Strands
Equity Action Plan evolves for district in 2024-25 school year
By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter
Five teams working inde pendently throughout the 2024-25 school year
came to g ether to define and make actionable what equity is for RiversideBrookfield High School District 208.
The teams, working within five key areas, or strands, of the district’s Equity Action Plan (EAP), created the district’s definition of equity that was adopted by the Board of Education in December:
“Equity is having high expectations for every student learner and providing the supports and resources so each
learner can develop to their full academic and social potential.”
This definition was for mulated by Strand #1, titled Systems, based on a surve y conducted with students, staf f and parents. Strand #1 members were Superintendent Dr. Kevin Skinki s, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kristi n Smetana, counselor Mike Reingr uber
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
Riverside trustees agreed to have the village pursue a new contract with an architectural firm for design and community engagement work on its project to build a new and improved public safety facility next to village hall. The project would replace the current building which Village President Doug Pollock described as “woefully inadequate.”
The village board on May 15 reached consensus to have staf f work with Williams Architects, the firm previously contracted by Riverside for planning work on the project, to draft a for mal quote for about $250,000 for further services, including detailed site, floor and exterior plans that will likely come before the board by the end of the year.
The contract would also cover expenses for Wil-
Pickleball sweeps Brook eld
e v summer courses, and ther tournamen
By TRENT BROWN
While the name might of vin eg ar- marinated cucumber leball is a sport similar to tenni on a smaller c tic b alls that are more li than tennis balls
Over the past few year has been meteoric; according to the Associated Press, the number of pl wide “soared from near million” from 2021 to 2024.
With the sport taking hold in localities across the United States, Brookfield has been no exception. Luke Gundersen, the village’s parks and recreation director, said his department has adapted to the trend.
Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf
Sta Repor ter Trent Brown
Digital Manager Stacy Coleman oordinator Brooke Duncan
ntributing Editor Donna Greene
Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead
Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea McKelvey, Vanessa Garza
Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls
elopment Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan
Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com
“I want to say we started offering pickleball last year,” he told the Landmark. “It exploded, and with that popularity, our response was offering more pickleball programs... A lot of our programs are filling up, which is great.”
He said the village offers classes fo r adults of all skill levels as well as c omp etitive leagues for adults and teenager s. He said the offerings take advantage of the four pickleball c ourts at E hler t Pa rk , wh ich we re a dded within the exi sting tennis c ourts when the area was redone in 2023.
Resident Julie Narimatsu, who is a village trustee and the village board’s liaison to Brookfield’s parks and recreation commission, said she plays pickleball re gularly.
“I actually usually play with my teenage son, who has gotten into it as well,” she said. “Over the winter, we did the pickleball class with the village at S. E. Gross [Middle School], and that was a really great community.”
She said she started playing with a group of moms in 2021 on Mother’s Day and has maintained the hobby since then.
“It’s a relatively simple game to pick up. I think the hardest part about it is the rules, which can be a little bit complicated … It’s not as difficult as tennis and a little
bit harder than ping pong,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of people who are very competitive, especially in the surrounding areas, and they’re really good at pickleball, but for those of us who just like to do it recreationally, it’s a great way to get outside and play and move our bodies a little bit in a way that’s not super taxing.”
Narimatsu is a board member of the Brookfield Parks and Recreation Foundation, a nonprofit that covers up to half of the cost for low-income families to enroll in village recreation programs.
The foundation is hosting its second annual pickleball tournament on Saturday, June 21. President Kyle Whitehead described it as the “brainchild” of board member Beth Damon.
“We’ve only been around for three years, so we’re constantly looking for new ways to get out in the community and promote ourselves and find ways to fundraise in the meantime. Ehlert Park had just redone the tennis courts,” Damon said. “We had been trying to think of something to do within the parks for a while. We had thought about throwing a kickball tournament, anything like that. When the tennis-slash-pickleball courts were finished … We thought, ‘Oh my gosh, let’s do a tournament!’”
Registration for the tournament is still open online. It costs $70 to re gister a twoperson team. Each team will play at least
two matches before the herd is culled up to a semifinal and final round.
Last year, the tournament was comprised of eight teams of two players, but this year, the roster has grown to 16 teams. Damon, who started playing pickleball in the same group as Narimatsu, said she decided to expand the tournament after hearing feedback from last year’s winners.
“We were very concerned about maximizing people’s playing time because they were donating and being there, but the feedback we heard was, ‘It’s OK to give breaks. We don’t need to play eight games; we’re fine with four,’” she said. “That actually helped immensely for us to be able to include more teams this year.”
But overall, she said the participants, many of whom have competed in other tournaments in the area, lauded the foundation’s ef forts.
Damon ag reed that pickleball’s adaptability is one of its strengths.
“It’s just fun. You can play with a partner. You can play with a group. It’s a great way to get outside, and you can tailor the level of ef fort you want to put in,” she said. “It’s also a really fun way to meet other people in the community. I know, myself, playing at Ehlert, playing even at the LaGrange Park courts, you meet people. Everyone wants to share tips, tricks, how you learn the drill … You get what you put into it.”
Operations Associate Susan Babin
Special Projec ts Manager Susan Walker
Senior Advisor Dan Haley BOARD OF DIREC TORS Chair Eric Weinheimer Treasurer Nile Wendor f Deb Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson
HOW TO REACH US
ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066
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with Lisa Capone
Healthy Minds Matter
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to shed light on an important but often overlooked topic: the mental well-being of older adults. Many seniors face unique emotional challenges, including loneliness, grief, changes in health, or the stress of transitioning to a new lifestyle.
Here are some simple, effective ways seniors can support their mental health every day:
Stay Connected: Reach out to family, friends, or neighbors regularly. Even a short conversation can lift your mood.
Keep Moving: Gentle exercises like walking, stretching, or chair yoga can boost your energy and reduce stress.
Try Something New: Learning a hobby, craft, or game helps keep your mind sharp and gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Stick to a Routine: Daily structure provides a sense of stability and purpose.
Get Outside: Fresh air and sunshine can naturally improve your mood.
Rest Well: Good sleep supports emotional balance and clear thinking.
Mental health matters at every age. This May, take small steps each day to care for your mind—you deserve it.
Visit Cantata.org for more senior living advice or call (708) 387-1030.
TR UMP PROTEST IN BR OO KFIELD
Demonstrators took to Ogden Avenue the afternoon of Sunday, May 18, to protest the Trump administration as part of Hands Across Chicagoland, forming a human chain from Aurora to Little Village. “It’s important for everyone to have a voice,” said Dave Terrazino, a Brookfield resident who was planning to attend the protest, earlier this month.
PHOTOS BY JAKE C AROLLO
EQUIT Y AT RB School touts pr
from page 1
Maximizing Flowering Shrub Impact
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A few examples:
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� For plants such as panicle and smooth hydrangea (think Annabelle!�, Knockout Roses and butterfly bush, prune any time with only short-term reductions in blooms if pruned while in flower. By blooming from new wood (current season growth), if they are pruned back to reduce size in spring, you will not impact the upcoming season’s bloom. If pruned after flowering, no worries: you will not be removing flower buds for next season.
By understanding flowering on new vs. old wood, you can ensure your shrubs remain bright and colorful each growing season!
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and teachers Juan Tinoco and Skinkis said the definition essary to the full EAP, a linchpin of because “you want to ha language across all the strand one has the same target when de their interventions and initiati
Configuring the final definition wasn
“The longest part was identifying three definitions of equity to sur holders,” Skinkis said. “This took our strand team a few months. lot of different meanings and tions of equity. Once we had the sur data, incorporating the feedback final recommendation for education went rather quickl
A unique aspect of the teams was Strand #3, Student Voice, Climate & ture, consisting of 15 student called the Student Equity Team (SELT). According to principal Hec tor Freytas, “SELT was able to develop a culture and climate surve y that relates to their eng agement on campus, with the goal of gathering info rmation to enhance their overall student experience at RB. ”
ship team uses student data to add interventions at the sophomore and junior levels, Freytas said.
He added that SELT helped org anize the school’s second-ever Multicultural Night and org anized a spirit wear giveaway at Future Bulldog Night 2025.
Dave Mannon, assistant principal fo r student af fairs, headed up the SELT group, wh ich re presented all four classes. S tudents c ollaborated with SELT strand leaders three times during the f all semester to distribute the sur ve y, and in the s pring semester, the group reco nvened to review the sur ve y results and develop a strat eg ic response b ased on student feedback .
“The culture and climate surve y was designed to assess the needs of the student body, with a part icular focus on areas such as communication, social and emotional support , access to trusted adults, understanding of handbook procedures, clarity of classroom expectations and the overall condition of physical spaces on campus,” Mannon said, adding the survey was sent to all students in attendance on the first day back from winter break.
Strand #2, Teaching and Learning, expanded the district’s Multitiered Systems of Suppo rt, or MTSS. T he MTSS leader-
“For the 2025-26 school year, sophomores and juniors needing additional intervention beyond the classroom to reach benchmarks in core academic areas, like reading and math, will be placed in an intervention center period where a certified teacher will support their growth toward benchmarks,” Freytas said.
Strand #4, Professional Learning, consisted of equity training for non-tenured staf f re garding best practices to support students, as outlined in Strand #2.
Kiley F letcher, the district community eng agement coordinator, worked with Freytas to implement the major component of Strand #5, Family & Community as Agency – several Parent Universities: Family Welcome Back Night; Early Colle ge Credit, Curricular Of ferings, Course
Selection; Social Media Safety; Mental Health Community Resources; and Trades Information Night.
F letcher said the Parent Universitie s provided not only useful information for families, but also a face-to-face component.
“Parents were sharing advice on what worked well, and I think that fostered community,” she said. “For me, I got to meet more people and have more relationships with community members. Next year, we want to fine tune it some more.”
T he 2025-26 Equity Action Plan is under development, Freytas said, but he is buoyed by this school year’s success
“We met many of our goals, such as supporting the transition to the ACT by helping all students grow and/or meet expectations,” he said, “strengthening our MTSS academic structure, hosting five Parent Universities and gathering information from our student body through the SELT.”
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SAFET Y Referendum ahead
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liams to facilitate community engagement through in-person open houses and online surveys over the course of the next year before the board reviews the final project plan.
Village Manager Jessica Frances said the project would likely necessitate a referendum in 2026 or 2027 where voters will be asked to approve issuing bonds up to $25 million so Riverside can finance the new police and fire facility.
The board still has time to give direction on the potential referendum, but if trustees decide against it down the line, “then we [would have to] pause as to what our next steps are,” Frances said. “Realistically, accumulating $20 million for a facility — while we’ve done a pretty good job of maximizing where the dollar goes, I just can’t come up with that.”
According to a chart shown at the village board meeting, Riverside would seek bonds in the amount of either $15 million, $20 million or $25 million that it would pay back over a 20-year period. The village estima ted the annual impact to residents’ property taxes over that span at different levels of property value
For a home worth $300,000, the smallest bond would cost the owner about $226 per year while the largest would run them roughly $377 per year. At $500,000 of property value, the numbers rise to roughly $396 and $660, respectively. For a home worth $800,000, those figures jump to $650 each year for the $15 million bond and $1,085 for the $25 million bond.
Andy Dogan, a managing principal at Williams, provided trustees with a recap of the layout the board had chosen in November, when they axed the inclusion of a community gym space. The proposed facility would include underground parking, an improved
is chart shows the nancial impact per year on households in Riverside if voters were
the village’s public safety remodel project.
lobby and support spaces for Riverside’s police and fire departments, and some community spaces like a kitchen and rooftop terrace on the top floor
Dogan gave a new, updated expected budget of about $22.8 million for the project, down from the range of $25.8 million to $28.6 million he gave in November
With the new budget in mind, Frances told the board she recommended Riverside seek $25 million in bonds down the line, so the project has breathing room if costs increase. Extra money from the bonds could go toward improvements in the village’s recreation facilities and parks, she said.
Dogan said Williams has a success rate of about 90% in getting referendums passed for projects it’s contracted on through its
BREAKING
community engagement process
“Our experience, especially when you’re asking for the public’s money, is that you want to show that you’re listening, and you want your design to respond to community concerns,” he said.
While Dogan showed trustees a schedule of services to prepare Riverside to put the referendum to a vote in November 2026, coinciding with national midterm elections, Frances said she recommended waiting for the consolidated municipal election in April 2027 instead
“Getting the feedback on the facility that the community wants … is going to be key,” she said. “Those additional months provide a lot more time for public education and engagement with the community.”
Brook eld’s community-wide yard sale is back
Prepare for a day of nding treasure from others’ trash on May 31
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
“Whatever you need, you can probably find it here.”
Michelle Busse, an organizer of Brookfield’s community-wide yard sale, told the Landmark the event is back for a fourth year on Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Across town, residents will clear out their garages, closets and back rooms and set up shop in their front yards so you can peruse the wares and, maybe, find a great deal.
“It’s a day where the community comes together, and it’s a wonderful time for everybody involved. Every year, it seems to be getting more popular,” Busse said Friday. “Currently, we have over 280 houses signed up. I think last year, our record was over 320.”
The annual day started in 2022, when Busse first organized it alongside fellow residents Molly Truglia and Kristy Herrera. Last year,
Truglia dropped out due to time constraints, but the event now has another organizer in the form of sponsor Agnes Halmon, a local Realtor who covered the costs of promotional signs this year, Busse said.
She said the group mainly solicits signups from households through Facebook, including an event page and a group forum, though the women each do their part to promote it in-person.
“We actually just got the signs put up around town. That’s an undertaking. That was done by Kristy and Agnes,” she said. “I just got back from handing out flyers all over town with one of my other neighbors. It’s a lot of volunteering, a lot of time.”
Busse said she personally responds to people who’ve signed up through Google Forms to send them information and respond to any questions they have. She said much of the work to get the event off the ground happens in the weeks leading up to it
She said she enjoys organizing the event in part because of her own fascination with yard sales
“I’m a big garage sale freak. I love going to them. I love having them. Every time I go to a garage sale, and if it’s organized beautifully, if it has everything displayed with
By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.
YEAR-ROUND TAX PLANNING POINTERS FOR TAXPAYERS
Here are some simple things taxpayers can do throughout the year to make filing season less stressful.
Organize tax records: Create a system that keeps all important information together. Taxpayers can use a software program for electronic recordkeeping or store paper documents in clearly labeled folders. They should add tax records to their files as they receive them. Organized records will make tax return preparation easier and may help taxpayers discover overlooked deductions or credits.
Identify filing status: A taxpayer’s filing status determines their filing requirements, standard deduction, eligibility for certain credits and the correct amount of tax they should pay. If more than one filing status applies to a taxpayer, they can get help choosing the best one for their tax situation with the IRS’s Interactive Tax Assistant, What Is My Filing Status. Changes in family lifemarriage, divorce, birth and death - may affect a
person’s tax situation, including their filing status and eligibility for certain tax credits and deductions.
Check withholding: Since federal taxes operate on a pay-as-you-go basis, taxpayers need to pay most of their tax as they earn income. Taxpayers should check that they’re withholding enough from their pay to cover their taxes owed, especially if their personal or financial situations change during the year. To check withholding, taxpayers can use the IRS Withholding Estimator. If they want to change their tax withholding, taxpayers should provide their employer with an updated Form W-4.
the price, I love it,” she said. “But if you go to a garage sale that’s very unorganized, or you’re having to pick through things, it’s like, ‘Eh, I’m not into this.’”
She said the event has started to become a yearly tradition in town.
“We’ll have people in the beginning of the year asking, ‘When’s the sale day?’ People like to plan their vacations around it,” she said. “Normally, we’ve done the sale in May. Last year, we switched it and did it in April, only because of the cicadas. We felt the cicadas may have been a big issue. I would say the majority of people were very supportive of doing it in April; some people were upset, and some people — we got comments like, ‘I thought you guys were doing it in May. I switched my vacation!’”
This year, she said they got complaints that the community-wide yard sale will coincide with the day of the LaGrange Pet Parade
“Ultimately, we didn’t switch it because, I mean, that’s LaGrange. This is Brookfield,” she said. “We’re not going to switch it because of another town’s event.”
Each year, Busse said, the amount of work involved makes her question if she’ll do it again, but then she finds herself itching to put it together.
Despite her attachment to the event, Busse said she would be happy to partner with the village government or chamber of commerce if either group reached out.
“I would be more than open. The more help we can get, I would appreciate it. It is a lot of undertaking,” she said.
“Probably my favorite part is the comments that we get from people. I don’t think I did this last year, but the previous year, we sent out a survey after the sale, and we just got such a great response back from everybody,” Busse said. “People were like, ‘It was great talking to my neighbors. We made a whole day of it. We brought out our grills, kind of like an impromptu block party.’ People just talking to each other, bringing the community together.”
She said she especially loves to hear about for merly treasured items that found a new home or someone landing a great deal on an item they had been seeking.
“Another’s man junk is another person’s treasure,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to recycle things and have them not go into the landfill.”
WALKING TOUR MAY 25
2-4 pm - Docent-led tour explores Riverside’s history and its architecture north of the tracks. See website for more details or email tours@olmstedsociety.org
PRESENTATION/TOUR/DINNER JUNE 14
• “Eat the Neighborhood” with David Odd
• 1:30 pm - Free Presentation at the Riverside Public Library
• 2:30 pm - Foraging Walk ($35 per person)
Meet in front of Riverside Public Library
• 5:30 pm - Meal at Chew Chew Restaurant ($40 per person) 33 E. Burlington St.
Twice each year, we ask readers to invest in our newsroom
It’s our Spring Campaign and we’re looking to raise $150K
When I was a k id, going to Mass on S und ay was not the highlight of my week. Wi th all respect and affection for Po pe L eo XI V, I was f alling aw ay before f alling aw ay was a thing . It just didn’t make a lot of sense to me. And the sermons. Drowsy.
Exce pt for one Sund ay each year when Monsignor Fitzgerald — I suppose he had a first name — stood up in the pulpit of Oak Pa rk ’s Ascension Church and talked money. My head would snap to attention as he talked about ho w much money Ascension had , wh at it needed from the p eople crowded in the pews (“more money”), how the school, wh ich I attended, needed a new roof.
$150,000 by June 30. That’s what we need to invest in our newsroom in the fiscal year, starting July 1.
We’ve been around for 45 years but bec ame a nonprofit newsroom just five years ag o. Our business model had cratered just as it had for the entire prin t media wo rl d. To go forward, to ke ep publishing authenti c, inde p endent local news, we had to ask readers to start paying for our wo rk
And we ’ve succeeded for five year s. Tomor row, though, is not promised
T he good news is that GCM has a new leader in Max Re i nsdorf, our executive director. After all these year s, I’ve happily ste pped to the side Fo r the moment I’ve ste ppe d i nto the role of interim managing editor and am excited by the wo rk of our re por ters and freelancer s in crafting re po rt ing that is fact-based, close to the ground in each community and connects our reader s with these neighborhood s and village s.
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He was very direct, stern but candid. “We need $35,000 and we need it by June 30 if God’s children are going to have warm milk in little waxy cartons come fall,” he would say, in so many words.
I sat quietly, as children did in those days, but I wanted to rise from my pew, stand on the kneeler, and exhort my fellow Ascensionites, “Come on, people. Let’s come through for the old guy. He needs $35K. And he needs it now!”
Well now I’m the old guy and twice a year, along with all of us at Growing Community Media, we turn to our readers and make the case for why we need your direct financial support and what we’ve done to earn that support.
Right now, we’re into our Spring Campaign. And GCM, the nonprofit publisher of Wednesday Journal, Austin Weekly News, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and the Forest Park Review, is working to raise
Right now, Max and I and our colleagues are working to raise this money by June 30. While we are actively seeking larger gifts, our ask to you is simple and doable. If you value this work, especially in a moment when a free press is at risk in America, we ask that you become a monthly donor to GCM. Ten dollars a month, multiplied out, is of great and predictable value to this newsroom — $25 a month is more valuable, if you follow the math.
Our future is only secured by our readers. You. Right now. Go to rblandmark.com/donate and keep building the future with us
With gratitude from each of us.
P.S. If you still read the Trib, look for a story coming up about nuns who love the new pope. Among those likely to be quoted is my sister, Sister Jeanne. Not all of the Haleys fell away
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
WE ALL HAVE MENTAL HEALTH
Whether you are struggling with a temporary challenge or if you are living with a chronic condition, your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
50%
More than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
GROWING CRISIS AMONG YOUTH
America’s youth mental health crisis is been worse since the COVID�19 pandemic.
1/3rd of OPRF High School students reported feeling so sad or hopeless that they stopped doing some usual/regular activities.
Source: 2024 Illinois Youth Survey
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township �CMHB� and the River Forest Township Mental Health Committee invest in a continuum of mental health care that is responsive to our unique and evolving community needs. Together, we provided over $1.6M last year to help local organizations and schools offer prevention, early intervention, treatment, and quality-of-life services to Oak Park and River Forest residents. Our grants resulted in:
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD OF OAK PARK TOWNSHIP
� Over 7,900 Oak Park residents accessing services
� Nearly 10,000 units of mental health treatment for Oak Park residents
� Over 270 Oak Park residents living with an intellectual or developmental disability recieved services.
� Over 750 Oak Park high school students trained in suicide prevention
In fiscal year 2025, CMHB provided over $1.4M in funding for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability services. To learn more about our work in this area, visit oakparktownship.org/CMHB.
RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE
� Over 17,000 hours of services provided to River Forest residents
� Nearly 500 hours of educational presentations on mental health to River Forest residents
� Over 900 River Forest high school students trained in suicide prevention
In fiscal year 2025, RFT provided over $225,000 in funding for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability services. To learn more about our work in this area, visit www.riverforesttownship.org/mental-health.
Hit-and-run driver ticketed after illegal left turn
Brookfield police ticketed a 21-year-old Chicago man May 8 for a hit-and-run accident.
Around 3 p.m., police were infor med of the incident, which had just occurred at the intersection of Maple Avenue and 31st Street. Police were told the car that caused the accident was grey with a temporary Illinois re gistration that was last seen heading south on Maple Avenue
An officer who reviewed public safety cameras at the intersection said the grey car was seen heading west on 31st Street waiting to make a left turn onto Maple Avenue to head south. Both east- and westbound traffic had a green light, and the car ille g ally turned left, colliding with another car that had the right-of-way heading east. The grey car was seen heading south on Maple Avenue without stopping.
An officer on patrol was heading east on Washington Avenue toward Eight Corners when they observed a silver Chevrolet with a temporary re gistration heading south on the 3500 block of Maple Avenue After dispatch confirmed the temporar y re gistration number, the officer pulled the of fending car over at the intersection with Burlington Avenue. Several details of the car’s appearance matched what police saw on the cameras.
T he officer told the man his vehicl e had b een re por tedly involved in the hitand-run. T he man, who did not speak English, p ulled up a translator app on his c ell p hone to c ommunicate. T he officer told him to turn of f the car and step out of the vehicl e, wh ich the man did. W hen asked, the man provided hi s drive r’s license to the officer but said he did not have i nsurance on the ca r. Th e statewide p olice database showe d the man p ossessed a valid learner ’s pe rm it but not a valid drive r’s license
Another officer arrived on scene to assist with translation. T he man, who told police he had just moved to the area from Colombia, said he had been involved in the accident and that he pulled over further down the block on Maple Avenue but did not know what to do as he was afraid. T he man said he thought the other car was responsible for the accident, having
pulled out in front of his car.
Police ticketed the man for failing to yield the right-of-way, operating an uninsured car, driving without a valid license and leaving the scene of a hit-and-run. Police sent the man on his way on pretrial conditions with a May 27 court date
No one arrested in Riverside crash
Riverside police responded to a three-car crash on May 8, but no one was arrested.
Around 10:39 p.m., an officer arrived at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and 34th Street and saw two cars, a Porsche and a Toyota, blocking traffic on Harlem.
The officer spoke to the driver of the Porsche, who said he was driving north on Harlem Avenue when he saw the Toyota, heading south, begin to make a left turn to head east on 34th Street but stop in his lane. The man told police he swerved to try to avoid the car but failed and hit it anyway. After the collision, his car turned parallel with the Toyota, and a third vehicle heading south struck the back of the Porsche before leaving the scene.
The driver of the Toyota told the officer he had stopped mid-turn after seeing the Porsche heading in his direction “at a fast rate,” police said, before it swerved and struck his car.
Both drivers provided police with a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance before being looked at by paramedics and signing refusals of transport to the hospital.
Two eyewitnesses said they observed the accident as the drivers described it.
The officer returned to the Riverside Police Department and, using village cameras, was able to find a phone number on the side of the third vehicle. On a phone call, the driver told police he didn’t realize he had struck another vehicle and ag reed to come into the police station.
Later, at the station, the driver said he observed the other cars colliding and swerved to avoid hitting them. He said he didn’t see any damage to his vehicle but noticed some scuf f marks on the rear driver’s side.
All three drivers were ultimately given cards to access the crash report online and sent on their way.
Compiled by Trent Brown
LETTERS
God bless America, not Trump
Just got home from the Anti-Trump protest in Brookfield on Sunday, May 18. It war med my heart to see and hear all the people voicing their opinions about Trump’s policies and decisions. God bless, America! Joyce Pokay
John Bednar, 63
Outdoorsman, handyman
C hurch of LaGrange (100 S. 6th Ave. LaGrange). In lieu of fl ower s, John has requested d onations be made to the F riends of Music f und at F irst Cong re gational Church of LaGrang e.
Amy Lynne Horvat, 55
Human resources director
Amy Ly nne Horvat (nee Hilvert), 55, of La Grange Pa rk , for merly Brookfield, died at home with her son and d aughter on May 4, 2025. Bor n in Cincinnati, Ohio on Ju ly 30, 1969, she gr aduated with a de gree in Psycholo gy from E lmhurst Unive rsity this May. S he spent many years as a dedicated human resources manager and director and was known for her tenacity and dilig enc e. She love d animals, musi c, crocheting and spending time with her children.
I read your recent article on the “Hands Across Chicagoland” protest with both interest and unease Civic expression is a cornerstone of our democracy, and I applaud those who engage in it. But the tone and framing of the article felt more like an endorsement than a report. That gives me pause I grew up in Riverside. I walked its streets as a boy, attended its schools, and carry its values with me to this day. Riverside helped shape who I am, including my belief that truth, especially when it’s complex, deserves clarity, balance, and integrity in how it’s presented. T he article makes sweeping claims: suggesting the U.S. is moving toward authoritarianism and referencing “mass deport ations without due process” without exploring nuance, le g al context, or opposing viewpoints. That kind of nar ra-
tive, particularly when echoed uncritically, doesn’t serve our community’s need for understanding. It stokes divisio n instead of fostering dialo gue.
I recognize the author is early in his career … a recent colle ge graduate, full of passion and purpose. That energy is welcome. But wisdom grows through listening, through complexity, through understanding that every story has more than one side
We need our hometown press to be a place where thoughtful reporting can help us connect across differences, not retreat into tribes. Because the real danger isn’t disagreement … it’s the inability to engage each other with grace.
Marc Bulandr
Crystal Lake Ri verside-Brookfield High School Class of 1985
Dan Haley, Ri verside-Brookfield Landmark 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302
E-mail: dhaley@wjinc.com
Please include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.
John C harles “Crusher” Bednar, 63, of Brookfield and Keshena, Wi sconsin, died peacefully on May 14, 2025. Born in Berwyn, he was the son of Jo rdis Bednar (nee Ko zloski) and the late Je rome Bednar.
A skilled mechanic, handy man, and creative MacGy ve r who neve r met something broke he c ould n’ t fix, he gave his time and talents selflessly in service to other s, most notably as a mentor to c ountless youth through progr ams in his church. It was with the Zackleys on mission t rips and summer adventures in the Boundar y Waters C anoe Area Wi lderness where he earned the nickname “Crusher,” proving his navigation skills we re second to none. Professionally, he dedicated 29 years to Tennant C ompany as a service technician, his signature wo rk van often seen cruising the streets of Chicagoland and northern Wi sconsin.
A love r of the great outdoors year-round, hi s p assion project was the property he purchased with Janet 37 years ago on Le g end La ke. In Wi sc onsi n’s Northwood s, he wo rked tirelessly to create a tranquil haven fostering innumerable memorie s.
He is fondly remembered for his larger than l ife personality, g enerous s pirit, robust laugh, and vivacious smile Fly li ke an eagl e, Crusher
John is survive d by his high school sweethear t and devoted wife of 39 year s, Janet Bednar (Kloss); his children, Katie Bednar and Ryan Bednar (Emma Brett); “g r andpa” to Marlowe Ju de Brett-Bednar; his siblings Jenifer Bednar Sinde, James Bednar, and Jo rdis Daigle; his nieces and nephews; and many friends who have become f amily over the year s.
A c elebration of John’s l ife will be held at 3 p. m. on Saturday, May 31, at F irst C ong re gational
Amy was the mother of Zoe (Brian Weakly) Preva tt, A idan Horvat and Lucas Horvat; the d aughter of Patricia Hilvert (nee Maye r) and the late Wi lliam Hilvert; gr andmother of Baby Weakly, arriving soon; sister of Chris (Chery l) Hilvert, Margie Racin e, Kathy West, S uzi e (Doug) Hildebrandt, the late Mary Gullion and Ray Hilvert; and the aunt of many. S he will be remembered for her steadfast p assion, kindness, unwave ring inte g rit y, humor and love of family Jo in Amy’s f amily on the b each in S outh Haven, Michig an for a service on May 25, 2025 at 1 p. m. (Eastern), 645 La ke S hore Dr ive, S outh Haven, MI 49090. Please RSVP with her d aughter Zoe at 1-630-347-9186 if planning to attend .
Memorials in memory of Amy to Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513 or Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, P.O. Box 32141, New York, NY 10087-2141 would be appreciated Ar r angements by Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, 3847 Prairie Ave., Brookfield
Helen Donnamario, 75
Brook eld resident
Helen E. Donnamario (nee Elrich), 75, of Brookfield and Plainfield, died on May 9, 2025. Born on Sept. 9, 1949, she was the wife of Anthony; the mother of Ralph, Anthony, George (Heather) and the late John Joseph Donnamario; the grandmother of Julia, Michelle, Hope, Kiera Ann, Mia, Anthony, Georgie, Ashley (George) Suljic and Mikki (Chris) Litrento; great-grandma of Ben and Vince Suljic; and the sister of Nancy Helfrick.
A funeral Mass was celebrated on May 15 at St. Louise De Marillac Church, followed by interment at Mt. Car mel Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside, IL 60546.
Vietnam and Marine veteran
Greg o ry James L as C ola, 74, Vi etnam Marine veteran, died on May 16, 2025. A tool & die wo rker, James was the husb and of Patricia Kay L as C ola (nee Petersen); the father of Kimberly ( Eric ) Joss and Lo rr aine Psenicka; the gr andfather of Breighana ( fiancé Joe L emon) Joss, Christopher (Samantha) Psenick a Jr., Carissa (Noah) Ca rp enter, C assandra Psenicka, and C onnor Psenicka; brother of Donald L as C ola, the late C harlotte Albe rt , Glenn L as C ola and C laudette Pasieta; and the uncle of many nieces and ne phew s.
A f uneral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on We d nesd ay, May 28, at St. Michael’s L utheran C hurch, 500 E. 31st St., La Grange Pa rk , IL 60526, followe d by i nterment at A braham Lincoln National C emeter y, Elwood, at 2:30 p. m. Ar r angements handled by Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513.
Robert W. Harnell, 84, of Sturgis, Michigan, for merly Riverside, died on May 14, 2025. Delightful to be around with a sparkle in his eyes, and a smile that was so welcoming, he found happiness with his family and friends and will be dearly missed.
Robert was the husband of the late Trudy; the father of Yvette Lenzi and Michelle Harnell; the grandfather of Anthony and Michael and Mimi and Skylar; and the brother of Skip (Karen) Harnell.
A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, May 22 from 3 to 4 p.m. with military honors and a prayer service at 4:15 p.m. at Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside.
Vera Gajda, 85 Archdiocesan eld manager
Vera Frances Gajda (nee Kondrys), 85, of Riverside, died on May 15, 2025. She was a field manager for the Archdiocese of Chicago, a member of the United Moravian Societies, and the secretary at Czech Mission, as well as volunteering her time in
the kitchen to serve others. She was a longtime supporter of the Farragut High School Band and the Chicago Boys Club Band.
Vera was the wife of the late Ladislav “Laddie” Gajda; the mother of Frank Gajda, Milan (Jonna) Gajda, and Vera (Miroslav) Navrat; the grandmother of Samuel and Abigail; the sister of Mary Ann Kwilosz; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation is Friday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to the time of the funeral Mass, 11 a.m. at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Czech Mission Church, 9415 Rochester, Brookfield. Light refreshments will be available in the basement following the Mass. Private interment, Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to Sts. Cyril and Methodius Czech Mission Church, 9415 Rochester, Brookfield, IL or American Cancer Society, 150 S. Wacker Dr. #2100, Chicago, IL 60606.
Arrangements handled by Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st St., Brookfield
Robert Ardisana, 55
Registered nurse, loved guitars
Ro be rt Ardisana, 55, of Brookfield and
Au rora, died on May 7, 2025. Born on Dec 18, 1969, he was raised in Chicago and Rive rside. He gr aduated gr ade school from Our La dy of Grace in Chicago and was a gr aduate of Rive rside-Brookfield High School. He rece ived an A ssociate De gree in Nursing from T riton C olle ge and became a Re gistered Nurs e. He had a p assion for building and playing guitar s at home and in b and s. He love d ridin g motorcycles, wo rk ing on his Trans Am and love d to draw as a hobby. He love d and was love d by many.
Bob was the husband of Karen Ardisana; the father of Devin (Haley ) Hard and AJ Ardisana; the gr andfather of C onnor and Mallory Hard; the son of Gloria (Charlie) Kruger and the late Ro be rt (Corinne) Ardisana; the brother of Mark (Debbie) Ardisana, L aura (the late Edward) Dagdick, Kathy (Steve ) Domain, Rhiannon (Travis) Cl eveland , Racquel (Joey) Penney and Ryanne (Wi lliam) Hanley; the son-in-l aw of Irja (Roy) C heskie; the brother-in-law of Ki m C heskie; and the uncle of many. Services we re held on May 17 at Ivins/ Mor avecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St. Rive rside. Inurnment at Queen of Heaven Cemeter y.
To run an obituary
Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.
Triton’s Connerty hurdles to history with NJCAA DIII title
RBHS grad becomes rst Triton women’s track and eld national champion
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
In just over a year, Triton College sophomore Ava Connerty of Riverside has seen her track and field fortunes change drastically. They did so the same way for the finals of the women’s 100-meter high hurdles at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Championships May 10 in Utica, N.Y. after a disappointing fourth-place preliminary finish in cold and gloomy conditions May 8.
“(Finals) was such a nice day. It was war m. It was sunny. I just had a different mindset,” Connerty said. “I was so confident, just in the right headspace that day. I knew I would do good and I did.”
Connerty captured the national title with a huge lifetime-best of 15.24 seconds to become the first women’s track and field national champion in Triton history. In 2024, Connerty was second at nationals after joining the team mid-season.
“Being a national champion is one thing but also being the first (Triton) female track athlete overall to be a national champion, I
don’t know how to put it into words. It’s such an amazing accomplishment,” said Connerty, a 2023 Riverside Brookfield High School graduate. “Last year, coming in second was the closest best thing. I don’t know what would top being a national champion.”
Before her title, Connerty hadn’t run faster than 15.80 April 25 at Elmhurst Twilight. That time would have placed third at nationals
Connerty needed it all. She won by just 0.02 over Suffolk County (N.Y.) freshman Jayla Brown, who ran 15.11 May 3.
“I knew it was close but I was so sure that I’d crossed the line just before (Brown),” Connerty said. “I was really hoping to (get a personal record), too. I would have been happy with either outcome (alone).”
Triton sophomores Joaliz Rodriguez and Samuel Elusoji from RBHS also were AllAmericans. Rodriguez and Connerty contributed to the third-place 4x400 relay (4:28.23) and Elusoji was part on the men’s sixth-place 4x100 (44.91).
Connerty joined the 4x400 for the first time at nationals in place of an injured teammate She also was 10th in the 400 hurdles prelims (1:17.20).
Connerty is considering transferring to an NCAA Division II track program after finishing one more summer class to earn her associate’s degree in psychology
It’s been quite a turnaround for Connerty, who transferred to Triton as a freshman after one semester at Minot (N.D.) State.
Ava Connerty (r ight), a 2023 Riverside Brook eld graduate, is the rst women’s track and eld national champion in Triton College history
Finally joining track in mid-March, Connerty competed at just two meets. The Elmhurst Twilight qualified her for 2024 nationals, where she took second in a then-best 16.41.
“I didn’t think I would miss (track) but I would see old friends who were running college posting videos and pictures,” Connerty said. “I was like, ‘Dang. I wish that was me.’ ”
Save records for Bieliauskas, LTHS
Behind a year of full training, Connerty continues improving. There is no Triton hurdles coach, but Connerty found workouts and tips online and received input from graduated Triton men’s hurdler Eli Amoh.
“Recently, I’ve really been believing in myself a lot more,” Connerty said. “I find the best thing for me is to focus on myself and know what I can do as a person.”
girls going back to state
Lions try to improve upon third in 2024; LTHS boys lose in sectional nal
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
For good and bad, senior goalie Martynas Bieliauskas stopped lots of shots this season for the Riverside Brookfield High School boys water polo team.
“Not always the best stat to have but I’ll
take it,” Bieliauskas said. “It’s a good reflection on me. I try. That’s all I can say.”
When senior teammate and friend Avi Ponnappan checked halfway through the season, Bieliauskas’ total saves were on pace for historic proportions.
On May 7, Bieliauskas passed the documented single-season school record for
saves after a single-game school-record 37 against Homewood-Flossmoor in the re gular-season finale.
He added more because the Bulldogs won their Lyons Township Sectional opener 13-5 over Solorio May 13.
The previous documented single-season saves record was 184 by Noah Breit in 2019.
“I think I definitely save a lot more than let in. That’s what I try to do, just have a good game,” Bieliauskas said.
The Bulldogs (4-16) lost to Brother Rice 19-8 in the sectional quarterfinals Thurs-
See WATER POLO on next pa ge
COURTESY OF TRITON COLLEGE ATHLETICS
Bulldogs’ Eggers arrives in time to qualify for 3A state in 400
LTHS advances three individuals, Nazareth two for girls track state meet
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Riverside Brookfield High School senior Jorie Eggers made the final surge of her most important 400-meter dash Friday with a unique feeling.
“Usually, even when I do good, I’m thinking, ‘This is hard. I can’t do this,’ ” Eggers said. “But when I came around today, it was like, ‘All right. I’ve got this,’ and I felt really different.”
Eggers not only enjoyed the feeling of her fastest 400 ever that again broke her school record. Her third-place time of 58.63 seconds at the Class 3A Oak Park and River Forest Sectional qualified for her first girls track and field state meet by beating the statequalifying standard of 59.38.
Eggers’ best had been 59.95 May 1, which beat the previous 60.8 school record from 1986. With Friday’s heavy winds bringing dust and storms, Eggers was extra concer ned about achieving the cut.
Eggers had three big benefits approaching the finish line – great competition, friends and family cheering her on and the visible clock.
day but with an overall young group, they surpassed their three wins of 2024 and won a postseason match for the first time since Ponnappan and Bieliauskas were sophomores.
“It’s really relieving,” said Ponnappan after the Solorio victory. “We’ve had a lot of close games recently and it’s nice to see that it’s finally paid of f, especially in a game that matters so much.”
The Crusaders (28-1), a top-five stateranked team, defeated Lyons Township (1612), the defending state champions, in the sectional final 19-14 Saturday after jumping to a 5-1 lead in the first quarter. Brother Rice had beaten LTHS 15-9 March 22.
LTHS girls water polo
Because of concussion protocol, senior Maya Mladjan could only watch the 2023 sectional final as Lyons Township lost to Mother McAuley with a state quarterfinal berth on the line.
After the Lions beat McAuley 12-4 for the LT Sectional title Saturday, Mladjan had
“I was a little scared at first. Because of the wind, I definitely felt slower,” Eggers said. ”I thought I would come around the cor ner and (the time) would be like 1:00. But at 20 meters away, I saw it was at 54 and it was like, ‘All right. I’ve got to go.’ ”
Eggers now heads to the state meet Friday and Saturday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
Lyons Township had three state qualifiers – senior pole vault champion Leigh Ferrell (3.20 meters/10 feet-6 inches), junior Sarah Wiggins, who won the 300 low hurdles (personal-best 49.97) and senior Vesta Samoulis, who was fourth in high jump (personal-best 1.57m/5-2). Ferrell is making her third trip and the others their first.
Top-two sectional finishers automatically qualify for state as well as entries that achieve state-qualifying standards at the meet.
Generally a 400 runner, Eggers opted last year to focus more on the 300 low hurdles, the event right after the 400, and finished third at sectionals. Realistically able to do only one of the events for sectionals, Eggers gained 400 confidence during the indoor season and never looked back
“She had the option if she wanted to do the
her eye on LTHS state finishes posted on the pool wall.
“I think we have a chance to make it to the final,” Mladjan said. “I think the girls are hyped up. I’m hyped up. I’m going to knock on wood, but maybe we can get another one of those state champion trophies.”
The Lions (22-4-1), finished third in state last year for their fourth state trophy, have made the finals only once, winning the 2010 championship.
Another trophy won’t be easy. They open against St. Ignatius (19-6-1) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Stevenson. The semifinals and finals are Saturday.
LTHS and St. Ignatius tied 5-5 April 5. The Lions’ losses include possible championship or third-place opponents Stevenson and Evanston.
“There’s been a lot more team bonding (this season),” said senior goalie Delaney Judkins. “We are going ag ainst a couple of really good teams that we haven’t been able to beat but with that bond we have grown, I feel we have a chance.”
Offensive leaders include Bella Recker
300 hurdles or the 400 (Friday) and her head was with the 400. It paid off. She really went for it and she got it,” second-year RBHS head coach Lillian Holubek said. “We kind of knew coming into it, she had to get the time (to qualify). If you asked her what (the cut) was, she would tell you two months ago.”
OPRF senior Julia Brown won the race in a personal-best 55.58, the state’s fourth fastest sectional time. Second-place OPRF senior Bella Brauc (57.81) was an all-state ninth in 2024.
“Even though I didn’t catch them, they definitely did push me,” Eggers said.
“Since I started focusing on (400s) more this season instead of the hurdles, definitely (state) was a goal of mine. It was just seeing if I could break 60 (seconds) was the big thing. Then once I did I was like, ‘I’m closer than I think.’ ”
Ferrell was 26th at 2024 state (10-2). This season, Ferrell again has cleared her alltime school record 11-0 indoors and 10-9 outdoors but recently has been stuck at 10-6, the state-qualifying standard.
“I’m trying to get over a mental block and get on bigger poles,” Ferrell said. “If I can get on bigger poles in practice, I feel it will
(87 goals, 45 assists), Mladjan (63 goals, 31 assists), Bebe Wright (36 goals, 57 assists), freshman Maddie Wieczorkiewicz (34 goals, 23 assists) and Avery Watanabe (18 goals, 29 assists). Judkins has 211 saves.
“We’re stronger with our connections and chemistry in the water,” Recker said.
“I think we’re going into the state tournament ready to play hard.”
RBHS girls water polo
RBHS senior co-captains Bella Gonzalez and Liv Dobbe helped the Bulldogs improve, bond and become better singers.
The program said goodbye to seven seniors in all after losing to Mother McAuley 12-0 in the Lyons Township Sectional quarterfinals May 14.
The Bulldogs (2-14) had just one team this season after two levels the year before.
“I’m going to remember the progress we made,” Gonzalez said. “(Varsity only) was a big adjustment to make. A lot of people had to step in and I’m proud of all of the people that did.”
help me (at state).”
Samoulis had to clear the 5-2 qualifying standard to advance – and did so for the first time on her second attempt – after matching her previous best of 5-0.
“If I would get 5-2, it would be incredible. And then I did. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ ” Samoulis said. “It was my (personal record) so I was really excited. I was actually aiming for (at least) 5-0 and I got 5-2 and I was so happy.”
In the 300 hurdles, Wiggins led the battle for the second state berth on place and then won after the leader crashed clearing the next-to-last hurdle. It’s the first time Wiggins has ever won a major varsity race.
“I knew (qualifying) was a possibility, but I didn’t want to put it in my head,” said Wiggins, whose previous best (49.87 May 9) also would have won. “I kind of just forgot I was running against other people. I just wanted to beat myself. That was my goal. And I happened to beat other people as well.”
In 2A, Nazareth advanced sophomore Claire Sigmund (1:00.29 in 400) and freshman Delilah Apel (4.87m/15-11 3/4) with their second-place finishes at the Glenbard South Sectional Friday.
Dobbe said bus rides to matches were one of her best memories over four seasons, three on varsity.
“I love when we do Disney music. I really love, ‘Let it Go.’ We’ll sing the chorous on that one,” Dobbe said. “Not only have I made some of my best friends but getting to spend time with them (was memorable).”
The co-captains ag reed the team made great strides this season with its zone defense and teamwork. Gonzalez will coach water polo for the first time this summer at the Village Field Club
RBHS coach Amy Frey is optimistic because many of the seniors have incoming freshman sisters with experience. Frey said the 13-6 loss at Metea Valley May 1 was indicative of the progress.
“If felt like we won that game because everything was finally clicking for us. Losing games like that is OK if we’re doing everything we can,” Frey said.
“Their game sense progressed a lot (this season). Their defense and willingness to try new things really changed from the start of the season to now.”
NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M25000461 on April 30, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of SHANA’S NAME BANNERS with the business located at: 2500 S. 12TH AVE, BROADVIEW, IL 60155. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: SHANA LYNN EVERAGE 2500 S. 12TH AVE, BROADVIEW, IL 60155, USA.
Published in Forest Park Review
May 7, 14, 21, 2025
STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.
Request of Laura Cadden to change the name of Minor Child Case Number 20254000863
There will be a court date on a Request to change the name of the minor child from: Aisha Omar to the new name of: Aisha Mairead Cadden-Ocampi.
The court date will be held:
On June 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Maywood Courthouse, 1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, Illinois 60153 in Courtroom # 0111
Published in Forest Park Review May 7, 14, 21, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE
VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE
In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, this is to advise you that the next Riverside Township Mental Health Board meeting will be held on May 21, 2025, at the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois at the hour of 6:30 p.m.
Accordingly, the following future monthly meeting dates for 2025/2026 are as follows:
May 21, 2025
June 18, 2025
July 2025 - no meeting
August 2025 – no meeting
September 17, 2025
October 15, 2025
November 19, 2025
December 2025 – no meeting
January 21, 2026
February 18, 2026
March 18, 2026
April 15, 2026
May 20, 2026
June 17, 2026
Published in RB Landmark May 21, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICES
Advertisement for Bids
Sealed bids will be received on or before 2:00 pm prevailing time on Tuesday May 27, 2025 by Bellwood School District #187 for the following bid package: Asbestos Abatement Work for Summer 2025 Renovations Marshall Elementary School
Bid proposals received for this project at the scheduled time of receipt of bids will be publicly opened at that time.
A pre-bid meeting and walkthrough of the project work will be held on Thursday May 22, 2025 at 3:30 pm, prevailing time, at Marshall Elementary School 2501 Oak Street, Bellwood, Illinois 60104.
All bidders shall attend this meeting which will also be attended by the Owner and the Project Consultant.
Bid security in the form of a bid bond, certified check or cash in an amount equal to 5 percent of the total bid amount shall be submitted with the bid. The successful Contractor shall include payment and performance bonds for the work.
Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope addressed to:
Bellwood School District #88 640 Eastern Avenue Bellwood, Illinois 60104
SEALED BID – ASBESTOS ABATEMENT AT MARSHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUMMER 2025 RENOVATIONS
Bellwood School District #88 reserves the right to reject any or all bids, or parts thereof, or any irregularities or informalities.
All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all contractors working on public works.
Bidding documents and specifications may be obtained any time on or after May 19, 2025, by contacting TEM Environmental, Inc. representative Daniel Juneau (djuneau@tem-inc.com) or may be obtained from TEM Environmental, Inc.’s office located at 174 N. Brandon Drive, Glendale Heights, Illinois 60139.
Published in Forest Park Review May 21, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICES
BID NOTICEINVITATION TO BID
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board Members of L’Arche Chicago, Cook County, Illinois that sealed bids will be received for the following improvements: Solar Panels Installation at 541 Ferdinand Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. A walk-through for prospective bidders will be held on May 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. CST.
Bids will be received up to the hour of 2:00 p.m. CST, on June 5, 2025, at L’Arche Chicago, located at 7313 Madison Street, Forest Park, IL, 60130 and will be publicly opened and read at that time. All bids must be submitted by U.S. mail or hand delivered. No bids that are emailed, texted or provided by other methods will be accepted.
L’Arche Chicago’s Executive Director has been authorized to refuse to issue plans, specifications and proposals to any person, firm or corporation that he considers to be unqualified. Proposals must be submitted by bidders in their entirety.
Bidders are specifically advised that L’Arche Chicago is a Subrecipient of the County of Cook of a grant pursuant to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, pursuant to an agreement entered into between the County of Cook and L’Arche Chicago. Payments to the contractor will be made by L’Arche Chicago and reimbursed by Cook County’s CDBG Program in accordance with the terms of the aforesaid agreement.
For additional information regarding this project and Bid Notice contact Mic Altena, Executive Director, at property@ larchechicago.org.
Published in Forest Park Review May 21, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
On Thursday, May 29th at 12:00p.m.-2:00p.m. a meeting conducted by Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District 95 will be taking place at S.E. Gross Middle School, 3524 Maple Ave. in Brookfield, in the 2nd Floor Conference room.
The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the District’s plans for providing special education services to students (who reside within the boundaries of Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District #95), with disabilities who attend private and home-schools for the 2025-2026 school year.
If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact Dean Pappas, Director of Student Services, at 708-5888863 or dpappas@district95.org
Published in RB Landmark May 21, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS
VILLAGE
OF BROOKFIELD
Notice of Public Hearing
Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission
June 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request from by the Village of Brookfield, as petitioner, to Amend the text of the Village of Brookfield Zoning Ordinance Chapter 62 Zoning, to include Electric Vehicle Charging.
The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Libby Popovic, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, lpopovic@brookfieldil.gov, or 708485-1113. Oral or written testimony may be given during the public hearing. The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 25-10. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall. By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.
Published in RB Landmark May 21, 2025
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: 1-800-6699777.
GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Sealed bids will be received by the Park District of Oak Park for the following project:
The New Field Center GROUND UP CONSTRUCTION OAK PARK, IL 60302
Bids will be received until 11 AM Central Time on June 20, 2025 at the Park District of Oak Park Administrative offices, 218 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, and will be publicly opened and read at 11:15 AM Central Time on that date. There will be no virtual opening of the bids. Contractors are welcome to be present for the bid opening.
Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked:
Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302
Attention: Bulley & Andrews
Project: PDOP The New Field Center
Trade Package # Name of Submitting Contractor
Scope of work for Bid Package generally includes, but is not limited to: Site and selective demolition; cast-in-place concrete; metal fabrications; cross laminated and glue laminated timber; rough carpentry; architectural woodwork and plastic laminated cabinetry; roofing; insulation; doors/frames/ hardware; structural sealant glazed curtainwall; drywall installations; flooring installations; bathroom specialties; fabric curtains; roller shades; stabilized rammed earth construction; fire suppression; plumbing; HVAC; electrical installations; fire alarm installations; earthwork; concrete paving; permeable pavers; stabilized aggregate paving; decorative metal fences & gates; site utilities
All bids must be submitted in accordance with the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project. Bid security in the form of a bid bond in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid amount must be submitted with the bid, payable to the Park District of Oak Park, 218 Madison Street,
Oak Park, IL 60302. All documents and information required by the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project shall be submitted with the bid. Incomplete, late or non-conforming bids may not be accepted.
No bids shall be withdrawn, cancelled or modified after the time for opening of bids without the Board’s consent for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled time of bid opening.
The Bidding Documents for the project (which include the bidding instructions for the project and other related documents) will be available May 27, 2025 on Bulley & Andrews Building Connected Website. Contractors wishing to gain access to the bid documents can email Tom Sampey (Tsampey@bulley.com) or Mike Cottick (Mcottick@bulley. com) and you will be invited to the project website to download the bid documents.
The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District.
A non-mandatory site will be coordinated with Bulley & Andrews, LLC. Interested parties may inspect the existing conditions and site logistics. Site visit will be held on June 12, 2025 at 2pm.
All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all Contractors working on public works. If during the time period of work, the prevailing wage rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount. All bidders must comply with the Illinois Statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.
For additional information on the project, contact Tom Sampey (@ 312.610.3637) or Michael Cottick (@ 847.989.9650).
Published in Wednesday Journal May 21, 2025
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