Landmark 052924

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RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD $1.00

Vol. 39, No. 22

Also serving North Riverside

May 29, 2024

Fire briefly closes North Riverside Mall PAGE 9

Cicada coloring contest Page 11

Riverside monitors parking in Lot 8 PAGE 5

Defying labels

With declining enrollment, can American Legions, VFWs stay relevant today?

2 BBrookfi kfield ld girls i l become b EEagle l SScouts t STORY BY TRENT BROWN, PAGE 3

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

TRENT BROWN

From left to right, Abigail Sokol, Kyle Lyth, Salma Hummos and Connor Stenson stand at their Eagle Scout ceremony May 22 while Troop 90 Scoutmaster Ken Knasiak speaks.

Spring

Known for the Friday fish fry, corner bar and dedication to veterans, the country’s American Legions and VFWs, longtime national touchstones, are navigating how to thrive as their memberships shift.

Although more than 12,000 American Legion posts and nearly 6,000 worldwide locations of the Veterans of Foreign Wars still exist, membership in these service organizations is dropping as veterans grow older or die.

With roots tracing back to the Spanish-American war, See LEGION on page 6

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The Landmark, May 29, 2024

The Landmark, May 29, 2024

Best friends are first girls in Brookfield to be Eagle Scouts

Salma Hummos and Abigail Sokol earned the rank last week

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

After Scouts BSA moved to allow girls to join its ranks in 2019, two Brookfielders are the first women in town, and in their troop, to become Eagle Scouts.

Best friends Salma Hummos, 19, and Abigail Sokol, 18, both members of Troop 90, were both granted the organization’s highest rank Wednesday, May 22, at a ceremony in McCook, the culmination of years’ worth of work from them both. Troop 90 members Kyle Lyth and Connor Stenson also became Eagle Scouts at the ceremony.

“I believe that through Boy Scouts, and especially for my Eagle project, I’ve really gained a lot in my leadership skills, my technical skills, even soft skills — everything,” Hummos said in an interview. “Altogether, I feel like Boy Scouts as a program has made me a lot better.”

“If anyone’s planning on joining Boy Scouts, or just about it, or even in Boy Scouts, I’d highly recommend that they consider looking into some of the leadership positions,” said Sokol, who was a patrol leader in her troop. “The base set of skills is a lot of fun, and I love camping. It’s nice to know how to camp. I think the leadership side of things definitely carries over far more than anything else to everyday life.”

Although Hummos and Sokol, who both just completed their first years in college, grew their friendship — and themselves — through their time as part of Troop 90, they came up in the troop through different paths.

Hummos joined Scouts as an eighth grader in 2019, a founding member of Troop 90G. While the boys and girls in Troop 90 are technically split into two troops, they act mostly as one troop.

“My brother was actually in the troop before me, and my mom was like, ‘Hey, do you want to join Boy Scouts?’” Hummos said.

“I used to be in Girl Scouts, but it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do, because there was a lot more sitting around and doing

more domestic merit badges, versus actually camping or anything, so you know I jumped at the opportunity.”

Hummos said that when she first joined Scouts, “It was just confusing for everybody because nobody had ever seen girls in Boy Scouts before.”

“In our troop, luckily, it was just really nice. Everything was really cohesive, but when I went to more council or chapter things, it was more of a pushback,” she said.

“Nobody said anything, but you can still tell that there’s a layer on the room. ‘Why are there women here?’”

Sokol’s journey through Scouts started years before Hummos’. The Eagle Scout, who is transgender, initially joined as a Cub Scout around first grade, but she nearly quit before moving up through the ranks.

Both Eagle Scouts agreed the sense of community they gained through the Scouts program was one of their favorite parts.

“I just really love them. My leaders, the other girls that joined with me,” Hummos said. “There were nine of us at the beginning, and the majority of us were siblings of brothers who all went through Boy Scouts, so being able to have that opportunity and such a warm community around me was just amazing.”

“A lot of my friends early on were through Scouts because I had been homeschooled until high school,” Sokol said.

She added that meeting new friends through Scouts helped her figure out her transgender identity.

“I actually came out to Salma before anyone else,” she said.

Sokol said she initially came out to other members of the troop before telling the adults involved, but, ultimately, “it was a really accepting environment;” however, she said she received pushback from members of other troops.

“Every now and again, we’ll go to summer camps or to jamborees, other events where you interact with other troops, and some of them definitely have a more conservative hardline position, I’d say,” she said. “There were some comments made by other troops in regards to being in Boy Scouts. And definitely, they were maybe not the greatest, but I’d say my troop was pretty supportive.”

When it came to the act of scouting itself,

Hummos and Sokol had their own preferences. Of the merit badges each of them collected prior to becoming an Eagle Scout — 21 at minimum — Hummos said her favorites were the ones for activities she had never done outside of Scouts.

“Welding. I got to do some kayaking, which I have never been able to do before,” she said.

Sokol’s tastes were a bit more stereotypical to what one associates with scouting.

“I really liked wilderness survival. I think that was my favorite one. I’ve always really liked the camping side of things. It’s been my primary focus throughout all of Scouts,” she said.

To become Eagle Scouts, both Hummos and Sokol had to complete service projects, showing off their leadership skills while helping the community.

For her project, Hummos led a group of volunteers to rebrick the shed at the Fisher House at Hines V.A. Hospital, which had become worn down. She said one hard part of the project was organizing it — renting a truck and transporting the new bricks only to realize it was too cold outside and the volunteer group would have to reschedule.

Sokol said her project involved creating a community garden at Eight Corners.

With some help from volunteers, she tore up cracked asphalt from an unused parking lot and laid down dirt, including an area with gravel for a social firepit.

“We planted just grass and then wildflowers in the patches, sort of as an area for more plants and also just humans to enjoy,” she said.

Now that they’ve achieved Scouts’ highest rank, they both have plans for the future. Sokol is studying computer science at the Colorado School of Mines; Hummos will study biomedical engineering at the College of DuPage in the fall after studying at Northern Illinois University for her first year.

Still, both Eagle Scouts encourage others to join the organization. For the “majority of troops nowadays, I would highly recommend girls join,” Hummos said.

“They’re changing their branding to just be Scouting America, where they’re trying to make it as inclusive as possible, especially for girls,” she said. “There’s so many opportunities for us as women now, which is great.”

IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Editor Erika Hobbs Staff Reporters Trent Brown, Amaris E. Rodriguez Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com Publisher Dan Haley Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

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

HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 E-MAIL erika@growingcommunitymedia.org 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 $45 within Cook County and $65 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. © 2024 Growing Community Media NFP.

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The Landmark, May 29, 2024

BIG WEEK May 29-June 5

Parent Reading Night Thursday, May 30, 6 p.m., LSF Brookfield Library Join the library for a special family reading night with local author and illustrator, Theresa Parilla.

Theresa will be reading her book Shape Towns and children will be able to explore shape-related sensory play. This event is a great opportunity to decompress from work (and school for the kids).

See you there! 3541 Park Ave.

Summer Reading Kickoff Celebration Growing with Brookfield Saturday, June 1, Brookfield area The Brookfield Artist Collective and the Chamber of Commerce are coordinating an event that will include 10 painted rain barrels displayed across the Brookfield neighborhood. Local artists have painted these rain barrels in order to sponsor the community’s businesses. These artists and sponsors have spent a lot of time painting the barrels, so it is only fair that many eyes see them around!

Live Music on the Plaza with Katie Kostner Saturday, June 1, 1:30 p.m., LSF Brookfield Library Start the summer off right with live music by popular local artist, Katie Kostner.

Weather permitting, Katie will perform on the library’s outdoor plaza. Register for this event along with others at the Brookfield Library online, by phone, or in person. www.lsfbrookfieldlibrary.org, 708-485-6917. 3541 Park Ave.

Monday, June 3, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., LSF Brookfield Library All ages are welcome to celebrate the start of summer at the library. Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles will open the celebration at 6 p.m. on the library’s outdoor Plaza, weather permitting. After the live reptile show, enjoy crafts, lawn games, and free ice cream and popcorn with the whole family. Don’t forget to sign up for the Library’s Summer Reading Challenge for kids, teens, and adults for a chance to win prizes. The Summer Reading Challenge runs from June 1 to August 15. 3541 Park Ave .

Compiled by Grace Harty

2024 Brookfield Farmers Market Opening Day

Listing your event

Saturday, June 1, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Illinois’ #1 ranked farmers market is back this Saturday for its 17th season! The market will be back with your favorite vendors with goods ranging from fruits and veggies to soaps and artisan pieces. As a refresher, the market runs every Saturday until October 12th- that’s a lot of time to benefit from this Brookfield wonder. Stay tuned because some weeks they will have special events including live music! 8820 Brookfield Ave.

■ If you would like your event to be featured here,

please send a photo and details by noon of the Wednesday before it needs to be published.

We can’t publish everything, but we’ll do our best to feature the week’s highlights.

Email calendar@wjinc.com.

The Landmark, May 29, 2024

Flea Market Craft The village will survey nearby businesses to learn where their employees park Fair

Riverside is monitoring parking spot usage at Parking Lot 8

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

seven, while only one person on one day parked in any of the bank’s five spots. A community service officer who is tasked with counting the cars in the spots each day compiled the data.

“What it shows is, most likely, the businesses’ employees are parking on the street and not utilizing the parking lot,” Zavala said.

Zavala’s presentation marks the first time the board has discussed or considered the allocation of parking spots in Parking Lot 8 since a meeting last May,

Riverside is keeping a close eye on the parking spots in its Parking Lot 8 at 44 E. Quincy St. and how often people use them.

Following low usage of the parking lot’s non-commuter spots, Riverside staff are preparing to survey businesses in the nearby area “to further gauge the utilization and gather more data,” said Finance Director Yvette Zavala at the village board’s May 16 meeting. After the data is collected, the village board will decide whether to update the parking spot designations within the lot ahead of reconstruction later this year, which will turn it into Riverside’s third green parking lot.

The 37 spots in the parking lot have been broken up into COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE three groups as part of a trial This aerial view shows the current parking spot distribution run since 2022. within Riverside’s Parking Lot 8. According to a village memo, The first 20 spots spots 1-20 are for commuters with permits, spots 21-32 are for are assigned to employees of nearby businesses and spots 33-37 are reserved for commuters with use by First American Bank. parking permits.

The next 12 spots are reserved for when trustees decided to continue the permitted employees of businesses in trial run of parking spot distribution for the area while the final five spots are a second year. saved for use by First American Bank, At that time, former Finance Director which is located nearby at 15 Riverside Karin Johns informed the board that Rd. staff had observed low utilization of the At the village board meeting, Zavala spots reserved for nearby businesses, presented an update to trustees on the similar to Zavala’s update this month; weekday utilization of the non-comhowever, the board hoped that then-remuter parking spots since April 19. Accently added signage would encourage cording to the presentation, about five employees to make use of the spots. people per day parked in the 12 spots The trial run began in May 2022, two reserved for nearby businesses, with months after Riverside approved an the total each day ranging from three to

agreement with First American Bank to transfer 12 of its parking spots to the village. In exchange, the sole responsibility for the repair and maintenance of the parking lot was placed on the village.

Before that, Riverside and the bank had an agreement stretching back to April 1987. The bank was granted exclusive use of the “easterly 25 feet” of the lot but had to share equal responsibility for the lot with the village.

Even before that, in 1985, Riverside agreed to provide the bank with five specific spots in the lot, a decision that has lasted to today. As part of the March 2022 agreement, Riverside agreed to continue providing the bank with five dedicated parking spots, though they can be any five spots in Parking Lot 8 “or elsewhere in close proximity” to the bank.

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The Landmark, May 29, 2024

LEGION

Bygone era? from page 1 VFW reported a decline of one million members between 1992 and 2019. Joe Bartley, state adjutant-quartermaster for the State of Illinois VFW, said there are 35,045 VFW members across 260 posts in Illinois. And though the largest post has more than 600 members, yearly membership has increased only twice in Illinois since 2015.

The American Legion, chartered in 1919, has lost more than 700,000 members in the last decade, according to Fox News.

And in Forest Park, American Legion Post 414 soon may contribute to that number. The post is closing and hosted its last honor guard service on Memorial Day. Representatives from Post 414 did not respond for comment.

While it’s the end of an era for Forest Park veterans, other American Legions and VFWs said they are nevertheless focused on growing membership and staying involved in the community. The future, representatives said, is with younger members, who they recruit at events for veterans and by continuing efforts to get to know those who fought in recent wars.

“Every post does what they’re doing a little differently,” Bartley said. “The posts that are able to get the younger veterans in, where they’re most successful is where they’re building their post programs around family.”

Caring for veterans and the community Service organizations for veterans, like American Legions and VFWs, are ingrained in their communities.

“A lot of people don’t know what the American Legion does,” said Balvina Ranney, an auxiliary officer and historian at American Legion Post 96 in Cicero, which she said opened about 100 years ago. “We do things to assist veterans, their families and also be part of the community.”

Post 96, for example, supports little league baseball teams and football teams, offers rehabilitation services for veterans and participates in honor guards, funeral services and parades.

“We look after our vets as primary, and then our community is secondary,” said Gregory Walker, commander of

FILE PHOTO

Forest Park’s American Legion Post 414 held its last honor guard service on Memorial Day. American Legion Post 838 in Maywood, which he said has existed for about 50 years. “But we serve a big purpose in the community.”

These community offerings include a coat drive in October, hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for veterans and a toy giveaway around Christmas time.

During the back-to-school season, Post 838 holds a drive to fill as many as 200 backpacks with school supplies. At least twice a year, they host a free all-youcan-eat pancake breakfast.

Post 838 also helps sponsor high school juniors to go to Boys State, which involves teaching participants about their responsibilities, government and the military.

“We are teaching them how to become good whatever you want to be,” Walker said of Boys State. “It’s something to get them focused on the next chapter in their lives.”

Post 96 helps sponsor Girls State, where high school juniors learn about the political process, government structure and the path to becoming a state representative or senator.

Money for these services often comes from veterans and community members.

Walker said Post 838 makes 90% of its revenue from “the canteen,” or its bar.

And while membership to American Legions and VFWs might be decreasing,

affecting the number of members who visit canteens, Bartley said many VFW posts are focusing more on fundraising efforts — especially since dinners and raffles are often held in the same building as the canteen.

Changing demographics Around the time of World War II, the American Legion in Cicero had over 400 members, Ranney said. Membership is now fewer than 100 people.

As veterans of World War II and the Korean War die, an increasing number of veterans at Cicero’s Post 96 served in Vietnam, or are children of those who did, Ranney said. She estimated that about 75% of Post 96’s members are in their 40s, 50s or 60s.

“Our unit is not a very young unit. We’re very grateful that we have senior members guiding us,” Ranney said.

But as members of veterans service organizations age, many become less involved.

“Some of these people are at the point in their time when they just want to sit back in the recliner and enjoy life,” Bartley said.

In 2008, the North Riverside VFW — with about 600 members from absorbing former posts in Cicero, Lyons, Melrose Park and Westchester — merged into Berwyn’s, which had nearly 400 members at the time.

“They’ve got a lot of members, but no one

wanted to run for office or do the work required to keep the post open,” Jack Meshek, the Illinois VFW’s District 4 commander, previously told the Landmark about the North Riverside VFW. “Membership is dropping to a point where they can’t even fill the offices in their post,” Bartley said of VFWs that merge with other VFWs. “That’s why it’s so important to get the young people in there.”

At 57, Walker said he’s the second youngest member of Maywood’s American Legion.

“So, we constantly are recruiting to get younger members,” Walker said. He said he often talks and plays cards with younger veterans associated with the Veterans Affairs Chicago office.

But younger veterans aren’t the only newer cohort for these service organizations.

“One of the fastest growing demographics for VFW membership is the female veteran,” Bartley said.

As more women join the armed forces, service organizations have shifted to address their needs. For example, Bartley said the Illinois VFW is lobbying for the VA to offer more programs for women and female doctors.

And hope isn’t lost for the younger or female veterans who were a part of Forest Park’s American Legion.

After learning about Post 414’s closure, Walker said he would visit to encourage its members to join another location, since he doesn’t see another organization taking over Post 414’s role in the community.

“The closest thing I could probably say would possibly be the park district,” Walker said. “But it wouldn’t cater to the veterans.”

While several organizations support veterans, many are based in Chicago and lack suburban locations, like Chicago Veterans, The Mission Continues and The Wounded Warrior Project. While the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County provides social services and emergency financial assistance to veterans, organizations like this often don’t highlight community events to the same extent that American Legions and VFWs do.

“We’re here to serve the community and to show that what makes a community is being part of it, helping and being there for each other and for good people that are doing good causes,” Ranney said.

“It’s a matter of what the members are interested in, what the community is interested in, and finding something that works together,” Bartley said.

The Landmark, May 29, 2024

Your support and new grants combining to make Growing Community Media stronger

Dear Growing Community Media friends, We’re at the halfway point of our Spring Fund Drive. And we’re halfway to our $130,000 goal. With your help right now we’ll make this goal and maybe beat it by a bit.

The deadline is June 30. That’s the end of our fiscal year. Don’t you love it when nonprofits talk about their fiscal years! But it is an important date to us and reaching this goal will set us up for a new year focused on our ambitious plans to grow local news across Wednesday Journal, Forest Park Review, Riverside Brookfield Landmark and the Austin Weekly News.

Big news to share about the Austin Weekly, our West Side paper for the past 38 years. We have just received a major grant which will allow us to hire a Managing Editor for the Austin Weekly. The funding comes from Press Forward, a new national philanthropy, which is fully focused on saving local news across America. And that includes our West Side neighborhoods of Austin, West Garfield Park and North Lawndale.

Coming soon a bigger, better Austin Weekly News with more stories, more connection, more voices.

What does this mean to you if you live in Forest Park or Brookfield or Oak Park? It means that the nonprofit newsroom we created four years ago is gaining momentum, that our new model for making local news strong is gaining traction. We’ve had success in starting to convince our readers they need to become members and supporters of this effort. Thousands of you have done just that.

Now our good work and bold, ambitious plans to grow are winning support from local and national foundations. So far this year we’ve earned grants from the Chicago Community Trust, the Google News Initiative, and now, Press Forward.

So, we come to you with enthusiasm asking you to play your part in keeping local news vital in your hometown. We need you now more than ever to make our audacious plan work.

Every dollar counts.

Jump in. Join in. Become a part of this moment.

With gratitude and excitement.

Dan Haley

Erika Hobbs

Publisher

Editor

Scan and join us!

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The Landmark, May 29, 2024

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Saturday,June June 88th 9:00 Noon Saturday, 9:00am am– – Noon th Saturday, June 8 9:00 am – Noon Riverside Masonic th Lodge parking lot Saturday, June 8Avenue, 9:00 am lot – Noon Riverside Masonic Lodge parking 40 Forest Riverside th Lodge parking lot Riverside Masonic Saturday,40June am – Noon Forest8Avenue,9:00 Riverside th

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This FREE event is only for Riverside Township Forest Avenue, Riverside Riverside Masonic Lodge parking lot and only40 for personal, confidential This residents FREE event is only for Riverside Township documents.

No business shredding, 40 Forest Avenue, Riverside This FREE event isfor only for Riverside Township residents and only personal, magazines, or junk mail. Each confidential household is residents and only for personal, confidential documents.

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No business shredding, restricted to no more than 3 boxes of paper. residents and only for personal, confidential American Mobile Shredding and Recycling. restricted toor nojunk more than 3household boxes of paper. magazines, mail.

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Please bring a non-perishable, unexpired food item For more event info, call Riverside Township at (708) 442-4400 to info, donate to the Riverside Food Pantry!

For more call Riverside TownshipTownship at (708) 442-4400 Please bring awww.riversidetownship.org non-perishable, unexpired food item or event visit our website: or visittoour website: donate towww.riversidetownship.org the Riverside Township Food Pantry!

For more event info, call Riverside Township at (708) 442-4400 or visit our website: www.riversidetownship.org For more event info, call Riverside Township at (708) 442-4400 or visit our website: www.riversidetownship.org

Time to renew?

Jill@RBLandmark.com or (708) 613-3340

The Landmark, May 29, 2024

Fire breaks out in North Riverside mall food court

The mall reopened Thursday after one eatery was damaged

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

The North Riverside Park Mall reopened Thursday afternoon after a small fire in the food court that morning. Mall representatives and North Riverside’s fire department confirmed no one was hurt in the fire.

In an email, the mall’s marketing director, Jeanne Heller, said the fire occurred at about 11:15 a.m. Thursday. In a written statement, the mall said only a “single food court eatery was impacted,” though

the fire “affect[ed] two dining tenants.”

Firefighters from the North Riverside Fire Department and neighboring communities “were quickly able to contain the fire and minimize damage.”

The mall had reopened by about 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, according to Heller’s email, after the mall said firefighters “worked diligently to clear any residual smoke inside the mall.”

As of Thursday afternoon, mall officials said the food court “remains closed for health inspection and will reopen tomorrow.”

“We are very grateful to the village of North Riverside, the North Riverside Fire and Police Departments, and surrounding areas’ support for their swift action,” the mall said in the statement.

Steven Lifka, who was outside the mall after firefighters arrived, said he heard North Riverside Mayor Joseph Mengoni say in a press conference at the scene

Flea Market Craft Fair

Saturday, June 1 9am - 2pm - Blood Drive - Seguin Garden Center - Lunch & white elephant table

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with Lisa Capone Make Your Home Show Ready STEVEN LIFKA

Firetrucks and police cars surround the North Riverside Park Mall after a small fire broke out in the food court at about 11:15 a.m. that morning. No one was hurt in the fire.

Thursday that the mall was evacuated following the grease fire.

SPRING y SPR SP PRI RIN ING NG Invent I ventt rry In REDUCTION SALE

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You’ve decided to move to a senior living community, now what? If you have a home to sell, get it show ready by following these easy steps.

• Declutter, Depersonalize & Deep Clean. Help home shoppers focus on the house and not who lives there. Remove framed photos, bulletin boards and personal items, and get rid of anything dirty, dusty or smelly.

• Go Neutral. Buyers often can’t see past your décor so paint over any bright colors. Stick with whites, light gray, beige, or greige shades, they make spaces seem larger and more welcoming.

• Light It Up. Make sure all lamps and light fixtures have working bulbs and rooms are bright and well lit.

• Fix It Up. Repair small and large issues to present a home that’s been well cared for. If a project is too large to do it yourself, hire a handyman.

Remember, you only have one chance to make a great first impression with potential home buyers.

Visit Cantata.org for more senior living advice or call (708) 387-1030.

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The Landmark, May 29, 2024

We envision a world where mental health is valued, proactively nurtured, and in reach of everyone.

Our Services

24/7 Crisis Support

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Location: 120 S. Marion Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 Phone: 708-383-7500

thrivecc.org All are welcome at Thrive. Our services are accessible to everyone regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, legal status, beliefs, or disability. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, most insurance plans, and provide sliding scale options.

The Landmark, May 29, 2024

Cicada coloring contest For kids and the kids at heart Grab your colored pencils and crayons! This cicada has been waiting 17 years to be this colorful! Snap a pic of your final work of art to Editor Erika Hobbs at erika@ growingcommunitymedia.org to be featured next week in the paper and online. JPEGs and PDFs accepted.

We’d also love to see you! You can drop off your cicada art at 141. S. Oak Park Ave.

Artwork by:

11

12

The Landmark, May 29, 2024

Opinion

Thinking about a career in local government?

Community • Connection Service • Respect

The Village of Oak Park has job opportunities available.

Please visit www.oak-park.us or scan the QR code

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I

Our new way to make news

t has been a remarkable, exciting week for those of us at Growing Community Media. Over the past four years, dating to our remaking as a nonprofit newsroom, we’ve been reinventing the model for authentic, local news.

We don’t want to repeat for you the travails which have put local news across America at risk.

Instead, we’re focusing on the future.

We started with the simple truth that people still want to know and understand what goes on in the town they choose for home. They want an independent newsroom with local roots doing the reporting.

We’re building the plane as we’re flying it, and with our trusty craft in midair, we’ve been pitching parts out the door, adding people and products, listening better to readers about what they want to know, building new streams of revenue to pay for it all and crafting a pretty unique hybrid. Advertising. Reader memberships. Philanthropy. Print.

Digital. Social. Email. And with COVID ending, mixing in a few events.

This week, two key strands of the new revenue model are happily overlapping.

GCM and its Austin Weekly News have just earned a two-year grant from Press Forward, a new national philanthropy, which we’ll use to hire a managing editor for our West Side paper. We’ve proudly published the Austin Weekly for 38 years. But our reporting has always been constrained by a limited pool of ad dollars. Now as a nonprofit, we are finding new revenue streams to pay for more news coverage, more pages, more community connection.

A couple of sidenotes: For the first time we will form a community-inclusive hiring committee to be central to choosing the managing editor. And as soon as we are able to find funding, we will open a West Side Public Newsroom. This will be a storefront in Austin where our staff can work from, interviews can take place, small groups of neighbors can convene to talk about issues and our coverage. We’ll also welcome reporters from other news outlets reporting on the West Side to share the space.

We are grateful to Press Forward that GCM and 12 other independent Chicago newsrooms were in the first cohort of grants from this ambitious local news effort.

At the same time, we’re midway through our annual Spring Fund Drive. I am certain, with your help, that we will raise the last $75,000 of our goal. This is the money that goes into the newsroom to pay reporters, editors, designers, and a digital manager to tell stories across our four publications.

If you are a member of GCM, then please renew. If you are reading our news for free, then snap out of it. Our costs are real. Our reporters provide value. This is our invitation to really join this enterprise, to be part of this powerful community.

Last thing — on Saturday, GCM made the donuts at the Oak Park Farmers Market for the first time. Thanks for coming. Hope you liked them. Thanks to our staff and the volunteers who made this work. It is another way to support local news.

MISSING THE POLICE REPORTS? CHECK ONLINE! RBLANDMARK.COM

The Landmark, May 29, 2024

13

LETTERS

Reflections of a soldier’s son This letter to the editor is adapted from the author’s speech at the Riverside American Legion Post 488’s annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 29, 2023: I have never thought of my Dad as not a soldier. Perhaps that’s what happens when you’re a command sergeant major’s son.

Whether it was his high-and-tight haircut, drill weekends, or patches, medals, and uniforms, the Army has always been a part of our lives.

My brother and I were blessed to have been raised by parents who showed us, through their actions, the importance of service, who instilled in us a love of country, and who taught us that America is worth defending.

So it is particularly touching that our hometown of Riverside and the American Legion Post 488 decided to recognize and honor my father’s service in its annual ceremony. In fact, it is altogether fitting that we are gathered on this holiday to honor him more than a decade after he returned from Iraq and Afghanistan on Memorial Day Weekend in 2010.

One of my most cherished memories is embracing my dad at O’Hare Airport when he returned home from his deployment that day. I can still feel that embrace. And each time I reminisce about that moment, I am filled with pride and gratitude to be his son — and to be an American.

I believe there is something special about small-town celebrations on holidays like Memorial Day. These are communal acts of remembrance. Across the country, neighborhoods like ours are gathering to pay tribute

to their own honored dead. This is what generations of American men and women have fought, and died, to make possible. It’s what the “Riverside 54” — those local heroes from successive generations and conflicts — fought and died to protect.

It’s not a grandiose, impersonal ceremony.

It’s a genuine commemoration, year after year, of those who have served, and those who have sacrificed. That seems pretty American to me.

After college, I moved from Riverside to Washington D.C. Often I walk down to the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.

To the left of Lincoln are inscribed these words: “It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.”

Lincoln, of course, was speaking at Gettysburg in the context of the Civil War. But the

lesson remains for us all gathered here on this Memorial Day: Freedom is not free.

Dylan W. Gresik Riverside

Where are the flags?

Driving around Riverside, I have to admit I was very disappointed by the lack of American flags on display on houses, especially for Memorial Day weekend.

Yes, downtown Riverside had the flags displayed, but what about everyone else?

We have our flag out every day till the winter months. Support the USA.

Kathleen Meade Riverside

OBITUARIES

Daniel McCarthy, 83 Daniel “Farmer or Fastmac” F. McCarthy, 83 of Brookfield, died at home on May 19, 2024. He worked as a dock worker in trucking logistics. He was an avid sports fan with a special emphasis on horseracing.

Daniel was the husband of Donna J. McCarthy (nee Trongale); the father of Dawn McCarthy and Sharon McCarthy; the grandfather of Ashley (Donald) Janosek, Michele (Dathan) Wol-

Sudha Phansalkar, 94

lard, Daniel Wozniak, Tony Pena and Brianna (Josh) Godar; the great-grandfather of Chandler, Lincoln, Carson, Bennett and Clayton; the brother of Sister Sharon McCarthy DC, Terrence McCarthy, Noel Arens and the late Marlene Woods and Jeanine McCarthy; uncle of many nieces and nephews; and lifelong friend of David (Maureen) McVey. Services and interment were private.

Homemaker Sudha S. Phansalkar (nee Naralkar), 94, of Brookfield, died on May 25, 2024 in Northlake. Born on April 16, 1930 in India, she was the wife of the late Sadashiv Phansalkar; the mother of Sunil, Smita, Sanjeev and Sheela; the grandmother of Nikhil, Ethan, Karishma, Sheela, Derek and Celia.

Sudha’s family is present to honor her and remember her contributions to the success of her children and their families.

Cremation is private.

Funeral arrangements were handled

by Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.KuratkoNosek.com.

We’re growing community, one story at a time.

Spring Support our

FUND DRIVE

14

The Landmark, May 29, 2024

Sports

O’Brien, Strayer run to first individual all-state medals Seniors excel in 3A 800 and 1,600; Nazareth’s Tittle third in 2A long jump

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School senior Jack O’Brien wanted a better ending to this past cross country season. For distance runners, there’s always track and field in the spring. And for O’Brien that meant another chance at the Class 3A state meet at Eastern Illinois University.

“When you end something off like that [in cross country], it leaves sort of a sour taste in your mouth that you want to get back at it,” said O’Brien, 197th at the state meet Nov. 4. “Luckily I had track to do it and I worked really hard these last three months to put myself in the position here [at state].”

After his final race in the 800-meter run, O’Brien couldn’t have looked happier Saturday. He was an all-state seventh in the 800-meter run and in a lifetimefastest 1:53.57, which also happened to tie the school record held by Mike Vicchiollo from 1984.

He also became the program’s first topnine, all-state finisher in any event since 2012.

“Both are amazing [to me] for different reasons. This one is just a great way to an amazing four years for me,” said O’Brien, also part of the school-record holding 4 x 400 after winning sectionals in 3:24.39.

“I couldn’t be happier with [all-state] but the school record is a good legacy, something I want to leave behind. The fact that it’s a team relay [record] makes it all the more special.”

Other seniors ended on strong and memorable notes. Luke Smithing (33rd in 300 intermediate hurdles, 41.16) posted his second-fastest time ever. Will Kallas reached state for the first time in pole vault (18th,

4.15 meters/13 feet-7 1/4 inches).

The all-senior 4 x 400 of Hayden Marrs, Kallas, Evan McMullen and O’Brien finished 26th in a decent 3:26.72 considering after weather and lightning delays forced them to wait roughly three hours to race around 10:15 p.m.

This also was the last meet for RBHS head coach David Weishaar, who is headed to Hinsdale South. “[Our 4 x 400] put down a really good time. It was an amazing time for standing around for three hours,” Weishaar said.

“And [O’Brien] came back and literally put down the first medal since I’ve been coaching at RB the last 10 years.”

With the five seniors missing graduation Friday, they instead received their diplomas in a special ceremony at the high school before leaving for Charleston Thursday.

“I’d say we checked all of the boxes of a graduation ceremony,” Marrs said. “We had friends there, [RBHS principal Dr. Hector Freytas] spoke. It was a nice, short version of what everyone else had.”

Junior Brady Norman was 33rd in the 3,200 (9:40.84), shy of his lifetime-best 9:29.94 at sectionals, but especially in Saturday’s heat much better than 2023 state (43rd, 10:04.01).

The Bulldogs also won their final Metro Suburban Conference Meet (184 points) with 20 all-conference performances May 10.

MSC champions were Kallas (800 and pole vault), Smithing (110 high and 300 hurdles), O’Brien (1,600), Norman (3,200), the 4 x 400 (junior Asa Kahle, senior Eamon Ryan, sophomore Quinn Hendricks, Kallas in 3:36.4) and the 4 x 800 (McMullen, seniors Brennan Lester and William Sessler, O’Brien in 8:52.53). Also all-conference with top-three individual finishes were second-place Marrs (200 and 400), McMullen (1,600) and juniors Matt Torrens (100 and pole vault), Diego Lopez-Molina (3,200) and Connor Fouts (300 hurdles) and third-place seniors Khrysler Jimenez (110 hurdles) and Luke Berndt (400) and juniors Calvin

PROVIDED BY DAN CHAMNESS AND MOTO JOHNSON

Pictured: Jack O’Brien (far right side) Martin (high jump), Wayne Torrens (100) and Kahle (800).

LTHS boys track Lyons Township senior Nick Strayer achieved his first individual all-state track medal by taking ninth in the 1,600 (4:16.84), .04 from seventh, after an alltime best 4:12.39 in prelims.

“I feel like I’ve done a lot during my time with LT track but this was one of the few things left on the bucket list,” said Strayer, part of last year’s all-state, fifth-place 4x800 and a two-time all-stater in cross country.

Other LTHS state entries were junior Ben Wuggazer (39th in 3,200, 9:57.97), the 4x800 of juniors Charles Ciesla and Tate Pavelka, senior John Barrette and junior Isaac Constas (32nd in 8:10.43) and the 4 x 400 of sophomore Gustavo Mojarro, junior Aaron Obert, sophomore Mykola Washchuk and Wuggazer (44th in 3:34.20).

Strayer helped both relays qualify at sectionals but focused solely on the 1,600 for state.

He also missed Friday night’s school prom, which further affected the 4x400 lineup.

“I think it all worked out for the best,

though,” Strayer said. “I knew it was going to be a sacrifice I’d have to make but I worked hard for this moment. And I’m happy it paid off, no matter what I had to pay to get here.”

Nazareth track Nazareth Academy sophomore Lesroy Tittle improved his long jump school record to 6.77m/22-2 1/2 Saturday to capture third in 2A – the highest state finish in program history in any event.

“It feels great and I want to keep setting records at Naz,” Tittle said. “My goal was to get 6.80. I came up a little short but I still got a [personal record].”

Junior Nolan Daly (38.93m/127-8 in discus), sophomore Trenton Walker (12.62m/41-5 in triple jump) and the 4 x 400 of juniors Michael Kanzer and Matthew Petersen, sophomore Daniel Lewis of Brookfield and freshman Henry Sakalas (3:36.12) were 30th. Junior Garrett Reese (12.19m/40-0 in triple jump) was 34th.

At the 2A girls state track prelims May 24, Nazareth’s 4 x 800 of senior Neeve Olson, juniors Erin Briars of Riverside and Alayna Plahm and freshman Julia Parkes was 34th (10:53.17).

The Landmark, May 29, 2024 15

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MORTGAGE ASSESTS MANAGEMENT, LLC F/K/A REVERSE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS, INC Plaintiff, -v.ANDREW C. CRAWFORD, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Defendants 2021 CH 05362 827 N. GROVE AVE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 22, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 24, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 827 N. GROVE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-06-305-0200000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

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

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

Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.

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

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

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SEC-

TION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-20-03979 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2021 CH 05362 TJSC#: 44-840 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2021 CH 05362 I3244734

PUBLIC NOTICES Notice – Public Hearing on June 25th for FY2025 Budget 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 2025, will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the Oak Park Township Administration building, 105 S. Oak Park Ave., in the Township of Oak Park.

To request a copy of the Tentative Budgets named above for review, call Township Hall at 708-3838005 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

A digital version of the Tentative Budgets is available at www.oakparktownship.org. Oral and written comments concerning these proposed annual budgets are welcome.

All interested citizens, groups, senior citizens, and organizations representing the interests of senior citizens are encouraged to attend.

Oak Park Township does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or employment in its programs or activities. Those needing special accommodations are asked to provide 48 hours’ notice.

Given under my hand in the Town of Oak Park, County of Cook, State of Illinois, the 21th day of May 2024.

DaToya Burtin-Cox Oak Park Township Clerk Published in Wednesday Journal May 29, 2024

Let the sun shine in...

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

Deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.

Your right to know...In print • Online

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS The Village of Oak Park 123 Madison St. Oak Park, Illinois 60302 (708) 358-5416 On or after June 12, 2024 the Village of Oak Park will submit a request to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title 1 of the of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL93383), to undertake the following project: Tier 1 Broad Review Project/ Program Title: PY 2023 through 2027 Water Lines Purpose: CDBG eligible homeowners will receive private-side lead water-line replacements as an ongoing effort to get rid of all Village of Oak Park lead water lines.

Location: The project will take place at several addresses throughout Oak Park.

Project/Program Description: The improvements shall include installing a new continuous one-inch Type K copper water service line on the owner side of the water service from the curb stop/B-box into the house to the water meter. Work shall include a new meter setting including full-port ball valves before and after the meter with a boiler drain valve after the meter. A new water meter is optional to the homeowner and if selected, will be delivered to the jobsite.

New meter connectors will be furnished, if necessary, by the Village.

Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.

Level of Environmental Review Citation: Acquisition, repair, improvement, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of public facilities

and improvements (other than buildings) when the facilities and improvements are in place and will be retained in the same use without change in size or capacity of more than 20 percent (e.g., replacement of water or sewer lines, reconstruction of curbs and sidewalks, repaving of streets): 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(1).

Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Contamination and Toxic Substances; Endangered Species; Historic Preservation; Wetlands Protection; Environmental Justice.

Mitigation Measures/Conditions/ Permits (if any): Contamination and Toxic Substances: The Responsible Entity (RE) will assess all addresses for Contamination and Toxic Substances and provide an assessment for each. In doing so, the RE will use data from the following resources to ensure to noted hazardous materials, contamination, toxic chemicals and gases, and radioactive substances, where a hazard could affect the health and safety of occupants or conflict with the intended utilization of the sites: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxic Release Inventory and Toxic Substances Control Act Facilities, Illinois EPA Agency Facility Inventory and Information Search System and Landfills, Illinois State Fire Marshall Underground Storage Tanks and National EPA Assist; Endangered Species: each site will be assessed by the RE to establish if any suitable habitats will be affected; Historic Preservation: the Village of Oak Park has a Programmatic Agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office that covers work being done in this project. However, on an annual basis throughout the duration of this project, the RE will contact all Tribal Historic Preservation

Offices that have an interest in ground disturbances occurring in Cook County; Wetlands Protection: the RE will review all properties and evaluate if the land is on or adjacent to land that is designated as Wetlands and provide an assessment for each. All zones will be mapped using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Wetlands Mapper and proper zone boundaries will be identified; Environmental Justice: pending approval and no findings of Contamination and Toxic Substances, Suitable Habitats, THPO concerns, or Wetlands, all sites will comply with Environmental Justice [Executive Order 12898].

Estimated 5-year Project Cost: $500,000 The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(1). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. or at https://www.hudexchange.info/ programs/environmental-review/ environmental-review-records/.

PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Village of Oak Park office of Development Customer Service. All comments received by June 12, 2024 will be considered by the Village of Oak Park prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The Village of Oak Park certifies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that Ahmad M. Zayyad, Certifying

Published in Wednesday Journal, May 29, 2024

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Officer, in their capacity as Deputy Village Manager/ Interim Neighborhood Services Director, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Village of Oak Park Public Works Department to use HUD program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Village of Oak Park’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Village of Oak Park; (b) the Village of Oak Park has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be submitted to HUD’s online mailbox at CPDRROFCHI@hud. gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager, Certifying Officer

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE The River Forest Park District has placed its 2024-2025 Combined Budget and Appropriation Ordinance on file for public inspection. Said Ordinance may be examined on the River Forest Park District website. A public hearing on said Ordinance will be held at 6:00pm on Monday, June 24, 2024, at the Depot, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois.

Michael J. Sletten, Secretary River Forest Park District Published in Wednesday Journal May 29, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive bids from qualified mechanical contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Mon thru Fri, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm local time until 10:00 am on Fri, July 12, 2024 for the following: Village of Oak Park Public Works Center HVAC Repairs Proposal Number: 24-126 Issuance Date: 5/29/24 There will be a mandatory pre-bid meeting at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL on Wed, June 5, 2024 at 11:00 am. Bid documents may be obtained from the Village website at http:// www.oak-park.us/bid.

For questions please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 29, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Mon thru Fri, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm local time until 10:00 am on Fri, July 12, 2024 for the following: Village of Oak Park Public Works Center Exterior Façade Repairs Proposal Number: 24-127 Issuance Date: 5/29/24 There will be a mandatory prebid meeting at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL on Wed, June 5, 2024 at 10:00 am. Bid documents may be obtained from the Village website at http://www.oak-park. us/bid. For questions please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 29, 2024

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The Landmark, May 29, 2024

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831 S Kensington Ave, LaGrange

212 Schreiber Ave, Roselle $519,900

2621 W Chicago Ave, #4, Chicago

392 Blackhawk Rd, Riverside $685,000

6148 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago $245,000

205 Bloomingbank Rd, Riverside $1,350,000

273 Maplewood Rd, Riverside $1,175,000

482 Uvedale Rd, Riverside $825,000

8223 30th St, North Riverside $425,000

2321 Scoville Ave, Berwyn $380,000

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