RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Also serving North Riverside $1.00
Vol. 35, No. 21
May 20, 2020
Athletes honored
Follow us Online!
rblandmark.com
Critically injured Brookfield boy returns home PAGE 3
RBHS recognizes seniors whose seasons were lost
J.C.Penney files for bankruptcy protection PAGE 10
PAGE 21
North Riverside projects big revenue losses
Administrator estimates monthly shortfall during shutdown will be more than $400,000 By BOB UPHUES Editor
The shutdown of many retailers, bars and sit-down dining, video gambling parlors, theaters and other entertainment-related businesses is expected to have a devastating effect on revenue streams critical for funding the operation of North Riverside village government. While Village Administrator Sue Scarpiniti told the Landmark she did not expect the village to experience her worst-case calculations, she indicated in letters sent at the end of April to union employees seeking shortterm wage concessions that revenue losses of “more than $400,000 monthly” were projected. Figures shared with the Landmark showed the worstcase scenario of monthly revenue losses at $685,000 if the current stay-at-home order remains in place for an extended period of time. “These estimates are continually being updated as the village receives more information from information from the state and our local businesses,” Scarpiniti said in an email to the Landmark. “Right now projection represents the worst case scenario for sales tax, as I used 100 percent of a three-year monthly average. I don’t believe it will actually be that high, and we did express that to the unions, but I wanted to be conservative since I don’t have any See FINANCES on page 10
Heavy rains bring widespread areaflooding BOB UPHUES/Editor
BAD IDEA: A car sits half submerged under the railroad bridge at First Avenue in Riverside on May 18 after its driver went around barricades and tried to drive through the standing water the previous evening.
Des Plaines River reaches second-highest crest ever in Riverside By BOB UPHUES Editor
More than seven inches of rain -- with sporadic heavy downpours thrown into the mix -- within a 72hour stretch from midnight on May 15 until late on May 17 resulted in widespread street and basement flooding in Riverside, Brookfield and North
Riverside. The Des Plaines River in Riverside crested around noon May 18 at 10 feet, but with more rain in the forecast for late Monday into Tuesday, it was not clear at press time whether that would be the high-water mark for this event. As it was, the 10-foot crest was the second highest ever recorded in Riv-
erside, trailing only the crest recorded in 2013, when the Des Plaines River hit 11.28 feet. “I don’t think this one was as bad as that one,” said one longtime resident of Groveland Avenue, who was out surveying the river level opposite his home on Monday morning. See FLOODING on page 14
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The Landmark, May 20, 2020
Join Us in Celebrating the 2020 Seniors Over 60! Since 1963 in the United States, May has been designated Older Americans Month. And every year since 2011, this has also been the month when we have held Celebrating Seniors Week to celebrate, recognize and raise funds for older adults in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park who have displayed grace, caring, compassion, fortitude and resiliency in bettering our quality of life. However, like so much in our society, this year will be different
because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Celebrating Seniors Week, a series of educational, entertaining and other activities, will be held at a to-be-
determined later date, based on recommendations from health officials and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Meanwhile, please join us in recognizing and applauding this
year’s Celebrating Seniors Over 60 Class. We thank these people from Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest who have made significant contributions to our communities and quality of life!
Joy Aaronson
Vickie Engelhardt
Jim Kelly
Theodore Ratajczyk
Sam Vaccaro
Ceal Bacom
Josette Feingold
Terry Kinsey
Phyllis Rubin
Ken Wahlstrom
Mary Bellile
Karen Glass
Judith McDevitt
Susan Scherer, MD
Ruby Whitaker
Dennis Bonner
Robert Glass
John McDonnell
Albert Sora
Carolyn Williams
Linda Bonner
Nancy Greco
Sheila McDonnell
Hyunchoo (Judy) Sora
Roger Wilson
Mary Anne Brown
Kathleen Haney
Jean Meister
Muriel Sweeney
Etta Worthington
Delilah Chan
Bill (Butch) Holmes
Bill Moy
Janice Thomas
Celine Woznica
Wendy Chiang
Phyliss Pendleton Howard
Mike O’Connor
John Tibensky
Don Woznica
Janet Cushing
George Isdale
Barbara Pendleton
Linda Tibensky
Bill Young
Mark Eggerding
Rich Jung
Wallace Pendleton
Barbara Vaccaro
Thomas Zurowski
The Celebrating Seniors Coalition: • Fosters collaboration between the business community, government agencies and non-profit organizations to help the senior population. • Raises public awareness of issues affecting seniors. • Promotes senior groups and organizations that serve persons 60 and older. • Raises money to support at-risk and vulnerable elders. Learn more about our history, past honorees and how you can get involved: www.CelebratingSeniors.net
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
Brookfield welcomes home boy struck by train Well-wishers line streets as police and fire vehicles escort family home By BOB UPHUES
IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Editor
Less than two months after he was critically injured in an accident at the Prairie Avenue rail crossing on Brookfield, 11-year-old Maxx Kusper came home on May 16, and the event was celebrated in the most Brookfield way possible – with a parade. Friends and well-wishers lined Washington, Arden and Brookfield avenues, holding #MaxxStrong signs and wearing their #MaxxStrong T-shirts, cheering and shouting encouragement as Maxx and his family drove by slowly in a white convertible from Riverside-Brookfield High School to their home. Police and fire vehicles, their lights twirling, served as the parade’s escort, swinging past Maxx’s home away from home – Overholt Field at Kiwanis Park – where John Fogerty’s song “Centerfield” played as the car drive past. Afterward the family gathered on the front steps of their home for a group photo. “It’s great to be home,” said Maxx. The homecoming was never a sure thing in those hours and days immediately following the accident. On March 28, Maxx left his home to go for a walk and in his haste to cross the tracks at Prairie Avenue, ran into the path of an Amtrak train. While Maxx’s left side has recovered more quickly, his right side took the brunt of the blow and his skull was fractured in several places. He underwent surgery to remove a portion of his skull to relieve pressure on his brain, and his right leg and arm suffered fractures as well. “During those first dark days, it looked like
Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Editor Bob Uphues Sports Editor James Kay Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
WARM WELCOME: Maxx Kusper (wearing helmet) rides next to his mom, Marcey Raymond Kusper, past cheering well-wishers lined up on the streets (lower left) to welcome the boy home from the hospital on May 16. we were going to lose him,” said Maxx’s mom, Marcey Raymond Kusper. “The thought of preparing our other kids for this loss was unbearable. His recovery has been nothing short of a miracle.” Through the first week of April, Maxx was in an induced coma but on April 6 he was taken off a ventilator and sedation. Since that time, his progress has been remarkable. On April 13, just a week after regaining consciousness, Maxx was transferred to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago to begin intense rehabilitation. Although Maxx needed to relearn a number of things, by the end of the first week of May he was able to walk and his energy levels had improved, but the experience was exhausting for both him and his parents. “In the past five ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer weeks Maxx has
had to relearn a lot of daily activities we take for granted, but he has met each challenge like a true athlete,” Marcey and Don Kusper wrote in an update on May 2 on a GoFundMe page set up after the accident to help fund Maxx’s rehab. “This week he is working on walking again. His broken pelvis, collar bones, elbow and knee are healing well but are definitely making this task a little harder for him. He’s working with all his might to get through this.” On June 4, Maxx is scheduled for another delicate surgery. Surgeons will replace the portion of Maxx’s skull that had be removed with a synthetic covering. He wears a plastic hockey helmet to protect his skull in the meantime. And, of course, therapy will continue for a long while into the future. “He still has a long road of therapy and a second surgery, but we are just so happy to have our boy home,” his mom said. “In life’s darkest moments, there have to be some positives. There are many positives that have come from this. Maxx’s accident has helped put life in perspective for us. There are very few things in life that truly matter ... family, friends ... and, of course, the community that brings it all together. Raising our family in Brookfield has been one of the best decisions of our life.”
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The Landmark, May 20, 2020
BIG WEEK
And more North Riverside Public Library is offering the following virtual programs through Facebook Live, conference calls and the teleconferencing app Zoom. Programs include Talented Tuesdays every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. via Facebook Live on North Riverside Public Library’s Facebook page; Whatcha Readin’ and Watchin’ Wednesday every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom; Game Night Fridays every Friday at 7 p.m. via Zoom; Writer’s Group Digital Meeting via Zoom on May 21 at 6 p.m.; Spanish Language Book Club/Club de Lectura en Español via Zoom on May 22 at 10:30 a.m.; and Seated Tai Chi Moving Meditation via Zoom on May 25 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to bodenl@ northriversidelibrary.org for all Zoom meeting access info. 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. Events include literacy classes and Geek Labs, Zumba for Families and Mammals & More. Youth Services will also host a weekly sidewalk art challenge on Sundays. Each week’s winner will receive a gift card to a local business. Adults can participate in programs by signing up for events, including Chair Yoga via Zoom on May 21 at 11 a.m. and Lunch & Learn: Online Reputation Management via Zoom with Norbert Barszczewski on May 22 at noon Register to get access info at brookfieldlibrary. info/virtual-events. Riverside Arts Center offers Boredom Buster Boxes to give the kids some hands-on fun. Each box contains 6 pounds of clay, a scoring tool, a sponge, six underglaze colors, a slip, a paintbrush and project and instruction sheets. Order online and RAC will deliver the boxes to your front porch (no contact). RAC delivers to Riverside, North Riverside, Lyons, Brookfield, Berwyn, LaGrange, Oak Park, Austin and Belmont Cragin. Boxes are $36 members/$40 non-members. Order at riversideartscenter.com/ boredom-buster-boxes If you hold a Riverside Public Library card, you can delve into your family tree using Ancestry.com for free during the month of May. Get started at riversidelibrary.org/genealogy. The library also offers virtual programs for adults, kids and families, including Mindful Meditation via Zoom on May 21 at 9 a.m. and Knitting Club on Zoom on May 25 at 7 p.m. Visit riversidelibrary. org to register and get access info. Lucky Plush Productions, the contemporary dance ensemble founded and directed by Riverside resident Julia Rhoads, invites you to celebrate its 20th anniversary during a virtual party planned for May 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets begin at $25 and can be purchased at luckyplush.com/ calendar/2020/3/8/plucky-lush-20. A link to the party will be sent by email prior to the event. ■
May 20-27
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Virtual Independence Day 5K Riverside Parks and Recreation will keep its annual Independence Day 5K tradition intact, pandemic be damned, by hosting a virtual run, mostly for fun. Registration is open now through July 6, and all registered participants get a limited edition virtual 5K T-shirt. Racers who register by June 9 will receive their shirt via mail by July 4. Those who register after will receive their shirts by the end of July. Racers can run from June 4 to July 7, and be sure to share your results by emailing your time, a photo (use the hashtag #Riversides42ndAnnual5K in the subject line) to riversidepr@ riverside.il.us. Parks and Rec will share the results on social media. There will be no medals given and no age-group separation. Participants are asked to follow all social distancing guidelines. The race can be completed indoors or outdoors. The fee to register is $20.20 and a registration link can be found at riverside.il.us/185/ Independence-Day-5K.
Film discussion teleconference
Gwyneth Paltrow in “Emma”
North Riverside Public Library invites film buffs to watch a movie via Hoopla (free with your library card) and then join in a spirited discussion during “Films by Phone,” a conferencee call scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. tch For this session, participants are asked to watch the 1996 version of “Emma,” starring Gwyneth Paltrow. You can join the discussion at the appointed hour by dialing into 800-747-5150 and punching in the code 1453322.
Meet 10 famous First Ladies
Brookfield Public Library invites you join historian Barry Bradford as he presents a list of his top 10 favorite First Ladies, the unexpected challenges they faced while serving and how they reflect the changing role of women throughout history. The presentation will MICHELLE OBAMA be available via Zoom on Wednesday, May 27 at 2 p.m. Register to get access info at brookfieldlibrary.info/virtual-events.
Visit Wright sites virtually The Un Unity Temple Restoration Foundation invites all archiFound tecture lovers to take virtual tec tours of some of Frank Lloyd to Wright’s most iconic designs W eevery Thursday at noon via llivestream on the foundattion’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media an accounts. acc Coming up on May 21 is a tour Com Sholom Synagogue in Pennof Beth Sh sylvania, on May 28 by a tour of the l i ffollowed ll Darwin E. Martin House in New York. Miss a favorite? Previous visits can also be viewed. Free. More information can be found at utrf.org/wrightvirtualvisits
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The Landmark, May 20, 2020
P O L I C E
R E P O R T S
Salt Creek joy ride ends in rescue effort
A 68-year-old North Riverside man apparently thought that Monday afternoon looked like a good day to paddle his 15-foot aluminum canoe down Salt Creek, but the floodswollen waterway quickly proved him wrong. After launching from a spot near the confluence of Addison Creek and Salt Creek, the man made it almost to 31st Street before he lost control and capsized at about 4:20 p.m., according to Brookfield police. Initially, he was able to grab onto a tree in the swiftly moving flood current through the forested area next to the river. A resident of the 3000 block of Forest Avenue called 911 to report the incident, but by the time units responded, the water had washed the man downstream and under the 31st Street bridge. According to police, he was able to grab onto another tree just south of the bridge on the east side of the creek and hung on until firefighters arrived. Riverside firefighters reportedly got to the scene first, threw the man a rescue bag and then escorted him ashore on the east bank of the creek. The man was uninjured and his canoe was recovered from Brookfield Zoo property between 31st Street and Washington Avenue. The man was not injured and was probably fortunate not to have drifted much farther south, as Salt Creek’s water level had risen all the way to the underside of the Washington Avenue bridge. There would have been no way to go underneath it without being fully submerged.
Attempted carjacking in North Riverside Two men wearing masks reportedly attempted to hijack a vehicle occupied by a woman and her 6-year-old grandson as they ate their food in the parking lot next to Chikfil-A, 7201 Cermak Road in North Riverside, on May 15 at about 1:45 p.m. According to the police report, the two were eating inside the vehicle when a man suddenly appeared at the driver’s side door and told the woman to get out of the car because he wanted it. As the woman yelled no, a second man opened the passenger side front door and was partially inside the car when she started the engine and reversed the vehicle, knocking the second man to the ground. She then drove south, exited onto Harlem Avenue and then called police from the parking lot of another nearby business. Police were unable to locate any suspects in the area.
Catalytic converters stolen ■ North Riverside police responded to Zei-
gler Ford, 2100 Harlem Ave. on May 12 after the manager called to report that sometime
overnight, the catalytic converters had been cut from 14 vehicles on the lot. All of the vehicles, described as 2020 Ford Transit vans, had been parked in the northwest corner of the car dealership property. Police reported that one catalytic converter was found lying on the ground nearby. ■ Brookfield police responded to the 9300 block of Monroe Avenue on May 18 at about 5:35 a.m. after a resident reported that the catalytic converter had just been sawn from the underside of his vehicle, which was parked on the street. The victim said that he heard what sounded like an electric saw and looked out the window of his home to see a black sedan parked next to his vehicle. One man served as a lookout while a second was underneath the driver’s side of the vehicle, cutting the catalytic converter off. The two men then entered the sedan and drive off. It was the second time the victim had a catalytic converter stolen, according to police.
Burglary/attempted burglary ■ Brookfield
police responded to a home in the 4000 block of Prairie Avenue on May 14 after a resident called to report her house had been burglarized. The victim told police she was in the backyard gardening at 2 p.m. When she went back inside the house at 3 p.m., she noticed that the front door was unlocked and that several items were missing, including her wallet and a jewelry stand from the dining room and a lock box from her bedroom dresser. ■ A resident of the 2300 block of 9th Avenue, North Riverside, called police on May 12 to report that someone had tried unsuccessfully to break into her garage. The victim told police she was about to water her lawn when she went to the garage and noticed two pry marks on the trim of the garage’s side service door, which was locked. No entry had been made and nothing inside the garage appeared to be disturbed. The door frame, however had sustained damage and the victim had difficulty inserting the key into the lock to open it. The victim said she had not been inside the garage in about a week. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, May 1118, 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 20, 2020
Fingers crossed at Riverside Swim Club as pandemic threatens season Complete renovation still on track as members pledge support By BOB UPHUES Editor
It’s been almost 15 years since leaders at Riverside Swim Club went to its members and told them it was time to begin addressing the crumbling infrastructure of the now nearly 60-year old swimming pool. Last fall, members overwhelmingly supported a full-scale renovation of the pool and its related facilities and as spring approached club officials were looking forward to a triumphant farewell lap in the old-school tank and set the course for construction come September. Then a pandemic arrived. “We want it to be sunny and warm and back to normal, but unfortunately as the weeks go on, we’re less and less sure what it’s going to look like this summer,” said Chris Porter, the club’s board president. But, while it’s still unclear whether or not there will be even a partial swim season, construction of the new pool, clubhouse and other amenities are still on for this fall, with more than 400 member families ponying up the first installment of their 2020 membership dues on May 1. That payment guaranteed the renovation
project would stay on track. Porter and the board’s facilities committee continue to work with their construction management firm, Helios, which the club hired earlier this year; its architectural firm, Legat Architects; and the club’s bank to nail down final cost estimates. That number will determine the second installment payment from members, which will come due in July. Originally pegged at about $5.35 million, construction estimates right now are closer to $5.8 million, said Porter. “We think our members are pretty well-informed and have their eyes wide open,” said Porter. When complete, the new facility would feature an expanded eight-lane 25-meter pool, an expanded diving well with a slide feature, new concrete decks with permanent shade structures, a new filtration system, a larger zero-depth kiddie pool, a new clubhouse with an elevated snack shop and outdoor grilling and dining station, a multi-sport court, and an ADA-compliant deck wrapping around the clubhouse. As a way to attract members during 2020 and keep construction on track, the club’s leadership lowered its one-time initiation fee for new members to $500; half of what the club charged previously. One difference, however, is that the old $1,000 bond was refundable at the time of resignation from the club, and several old mem-
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
BIG LEAP: Despite the fact that there may be no swim season at the Riverside Swim Club in 2020, more than 400 member families have made first installment payments for this year as a way to ensure plans for a new pool in 2021 remain on track. bers who were not ready to invest in a new pool, sought that refund. This year’s $500 initiation fee is also refundable, which makes it an even more enticing incentive for joining in 2020 – even if it turns out there’s no swim season. Because if you join the club after the new pool is constructed, the cost structure will be very different, according Allison Evans, the board’s vice president, who has been leading the membership drive. “This is a pivotal year for the pool,” Evans said. “Next year will look very different in terms of dues and buy-in.” Once the new pool is ready, said Evans, Riverside Swim Club is planning to charge a non-refundable initiation fee of $2,000, in addition to annual dues. For 2020, annual dues
are $1,629 for families; $1,218 for individuals/ couples and $1,058 for senior citizens. For many members, the investment in 2020 is worth the risk of the pandemic limiting use of the pool either partially or completely this summer. “I am in full support of the renovation, even with the social and economic issues which may threaten the pool opening this year,” said John Mathews, a longtime member and former board member. “If we don’t open this year, we come back to a brand new pool in 2021. … I think the board did a great job with the plans and arranging the financing, and even though it costs a bit more than the current dues, it’s money well-spent to keep it going.”
No new COVID-19 fatalities, but cases rise steadily At least 130 people have tested positive for the disease in Brookfield
By BOB UPHUES Editor
There were no new fatalities from COVID-19 reported by the Cook County Department of Public Health in the past week in Brookfield, Riverside or North Riverside, but known cases in all three villages did not slow noticeably. As of the morning of May 19, 130 people in Brookfield had tested positive for the disease, which results from infection by the novel cornonavirus. That represented a roughly 31-percent increase in new cases week over week. For each of the three weeks prior, Brookfield had seen a slight decrease in new confirmed cases. The rate at which people have been testing
positive for COVID-19 in Riverside, meanwhile, has been seesawing over the past month or so. After seeing its biggest rate of increase in cases in mid-April (cases on April 14 increased 120 percent over the prior week), the rate dropped sharply by the end of the month before ticking up during each of the first two weeks of May. With 68 confirmed cases in Riverside as of the morning of May 19, that was a 21.4-percent increase week over week, down from 36.6 percent on May 12. Numbers in North Riverside continued their trend of being somewhat unpredictable. On May 12 the village had reported just two new cases week over week, but on May 19 the county was reporting a total of 48 cases, representing a 14.3 percent increase over
the prior week. The disease has claimed two lives each in Riverside and North Riverside, although the Cook County Department of Public Health officially has only listed one person as dying from COVID-19 in Riverside. A clerical error in the Cook County Medical Examiner’s records, which listed the case to Loyola University Medical Center instead of the 58-year-old man’s Riverside address, apparently is not going to be corrected in the official record. In response to inquiries from the Landmark, a spokeswoman from the medical examiner’s office did confirm the second Riverside fatality, which occurred April 11. The most recent fatality in Riverside was a 75-year-old man, who succumbed to COVID-19 on May 4.
One Brookfield resident has died from COVID-19, according to Cook County. While long-term care facilities in Illinois have become hot spots for the spread of COVID-19 and have accounted for hundreds of deaths from the disease statewide, no residents of the two long-term care facilities in North Riverside and Brookfield, Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care and Cantata Adult Life Services, had tested positive as of May 15, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. IDPH on Monday reported 2,294 new cases of COVID-19, as well as 59 new deaths after death totals of 48 and 71 the previous two days. The state’s totals now sit at 96,485 cases in 100 of 102 counties, and 4,234 deaths. Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report.
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
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The Landmark, May 20, 2020
Brookfield scraps July 4 events, outdoor concerts in June Summer camps and programs will start out virtually By BOB UPHUES Editor
Brookfield made it a clean sweep when Village President Kit Ketchmark announced during the May 11 village board meeting that festivities on the Fourth of July – both the parade and the picnic in Kiwanis Park afterward – would be canceled due to the continuing state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. North Riverside and Riverside had previously announced their parades and related Independence Day events were off this year. But, that was just the start of summer event and program cancellations in Brookfield. In addition to the July 4 events, the Parks and Recreation Department has scrapped its outdoor concert series through at least the end of June, and more cancellations could follow depending on whether or not the governor eases some restrictions on public gatherings. Recreation Director Stevie Ferrari said an entire summer’s worth of musical acts had already been booked, so the series could resume without any hitches if such events will be allowed later this summer. “Depending on the bands’ availability for what we have had to cancel in June, we may be able to set a reschedule date for end of August,” Ferrari said in an email. However, Ferrari cautioned that any concerts in Kiwanis Park would only be allowed if the state had moved to allow gathering of
PHOTO BY JAMES PERRY
NOT THIS YEAR: A crowd favorite, the bagpipe band, won’t be marching down Grand Boulevard this year now that Brookfield’s July 4 parade has been canceled. more than 50 people – essentially the final phase of the governor’s Restore Illinois plan. Right now, that seems unlikely. “We really do need to get to the complete and full reopening with no restrictions for any certainty on if we will be able to hold our community events this summer,” Ferrari said. “Even under a 50-person maximum for any events, this is hard to monitor in our larger, free events like concerts.”
Summer camps in flux The Brookfield Parks and Recreation Department’s popular summer camps, meanwhile, have been thrown for a loop. Camps scheduled through June 26 have been canceled, even if the stay-at-home order is eased on June 1. If the order is lifted, said Ferrari, that will give time to train staff about not only the department’s usual proto-
cols, but new ones related to COVID-19 safety. Seasonal staff that have been hired for the summer, but their employment is contingent on programs being able to operate. No new seasonal staffers have been hired, Ferrari said. Even if some camp programs are allowed to move ahead, Ferrari expects there to be strict participation limits, and the village will not be able to use facilities at either RiversideBrookfield High School or S.E. Gross Middle School for programs, she said. “There are 3 to 4 different versions of how events, programs and camps can be run depending on where we are at in the state’s ‘phase,’” Ferrari said. “We continue to have roundtable discussions with organizations in the recreation field to align best practices to safe guidelines and attend any informational meeting we can to help us guide in decision making.” Despite the lack on in-person summer camps and programs, the department has rolled out a host of virtual programs – both paid and free. Information on those programs can be found at the village’s website at brookfieldil.gov. The department has also rolled out a virtual summer camp program, which it is calling Camp in a Box and will be held over three one-week-long sessions beginning June 8 for kids ages 3-12. Participants will be sent camp materials, such as art supplies for craft projects, a camp T-shirt and a schedule of activities, before the start of each session. “Seasonal camp staff have already had a virtual Zoom meeting to discuss what June looks like as well as their role in providing virtual instructions to campers,” Ferrari said. “They will be scheduling another meeting [this] week to add to specific planning activities.”
Brookfield inks 7-year waste hauling deal Groot cuts rate by 8 percent, but village will freeze rates to build up reserve By BOB UPHUES Editor
The owners of single-family homes and two-unit properties won’t see an increase in waste hauling fees for the second straight year, after village trustees voted unanimously on May 11 to approve a new seven-year contract with Groot Industries, the village’s longtime waste hauling firm. The services being provided by Groot during the contract term are largely the same as
present levels. One change in the contract, however, calls for Groot to provide two 30yard containers annually for e-waste collection and disposal. “We may create one or two events annually to collect e-waste or another program model to take advantage of that addition,” said Assistant Village Manager George Issakoo, who handled most of the negotiations with Groot. While homeowners won’t see a change in the rates they are being charged, Groot did agree to lower the rate it was charging the village by about 8 percent for the first year of the contract. Currently, single-family and two-unit residential customers pay $24.80 per month for waste hauling services, which also include recycling and yard waste pickup. Beginning June 1, Groot will be charging $23 per month, and will increase that rate by 3
percent annually. As such it will take four years before rates reach the level Groot is now charging homeowners. That doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that customers’ rates will be frozen until that time. On May 11 village trustees agreed that the rate being charged to customers would stay the same in order to build up the cash reserve in the village’s garbage fund, which has been used over the years for expenses related to alley maintenance and paving. That fund has run deficits for at least the past six years, to the point where by end of 2020, the fund’s cash reserves are expected to be about $34,000. “I imagine the rate selection will be discussed annually during the budget process,” Issakoo said. Also on May 11, village trustees renewed
Groot’s contract to perform waste hauling services for multifamily buildings of three or more units. Groot agreed to freeze the rates it charges for multifamily waste hauling services until June 1, 2021 when 3-percent annual increases begin. The new agreement ends a year-long delay in finalizing a new waste hauling deal. Groot has been the waste hauler for Brookfield for decades. The last time the village board has sought competitive bids for the service was back in 2009, when Groot was given a fiveyear contract, which in 2013 was renewed for another five years. That deal expired in March 2019, and the village board extended that deal twice, while deciding to either seek bids or renegotiate its deal with Groot. The village chose the latter option.
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
Komarek, St. Mary’s holding in-person graduation Socially distant events will keep families in their cars By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
Eighth-graders at Komarek School in North Riverside and at St. Mary’s School in Riverside will be the only area grade-schoolers this year to graduate in person. But even those two ceremonies will be very different as schools make adjustments to maintain state-mandated social distancing requirements established to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. Both Komarek and St. Mary’s will have versions of a drive-up graduation. Komarek will hold its graduation at Veterans Park in North Riverside on Saturday, May 30, while St. Mary’s eighth-graders will graduate from their cars in the St. Mary’s parking lot on June 3. “I felt the realness was important,” said Komarek Principal Jason Gold of the decision to hold an in-person graduation ceremony this year. “That our students deserve a graduation, an in-person graduation, respecting the guidelines by ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education). We wanted to make it happen.” The event will start with a car parade from Komarek to Veterans Park at 10 a.m. on May 30. Each family is being encouraged to decorate their car with balloons and signs celebrating their graduate. Once at Veterans Park, each family will park their vehicle in a designated space in the lot. If a family does not have a car, Komarek will provide one for the event. “We’ll figure out if one of the administration can take them or if there’s a teacher who wants to help out,” Gold said. The graduation will occur in the parking lot, where there will be speeches by the mayors of North Riverside and Broadview. The graduates and their families will be required to stay in their cars until the graduate’s name is called. When the name is called, the graduate will get out of his car and walk to a tent where a diploma cover will be waiting on a table. The graduate will pick up the diploma cover and then walk over to a photography tent where a photographer will take photos. Graduates will be required to wear face coverings when they walk to get their diploma
cover, but they can take their mask off for the photos. After the photos are taken the graduate must return to the family car. Parents and family members will be required to stay inside their cars throughout the event. Komarek eighth-graders will pick up their actual diplomas on May 26 when the school will be open for them to claim any personal belongings left behind when schools were shut down in March. St. Mary’s will hold a drive-in graduation on June 2. It will unfold on a jumbo screen set up in the St. Mary’s parking lot and in-car audio will be provided.
Others to host virtual commencement Other area public schools in the area are opting for virtual graduations this year. Eighth-graders at L.J. Hauser Junior High School in Riverside will graduate virtually on May 26. The format will be similar to an in-person graduation, with families receiving a video that will include prerecorded speeches and teachers reading out the names of every graduate. As the graduate’s name is read, their graduation photo will be shown. Eighth graders at S.E. Gross Middle School in Brookfield will pick up their diplomas on June 1 in a drive-thru procedure. The graduation ceremony itself will be held online later that evening online. “It will look very similar to the experience that they would get when we do it in RB’s gymnasium,” said S.E. Gross Principal Ryan Evans. A graduation video is also being prepared for the eighth-graders of George Washington Middle School. The video will be distributed on June 3 and will include class photos as well as messages from teachers, the student council president and the valedictorian. GWMS graduates will physically pick up their diplomas on May 26 when students can come to the school to pick up any personal belongings left at the school. Some teachers will be on hand to wave goodbye to the students. Park Junior High School will be holding a virtual graduation on June 3.
Olmsted Society
The Riverside Public Library and the Olmsted Society are partners in providing educational Stewards of the land and Olmsted’s Plan opportunities for our community. Together, we host noted speakers who provide their expertise on a variety of topics. Some have been recorded and are available for viewing from the comfort of your own home. While we are all sheltering in place, now would be a good time to see any presentation you may have missed - or to view them again. Go on our website, click on the link, sit back, and learn something new. Once mitigation efforts are over, the Olmsted Society will continue with our efforts to bring you quality programs. Visit olmstedsociety.org or facebook.com/RiversideFLOS for details
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The Landmark, May 20, 2020
J.C. Penney files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Plan calls for closing 30% of stores, details to be revealed in coming weeks By BOB UPHUES
specific store details and timing, will be disclosed in the coming weeks,” the company said. However, the company included a business plan in an SEC filing on May 18 that showed it was preparing to shutter about 30 percent of its stores, about 240 in all, leaving J.C. Penney with a little more than 600 locations. The closures would be based on their operating margins, full-year revenue and “space productivity,” the business plan stated. Harvey Ahitow, general manager of
the North Riverside Park Mall, did not respond to an email from the Landmark asking whether he’d received any information about J.C. Penney’s commitment to keeping the North Riverside store open. The 118-year old company operates nearly 850 stores in 49 states, including the one in North Riverside, which in 1975 joined Montgomery Ward and Carson Pirie Scott as anchors of the new shopping center. Prior to the move to North Riverside, Penney’s operated a store at Cermak Plaza in Berwyn, opening there in 1956. “Implementing this financial restructuring plan through a court-supervised process is the best path to ensure that J.C. Penney will build on its over 100-year history to serve our customers for decades to come,” said CEO Jill Soltau in the May 15 news release. Whether the company will exit bankruptcy intact is anyone’s guess at this point. North Riverside has seen a string of major retailers seek bankruptcy protection with promises of sunny days ahead – Sports Authority, H.H. Gregg, Carson Pirie Scott, Toys R Us, Sears, Payless Shoe Source and Forever 21 among
them – but rarely has that panned out. Forever 21 exited bankruptcy with its North Riverside location intact and with new ownership. Sears survived when its chairman, Eddie Lampert, bought the bankrupt company. Sears, however, hangs on as a shell of its former self with its North Riverside location – it replaced Montgomery Ward, which dissolved in 2001 – just half the size of its former footprint. The bankruptcy filing comes just a day after an SEC filing by J.C. Penney revealed that the company was handing out millions of dollars in cash bonuses to top executives. Soltau, the CEO, was handed a bonus of $4.5 million while three others were each given $1 million bonuses. In accepting those bonuses, the executives forfeit their right to participate in the company’s 2020 bonus plan or receive any long-term incentive awards. They also forfeit any equity or equity-based awards. The bonuses, which were paid immediately, are to be largely repaid if the executives are terminated for cause or resign without “good reason” before Jan. 31, 2021.
cal officials don’t believe that the businesses will be operating at full capacity, which could drag out the financial impact over many months. With that in mind, the village approached its non-union and union employees in late April, asking them to defer planned 2.5-percent pay increases scheduled to be effective May 1 and to suspend vacation requests to limit the amount of overtime. “This unexpected revenue loss has affected the village’s ability to fund essential operations in the upcoming months,” Scarpiniti wrote to leaders of the village police and fire unions on April 29. “With limited reserves and the prospect of federal or state aid to smaller municipalities unknown, the village must explore every avenue available to us in order to address the anticipated revenue loss and to ensure essential services continue.” To help limit overtime in the fire department, in addition to asking for a suspension of vacation requests, the village also asked that, during the state of emergency, a lieutenant scheduled solely to work the day shift be placed on a regular shift. While non-union employees and union police officers agreed to the requests, union firefighters declined to agree. “We just finished a five-and-a-half year fight, and during that time we spoke at great length on manning,” said Chris Kribales, president of North Riverside Firefighters Union Local 2714, referencing the years’ long fight against the village attempt to privatize firefighting services. In December the village and union inked a new seven-year deal, retroactive to May 2014
and which expires April 30, 2021. “Our staffing has gone down, down, down to where now we’re a skeleton crew,” Kribales said. “And now they want to move that day lieutenant to cover overtime. Now you say you need help. This is what we told you about.” Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr. said that because firefighters would not agree to the village’s request, the raises for all employees would be moving forward May 1. At the village board’s meeting, held via teleconference on May 11, Hermanek called out firefighters for their stance. “Since the new [fire] union contract was recently agreed to, village administration has sought to improve its relationship with the union firefighters and move forward,” Hermanek said in prepared remarks at the May 11 meeting. Hermanek said the village had approved a vacation request from a union member who asked to travel out of state during the state of emergency, increasing overtime as a result. “However, such gestures of moving forward with the firefighters in a positive manner have not been entirely reciprocated,” Hermanek said. “Unfortunately, we were not able to come to an agreement on the day lieutenant proposal and the village was forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars during a critical time financially.” Hermanek said it would have been unfair to withhold raises from police and non-union employees while granting scheduled raises to firefighters.
Scarpiniti said that the village spent about $6,000 in fire department vacation replacements in April, and that adjusting the day lieutenant’s scheduled would have save the village $12,000 per month. The police department incurred no overtime in April, Scarpiniti said, saving the village about $15,000. Kribales said that unlike other departments, which had shifted work schedules in response to the pandemic, the minimum staffing of the fire department did not allow room for that. “We are always open to talking about ways to find a middle ground, but we’ve hollered about staffing issues for many years,” Kribales said. Meanwhile, village officials are still trying to put together an operating budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, which began May 1. Scarpiniti said she had hoped state legislators would have allowed non-home rule municipalities some leeway in passing their appropriation ordinances, which need to be ratified by the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year. In North Riverside’s case, that means the end of July. Scarpiniti said the village board will hold a budget workshop via teleconference in June. At that time, she said she hoped to have a clearer picture of the financial impact of the state of emergency. “We are working with departments now on budget submissions and will be having our meetings in mid-June,” Scarpiniti said. “Now that we were not able to defer raises, department’s budgets will be cut to help cover some of the revenue shortfall.”
Editor
J.C. Penney, the last remaining of the original three anchor tenants at North Riverside Park Mall, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Texas on May 15, the latest retail sales giant fighting for its survival in the midst of a pandemic that has devastated commerce nationwide. According to a news release issued by the company Friday evening, J.C. Penney has entered into a restructuring support agreement with lenders, whose goal is “to reduce several billion dollars of indebtedness, provide increased flexibility to help navigate through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and better position J.C. Penney for the long-term.” The company announced that it would be closing stores in phases throughout the bankruptcy process, but did not detail which locations would be closing or when. “The first phase of closures, including
FINANCES
No deal on salaries from page 1 idea how well the essential businesses are doing since March 17. Plus, it looks like the financial impact to the village will be lingering many months longer than originally estimated.” Scarpiniti said that figure included 100 percent of sales tax revenues, based on a three-year monthly average of $500,000. Sales taxes are still being collected on goods being sold at places like Costco, Jewel-Osco, Aldi, Binny’s and Michael’s, so sales tax losses won’t reach those levels. However, the North Riverside Park Mall remains closed and will be through at least the end of May. It has been shuttered since March 19, which means the village will be receiving almost no sales tax revenue from the mall in that roughly two-month period. The village expects to receive March’s sales tax receipts from the state in June, but it will be a fraction of what’s normally received. July and August sales tax payments from the state will reflect full months of no commerce at the mall. North Riverside will receive no share of amusement taxes or video gambling taxes from April and May, and just a partial month’s worth from March. Those streams provide a monthly combined average of $70,000 in revenue to village coffers. Even when some restrictions are eased, lo-
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
We are Celebrating You – And Your Strength & Resilience – Riverside Brookfield High School
Class of 2020
This isn’t how you thought it would end. Without graduation, prom, or time with friends. Without that one last time in blue and white, To compete, share a talent, show your Bulldog fight. But we know you, Class of ‘20, and what’s inside, The memories, the love, the RB pride. So you’ll get through this, even though you’re apart. You’re all in this together—heart to heart. We love you Class of 2020
Stay Bulldog Strong…the best is yet to come! And to the families of graduating Bulldogs, we send our love to you too. This isn’t the send off you had in mind, and we know you mourn the lost “lasts” too—but how proud you must be of these amazing seniors. We know we are.
Sending all of our love and support, Your RB Parent Organizations (Music Sponsors, PTO, and Sports Boosters)
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The Landmark, May 20, 2020
THRIVE Covid-19 AD MAY2020.indd 1
5/6/20 1:18 PM
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
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Sawa’s Old Warsaw 9200 W. Cermak Rd., Broadview Authentic Polish-American Food Our Menu: Sawasoldwarsaw.com/ To order, call 708-343-9040 for Curbside Pick-Up Friday and Saturday 11am – 5pm
Tony’s Breakfast Café 8900 W Ogden Ave, Brookfield Tonysofbrookfield.com American Diner Our Menu: Tonysofbrookfield.com/uploads/Tonys_ MainMenu.pdf For Pick-up, call 708-387-0155 8am to 9pm Daily
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The Landmark, May 20, 2020
FLOODING
Sewers overwhelmed from page 1 That storm resulted in about seven feet of water in the man’s basement, he said. This time, it was about four feet. Neither flood however, compared to 1987, he said, when the home’s entire front stoop was submerged. Back in 1987, the crest reached 9.9 feet and local officials are using this storm to collect new flood data in order to predict the impact of future events. The removal of the Fairbank and Hofmann dams in 2012 has changed the hydrology of the river, with higher crests now need before severe flooding occurs in Riverside. “We’re doing a lot of aerial photography with our drone, documenting where we’re at with [a crest of] 10 feet,” said Riverside Fire Chief Matthew Buckley, who said the village has just a few aerial photographs of the 2013 flood. Although the river did not overtop the bank at the corner of Park Place and Groveland Avenue, both Lincoln Avenue and Groveland flooded, with village closing the storm sewer outfall at Groveland Avenue to prevent the river from back-flowing into the neighborhood. By late Monday morning after the crest stabilized at right around 10 feet, the village began pumping water from Groveland Avenue into the river to reduce street flooding there. The river did overtop the bank south of Forest Avenue, inundating lower-level condo units and driveways and flowing into the West Avenue/Pine Avenue area. Public Works Director Edward Bailey said that the flood water reached about a third of the way east down Pine Avenue. Meanwhile, the Riverside Police Depart-
Special bulk item collection in North Riverside In response to a request from the village of North Riverside, its waste hauling company, Roy Strom, will be doing a special pickup of bulk items damaged in the recent flooding. The waste hauler had suspended bulkitem pickup in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it will do so for two days later this week – one date for each side of the village. Bulk items for all single-family residential properties east of First Avenue will be picked up on Thursday, May 21. Single-family residences west of First Avenue will have bulk items picked up on Friday, May 22. Items, including damaged furniture, carpeting, paneling and drywall will be collected curbside only. There will be no bulk item collection in alleys. Place items on the curb the night before, because Roy Strom will be making only one pass through the designated side of the village on those days. — Bob Uphues ment was forced to abandon its temporary substation at the Scout Cabin as flood waters came up quickly after a heavy downpour early in the evening of May 17. “We were barely able to get the squad cars out,” said Police Chief Thomas Weitzel. The river started topping the bank near the Scout Cabin at about 5:30 p.m., said Weitzel, who added that they needed to use the fire department’s boat to reach the Scout Cabin to retrieve equipment and personal items left behind by officers later that night. By the morning of May 18, the flood water reached into the front yards of some resi-
PHOTO BY ALLEN GOODCASE
OUT YOU GO: Riverside public works employees pumped out standing water from Groveland Avenue on May 18, after surcharging sewers flooded the street the night before.
BOB UPHUES/EDITOR
INUNDATED: Salt Creek overtopped the banks at Arden and Southview avenues, flooding that part of south Hollywood and inundating the Cech Terrace section of Lyons to the south. dences across from the Scout Cabin on Fairbank Road, with a swift current racing past in Indian Gardens.
Swift changes on Sunday evening In at least one respect, the 2020 flood is similar to the one in 2013 in that river levels were already high when the storm May 16-17 dumped an additional 4.6 inches of rain onto ground that was completely saturated from a 2.5-inch rainstorm on May 14-15. The first wave of rain had swollen the Des Plaines River to flood stage by the time the second wave hit. “Mother Nature hit us pretty good,” said North Riverside Public Works Director Tim Kutt, who added that he’d never seen such widespread street flooding in that village. “I haven’t seen this much water on the streets in 33 years,” said Kutt. “I’ve seen a lot of flooding, but not every street and over the curb. I don’t think I’ve seen one worse than this one.” The first reports of street flooding began rolling in around 4:45 p.m., with Riverside and Lyons shutting down First Avenue between 31st Street and Ogden Avenue just after 5 p.m. due to high water near the railroad bridge. At about 8 p.m., a motorist went around the barricades and decided to brave the standing water under the bridge. Riverside firefighters rescued him from his vehicle a short time later. The car remained floating around under the bridge well into the morning on May 18. Other major and arterial streets followed suit. Beginning around 5:45 p.m. and well into the evening, Ogden Avenue flooded. Brookfield closed down the area near Ogden and Prairie avenues for a time when sewers overflowed there. Washington Avenue began flooding in spots along its length around 6 p.m., with the village shutting down the street at Prairie Avenue, Morton Avenue and Kemman Ave-
nue. The 3500 block of Forest Avenue, despite the new pump station and reservoir, did get water. The reservoir, according to Village Engineer Derek Treichel was filled to its rim – the first time it’s ever reached capacity since being constructed in the wake of the 2013 flood – by 6:30 p.m. on May 17. Although Salt Creek hadn’t overtopped its banks in the 3500 block of Forest Avenue, the level of the creek was just inches from doing so by Monday morning. The water level reached the underside of the Washington Avenue bridge, but the structure wasn’t in any danger, according to Treichel, and was not closed to traffic as of May 18. “We’re monitoring it hourly,” Treichel said. Other intersections closed to traffic as sewers surcharged on the evening of May 17 included 31st Street and Prairie Avenue and 31st Street and Grand Boulevard. Residential side streets throughout Brookfield also filled with water as sewers surcharged. Salt Creek did overtop its banks in the vicinity of Southview and Arden avenues in the Hollywood section of Brookfield, and high water forced evacuation of some homes in the Cech Terrace section of Lyons, accessible only through Hollywood. In Riverside Lawn, the incorporated section of Riverside Township wedged between the river and 39th Street, flood waters reached almost to its southern border. While homes right along 39th Street were spared, those homeowners closer to the river were swamped by flood waters. Cook County began buying up residential properties and demolishing the homes after the 2013 flood, and most property owners to the opportunity to sell rather than face another one. A handful of houses remain along Stanley and Gladstone avenues, and nearly all of them were surrounded by water on May 18.
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
15
Brookfield awards contract to demo Blanchan Ave. home Work starts on improvements to Congress Park Station area By BOB UPHUES Editor
A vacant single-family home at 4006 Blanchan Ave., owned by the village of Brookfield since 2013, will be leveled soon after trustees voted unanimously on May 11 to award a $26,125 demolition contract to Tinley Park-based Bechstein Construction Corporation, which submitted the lowest of five bids received by the village. According to the demolition contract, the work will include abating asbestos, which was discovered in exterior siding that’s presently covered over by aluminum siding. A small amount of asbestos was also found inside the home. Once that’s done, the house will be demolished and the foundation will be removed and backfilled before being covered with earth and seeded to lawn. Costs related to the demolition will be paid out of the Ogden Avenue Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District fund, in which the property is located. The village used $50,000 in TIF funds to buy 4006 Blanchan Ave. seven years ago. There’s still no plan for the property’s use in the future, but Village Manager Timothy Wiberg said on May 11 that he hoped it could one day either be part of a larger development in that area or be used for commuter parking. Community Development Director Ross Klicker told the Landmark that it might be possible to connect the Blanchan Avenue property with a new off-street parking area scheduled to be built this summer as part of a project to improve the Congress Park Metra station area.
BOB UPHUES/Editor
LOOK TO LINK? After the village demolishes the home at 4006 Blanchan Ave. (white building in the background) it could potentially use that property for parking and link it to the Congress Park Station area (foreground) via an access path. Improvements to the station area are already under way. Part of the village plan calls for a commuter parking lot accommodating about 20 vehicles in the short section of Burlington Avenue that sits west of DuBois Boulevard. The new parking area is being created in case the existing commuter lot at 4000 DuBois Blvd., owned by the village, is redeveloped in the future. The Blanchan Avenue property could provide even more commuter parking and, while there is no plan on the table to do so
right now, that lot likely could be connected to the Congress Park Station via a walking path along railroad right-of-way. “As far as connecting the property to the commuter lot to the train station, we have not gotten that far yet, but we do believe we could work out a lease agreement with the railroad for an access way, if needed,” Klicker said in an email. Meanwhile, some of the Congress Park Station area improvements have begun.
Crews have poured a new sidewalk along the south side of Burlington Avenue west of DuBois and have installed a concrete pad for two covered bike shelters. The bike shelter improvements are being funded largely through two grants, one from the state and one from the Regional Transportation Authority. The bike racks should be installed and ready for use by the end of May. Later this summer a roughly $342,000 project will begin addressing the Congress Park Station, tunnel and new parking area. Village Planner Elyse Vukelich said the firm the village has hired to design the improvements, Hitchcock Design Group, is surveying the station and tunnel to see what upgrades are possible there. They could include reroofing the shelter and replacing light fixtures, hand rails and trash receptacles. Tunnel improvements are likely to include new light fixtures and stripping and repainting the tunnel walls and ceiling. Construction of the parking lot will also include landscaping improvements in that area. The work is being partially funded through a $150,000 Community Development Block Grant. The rest of the cost will be assigned to the Congress Park TIF. Other planned improvements, such as a brick paver plaza in front of the station entrance will have to wait until the BNSF Railroad rebuilds the blighted retaining wall of the Metra station on the south side of the rail embankment, facing Burlington Avenue. That work likely won’t happen until 2022, at the earliest.
Brookfield mulls business boost when shutdown eases Rewards program floated to help stimulate local commerce By BOB UPHUES Editor
As communities across Illinois look forward to the day when a host of businesses can begin to open their doors in limited capacities, Brookfield officials are wondering what village government might be able to do to help kick start local commerce and when the best time to do that might be. Community Development Director Ross Klicker suggested to village trustees at their May 11 meeting that an initiative this summer might make sense to give shoppers confidence that they’ll be safe when shops reopen and to boost businesses that have been suffering from what is already a two-month shutdown. “What we’ve started thinking about is
how do we encourage residents and visitors to our community to once again patronize our great local businesses, but also promote what businesses are doing to make their customers feel safe while they are in their establishments,” Klicker told trustees. Klicker said the village could choose initiatives ranging from discount programs to a rewards program, where shoppers could earn gift cards for spending a certain amount of money at village businesses. He also suggested engaging the Chicagobased boutique marketing/branding firm A5 to handle the program’s messaging, develop the program and create the marketing communications that would generate awareness and highlight the village’s businesses.
John Harris, co-founder and principal of A5, said that for $4,500 his company could develop a rewards program and help Brookfield settle on how long it wanted such a program to last and how much it wanted to invest in the program. According to a proposal pitched to trustees on May 11, the firm would work with the village to develop a “marketing and communications plan with goals, offer, tactics, creative approach [and] messaging.” The way the program would work, said Harris, is that the village would choose the amount it wants to invest – it could be $5,000 over a month-long period or $10,000 over a longer period of time – and then choose an amount when shopper rewards kick in. The village, for example, could say that
for every $200 spent locally, you earn a $20 gift certificate hat you can redeem online or at a location of the village’s choosing. When those gift cards are used, the businesses return them to the village for reimbursement. You can also put qualifiers on the program, such as requiring shopping at more than one business. When the dollars invested by the village in the program run out, the program ends. As a result, Harris said that the amount of economic impact such a program can make would depend on how much the village was willing to commit to it. An investment of $10,000 under the scenario described above would translate to $100,000 in total economic activity. See BUSINESS on page 16
16
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
P R O P E R T Y
Michaux Road home sells for $715,000
T R A N S F E R S
The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Recorder of Deeds from February 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
3201 Grand Blvd. 4445 Madison Ave. 9335 Monroe Ave. 8637 Parkview Ave. 9308 Washington Ave. 4218 DuBois Blvd. 9312 Jefferson Ave. 3640 Forest Ave. 4610 DuBois Blvd. 3825 Morton Ave. 9136 Brookfield Ave. 3518 Madison Ave. 3142 Park Ave. 3644 Raymond Ave. 4630 Vernon Ave. 4507 Oak Ave. 4126 Oak Ave. 9108 Roach Ave. 3706 Grand Blvd.
$164,000 $258,000 $200,000 $390,000 $210,000 $325,000 $160,000 $241,000 Unknown $195,000 Unknown $101,000 $175,000 $245,000 $530,000 $340,000 $210,000 $230,000 $232,000
1/22/2020 1/30/2020 12/21/2017 1/31/2020 1/21/2020 2/03/2020 2/03/2020 1/14/2020 2/10/2020 2/10/2020 1/30/2020 2/05/2020 1/06/2020 2/10/2020 2/03/2020 2/07/2020 2/12/2020 2/06/2020 2/17/2020
Charbonneau, Robert F Victor, Thomas C Extr Judicial Sales Corp Buresh, Richard D Antonicic, Beatrice A TR Thomas, Babara Judicial Sales Corp Battaglia, Jack J Judicial Sales Corp Preedin, Philip E Judicial Sales Corp Chicago Title Land Trust Co TR 2078 Sterba, Warren P TR Farnan, James F Jr Chicago Title Land Trust Co TR Krzystyniak, Stan White, Patricia Presta, Hugo First Midwest Bk TR 17499
SELLER
Perez, Marcos Jr Lundeen, Rhyan Lynn Jahnke, Eva Hubacek, James G Thorne, Fletcher Clyde-Ignatius Vitek, Timothy M 9312 Jefferson Ave. LLC Patton, Eileen Federal Natl Mtg Assn Jensen Newlook Prop LLC Bank New York Mellon Spotlite Grp LLC Velasquez, Michelle J Baeza Trust Vega, Lekisha L Luna, Daniel Kowaski,Vincent M Presta, Elyse C 3708 Grand LLC
BUYER
3830 Cleveland Ave.
$474,000
2/27/2020
Petrovic Enterprises Inc
Kreiss, Sara Lyn
2350 8th Ave. 9007 Cermak Rd. 2518 Hainsworth Ave. 2305 Westover Ave. 2259 10th Ave.
Unknown $190,000 $133,000 $257,500 $208,000
2/03/2020 1/24/2020 1/24/2020 1/13/2020 2/06/2020
Church Extension Board Presby Salemo, A J BMO Prop Mgmt Inc Chicago Title Land Trust Co TR 10918 Farrelly, Anne
North Riverside Shmulrivka LLC Koby Reil LLC Holland, Jaime L Nosek, Paul
2301 17th Ave.
Unknown
9/11/2012
First Natl Bk Brookfield
SKS & Assoc Inc
North Riverside
BUSINESS
Timing could be tricky from page 15 Klicker said the village’s funding source for such a program would be its hotel/motel tax fund, which by state law must be used for economic development purposes. That fund as of Jan. 1, 2020 had a cash balance of
roughly $70,000. The village could also choose to partner with another organization on such a program, like the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce or Brookfield Zoo. “It is the idea of [combatting] the uncertainty and providing some comfort and some certainty and excitement, and differentiating you, so that when people do go out, they say, ‘”Look, we need to keep our dollars here. We need to spend in Brookfield,’” Harris said.
130 Michaux Rd., Riverside
Riverside ADDRESS
PRICE
SALE DATE
475 Shenstone Rd., #102 409 Repton Rd. 252 Bartram Rd. 294 Maplewood Rd. 294 Maplewood Rd. 381 Blackhawk Rd. 261 E. Quincy St. 299 Uvedale Rd. 506 Uvedale Rd. 130 Michaux Rd. 7288 Ogden Ave. 169 Gage Rd. 212 Blackhawk Rd
$125,000 $395,000 $352,500 $120,000 $120,000 $660,000 $320,000 $615,000 $690,000 $716,500 $215,000 Unknown $284,000
1/04/2020 1/30/2020 1/14/2020 1/17/2020 1/22/2020 1/24/2020 2/04/2020 2/07/2020 2/05/2020 1/30/2020 2/14/2020 2/12/2020 2/10/2020
SELLER Barrera, Salvador Holland, Jamie L Chicago Title Land Trust Co TR 130693 Lejcar, Sandra A United States of America Rouleau, Jeffrey IES Dev Inc Lombardo, Layla Kunkel, Robert J Baer, Steven JVA Four LLC Judicial Sales Corp Riordan, Katherine TR
Trustee Michael Garvey said he didn’t think a rewards program made sense when businesses begin to reopen their doors, saying shoppers will be flocking to local shops. “I don’t know it’s needed to bring people back out,” Garvey said, adding that a rewards program might make more sense during the holiday shopping season. But other trustees supported a closer look at a program sooner rather than later. “I like the idea of a short-term boost,”
BUYER Vavrik, Richard Seif, Sneha P Bower, Kirk T Esenther, Thomas Esenther, Thomas Hooshiar, Hooman Holanda, Johanna Bertaimio, Julianne Fernando, Dilini TR Herrera, Juan Manuel Benson, Seliat JPMorgan Chase Bk M&A Development Inc
said Trustee Nicole Gilhooley, acknowledging the timing could be tricky based on state guidelines for social distancing. “But I like this idea of a boost to our local economy to support our local businesses – not just the chamber but all of the businesses. I think it’s a show of good faith and our belief in our business community.” Klicker told trustees that he would talk further with Harris and Chamber of Commerce leaders and return to the board at a future meeting with possible options.
Read it online at www.rblandmark.com
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
17
New Riverside law takes aim at nuisance properties Goal is to force property owners, managers to fix problems or face penalties
By BOB UPHUES Editor
The village of Riverside is hoping a new law, passed unanimously by trustees on May 7, will help them force the owners and managers of properties identified as nuisances to fix those problems or face consequences. Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel said he worked for months with Village Attorney Michael Marrs and Village Manager Jessica Frances on the language of the “chronic nuisance” ordinance as a way to put some teeth into demands from the village that the owners and managers of problem properties clean up their act. Weitzel said he had no specific property in mind when he came up with the idea, but the law itself would include any property in Riverside, from large apartment complexes where police most often encounter these kinds of chronic problems, to condo buildings, rental homes and even owner-occupied single-family homes. “I wanted to propose an ordinance that
would allow us to mitigate mostly police-related problems, but there are other issues included in this ordinance, of repeated calls for police service or going to properties over and over again where the situation was not being improved when we asked for compliance,” Weitzel told trustees at their May 7 meeting. While nuisances defined in the new law certainly include criminal activity, they also include a wide array of other things, including noise complaints as well as building code, fire code and health code violations. The law states a chronic nuisance can be declared when a particular property has been written up for two or more violations within a 12-month period. By naming property owners and/or property managers personally responsible for fixing problems, Weitzel is hoping they’ll address problems without being dragged to court. “We don’t want to take people to court,” Weitzel told the Landmark in a phone interview. “I want people to come into compliance, but I needed an ordinance to back me up.” Weitzel said he has distributed the ordi-
nance to his officers and has issued guidance on how to apply it. He said it is not going to be applied retroactively; rather, he said his approach will be to view properties as “a clean slate.” Officers responding to nuisance calls are to record the exact address, including the unit number if it’s in a multiunit building, and the name of the resident. If there’s a need to contact the property owner or manager in the case of repeated incidents, Weitzel said having as much specific info as possible will help him build a case for making a complaint. The ordinance states that the first step will be a letter, which will give the property owner or manager 10 days to respond and propose corrective action. Failure to respond or failure to follow through with the corrective action will trigger a second letter. If the problem continues to be ignored, Weitzel said he would then work with the village’s legal counsel to issue citations that can be dealt with either by the local adjudicator or Cook County Circuit Court.
Fines can range between $500 and $750 per day if the nuisances aren’t abated. The village can then also ask a judge to issue a temporary restraining order, according to the ordinance, to prohibit use of the property for up to a year, begin eviction proceedings against tenants involved in repeated illegal activity and to place the property in receivership, among other remedies. At the May 7 meeting, Village Attorney Lance Malina said the ordinance specifically includes property managers as responsible parties, in addition to property owners, to strengthen the village’s ability to enforce the law. “This is an important aspect of these kinds of ordinances, because many times owners hide behind managers, who can’t be held legally responsible,” Malina said. “If the owner is in California or something, that citation can be issued to the manager, who would be responsible for any fine. And so, it allows for greater holding of account of the people responsible of creating the nuisance, in fact.”
He has worked extensively with veterans who have returned from overseas duty, from Vietnam era veterans to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to Troiani’s bio, he currently lectures on “Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues with Returning Iraq and Afghan War Veterans” to the professional behavioral health community. American Legion Post 488 will also host a free Zoom program, open to the public, on May 25 at 3 p.m., featuring Abraham Lincoln interpreter George Buss. Buss will perform Lincoln’s second inau-
gural address, delivered in 1865 during the closing days of the Civil War. “The nation’s emotion at the time of the address, at the end of slavery and beginning of Reconstruction, perfectly fits that of the nation today through concerns of our own reconstruction,” said American Legion Post 488 Commander Joseph Topinka in an email. More information about the presentation can be found on Post 488’s Facebook page (@americanlegionriverside) or at their website, americanlegionpost488.weebly.com.
American Legion plans virtual Memorial Day events Highlights video and Lincoln interpreter on tap for May 25 By BOB UPHUES Editor
Although the village of Riverside has canceled its annual Memorial Day ceremony, members of Riverside American Legion Post #488 and Riverside TV are endeavoring to bring ways to mark the May 25 holiday, which honors those who have given their lives in service of the nation. In lieu of the ceremony itself, which includes reciting the names of all 54 Riverside residents who have died while serving in the Armed Forces from World War I onward, the event’s organizer Tom Sisulak has been working with the production staff of Riverside TV to produce a “highlights” video from past ceremonies. Sisulak, who is a member of Legion Post 488’s Squadron auxiliary, said that he and the Riverside TV crew believe they will have the video ready to air on Comcast Channel 6, AT&T UVerse Channel 99, the
Riverside TV website (riversidetv.us) and the Riverside TV YouTube channel on Memorial Day, May 25. Included in that video will be a segment recognizing this year’s “honored veteran,” Riverside resident Dr. Joseph E. Troiani, who retired after a 32-year career with the U.S. Navy Reserve at the rank of commander. During his time serving in the Navy, Troiani was assigned to the Naval Investigative Service (renamed NCIS), and various divisions of the Naval Reserve Intelligence Program. From 1999 until his retirement in 2010, he was a faculty member for the Strategic Intelligence Program at the Defense Intelligence Agency’s National Intelligence University in Washington, D.C. Troiani has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fielding Graduate University, and he is associate professor of clinical psychology at Adler University, where he has taught since 1993.
18
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
Opinion KOSEY CORNER
THE LANDMARK VIEW
Rough waters ahead
W
ell, we now have a number: $400,000 a month. That’s how much the village of North Riverside stands to lose in revenue due to the state of emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if the loss turns out to be half that, it’s going to have a chilling effect on the operation of village government and important infrastructure projects – especially the water main and sewer project on the west end of town -- that remain in progress. North Riverside entered a new fiscal year on May 1, and it has done so in its traditional manner – without a budget in place. Under normal circumstances this is not an ideal way to approach financial planning, and in times of crisis it is less so. On the other hand, had the village wrapped up its budget prior to end of the fiscal year on April 30, the entire document would have to have been rewritten anyway to account for the pandemic. Elected officials and village department heads are now expected to craft a budget in June and pass an appropriation ordinance in July prior to end of the first quarter, as required by law. While the village does have some cash in reserve, it’s not a great deal, but we expect some it to be used to soften the blow of what we expect to be soft revenue figures for some months to come. Reserves are for emergencies, and this would certainly qualify. But, even if the economy opens up in the next couple of months, we doubt that crowds of people will be flocking back or will even be allowed back in great numbers to brickand-mortar stores and entertainment venues like Round One and Urban Air. God forbid a second wave of the disease prompts another stay-at-home order through the holiday season. What then? While people may be champing at the bit to get life back to normal, doing so too quickly could lead to it being prolonged for months more. In lieu of a proven treatment or vaccine, we all have to do our part to make sure we tamp this thing down and keep ourselves and our neighbors safe. In the meantime, it’s absolutely unclear how this is going to shake out from the standpoint of municipalities continuing to provide the kinds of services resident expect. Many, like North Riverside, improvised and are finding ways to deliver things like drive-thru vehicle sticker renewal and moving more payment options online. In that respect, local governments are being forced to think a little harder about the most efficient and costeffective ways to do their jobs. That spirit of ingenuity will survive this pandemic and hopefully improve the way governments interact with residents. Make no mistake, however. Over the next several months, it’s going to be tough. News late last week that J.C. Penney was filing for bankruptcy protection adds another layer of uncertainty. The key for all of us is to be patient and persevere in our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. The decisions we make now are existential. This is no joke.
Never fear, the Friends of the Fourth are still here
W
e’re here to tell you there will be an Independence Day celebration in 2020 in Riverside! However, it will be a modified one. Once before the annual celebration was threatened to be discontinued, and from that rose the group known as The Friends of the Fourth. The group’s founding members were Joe Ballerine, Andy Daun, Danny Jisa, Rey Navarro, Ben Sells and yours truly. We worked together to raise funds to put on one of the finest July 3 and 4 celebrations in the area over the past 10 years. Money is raised through the generosity of donors and other fundraising efforts, and those funds have allowed the Friends of the Fourth to coordinate the celebrations with the Village of Riverside, in particular with Recreation Director Ron Malchiodi and his staff. And now comes the year 2020, with the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic once again threatening Riverside’s longstanding July 4 traditions. As has been said, “We saved it before and we will save it again,” and so we will in 2020. The Friends of the Fourth, along with the Recreation Department, police and fire departments and village government have been working to coordinate a celebration as a gift to the residents and as a reminder of the spirit
that is Riverside in good times and in bad. Plans have not been completed as yet, so you will have to watch the Landmark or go online to the Friends of the Fourth or the Riverside Recreation Department Facebook pages to get upcoming information. This will not be the usual celebration and it will be done in conjunction with whatever the social distancing guidelines are at that time. The plan is for all to have a safe celebration and although modified, we can all still have a good time. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone had a flag in front of their house? How about getting you block to have flags? Wonder what block could have the most flags? Something to think about while you’re waiting to hear what is coming next. Keep the Friends of the Fourth in mind, because on July 5, we will be looking towards July 4, 2021 and another celebration. I can tell you to watch the water tower, because it will be lit. Can’t tell you when, just watch for it. Finally, congratulations to Ron Malchiodi on 17 years with the Riverside Recreation Department. Aren’t we the lucky ones? Under his direction, we have seen the program grow for the benefit of all residents. Thank you, Ron.
OBITUARIES
Please check Mr. Kloss’ online obituary at JohnsonNosek. com/obituary/Ronald-Kloss for updated memorial service information. Memorials to First Congregational Church of LaGrange Music Program or National Audubon Society would be appreciated. Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
JOANNE KOSEY
Ronald L. Kloss, 87 Elementary school teacher Ronald L. Kloss, 87, of Brookfield, died May 11, 2020 at Plymouth Place in LaGrange Park. Mr. Kloss was born March 8, 1933 in Berwyn to the late Clifford and late Nell (nee Kinsley) Kloss. He received a bachelor’s degree in education and music from DePaul University and worked as a teacher for the South Berwyn School District 100 for 34 years, retiring in 1992. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of LaGrange and enjoyed reading, fishing, golf, writing, music, Cubs baseball, birding New York Times crossword puzzles, gardening, cycling and RONALD L. KLOSS walking. Mr. Kloss was the husband of the late Dolores (nee Bomrad); the father of Laura Day, Janet (John) Bednar and Jim (Linda) Kloss; the grandfather of Derek Day, Katie Bednar, Ryan Bednar, Meghan Kloss, Emma Kloss and McKenna Kloss; the brother of the late Corinne Robertson; and the uncle of Jack Robertson and Scott Robertson. Private services have been held. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Patricia L. Lemon, 73 Insurance agent Patricia L. Lemon (nee Brandt), 73, of Brookfield, died May 12, 2020. Born June 27, 1946, Ms. Lemon worked as an insurance agent. She was the wife of Gregory Lemon; the mother of Kimberly (Kevin) Fitzgerald, Kristine (Tim) Evans and James Lemon; the grandmother of Kevin James “KJ” Fitzgerald, Kyle Fitzgerald, Kayla Fitzgerald, Timothy James “TJ” and Avery Evans; the sister of the late Kenneth Brandt and the late Nancy (the late John) Suhajda; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews. Services are private for immediate family only. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements. If you wish to send a sympathy card or Mass card to the family, send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Patricia Lemon Family.
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
19
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20
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
Most D96 parents, teachers pleased with remote learning Biggest challenge for parents is finding time for own jobs
By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
Parents in Riverside Elementary School District 96 seem mostly satisfied with remote learning, according to the results of a survey presented at last week’s virtual meeting of the Board of Education. Just over 63 percent of parents surveyed in April said the workload for their children was just right, while 19.8 percent said that their children were not given enough work and 17.1 percent said that their children had too much work. About 115 parents filled out the district survey, which was sent to families after the first three weeks of remote learning imposed by the state as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the survey, about 57 percent of District 96 students seem to be having real-time connections with their teachers via video conferencing no more than twice a week, with 18 percent of parents
Just over 85 percent saying that their children of parents said that they are having interactions found the real-time conwith teachers three or nections between their four times a week and 15.3 children and teachers to percent of parents saying be manageable. But the those interactions were biggest challenge for partaking place five times a week. ents was finding the time About 10 percent of parto do their own jobs while ents said their children supervising the school ANGELA DOLEZAL have had zero interactions work of their children, D96 director of teaching and learning with their teachers during especially younger ones. the first three weeks of re“Balance was the most mote learning. mentioned challenge,” More than 80 percent said District 96 Director of parents said that they of Teaching and Learnfound the real time connections between ing Angela Dolezal. their children and their teachers to be District 96 also surveyed teachers to see valuable, with 41.4 percent strongly agree- how remote learning was going, with 57 ing with that statement. percent answering the questions. About 40 Nine percent of parents said that they percent of teachers said they had real-time did not find the real time connections be- interactions with their entire class once or tween their children and their teachers to twice a week, while 7.5 percent said that be valuable. they made those connections with their en-
“Balance was the most mentioned challenge.”
tire class three or four times a week. About 30 percent of teachers said they didn’t meet with an entire class of students, but Dolezal pointed out that these were probably special education teachers and specialists who work with students individually or in small groups. Going forward, the district will work on having special education teachers join in on video conferencing sessions that classroom room teachers have with their entire classes. All teachers who responded to the survey said they found real-time interactions with their students to be valuable, with 58.5 percent of teachers strongly agreeing with that statement and 41.5 percent of teachers agreeing with it Internet connectivity is not a problem for the overwhelming majority of District 96 students, with 94.2 percent of parents reporting that they have high-speed internet. The remainder said they relied on smartphone browsers or used mobile hotspots to connect to the internet.
Pace reduces bus service on Ogden Avenue
Ridership has plummeted on Route 302, which goes through Riverside and Brookfield, By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
As COVID-19 infection rates plateau and Gov. J.B. Prtizker’s stay-at-home order enters its eighth week, the Pace suburban bus transit agency continues to reduce service and the western suburbs won’t escape the upcoming round of cuts. Effective May 18, Pace suspended 15 routes and reduced service on 21 routes due to low ridership. Locally, Route 302, which serves Brookfield and Riverside via Ogden Avenue and provides links to the LaGrange Road and Congress Park Metra stations; the Harlem Avenue, Oak Park Avenue and LaVergne Metra stations; and the CTA Pink Line is now operating on its Saturday schedule on weekdays. Although ridership data for individual routes for the last three months isn’t available, Pace indicated that, as of May 7, its ridership dropped by 67 percent. The transit agency emphasized that those changes will only last during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the stay-at-home order was first an-
nounced, Pace kept its site. That includes services in place, but three bus drivers and as the weeks went on, one maintenance emit suspended service on ployee who worked a significant portion of in the West Division, workplace commuter which serves west subshuttles and other exurban routes. press services. Pace has Maggie Daly Skalso been putting in ogbakken, a Pace measures to improve spokeswoman, said safety. drivers usually operOn most buses, some ate around 13 routes a seats were closed off to week within each diviencourage social dission, so it was hard to MAGGIE DALY SKOGBAKKEN tancing. Most recently, say whether any of the Pace spokeswoman it followed the CTA in three drivers had drivasking riders to board en buses on any routes buses from the rear within the Landmark’s door to reduce the risk coverage area. of drivers getting infected. Since the VenBut Skogbakken said that Pace is operattra card scanners are located by the front ing under the assumption that any driver door, Pace, like the CTA, suspended fares can potentially be asymptomatic, which is and allowed passengers to ride for free. a protocol based on a guidance by the IlAs of May 7, nearly 40 Pace employees linois Department of Public Health. That had been diagnosed with COVID-19, ac- is why the transportation agency implecording to Pace data available on its web- mented rear boarding and put up barriers
“I genuinely don’t feel that an asymptomatic operator who operated [any] route has the high likelihood of transmitting [COVID-19] to any passenger.”
between the drivers and riders, she said. Skogsbakken added that, before the pandemic, Pace already ordered buses that have built-in vinyl shields, similar to what CTA has on many of its buses. And it has installed vinyl barriers separating the front door boarding area and the rest of the bus. In addition, all Pace employees have their temperatures taken when they report to work, all buses are thoroughly cleaned at least once a day and drivers get cleaning supplies to wipe down services in between runs. “I genuinely don’t feel that an asymptomatic operator who operated [any] route has the high likelihood of transmitting [COVID-19] to any passenger,” Skogsbakken said. Skogsbakken said that the changes to the routes were due entirely to low ridership and the agency’s desire to allocate resources to busier routes. She said that ridership on suspended routes had plunged to single digits and said Pace has been adding vehicles to its busiest routes to help ensure social distancing.
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Sports
@RBLandmark
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
21
RBHS senior athletes honored by athletic department ‘It’s nice to have some closure’ By JAMES KAY Sports Editor
Even with all the damage it has done around the world, not even COVID-19 could disrupt the grand two-day event that Riverside-Brookfield High School’s athletic department put on to honor its senior athletes. Rewarded with clear skies and T-shirt and shorts weather, RBHS’ spring sport athletes stopped by the school on May 15 and 16 to reunite with their respective teams. Picture banners of the seniors were posted all along the east fence of the football field on Golf Road and, at a safe distance, coaches, teammates and family members convened for what was most likely their final time together as a group. “I think it speaks volumes that every coach, every member of the athletic department and most of the athletes showed up for this,” said Assistant Principal for Athletics Brendan Curtin. “This shows you the role that sports play in our lives and how athletics foster relationships that last a lifetime. Some of the seniors might have mentally moved on, some might not have, but we wanted to do this for them before graduation.” At 11 a.m. on May 15, the event started off with a video commemorating the 22 senior athletes who are going on to
KICKER: Senior athletic banners hang on the fence on Riverside Brookfield High School.
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
KICKER: RBHS senior soccer player Elizabeth Marquez, of North Riverside, stands for a photo next to her banner on May 15, outside of the stadium at Riverside Brookfield High School.
play college sports. Broadcast on the school’s YouTube channel, Instagram and Twitter accounts, the video started off with a quick speech from Curtin in the main gym. It then turned to personal messages from the seniors thanking family members and RBHS team members for helping them reach their dream of playing college sports. Once the video ended, the teams rotated through to pick up their awards from the athletic department, which included recognition certificates for all-conference and academic all-conference honors, letters, pins and a “challenge” coin. When the event was announced last week, the athletic department stated the coin signified “the challenges the student-athletes have endured these past several weeks.” Teams were assigned 30-minute time slots to stop by their banners and abide by social distancing protocols. Even in these unprecedented circumstances, the seniors appreciated what the athletic department did to honor them. “It was great to see everybody again,” said senior volleyball player Vejas CupALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer linskas. “We hadn’t seen May 15, outside of the stadium at everyone together since our last practice, which was
“We are lucky that [the athletic department] cares so much and wanted to put something like this together.” MICHAEL SCHICKER RBHS baseball player
right before [the IHSA] suspended the season. We got to talk with our coach as well and catch up. They did a really nice thing for us and it was nice to get some closure.” Michael Schicker, who played on the varsity baseball team for the last three years, also felt that the event was a nice way to tie a bow on an unfortunate situation. “It was a great event,” said Schicker. “We are lucky that [the athletic department] cares so much and wanted to put something like this together. It was so nice of them to do this for us. With everything that has gone on, it means a lot to me, the senior athletes and I think even the non-athletes how much the school cares about us.” After weeks of planning, finding businesses to make the customized challenge coins and picture banners and executing the event, Curtin and the athletic department are getting back to work on figuring out the next steps when it comes to the future of high school sports. “There’s never a dull moment,” said Curtin. “It’s nice what we were able to accomplish over the past couple days, but there’s a checklist of things to get rolling on.” The seniors were able to collect their picture banners on May 19 and collect their awards if they were unable to obtain them on May 15 and 16.
22
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
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River Forest Public Schools District 90 Student Support Services - Vacancies for the 2020-2021 School Year District 90 is seeking qualified and experienced student support educators for the following positions: • Special Education Multi Needs Instructional Teacher (Roosevelt Middle School) • Special Education Support Teacher (Willard Elementary School) • Special Education Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Coordinator (All D90 Schools) • English Language Learners Teacher – Part-time (Roosevelt Middle School) • Speech and Language Pathologist (Roosevelt Middle School) • Social Worker - Part-time (Willard Elementary School) For detailed qualifications requirements and job duties, please visit our website at https://www.district90.org/about/ employment for our complete list of employment opportunities.
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General Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Education License with endorsement in field of study, a Master’s Degree is preferred and successful teaching experience with students in a classroom setting is preferred. General Duties: Provide excellence in education by developing and implementing activities that encourage students to be life-long learners. Possesses knowledge of District policies and regulations relating to areas of responsibilities. Create an environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the developmental maturity and interests of each student. Application: Apply online at www. district90.org. 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.
ROOMS FOR RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro. Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up. 773-637-5957
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DOWNTOWN OAK PARK SUBLEASE We are looking to sublease our beautiful, spa-like ofďŹ ce. Our ofďŹ ce is already set up and is available for sublease in downtown Oak Park. This ofďŹ ce is perfect for a physician, anesthetist, masseuse, and/or acupuncturist. Space is available immediately. Please contact us for pricing and to schedule a tour of the ofďŹ ce. Ask for NikI. 708-613-4417 Nikimoreno33@gmail.com
ITEMS FOR SALE FOR SALE - HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Used, as is, cash and carry Wheel chairs, walker, cane, shower bench, commode, hospital bed, power chair, adult tricycle Call Jerry (708) 848-4611 LENOX CHINA 5 piece place settings Lenox china, Tuxedo pattern IRISH CARDIGAN Men’s size large. WATERFORD GLASSES Colleen pattern, 2 water goblets, 2 wine glasses, 5 double old-fashioned glasses 708-386-6160 PATIO/DECK CHAIRS/OTTOMAN New� Patio/Deck Chairs/Ottoman Dk.Brown Wicker,� 3 Matching Sets, ““Beautiful $300.00 for Everything!!!!! 708-220-0881 WALL SCONCES 1PAIR Stainless Steel/Frost Glass Globe Sconce Wall Lights for the Bathroom/Hallway. $100 for pair. 708-220-0881
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PETS While you’re away, your pets are okay . . . at home
cat calls
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Lost & Found and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-3342
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The Landmark, May 20, 2020
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PPE
PUBLIC NOTICES 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 2021, will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at the Oak Park Township Hall, 105 S. Oak Park Ave., in the Township of Oak Park. To request a copy of the Tentative Budgets named above for review, call Township Hall at 708-383-8005 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. A digital version of the Tentative Budgets is available 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 14th day of May, 2020.
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST; Plaintiff, vs. LORNA J. RANKER; CHARLES K. RANKER; CITIZENS BANK NA; Defendants, 18 CH 2459 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-17-327-034-0000. Commonly known as 1185 S. LOMBARD AVE., OAK PARK, IL 60304. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser
of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125. 18-04613 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3150861
hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-10-431-012-0000. Commonly known as 830 South 16th Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required
by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. W19-0247 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3150866
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION AM SOLUTIONS LLC; Plaintiff, vs. ARIEL CHAPMON; TAJ CHAPMON; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 7196 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at the
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. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal-opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.
Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review
Gregory P. White Oak Park Township Clerk PLEASE NOTE: As of this time, it is uncertain whether the Governor’s ban on public gatherings will be lifted by June 23. Please visit the Township website at www.oakparktownship.org after June 16, or call us at 708-3838005. If the hearing is virtual due to continuation of the Governor’s orders, information will be posted on the website for participation Published in Wednesday Journal 5/20/2020
www.RBLandmark.com
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICE On Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 9:00 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 2020-2021 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 Special Education at 708-524-3030. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86139115281?pwd=d0JEOXd3TWNQM0hUK3BQVUcxZWJFZz09 Meeting ID: 861 3911 5281 Password: 0ZwbeE One tap mobile +13126266799,,86139115281#,,1#,572874# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,86139115281#,,1#,572874# US (New York) Meeting ID: 861 3911 5281 Password: 572874 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kWgFpTfxu
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Published in Wednesday Journal 5/13 and 5/20/2020
Starting a New Business?
Call the experts before you place your legal ad! Publish your assumed name legal notice here. Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342
Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information. (708) 613-3342 • Classifieds@RBLandmark.com
24
The Landmark, May 20, 2020
21 E. BURLINGTON ROAD, RIVERSIDE | MYBURLINGTONREALTY.COM | 708.447.7207
475 Shenstone Rd, Riverside $152,900
2341 Hainsworth, North Riverside $219,000
1618 Forest Rd, LaGrange Park $374,900
276 Lionel Rd, Riverside $375,000
539 Selborne Rd, Riverside $419,000
428 Loudon Rd, Riverside $425,000
330 Northwood Rd, Riverside $529,000
192 Waubansee Rd, Riverside $549,900
100 Fairbank Rd, Riverside $599,995
74 Woodside, Riverside $599,999
465 Uvedale Rd, Riverside $645,000
82 Lawton Rd, Riverside $710,000
321 Delaplaine Rd, Riverside $825,000
329 Scottswood Rd, Riverside $1,059,000
151 Bloomingbank Rd, Riverside $1,200,000
WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
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