mary Church. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, drawing portraits and home renovations.

She was the daughter of the late Nellie and Howard Mauch; the mother of David Kiss and Thomas (Noelle) Kiss; the grandmother of Shannon (Justin) Jordan, Christopher Kiss, Katrina Kiss and Shelby Kiss; the great grandmother of Joseph Jordan and Kyra Jordan; the sister of Nellie Brennan, Joan Mauch, Nancy Bowker, Lucy Hayne, the late Peggy Lanizzani and the late Benjamin Mauch; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Thursday, May 25, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, 2447 Desplaines Ave., North Riverside. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, May 26 at 10 a.m. at Mater Christi Church, North Riverside.

Interment is at 12:30 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery, Montgomery. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery entrance by 12:15 p.m.

Memorial donations to Little Brothers-Friends of the Poor, 355 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, 60607 would be appreciated.

Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared at KuratkoNosek. com.

Phyllis E. Trout, 86 Bookkeeper Phyllis E. Trout, 86, of Westmont and formerly of Downers Grove, Elmwood Park, Chicago and Cicero, died May 11, 2023. She worked as a bookkeeper prior to retirement.

Ms. Trout was the dear friend and companion of the late Robert D. Pawelek (CPD), the sister of Anne Fantozzi, the aunt of Deborah (John) Randazzo, greataunt of Nicole Randazzo and a cousin

and friend to many. She was predeceased by her parents, the late Frank Sidlauskas and Mary Sidlauskas (nee Zoper).

Visitation is Wednesday, May 17 from 9:30 a.m. to time of service at 11 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield. Interment is at Lithuanian National Cemetery, Justice.

Memorials appreciated to the Chicago Police Memorial Fund, 10343 S. Pulaski, Chicago, 60655 or the charity of your choice.

Express condolences online at HitzemanFuneral.com. Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Phyllis Trout family.

Vladimir Vanek, 92 Active in local fraternal groups Vladimir “Laddie” Vanek, 92, of LaGrange Park, died May 14, 2023.

Mr. Vanek served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and worked as an industrial manager in the manufacturVLADIMIR VANEK ing industry.

He was a past board member and advocated for several community organizations including but not limited to Riverside Rotary, LaGrange Park/Brookfield Lions Club, Pioneers, Proviso Township, Sokol, Senior Handyman Program and many of their subsidiaries.

Mr. Vanek was the husband of Lorraine Vanek (nee Fortino); the father Valerie Schoenberg, Victoria (Patrick) McManus and Leane (the late Ronald) Jones; the grandfather Gabriela Schoenberg, Kylie McManus, Fiona McManus, Hilary Jones and Richard Jones; the brother of the late Miroslav (Camille) Vanek; and the uncle and great uncle of many.

Visitation is Friday, May 19, from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 20 from 10:30 a.m. to time of service at 11 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Vladimir Vanek family.

Sports

The Landmark, May 17, 2023

15

O’Malley leads the line for streaking LTHS soccer Lions run away with league title, set sights on state tourney

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School senior Katie O’Malley remembers the adjustments during her first varsity girls soccer season in 2021.

Now a veteran standout and Illinois State University recruit, O’Malley makes the difference in many ways for another talented LTHS lineup that regularly uses two sophomores and two freshmen.

“I played [varsity] as a sophomore and I was honestly scared to play with [older girls],” O’Malley said. “I try to be inclusive with everyone and keep everyone in line, too. Kind of a leader role, I guess, and make sure everyone knows they’re doing good and to keep working hard.”

O’Malley especially has been integral in sharing success this season with the Lions (18-1-1, 6-0), who captured their sixth straight West Suburban Silver title by beating Glen-

BILL STONE

Katie O’Malley bard West 6-0 on May 9. They enter this week’s IHSA Class 3A state playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Reavis Sectional.

Besides leading the Lions with 14 goals, O’Malley also has served up an impressive team-high 18 assists -- a direct hand in 32 of the potent offense’s 65 goals this season.

“I think [assists] mainly come from my corner kicks because I’m the only one who takes the corner kicks,” O’Malley said. “Then I think just because I’m on the field a lot, it comes from servicing someone right before their goal.”

LTHS coach Bill Lanspeary has no official records, but he believes that O’Malley probably is among the Lions’ top five in singleseason assists.

Of the Lions’ nine state-qualifying teams from 1997-2021 whose season stats are on IHSA.org, the highest assist total is Jenna Johnson’s 18 for the Lions’ 2000 quarterfinalists that played 28 games. “[O’Malley is] a dangerous playmaker and she’s finding that she can be dangerous giving it up to a teammate as well,” Lanspeary said.

On corner kicks, O’Malley often has found the strong head of Izzi Wirtz (5 goals), defender Caroline McKenna (3 goals) or Niamh Griffin (5 goals). There’s also sophomore forward Caroline Mortonson (7 goals, 12 assists) and freshman midfielder Carolina Capizzi (9 goals).

Against Glenbard West, Mortonson and O’Malley each scored twice and Mortonson

had two assists. Capizzi and Izzy Lebar also scored.

Goals by Mortonson and Capizzi in the first 5:17 put LTHS in control early. The Lions also posted their 15th shutout this season with just five goals allowed.

O’Malley quickly resolved any possible college recruiting pressure. Joining the Eclipse Soccer Club after her junior year, she was part of the roster for the ECNL Girls National Playoffs in Seattle last June and got significant playing time because of injuries.

That’s where newly hired Illinois State coach Marisa Kresge first spotted O’Malley.

O’Malley verbally committed during the summer as part of Kresge’s first recruiting class.

“I liked how interested they were and how they were doing a rebuild,” O’Malley said. “It all just happened so fast. Especially for senior year, it was my last time to play [for LTHS] and it’s fun to do it knowing that I was committed.”

The Lions most likely will see No. 7-seeded Glenbard West again in the LT Regional final at 10 a.m. on May 20.

LT opens regional play on May 17 against No. 16 Argo. The sectional semifinal is at 4:30 p.m. May 23 at Reavis.

RBHS win streak snapped, dashing league title hope Junior Cooper Marrs and his RiversideBrookfield baseball teammates began Metro Suburban Conference Blue action this season by losing their first two games to Wheaton Academy.

The Bulldogs nearly came all the way back to win the championship on May 9.

They took the early lead and were on their way to their 13th straight victory, but St. Francis rallied for the 10-2 victory in Wheaton in the winner-take-all finale.

“For the first four innings, I thought we played really well and then the wheels sort of came off for the first time in a while,” said Marrs, the Bulldogs’ starting pitcher. “That’s only going to serve as experience that’ll help us further down the road in even higher-pres-

sure games.”

The Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead in the first on Jake Tyler’s two-run single but then stranded five runners over the second and third innings.

St. Francis pulled ahead with a five-run third that included a run-scoring double, three run-scoring singles and a run-scoring error. They added four runs in the fourth.

Ryan Novak, who had two of the Bulldogs’ six hits, and Wes Deason doubled.

“We came out ready to play. We had a chance to kind of do some damage. They kind of flipped the script on us and ran away with it,” RBHS coach Mark Ori said.

The Bulldogs had forced a first-place tie by winning 4-0 the previous day behind a com-

bined two-hit shutout by winning pitcher Wyatt Murphy (5 strikeouts in 6 innings) and Novak. RBHS and Wheaton Academy tied for second with the Warriors getting the tiebreaker based on their season sweep.

“We played great the day before [against St. Francis], all aspects, and we came out with that same kind of fire and we weren’t able to limit the damage in the one inning,” Ori said.

“We wanted to win conference but it’s [state] playoffs that really matters.”

The Bulldogs bounced back by beating Timothy Christian 12-3 on May 11 and Plainfield Central 8-5 on May 13.

Marrs had a huge game against Plainfield, going 5 for 5 with a first-pitch three-run homer in the ninth inning. Deason had two RBIs

and Marrs and Joey Garvey scored twice.

Carter Duda (4 innings) won in relief of starter Robert Drake.

Against Timothy Christian, RBHS pulled away with an eight-run sixth to pad a 4-3 lead.

Jacob Cruz was 3 for 4 with a double. Tyler and Jaden Deppe, who each had two hits, and Deason (3 RBIs) also doubled. Winning pitcher Kevin Cronin worked 4.1 innings.

The Bulldogs are the No. 6 seed in the IHSA Class 4A Mt. Carmel Sectional and open St. Rita Regional play against No. 12 Morton at 4:30 p.m. on May 25. The regional final is at 11 a.m. on May 27 against No. 3 St. Rita or No. 14 Curie with the winner advancing to the sectional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. on June 1.

– Bill Stone

16

S P O R T S

The Landmark, May 17, 2023

LTHS boys earn 8th straight trip to water polo state finals Lions dominate St. Rita 14-4 to take sectional crown

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Junior Luke Jackson and his Lyons Township High School boys water polo teammates never take returning to the state meet for granted.

“It’s always a privilege to go to state. That’s something we earn every year,” Jackson said.

“We’re proud to go to state as many years as we can.”

On May 13, the Lions were determined to earn an eighth consecutive state quarterfinal berth. They wasted little time proving it.

LTHS defeated St. Rita 14-4 and now advance to the state quarterfinals on May 19 at 5:45 p.m. against Fremd at Stevenson High School in Vernon Hills.

The Lions (19-10) took a 3-0 lead just 1:57 into the match and led 5-0 after the first period. Louis Grib scored twice and Sean Gripp, Brendan Whelton and Laine Tegan each scored once.

“Possession after possession, goals in the first three minutes. I was watching the film

and it did not feel in the water like it was that fast,” said Gripp. “It’s really an expectation, honestly, to make it to state. That’s what we’ve been working for the whole season, to get our sectional win.”

Whelton finished with four goals and Gripp and Tegan each had three.

The Lions had previously beaten St. Rita 15-8 in April at LTHS, but their challenging schedule also resulted in several tough losses, three by one or two goals.

The lineup lost several key seniors from last year’s third-place state finisher and return just three starters in Gripp, Whelton and goalie Charlie Vlk. The Lions have earned top-three trophies the past four state tournaments, two seconds and two thirds.

“I think we’re playing our best right now and I’ve always told them that’s the goal. We want the difficult games throughout the season to prepare for where we want to be at the end of the season,” LTHS coach Doug Eichstaedt said.

LTHS girls fall in sectional final Another great season for the Lions (25-5) ended May 13 with a 13-11 loss to Mother McAuley in the LT Sectional final.

LTHS was the No. 2 seed after losing to the top-seeded Mighty Macs 9-7 in April but hadn’t lost since. The Lions were hoping for

STEVE JOHNSTON

Lyons Township’s Brendan Whelton (left) looks to shoot against St. Rita during the IHSA Sectional championship game at Lyons Township High School on May 13 in Western Springs. their third straight state berth after finishing third in 2022.

The Lions played without sophomore standout Maya Mladjan, who suffered a concussion in the final seconds of the victory over York on May 6.

“I felt like it was one of the better games we’ve played. We played really well, even though the result wasn’t what we wanted,” said senior Emilia Mladjan, Maya’s sister.

“The whole team stepped up to fill in that spot she would usually have been, espe-

cially Evie [Reinisch]. Estelle [Wright] and Bella [Recker] don’t usually play center defense and they did really well to help fill that spot.”

Lauren Jablonski had four goals, three in the second period, and Mladjan had three.

Jablonski’s goal gave the Lions a 7-5 lead with 6:11 left in the third period but McAuley answered with five unanswered goals.

LTHS closed to 12-11 on Recker’s goal with 1:02 left. McAuley called a timeout and scored with 43 seconds to go.

Pacourek heads back to state meet in 800 meters Senior middle distance runner eyes breaking RBHS school record

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside-Brookfield High School senior Bryce Pacourek used another late push May 10 to qualify again for the IHSA Class 3A girls track and field state meet in the 800-meter run.

This time should be even better.

Pacourek finished second at the Shepard Sectional in 2:22.81 – her second-fastest time ever to her 2:21.99.

At the 2022 sectional, Pacourek’s late kick qualified for state with second place in a then-personal-best 2:26.82. She was

smart and putting in a lot of 19th at state in 2:27.02. work, which has allowed me to “At state last year, I was surhave lots of good races, so I feel prised that I qualified and just like I have earned it.” happy to be there. This year, I Pacourek again was the lone have a lot more confidence, so I state qualifier for the Bulldogs. know that I can push myself to Sophomore Gianna Gelb was stay with the pack of girls in the fourth in the 1,600 (5:43.89).

2:18 range,” Pacourek said.

Junior Maia Nelson (3,200 in “I think it feels more special 13:20.64) and the 3,200 relay this year because I feel like I (Gelb, senior Jojo Rodriguez, actually belong. Last year was BRYCE PACOUREK sophomore Jorie Eggers, Paa challenging season, so when courek in 10:40.53) were fifth.

I had one very good race that allowed me to qualify, I didn’t feel like I Senior Ava Connerty (100 high hurdles in belonged. This year, I have been training 17.33) and junior Antonia O’Keefe (28.79

meters/94 feet-5 inches in discus) were sixth.

Like 2022, Pacourek again was third during the final lap but took over second with about 175 meters left.

At state, Pacourek hopes to break 2:20 and possibly challenge the 2:18.0 school record.

“I think there will be plenty of competition to help push me,” Pacourek said. “My experience from last year helped me realize that I need to get out faster and stay connected to the pack. I have been working on really pushing the last 200 meters, so I think that kick at the end will be extremely important at state.”

The Landmark, May 17, 2023 17

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

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The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Collective Impact Manager in the Village Manager’s Office. Under the general direction of the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, the Collective Impact Manager will be responsible for building and assessing racial equity impact needs and developing a strategic plan to support those needs. This includes driving the initiatives focused on the Racial Equity Action Plan through community assessments, community engagement, data functions, and overall internal and external functions. Applicants are encouraged to apply online at https://secure.entertimeonline. com/ta/6141780.careers?ApplyToJob=537117711 or visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

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CASHIER

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ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ PROGRAM SUPPORT – MILLS PARK TOWER - Provides administrative and clerical support to Mills Park Tower Property Manager and Assistant Property Manager.

HCV PROGRAMS CASE MANAGER(S) – Provides case management to Oak Park Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher participants.

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Ferrari’s, James Jaguars,• 630-201-8122 Muscle Cars, Collector Mustang & Mopars

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Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

PROPERTY MANAGER, MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL – Manages multiple market-rate buildings throughout Oak Park. In collaboration with leasing and maintenance teams, provides excellent customer services to residents.

For a complete job description for each of these positions and information about how to apply, please visit our website at https://oakparkrc.com/ about-us/work-for-oprc/ OR Send Cover letter and resume to bswaggerty@oakparkrc.com

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PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 208 TIMELY AND MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION FOR PARENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF PRIVATE AND HOME SCHOOLED CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

PUBLIC NOTICE River Forest School District 90 (Required by the Illinois State Board of Education)

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

In accordance with the requirements of Section 612(a) (10) of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004 (“IDEA 2004”), the River Forest School District 90 will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation on Monday, May 22, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in the District 90 Administration Offices, 7776 Lake Street, River Forest, IL. 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 90 during the 2022-2023 school year. Parents and private school administrators who would like to attend should contact Debbie Lubeck, Director of Student Services, at lubeckd@district90.org for additional information.

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

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 19, 2023, at 10:00 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 2023-24 school year.

Parents and private school administrators who would like to attend should contact Kevin Baldus, Director of Special Education, at baldusk@rbhs208.net Zoom invitation will be forwarded prior to the meeting.

Published in RB Landmark May 10, 17, 2023

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

In re the marriage of KARINA MONTOYA, Petitioner and EDER PACHECO, Respondent, Case No. 2023D003253.

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

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before June 2, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

IRIS Y. MARTINEZ, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 3, 10, 17, 2023

Request of Nathan pher Gonzales Case 2023CONC000747

ChristoNumber.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Nathan Christopher Gonzales to the new name of: Nathan Ace Pietri The court date will be held: On 08/10/2023 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 17, 24, 31, 2023

Published in Wednesday Journal May 10, 17, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING The Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, located at 201 N. Scoville will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation Meeting which will take place remotely via video/telephone conference on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 9:00am. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private/parochial schools and who are home schooled within the district for the 2023-24 school year. If you are the parent of a homeschooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Oak Park & River Forest High School District 200, you are urged to attend.

If you would like to join the meeting, please contact Kiara Colas at kcolas@oprfhs.org or call (708) 434-3706 to request the Zoom Link information.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 17, 24, 2023

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: YY23010544 on May 9, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of NOTHING MATTERS with the business located at: 3938 N CALIFORNIA AVE APT 1E, CHICAGO, IL 60618. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CLAUDIA LICETH CRUZ 3938 N CALIFORNIA AVE APT 1E CHICAGO, IL 60618, USA Published in Wednesday Journal May 17, 24, 31, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE ENTRY LEVEL APPOINTMENT COMMITTEE OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS The Entry Level Appointment Committee of the Village of Oak Park, Illinois adopted Rules and Regulations for Fire Department entry level appointments on May 8, 2023.

The Rules and Regulations may be obtained at the Human Resources Department, Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 during the regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Rules and Regulations shall take effect ten (10) days from the date of publication of this notice.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 17, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the Village of Oak Park, Illinois adopted amendments to the Rules and Regulations for appointments to the Police Department on May 8, 2023. The amendments to the Rules and Regulations may be obtained at the Human Resources Department, Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 during the regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The amendments to the Rules and Regulations shall take effect ten (10) days from the date of publication of this notice.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 17, 2023

The Landmark, May 17, 2023 19

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 2301 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment-Adaptive Reuse Permit) HEARING DATE: June 1, 2023 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the agenda permits.

LOCATION OF HEARING: Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street (Room 201 - Council Chambers) Oak Park, IL 60302 PETITIONER: Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 REQUEST: The Petitioner seeks text amendments to the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance as follows: (1) an amendment to Article 2 (“Definitions & Rules of Measurement”) by adding a definition of a “Teaching and Learning Center” and “Live Performance Venue – Limited”; (2) an amendment to Article 8 (“Uses”) by adding Teaching

and Learning Center and Live Performance Venue - Limited to the list of uses; and (3) an amendment to Article 14 (“Zoning Approvals”) by adding a new Section 14.10 (“Adaptive Reuse Permit”).

A copy of the proposed text amendment is on file and available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal, May 17, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CALENDAR NUMBER: 09-23-Z HEARING DATE: June 7, 2023 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302 APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, Chetranda Grey, to operate a reception/ banquet facility pursuant to Section 8.3 (“Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 6435 North Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-06-206-008-0000 in the NA North Avenue Zoning District.

A copy of the application and

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

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

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

Published in Wednesday Journal, May 17, 2023

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC Plaintiff, -v.UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF YVONNE ARROYO, DECEASED, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, VICTORIAN SQUARE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, CHARLES BIBB, CLARENCE AKBAR BIBB, MARIE LESTER, DOROTHY JEAN BIBB SINGH , THOMAS QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO YVONNE ARROYO, DECEASED Defendants 2022 CH 08025 1135 SCHNEIDER AVENUE, UNIT 2B OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on April 11, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 1, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1135 SCHNEIDER AVENUE, UNIT 2B, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-06-316-0301004, 16-06-316-030-1017, AND 1606-316-030-1018 The real estate is improved with vacant land.

The judgment amount was $269,229.40.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

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

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

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driv-

er’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, ONE EAST WACKER, SUITE 1250, Chicago, IL, 60601 (312) 651-6700. Please refer to file number 22-026600.

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

MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC ONE EAST WACKER, SUITE 1250 Chicago IL, 60601 312-651-6700 E-Mail: AMPS@manleydeas.com Attorney File No. 22-026600 Attorney Code. 48928 Case Number: 2022 CH 08025 TJSC#: 43-1638 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2022 CH 08025 I3218771

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

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

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

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

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 7949876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-22-03237 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2022 CH 04036 TJSC#: 43-1809 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2022 CH 04036 I3219832

ration, will at 10:30 AM on June 20, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 817 S. SCOVILLE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-18-228-019000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $584,316.19.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

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

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

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

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

For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 20 8287.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-

SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710 E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 20 8287 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2020 CH 07380 TJSC#: 43-1333 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2020 CH 07380 I3219657

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.MELANIE MARTIN, 300 CHICAGO CONDOMINIUM, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF HAZEL J. ANTHONY, GERALD NORDGREN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR HAZEL J. ANTHONY (DECEASED) Defendants 2022 CH 04036 300 CHICAGO AVE 4N OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 17, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 13, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 300 CHICAGO AVE 4N, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-321-0341007 The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-FF14 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FF14 Plaintiff, -v.JUANITA J. LACOURT, CHARLES T. GRANT, WELLS FARGO BANK N.A. Defendants 2020 CH 07380 817 S. SCOVILLE AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 16, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corpo-

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the SCIG Series III Trust; Plaintiff, vs.

GAD IKEANUMBA AKA GAD C. IKEANUMBA; 1030-32 NORTH AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AKA 1030 -32 N. AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AND HENRY SILVERMAN LIVING TRUST U/A/D AUGUST 26, 1996; Defendants, 11 CH 33740 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-05-314-031-1001.

Commonly known as 1032 N. Austin Blvd., Unit 1N, Oak Park, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection For information call Ms. Mary E. Spitz at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 Lucerne Drive, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130. (440) 5721512. ILF1810025 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3219409

20

The Landmark, May 17, 2023

2 1 E . B U R L I N GTO N R OA D, R I V E R S I D E | 70 8 . 4 47.72 07 W NE

G TIN S I L

W NE

E IC PR

287 Herrick Rd, Riverside $550,000

380 Herrick Rd, Riverside $444,900

258 Nuttall Rd, Riverside $789,000

2333 W Saint Paul Ave, #128, Chicago $329,000

1519 William St, River Forest $647,000

222 Pine Tree Ln, LaGrange Park $699,900

212 E Cullerton Ave, #1000, Chicago $380,000

1813 Elmwood Ave, Berwyn $339,000

860 W Lakeside Pl, #C Chicago $409,900

302 River Oaks Dr, Calumet City $300,000

AL CI R E MM CO

1516 S Wabash Ave, #902, Chicago $465,000

7922 46th St, Lyons $320,000

1247 S Plymouth Ct, Chicago $6,500/mo

7722 Madison St, River Forest $18/sq ft

T LO T N CA VA

4534 Arthur Ave, Brookfield $169,900

When it comes to selling and buying homes... experience, results and ties to the community make all the difference.

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