The Landmark 051921 by Wednesday Journal

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Also serving North Riverside

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Vol. 36, No. 20

May 19, 2021

@riversidebrookfieldlandmark

Scarpiniti named North Riverside administrator PAGE 6

Spotty mail delivery has residents frustrated

Governor rescinds mask mandate for those vaccinated PAGE 9

Not so grand on Grand Blvd. New homeowner says apartment building project was a shock

Parts of Riverside, North Riverside often go days without deliveries By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

“Neither snow nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” That’s the unofficial motto of the United States Postal Service. But something, be it COVID-19 or cutbacks, is disrupting mail delivery around these parts, with some residents of Riverside and North Riverside saying that they often go days without getting any mail. Mail delivery seems to particularly bad in the area of Riverside south of the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad tracks and near Harlem Avenue, especially on Lawton, Gage and Olmsted roads. Susan Mars, who lives in the 200 block of Gage Road, says she typically only gets mail twice a week, often on Wednesdays and Thursdays. “Seems like it’s always Friday and Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, they’re like five-day weekends,” said Mars of her days See POST OFFICE on page 17

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

TIGHT SQUEEZE: Paulette Delcourt says she was never told that an apartment complex would be built next door before buying her home. She knows she may not be able to stop it, but wants others to be aware of how village goals in Brookfield’s commercial districts could impact other properties. By BOB UPHUES Editor

Somehow, Paulette Delcourt didn’t get some important information about the home she bought in late 2019 at 3710 Grand Blvd. in downtown Brookfield. All the warning signs were there: The cozy, 90-year-old 1.5-story frame bungalow was located on a block zoned commercial – the appraiser had flagged it for that reason – and Delcourt had heard something about

a possible development next door, but apparently was told it had fallen through. “I had no clue,” Delcourt said. “I couldn’t imagine someone actually putting something like this in this spot.” Delcourt said she did some online research and couldn’t find any reason to believe there would be any significant development. And she decided to take the plunge. About eight or nine months later, well into the pandemic year of 2020, Delcourt noticed that trees on property to the north

were coming down. She went outside to find out what was happening and ran into her neighbor, Michael Gatto, the developer who had purchased the property after winning Brookfield Village Board approval in December 2018 – 11 months before Delcourt bought her home -- to build a three-story apartment building with a ground-floor commercial storefront at 3704-08 Grand Blvd. See GRAND BLVD. on page 13

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The Landmark, May 19, 2021

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The Landmark, May 19, 2021

Local sacred choir is surprise hit in Latvia Two Riversiders sang in virtual concert during pandemic

IN THIS ISSUE

By MICHELLE DYBAL

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Property transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Arts Editor

ux Cantorum Chicago (LCC), a choir of 25 voices whose mission is to share the “transformative power of sacred choral music” has taken its local voices singing from their hometowns, including Oak Park and Riverside, and reached audiences around the word – particularly, Latvia – transcended borders during the pandemic. According to LCC board member and Oak Park resident Stuart Jamieson, the group is “an interfaith choir that sings sacred music from all kinds of traditions and cultures.” In April, Lux Cantorum released their performance of “Dod, Dieviņi,” which translates to “Give, God,” by composer Raimonds Tiguls and lyricist Nora Ikstena, written in 2008. Both are Latvian. The release has garnered nearly 3,500 views on YouTube. Other 2021 releases by LCC have approximately 500 views. Having performed Tigels’ “Moonlight Sound Design” in 2019 and getting a “hearty response” from both Lux Cantorum singers and audiences, Artistic Director Dr. Wilber Watkins decided to explore other works by the composer. “I came across ‘Dod, Dieviņi,’ which had a folk-like and yet ethereal feel to it,” Watkins said. He was working on a concert for May 2020, “Encounter,” which was later cancelled due to COVID-19. Instead, individual recordings of music for that concert are being released each month, beginning in February 2021. “The Latvian work speaks of God’s providence and fit nicely in the musical amalgamation that I envisioned,” he said. Adding to the interest of the performance after its release was coverage in Latvian media. An article appeared on Latvians.com. And, when Ikstena appeared on Latvian TV to promote her book, she was asked about Lux Cantorum’s performance. “It made me very happy, because that shows us that culture has no boundaries and is not limited by a pandemic,” the lyricist said. “This American choir has recorded this song in the Latvian language – in very beautiful, good Latvian language – this is a sign that for culture and spirit there are no boundaries; even the boundaries of a pandemic are broken.” Watkins, who has conducted the choir since 2007, said, “The work presented a challenge in diction, as none of our members are Latvian speakers.”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

The Rev. Dennis Lauritsen, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Riverside. He found and worked with a Latvian speaker and singer who created Latvian diction files for the choir and was available to answer questions along the way. While the group is a sacred choral ensemble, the sacred works span religions. “Study War No More,” released on May 9, is of Jewish origins. “Chant of the Sixth Patriarch,” a Buddhist piece, releases on May 21, and the group is recording “Shalom” which will post to the choir’s website on June 4. While all their recordings are available for free, Lux Cantorum has not had an in-person performance since December 2019, and thus been unable to collect revenue from ticket sales. LCC is suggesting a donation to offset their production expenses for the professionally edited videos. The group typically performs at least one concert at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park, each season, as well as a holiday concert in December at Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church, 250 Woodside Rd., Riverside, in non-pandemic times. Watkins is choir director at Pilgrim. Lux Cantorum accompanist, Joan Hutchinson, of Oak Park, is organist and minister of music at Pilgrim. Local members of LCC include Oak Parkers Mary Leger, soprano; Lauren Zylstra, soprano; Brandon Michaels, tenor; and Dan Rogers, tenor.

Dina Schenk, soprano, is from Riverside, and is Sts. Peter and Paul Pastor the Rev. Dennis Lauritsen, who sings bass. Lauritsen, who is also an LCC board member, has sung in the choir for seven years. It was from hearing them sing at his church that gave him the idea to audition. “I distinctly remember one concert when I thought to myself, ‘You know, they’re sounding really good. It’s been a long time since I’ve sung with a choir like this,’” Lauritsen said. “I had always sung with choirs in church, school, college and seminary, and this seemed like an opportunity to return to one of my deepest loves in life.” Because of the pandemic, for the monthly releases of “Encounter,” members rehearsed remotely and recorded their parts individually, compiled in the editing to form completed works. “It really has been an experience of a lifetime, even during the pandemic, that I never expected after all these years,” Lauritsen said. “There’s nothing quite like the transcendent, mystical experience of voices drawn together from many different places as bearers of peace, unity, gentleness, beauty, truth, compassion, love and praise.” You can view the music of Lux Cantorum online at luxcantorum.org/encounter-performance-series

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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@wjinc.com ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $34 within Cook County and $44 outside the county. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2021 Growing Community Media NFP.

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

BIG WEEK

Local Cadettes need your help

May 19-26 Fibber McGee & Molly

Radio Players recreate comedies

The Riverside Township Radio Players return to the auditorium of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road in Riverside, for their next performance on Friday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. The troupe will recreate two classic comedies from the Golden Age of Radio, “Scrap Drive” from “Fibber McGee & Molly” and “Luigi’s Toothache” from “Life with Luigi.” Free. The first 50 people will be allowed entry. COVID protocols in place. Visit riversidetownshipradioplayers.com for more.

New group show at RAC

See ‘Black Men in White Coats’ documentary free Brookfield Public Library invites you to take advantage of three days of free access to the new 80-minute documentary “Back Men in White Coats,” which dissects the systemic barriers preventing Black men from becoming medical doctors and the consequences on society at large. The documentary will be available online from May 24-26. Register at brookfieldlibrary.info for access to the film.

And more Lyons Township High School’s Eurythmic Dance Company performs “Resurgence,” the annual spring dance concert outdoors at North Campus, 100 S. Brainard Ave. in LaGrange. Rain or shine, performances are May 20, 21, 22 at 8 p.m. with shorter matinees on Mat 22-23 at 2 p.m. Purchase tickets at www.lths. net/edc-tix. Masks required. Brookfield Zoo invites you to join Tim Snyder, curator of birds for the Chicago Zoological Society, for a virtual lecture on May 25 at 7 p.m. as he shares the history and conservation efforts of the Guam kingfisher, which was close to extinction due to the introduction on invasive ■

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Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., presents a new exhibit “Restraint and Limitation” featuring the abstract work of artists Sarah Arrigada, Anna Buckner, Sharon Butler, Magalie Guerin, Elizabeth Powell, Elise Rugolo and Simon Tatum from May 23 through June 26. Curator Matthew Ballou Anna Buckner, “Dutch Still Life,” states, “Contemporary Pieced fabric scraps on stretcher, abstraction is a huge, 12x12 inches, 2015 multifaceted project. … Today there are no firm boundaries or distinct definitions providing a unified perspective on the practice of abstract painting … [and] to suggest that it is limited to the realm of painting is a dramatic misunderstanding. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Free and open to the public. Email to info@riversideartscenter.com to schedule an appointment.

animal species. The lecture is free, although a $10 donation is appreciated. Online reservations are required at CZS.org/LectureSeries. North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, is looking for budding artists to decorate white paper parasols for their Umbrella Art Contest, which runs through the month of May. Open to all ages. Just pick up an umbrella at the mall’s Customer Service Center (M-Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sun 11 a.m.-6 pm.), decorate it at home and return it by May 31. Gift card prizes for best entries. North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., offers a number of virtual programs through Facebook Live (facebook.com/NRPL2400), conference calls and the teleconferencing app Zoom. ■

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For adults, there’s Smart Homes for Seniors via Zoom on May 20 at 1 p.m.; Writer’s Group via Zoom on May 20 at 6 p.m.; Club de Lectura en Espanol on May 21 at 10:30 a.m.; and Decor DIY Tuesday via Facebook Live on May 25 at 5:30 p.m. Register at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new for info and Zoom access. For kids there’s ABCs and 123s (ages 3+) via Zoom on Mondays at 10:30 a.m.; Story Safari (ages 3+) via Zoom on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.; and Lego Builders Club (ages 5+) via Zoom on Thursdays at 4 p.m. Call 708-447-0836, ext. 230, email youthservices@ northriversidelibrary.org or visit northriversidelibrary. org/events-new for Zoom meeting access info.

Help Girl Scout Cadette Troop 50324 achieve a Silver Award during their Community Caring Project Scavenger Hunt and Donation Drive on Saturday, May 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All ages welcome. Come anytime during those hours to Progress Park at Broadway and Washington avenues (next to Compassion Factory) to start. The scavenger hunt will have locations around the village to spread awareness of local housing and food insecurity. Those completing the hunt can enter a raffle. Please bring an item (or more) to benefit BEDS Plus, St. Barbara Food Pantry, Share Food Share Love Food Pantry and the Compassion United Methodist Church Garden Food Box. Monetary donations accepted at the event or by contacting GirlScoutCaringProject@gmail.com. Through May 29, items may also be dropped off at Brookfield Village Hall, Brookfield Public Library, LaGrange Public Library, Tischler Finer Foods and Brennan Massage & Spa.

Bring the Green at Ehlert Park

Brookfield’s Aging Well Team hosts the special event “Bring the Green” on May 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Ehlert Park, Elm and Congress Park avenues). Are you curious about spring plantings or biodiversity education? Come by for this free event. Stay in your car or bring a chair and listen to the speaker. All registered participants get a goody bag. To register, call 708-485-1474.

Brookfield Public Library offers virtual classes and programs for patrons of all ages throughout the week. Most youth activities will be presented live on the library’s Facebook page at facebook.com/BrookfieldPublicLibrary. For adults, there’s Meditation for a Healthy Lifestyle with Gaurav Singh via Zoom on May 19 at 7 p.m. and Chair Yoga via Zoom on May 20 at 11 a.m. Call 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or visit brookfield. evanced.info/signup to register for Zoom programs. Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents Family Game Night via Zoom on May 21 from 6 to 7 p.m. Bring a mobile device and join in for an evening of Jackbox games. Best for kids over age 8. Visit riversidelibrary.libcal.com/calendar more info. ■

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The Landmark, May 19, 2021

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Woman hit with felony charges after high-speed chase The Cook County State’s Attorney charged Savannah Scott, 23, of Chicago, with aggravated fleeing and eluding plus several misdemeanor charges after she led North Riverside and Lyons police on a highspeed chase west on 26th Street and south on First Avenue on May 9 around 4:05 p.m. The chase started on 26th Street near Veterans Park, when Scott’s gold Ford Focus allegedly cut off a North Riverside squad car, which had to brake to avoid a crash. The North Riverside officer ended the pursuit at Desplaines Avenue when the Ford reportedly blew through a red light and turned south on First Avenue. Shortly afterward a witness called police to report someone apparently hiding in the bushes in front of Riverside-Brookfield High School. That person turned out to be a 23-year-old man who had been a passenger in the Ford and bailed out at the first opportunity. Police located that man and while they were interviewing him, Scott reportedly called his cellphone. She hung up after a North Riverside officer told her to stop attempting to flee from Lyons police who spotted the Ford. North Riverside police entered the vehicle as wanted for felonious fleeing/eluding, and Chicago police on May 14 impounded the Ford, when they found it parked in the 4600 block of South Drexel Ave. Scott on May 15 visited the North Riverside Police Department in an attempt to bond out the vehicle, which by then had been towed back out to the suburbs. She was arrested and reportedly admitted being at the wheel, fleeing police on May 9.

Garage burglary Brookfield police responded to the 3900 block of Sunnyside Avenue on May 12 after a resident called to report that someone had broken into his garage within the past two days. According to the police report, the garage was unlocked. Various storage boxes appeared to have been rifled through. The only item missing was a black rubber storage box with a yellow lid that contained various antique toys.

Vehicle break-in A 39-year-old Bridgeview man called police on May 14 at about 4:30 p.m. to report that he had returned to his work van, which was parked in the lot at the Loyola Medical office building at 3722 Harlem Ave. and found that that someone had removed several items from the unlocked vehicle. The victim said he parked the vehicle in

the lot at about 2:30 p.m. Missing from the van were an Apple iPad Pro tablet, a flashlight and some ibuprofen.

Handgun found next to bike path Riverside police responded to the Zoo Woods Forest Preserve property in the 3500 block of First Avenue on May 15 at about 6:45 p.m. after a man walking along the bike path reported finding a loaded 9 mm handgun in plain view in the grassy area next to the path. An officer recovered the pistol and cleared a 9 mm round from the chamber. The police report identified the gun as a Taurus Armas firearm. That’s a different model than the 9 mm gun reported missing on May 1 by someone riding his bike through Riverside. It is unknown whether that gun has been recovered.

Public indecency North Riverside police charged a 29-yearold Berwyn man with public indecency and cited him for other offenses after a 36-yearold woman called 911 to report a man masturbating inside a vehicle parked in the lot at Aldi, 2000 S. Harlem Ave. on May 12 at around 2:50 p.m.

DUI charge after crash North Riverside police charged a 42-year-old Oak Brook man with driving under the influence on May 9 after an officer observed his unoccupied and heavily damaged blue Ford blocking the driveway to the commercial building at 7222 Cermak Road at about 1:40 a.m. While inspecting the vehicle, the officer noticed a man walking across the street from Chick-fil-A. According to police, the man confirmed he owned the Ford and eventually stated he had been at an establishment in McCook and was driving northbound on Harlem Avenue when his vehicle struck a pole. Police later reported finding two street signs lying on the raised median along with other debris in the 2500 block of Harlem Avenue. Later in custody, the man reportedly submitted to a breath test that revealed his blood-alcohol content to be .156, which is nearly twice the legal limit of .08. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, May 9-16 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

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The Landmark, May 19, 2021

Caledonia Senior Living to host vaccine clinic every 3 weeks

Initiative launched in memory of staff member’s 15-year-old niece who died from COVID By BOB UPHUES

people, can be inoculated against COVID-19. The clinics are open to anyone eligible to receive a vaccine. Dykota Morgan was a familThe first clinic will be at 3 iar face around Caledonia Sep.m. on May 19, and all three apnior Living and Memory Care BOB UPHUES/Editor proved vaccines – Pfizer, Moderin North Riverside. Because na and Johnson & Johnson – will OPEN TO ALL: Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care in North Riverside will host a her aunt, Tiffany Morgan is adbe available. The Pfizer vaccine standing COVID-19 vaccine clinic every three weeks, beginning May 19. Anyone age 12 vancement coordinator at the asis the one approved for those sisted living and skilled nursing and older can register to be inoculated. ages 12-15. Noble facility, 15-year-old Dykota had DYKOTA MORGAN noted that in clinical attended Chicago Scots events to info@schicagoscots.org to reDykota Morgan lived in Bolingbrook and trials the Pfizer vacand visited the campus with her serve a shot. attended Bolingbrook High School where, cine was found to be 100-percent aunt. “Caledonia Senior Living has according to her aunt, Tiffany Morgan, she On May 2, Dykota tested positive for CO- effective in preventing COVID-19 been a member of this local was an honors student, an avid foodie and VID-19. By May 4, the disease had taken her among that age group. community for more than a cen- “wanted to pursue a career in law and pro“We’re hosting the clinic belife. tury, so we want to do our part to tect the rights of marginalized people.” “This heartbreaking story is very real to cause we can, it’s the right thing help protect our neighbors and “Dykota has been one of the greatest us – not a statistic, but a life we’d known,” to do and because we want, in friends,” said Noble, noting that blessings that ever touched her family and said Gus Noble, president of Caledonia Se- some way, to honor Dykota’s 99.5 percent of the people who community, and we want her story and her nior Living, which is operated by Chicago memory,” said Noble, who added live and work at Caledonia are legacy to live on and be an inspiration to that the girl’s mother, Krystal Scots. GUS NOBLE fully vaccinated. others,” Tiffany Morgan wrote on the GoIn response, Caledonia Senior Living, 2800 Morgan, will be vaccinated at “It’s on their behalf that I im- FundMe page she started to benefit the Desplaines Ave., will be hosting free vacci- Caledonia Senior Living at the plore you to take the vaccine,” Noble said. family. nation clinics every three weeks until fur- clinic scheduled for June 2. Anyone wishing to donate can visit gother notice, beginning Wednesday, May 19, Anyone wishing to receive a vaccination “It is the best way to protect yourself and so that as many people, especially younger is being asked to call 708-447-5092 or email the people you love.” fund.me/7191d8df. Editor

Scarpiniti officially named North Riverside administrator Longtime former finance director will focus early efforts on staffing

By BOB UPHUES Editor

After serving as North Riverside village administrator in an acting capacity for more than a year, Sue Scarpiniti got the job on a permanent basis May 17 after trustees concurred in a 5-0 vote with Mayor Joe Mengoni’s appointment and then by the same margin approved a contract that runs through April 30, 2023. The appointment caps a rollercoaster of a year for Scarpiniti, the village’s longtime finance director who took on the acting administrator’s job early in 2020 after the retirement of Guy Belmonte and stepped right into an unfolding pandemic, a summer of actual and threatened civil unrest and an election campaign where her pay as acting administrator became an uncomfort-

able central focus. “2020 was obviously very challenging,” said Scarpiniti. “We had a very aggressive strategy that we wanted to accomplish and a direction that I wanted to achieve as acting [administrator]. And, unfortunately, the pandemic kind of put a halt on all of that. There are a lot of projects in the hopper that we were never able to discuss.” Chief among those projects is taking a comprehensive look at staffing. While Scarpiniti overhauled her central office staff last year, much work remains in other departments. “We’re going to be looking at all of our staffing across the board, and we’re going to be looking to moving to a professionally run administration,” Scarpiniti said. “And we’re going to be looking to try and add staff to address issues that we’re experienc-

ing in the building department.” But the building department, which hasn’t employed a full-time director in more than a decade, is not the only staffing conundrum.

Ehrenberg named acting police chief Also on May 17, Mengoni announced that he had named Commander Christian Ehrenberg as acting police chief with Chief Carlos Garcia out on extended medical leave. It is not clear whether Garcia, who has said he plans to retire at the end of the summer, will return in any active capacity. Mengoni said he has not yet started a search for Garcia’s replacement, but added he has talked to the department’s command staff and sergeants to get feedback and input.

The village’s public works department is also losing its longtime director, Tim Kutt, who confirmed he’s retiring effective Sept. 30. Scarpiniti also revealed that the department’s water supervisor, Ed Durec, is also retiring. And, of course, Scarpiniti hopes to find a new finance director as the village heads into the home stretch of its budget process in the next month or so. The village’s new fiscal year began on May 1. Public budget workshops are slated for mid-June and the appropriations ordinance for the 2021-21 fiscal year must be passed by the end of July. Mengoni said he always believed that if he was elected mayor this spring that he would appoint Scarpiniti to the administrator’s post. “No doubt in my mind, and I think the rest of the board pretty much felt the same

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

North Riverside Mall looks to have avoided foreclosure New filing suggests lender has agreed to modify the terms of the loan

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Less than a year ago, the lender that holds the mortgage on North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, initiated foreclosure proceedings after the shopping center’s owner defaulted on the loan. But, that foreclosure threat appears to have been kept at bay, for now, according to a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. On May 3, JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2014-C24, which lists the North Riverside Park Mall mortgage among a bundle in that trust, stated in its filing that “a loan modification to extend the [loan’s] Oct. 2019 maturity date has been conditionally approved by the lender” and that the special servicer assigned to the loan was working with the lender to close the deal. A loan modification would spell the end of the foreclosure action, filed by the trust in the Chancery Division of Cook County circuit Court last July. The online court case docket indicates it’s been stricken from the judge’s schedule as of January. North Riverside Park Mall’s owner is an entity called North Riverside Park Associates, which is affiliated with The Feil Organization, a company that operates shopping malls in Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana and New York. North Riverside Park Associates owes about $67 million on the loan, which matured Oct. 6, 2019, when a balloon payment of about $68 million was due. When they failed to make that payment, the loan went into default and the lender assigned LNR Partners to service the North Riverside Park Mall loan as the lender explored foreclosure. While, last year’s foreclosure suit appears dead, there are still clouds on the horizon. The appraised value of the 1 million-square-foot North Riverside shopping center, about half of which is owned by North Riverside Park Associates, keeps plummeting. In 2014, according to an SEC filing at the time, the property was appraised at $129 million. By the end of 2019, that appraised value had fallen to $48.8 million. In the most recent SEC filing on May 3, the appraised value of North Riverside Park Mall is listed at $33 million – less than half what North Riverside Park Associates owes on the loan. The mall got some good news last year when it learned J.C Penney, which had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

way,” said Mengoni. “She knows everything about this village and we want to keep that consistency going. … I think she’ll be a great person to mentor and work with the new finance director.” Scarpiniti’s new contract calls for her to be paid a salary of $185,000, plus another $7,500 a year the village will pay into a deferred compensation plan. She gets 26 vacation days and six paid days off per year, and the village will provide her with a vehicle and $1,200 annually as a cellphone stipend.

New village attorney appointed Trustees also voted 5-0 to appoint the law firm of Peterson Johnson Murray as the village’s new legal counsel, with Kevin Kear-

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

North Riverside Plaza Mall protection, would keep its North Riverside store open as it exited bankruptcy late in 2020. But the former Carson Pirie Scott anchor location and more than half of the former Sears anchor property remain vacant as shopping malls battle to stay relevant in an era where big-box retail sales continue to struggle against online retailers, coupled with service interruptions brought on by a global pandemic.

ney serving as the firm’s main attorney for North Riverside. Mengoni said he knows one of the firm’s partners, Paul A. O’Grady, and has used his services in the past. O’Grady was re-elected in April as Orland Township supervisor and formerly served as chairman of Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart’s Cook blue-ribbon committee on internal affairs. Illinois State Board of Elections records show that O’Grady contributed $873.60 in March to the political committee of North Riverside United Party, which slated Mengoni for mayor in the 2021 election. The new firm replaces Odelson, Sterk, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath, which had served as the village’s legal counsel since 2013.

Glenn Lindholm, general manager for North Riverside Park Mall, declined to comment on the news of an impending loan modification, but said foot traffic is up at the shopping center and that officials there continue to work on new lease deals with retailers and other businesses. “We’re seeing a nice turnaround, and we’re hopeful it will continue and put us where we need to be,” Lindholm said.

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The Landmark, May 19, 2021

Group demands RBHS response after reports of racism School board president says the subject ‘deserves fair and open dialogue’

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Members of the Indivisible West Suburban Action League, a progressive advocacy group based in Riverside, are demanding action and accountability by Riverside-Brookfield High School in response to descriptions of racism and lack of inclusion made by two Black students in statements to the school board in April. At the May 4 District 208 Board of Education meeting, Indivisible members Lindsay Morrison and Kendra Curry-Khanna read letters addressed to the school board, the superintendent, and administration thanking students Tirza Elliott and Raven McKelvin for coming forward and demanding that RBHS take specific steps to address the issues the girls raised. “As community members, as taxpayers, and particularly as parents, we were struck by Tirza and Raven’s bravery as they spoke their truth to power – literally – to room of white adult decision makers,” Curry-Khanna said. “We were simultaneously infuriated that the behavior they had experienced was tolerated, and sadly unsurprised by reports of racism occurring in our schools. “What was most disappointing, however, is what it took for us to listen. If school lead-

ers had been doing their jobs advocating for the youth and families in our communities, students would not need to put themselves into a position of extreme vulnerability to be heard – or for us to listen.” Curry-Khanna laid out four specific demands. She asked the school to publish a public response to Elliott and McKelvin; to establish a zero-tolerance policy against racist speech or actions by students, staff, administration, leadership and parents that include swift, certain consequences; share with the community an action plan for the district to address bias, racism, and racial disparity in the school; and to provide restorative resources for support and healing to those who have experienced racialized trauma at RBHS. While not committing to taking any specific action, in follow up interviews new school board President Deanna Zalas and Superintendent Kevin Skinkis said they are committed to address equity and inclusion at RBHS. They both noted that the school has already taken steps to address these issues. “I don’t personally disagree with their letters and I would kind of expect them to speak for others,” said Zalas adding that she wants school administrators to meet with Indivisible leaders about their demands.

“There is work that has been done in each ment restorative practices with students of those areas, so it would be helpful to give and staff next school year. The school has them some of that background informa- also begun implicit bias training for staff. “I commend the Indivisible West Suburtion.” Zalas agreed that the district needs to fo- ban Action for coming to the board meeting and taking an active role in cus on issues of race and equity. what’s going on at RB,” Skinkis “We’re coming off a year said. “I think the high school where this is a really signifihas taken a lot of these steps cant issue in our community, in already this school year.” our society,” Zalas said. “We are Skinkis said the school, not exempt in any way shape or which has only one Black teachform from these discussions, and our population deserves er, special education teacher fair and open dialogue on these Jordan Mack, and one Black matters.” academic support paraprofesZalas said she was moved by sional, is making concerted efthe comments made by Elliott fort to diversify its faculty. He and McKelvin. noted that at the May 4 meetDEANNA ZALAS “I personally was touched ing the school board approved D208 school board president by it and I would say the board the hiring of a bilingual social was really touched by it,” Zalas studies teacher and someone said. who teaches both science and Both Zalas and Skinkis said English as a second language. that the school has already taken steps to Skinkis also noted that the school hired address these issues, steps that the student Freytas, who is Hispanic, as principal two speakers may not have been aware of. years ago and hired a Hispanic dean last “We’re not starting from ground zero,” summer. Zalas said. “A lot of positive steps have already been Skinkis was more specific, saying RBHS taken,” Skinkis said. “I think some of that last summer convened a restorative practice has been lost due to the pandemic and stucommittee that will be working to imple- dents not being in school first semester.”

“We are not exempt in any way shape or form from these discussions.”

Jury out on whether saliva tests will continue in D96, 102 Despite earlier plan to close, local lab will remain open for business

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Two local school districts which have been offering saliva tests to screen for COVID this year have not yet decided whether to offer the tests again next year. LaGrange-Brookfield District 102 has operated a testing lab the entire school year and has contracted with a few other school districts, including Riverside Elementary School District 96, to offer the tests. But with vaccines now widely available to those 12 years and older, District 102 officials have not yet decided to repeat that effort. “Obviously we’re closing it down for the summer once school is out,” said District 102 Superintendent Kyle Schumacher. “The board will have to make a decision as to how much surveillance we want to do for next year.” District 96 Superintendent Martha RyanToye said that Riverside schools are also on the fence after expressing disappointment about the testing participation rate. In the week that ended on May 14, less than half

CREDIT: LOYOLA UNIVERSITY

ED CAMPBELL -- 44.27 percent -- of District 96 staff and students attending school in person submitted saliva samples to be tested. The District 102 lab was quickly set up at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year in the basement of Barnsdale Road School in LaGrange Park by school board member Ed Campbell, a Brookfield resident who is a

professor of microbiology and immunology at Loyola University Medical Center. Campbell went on, with the help of a couple of friends, to form a for-profit company, SafeGuard Surveillance, to conduct saliva testing for other school districts. SafeGuard Surveillance does no testing for District 102 or District 96. Last fall, Campbell said that he hoped to shut down SafeGuard this summer, but now he says the company will continue to run saliva tests into the next school year. “It looks like, because of vaccine hesitancy or other things, there will still will be a role for testing in the fall and we will be there to help the schools that want to use us,” Campbell said. Campbell said the company will do some work this summer for districts offering summer school. The company has signed up a few new industrial clients. But a recent decision by the Illinois State Board of Education to give $225 million in subsidies to a SafeGuard competitor threatens to cost SafeGuard business. The federal stimulus money is being made available to school districts that use a saliva test de-

veloped by a for-profit spinoff of a University of Illinois-developed test called COVIDSHEILD. The subsidy will allow school districts to purchase the COVIDSHIELD test, which had previously cost nearly double the price of SafeGuard, for $10 per test. Safeguard has been charging $11 per test. Campbell said that SafeGuard will probably cut its price to match the new price of the Shield test. “I think we can find a way to come down to that price point,” Campbell said. “We can probably do that without $225 million in subsidies.” Campbell hopes SafeGuard’s existing clients will stick with his company. He notes that SafeGuard’s test and procedures have certain advantages over the Shield test. It requires less saliva and individuals can deposit their saliva samples into a tube at home and just bring the tube to school, while the Shield test requires that a person be observed depositing the saliva sample. “I think it will come down to what test individual school districts prefer and what is most convenient for them.” Campbell said.

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

Pritzker rescinds mask mandate for the fully vaccinated

Riverside, Brookfield vax rates above state’s, while North Riverside lags By SARAH MANSUR Capitol News Illinois

Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a new executive order on May 17 that allows fully vaccinated residents to not wear masks inside and outdoors. The updated rules for mask wearing are nearly identical to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance, which was released last week. The CDC guidance permits fully vaccinated people to not wear masks or physically distance in any non-health care setting, “except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.” The CDC still recommends that fully vaccinated people wear masks in health care settings, as well as on planes, trains and other forms of public transportation. The new executive order requires residents to follow this recommendation regarding planes and public transportation. It also permits any entity to continue stricter masking requirements than are required by the state. “[B]usinesses are encouraged to prioritize the health and safety of their workers and customers, and may continue to require face

coverings and social distancing, even for those who are fully vaccinated,” the order states. Pritzker said it will be up to private businesses to decide if they want to require patrons to provide proof of vaccinations. “We are relying on people to do the right thing,” he said. “We are relying upon people to recognize that they don’t want to go infect other unvaccinated people and they don’t themselves want to get sick and so it’s important for people to protect themselves and I think there’s real motivation for people to go get that. We’re not going to stop people and, you know, start checking a vaccine passport as part of some state mandate.” The mask mandate in Illinois took effect last May when Pritzker issued an executive order requiring anyone older than 2 years of age “to cover their nose and mouth with a face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain a six-foot social distance.” The governor’s new order rolling back the mask mandate came as the state is reporting 37.7 percent of the population, or more than 4.8 million people, are fully vaccinated. About 57 percent of Illinoisans between ages 16 and 64 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, as have 81.3 percent of those 65 years of age or older.

Local vax rates vary At the local level, vaccinations rates continue to vary widely, with Riverside residents far more likely to have received one or two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine than

those living in Brookfield, or in particular, North Riverside. As of the morning of May 18, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health’s online vaccine tracker, 77.7 of Riversiders have had at least one shot, and 61.3 percent have been completely vaccinated. In Brookfield, 55.2 percent have had at least one shot and 42.5 percent had been completely vaccinated. Meanwhile, 36 percent of North Riverside residents have gotten the first dose of the vaccine and just 28.7 percent are fully vaccinated, far below the statewide rate. North Riverside’s recent percent change – the number of new cases in the most recent two-week period compared to the prior two weeks -- in COVID-19 cases is also up 100 percent according to Cook County, while it is level in Riverside and down 31 percent in Brookfield. In the most recent week-long period ending on the morning of May 18, there were 23 new cases in Brookfield, the first uptick after three straight weeks of falling numbers there. Riverside saw nine new cases, an increase of just one over the prior week. North Riverside recorded eight new cases, a decrease from last week’s 13. None of the villages reported any new fatal cases of COVID-19. Brookfield has experienced 13 deaths from the disease, while the Landmark has identified four North Riverside deaths and three Riverside deaths since the pandemic began in March 2020. Bob Uphues contributed to this report.

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The Landmark, May 19, 2021

P R O P E R T Y

Home in Riverside’s First Division fetches $985,000

T R A N S F E R S

The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Clerk from November 2020. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the recorder of deeds.

Brookfield

ADDRESS

PRICE

SALE DATE

3916 Park Ave. 9106 Brookfield Ave. 3320 Prairie Ave. 4605 DuBois Blvd. 3213 Elm Ave. 3321 Grand Blvd. 3920 Park Ave. 9105 29th St. 3135 Elm Ave. 3149 Vernon Ave. 9124 31st St. 3239 Park Ave. 3831 Grove Ave., Unit 1S 3715 Morton Ave. 4153 Elm Ave. 3749 Kemman Ave. 8501 Greenview Ave. 4144 Elm Ave. 8935 Burlington Ave. 9504 Washington Ave. 9128 47th St. 4409 Prairie Ave. 3643 Morton Ave. 3921 Forest Ave. 3417 Vernon Ave. 3514 Rosemear Ave. 9101 Lincoln Ave. 4137 Sunnyside Ave. 3713 Grand Blvd., Unit 9 4239 Elm Ave. 4201 Elm Ave. 4222 Raymond Ave. 4404 Forest Ave. 3932 Grove Ave. 9335 Monroe Ave.

$110,000 $172,000 $250,000 $225,000 $239,000 $257,500 $280,000 $230,000 $265,000 $200,000 $499,000 $240,000 $151,500 $345,000 $230,000 $191,000 $411,500 $220,000 $274,000 $230,000 $315,000 $315,000 $330,000 $140,000 $165,000 $315,000 $525,000 $329,000 $210,000 $255,000 $275,000 $258,000 $245,000 $275,000 $415,000

9/30/2020 8/27/2020 9/18/2020 9/25/2020 9/29/2020 9/18/2020 8/17/2020 10/07/2020 9/29/2020 10/05/2020 8/28/2020 8/20/2020 7/09/2020 7/30/2020 8/18/2020 8/05/2020 8/26/2020 8/24/2020 8/05/2020 4/17/2020 10/15/2020 10/16/2020 9/25/2020 8/24/2020 9/06/2020 9/17/2020 10/23/2020 9/30/2020 10/09/202 10/28/2020 9/15/2020 9/09/2020 8/19/2020 9/16/2020 10/15/2020

2400 9th Ave. 8146 26th St. 2526 5th Ave. 2234 14th Ave. 2352 9th Ave. 2217 Forest Ave. 2543 4th Ave. 2952 Desplaines Ave. 2416 Lathrop Ave. 2432 Burr Oak Ave. 8132 27th St. 2527 3rd Ave.

$323,000 $210,000 $208,000 $245,500 $248,000 $230,000 $282,000 $175,000 $230,000 $297,000 $355,000 $225,000

9/16/2020 9/29/2020 9/01/2020 9/18/2020 8/18/2020 10/14/2020 5/27/2020 8/25/2020 10/01/2020 8/17/2020 10/28/2020 10/06/2020

SELLER

Bialczak Robin TR Baptiste, Denise I Sowell, Virginia Duffy, Melissa N TR Liepe, John E Hopkiris, Lucas Eilers, Zachary Robert Ostrem, Elaine L Hill, Michael P Basso, Robyn TR Cook, Andrew E McGuffey, Neil V Navarro, Nancy Kapetanakos, Gregory Szlak, Gregory E Ketchmark, Robin TR Troyer, Eric A Barone, Nicholas A Suarez, Cristian Albert, Roger TR Culen Series LLC First Midwest Bk TR 4233 Connett, Jenefer Zewall, Kathleen Matuszek, John V Ryan, Desmond I WRDCF Homes LLC Ramirez, Christine M Scruggs, Emitte L TR Mata, Joseph Hanna, Nicholas M Manak, Gerald J Rozum, Richard R Collins, Mathew J Jahnke, Eva TR

North Riverside

Parker, Veronica Medellin, Francisco Bole, Valdis Cincotti, Steven A Federal Home Loan Mtg Corp Currie, James N McGoldrick, Kathleen Marie Martinez, Michael Parma, Carmella R Swon, Gregory R Bensfield, Michael A TR 8132 Lach, Kenneth F

BUYER JGL Investments LLC Eilers, Rebecca L TR Pospichel, Kathy J Shay, Javanna J Barcal, Robert Pratt, Christopher P Dunn, Kevin A Kamin, Bryan W Narkis, Genevieve T Arroyo, Juan J Gonzalez, Jacob Martinez, Jobo Rosales Moore, Kathleen Sikora, Amanda L Griffin, Samuel M Ketchmark, Tiffany A Meyerson, Benjamin M Cedeno, Luis Juarez, Martin De Leon, Arielle Ponce JCR Inv LLC Jaber, Husam Jr Pierik, Christopher W TR Malec, Beata J Cermak, Dana Coutre, Joshua John Gilhooley, Dennis Jr Moro, Carmina Wood, Jesse Boyer, Ashley Pienkowski, Matthew Silva, Nicole Telles, Abelardo Singer, Candace Jahnke, Michael D Escobar, Ivan Jose Sandow, Peter J Lopez, David Davila, Guillermo Ramirez Carlos Bautista, Yesenia Aguirre, Jorge L Garcia, Rina Castillo-Cortes, Angel Adlam, Kirby J Martinez, Kelly A Obermeyer, William

223 Bloomingbank Rd., Riverside

Riverside ADDRESS

PRICE

SALE DATE

293 Shenstone Rd. 94 Northgate Rd. 469 Uvedale Rd. 177 Michaux Rd. 103 S. Herbert Rd. 216 Blackhawk Rd. 213 Woodside Rd. 399 Selborne Rd. 53 N. Cowley Rd. 287 Southcote Rd. 415 Shenstone Rd. 415 Shenstone Rd. 221 E. Burlington St. 276 Lionel Rd. 380 Selborne Rd. 404 Selborne Rd. 194 W. Burlington St. 332 Olmsted Rd. 57 Longcommon Rd 575 Selborne Rd. 258 Southcote Rd. 147 Herrick Rd. 163 E. Burlington St. 175 Barrypoint Rd. 417 Shenstone Rd. 412 Shenstone Rd. 99 N. Delaplaine Rd. 223 Bloomingbank Rd. 169 Gage Rd. 209 Millbridge Rd. 211 W. Quincy St., Unit 2 83 N. Cowley Rd. 310 Maplewood Rd.

$380,000 $317,500 $390,000 $575,000 $635,000 $415,000 $422,000 $402,000 $660,000 $398,000 $264,500 $460,000 $217,500 $355,000 $685,000 $469,000 $240,000 $760,000 $960,000 $527,500 $530,000 $780,000 $165,000 $315,000 $479,000 $445,000 $299,000 $985,000 $258,500 $645,000 $128,000 $760,000 $850,000

9/16/2020 7/10/2020 9/28/2020 11/03/2020 8/13/2020 10/14/2020 8/18/2020 9/24/2020 10/05/2020 10/13/2020 3/28/2020 6/15/2020 10/03/2020 7/30/2020 10/09/2020 10/08/2020 10/06/2020 9/28/2020 9/10/2020 9/18/2020 10/07/2020 10/05/2020 10/12/2020 10/20/2020 9/23/2020 7/13/2020 10/22/2020 10/22/2020 9/21/2020 10/26/2020 10/21/2020 9/22/2020 10/14/2020

SELLER Gatti, George Anthony Erhan, Selim M Calcagno, Barbara L TR Barsella, John F TR Exponent Holdings LLC Murphy, Keith D TR Hamilton, Ellen M Ilic, Pallue Kamin, Kathryn TR Jurik, Philip The Judicial Sales Corp Yoda Investments LL Engstrom, Kenneth A Calabrese, Michael Domil Prop Inc Strojny, Michael J Bojanowski, John E TR Coleman, John Joseph Deleon, John R Smith, Kevin First Amer Bk TR 306 Woodham, Michael Chicago Title Land Title Co TR Chicago Title Land Trust Co TR Friday, Krister P Gecan, Kristin E Suess, Kathleen F Chicago Title Land Trust Co TR Jpmorgan Chase Bk Natl Assn Abar, Jeffrey Paisley, Morgan Roth, Mark D Paul, Steven L

BUYER Agate, Carl Newman, Kevin P Nielsen, Kristin O’Bryan, Robert Flynn, Edward J Wagner, Shawn P Corbert, Maria N Machalek, Wei H McCreary, Matthew John Kessel, Laura D Yoda Investments LLC Pullos, Jessica Knych, Elizabeth Springer, James Liddy, Maureeti M Gatlin, Todd Adam Reyes, Erik Michelini, Stephen James Althoff, Eric Cubas, Joe L Grocic, Vladimir Vajda, Allison Garcia, Allen Schweiker, Matthew W Halvorsen, David M Kuprys, Petras Rimas Len Bldr Inc Wieland, Erin Lynn Jacak Andrzej Blom, Donald Cooke, Daniel T Mullen, Michael J Gorski, Lauren C

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

A new angle on the Riverside art scene Gallery/studio space showcases oft-neglected art forms By JACKIE PISANO

“I just went on faith,” she said. With a focus on contemporary art, Woods says what sets Triangle apart from anything else in the area is the fact that For most business owners a small, awkwardly shaped the space not only showcases art, but fosters a love for oftroom where no walls measure the same size would not be neglected art forms. “I think it’s not only contemporary artwork, but it’s difthe dream location to open up shop. But for Sarah Beth Woods, the peculiar, triangular space ferent from what a lot of the galleries in Chicago are doing,” she said. “It’s different from anything you’re gonestled inside the 140-year-old building at 42 East ing to find in any of the suburbs. It’s high art, Ave. in Riverside was just the right fit. but I hope guests can come have a positive expeTriangle — the tongue-in-cheek, aptly named rience.” business — had its soft grand opening last month For example, with Triangle’s emphasis on as a space Woods best describes as a hybrid art the history and art behind 16 mm filmmaking, gallery/studio space focused on sculpture, 16 Woods wants to show people that despite living mm film and a fusion of local and international in the digital, social media age, film is not a dyartwork. ing art and can be a wonderful way for people to “I am calling Triangle a project space,” Woods reconnect with the artistic storytelling methods said. “It’s not quite as fancy as a gallery.” behind making movies, both amateur and proWoods, a Berwyn resident, decided to open her art business in downtown Riverside partly befessional. SARAH BETH WOODS cause of feedback from friend and fellow Berwyn Triangle’s next show, running throughout the artist Shilin Hora, who opened art boutique The month of June, will feature the work Riverside Seed in the same building in December. Arts Center Freeark Gallery director Stephanie Brooks, an “We love the foot traffic [in downtown Riverside],” Woods Oak Park resident whose conceptual artworks have been said. “It’s such a walkable area. It just seemed like a perfect featured nationally and internationally, including most spot. Even when you look into it, it almost looks like a gal- notably at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and lery, with the lighting and being a smaller space.” New York City’s Whitney Museum of American Art. Despite the uncertainties in the business world during a Woods, who comes to Riverside with her experiences pandemic, Woods also said the other thing encouraging her as a teacher of sculpture at Wheaton College and K-8 art to open her business now? teacher throughout Chicago’s West Side and North LawnContributing Reporter

PROVIDED

SNUG FIT: The gallery/studio space Triangle is wedged into this tiny and, yes, triangular storefront at 42 East Ave. in Riverside. dale communities, will also be offering workshops, classes and film screenings for both adults and teens this summer at Triangle. Throughout the spring, Triangle is open on Saturdays from 1 to 6 p.m. Summer hours will be Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m. For more information about Triangle, including sign-ups for workshops and gallery viewings, visit Triangle’s Facebook page at bit.ly/3u0KHt6 or email Woods at sarahbethwoods@ gmail.com.

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The Landmark, May 19, 2021

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FISHBOWL: Perhaps the most intrusive aspect of the new apartment building next door is that it wraps around two sides of Delcourt’s property, completely overlooking her backyard.

GRAND BLVD.

‘Finally got fed up’ from page 1 Construction had been delayed due to some building design changes and the pandemic, and in late 2020 Gatto broke ground. But it’s been only recently, with exterior walls going up within touching distance – not to mention that daily noise and dust from living next to a construction zone -- that Delcourt has experienced the extent of the impact. The worst aspect, quite possibly, is that because of the unusual lot shapes, the apartment building wraps around the rear of her property. Two floors of apartments frame two sides of her backyard, their large window openings overlooking it completely. “Is it fair for them to put giant windows looking at my property?” she asked. “Is it legal? Probably. Is it fair? Probably not.” In the past week or so, unable to take it any longer, Delcourt went to social media – the Brookfield Connections forum on Facebook, specifically – to illustrate conditions using photos and video and to demand that something be done. “I was making noise for months, and I finally got fed up,” Delcourt said. Late last week, Delcourt started an online petition to “immediately stop work” at the development next door, “so that I can secure my safety and the integrity of my property.” As of May 17, the petition had garnered more than 1,300 signatures. Among the complaints Delcourt enumerates in the petition is that Gatto had excavated over the property line, sawcutting a portion of her gangway sidewalk, in order to pour the concrete foundation. Looking at the surveyors’ marks on the Grand Boulevard sidewalk in front of both properties, the southern edge of the apartment building’s foundation trench

does appear to be several inches over the property line. “This is a taking of my land witnessed by village officials who now claim this is a ‘civil dispute,’” the petition states. Gatto did not respond to text messages from the Landmark seeking comment on the allegation or whether he had reached out to Delcourt. Also not responding to inquiries made by the Landmark were the property’s listing agent or the realtor who served as Delcourt’s agent for the purchase. As for the village of Brookfield, officials say they have reached out to Delcourt and tentatively had a meeting with her scheduled last week at the village hall. Delcourt confirmed that she had canceled that meeting. One thing the village appears sure of is that if there’s blame to be had, it’s not theirs. “I think we followed the proper procedures,” said Village President Michael Garvey, who as a trustee in 2018 cast one of the votes approving the apartment building. “There might have been an issue with the realtor or someone else, but there’s no secret of our intention to develop our transit corridor, and I think this was publicized pretty well in general.” Gatto’s development at 3704-08 Grand Blvd. was the subject of at least three public meetings in the fall of 2018 and was notable as the first new mixed-use development in downtown Brookfield in decades. The building and its smooth movement through the village’s approval process was made possible by a number of initiatives completed in the past five years, including a comprehensive rewrite of zoning code in 2017 to include specific guidelines for highdensity development along the Brookfield rail corridor. Both the apartment building property and Delcourt’s home are zoned SA4a, which allows development of between two to six stories with ground-floor commercial uses. See GRAND BLVD. on page 15

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The Landmark, May 19, 2021

PEOPLE

Brookfielder one of ‘100 greatest’ Midwest Conference athletes

awrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, has announced that Brookfield native Sara Schye Sechen was chosen by the Midwest Conference as one of its Centennial Top 100, celebrating the 100 greatest athletes in league history. Schye, a 2010 inductee into the Lawrence Hall of Fame, is one of the most dominant softball pitchers in Midwest Conference history. The fireballing left-hander was a three-time Midwest Conference North Division Player of the Year and a two-time first-team National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Great Lakes Region pick. She put together a record of 69-19 with a 1.40 earned run average and 576 strikeouts. Schye led Lawrence to MWC championships in 1997, 1998 and 1999 and NCAA Division III Tournament appearances in 1998 and 1999. During her four years with the Vikings, Lawrence had a record of 101-37. Schye also holds Lawrence records for wins (69), strikeouts (576), strikeouts per innings pitched (1.03) and winning percentage (.784). She posted a shutout 39.7 percent of the time she started a game and had 26 starts with two or fewer hits allowed. In addition, Schye holds season records for wins, strikeouts, strikeouts per innings pitched, fewest walks per innings pitched and shutouts. She also struck out a school-record 14 batters vs. UW-River Falls in 1998. Schye nearly pitched the Vikings to the 1998 NCAA Division III World Series as she fired back-to-back shutouts on the opening day of the regional tournament. Included in that was a 1-0 victory over No. 2-ranked Chapman University on its home field. She earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Lawrence and received a master’s degree from Concordia University in River Forest. Schye is a reading teacher at Monee Elementary School in Monee.

Elected

Natalie Starosta, director of the North Riverside Public Library, has been elected to serve as a councilor-at-large for the American Library Association. The ALA is governed by an elected council, which serves NATALIE STAROSTA as its policy-making body, and executive board, which acts for the council in the administration of established policies and programs.

On campus ■ Riverside

residents Jonathon Kulhanek and Patrick Walsh were among the more than 1,700 students receiving their degrees from the University of Tampa during a virtual commencement ceremony on May 8. Kulhanek graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology, while Walsh graduated with a Bachelor of Science in marketing. ■ Jacqueline Mendiola, of Brookfield, has graduated from Western Governors University with a Master of Science degree in nursing education. She participated in the nonprofit, fully online university’s commencement ceremony in February. ■ Desiree Valadez, of Brookfield, a student at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, in April was initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. ■ Brookfield resident Grace Knowski was among the 24 new members inducted into Millikin University’s Xi Sigma chapter of Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society, a business honor society. To be eligible, undergradu-

Olmsted Society Calling All Teens Stewards of the land and Olmsted’s Plan

(Ages 14-18)!

The popular FREE Garden Groomers program for teens is back! Any teen interested in learning more about gardening, whether to pick up part-time work or for personal satisfaction, will find this is a great opportunity to learn and earn a Garden Maintenance Certification. The program offers online video instruction (about 1 hour), an online test, and 1-2 hours of hands-on training with an experienced gardener. Admission to the program is on a rolling basis now through the end of June. The emphasis of the program is natural garden maintenance (no harmful chemicals or polluting power tools), so you can be good to the Earth. See our website for more info. Contact GardenGroomers@ olmstedsociety.org to apply. Classes are limited and available now. Act now! Upcoming Events: Special and Family Tours are still available in May. By appointment only. See website for details and prices. Reservations now being taken for the June 27 Walking Tour 2-4 pm (South Division) • June 5 • 9 am-Noon Landscape Workday, Indian Gardens (RSVP required) Please note the 5/30 Walking Tour - SOLD OUT!

Visit olmstedsociety.org or facebook.com/RiversideFLOS for details

Sara Schye Sechen ates must be at least a junior and have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4-point scale. ■ Jack Sagan, of Riverside, received the T.W. & H.B. Prins Endowed Memorial Scholarship and Ruth Hruska-Kelley, of Brookfield, received the Stan Ver Ploeg Family Scholarship and Journey Scholarship from Central College in Pella, Iowa. ■ Abigail Freel, of Riverside, was named to the 2021 spring semester dean’s list at Belmont University in Nashville for attaining a semester grade-point average of at least 3.5 on a 4-point scale. ■ Brookfield resident Jill Lojas, a junior at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, was named to the school’s 2021 winter term dean’s list for attaining a grade-point average of at least 3.5. ■ Riverside resident Calvin Friend has been recognized as an Illinois State scholar by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, one of 13 seniors named as a state scholar at St. Laurence High School in Burbank. Students are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank. ■ Paige Barnes, of Brookfield, was one of 33 students at Nazareth Academy’s Class of 2021 named Illinois State Scholars. Students

PROVIDED

are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank. ■ Among those named Students of the Month for April at Lyons Township High School was Brookfield resident Nate Rulich, a junior, in AP Statistics. Students chosen for the awards are nominated by their teachers and selected by the various departments as the most exemplary students in each subject. ■ Brookfield residents Ahmad Ayyeh, Melania Muth, Owen Rand and Robert Wilson were among the seniors at Lyons Township High School earning Illinois State Scholar Awards. Students are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank. ■ Three Brookfield residents were among the staff of the Lyons Township High School newspaper Lion scooping up awards in the statewide Illinois Journalism Education Association contests. The juried pieces were based on work published August 2020-January 2021. Junior Grace Moore won a first place award in Best Multimedia and third place in Alternative Storytelling; junior Abraham Morales placed first in Best Single-Page Story Package and third in Best Audio Journalism; and senior Adriana Serrano Matsumoto placed third in Best Two-Page Spread.

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

GRAND BLVD.

Zoning calls for density from page 13 The village’s comprehensive plan, adopted in 2018, reaffirms the policy of preferring high-density residential and mixed-use development in the station area districts. Gatto’s interest in Brookfield – he has either completed or has in progress four different multifamily residential developments in the downtown – is due in part to the village’s openness to such projects. The unfortunate reality for Delcourt is not

just that there’s an apartment building being constructed within inches of her home, but that others like it are likely to follow in the future. Another three-story mixed-use building is being planned farther south at 3736-38 Grand Blvd., and other properties on the block have recently changed hands, including an 1890sera home at 3714 Grand Blvd., immediately south of Delcourt’s property. That property, which has been divided into two apartments, sold last week. Asked if she knew who the buyer was, Delcourt told the Landmark the new owner was “a builder.” “He’s going to leave it, he’s going to rent it out,” Delcourt said of the new owner. Of course, she’s heard that one before.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

NEW NEIGHBOR: The kinds of mixed-use developments, like the one at 3704-08 Grand Blvd. (right), are allowed by right in the zoning district. More are likely to be approved in the downtown area.

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The Landmark, May 19, 2021

Opinion KOSEY CORNER

THE LANDMARK VIEW

Price of progress

our years ago the Brookfield Village Board adopted a major amendment to its zoning code. At the time, the term was “zoning modernization” and it resulted in the Station Area Zoning code, which encouraged new high-density development near each of the village’s three Metra stations. In many ways, the zoning modernization was a response to what elected officials had been hearing from residents for many years? Why can’t Brookfield attract development like LaGrange? What are you going to do about all these vacant storefronts? Why don’t you go out and attract new businesses, get cracking on economic development? In an old rail line downtown, like Brookfield – with small, oddly shaped parcels and building stock that dates back a century or more – it’s tough to attract a business of any size. Mostly, you’re going to attract niche businesses, small boutiques, independent restaurants and bars. And you really aren’t going to be successful at bringing people to an off-the-beaten-path downtown like Grand Boulevard without actively seeking to increase the population in the neighborhood. That’s the trade-off. There are consequences for wanting the things you want. You may get things you didn’t anticipate. The circumstances over at Paulette Delcourt’s home on Grand Boulevard are really unfortunate, and if anyone intentionally or unintentionally steered her in the wrong direction, no one’s lining up to admit it. Regardless, that die is cast and Delcourt is having to live with the consequences – a threestory building looming over her property on two sides, inches away from the property line. It won’t always be so noisy and dusty, but its presence will be permanent. A builder reportedly has bought the property on the other side of her house – the Cook County Clerk hasn’t recorded the sale yet, but online real estate sites confirm it has changed hands. The new buyer reportedly told Delcourt he plans to keep it as a rental home. But another building just like the one to the north is possible there, too. The reality is that while Grand Boulevard has retained a handful of homes dating back at least 90 years, Brookfield always viewed Grand Boulevard as a commercial area. Shortly after Delcourt’s home was built in 1911, a big thriving printing business (now converted into condos) was built. There was a movie theater across the street and a string of businesses farther south on the block. There is more commercial development coming on Grand Boulevard, meaning the village’s zoning modernization is working. The block’s transformation will continue.

Riverside couple unveils ‘peace tree’ in front yard

‘L

et there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” With the words from the song and the desire to do something to bring a symbol of peace to the area, Riverside’s Joyce Van Cura decided to dedicate a tree in front of her home as a Peace Tree to bring contentment to those who see it. Calling her project “If We Want Peace We Must Work for Justice” and inspired by a Lenten reading, she chose the dogwood tree in the front yard of their home at 181 Scottswood Road. She and her husband Jay had planted it in memory of her father, the Rev. Ralph Bennett. Joyce chose the dogwood, because its flower is the state flower of Virginia where Joyce is originally from and where she had been told the legend of the dogwood tree. According to legend, it was the wood which formed the cross upon which Christ died. It is said that from then on God made the tree small so it could no longer be used in such a way. The red dots on the flower are meant to repre-

sent blood and the corona in the flower’s center symbolizes the crown of thorns. Joyce enlisted the creative folks at Higgins Glass to make more than 20 small glass birds representing doves, the birds of peace. Each bird has the word “peace” in a different language on one side, with the language it is written in on the other. The message is that peace is universal, no matter in what language. She chose to have the birds done in blue, the color of peace. She also chose Higgins Glass to support a local businesses through these difficult times. Joyce talked of the helplessness that many have experienced during the past year and how the continued conflicts around the world weigh on our spirits. It is her desire that people will stop by at 181 Scottswood Road to see the Peace Tree and reflect how all can promote peace and justice in the world in some small way whether it be in word or action. The VanCuras will have the display up for a short time. Let there be peace in your little corner of the world. Thank you, Joyce Van Cura and peace to you.

JOANNE KOSEY

LETTERS

Riverside police chief bids village adieu After more than three decades in law enforcement and 13 years as police chief in Riverside, I will be setting aside my badge later this month. Looking back on my career fills me with gratitude for many individuals and organizations. First, let me say that the outstanding men and women of the Riverside Police Department deserve full credit for any success I have had. And in the people of Riverside, I could not have asked for a more supportive community. Some days, during the last year of COVID, food would just show up at the police station to feed an entire shift. Once, a few years back, my officers needed funding for Narcan kits, to save the lives of overdose victims. A resident of Riverside anonymously covered the entire cost. I’m also thankful for the long partnerships that I’ve had with great organizations. As a member of the legislative committee of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, I’ve enjoyed working on public safety issues that affect the whole state. I’m particularly proud of the Chiefs’ partnership with the NAACP in creating 10 Shared Principles designed to build trust between law enforcement and communities of color. As Illinois co-chair of the organization Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, I am a deep believer in its mission to address the root causes of crime by funding proven programs for children. When I started as a patrol officer 37 years ago, I thought we could arrest our way out of crime. But over time, I started to

see familiar names come across my desk in daily reports. I realized we were detaining the children of parents that we had arrested 20 years previously. I became aware that our cycle of crime and violence could be best prevented by investing in high-quality child care, preschool, afterschool and voluntary home-visiting programs for new families. So, as I reach a good finish to a rewarding career, I applaud all efforts to create positive beginnings for the next generation and urge that do all we can to reach more children and families.

Thomas Weitzel, chief of police Riverside

Support ‘bad apples’ law Please ask your state representative to support HB1727. Current Illinois law protects bad police officers through “qualified immunity,” so such officers are not held accountable for violating a citizen’s rights. Under HB1727, the Bad Apples in Law Enforcement Accountability Act, qualified immunity would not be a defense; instead such officers must show they acted reasonably under the circumstances. Qualified immunity does not protect citizens, communities or quality officers. Currently civil suits for bad officers violating citizens’ rights are paid by cities, but these officers are not held responsible. The civil suit is paid for by taxpayers, not by the offending officer who is free to continue violating citizens’ rights. Remember, contact your state representative.

Tom Ard

Oak Park

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

OBITUARIES

Madeline Carlson, 87 Brookfield homemaker Madeline Carlson (nee Condon), 87, of Brookfield, died May 15, 2021. Ms. Carlson was a homemaker. She was the wife of 67 years to the late Gerald “Jerry” A. Carlson; the mother of Deacon Tom (Pamela) Carlson, James Carlson, Karen (Phil) Kedzuch, Kevin (Kris) Carlson, Amy (Tom) Kuchynka and the late Gerald P. Carlson; the grandmother of Andy (Austeja) Kedzuch, Nicholas (Jill) Kedzuch, Brian (Ashley) Carlson, Austin (Nicole) Carlson, Corey Kuchynka, Timothy (Brittany) Kuchynka, Steven (Kelsey) Carlson, Christine Carlson, Casey (Samantha) Carlson and Julianna Carlson; the great grandmother of Weston Kedzuch; the sister of the late Marilyn Schober and William Condon; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews Visitation is Tuesday, May 18 from 3 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, May 19 from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home,

POST OFFICE

Reports of short staffing from page 1 without mail delivery. She tracks the days without mail on her calendar. Mars has complained to the North Riverside post office, which handles mail delivery for Riverside, but says she has only been told that COVID-19 has disrupted operations. Mars, who has worked at a Jewel grocery store in Oak Park throughout the pandemic, doesn’t buy that. “It’s ridiculous and then they use things like COVID as an excuse, and that does not work for me,” Mars said. “I had to work through this whole pandemic myself.” Elaine Kosiek of the 200 block of Olmsted Road had to pay a credit card bill late because she didn’t receive her statement until after the due date. Fortunately, when she called the credit card company and told them what happened, they waived her late fee. “I’m getting more and more frustrated,” said Kosiek of her trouble getting prompt and regular mail delivery. Mars has started sending $500 or $600 to ComEd and Nicor before she even gets a bill to make sure that she doesn’t miss a utility payment. “Then I know I won’t get in any trouble,” Mars said. “It works better that way and when I do get the bill it just says ‘Amount Due: None.’” Some say that their mail, when it does get delivered, arrives late in the afternoon or during the evening. On May 13, a mail carrier was spotted by a reporter delivering mail on Shenstone Road after 6 p.m. When the carrier was asked why he was still out, he said that the North Riverside post office was shortstaffed. “We’re doing the best we can,” the mail

9445 31st St., Brookfield. The family requests that all attending wear face coverings, the lounge facilities are closed to guests, outside food or beverages are not allowed at this time. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 19, at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara Church, 4008 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. All wishing to attend Mass need to register at tinyurl. com/eyvdxjtm with 80 guests maximum allowed to attend. Please pre-register to confirm your attendance. Sign up will close at 3 p.m. on May18. Walk-ins will be welcome on a space limited basis. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. Memorials are appreciated to the St. Barbara’s Food Pantry or Holy Guardian Angels Parish. Express online condolences at HitzemanFuneral.com. If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Madeline Carlson family. Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

carrier said, declining to give his name because he wasn’t supposed to talk to the press. “We just have a shortage of people.” The carrier said that when a carrier is absent from work there is often not a substitute available to take their place. In that case, often a route just won’t get delivered that day. Or the route will be split among carriers who also have their regular routes to do. A North Riverside resident named Trent, who asked that his last name not be used, said he has been having problems with mail delivery for a long time. He said magazines that he subscribes to are either late or never delivered. Trent, who is retired and has spoken to a number of mail carriers, said he was told that a mail sorting machine was removed from the North Riverside Post office last winter and that carriers now have to spend more time sorting their mail, which could explain why carriers are out into the evening. “When they come in in the morning, they have to sort their own mail for whatever route they’re doing. That’s why they don’t get out on the street until later in the morning,” Trent said. On May 11, Riverside resident Amy Jacksic, also frustrated by irregular mail delivery, posted about her family’s experience on the Riverside IL Community Facebook group page. She said a North Riverside Post Office employee recounted that the staff there is down to less than half of what it normally is, and that remaining staff are focusing first on getting parcels out and then firstclass mail. Another Facebook commenter said that he was told by a postal worker that there are five different routes in Riverside that currently don’t have a regular carrier. When a reporter went to the North Riverside Post Office last week to try and find out what was going on, he was told that employees there could not talk to the press and that he should call the U.S Postal Ser-

Luis Garcia Nunez, 85 Retired laborer Luis Garcia Nunez, 85, of Brookfield, died May 11, 2021. He was retired from working as a laborer for a manufacturing company. Mr. Nunez was the husband of Judy Nunez (nee Duley); the father of Diana Nunez and Berlyn (Edwardo) Del Bosque; the grandfather of Katelynn, Geno, Brittany, Emily Forrest and Edward Del Bosque; the brother of the late Raul Garcia, Angelina Garcia and Antonio Durran; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews. Services are private. Interment was at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. Express online condolences at HitzemanFuneral.com. If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Luis Nunez family. Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

vice’s 1-800 telephone number. The Landmark emailed questions to a USPS spokesperson in Washington, D.C., an received an emailed response from a customer services coordinator based in Bedford Park. “All mail is delivered daily throughout the Riverside area,” said Sharrie Johnson, a USPS employee. “Some customers may experience a lighter volume of mail as we are flexing our available resources to match the workload created by the impacts of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We appreciate the patience of our customers and the efforts of employees as conditions change on a day-to-day basis.” Some wonder if a new federal leave policy created by the American Rescue Plan Act is a factor in the apparent shortage of workers. Federal employees, including postal workers, can now take up to 600 hours of paid leave if they are affected by COVID. The paid leave, which could begin no earlier than March 12, 2021, can be taken for any of eight reasons, including if a worker has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns about COVID. Johnson did not immediately reply to a question about how many employees based out of the North Riverside Post Office are on paid leave. Mail problems have disrupted delivery of the Landmark for many subscribers. The Landmark is delivered to area post offices every Tuesday night. It is supposed to be delivered on Wednesdays. But many subscribers say they either do not receive the newspaper or get it days, sometimes as much as a week, later. “It’s a full week late on delivery every single week and has been for months,” said Jacksic. Trent said that prior to getting his Landmark in the mail last week he had not received the paper for 11 consecutive weeks. Last week some people got both the May 12

and May 5 issues of Landmark delivered on the same day. One group of Landmark subscribers who live in the 300 block of Lawton Road in Riverside say their newspapers are rarely delivered on time. Sometimes Landmark Circulation Manager Jill Wagner will drive to Riverside to deliver papers to those whose paper is not delivered on time, or at all. Wagner has heard from many subscribers frustrated about not getting their newspaper. “It’s been really bad this year,” Wagner said about delivery problems with the paper. To compound problems Dan Litton, who manned the small Riverside Post Office on East Burlington Street, retired at the end of 2020. For months Litton, who was beloved by many Riverside residents, was replaced by a rotating crew of replacements. Customers often found the building closed when they showed up. When someone was on duty, the post office would be out of basic items, even stamps. “It was crazy, no stamps, no money orders for months; not just a week or two, for months,” said Riverside resident Joan Weiss. Things at the Riverside Post Office seem to have improved in recent weeks since a new replacement for Litton, Alexis Rivera, has been assigned to work there. But because Rivera is typically the only employee at the post office, window service is shut down when he is out for lunch or on breaks. The Riverside post office is also closed on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. And if you want to pay cash, you better have exact change because no change is given there. Some residents in Brookfield have also been experiencing spotty mail delivery. Brookfield resident Tina Corradino said that she received mail on May 17 for the first time in a few days. “We got a normal amount of mail for the first time in a couple of weeks,” Corradino said Monday. “We haven’t been receiving a normal amount of mail for a while. Just random catalogs and maybe one piece of junk mail.”

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

Sports

@RBLandmark

With bats hot, RBHS softball eyes league title Bulldogs have won 12 out last 13 games

By LAUREN RECCHIA Contributing Reporter

The Riverside-Brookfield High School softball team has been on a roll all season, with the Bulldogs winning 12 out of their last 13 games through last week. The Bulldogs (15-3) defeated Richards 13-3 on May 15 via a stellar pitching performance by senior Hannah Smith. Offensively, senior Isabella Garcia led the offense, going 4-for-4 with a three-run homer and four RBI. Meanwhile, freshman catcher Zoe Levine hit her team-high sixth home run of the season. “We score in bunches, which takes pressure off of our high-quality pitchers,” said coach Doug Schultz. “Our identity is what we do on the offensive side. We’re able to get to pitches quickly and are hitting a lot of home runs.” Senior Hannah Organ has five of those home runs on the season, while Garcia has four to go with a team-high .585 batting average and 27 RBI. “I think that one of the things that has been a huge strength for us has been our hitting, said Organ. “We have been scoring a lot of runs against some good teams and we have been hitting the ball hard.” Organ has pitched 50.2 innings this season, notching 68 strikeouts with a 2.07 ERA, while Smith has 63 strikeouts with a 2.13 ERA in 42.2 innings pitched on the year. The Bulldogs, who seek their first conference championship since 2010, have had some key wins against league opponents like Bishop McNamara and Ridgewood. With only one conference loss so far this spring, Garcia knows the conference title is in sight. “Our recent games against Bishop McNamara were big wins,” said Garcia. They were important to how we will place in conference. Our first game against Ridgewood was a really close game that we won. To finish strong going into playoffs, we need to continue our hard work.” Both Garcia and Organ have had excellent careers for the Bulldogs. Garcia has committed to play college softball at Maryville University. “I am really glad I was able to play my senior year in a safe way with my team to close out my high school career,” Garcia said. “I think one of the big milestones for us was coming together as a team,” Organ said. “We only had three returning varsity players this year, so we have all had to adapt to playing with an entire new group of girls, and I think we have done a great job in doing so even though we have only been playing together for about a month.”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

HEAVY HITTERS: Zoe Levine (top) slugged her team-high sixth home run of the season last week during Riverside-Brookfield High School’s 13-3 rout of Richards High School on May 15, followed close behind by Hannah Organ (above right), who has five homers. Lianna Noel (bottom left) makes a play during the Bulldogs’ win over conference rivals Ridgewood on May 13.

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

LTHS boys gymnasts take home 1st state title Ben Taylor places second in all-around, medals in five events

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Lyons Township High School boys gymnastics team won the IHSA state championship on May 15 in Hoffman Estates with 157.20 points, edging second- and third-place finishers Niles West (154.15) and Palatine (150.05) It’s the first state title in program history, and the Lions were led by senior Ben Taylor who placed second in the allaround with a score of 54.40 on May 14 and garnered five all-state medals overall. “This was a special time for the program, coaches and the athletes,” said coach Sam Zeman. “For so many years we believed we could get to this point, but so many things have to come together at the right time to come away with a state championship. In 2017, we missed the title to Glenbard West by 0.2, the closest meet in the history of the sport.” In the team competition on May 15, the Lions also got a boost from junior Alec Paras, who returned during the early morning hours that day after competing the day before in the USA Gymnastics Development Program National Championships in Daytona. “He got home at 2 a.m. and was at breakfast with our team at 7:30 a.m.,” said coach Sam Zeman. “During the team competition, Alec was 6-for-6, hitting every routine, then slept the whole way home after the meet.” Because Paras didn’t compete at sectional he did not perform in the individual or all-around competitions. Individually, Taylor placed second on floor exercise (9.6) and parallel bars (9.55), tied for third on still rings (8.75) and high bar (9.4) and finished eighth on pommel horse (8.3). For his efforts, Taylor was voted Senior Gymnast of The Year by the Illinois High School Gymnastics Coaches Association, the first LTHS gymnast to merit the honor. In the preliminary round, freshman Will Taylor placed 28th in the all-around competition and placed 27th individually on still rings. Also, in the individual preliminary competitions, junior Randy Yonan tied for 17th on vault and placed 23rd on high

PROVIDED

CHAMPIONS: The Lyons Township High School boys gymnastics squad took home their first team state title last weekend in Hoffman Estates. In the individual competition, senior Ben Taylor placed second all-around and medaled in floor exercise, parallel bars, still rings, high bar and pommel horse. bar, while freshman Matthew Adler placed 34th on high bar and pommel horse, 35th on parallel bars and floor exercise and 38th on vault. The Lions also received notable contributions from seniors Dylan Brunelle, Conor Cahill, Nick Paulus and Will Soto; junior Shane Kenna; and freshmen Ryan Evans and Roman Hanyuk. LTHS’ championship is also the first for Zeman, a 1980

LTHS graduate who has been on the Lions’ staff for 38 seasons, including the last seven as head coach. “This year everything came together for us and it says so much about this team and everyone on it, including my assistant coaches, Don Raymond, who was head coach at Andrew for over 35 years; Tom Huml, LT grad and second in state in rings in 1991; and Xavier Barry, LT grad in 2014 and was on the team that placed third his senior year.

LTHS boys, girls water polo favored to advance to state Lions have both top sectional seeds as IHSA tourney begins this week By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Under the guidance of head coach Doug Eichstaedt, the Lyons Township High School boys water polo team has developed into a perennial powerhouse. This season has been no exception, as the Lions head into the IHSA state tournament this week after finishing the regular season 15-4, establishing themselves as one of this year’s favorites for the title. “I certainly like the way we’ve been playing throughout the year,” Eichstaedt said. “Considering the lack of game experience over the last year, the players have done a good job of coming together as a team. We’re balanced with a number of players contributing offensively and defensively, and we’ve learned how to complement each other.” Senior Lian Malas leads LTHS with 63 goals and 49 as-

sists. Other top performers for the Lions include junior Jack Bradbury (51 goals, 14 assists), senior Jack Walsh (26 goals), senior Sebastián Pérez (25 goals), junior Jimmy Bolan (23 goals), and freshman goalkeeper Charlie Vik (119 saves, 24 assists). Eichstaedt is especially pleased with how the Lions have developed over the season, given the amount of inexperience at the beginning. “At the start, we took a utility-type of approach. We had a number of players at different positions and had different lineups,” he said. “Throughout the season, we’ve tried to get a number of guys involved.” LTHS is the top seed in its own sectional and opens up against Julian in a quarterfinal on May 20. Assuming the Lions win, their next opponent would be Curie, which has already advanced to the semifinals due to the Condors’ opponent, Brother Rice, having to forfeit the remainder of the season due to COVID-19 protocols. Should LTHS prevail over both Julian and Curie, there is a good chance that the opponent in the sectional title game will be second-seeded St. Rita.

“The boys have been playing really well, and there should be a lot of exciting games coming up in the next couple of weeks,” Eichstaedt said.

LTHS girls top seed in sectional The LTHS girls water polo team, which finished the regular season with a 15-8 record, enter postseason play this week as the top seed in its sectional. The Lions face either Argo or Lindblom in a quarterfinal on May 19. Should the Lions advance, they will face the winner of Kennedy/Richards in the semifinals, with Mother McAuley being the likely opponent in the final. LTHS has received dynamic contributions from a pair of players -- senior Allison Cabrera with 90 goals and 31 assists, and junior Novalee Roberto with 86 goals and 35 assists. The Lions have also received notable efforts from sophomore Emilia Mladjan (57 goals, 14 assists), senior Charlotte Land (23 goals, 10 assists), senior Abby Guerra (16 goals, 17 assists) and sophomore goalkeeper Allison Schroeder (149 saves).

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

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PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE: APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMIT DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

Once the DRB concludes the public hearing, its members will make a recommendation to the Village Board of Trustees that a planned development permit be granted, with or without conditions, or that it be denied. The Village Board of Trustees has up to 60 days to begin consideration of the DRB’s recommendation.

PUBLIC NOTICE Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to collocate wireless communications antennas at a top height of 73 feet on a 73-foot building chimney at the approx. vicinity of 705-711 W. Garfield, Oak Park, Cook County, IL 60304. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Emily, e.anderson@trileaf.com, 1821 Walden Office Square, Suite 500, Schaumburg, IL 60173, 630-2270202.

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: Y21006683 on April 22, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of TOP TIER PRINTING with the business located at 6436 18TH STREET 1FL, BERWYN, IL 60402. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: LINDA P RICO 6436 18TH STREET 1 FL BERWYN, IL 60402, USA

PUBLIC NOTICE Riverside Township RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP – PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE REPAIR

Public notice is hereby given that on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room at the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois, the Village of River Forest Development Review Board (DRB) will hold a public hearing on the following matter: Application #22-003: Amendment to an existing planned development to construct an enclosed walkway between Trinity’s academic building and gymnasium and construct a courtyard along the east side of the school. Address: 7574 Division Street, River Forest, IL 60305, which is located between Berkshire and Division Streets and Lathrop and Jackson Avenues. Applicant: Trinity High School, 7574 Division Street, River Forest, IL 60305 The public is welcome to review the application, to send correspondence, attend the public hearing, submit evidence, and provide testimony at the public hearing. For public testimony to be considered by the DRB and the Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. If the public is unable to attend the public hearing but would like to provide input on this matter to the DRB, comments may be submitted in writing to Jonathan Pape, no later than 12:00 Noon on the date of the public hearing, at jpape@vrf. us or by mailing them to 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305. In preparing your comments, please discuss whether or not you believe the application meets the standards that the DRB must consider when reviewing the application. Those standards are available on the Village’s website at www.vrf.us/DevelopmentGuide. If you are unable to attend the meeting in person you may participate via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom. us/j/89045176032 or by calling (312) 626-6799 using meeting ID 890 4517 6032. A copy of the application is available to the public at Village Hall and on the Village’s website at http://www. vrf.us/DevelopmentGuide. Elements of the application may be amended during the course of this process and interested persons are encouraged to stay apprised of the progress of the application by also viewing DRB meeting agendas and packets, which are also available at the Village Hall and online at www. vrf.us/meetings, and are published no less than 48 hours prior to any public meeting.

Any questions regarding this application or the planned development process may be directed to: Lisa Scheiner, Acting Village Administrator, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305, lscheiner@vrf.us, (708) 714-3520. LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lots 1 to 11, both inclusive, in Block 10 in William Beckman’s Subdivision of the West Half of the West Half of the North East Quarter of Section 1, Township 39 North, Range 12, East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois Published in Wednesday Journal May 19, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to legal voters, residents of the Township of Oak Park, in the County of Cook, State of Illinois, that Public Hearings on the Tentative Town Fund, General Assistance Fund, and Community Mental Health Fund Budgets for Fiscal Year 2022, will be conducted virtually at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2021, https://global.gotomeeting.com/ join/540393325 You can also dial in using your phone. (For supported devices, tap a onetouch number below to join instantly.) United States: +1 (669) 224-3412 - One-touch: tel:+16692243412,,540393325# Access Code: 540-393-325 New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your ﬁrst meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/540393325 A digital copy of the tentative Budgets is available on the Township Website at www.oakparktownship. org. Oral and written comments concerning these proposed annual budgets are welcome. All interested citizens, groups, senior citizens and organizations representing the interests of senior citizens are encouraged to attend. Oak Park Township does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or employment in its programs or activities. Those needing special accommodations are asked to provide 48 hours notice. Given under my hand in the Town of Oak Park, County of Cook, State of Illinois, the 12th day of May, 2021. Gregory P. White Oak Park Township Clerk Published in Wednesday Journal May 19, 2021

Published in Wednesday Journal May 19, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE On Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 9 a.m., Oak Park Elementary School District 97 will be conducting a “timely and meaningful consultation” meeting to discuss 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 2021-2022 school year. The meeting will be held virtually through Zoom. The details are listed below. If you are a parent/guardian of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identiﬁed with a disability, and you reside within the boundaries of Oak Park Elementary School District 97, you are urged to attend. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact District 97’s Department of Student Services at 708-524-3030. Meeting Information: Join Zoom Meeting https://op97-org.zoom.us/ j/87544758528?pwd=bUJwREc3WEhqTzMzSVFzSjVFOG5Cdz09 Meeting ID: 875 4475 8528 Passcode: 505448 One tap mobile +13126266799,,87544758528# US (Chicago) +13017158592,,87544758528# US (Washington DC) Published in Wednesday Journal May 12 and May 19, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Little Irene Grace Ryu Case Number 20214001675. There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Little Irene Grace Ryu to the new name of: Irene Grace Ryu The court date will be held: On 6/29/2021 at 9:30 a.m. at 1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, Cook County in Courtroom # 111. Published in Forest Park Review May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

Published in Wednesday Journal May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

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: Y21006745 on April 27, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of UNIQUELY VICTORIOUS with the business located at 1021 MARENGO AVE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: URVONNIE FRANKLIN 1021 MARENGO AVE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130, USA

I. TIME AND PLACE OF OPENING OF BIDS: Sealed Bids for the remodeling described herein will be received at the ofﬁce of the RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP, 27 Riverside Road Riverside, IL 60546 until 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, June 15, 2021, and will be publicly opened and read at that time. II. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The proposed work is ofﬁcially known as RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP – PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE REPAIR and consists of structural repairs to the approximately 210 long suspension bridge spanning the Des Plaines River behind the Riverside Township Hall. Additionally the existing coatings shall be removed and replaced. III. INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS: A. Bid documents will be ready after 3:00 p.m. on, Thursday, May 20, 2021. Only General Contractors may obtain bid documents by emailing their request. The email shall include General Contractor’s information of the following: Company Name, Address, City, State, Zip, Telephone, Fax, Contact Person. Documents will be emailed within 24 hours of the email request. Documents will not be issued if any the requested information is not received.

Published in Forest Park Review May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

Email bid document request to: Ken@api-architects.net

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: Y21006706 on April 26, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of UNIQUE NOTARY SERVICES & TRAINING with the business located at: 1122 N HAYES, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: BEVERLY DENISE SINGLETON 1122 N HAYES, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA.

Bid forms are non-transferable. Only those Bids that have been obtained from, and with the approval of, API Architects will be accepted at the bid opening.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

B. Only qualified General Contractors who can furnish satisfactory proof that they have performed work of similar nature as Contractors will be entitled to receive Plans and submit Bids. The Riverside Township reserves the right to issue Bid Documents only to those Contractors deemed qualified. C. All Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Bond for not less than five percent (5%) of the total amount of the Bid, or as provided in the applicable sections of the “PROJECT MANUAL”.

PUBLIC NOTICES

D. No Bid may be withdrawn after opening of Bids without the consent of the Owner for a period of forty-ﬁve (45) days after the scheduled time of opening of Bids. E. The Contractor will be required to furnish a labor and material “Performance Bond” in the full amount of the Contract. F. The Contractor will be required to pay Prevailing Wages in accordance with all applicable laws. IV. AWARD CRITERIA AND REJECTION OF BIDS: This Contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder considering conformity with the terms and conditions established by the Riverside Township in the Bid and Contract documents. The issuance of Plans and Bid forms for bidding based upon a prequaliﬁcation rating shall not be the sole determinant of responsibility. The Riverside Township reserves the right to determine responsibility at the time of award, to reject any and all Bids, to re-advertise the proposed improvements, and to waive technicalities. BY ORDER OF: RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP Published in RB Landmark Published in Wednesday Journal May 19,2021

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Illinois Classiﬁed Advertising Network HELP WANTED DRIVERS New Starting Base Pay - .60cpm w/ option to make .70cpm for Class A CDL Flatbed Drivers, Excellent Benefits, Home Weekends, Call 800-648-9915 or www.boydandsons.com

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

Find Help Wanted & Marketplace listings on the next page!

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal-opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777. Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review



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The Landmark, May 19, 2021

CLASSIFIED

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

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PUBLIC NOTICES

RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP MENTAL HEALTH BOARD The Condition of the Board for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2021 Beginning Cash Balance, April 1, 2020 Revenues

Property Taxes Interest Income Total Income

$ 434,880.00

$ 588.776.96 $ 119.23 $ 588,896.19

$ 588,896.19

Expenditures

Administrative Services Secretarial Legal/Audit/Banking Fees Public Seminars/Training Purchased Services Total Administrative Services Contractual Services

$ 5,400.00 $ 131.48 $ ----$ ----$ 5,531.48

Organization Dues Consulting Services Travel/Meetings Total Contractual Services

$ 3,310.05 $ 11,000.00 $ ----$ 14,310.05

Commodities Office Supplies Publishing/Printing Postage Total Commodities

$ 1,069.16 $ 1,847.49 $ -----$ 2,916.65

Miscellaneous Scholarships & Community Assistance Agency Fundraisers Contingencies Total Miscellaneous

$ ---$ 7.750.00 $ 240.00 $ 7,990.00

Grants to Agencies Pillars Community Support Services Helping Hand Center Aging Care Connections UPC Seguin Way Back Inn National Alliance on Mental Illness WSSRA Total Grants to Agencies

$ 299,208.00 $ 55,000.00 $ 187,828.00 $ 79,085.35 $ 30,000.00 $ 15,000.00 $ 30,000.00 $ ---$ 696,121.35

Total Expenditures

$ 726,869.53

local employees . . . happy employees! Hire Local.

Place an ad on Wednesday Classified’s Local Online Job Board. Go to RBLandmark/classified today! $ -(726,869.53)

Ending Cash Balance, March 31, 2021 $ 296,906.66 The foregoing is a true and correct statement of receipts and disbursements for the fiscal year April 1, 2020 thru March 31, 2021. Published in Landmark May 19, 2021

Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information. (708) 613-3342 maryellen@rblandmark.com

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

CLASSIFIED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER River Forest Public Schools District 90 is seeking a Part-time (FTE 0.77) Elementary School Physical Education Teacher. Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with Grade-Appropriate Physical Education Endorsement; successful teaching experience in physical education preferred; Master’s Degree is preferred. Job Duties: The part-time PE Teacher will work in partnership with the full-time PE teacher to instruct students in Pre-K through 4th grade on how to develop habits of mind and actions that support good health, fitness and enjoyment of sport and play. The PE teacher will facilitate a learning environment that engages students in learning skills for sport and fitness, as well as SEL skills by growing confidence, sportsmanship and team spirit. Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at district90.org. Please do not send hard copies of supporting documentation, i.e.cover letters, resumes, licensure, etc. to River Forest Schools District 90; instead, upload these materials onto the online job application system for proper processing.

ACCOUNTING CLERK

Responsibilities: • Accounting duties • Process invoices accurately and timely • Check the accuracy of business transactions • Perform data entry and administrative duties • Preparation of payable checks • Posting of checks and ACH payments • Create, edit and update spreadsheets in excel • Daily, weekly and monthly reporting

• High level of accuracy in data entry skills • Ability to prioritize and multitask • Strong organizational skills

• Deadline and detail-oriented • Proficient in Microsoft Excel • Proficient in QuickBooks

Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, Short-term and Long-term disability and retirement plans, transportation subsidy provided.

ALL POSITIONS AVAILABLE Bartenders Bussers Line Cooks Servers

Part-time, very ﬂexible small law ofﬁce in Oak Park. Ability to navigate a desktop essential

Apply in person after 3pm.

Email resume to: bob@downslaw.com

KALAMATA

Greek Cuisine 105 N Marion Street 708-628-3661

ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER Must have own transportation. CALL 708-738-3848

A PA R T M E N T / O F F I C E APARTMENT RENTALS AUSTIN/OAK PARK 3BR Austin/Oak Park: Bright and spacious, 3-bedroom apartment w/huge living room and dining room, appliances included. Rent $1175.00 plus utilities. Close to transportation and parks. Call 312-852-2814.

SUBURBAN RENTALS Best Selection & Service

• Previous experience in account-ing, finance, or other related fields

Office located in Chicago. Candidates will be tested on all skill sets. Qualified Candidates should send their resumes and salary requirements to humanresources@icl-na.com

SECRETARY/ASSISTANT

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR

Qualifications:

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com

Apartment listings updated daily at:

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue. Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

ROOMS FOR RENT Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $125.00. New Mgmt. 312-212-1212

R E N TA L S SUBURBAN RENTALS

FOREST PARK STUDIO This is a sunny open concept studio apartment located just west of the city in Forest Park, IL. The apartment has a walk in closet with plenty of space to store your belongings! Jewel Osco and downtown Oak Park are both a 5 minute drive away. Building is secure with friendly neighbors. Parking is located behind the building for an additional $85/month. Pets are welcome for an additional $10/month for cats, $20/month for dogs, and $25 for both. Please contact Aisha at 630-550-2900 if interested.

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT 1040 NORTH BLVD OFFICE Sub-lease, Move right in. Private furnished window ofﬁce 10×15 @1040 North Boulevard, walk to CTA green line and Metra train. Asking $600m + 1m SD. Includes all utilities and internet. Note: this is a 2nd-story walkup space. Conference room available. Call Michael @ 708 383-7900 LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION FOREST PARK HIGHLY VISIBLE OFFICE/STORE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 1350 SF w/ AC & HIGHLY VISIBLE MADISON STREET EXPOSURE. 7607 Madison Street. Village parking lot next door. Bright, clean ofﬁce. Great Madison Street exposure! Call Francis 708-383-8574.

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft. OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & Browne Strand & Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

HELP WANTED DRIVER NEEDED NOW HIRING DRIVERS!!!! Lucas Medi Car has an opening for a full time wheelchair van driver. To be considered must have: • • • • •

a current Illinois driver license be friendly and courtoues have a good driving recoed must be 18 years or older in age pass a criminal background check

HELP WANTED Financial Controlling Manager, ArcelorMittal North America (Chicago, IL): Respsbl for commercial & industrial fin controlling & rprting activities necessary to ensure fin & budget perfrmnc of ArcelorMittal’s biz units in North America. Must be Certified Mgmt Accountant. Must have two yrs of exp in fin rprting, acctng, and/ or auditing within the steel ind. Pls send resume & cover letter to contact-HR-NorthAmerica@arcelormittal.com w/ the subject line: “Application – Financial Controlling Manager, North America Finance.”

To schedule an interview CALL (708) 442-7533, MONDAY THRU SUNDAY (10AM TO 4PM) SEASONAL FARMERS’ MARKET ASSISTANT The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Assistant in the Development Customer Services Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmers’ Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

CIVIL ENGINEER The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualiﬁed candidates for the position of Civil Engineer I in the Public Works Department. This position will oversee and review plans of public work structures and perform routine tasks and duties including designing capital improvement projects and providing staff assistance to the Village Engineer. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications will be June 1, 2021.

We are hiring Relationship Bankers in Oak Park, IL. Visit the link below to check out this opportunity to join a great team! https://wintrust.taleo.net/careersection/2/ jobdetail.ftl?job=2100424&lang=en You can also learn about other career opportunities nearby.

MARKETPLACE ATTIC SALE

ITEMS FOR SALE DECK FURNITURE 48” white wicker table with glass top, 4 chairs with matching umbrella, smaller table and umbrella cover. Best offer. 708-528-0896

Berwyn

708-309-9091

HENREDON SOFA Black-gray Henredon sofa. Excel-lent condition. 84 in w x 34 in d. $249. 708-488-8755 QUARTZ HEATER Patton tower quartz heater. Sun like radiant heat. 4ft tall x 6 in wide. Excellent condition. $59.00. 708-488-8755 SPINET PIANO AND BENCH Baldwin spinet piano and bench. Light brown wood ﬁnish. $300 obo. 708-386-0087 ANTIQUE HALL TREE Antique American Hall Tree, solid oak. Excellent condition. 29”w x 78”h x 11”d, with covered shelf and mirror. $159.00. 708-488-8755

CEMETERY PLOTS FOREST HOME CEMETERY PLOTS 6 Plots in Sec. 49. Available in lots of 2. 708-366-4440

FLEA MARKET Berwyn

OUTDOOR FLEA MARKET & CRAFT FAIR TRINITY CHURCH 7022 RIVERSIDE DR. SATURDAY, MAY 22 9AM-2PM 708-484-1818 (press 3)

ANTIQUE MUSIC CABINET Antique music cabinet with door and ﬁve shelves. Standing on four legs. Mahogany ﬁnish. $129.00. 708-488-8755 ELECTRIC HEDGE TRIMMER $50.00 708-488-8755 BLONDE DRESSER WITH MIRROR 4 drawers. Blonde wood. Very old. Excellent condition. $89.00 708-488-8755 BLONDE CHEST OF DRAWERS 5 drawers. Blonde wood. Very old. Excellent condition. $89.00 708-488-8755 SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL Shovels and ice breaker. $5 each. 708-488-8755 GRANDFATHER CLOCK Perfect condition, oak wood, chimes all work. Everything is perfect. $499.00. 708-488-8755 BRASS HEADBOARD Solid brass headboard. Originally from Marshall Field’s. $189.00. 708-488-8755

ATTIC SALE CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

GARAGE/YARD SALES Riverside

GARAGE SALE • 511 LONGCOMMON RD (RIGHT OFF HARLEM) SAT MAY 22 9AM - 3PM

Glassware, dishes, Home Decor, Art Nouveau,small appliances, new XL men’s shirts, name brand purses & wallets, books, vinyl records, dresses, desk, cameras, binoculars, storage containers, holiday and much more. Forest Park

YARD SALE • 1111 LATHROP SAT 5/22 8AM TO 12PM

Furniture and other miscellaneous.

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, ﬂags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400 Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708613-334

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNIT YMEDIA.ORG

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

Growing Community Media & A Tribe Called Aging Present

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Our FREE GIFT to the community watch it free on ZOOM in your own home I

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NOT RATED The content of this film has not been evaluated

Appreciating the beauty of impermanence, a quarterly Film Series encouraging everyone to embrace and respect our aging population and the transformation of our society.

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R-Word

Friday, May 28 • 10am

THE R-WORD is an intimate look at the history of the word ‘retard(ed),’ cultural representation, and the challenges and triumphs of people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Filmmaker Amanda Lukoff grew up advocating for her sister Gabrielle, especially whenever she heard the word ‘retard(ed),’ which was far too often. The disparaging word is everywhere – in TV, movies, music, social media, and throughout our public and private communities -- perpetuating negative stereotypes and cultural bias. THE R-WORD is a humanizing, purposeful, and deeply respectful look into the longreaching history and lasting implications of derogatory language used to describe people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through captivating animation sequences, the personal narrative of four sibling stories, and the first-person accounts of self-advocates, we get an intimate and nuanced perspective of the challenges and triumphs of people living with an intellectual disability. The Director of the film, Amanda Lukoff, will be with us following the screening for a Q+A discussion, with Mike Carmody from Opportunity Knocks. Sponsors

Learn more and register at: eventbrite.com/d/online/the-r-word

The Landmark, May 19, 2021

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