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Vol. 37, No. 21
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May 25, 2022
Woman charged with attempted murder in Brookfield stabbing PAGE 2
Brookfield approves economic development plan, commission
Also serving North Riverside
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Retired Riverside fire chief Bednarz dies at 80 PAGE 15
Showtime at Hollywood PTA funds circus skills artist-in-residence program to build student self-esteem SEE STORY ON PAGE 3
Trustees kick start effort to focus efforts to improve commerce, redevelopment By BOB UPHUES Editor
Elected officials in Brookfield have adopted a pair of initiatives aimed at bolstering and managing economic development, approving a formal three-year economic development plan on May 9 and following up May 23 by voting to create a nineperson Brookfield Economic Development Commission, whose members will explore strategies and provide advice. The economic development plan was authored by Cindy Klima, the consultant hired last August to serve part time as the village’s economic development coordinator and dig into how the village could better promote and manage economic development. “We have always been working on economic See BROOKFIELD on page 15
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
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Woman suspected of Brookfield stabbing arrested A Maywood woman faces a charge of attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a 59-year-old Brookfield man at his home in the 4400 block of Madison Avenue on April 11. Based on information shared with area police agencies in the wake of the stabbing, Broadview police detained Brianna Cubie, 27, during a traffic stop at about 2 a.m. on May 23 and turned her over to Brookfield investigators. While Cubie’s last registered address is in Maywood, she had been living for some months at the home on Madison Avenue in Brookfield, according to police. She had fled the area after allegedly stabbing the victim in the upper left chest with a knife that police reported recovering at the scene. Police quickly identified a suspect and launched a search near the scene of the incident immediately following the stabbing. Police requested soft lockdowns at two schools on the village’s south end, but called off the search after two hours. Brookfield investigators broadcast Cubie’s
information to other police agencies, since she was known to travel around the western suburbs. The victim was hospitalized for four days and released after being treated for the stab wound. The Cook County State’s Attorney approved charging Cubie with attempted murder, a Class X felony that carries a prison sentence of between six and 30 years, if convicted. Cubie was expected to appear for a bond hearing at the Maybrook courthouse on May 24 after the Landmark’s press time. “I am thankful that the criminal investigation into this matter is complete, as detectives have been diligently searching for this woman since it occurred, as well as checkingin with the victim and communicating with the Assistant States Attorney’s Office,” said Brookfield Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla. “We will continue to monitor and be involved in the court proceedings that now follow.”
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
Hollywood School brings the circus in-house this spring
PTA funded program teaches skills aimed at boosting self-esteem, confidence By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
For the last six weeks the students at Hollywood School in Brookfield have been learning circus skills. On May 20, they put on a demonstration of what they have learned in a performance in the school gym that lasted about 45 minutes. Each grade got a chance to strut their stuff and show what they learned, with students tumbling and juggling while a few of the older kids walked a tight wire that was perhaps three feet off the floor of the Hollywood gym ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer stage. Students juggle on the stage at Hollywood School in Brookfi eld on May 20 during The training came courtesy of the Hollywood School PTA, which paid for instructors the capstone performance of an all-school circus-skill training program taught by from Circesteem, a Chicago-based organiza- Circesteem, a Chicago-based organization that uses circus skill training as a way to tion that uses circus skill training as a way boost self-esteem in children. to boost self-esteem in children, to come to Hollywood once a week in April and May to McKenna Daut was one of three Circes- ing three-ball juggling, but we are able to difdo an hour of training each Friday with ev- teem coaches who came to Hollywood each ferentiate and scaffold for the age level.” ery grade level as part of the PTA’s Artist in Friday to work with the students. Daut loves Hefner liked how the kids cheered each Residence program that it funds every three to work with elementary school children. other on. That spirit of encouragement and years. “It’s wonderful,” Daut said. “It’s my favor- collaboration is something that she tries to Learning circus skills not ite age because it is the best cre- foster at Hollywood School. only builds self-esteem, it devel“One of things that I believe, and I think ative age. They have the most caops persistence and grit, skills pacity to see something and create we believe at Hollywood, is that life is hard that are sometimes in short supa new way to engage with it which enough, and instead of creating a culture ply these days, said Hollywood of competition we want to create a culture is kind of all that circus is.” School Principal Kim Hefner. Whether it’s tumbling, juggling, of support and collaboration,” Hefner said. “We noticed at the beginbalancing, tight-wire walking or “It’s just been amazing to see them cheer for ning of the year, coming back clowning, the circus has a place each other as they try these new things. It’s from the pandemic, that chiltransferred out to the playground with our for everyone. dren struggled with persisting younger kids cheering for each other on the “We encourage self-esteem through challenges and trying monkey bars.” through introducing a multitude new things,” said Hefner, whose of circus equipment,” Daut said. Hefner thanked the PTA for funding the KIM HEFNER own 15-year old-daughter rides “We find that there is always program. Hollywood School principal a unicycle and is interested in something for everybody, so we “This would not have happened without circus skills. have a motto: try everything. parent support,” Hefner said. “Making mistakes and failure We like to encourage kids to try Daut said she enjoyed working with Hollywas hard for them,” she said. wood students. “We wanted to put them in a situation where things that they think would be impossible.” The youngest kids are taught simpler as“It’s really beautiful to have a school that they needed to try new things and they would is so determined to provide quality programbuild the skills and practice. Through perse- pects of the skills. “Every grade got the same skills,” Daut ming and education and space for their stuverance they would be able to grow their talsaid. “Obviously, kindergarten wasn’t learn- dents,” Daut said. ents and find success.”
“It’s just been amazing to see them cheer for each other as they try these new things.”
IN THIS ISSUE
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,15 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Editor Bob Uphues Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Michael Romain Digital Publishing & Technology Manager Briana Higgins Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer
HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 E-MAIL buphues@rblandmark.com ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $36 within Cook County and $46 outside the county. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2022 Growing Community Media NFP.
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
May 25-June 1
BIG WEEK
Blood drive at North Riverside Mall
BROOKFIELD ZOO/CZS
Butterflies! back at Brookfield Zoo
For the first time since 2019, Brookfield Zoo will reopen its Butterflies! exhibit, located near the zoo’s north entrance, 8400 31st St., on May 28 through Sept. 5. Zoogoers can once again explore the outdoor garden and surround themselves with butterflies native to North America, including monarchs, zebra longwings and swallowtails. New this season, several species of moths will be sharing the habitat. Butterflies! is open during regular zoo hours. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-11, and $3.50 for seniors who are 65 and older. Visit CZS.org/Butterflies for more.
Riverside walking tours kick off May 29
The Frederick Law Olmsted Society kicks off its seasonal walking tours of Riverside, highlighting the village’s design, history and architecture beginning Sunday, May 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. The tour will cover the area north of the railroad tracks and features the Longcommon, an architecturally significant school, a place of worship designed by William LeBaron Jenney and homes by Silsbee, Wright and Purcell & Elmslie. Tours are $20 per person ($15 for seniors 62+ and Olmsted Society members). Tour groups depart at 2 p.m. from the Riverside Train Depot (east side of platform) at 90 Bloomingbank Road. Reservations required. Email tours@olmstedsociety.com or call 708-447-7635 to make reservations. Payment is made via PayPal or credit card only at olmstedsociety.org.
North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, will host a blood drive on May 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the upper level concourse near the center court opposite Pandora. Vitalant will be running the blood drive. Appointments are recommended, although walkups are welcome. Prepare, eat well, keep hydrated and bring your ID. Masks are optional. To schedule a donation or for more information call 877-258-4825 or visit vitalant.org and use group code 373E. All donors with a confirmed e-mail address on file will receive a Vitalant Summer Donor T-shirt (redeemable by email).
Leonardo kicks of Summer Reading Challenge
The Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., kicks off its annual Summer Reading Challenge with a performance by award-winning children’s musician Leonardo on June 1 at 6:30 p.m., outside on the library’s plaza. While enjoying Leonardo’s the high-energy, interactive show, attendees can also register for the Summer Reading Challenge. This year’s theme is Read Beyond the Beaten Path, LEONARDO encouraging participants to explore something new. Kids in grades K-12 can win prizes by reading books or completing challenges they can track via an app. For more info or to register visit the library, call 708-485-6917, ext. 140 or visit brookfieldlibrary. info/readingclub
Tahquamon Falls
PHOTO BY ATTILA NAGY
Bike (virtually) around Lake Superior Riverside Public Library and Riverside Bank invite you to join John Lynn as he takes you on a virtual tour from Duluth, Minnesota, to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, making stops along the way during “A Superior Biking Adventure” on May 26 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Visit the Porcupine and Huron mountains, Keweenaw Peninsula, Apostle Islands, Tahquamon Falls and more. Register to attend by visiting riversidelibrary.org/events.
And more Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., hosts two exhibitions through June 25. In the Freeark Gallery is “The Old Same Place,” a solo show by Joseph Noderer, while the FlexSpace Gallery hosts “Flock,” a site-specific installation by Catherine Schwalbe. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. There’s also the photography exhibition, “Love You Bro” featuring the work of Stephanie Graham in the lobby of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, through June 30. Hours are Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites you to make an appointment to visit the Ancestry Help Desk on May 27 between 2 and 6 p.m. You can also attend an in-person Scrapbooking Drop-in session on May 28 at 1 p.m. Register for programs at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new. Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 ■
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Park Ave., presents Chair Yoga, a virtual program on May 26 at 11 a.m. Join Brian Michalski for “Atypical Globetrotting,” an in-person presentation about his 22-month backpacking journey in Australia, Southeast Asia, India, Cuba and more on May 26 at 7 p.m. or Read to the Dogs with the Hinsdale Humane Society on May 31 at 7 p.m. Call 708-485-6917 or visit brookfield.evanced.info/ signup to register for programs. Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, invites you to an All Ages Outdoor Storytime on May 27 at 10 a.m. Bring your blanket, listening ears and dancing feet and enjoy stories, songs and rhymes. There’s also Mindfulness Together meditation with Gina Barsotti on May 27 at noon and a Summer Reading Kickoff event with games, treats and fun on June 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. To register for programs visit riversidelibrary.org/events. The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo the second Sunday of every month. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games start at 2 p.m. with cash payouts. ■
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
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Riverside expands assistance options for Harlem Ave. businesses New language allows for grant requests to make improvements By BOB UPHUES Editor
Riverside trustees on May 19 voted to expand the range of economic incentives available to businesses within the village’s three Harlem Avenue business districts, including providing grants for new and existing businesses to fund physical improvements and create paths for private-public partnerships to improve the Harlem Avenue streetscape. The 4-0 vote (trustees Edward Hannon and Megan Claucherty were absent from the meeting) means the expanded incentive program will be effective immediately, and Village Manager Jessica Frances said she intends to bring two such incentive applications to trustees at their next meeting, on June 16. Those applications will include a request from Cubanito Express, a new eatery at 3222
Harlem Ave., to create outdoor seating for the tiny restaurant. The second would be a more complicated agreement for the village to bear a good portion of the cost to improve a parking lot and landscaping at 2710 Harlem Ave., which the village intends to sell to the adjacent property owner. Selling the village-owned land to Dr. Milad Nourahmadi, who owns the strip mall at 2720 Harlem Ave., is a key element of attracting an adult-use cannabis dispensary to a vacant building Nourahmadi owns at 2704 Harlem Ave. The new parking lot at 2710 Harlem Ave. will be able to provide parking for both the strip mall to the south and the dispensary and the deal provides the village an opportunity to significantly improve the appearance of a major village gateway at Harlem Avenue and Longcommon Road. “While we are having a certain capital outlay, we’ll see those different returns,” Frances told trustees at the May 19 meeting. “The goal of this program is to fill up those vacant storefronts and make great enhancements, so it’s value added to the Riverside community.”
Riverside trustees created the village’s first business district in the Harlem/Longcommon area in 2017. Three years later, the village board created two more business districts along Harlem Avenue – one between Addison and Lawton roads and another at Harlem and Ogden. All three were created by ordinance and will last 23 years. The village also decided to impose a special 1-percent sales tax in each business district. Those funds are kept in reserve for use in the business district in which they were collected. Those funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including economic incentives and infrastructure improvements, and avoid the village having to use general operating funds for those purposes. The Harlem/Longcommon sales tax fund right now is about $192,000 in the red, but that figure does not reflect the $230,000 in revenue the village will realize from the sale of 2710 Harlem Ave. There is about $31,000 in the sales tax fund of the business district where Cubanito express is located. The general fund can loan the business district money to help fund
more expensive improvements, like the ones contemplated for 2710-20 Harlem Ave., and repay the general fund as future taxes are collected. “These different economic incentive programs and waivers are really helping facilitate businesses coming to Riverside,” Frances said. Business district funds cannot be used outside of the district’s boundaries. For example, they couldn’t be used to provide incentives in downtown Riverside, which does not have its own business district. That could change, however. Trustees on May 19 gave Frances the go-ahead to seek a preliminary opinion on whether the downtown would meet standards for establishing a business district from Kane McKenna & Associates, the financial consultant the village used in creating the Harlem Avenue districts. If the village does decide to move ahead with creating a downtown business district, that would trigger a formal process that would include public hearings and provide an opportunity for input from residents and local business and commercial property owners.
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WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT DO IF THEY GET MAIL FROM THE IRS
on’t ignore it. Most IRS letters and notices are about federal tax returns or tax accounts. Each notice deals with a specific issue and includes specific instructions on what to do.
Don’t panic. The IRS and its authorized private collection agencies do send letters by mail. Most of the time, all the taxpayer needs to do is read the letter carefully and take the appropriate action.
Don’t throw it away. Taxpayers should keep notices or letters they receive from the IRS. These include adjustment notices when an action is taken on the taxpayer’s account; Economic Impact Payment notices; and letters about advance payments of the 2021 child tax credit. They may need to refer to these when filing their 2021 tax return in 2022. In general, the IRS suggests that taxpayers keep records for three years from the date they filed the tax return.
Don’t reply unless instructed to do so. There is usually no need for a taxpayer to reply to a notice unless specifically instructed to do so. On the other hand, taxpayers who owe should reply with a payment. IRS.gov has information about payment options.
BROOKFIELD FINANCIAL PLANS, INC. Linda Sokol Francis, E.A. 3439 Grand Boulevard • Brookfield, Illinois 60513 • 708-485-3439 Brought to you as a public service since 1975
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
Illinois governor visits Riverside Foods to tout tax cuts Pritzker picks up grocery tab for local mom, meets with local family
By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker dropped by Riverside Foods on the morning of May 17 to go grocery shopping with and for a Riverside woman. No, the billionaire governor is not moonlighting as an Instacart shopper. But he did want to highlight how the recently passed package of tax cuts will help parents struggling with high prices and rapid inflation. Pritzker walked the aisles of Riverside Foods with 34-year-old Riverside resident Laura Pfeiffer, a mother of two and a student at University of Illinois at Chicago. Working from Pfeiffer’s shopping list, Pritzker picked out milk, eggs, produce, spinach, buttered popcorn and a host of other staples that filled five grocery bags. The bill came to $95.39, which Pritzker paid. The event was arranged as an exclusive with WGN-TV but the Landmark was on hand to observe and talk to Pritzker. Pfeiffer, the mother of an 8-year-old daughter and a toddler son, was picked to have Pritzker shop for her because the governor’s team wanted to have a mom with at least one child younger than school age. Pfeiffer said that a friend of hers told of the opportunity. “She sent me a text saying our state rep, Mike Zalewski, had this opportunity with Governor Pritzker,” Pfeiffer told the Landmark. “I just kind knew someone who knew someone.” During his interview with WGN political reporter Tahman Bradley, Pritzker emphasized how the recently passed $1.8 billion package of mostly temporary tax cuts will help people struggling to pay bills. In addition to suspending the 1-percent state grocery tax for a year and suspending an increase in the gas tax for six months, the state will send $50 checks to adults and $100 for each dependent child up to three for families with a joint income of less than $400,000 or an individual income of less than $200,000. Homeowners will get property tax rebates of up to $300. Pritzker said that the checks will go out in the next few months. “Everybody needs it as soon as possible,” Pritzker said.
BOB SKOLNIK/Contributor
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Riverside mom Laura Pfeiffer load up a shopping cart at Riverside Foods on May 17 during a visit to tout tax cuts in the state’s recently adopted budget. Pfeiffer said that while the cut in the grocery tax is small every little bit helps. “[Price increases have] been noticeable I think for a while, but in the past couple months especially,” Pfeiffer said. Pfeiffer said that she enjoyed meeting and shopping with governor. “It was really fun and I’m so glad I got to do it,” said Pfeiffer, who moved to Riverside nearly two years ago after living for six years in Cyprus. Pritzker said he came to Riverside for the event because it is a typical suburb and he has friends here, presumably referring to Michael Zalewski, a fellow Democratic state legislator, and Carrie Zalewski, whom he appointed chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission in 2019. “It’s a great town and I have friends here
in Riverside and it’s nice to see them as well,” Pritzker said. It was not Pritzker’s first visit to Riverside. He marched in Riverside Fourth of July parade in 2018 when he was a candidate for governor. When asked by the Landmark, Pritzker said he was endorsing Michael Zalewski in his state representative primary race against challenger Abdelnasser Rashid, saying that Zalewski, who is the chairman of the House Revenue and Finance Committee, has been a partner in improving the state’s financial condition. “He’s a true leader and I want him to get re-elected,” Pritzker said. Zalewski was at Riverside Foods during the governor’s visit, but stayed in the background.
Pfeiffer said that found Pritzker friendly and down to earth. Cashier Ariana Silva, who rang up the groceries, agreed. “I was a little nervous but as soon as he looked at me as a person, I felt very normal, like any other person coming in here asking me questions about the store,” Silva said. “He really liked the store. He commented that he liked the atmosphere.” That was the impression Riverside Foods co-owner Anthony Garbis got too. “It was great, definitely a little overwhelming at first, but once I got to meet him he was a really down-to-earth guy,” Garbis said. “He seemed to really care. It was nice to have him in, great for the store. It seems like he really does care.” Co-owner Peter Boutsikakis was happy that Pritzker visited as well. “We really appreciate him paying attention to a local, independent business here,” Boutsikakis said. Pritzker spent nearly an hour at Riverside Foods. After helping Pfeiffer put her grocery bags in the back of her Chrysler minivan, Pritzker and Zalewski stopped by the Riverside home of John, Gelse and Ethan Tkalec. Waiting for them was ShawnTe Raines Welch, the wife of Illinois House speaker Chris Welch and a candidate for judge in the 4th Judicial Subcircuit. Raines-Welch said she was there in her capacity as a member of the Proviso Township Mental Health Commission, even though the Tkalecs live in Riverside Township. Pritzker chatted with the Tkalecs for approximately 15 minutes. Ethan Tkalec, 18, suffers from giant axonal neuropathy, an incurable disease. Pritzker said he stopped by because he had helped resolved an issue with the state aid that Ethan was receiving and he wanted to meet Ethan and his parents, see how they were doing and highlight the rebuilding of the state’s social services, which he said were decimated under former Gov. Bruce Rauner. “I wanted to meet him and talk to his parents about what they’re getting from the state and how that’s going for them and hear what challenges are still ahead,” Pritzker said. Ethan said that meeting the governor was “cool.”
The Landmark, May 25, 2022
P O L I C E
R E P O R T S
Two juveniles charged in Ehlert Park attack A 12-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy were charged with aggravated battery after allegedly attacking and injuring a 17-year-old in Ehlert Park in Brookfield on May 22 just after 4 p.m. Police did not disclose details of what led up to the attack other than to say it appears to have stemmed from a planned confrontation at the park between the victim and the 12-year-old girl. During the altercation, the 12-year-old allegedly stabbed the victim with a glass object, resulting in cuts and a wound to the victim’s upper left torso, near her collarbone. Police located the victim at Sunnyside and Gerritsen avenues, and paramedics transported her to the hospital, where she was treated and released that evening. Both alleged juvenile offenders fled the scene before police arrived, but witnesses provided police with cellphone video evidence. Police took both juveniles into custody a short time later. The cases will be handled by Cook County Juvenile Justice. “It is tragic to see this kind of violence taking place amongst young people, and my hope is that having this case work through the juvenile justice system will provide restorative help to all parties involved,” said Brookfield Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla.
Paramedics transported the passenger, a 22-year-old Cicero man, to the hospital for treatment due to the level of his intoxication. The driver refused to submit to sobriety tests, but due to his condition and the fact that police also reported recovering an open case of beer from the vehicle, he was charged with DUI and cited for driving on the sidewalk, damage to village property and other traffic offenses. ■ Riverside police charged a 41-year-old Muskegon, Michigan, woman with driving under the influence of alcohol after an officer on patrol reported observing her asleep behind the wheel of a gray 2018 Chevy, which was stopped at a green light in the southbound lanes of Harlem Avenue at East Burlington Street on May 22 at about 3 a.m. An officer was able to rouse the driver and have her place the Chevy in park and turn off the ignition. Police said there was one open bottle of beer inside the vehicle and that the driver’s blood-alcohol content was .204, which is more than twice the legal limit of .08. The woman also reportedly had a loaded Ruger .357-caliber magnum revolver in the passenger-side door panel. In addition to DUI, the driver was cited for traffic offenses and an unspecified weapons offense.
DUI
A resident of the 400 block of Addison Road, Riverside, went to police on May 17 to report that someone had stolen some items from his apparently unlocked vehicle, which was parked in the driveway of his residence, during the overnight hours. The victim said items were strewn throughout the interior. Missing from the vehicle was about $4 in change, a cellphone charger and cellphone charger adaptor.
■ Brookfield
police charged a 30-year-old Romeoville resident with driving under the influence of alcohol and cited him for traffic offenses after he reportedly drove his gray Cadillac Escalade off of the roadway and onto the parkway and sidewalk in the 880 block of Plainfield Road on May 21 just before 3 a.m. When police arrived at the scene both the driver and passenger were passed out and the vehicle was in drive, with the engine running. A hedge was the only thing keeping the vehicle from driving forward into private property, police reported. Several police officers attempted to wake up the driver and passenger for more than three minutes. When the driver finally woke up, police said, it took another two minutes for him to finally roll down a window so police could put the Cadillac in park and turn it off.
Vehicle break-in
These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, May 16-22, 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 25, 2022
Memorial Day program returns to Riverside May 30 For the first time since 2019, ceremony will be held in person at St. Paul VI Parish Center By BOB UPHUES Editor
For the first time since 2019, residents of Riverside are being invited to gather in person under one roof to mark Memorial Day. A staple of spring for more than a decade, Riverside’s community Memorial Day program was a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. But organizers intend to bring the solemn ceremony back indoors on Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. at the St. Paul VI Parish Center on the St. Mary Church/School campus, 97 Herrick Road in Riverside. “The main purpose and philosophy for the Memorial Day program is to remember and honor the ‘Riverside 54’ soldiers who were killed in action defending America’s freedoms,” said Riverside resident Tom Sisulak,
who was the man most responsible for kick-starting a new Memorial Day tradition back in 2009. A central feature of the ceremony includes a reading of all 54 names of Riverside’s fallen. Among those participating in the ceremony are local veterans, representatives from GREG SAGANICH Riverside churches, scouting organizations, schools, emergency personnel and Riverside American Legion Post #488 and its Sons of the American Legion auxiliary. The Memorial Day ceremony also typically recognizes an honored local veteran. In 2022, that honor goes to Riverside resident Greg Saganich, a veteran of both the U.S. Army and U.S Air Force, who served overseas tours of duty in Egypt, Iraq and Afghanistan. Saganich retired from the military in 2008 after 28 years of service and continues to serve as an auxiliary police officer in Riverside.
A separate, brief Memorial Day ceremony will also be held at 1 p.m. at the Gold Star Memorial in Guthrie Park, across the street from the Riverside train station, 90 Bloomingbank Road. At that ceremony, a wreath will be placed in the Desplaines River as a remembrance of Riversiders killed and buried at sea during the nation’s 20th century conflicts. The names of all of the fallen from World War I through Vietnam are displayed on plaques mounted on boulders, which form a ring around the flagpole at Guthrie Park.
Brookfield, RBHS ink new deal to share facilities Rec program gets summer classroom, high school gets baseball field use gratis
By BOB UPHUES Editor
The Brookfield Village Board and the Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208 Board of Education have inked a facilities sharing agreement that will expand village recreation programming onsite at the high school this summer without cost, eliminates a requirement for the high school to share in field maintenance costs and sets the stage for a significant improvement project at the main baseball diamond at Ehlert Park, where RBHS baseball hosts its home games. Brookfield and RBHS have shared facilities for years, but the drivers for the new arrangement, approved by the village on May 9 and by the school board on May 10, were the growth of the village’s summer camp program and the need to update the full-size baseball field at Ehlert Park. “The RB facility usage fee was about what
it costs to do the field project, so it just made sense to do the shared services agreement than cut checks to each other,” said Brookfield Recreation Director Stevie Ferrari. Brookfield’s Department of Parks & Recreation will get the use of one classroom Monday through Friday for 10 weeks this summer, beginning June 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accommodate the 30 to 35 participants in its Teen Camp. The department will continue to have free access to the RBHS swimming pool throughout the day each Friday for all of its summer campers. The school will provide a lifeguard at no additional charge. RBHS has similar arrangements in place with the villages of North Riverside and Riverside for use of the pool. Brookfield’s summer camp program has grown steadily since Ferrari arrived to helm the Department of Parks & Recreation in 2018. The village will pay Brook-
field-LaGrange Park School District nearly $10,000 this summer to use S.E. Gross Middle School for its Camp Kiwanis summer program for kids in grades K-5. The school district agreed to lift the maximum number of campers after the village compiled “an incredibly long waiting list,” according to Ferrari. There will be 170 kids in Camp Kiwanis this summer. Older students will go to S.E. Gross while younger campers will attend camp at the village hall. The department also hosts an early childhood summer camp for about 30 kids at the Recreation House in Ehlert Park and at its water tower building. Another 15 students take part in the Enrichment Camp, which will be held at Hollywood School. In exchange for use of the classroom and swimming pool this summer, the village is providing RBHS access to athletic fields at Ehlert Park. Varsity and sophomore base-
ball uses Field 1, and soccer is played on the east and west fields in the Prairie/Vernon section of the park. The cross country team also hosts meets throughout the park. While the high school contributed staff in the past to prepare and maintain the baseball field, the village will take over those responsibilities from RBHS. Being able to use the classroom at RBHS this summer at no cost will allow the village to fund a $12,000 project to improve Field 1 sometime this year. Sportsfields Inc. will perform improvements to the infield and outfield warning track, including spreading 22 tons of infield mix conditioned with clay, a semitrailer load of limestone screening on the warning track and installing a clay brick material on the pitching mound, batters boxes and bullpens to stabilize those surfaces and reduce wear and tear.
Opinion
The Landmark, May 25, 2022
THE LANDMARK VIEW
KOSEY CORNER
Busy with business
A day of memory and signal of summer
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very two years whenever there’s a contested election in Brookfield – which had been always until the 2021 election – you could set your watch to the times challengers would wag a finger at incumbents and say, “The village isn’t doing anything to promote economic development in Brookfield.” Of course, many businesses have come and gone through the years and some have come and stayed for decades. It’s true that there are areas of the village where vacancies and blighted properties continue to be sore spots. No one likes looking at a gravel lot where years ago a building once stood. No one likes seeing papered-over windows year after year on prominent storefronts in the downtown. But Brookfield isn’t the only village where you will see these kinds of longstanding issues and anyone who’s elected quickly comes to understand just how little control municipalities have over the fate of private property. Beyond code compliance, a municipality has little say in what a building can be used for, what businesses open or whether they’re redeveloped. One only needs to look as far as Riverside to see a building in the 300 block of East Burlington Street – derelict for nearly a decade after high hopes for its reclamation were dashed when its owner died. People can hope for national chains on Ogden Avenue, but the village really has no power to make that happen. Traffic counts and demographics convince companies, not Facebook pleas. Brookfield trustees earlier this month adopted a three-year economic development plan. Two key elements of that plan are hiring a staff person to directly manage those initiatives – the village really has never had such a person although it’s been rolled into job titles – and forming an advisory commission comprising people from the local business community. While it may take some time for the staff position to be funded and a person identified, formation of the commission should happen in short order. One key component of complaints about the village’s approach to economic development has been the feeling the village doesn’t do enough to make sure business that are already here are supported. This new commission in a real sense envisions a partnership between the village and business community, where the two work on initiatives to both support existing businesses, attract new ones and create the right conditions for redevelopment. By giving the local business community a more or less direct voice in village government, perhaps that will serve as a spark for creativity in approaching economic development. But, hiring a staffer to serve as the direct link between village government and the commission is probably just as important, and we encourage the village board to find a way to fund it sooner rather than later.
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e salute you! On Monday, May 30 we will celebrate Memorial Day, when we honor military personnel who have died in the service of their country. It was originally called Decoration Day, stemming from the fact that graves of those who had died were decorated as a form of honor. It began following the Civil War, with the earliest tribute happening in Charleston, South Carolina, a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. On May 5, 1868, Gen. John Logan organized people to decorate graves of those who had fallen. It was declared that May 30 would be the official date and on that first Decoration Day, Gen. James Garfield addressed the assemblage at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1966, the government declared Waterloo, New York, as the official birthplace of the holiday and in 1971 Decoration Day became known as Memorial Day. It was also to be celebrated on the last Monday in Ma, which is why the date is not officially May 30 and is an official federal holiday, with banks and government agencies closed. Today’s celebration of the day differs from town to
town, but Riverside conducts a large ceremony, which since 2009 has been arranged by Tom Sisulak. What was a small gathering at Guthrie Park has now grown to be a larger ceremony at the Parish Center at St. Mary Church. Memorial Day has also become known as the official start of summer, even though the weather doesn’t always cooperate. Pools will open and if you have passed Riverside Swim Club you can see the chairs are out and ready to welcome staff and swimmers. Also, and I don’t know if you prescribe to this, it means you can now officially begin wearing white -- white shoes, white slacks, white accessories. Somehow I know it no longer holds true, but I still don’t wear the white slacks before Memorial Day. Old habits die hard. Light up your cookers, get out the favorite rib recipe and summertime side dishes to get into easy summer eating. What I would like all to do is to fly the American flag. It doesn’t have to be a big one just one to signify how you appreciate what we have and how we honor those who have given so much. We salute them.
JOANNE KOSEY
OBITUARIES
Lynn Shannon Labotka, 87 Loved the beauty of the Northwoods Lynn Shannon Labotka, 87, of Riverside, died April 29, 2022. She spent her life spreading kindness and comfort wherever she happened to be -- at work, with her family or spending time with her many friends. Lynn loved the beauty of nature and the outdoors. Her particular connection to the Upper Peninsula Northwoods made an impact on friends and family alike. Lynn’s everpresent sense of humor always managed to make great family gatherings, especially during difficult times.
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Her collection of folk music, recorded over many decades, is a lasting legacy that continues to bring joy to her sons and family. She was the wife of the late Charles Shannon and the late Charles Labotka; the mother of Dave (Kathy), Steve (Jane), and Craig (Beth); the grandmother of 10 and great grandmother of eight. Memorial services are Saturday, July 23 at 11 a.m. at Riverside Presbyterian Church, 116 Barrypoint Road, Riverside. Donations to the Sierra Club are greatly appreciated. Memorial info call: 708-447-1520.
LYNN SHANNON LABOTKA
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
PEOPLE
Brookfielder recognized by Make-A-Wish Illinois
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rookfield resident and business owner Jason Baumann was recognized by Make-AWish Illinois as one of the organization’s outstanding volunteers during National Volunteer Week in April. Baumann, the owner of Boxless Media, a full-service digital marketing agency, was awarded the Commitment to Community, Group Award from Make-A-Wish JASON BAUMANN for “for creating connection and inclusion in the community by building awareness and support for wishes.” “Jason and those from Boxless have created beautiful videos for families to enjoy and for Make-A-Wish to share with supporters,” the Make-A-Wish website states. “With their connections across the area, Boxless has also been able to enhance wishes by involving local first responders for exciting wish send offs, parades and even for granting wishes. Their expertise in digital media was especially helpful as Jason consulted with a teen whose wish was to build a gaming computer.”
(Above) Grant Hamilton, Chris DiBraccio and Brett Semenske of Imperial Oak Brewing (Right) Gabriel Guadalupe, Joe Camachu and Claudia Camachu of Brookfield Breakfast
Komarek teacher wins grant Chante Gordon, a second-grade teacher at Komarek School District 94 in North Riverside has received a $350 grant through Western Governors University’s Fund My Classroom initiative. The funds will be used to purchase sensory tools to create a calming CHANTE GORDON corner in Gordon’s classroom for her students to go when they are experiencing big emotions and to practice self-regulation skills. WGU staff surprised Gordon with a check presentation at the school on May 2. The innovative classroom project was one of 27 across Illinois chosen by WGU to receive funding.
Welcome aboard The village of Riverside announced May 10 that Rachel Jacobs has been selected as the behavioral health counselor available to help police officers during calls for service. Jacobs’ expertise comes through the village’s recent contract with Amita Health and a grant from the Riverside Township Mental Health Board for the services of a menRACHEL JACOBS tal health counselor to assist police. Officers regularly find people involved in calls for service are experiencing a mental health crisis. Now officers will be able to request help from Jacobs, either immediately if she is onsite or via referral. Jacobs holds a master’s of forensic psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and among other things has offered community-based individual and family therapy for court mandated treatment. Most recently she served as a clinical counselor for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Dave Pardun, Charlie Nowak, Annette Pardun, Josie Villagomez, Sarah Dau, Nathan Dau, Faith Silbert and Terri Tolan of Fill My Jar PHOTOS PROVIDED
Local businesses earn Brookie Awards
The Brookfield Beautification Commission in April recognized three local businesses by bestowing on the 2022 Brookie Awards, created to encourage businesses to continually make visual improvements to their properties/stores in order to attract more customers to the village.
This year’s recipients were Brookfield Breakfast, 3755 Grand Blvd.; Fill My Jar, 3726 Prairie Ave.; and Imperial Oak Brewing, 9526 Ogden Ave. The Brookie Awards are open to all Brookfield businesses, and awardees are chosen annually by members of the Brookfield Beautification Commission.
The Landmark, May 25, 2022
PEOPLE On campus ■ Isabella Shelton, of North Riverside, was among the more than 3,000 students receiving degrees from the University of Mississippi in May. Shelton received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and new media. ■ Riverside resident Jeanene E. Splitt was one of more than 3,600 students awarded degrees from the University of Nebraska on May 13-14 in Lincoln. Splitt received a Bachelor of Journalism degree. ■ Avery Bowen, of Brookfield, was recently initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest all-discipline collegiate honor society. Bowen was initiated at the University of Illinois. Meanwhile, North Riverside resident Elisa Revello was initiated into the DePaul University chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. ■ Riverside resident Jack Sagan received the T.W & H.B. Prins Endowed Memorial Scholarship for the 2021-22 academic year from Central College in Pella, Iowa. Sagan is a member of the Class of 2022 and was recognized for his achievement at the school’s 2022 Scholarship Dinner in May. ■ Riverside residents Hannah Briones, Grave DiBartolomeo and Shalah Russell were all named to the spring 2022 dean’s list at Washington University in St. Louis for attaining a semester grade-point average of at least 3.6 on a 4-point scale. ■ Brookfield resident Adam Almuhtaseb was one of six members of the Lyons Township High School Business Professionals of America who competed at the annual National BPA Leadership Conference in Dallas. Almuhtaseb competed in 200 Fundamental Word Processing and 340 Java Programming-IT
Specialist Java. ■ Two Brookfielders were among the Lyons Township High School Lion newspaper staff receiving awards at the Northern Illinois Press Association and the Journalism Education Association contests. In the NISPA 2022 spring contest senior Abraham Morales won a blue ribbon in Multimedia for his online coverage “Dia de los Muertos” while senior Grace Moore won an honorable mention in Column Writing for “Put an end to social media in school programs.” At the 2022 Illinois Journalism Education Association Awards, Morales picked up several honors, including first place for Multimedia Story Package, second place for Front Page Design and honorable mentions in Infographic and SinglePage Story Package. ■ Brookfield residents Brianna Episcopo, Jenna Gombis, Sarah O’Riley and Duska Richert were among the 25 members of the Lyons Township High School chapter of the National Honors Society to have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service and qualified for the Presidential Service Award, given to those who meet service hour requirements. The four student all were awarded a bronze award for performing between 100 and 174 hours of volunteer service. ■ Several members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club at Riverside-Brookfield High School earned awards at the FCCLA state competition. Sophia Richter not only won a gold medal in Frosted Cakes, but she also merited a Most Outstanding award in the category. Izabella Morrissey also earned a gold medal in Frosted Cakes. Lara Huns earned a silver medal in Frosted Cakes, Level 3, while Amaya Jackson earned a bronze medal in Fashion Apparel Display.
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
Growing Community Media
LocalNews a non-profit newsroom
We’ve got YOU covered.
NewsDiningGovernmentActivismArts EducationEventsRealEstateNonprofits Dear Readers, This week in our Spring Fundraising Campaign to raise $50,000 to support GCM’s local community journalism we spotlight our long relationships with the communities we serve. Which is to say, we’ve been around the block a few times and we’re proud of it. The professional reporting and coverage that you rely on week in and week out in the Landmark is grounded in our strong presence in Riverside, Brookfield and North Riverside since 1985. Through the years, our team of engaged journalists has kept you abreast of what is happening in our communities, making sure you have the information you need to act and shape them for the better. From Judy Baar Topinka, Randi Holm-Bertelsen and Jamie McMillan to Bob Uphues, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Pisano, JoAnne Kosey, Bob Stone and Melvin Tate we have welcomed fresh reporters to your beat, always maintaining the high standards of journalism you expect from the Landmark. Since 2005 over 25% of US newspapers and 50% of US journalist jobs have disappeared. Many communities--urban neighborhoods, suburbs, exurbs and beyond--have no source of local community news reporting on their schools, businesses, parks and government actions. The Landmark is not immune from the relentless economic forces driving this decline. To continue to serve the quality information needs of Riverside, Brookfield and North Riverside, the Landmark became part of the nonprofit Growing Community Media in 2019, allowing tax deductible donations from readers like to you sustain this news you use. And this coverage NEEDS your support. We rely on YOUR donations to generate over 25% of our operating budget, to allow us the continued privilege of reporting quality news stories that animate our communities. Donate today to help ensure that Landmark coverage can continue for another 37 years and beyond. Thank you for your continued trust and support, Dan Haley and the Landmark Team
To donate, visit RBLandmark.com/donate
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
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OBITUARIES
Anthony Bednarz, retire Riverside fire chief who served village 45 years, dies at 80 Joined department in 1961, following in his father’s footsteps
Anthony L. “Tony” Bednarz, 80, of Riverside, died on May 21, 2022. Born on April 4, 1942, he was the retired fire chief of the Riverside and Western Springs fire departments and an avid golfer, who loved fishing and boating in Florida and Michigan. Chief Bednarz was hired as a member of the Riverside Fire Department in 1961, following his father’s footsteps. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1971, captain in 1974, assistant chief in 1975 and then fire chief in 1976. He moved quickly through the ranks because of his professionalism and dedication to the village of Riverside and the fire service profession. He had the honor to work alongside his son, Charles, who was also a Riverside fire lieutenant. Chief Bednarz improved the fire and emergency medical services, not only in Riverside, but across the state of Illinois. He was instrumental in initiating the State of Illinois Firefighter Certification Program, the first emergency medi-
cal technicians (EMTs) in Riverside and eventually increasing that level of service to Advanced Life Support service with the hiring of paramedics. He also established the E-911 emergency phone system in Riverside. An active member of MABAS Division 10 (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System), which included many neighboring fire departments and fire districts, he served two terms as president of the MABAS Division 10 Chiefs Committee. He was also instrumental in developing guidelines for incident command and communications, which is still utilized on the fireground to this day. After serving for over 45 years at the Riverside Fire Department, Chief Bednarz became chief of the Western Springs Fire Department and served at the director of Fire and EMS from 2006 until 2012, replacing an engine and ambulance, obtaining a grant for Mobile Dispatch terminals, instituting a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and overseeing construction of Fire Station #2
at 5501 Grand Ave in Western Springs. Chief Bednarz built the bedrock on which the Riverside Fire Department now stands. He was a forward thinker and always fought hard for what he knew was the right thing to do. He carried on that passion in everything he did. Tony Bednarz was the husband of Marianne (nee Krier), the father of Krista (Des) Varady, Lisa (Richard) Gentile, Charles Bednarz, and Paula (Mike) Savino; grandfather of Colin and Jake Varady, Richie, Luke and Nicole Gentile, Michael Bednarz, Caden Luke, Matthew Bednarz, Loryana Luke, Grace Bednarz, Annalea Luke, Tessa Luke and Isabella, Nicholas, Megan and Dominic Savino; great-grandfather of Zoey Bednarz; brother of the late Paul (MaryAnn) Bednarz; and uncle of John, David and Paul Jr. “PJ” Bednarz. Visitation will be held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester on Wednesday, May 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. There will be a Fire Depar-
ment walk-through at 7 p.m. (line-up at 6:45 p.m.). A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 26 at St. Mary Church, Riverside. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, please donate blood in Tony’s memory or donate to University of Chicago Leukemia Center (Give to the Comprehensive Cancer Center). Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family – Brian D. Kuratko, Funeral Director.
BROOKFIELD
Read the plan
in the job this week. No. 2 on the list of first-year initiatives in the economic development plan is the creation of the Economic Development Commission, which trustees voted unanimously to do on May 23. Strongly recommended by Wiberg, who experienced working with such an advisory group during his long tenure in Lincolnwood, the commission will consist of nine members who will be business owners or senior managers drawn from a variety of local business sectors, including restaurants, real estate, retail, tourism/attractions, financial, service industry, Brookfield Zoo and the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce. Members will serve three-year terms with the village’s community development director serving as the commission’s staff liaison. The commission will work on projects meant to advance the economic development goals of the village and will be tasked
with tracking implementation of the economic development plan. Reports on that progress will be delivered regularly to the village board. “Sometimes we just get caught up in the day to day, trying to get things done, but actually putting this down as a plan, as a living, breathing document is very important,” Garvey said. “Like all good plans, it can’t sit on a shelf and it will be reviewed for progress, with measurable items, and it will live and grow.” Village Trustee Brian Conroy, who serves as the village board’s liaison to the Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that the commission is not meant as an alternative to that group, but as a resource. “This is not in any way to compete with or diminish [the chamber’s] efforts but to complement them and bring [economic development] more to the forefront, the focus and attention of village hall,” Conroy said. “[The chamber] can only stand to benefit from these initiatives.”
Advisory commission key element from page 1 development, but to take the time to put it down into a comprehensive, cohesive written plan that future boards can follow and amend as they see fit … is a very big step,” said Village President Michael Garvey just before the unanimous vote to approve the economic development plan. The plan is separated into three 12-month phases, with the first zeroing in on actions the village can take more or less immediately, although it’s clear it’ll take some time to get some of them off the ground. Engaging someone like Klima to focus solely on economic development is the No. 1 action mentioned in the plan, and she will stay in that role part-time as a consultant,
Read the full three-year Brookfield Economic Development Plan with the online version of this story at RBLandmark.com. said Village Manager Timothy Wiberg. In April, officials had discussed the possibility of hiring someone on a permanent, staff basis – either part time or full time – to direct Brookfield’s economic development efforts. However, that’s unlikely to happen in the short term. “We have no plan right now to hire a fulltime economic development person,” Wiberg told the Landmark by way of follow-up. “We just don’t have the resources for it.” Klima will continue to serve in her present capacity, with assistance from Emily Egan, the village’s community development director and the new village planner, Kate Portillo, who has been hired and will start
ANTHONY BEDNARZ
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Sports
The Landmark, May 25, 2022
RBHS softball sister duo making their mark Hannah and Emily Organ among the best players the program has produced
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Even with her powerful pitching arm, Riverside-Brookfield High School senior all-state softball standout Hannah Organ finds extra strength peeking over her right shoulder. Sophomore sister Emily is the Bulldogs’ second-year starting shortstop. “I absolutely love it. Emily’s like my best friend and even though she’s younger, I look up to her,” Hannah said. “There’s no one I’d rather play with. Her being behind me is just a really good feeling.” One of the state’s best sister combinations begins their final postseason with the Bulldogs (12-10, 7-5 in Metro Suburban Red), the No. 5 seed of the IHSA Class 4A Marist Sectional. “They’re just a huge leadership [boost] and when Hannah’s pitching, the team is calmer and more into the game,” RBHS coach Doug Schultz said. Emily is hitting .432 with 26 runs batted in. Limited by stiffness in her left knee, Hannah is hitting .562 in 18 at-bats with 12 RBIs and has 27 strikeouts in 19.1 innings pitched. “There’s been ups and downs with her not being able to play a lot, especially this season because it’s her senior season,” Emily said. “Every moment -- practice, games -- just the little things are fun. Knowing that we have each other’s backs and just being there for each other, it shows a lot during the games.” Their diamond bond began in Forest Park T-ball as two of the league’s few girls. In traveling softball, Emily would be
BILL STONE/Contributor
Hannah and Emily Organ promoted to Hannah’s team and still has occasionally for the Chicago Cheetahs. “Having problems with my knee and not being able to play every single game kind of makes me appreciate the other moments a lot more,” Hannah said. Anticipating Senior Day on April 19 as a four-year varsity starter, Hannah still was sidelined. She was at third base for the opening pitch and then left the game. “It was hard, just knowing and seeing everything behind
the closed doors, seeing how hard she’s worked,” Emily said. During the off-season, Hannah sought to improve her physical and mental strength. Emily helps with encouraging, or perhaps humorous, words. “Most of the time it’s just to cheer her up and get her to laugh, even if she hates me for saying whatever I say,” Emily said. “She’s definitely a go-getter and fierce competitor. She’s always on the mound with this attitude whoever steps on the plate she’s going to get them out.” Hannah appreciates Emily’s efforts. Emily has taken that approach beyond their sisterhood to the entire team. “She just has a leadership presence and feel with the team, which I really admire,” Hannah said. “I feel like we kind of play off each other. If I’m having a rough day, she kind of picks up my slack and vice versa.” Hannah will play at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and hopes to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She verbally committed last October, immediately after coach Kirin Kumar offered a scholarship. “She explained more and I was like, ‘I’m in,’” Hannah said. Emily also hopes to play college softball. After two more seasons, she should join Hannah among the all-time RBHS softball greats. “I hope that I’ve left a mark, not necessarily playing but just kind of the way I presented myself,” Hannah said. “I hope people have looked up to me and acknowledged the hard work. I see people like [Emily] and [sophomore catcher Zoe Levine] and they are so much better than I was at their age. I want them to realize they can play at the next level, too.”
Smithing wins 300 hurdles at sectional to advance to state Sophomore is lone RBHS boy to advance to IHSA finals By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
After finishing fourth at last year’s track and field sectionals, Riverside-Brookfield High School sophomore Luke Smithing remained cautiously optimistic at the IHSA Class 3A Sectional at Morton West in Berwyn on May 18.
Smithing still needed a top-two finish in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles at sectionals to reach his first state meet. “I told all of my family that I would barely get second, maybe,” Smithing said. “I told them I probably wasn’t going to make it, but I led them astray.” Smithing not only advanced to state on May 27 at Eastern Illinois University, he is a sectional champion. His lifetime best of 41.48 seconds won by 0.59 seconds after entering as the No. 2 seed at 41.87. “I’m real happy. That was awesome. I thought I had it and I was pushing so hard my
body felt like it was numb,” Smithing said. “Last year, I was a step behind the thirdplace guy. I thought if I train hard, I might just be barely able to get second place, but I really surprised myself getting first.” The Bulldogs had no other state qualifiers. Smithing gained momentum from the earlier 110 high hurdles, but was third (16.84). In the 3,200 relay, seniors Paul Proteau and Jack Dalton, junior Zack Gaynor and sophomore Jack O’Brien (8th, 9:24.00) were on the verge of second place, but O’Brien collapsed to the track about 10 meters from the finish, lost the baton, and Lyons Township passed for second (8:05.89). O’Brien recovered and
continued competing. Proteau, 13th at state last year in the 1,600, later ran a season-best 4:29.58 but was fourth and missed the 4:23.68 state cut. “[The 3,200 relay] was almost like a dream. I think that just kind of set the mood. We all gave it our best. It was just one of those things,” said Proteau, the cross country allstater who will run at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. “I’m proud of what this team has accomplished,” Proteau said. “Jackie’s going to have a big redemption in cross [country]. This team has had a lot of rough ups and downs but I know it’s going to see better days.”
S P O R T S
The Landmark, May 25, 2022
17
Brookfield sisters help power LTHS water polo Mladjans top two scorers, as Lions finish third in state By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Lyons Township High School junior Emilia Mladjan and freshman Maya Mladjan have numerous water polo balls stored throughout their Brookfield home. Among them is their first when they began the sport they love together. Emilia was in sixth grade, Maya in fourth. “We started on the same team at the same time,” Maya said. “We don’t really use that ball anymore. It’s kind of flat and deflated. [But] we keep it around.” The Mladjans were among the reasons the Lions (31-3-1) were one of the best teams around. They took third in state – the program’s second-highest finish – by beating New Trier 12-11 on May 21 in their second consecutive state appearance. Even after the exhausting state weekend, the two practiced Sunday with their EastSide club team.
BILL STONE/Contributor
Maya and Emilia Mladjan “I don’t think everyone gets to have the same experience we do, winning a thirdplace trophy. A lot of siblings aren’t even in the same sport,” Emilia said. “I feel like we [as a team] should be optimistic. We’re losing some amazing seniors but we can’t just end it there. We still have to continue.” A 2021 second-team all-stater, Emilia led this season’s powerful lineup in goals (147) and steals with 44 assists. Maya was second in goals (110) and assists (62). Emilia plays center/hole set and Maya utility. If they were on opposing teams, they’d often square off against each other. “I think it’s cool that I was able to expe-
rience [third place] with her,” Maya said. “[Emilia] has been one of my greatest teachers in water polo. She has helped me a lot. Whenever she sees me struggle in the water, she gives me advice.” With different positions, they employ different physical warmups and drills. But they’ll also listen to music together and work two-person stretches. They also like to give those random balls – the ones with air -- a workout in the house. “Sometimes she gets a little feisty and we’ll throw balls at each other,” Emilia said. “It’s not just a her thing. It’s a me thing, too.” During matches, their passion can some-
times be heard in a manner only sisters can communicate rather than teammates. “This is where being a sibling comes into play,” Emilia said. “In the water, we’ll argue sometimes. We’ll get mad at each other and being a sibling, you’ll yell, but it’s all in good faith. You’re trying to give the other one some advice.” This was a great debut for Maya, but she said she can improve through gaining confidence and experience. The trophy was her most memorable sister water polo accomplishment along with finishing third at a club tournament for EastSide to climax an enjoyable team trip to Florida. “Next season, I’m definitely dreading [Emilia] leaving, but I’m also excited to continue playing with her. I’m definitely going to cry when she leaves,” Maya said. Both hope to play water polo in college, perhaps at the same school. The Lions graduate six from the state roster, including all-stater Novalee Roberto and Sofia Hannon as starters, but return several veterans. “Maya’s great. I know she’s going to get even better as the years go on,” Emilia said. “I’m glad I have one more year with her because maybe we’ll come back and take state champs next year. That’s the goal.”
LTHS relay claims all-state at girls track finals Sommerfeld sets new school record, finishes 7th in 3,200 meters By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Waiting to receive their top-nine, all-state medals, the Lyons Township High School girls track and field team’s 3,200-meter runners already were anxious about their upcoming seasons. “Hopefully we’ll be back and better than ever,” junior Scarlett Lestina said. Lestina and sophomores Anna Bylsma, Kristina Findley and Shannon Cranny finished an all-state eighth (9:32.05) on May 21 at Eastern Illinois University with the relay’s second-fastest time this season. Junior all-stater Catherine Sommerfeld
broke her 3,200 school record again for seventh (10:35.21) and advanced to the 1,600 finals (12th, 5:11.58). With Sommerfeld focusing on individual distance events, the Lions still responded with their two fastest 3,200 relays, beginning with a season-best 9:27.72 for the fourth-fastest 3A sectional time. Among the Lions’ other three state entries, Ava Kuhlman was the lone senior. “We never ran state before so it’s really exciting to have a team of no seniors and we can come back again,” Bylsma said. A cross country all-stater last November, Sommerfeld continues making progress from just missing 2021 state in the 1,600. She never ran the 3,200, but her focus altered when she debuted April 23 with a school-record 10:37.74. Still, Sommerfeld was disappointed in being more than five seconds from a topfive state finish.
“The time was fine but the race wasn’t how I wanted it to go,” Sommerfeld said. “I didn’t really know what I could do with it so I’m proud of myself for that. At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t thinking about [the 3,200] at state.” In the 1,600, Sommerfeld ran her second sub-5:10 in the May 20 preliminaries (5:07.51). Saturday’s race was a struggle. “I definitely felt not too good. I knew going into it I wasn’t going to be right,” Sommerfeld said. “Not having the day I wanted here will just motivate me to have better momentum going into cross country.” Lestina, who led off the 3,200 relay in the finals with a personal-best 2:21.2 split, sees fortunes changing. She was the only returnee from the 3,200 relay that came one place at 2021 sectionals from reaching state. “It’s a real good group to run with. We’re all so encouraging,” Lestina said. “It’s just
amazing to see everyone progress, especially since they’re all sophomores.” Findley shared her first state experience with her twin sister. Cranny’s sister Maddie and brother Ben were all-staters with LTHS 1,600 relays in 2019 and 2017, respectively. Cranny became the Lions’ anchor at sectionals. “It’s definitely been super nerve-wracking,” Cranny said. “It’s not something I saw coming at the beginning of the season. It definitely really challenged me to up my times and run my best, but it’s been fun and really exciting.” Junior Becky Phillips was 18th in the 400 (1:01.01). The 1,600 relay of Phillips, Kristina Findley, Madison Findley and junior Claire McVady was 18th (4:10.79) and the 400 relay of junior Emma Kwak, Kuhlman, junior Nora Gannon and Phillips was 19th (50.12).
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
Growing Community Media
HELP WANTED
Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.
and flower bed maintenance. d. Construction: Installation of park/ playground equipment, park benches, park signage, retaining walls, and drainage systems. 2. Assist with the custodial maintenance of all Park District facilities.
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
3. Assist with any equipment repairs for the Park District. This includes but not limited to vehicles, tractors, any facility, or program equipment.
HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. DEFINITION To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES: Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential duties and responsibilities 1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture. 2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays. 3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers. 4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management. 5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software. 6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system. 7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review. 8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning. 9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs. 10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,
software and other forms of systems and data. 11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training. 12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling. 13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions. Other important responsibilities and duties 1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures. 2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports. 3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies. 4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems. 5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations. 6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner. 7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis. Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android. Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology. Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down. Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant. Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and
VB scripts. Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment. Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages. Ability to: Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following: - Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time - Operating assigned equipment - Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance - Working in and around computer equipped vehicles Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for: - Making observations - Communicating with others - Reading and writing - Operating assigned equipment and vehicles Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others. Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require. Experience and Training Guidelines Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking. Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred. WORKING CONDITIONS Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.
RIVER FOREST PARK DISTRICT PARK SPECIALIST Starting Salary Range: $17.50 $20.38/HR plus full benefits Working Hours: The Park Specialist is a full time non-exempt position working 40 hours per week, plus overtime. The scheduled work hours for this position are Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, including ½ hour unpaid lunch. Hours may be shifted occasionally to accommodate specific tasks. Summary: The Park Specialist is responsible for assisting the Director of Parks with the maintenance operations of the Park District grounds,
4 Assist the recreation department in set up, construction, and repair of all special event props.
facilities, and equipment. The work includes, but not limited to: 1. Landscape maintenance operations for the Park District. This includes but not limited to: a. Turf maintenance: Mowing, irrigation, fertilizing, seeding, weed control, and trash removal. b. Athletic field maintenance: Baseball diamond infields, soccer fields, football fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, and installation and maintenance of necessary apparatus of each field use. c. Landscape maintenance: Soil grading and preparation, tree planting, tree trimming, tree spraying, tree watering, mulch bed maintenance,
Qualifications: 21 years of age. A valid Illinois State Driver License (Class A). In good physical condition with sufficient strength to lift and hold 50 pounds. Interested candidates shall submit an application in person or by email: John Beto, Director of Parks 401 Thatcher Avenue River Forest, Illinois 60305 708-366-6660x103 jbeto@rfparks.com
Growing Community Media NFP • Business Manager
We are hiring a part-time business manager to oversee the financial and business operations of our busy community publishing nonprofit.
Essential leadership position which offers flexible hours (25 per week), a hybrid of in-office and work from home options, and a salary in the mid-$40s. Our long-time business manager is departing after seven years to take a full-time position elsewhere. • Payroll and benefits Among the key roles for our business manager are: • Payment processing for donors, • QuickBooks proficiency
- General ledger, invoicing, month end
• Budgeting
• AR and AP management
advertisers and subscriptions
• Audit preparation
• Preferred hire will have nonprofit finance management experience.
Bonus points for being a notary! Send resumes to Dan Haley, CEO, Growing Community Media dhaley@wjinc.com
PARKS DISTRICT OF OAK PARK PRINCIPAL COACH & PROGRAM SPECIALIST
The Park District of Oak Park is hiring a Full-time Principal Coach & Program Specialist with a starting pay of $20.46 hourly to view the full job description and apply online please click the following link: https://www. paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/ jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=41011&c l i e n t k e y = 4 1 D 8 3 0 0 1 8 4 9 0 6 11 7 978771C10E755DC6
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INTERN
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Environmental Health Intern in the Health Department. This full-time seasonal position will provide assistance to the Environmental Health Practitioners in the inspection and local businesses, homes and other establishments to enforce state and local laws and ordinances related to public Health safety; to respond and resolve citizen complaints regarding nuisances and reported epidemics. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs.
BUSINESS LICENSE OFFICER
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Business License Officer in the Development Customer Service Department. This person will perform a variety of technical duties in the processing and approval of business licenses and permits; and provide assistance and support to the Department. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications will be May 9, 2022.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Animal Control Officer in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties involved in enforcing Village ordinances governing the care and keeping of animals in the Village; and to impound, care for and assist with redemption of animals as appropriate. Applicants are encouraged to apply using the following link: https://secure.entertimeonline.com/ta/6141780.careers?ApplyToJob=218333253. For additional information on the position please visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. This position is open until filled.
UTILITY (WATER) BILLING CLERK
HELP WANTED • OAK PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Application Deadline is Thursday, June 23, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. How to Apply: • Purchase and complete your application at https:// iosolutions.com by the application deadline • Submit all supporting documentation by the application deadline
Written Exam Information: Your exam will be offered electronically, and you will take the exam in your own home. There will be multiple sessions offered and each will be proctored virtually. All sessions will be offered during business hours the week of July 25, 2022 – it is your responsibility to ensure you have the flexibility to test during these times.
Police Officer Minimum Requirements: • $40.00 non-refundable application fee
Salary and Benefits:
• At least 21 years of age and have not passed their 35th birthday by closing date for application
• Population: 54,500 Sworn Police Officers: 119
• U.S. Citizen who speaks and understands English
• Competitive benefits package includes: Two weeks paid vacation; Health, dental and vision insurance plans; Paid sick leave accrual; $50,000 Village-paid term life insurance; 13 paid holidays; Educational pay; Defined-benefit pension plan
• Possess at least 60 hours of college credit at a fully accredited college or university, and also possess a minimum grade average of “C” by application deadline • Possess a valid driver’s license • Successful completion of the POWER Test within one year prior to the application deadline
• Salary: $72,680.49
Please contact IOS Recruitment at (800)-343-HIRE or recruitment@iosolutions.com with questions regarding the application, required documents or testing.
The Village of Forest Park seeks candidates for the union position of Full-Time Administration Utility Billing Clerk. Experience with data entry, customer service, administrative assistant skills, bookkeeping or accounting is highly desired. Must be flexible with work assignments and comfortable working with numbers and the public. Other qualifications include computer skills, the ability to meet deadlines, good knowledge of English language, general office skills, including handling of nonemergency calls and walk-up customer service, and good verbal and written skills. Starting salary $32,487 annually. Generous Benefits Package, IMRF Pension and 10 Paid Holidays. Open until filled. Eligible candidates will be required to pass pre-employment ability testing and an extensive background check. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark.net and
The Landmark, May 25, 2022
CLASSIFIED
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG HELP WANTED
Summer Work $15/hr
College or HS students 18 or older, make your own hours weekdays, clean, safe, fun Manufacturing work assembling graphic display frames that you’ll see in Wal-Marts, Verizon stores, CTA stations, all over US. No weekends, no evening hours. Top rated firm, Alpina Manufacturing LLC, founded in 1992, locally owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals.
Apply in person M-F 8am to 4pm • Alpina • 6460 W Cortland St Chicago, IL 60707 should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net .
BUDGET AND REVENUE ANALYST
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Budget and Revenue Analyst in the Development Customer Service Department. This position will Serve the public with professional administrative and analytical duties in the areas of budget preparation, purchasing, payroll, data analysis and process improvement. Provides, prepares and maintains records, and financial and statistical reports and analysis which assist in the Village’s ability to improve business processes and gain efficiencies through better use of technology. Budget duties include assisting in the development, analysis and application of performance measures with regard to Village services and resources; preparing, modifying, tracking and monitoring Village expenses and transfers; and conducting budget-related research and analysis. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.
PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.
POLICE RECORDS CLERK
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. This position will perform a wide variety of specialized clerical duties in support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.
COVID-19 RESPONSE INTERN
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of COVID-19 Response Intern in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of responsible
19
and complex professional COVID-19 response support, as well as routine documentation of related tasks in support of the Emergency Preparedness & Response Coordinator. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http:// www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.
COVID-19 RESPONSE COORDINATOR
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of COVID-19 Response Coordinator in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of responsible and complex professional COVID-19 response support, as well as routine documentation of related tasks in support of the Emergency Preparedness & Response Coordinator. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.
SEASONAL FARMERS’ MARKET ASSISTANT
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Assistant in the Health Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmers’ Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.
SANITARIAN
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Sanitarian in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs.
RESIDENTIAL LEASING AGENT – OAK PARK, IL
Oak Park Residence Corporation (OPRC) is seeking a capable Residential Leasing Agent to join our leasing team. You will present and lease our apartments to prospective tenants. The right candidate will be personable, flexible, informative, and well versed in multi-family residential properties. Experience with YARDI a plus. OPRC is an equal opportunity em-
ployer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We offer a highly competitive benefit plan including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, 401(k) with employer contribution, FSA, EAP, paid holiday, vacation, sick leave, and PTO. For a complete position description please go to our website: https:// oakparkrc.com/about-us... or to apply send cover letter and resume to bswaggerty@oakparkrc.com
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT WITH OPRC
Oak Park Residence Corporation (OPRC) is seeking an experienced Staff Accountant to join its accounting team. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 2 years experience in the accounting field with previous experience in accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger analysis, and budget preparation. This individual must also have excellent computer skills and be proficient in Microsoft Office and Excel. Experience in non-profit environment, property management accounting, and/or HUD experience and YARDI software considered a plus. For a complete job description please go to our website: Work for OPRC – OPRC (oakparkrc.com) or to apply send cover letter and resume to bswaggerty@oakparkrc.com. OPRC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We offer a highly competitive benefit plan including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, 401(k) with employer contribution, FSA, EAP, paid holiday,vacation, sick leave, and PTO.
PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT
VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS Riverside, IL (pop, 9,298) The Village of Riverside is a mature, historic community located 11 miles west of Chicago in Cook County. Riverside is primarily a residential community originally conceived and planned in 1869 as a model suburb by Frederick Law Olmsted. The Village operates under the President– Trustee form of government with an appointed Village Manager. The Public Works Superintendent is a challenging, stimulating position that is hired by and reports to the Director of Public Works. The Public Works Superintendent is primarily responsible for the operation of the water system. The Public Works Superintendent can expect to perform complex supervisory, administrative and professional work in planning, organizing, directing, and assisting with supervising the operations of the Department of Public Works. Positions supervised include clerical, administrative, maintenance and professional staff as assigned. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a combination of educational and relevant
RENTALS experience to fulfill the requirements of the position. The Public Works Superintendent must possess and maintain a Commercial Driver’s License and an ILEPA Certified Water Supply Operator certification of Class C or higher. Salary Range is $82,102.50 to $105,000. Send cover letter, resume, anticipated starting salary and five work related references to Ian Splitt, Village of Riverside, 27 Riverside, Riverside, IL, 60546 or email credentials to isplitt@riverside. il.us. First review of resumes will occur on May 18 th, 2022. The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
HOME CARE WORKER FOR SENIOR
Home care worker for senior in our Riverside home. Meal prep. Covid shots and boosters required. Call 708-567-6455.
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE II
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Customer Service Representative II in the Development Customer Services Department. This position provides customer service to the public by providing a variety of responsible and difficult customer service and receptionist work including high volume telephone traffic; and to perform the more difficult and complex customer service duties depending on the department including but not limited to service requests, permits, parking passes, block party permits, accounts payable processing and vehicle stickers. This position is crosstrained with the other Customer Service Representative IIs in the Village. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is posted until June 13, 2022.
PARKS DISTRICT OF OAK PARK EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
SUBURBAN RENTALS OAK PARK 1 BR APARTMENT FOR RENT
Convenient, accessible area CALL 708-456-2643
Best Selection & Service
MMpropMgmt.com
2BR, 1BTH apartment for rent. Hardwood floors. Renovated and freshly painted. Small, vintage building. No smoking. No pets. Parking included. 708-657-4226
1 BEDROOM APT
Small 1 bdr apt in Forest Park. Water and heat included. No parking. Available May 1. $700/month. 708-227-7007
OFFICE/RETAIL FOR RENT OAK PARK THERAPY OFFICES:
Therapy offices available on North Avenue. Parking; Flexible leasing; Nicely furnished; Waiting Room; Conference Room. Ideal for new practice or 2nd location. 708.383.0729 Call for an appt.
RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft. OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011
OAK PARK & FOREST PARK
708-386-7355
DOWNTOWN OAK PARK 2BR APT
MARKETPLACE
GARAGE SALES
GARAGE SALES
Oak Park
North Riverside
Moving after 22+ yrs. Yard décor, lawnmower, furniture, baby clothes & furniture, tools, books, kitchen stuff, clothing, toys, and much more.
Clothes, toys, furniture, household items, and much more! *Located 1 block south of Cermak Rd, between 13th and 14th Ave.*
HUGE MOVING SALE 930 COLUMBIAN SAT MAY 28 9AM-2PM
GARAGE/YARD SALE 9026 W 22ND PLACE MAY 26, 27, 28 8:30AM-4PM
Oak Park
YARD SALE 1036 N. EUCLID AVE. SAT MAY 28 10:00AM-4:00PM RAIN DATE: SUN MAY 29
No early birds. Huge salesman sample sale with gift items in original packaging. Gently used household items: Nambe, Soap, Candles, perfume, LEGO, holiday items, jewelry, accessories, Pet, Microwave, reading glasses, linens, fancy dish towels, outdoor table w/ chairs, lamps, Van Gogh posters, gadgets, baskets, crafts, games, kitchen and more!
WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400
The Park District of Oak Park is hiring a Full-time Executive Assistant with a starting salary of $50,000 yearly with benefits to view the full job description and apply online please click the following link: https://www. paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/ jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=57519& clientkey=41D8300184906117978 771C10E755DC6 Human Resources Specialist (River Grove, IL) F/T 9:00am to 5:00pm. 2 yr exp. in position or equiv., high school or equiv., Duties: Recruit, interview, place workers at supermarket chain. Prep, maintain employment records. Explain, oversee work policies, schedules, vacation using MS Office. Maintain records of hours, OT, vacay, employee training, certifications, grievances, reprimands. Resume to Richard Machnicki, Rich’s Fresh Market, 3141 N. Thatcher Ave., River Grove, IL 60171.
STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR
CARS WANTED HELP WANTED GRANTS COORDINATOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Grants Coordinator in the Development Customer Service Department. This position will develop and coordinate CDBG and other grant-funded programs for the department; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Development Customer Services Neighborhood Services Division Manager and department director. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park. us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.
CLASSICS WANTED CLASSICS WANTED Restored or Unrestored
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
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BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
HOME SERVICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
CEMENT
PUBLIC NOTICE On Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 11:00 am., 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 2022-2023 school year. The meeting will be held virtually through Zoom. The details are listed below.
III. INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS: A. Bid documents will be ready after 3:00 p.m. on, Friday, May 27, 2022. Only General Contractors may obtain bid documents by emailing their request. The email shall include General Contractor’s information of the following: Company Name, Address, City, State, Zip, Telephone, Fax, Contact Person. Documents will be emailed within 24 hours of the email request. Documents will not be issued if any the requested information is not received.
tion to hold public hearings and offer recommendations to the Village Board concerning variations to Zoning Ordinance.
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NOVENAS
NOVENAS PRAYER TO ST. JUDE
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail .Publication must be promised. Thank you Jesus. Thank You St . Jude. R.B.
NEVER FAIL NOVENA
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored and glorified throughout the world, now and for-ever. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in you. Holy Mary Mother of Jesus, pray for me. St. Theresa child of Jesus, pray for me. St. Jude, helper of hopeless causes, pray for me and grant this favorI ask. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days .R.B
PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN
(NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL) Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to suc cor in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and publish; your request will be granted. R.B.
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://op97-org.zoom.us/ j/83861957687?pwd=eWdqVTJDMHdIV2IzSE95UHRtU3lKQT09 Meeting ID: 838 6195 7687 Passcode: 219686 One tap mobile +13126266799,,83861957687# (Chicago) +16465588656,,83861957687# (New York)
US US
Published in Wednesday Journal May 18, 25, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF 2022-2023 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING DATES FOR RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 208 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on May 10, 2022, a resolution was passed establishing that the 20222023 meetings of the Board of Education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, will be held in Room 201 at the hour of 7:00 p.m. in the Riverside Brookfield High School building, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, IL 60546. The Regular Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month except for November. That meeting will be held on November 15, 2022, due to the November 8 election day. The Committee of the Whole Meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of September, October, January, February, April, and May. Meeting dates can be found on the Riverside Brookfield High School website (www.rbhs208. net).
Email bid document request to: jbaldwin@wtgroup.com Bid forms are non-transferable. Only those Bids that have been obtained from, and with the approval of, API Architects will be accepted at the bid opening. B. Only qualified General Contractors who can furnish satisfactory proof that they have performed work of similar nature as Contractors will be entitled to receive Plans and submit Bids. The Riverside Township reserves the right to issue Bid Documents only to those Contractors deemed qualified. C. All Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Bond for not less than five percent (5%) of the total amount of the Bid, or as provided in the applicable sections of the “PROJECT MANUAL” D. No Bid may be withdrawn after opening of Bids without the consent of the Owner for a period of forty-five (45) days after the scheduled time of opening of Bids. E. The Contractor will be required to furnish a labor and material “Performance Bond” in the full amount of the Contract. F. The Contractor will be required to pay Prevailing Wages in accordance with all applicable laws. IV. AWARD CRITERIA AND REJECTION OF BIDS: This Contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder considering conformity with the terms and conditions established by the Riverside Township in the Bid and Contract documents. The issuance of Plans and Bid forms for bidding based upon a pre-qualification rating shall not be the sole determinant of responsibility. The Riverside Township reserves the right to determine responsibility at the time of award, to reject any and all Bids, to re-advertise the proposed improvements, and to waive technicalities. BY ORDER OF: RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP
The applicants are requesting a major variation to Section 10-9-5 that would allow the home with the proposed addition to have a Floor Area Ratio of 0.467. The Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum Floor Area Ratio of 0.40. The legal description of the property at 934 Park Avenue is as follows: LOT 9 AND THE SOUTH 2.90 FEET OF LOT 10 AND THE EAST HALF OF THE VACATED ALLEY LYING WEST OF AND ADJOINING SAID LOTS IN SKILLINS SUBDIVISION OF BLOCK 11 IN SNOW AND DICKINSON ADDITION TO RIVER FOREST, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF PARTS OF SECTION 1 AND SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. A copy of the application will be available to the public at Village Hall and on the Village’s website at www. vrf.us/zoningvariation no less than 15 days prior to the public hearing. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting packet will also be available at www.vrf.us/meetings no less than 48 hours prior to the public hearing. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. Interested persons can learn more about how to participation in the hearing by visiting www. vrf.us/zoningvariation. Sincerely, Clifford Radatz Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Wednesday Journal May 25, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter:
Published in RB Landmark May 25, 2022
Published in RB Landmark May 25, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICE RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP – PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE REPAIR I. TIME AND PLACE OF OPENING OF BIDS: Sealed Bids for the remodeling described herein will be received at the office of the RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP, 27 Riverside Road Riverside, IL 60546 until 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 22, 2022, and will be publicly opened and read at that time.
PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter:
The ZBA will consider an application for major zoning variations submitted by Karuna and Viresh Rawal, owners of the property at 1443 Forest Avenue, who are proposing to construct a two story addition onto the existing home.
The ZBA will consider an application for a major zoning variation submitted by Janet and Curtis Helwig, owners of the property at 934 Park Avenue, who are proposing to construct a two story addition onto the existing home.
The applicants are requesting major variations to Section 10-9-7 that would allow the north wall of the home, which has a non-conforming side yard setback of 2.76 feet, to be extended at the First Floor level by 5 feet matching the non-conforming setback of 2.76 feet. They are also requesting a variation to extend the north wall at the Second Floor level
II. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The proposed work is officially known as RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP – PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE REPAIR and consists of structural repairs to the approximately 210 long suspension bridge spanning the Des Plaines River behind the Riverside Township Hall. Additionally the existing coatings shall be removed and replaced.
Section 4-8-5 of the Village Code provides the Zoning Board jurisdic-
Section 4-8-5 of the Village Code provides the Zoning Board jurisdiction to hold public hearings and offer recommendations to the Village Board concerning variations to Zoning Ordinance.
PUBLIC NOTICES by 25 feet 2 ½ inches matching the non-conforming setback of 2.76 feet. The Zoning Ordinance allows additions to buildings which do not meet the side yard setback requirement, but the setback of the addition must maintain either a three-foot side yard or a side yard that is the same width as the current side yard, whichever is wider; and the length of the addition is limited to a length of twenty feet. The legal description of the property at 1443 Forest Avenue is as follows: LOT 1 IN CELANO’S SUBDIVISION, BEING A RESUBDIVISION OF PART OF LOT 6 IN OWNER’S SUBDIVISION OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. A copy of the application will be available to the public at Village Hall and on the Village’s website at www. vrf.us/zoningvariation no less than 15 days prior to the public hearing. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting packet will also be available at www.vrf.us/meetings no less than 48 hours prior to the public hearing. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. Interested persons can learn more about how to participation in the hearing by visiting www. vrf.us/zoningvariation. Sincerely, Clifford Radatz Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Wednesday Journal May 25, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Daniel Louis Grotefeld 2022CONC000419. There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Daniel Louis Grotefeld to the new name of: Daniel Louis Kuithe The court date will be held: On 6/22/22 at 10:30am at 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, Cook County in Courtroom #1707 Published in Wednesday Journal May 25, June 1, 8, 2022
The Landmark, May 25, 2022
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PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to legal voters, residents of the Township of Oak Park, in the County of Cook, State of Illinois, that Public Hearings on the Tentative Town Fund, General Assistance Fund, and Community Mental Health Fund Budgets for Fiscal Year 2023, will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at the Oak Park Township Senior Services building, 130 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.
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois, to consider amendment(s) to the Village’s Zoning Ordinance which include, but may not be limited to, the following:
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 20th day of May, 2020. DaToya Burtin-Cox Oak Park Township Clerk PLEASE NOTE: At this time, it is uncertain what measures will be in place to prevent the spread of COVID. The hearing may be held virtually only. Please visit the Township website at www.oakparktownship. org or call us at 708-383-8005. If the hearing is virtual, information for participation will be posted on the website. Published in Wednesday Journal May 25, 2022
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1. A Text Amendment to Section 10-3 (Definitions) of the Zoning Ordinance to define solar energy systems; and 2. A Text Amendment to Section 1021 (Land Use Chart) of the Zoning Ordinance to designate solar energy systems as a permitted accessory use in all Zoning Districts. The petitioner for the Text Amendments is the Village President and Board of Trustees. This public hearing is being held pursuant to direction given by the Village Board of Trustees for the Zoning Board of Appeals to consider these amendments. For additional information visit www.vrf.us. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. If you cannot attend the public hearing but would like to provide input on this matter to the Zoning Board of Appeals you may submit your comments in writing, to Clifford Radatz, Building Official, no later than 12:00 Noon on the date of the public hearing at cradatz@vrf.us or by mailing them to 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305.
PUBLIC NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive bids from qualified mechanical contractors at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, June 10th, 2022 for the following: Bid Number: 22-401BM Village of Oak Park North Fire Station Boiler Replacement There will be a pre-bid meeting at the north fire station, located at 212 Augusta, Oak Park, IL on Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708-358-5700 or by e-mailing vics@oak-park.us between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. M-F. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening.
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park—Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302—will receive electronic proposals until Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements consist of removal and replacement of watermain valves ranging in size from 8 inches to 16 inches, including removal and replacement of valve boxes and valve vaults, watermain and fittings, curb and gutter, pavement and parkway restoration, traffic control, and all appurtenant work thereto.
for a non-refundable charge of $30.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications to only those contractors deemed qualified. No plans will be issued to prospective bidders after 4:00 P.M. on the working day preceding the opening of bids.
Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 4:00 P.M., which can be found at https://www.oak-park. us/your-government/budget-purchasing/requests-proposals or at www.questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 8216686
The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.
All prospective bidders must prove they are pre-qualified by the Illinois Department of Transportation, or other Federal agency approved by the Village Engineer, by providing a certificate of eligibility to the Engineering Division at which time a password will be issued for access to the online bid documents.
THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer
Published in Wednesday Journal, May 25, 2022
THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal May 25, 2022
For further information or for a copy of the proposed text amendments, please contact Assistant to the Village Administrator Matt Walsh at (708) 714-3563 or at mwalsh@vrf.us or visit www.vrf.us. Sincerely, Clifford Radatz Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Wednesday Journal May 25, 2022
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LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park reserves The Village of Oak Park --Ofthe right to issue plans and specifice of the Village Engineer, 201 fications only to those contractors South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois deemed qualified. No bid docu60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Thursments will be issued after 4:00 day, June 16, 2022 for Project: p.m. on the working day preceding 22-1, Sewer Main Improvements. the date of bid opening. Bids will be received and acceptAll prospective bidders must prove ed, and bid results posted via the they are pre-qualified by the Illinois online electronic bid service listed Department of Transportation, or below. In general, the improveother approved Federal agency, ments consist of the installation by providing a certificate of eligiof PVC sewer mains including bility to the Engineering Division residential service lines, precast at which time a password will be manholes, drainage structures and issued for access to the online bid catch basin connections, restoradocuments. tion of roadway including bitumiThis project is financed with local nous pavement, curb and gutter, Village funds and federal Comsidewalks, driveways, parkways, munity Development Block Grant pavement markings, and all appur(CDBG) funds and thus is subject tenant work thereto. to all federal rules, regulations and Plans and proposal forms may be guidelines, including Davis-Bacon obtained via the electronic serand Related Acts, Section 3, and vice starting on Thursday, May Equal Opportunity requirements. 26, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Plans and Locally funded phases of the proposal forms can be found at project are subject to the Illinois https://www.oak-park.us/yourPrevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS government/budget-purchasing/ 130/0.01 et seq. requests-proposals or at www. THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK questcdn.com under login using Bill McKenna QuestCDN number 8170629 for a Village Engineer non-refundable charge of $30.00. Published in Wednesday Journal, May 25, 2022
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK; Plaintiff, vs. HENRY KIRKE CUSHING AKA HENRY K. CUSHING; MARY K. O’GRADY AKA MARK K. O’GRADY AKA MARY KAY O’GRADY; MARQUERITE HOLDING; Defendants, 21 CH 5827 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 21, 2022 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. 16-07-405-018-0000. Commonly known as 115 South Ridgeland Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302. 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 Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 21-002016 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3194270
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION ASSOCIATED BANK, NA; Plaintiff, vs. SHEILA CONNER; STEVEN CONNER; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY; THE STATE OF ILLINOIS; CITIMORTGAGE, INC.; Defendants, 19 CH 13166 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 Wednesday, June 29, 2022 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. 16-08-311-001-0000. Commonly known as 200 South Humphrey Avenue, 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 Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 19-038564 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3194804
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.
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
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Parking Lot Refresh Benefits Beyond Hunger Drive-Thru and Greater Community
eyond Hunger’s Drive-Thru Food Pantry will be safer and more efficient thanks to a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services. This June, those funds will support the restructuring and resurfacing of the parking lot at First United Church of Oak Park where Beyond Hunger rents space. The reconfiguration will help ensure Beyond Hunger’s continued ability to provide nourishing food to the community in a convenient, desirable way—offering another dignifying choice for local families. We are extremely grateful to Senator Don Harmon for his commitment to our mission and his assistance in connecting Beyond Hunger to this opportunity. The funds directly impact the health and wellness of our community and allow us to sustain the increased service levels we’ve experienced throughout the pandemic in a safe and efficient manner.
The funded project encapsulates IDHS’s mission to support service delivery of programs that improve health and wellbeing, support children and youth development, and family and community safety. It is Beyond Hunger’s honor to ensure that the project will make a lasting impact for the multiple organizations and community groups that call First United Church of Oak Park their home. Because the restructuring of the parking lot is funded by IDHS, First United Church of Oak Park may reallocate infrastructure funds to the greater care of our neighbors. First United Nursery School will have an elevated level of safety for the daily pick up and drop off of the children attending their early childhood programs. As First United Church of Oak Park has a longstanding history of opening their doors for various community and charitable groups, we know that multiple groups such as the Kids Kloset, Cluster
Tutoring, and the numerous scouting programs that use this facility as their home will benefit. We are grateful to our general contractor, First United Church member Gary Cerniglia, who is graciously donating his time. We are also grateful for the time and expertise donated by Joe Junius of Aria Group Architects who provided the new parking lot design that will accommodate the needs of all these groups in addition to Beyond Hunger’s Drive-Thru Food Pantry. We have already begun to let our clients know that this project will take place through the month of June as it requires that we relocate the bulk of our operations and our Drive-Thru Food Pantry service. Our walk-in pantry will remain at First United throughout the construction process. For questions regarding Beyond Hunger services or the upcoming project, please contact Sheila Harris, Director of Operations: Sheila@
GoBeyondHunger.org. For media inquiries please contact Sarah Corbin, Communications Manager: sarah@GoBeyondHunger.org. Learn more about Beyond Hunger’s mission to harness the power of communities to end hunger visit our website GoBeyondHunger.org. Beyond Hunger creates solutions to end hunger at every stage of life through our comprehensive programs, from feeding kids when school is out, to providing emergency food to families in need, and delivering groceries to homebound older adults. Our community partnerships help us identify pockets of hunger and meet the need together.
The Landmark, May 25, 2022
ARE YOU BEHIND ON HOUSING COSTS DUE TO COVID-19? APPLY L FOR UP TO LY
IN EMERGENCY MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE!
Join us at the Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Event to receive application assistance for the Illinois Homeownership Assistance Fund! Thursday, May 26 Noon - 6 PM Sheet Metal Workers Local 73 4550 Roosevelt Rd, Hillside, IL 60162 Register at bit.ly/oprhc-housing-help
START YOUR APPLICATION TODAY! The Illinois Homeowners Assistance Fund can help with ... delinquent mortgage payments delinquent property taxes delinquent homeowner's insurance and/or flood insurance delinquent mobile home lot rent costs related to a period of forbearance delinquent Homeowner, Condominium, or Co-Op Association fees
Check your eligibility and apply online for the Illinois Homeowners Assistance Fund to reduce or eliminate past-due housing costs.
Visit www.illinoishousinghelp.org/ilhaf to learn more and apply!
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The Landmark, May 25, 2022
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