Landmark 070820

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Also serving North Riverside $1.00

Vol. 35, No. 28

July 8, 2020

Seeing double RBHS Class of 2020 saw 7 sets of twins graduate PAGE 12

Follow us Online!

rblandmark.com @riversidebrookfieldlandmark

Closed mid-March, Burger Antics reopens for business PAGE 3

@riversidebrookfield_landmark

Fireworks mishap injures two in Brookfield PAGE 7

@RBLandmark

North Riverside closes huge budget deficit, but hard decisions loom Administrator: Board must confront long-ignored financial pitfalls

By BOB UPHUES Editor

In the end, it took about an hour for elected officials in North Riverside to settle on the best way, for now, to bridge a roughly $2.4 million deficit in its proposed 2020-21 fiscal year budget.

But they avoided the subject for about nine and a half frustrating hours over two nights before arriving there, with trustees picking at small-dollar line items and debating operational issues such as the police department staffing schedule.

To eliminate the shortfall, trustees directed Village Administrator Sue Scarpiniti to eliminate almost all capital expenditures from the 2020-21 budget, deferring the purchase of three police vehicles and two cardiac monitors sought by the fire department and put off projects to upgrade the village’s website and village hall’s telephone system.

See BUDGET on page 15

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

ANIMAL HOUSE: Brookfield Zoo welcomed back members on July 1 after more than three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The park opens to the general public July 8, but there are safety precautions -- like requiring guests to wear masks when physical distancing is difficult -- in place, and you need to book a time in advance.

Visitors flock back to zoo as it reopens Timed ticketing system limiting capacity to provide safe environment

By BOB UPHUES Editor

If anyone doubted that visitors would flock back to Brookfield Zoo

once it reopened on July 1 after a nearly four-month hiatus due to the CIVID-19 pandemic, those would have melted instantly in the 90-degree sunshine of last week.

The members-only relaunch of the zoological park blossoms this week into an all-welcome affair, making reservations See ZOO on page 16

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20 15 10 5 0

3/17 3/24 3/31 4/7 4/14 4/21 4/28 5/5 5/12 5/19 5/ 26 6/2

COVID-19 cases continue to spread slowly Rate of new cases weekly in Brookfield trending slightly higher

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The rate new cases of COVID-19 in Brookfield ticked up for the second straight week, with nine people testing positive. As of the morning of July 7, the village had recorded 184 total cases since data started being tracked by the county in March.

While still lower than the worst weeks of the disease’s spread during April and May, the nine new cases were the largest weekly total since the seven-day total recorded on May 26.

The nine new cases last week were a 5.1-percent increase over the prior total, and that rate has increased slightly over the past weeks. For the seven-day period ending June 23, new cases rose by just a half a percent. A week later, by the morning of June 30, new cases increased by 4.1 percent.

Meanwhile, for the fifth straight week Riverside recorded two new cases of COVID-19, bringing that village’s total to 98. New cases in Riverside have increased by 2.1 percent in each of the past three weeks.

North Riverside as of the morning of July 7 saw no new cases of COVID-19 week over week and has recorded just three total new cases since June 16. The total number of North Riverside residents testing positive for COVID-19 since late March remains at 78.

There were also no additional fatalities from COVID-19 in Brookfield, Riverside and North Riverside. To date, four Brookfield residents have died from the disease, along with two each in Riverside and North Riverside.

COVID-19 news statewide continued to be

cautiously optimistic Monday.

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 in Illinois declined significantly over the holiday weekend and into Monday, touching their lows since the state began reporting the figures daily in April.

There were 1,395 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of 11:59 p.m. on July 5 as the number remained below 1,400 for three days after spiking to 1,651 on Thursday.

Of those hospitalized at the end of Sunday, 321 were in intensive care unit beds, the second-lowest number reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health during the pandemic’s presence in Illinois. The 304 reported at the end of July 4 marked the lowest in one day.

Ventilators in use by COVID-19 patients at the end of Sunday fell to 151 – the lowest IDPH has reported thus far.

The state also reported just six new COVID19-related deaths each on Sunday and Monday, marking a low since March 25. That’s after death counts of 10 on Saturday and 17 on Friday.

Sundays and Mondays, historically, have had lower casualties reported by IDPH than the rest of the week throughout the pandemic, however, and IDPH warns in its daily releases that all data “are provisional and will change.”

A disclaimer reported daily reads: “In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in real-time.

Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered.”

The seven-day rolling positivity rate remained at 2.6 percent Monday for the seventh straight day after ticking downward from 2.7 percent.

Jerry Nowicki of Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report.

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

After long hiatus, Brookfield eatery back in business

IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Burger Antics waited until Phase 4 hit to reopen its doors

Editor Bob Uphues Sports Editor James Kay

By MELISSA ELSMO

Staff Photographer Alex Rogals

Oak Park Eats

FILE

After closing in response to COVID-19 Burger Antics owners Dan and Brenna Velcich on March 16, Burger Antics, at 3740 Grand Blvd. in Brookfield, has reopened after three cover a fresh feel in the dining room and an Velcich. “We were on a high learning curve, immaculate kitchen. but by Saturday everything was manageand a half months.

Burger Antics boasts a newly painted din- able, and things have been great since.”

The idea of remaining closed until IlliAdditionally, Burger Antics has new opernois reached Phase 4 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s ing room. All the artwork has been cleaned Restore Illinois plan came naturally to Dan and rehung, and the owners replaced all the ating hours. The restaurant is open ThursVelcich and his wife Brenna, co-owners sound-reducing panels in the restaurant day through Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is to ensure the space met strict closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. of Burger Antics, but over the cleanliness standards.

“We wanted to focus on our busiest times months the restaurant was The restaurant kitchen was as we reopened, said Velcich. “We actually closed, the couple struggled with thoroughly sanitized before the extended our hours on Sunday.” whether or not they had made walls, ceiling and doors were The streamlined schedule keeps overthe right decision. freshly painted and the floors head costs down and keeps employees busy.

“There was a lot of demand were refinished.

Velcich indicates the new hours have been from customers who wanted us “We wanted to make it clear working well and said they will consider to open for takeout and outdoor to our staff and customers that opening for additional days as they are able dining in earlier phases,” said we are serving the nicest, safest to increase seating in the restaurant.

Dan Velcich. “People were al“We took a negative and turned it into a and cleanest food in Brookfield,” ways understanding when we positive,” said Velcich. “We tried to maxisaid Velcich. explained that we were waiting Additionally, the owners in- mize the time we were closed as best we DAN VELCICH until Phase 4 to reopen for safety vested in a new point-of-sale sys- could and we will have better operations as Burger Antics co-owner reasons.” tem for the restaurant. The new we go forward.”

Velcich and his wife prioriVelcich and his wife Brenna have been at system allows for online ordertized the health and safety of ing through the Burger Antics Burger Antics every minute the restaurant their customers and were comwebsite. According to Velcich, has been open and doing everything they mitted to supporting their emcarryout business since the res- can to keep people safe. Wait times were a ployees through this challengtaurant reopened on June 26 has little longer than anticipated when the resing time. Initially they thought been so robust that it has made taurant reopened, but customers have been COVID-19 would shutter Burger Antics for just two weeks. The extended clo- up for the diminished capacity social dis- patient and supportive. Velcich credits the sure, however, allowed the duo to deep clean tancing requirements have created in the sense of community he and his wife have and sanitize the restaurant while their em- dining room. Burger Antics has 10 tables fostered at Burger Antics for the positive stationed six feet apart in the dining room, reaction to their reopening. ployees were able to take full advantage of “It makes us feel good that decisions we allowing for a total of 32 dine-in guests. unemployment benefits.

“We were a little bogged down by carryout made worked for us, our employees and our As Illinois entered Phase 4, Burger Antics employees eagerly returned to work to dis- orders the first Friday we were open,” said customers,” said Velcich.

“We took a negative and turned it into a positive.”

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Javier Govea, Mark Moroney Advertising Designer Debbie Becker Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck Sales and Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Front Desk Maria Murzyn, Carolyn Henning Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich

HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 E-MAIL buphues@wjinc.com ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00.

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BIG WEEK

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

July 8-15

Importance of oral histories

MOMS MABLEY

Comedy from Brookfield Library

Riverside American Legion Post #488 invites the community to enjoy a presentation via Zoom featuring Leah Cohen, oral history and reference manager for the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago, on Friday, July 10 at 6 p.m.

Brookfield Public Library looks to lighten the mood with two online programs in the coming week devoted to comedy.

On Saturday, July 11 at 2 p.m. the library hosts an interactive Improv Comedy Show for kids and adults on Facebook Live. Anyone can join in online at facebook.com/BrookfieldPublicLibrary.

Then on Wednesday, July 15 at 2 p.m. David Chack presents “Comedy: Those Who Changed America Humor,” a freewheeling look at significant comedians who turned American humor on its ear, including Lenny Bruce, Joan Rivers, Moms Mabley, Tom Lehrer, Jon Stewart and more.

The program will be held via Zoom. Visit brookfield.evanced.info/signup to register and obtain access information.

The presentation will take place during the first part of the regular monthly meeting of the American Legion post. Cohen will inform guests of the importance of veterans’ oral histories, the requirements to have one taken and how to have one conducted.

Joining in is free and open to anyone interested in oral histories. More information is available at americanlegionpost488.weebly.com.

Women in Astronomy

MICHELLE NICHOLS

Riverside Arts Center invites you to throw an art party for up to 10 people by ordering one of its new art box offerings, which you can either pick up or have delivered to your door.

The new Painting Party in a Box includes 11-by-14-inch canvases, paint, palettes, paint brushes and instruction sheets and cost $68 ($75 non-members) for five people and $135 ($150 non-members) for 10.

Or you can opt for the Clay Birthday Party in a Box, which includes either 12.5 or 25 pounds of modeling clay, scoring tools, sponges, underglaze colors, slip, paintbrushes and instruction sheets. The cost is $90 ($100 non-members) for a party of five and $180 ($200 non-members) for a party of 10.

You can order online at riversideartscenter.com/category/ classes/kids-classes.

Michelle Nichols of Adler Planetarium in Chicago presents a look at the roles women have played throughout the history of astronomy in a special Zoom presentation “Women in Astronomy” being held in conjunction with Brookfield Public Library’s “Brookfield Reads” initiative.

The program will be held via Zoom on Thursday, July 9 at 7 p.m. Registration required by visiting brookfieldlibrary.inco/ virtual-events.

And more North Riverside Public Library is offering the following virtual programs through Facebook Live, conference calls and the teleconferencing app Zoom.

Programs include Talented Tuesdays every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. via Facebook Live on North Riverside Public Library’s Facebook page; Game Night Fridays every Friday at 7 p.m. via Zoom; Crafternoon: Melted Crayon Art via Zoom (register at least three days in advance to pick up materials curbside) on July 11 at 1:30 p.m.; Stretching and Meditation via conference call (800-747-5150, code 1453322) on July 13 at 6:30 p.m.; and a Book Club discussion “The ■

Art parties to go

Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson via conference call (800-747-5150, code 1453322) on July 14 at 6:45 p.m. ( RSVP to bodenl@ northriversidelibrary.org or visit northriversidelibrary. org/events for all Zoom meeting access info.

winner will receive a gift card to a local business.

Brookfield Public Library offers virtual classes and programs for patrons of all ages throughout the week. Most youth activities will be presented live on the library’s Facebook page at facebook.com/BrookfieldPublicLibrary. Events include literacy classes and Geek Labs, Zumba for Families and Mammals & More. Youth Services will also host a weekly sidewalk art challenge on Sundays. Each week’s

Riverside Arts Center is offering Boredom Buster Boxes to give the kids some hands-on fun.

Each box contains 6 pounds of clay, a scoring tool, a sponge, six underglaze colors, a slip, a paintbrush and project and instruction sheets. Order online and RAC will deliver the boxes to your front porch (no contact).

Boxes are $36 members/$40 non-members. Order at riversideartscenter.com/boredom-buster-boxes

■

Adults can participate in programs by signing up for events, including Chair Yoga via Zoom on July 9 at 11 a.m. Register to get access info at brookfieldlibrary.info/virtual-events.

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Riverside Public Library offers virtual programs for adults, kids and families, including Genealogy Club via Zoom on July 9 at 7 p.m. Visit riversidelibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar to register and get Zoom access info.

■

CALENDAR EVENTS ■ 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, July 8, 2020

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Man suspected of Riverside armed robbery charged Police identified the man suspected of robbing a Riverside 7-Eleven store last month because, they say, he dropped an ID card at the scene of another robbery in Berwyn.

On July 3, Riverside detectives arrested 39-year-old Brandon Waters, of Chicago. He had been taken into custody by Berwyn police, who tracked him down using information gleaned from the ID card, which was left at the scene of a robbery there.

In addition to reportedly confessing to the Riverside robbery, Waters also was identified by the clerk who was on duty at the 7-Eleven, 2600 Harlem Ave., on June 19 at about 4:05 a.m. when Waters allegedly entered the store, pulled out a gun and demanded cash and cigarettes.

The Cook County State’s Attorney approved charging Waters with armed robbery, which is a Class X felony punishable by between six and 30 years in prison, if convicted. In addition to the charge connected to the Riverside incident, the state’s attorney also approved charging Waters with armed robbery for the Berwyn incident.

Waters is also under investigation for robberies in Chicago, Westchester and other suburbs, according to Riverside police. He reportedly has an extensive criminal history that includes prior chares for aggravated robbery, aggravated assault and battery and escaping from police custody, among others.

Cops: Alleged burglar crashed into cars on purpose A 31-year-old Berwyn man who allegedly intentionally crashed a truck into four vehicles stopped on Cermak Road at a red light at First Avenue on the evening of July 2 had just been released that day from Cook County Jail after being charged with breaking into Zeigler Ford, 2100 Harlem Ave. in North Riverside, late on June 30.

Police said no one was hurt in the crash, which happened at 7:20 p.m., but that the Berwyn man made statements that led them to believe he crashed on purpose. They also called in a social worker to evaluate the man.

The social worker reportedly found the man needed a mental health evaluation and had him hospitalized.

The man was charged with a variety of traffic offenses for the crash, including reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash – he reportedly was found by police walking eastbound, away from the crash scene, along the center median of Cermak Road – and others.

Less than 48 hours earlier, at about 11:30 p.m. on June 30, police arrested him for allegedly breaking into the Zeigler Ford showroom by smashing the glass door with a large piece of wood, entering several offices, rummaging through sets of keys and then getting inside a white Ford Mustang before an officer

responding to an active burglar alarm at the dealership ordered him out of the car and arrested him.

The Cook County State’s Attorney approved charging him with one count of burglary for that offense.

Man struck, killed by freight train Riverside police are reporting that a 30-yearold Riverside man who was killed when he walked in front of an eastbound freight train just east of the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad bridge over the Des Plaines River on the morning of July 5 did so intentionally.

“Preliminary investigative information revealed that the conductor of the train saw the person step in front of the train onto the tracks,” said Police Chief Thomas Weitzel in a press release. “The train was not able to be stopped.”

The freight train was heading eastbound towards Riverside’s downtown at about 30 mph when it struck the man just after 9:30 a.m., according to the police report. The investigation interrupted train traffic for more than three hours.

Garage burglary North Riverside police responded to a residence in the 2400 block of Forest Avenue on the morning of June 30 after a homeowner called to report that someone had broken into his garage and stole several items during the overnight hours.

The victim told police that the garage door had been dead-bolted, and police reported observing possible signs of forced entry. Among the items taken were three hand drills, a hand saw and other tools valued at about $600.

Gotta wear a mask North Riverside police charged a 35-yearold Rosemont man with battery and criminal damage to property after he allegedly shoved an employee and smashed a portable credit card machine at Jewel-Osco, 7201 24th St., after the employee told him he couldn’t be in the store without a face covering due to COVID-19.

The man reportedly refused to wear a mask and left the store after the outburst. Police arrested him in the parking lot where he denied pushing anyone or damaging anything.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, June 29-July 5, 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, July 8, 2020

Honor rolls appear to show students blew off e-learning Recalculation under way per mandate that 4Q grades couldn’t be worse than 3Q

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The list of students making the fourth quarter honor roll at Riverside-Brookfield High School that the school sent to the Landmark last month is not complete, leaders of the school now say.

“The honor roll listed in the paper is not accurate, and many of our students who earned this honor are not listed due to the process by which we had to calculate remote learning grades in order to stay compliant with directives on grading from the Illinois State Board of Education,” said RBHS Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction Kylie Lindquist in an email to the Landmark.

The school emailed the A and B Honor Roll lists to the Landmark on June 1. The newspaper publishes the honor roll online every quarter as a public service and assumes its

accuracy.

According to the lists sent in June, far fewer students than typical made the fourthquarter honor roll this year. Students did not attend classes in person during the fourth quarter, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All classes during the fourth quarter were conducted remotely.

The honor roll released by the school indicated that 626 students, or 38 percent of the enrollment, made the honor roll in the fourth quarter. The list sent after the third quarter included 1,046 students, or 64 percent of the enrollment.

The disconnect apparently resulted from a mandate from the Illinois State Board of Education that work done during remote learning could not harm a student’s grade.

Therefore, if a student’s work, or lack thereof, during the fourth quarter merited a grade below what the student earned in the

third quarter, the student was given a new grade of E, for “exempt” and the second semester grade would be the student’s third quarter grade.

Apparently the RBHS computer system couldn’t handle that complication.

“Doing this made it impossible for our grading system to calculate student GPAs correctly for the fourth quarter,” RBHS Principal Hector Freytas said in an email. “We are currently working to re-calculate the honor roll for fourth quarter, but since we have to do so by hand, this new list will likely not come out until the fall. As soon as the honor rolls for fourth quarter are recalculated, we will release the corrected honor rolls to the Landmark.”

The level of engagement with e-learning at RBHS seems to have been variable. Anecdotal evidence suggests than some students slacked off once they understood that their

fourth-quarter grade would not affect their semester grade.

For a time, RBHS established a policy that a student had to turn in at least 60 percent of the assigned work in the fourth quarter or else they would receive a grade of Incomplete and perhaps have to go to summer school.

But school officials apparently relented, at least in part, on that policy later in the semester with one student telling the Landmark that her counselor told her not to worry about the 60 percent rule.

One RBHS parent said that he thought that one reason that fewer students than typical made the honor in the fourth quarter honor roll was that many students slacked off during remote learning.

“There should be some recognition that a lot of kids didn’t do any work,” said Guy Adami. “Maybe by not giving them a grade, they’re doing the right thing.”

Read it online at www.rblandmark.com

Summer Chamber Events:

A Crossword.

Farmers Market

Brought to you by:

ACROSS 3 Market Favorite and Egg vendor

Saturdays though October 10th

8 am to 1 pm in the lot west of Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave.

5 Flavors include Hawaiian, Strawberry and Churro at Wally’s ________ 8 Fan favorite for fresh bakery, soup and sandwiches 10 Best place to buy tamales at the Market DOWN 1 Honey vendor “Saad’s ______”

60 To Win Raffle is coming soon ticket sales start in July

2 Farmers Market Location 4 Brookfield Farmers Market Day

answers on page 8

6 Hardin Farms sells this kind of fruit 7 This vendor sells muffuletta, garlic spears, etc. “That _______ Guy” 9 Farmers Market seller of Java Open Sky _______

BrookfieldChamber.net

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

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Two injured, at least one severely, in fireworks explosion Brookfield man loses both hands when mortar he’s holding goes off

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A fireworks mortar blew up in the hands of a 20-year-old Brookfield man on July 5, severing both of his hands and injuring a 19-year-old man who had lit the fuse moments before.

The incident happened at about 5:15 p.m., according to police, who were the first to arrive at the scene in the 9000 block of Fairview Avenue. Police did not have an update on either man’s condition as of Monday morning.

When police arrived they reported observing the 19-year-old victim, who had “various injuries/lacerations on his torso, arms, hands and face,” lying on the parkway in front of the home, according to the police report.

The 20-year-old victim, hunched over and losing consciousness, was nearby with towels draped over both hands. After seeing that the man had lost a large amount of blood, police officers tied tourniquets to each of the man’s arms and carried him to an ambulance that had just arrived.

As paramedics tended to the 19-year-old on the parkway, a Brookfield police officer drove the ambulance, with the 20 year old inside, to Loyola University Medical Center. Riverside paramedics drove the 19 year old to the hospital after he was treated by Brookfield paramedics at the scene.

According to witnesses, the two men were in the alley behind the residence shooting off fireworks. The 19 year old reportedly was lighting a mortar shell held by the 20 year old when it exploded.

Police reported recovering a “large spent

mortar tube” in the alley. They also reportedly confiscated additional fireworks inside the residence, where both men lived.

The men are not related, police said.

It’s been an unusually active year in terms of illegal fireworks use in the Chicago area generally, with police across the area reporting high spikes in the number of complaints.

Just last week, the Landmark reported that in Riverside, Brookfield and Riverside fireworks complaints were up by 428 percent between Memorial Day and June 23.

“We definitely have had an uptick in calls,” said Brookfield Police Chief Edward Petrak. “It seemed like there’s been definitely more out there that we had to address.”

Petrak said that his officers do respond

to areas when they receive complaints to try and get the fireworks to stop. He said if officers can pinpoint where the fireworks are coming from, they will talk to those people and issue a warning. If it persists, police will issue a citation.

But when the fireworks use is so widespread, as it was this year, it can be difficult to police.

“On the Fourth, it was just so hard,” Petrak said. “Every block, it seemed, had something going on.”

The July 5 incident was reminiscent of one that happened in Brookfield not too far away, Petrak said, in 1990. On that July 4, a mortar blew up in the face of a 34-yearold man at a backyard party.

The man was severely wounded by the blast, losing an eye and parts of his face, skull and brain.

RBHS students, parents, staff talk race and diversity on Zoom More diverse hiring, initiatives to invite and include families of color mulled

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

For the past three weeks, RiversideBrookfield High School Principal Hector Freytas has been leading Zoom video conference discussions about race and the equity at the school.

The first week Freytas moderated a discussion with students, the next week he moderated a discussion with parents, and on June 30 he moderated a final call with RBHS staff.

The takeaway seems to be that there is much work to do, and that hiring a more Black and other minority teachers at RBHS needs to be a priority. At present, the school has just one Black teacher, special education teacher Jordan Mack.

“We’re going to make sure that RB has a diverse hiring pool,” said Freytas on the call with parents, which the Landmark was allowed to listen in on.

Freytas said the school needs to be do a better job recruiting at colleges and universities with large numbers of minority students.

Parent Rashida McKelvin, who is a member of the Komarek District 94 school board, said a diverse faculty is important.

“I think staffing should be representative of the student body and the population,” McKelvin said during the parent call.

According the 2019 Illinois School Report Card, 53 percent of RBHS students were white, 36.6 percent Hispanic, and 5.2 percent Black. Meanwhile, 86.6 percent of

teachers are RBHS were white, 7.2 percent their desire for a more diverse faculty, Hispanic and 1 percent Black. urging the administration to recruit more Parent Quantansha McCottry said the people of color. lack of Black role models has an impact, “Our ever-changing demographics rementioning that her 13-year-old son asked quire a staff that is more representative her whether Black people could be teach- of our student body,” the RBEA statement said. ers around here.

A more diverse curriculum is something McCottry also said her son, that students are asking for.

Kentay, who just graduated “Our students want to see from RBHS, wants to become a literature representative of special education teacher, but Black authors, Latino authors, told her that he has little hope diverse authors,” Freytas said. of coming back to RBHS to The RBEA supported this deteach, because there are so few sire.

Black teachers at the school.

“Our curriculum continues “How can you strive to be to evolve to include the expesomething if you’ve never seen riences, ongoing challenges, it,” McCottry said. “My kids and achievements of people have never seen another Black of color,” the statement said. male at their grade school, at “African-American history is their high school.”

American history.”

At the end of the discussion Students told Freytas that with parents, District 208 SuRASHIDA MCKELVIN they have heard racial epithets, RBHS parent perintendent Kevin Skinkis including the N-word, in the made a commitment to seek out hallways of RBHS. a more diverse faculty.

“I won’t tolerate that,” Frey“We’re trying to make an eftas said. fort to bring in a more diverse It appears that only six stuadministrative staff, and we’re going to continue to work to bring in a dents, four of them recent 2020 graduates more diverse teaching staff,” Skinkis said. for RBHS, participated on the student call But it will take time as RBHS typically with Freytas, Skinkis, and Assistant Prinhas only a handful of teaching vacancies cipal Dave Mannon.

Shalah Russell, one of the 2020 gradua year.

The Riverside Brookfield Education As- ates who was on the call, told the Landsociation, the union representing RBHS mark that more returning students need to teachers, issued a strong statement in sup- get involved and continue to push issues port of the school’s Black students and forward.

“I think staffing should be representative of the student body and the population.”

“There aren’t many students who know about these meetings or the efforts that the administration is putting forth or they just aren’t interested,” Russell said. “We need to let as many students know as possible, so all of these efforts aren’t in vain.”

During the call with parents, Freytas urged them, particularly parents of color, to join parent groups at RBHS. Sometimes, however, some Black parents say that they don’t feel very welcome in parent groups such as the PTO, Boosters, and Music Sponsors.

McCottry said she felt she was receiving weird looks from PTO officers a few years ago at registration.

“I felt awkward; I felt weird in PTO,” McCottry said. “I had parents looking at me strange.”

A white parent, Lauren Breit, suggested that RBHS establish a Diversity and Inclusion Committee, an idea Freytas seemed interested in.

Russell that she and other students felt listened to during their call.

“The students did most of the talking,” Russell said.

She said that she thinks that the RBHS administration is committed to making changes.

“I think it will lead to something different.” Russell said. “We’re on a good track right now,” At the end of the call with parents, Skinkis said the administration would continue to address issues of race and equity.

“We’re going to continue to strive to get better,” Skinkis said.

8

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

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TEACH helps immigrants navigate the COVID-19 era Tutors adapt instruction so non-English speakers can keep learning

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

Health recommendations, government guidelines, travel restrictions and social anxieties have all made for navigating uncharted territory the past several months.

But for area residents where English is a second language or have only called the U.S. home for a short time, trying to survive during these times has been, simply put, nervewracking.

That’s where Tutoring English to Advance Change, or TEACH, comes in.

Since 1993, the community based nonprofit run by the Catholic sisters of LaGrange Park’s Congregation of St. Joseph has worked to provide free, one-on-one tutoring and cultural mentoring for immigrants and non-native English speakers in more than 40 communities throughout the western suburbs, providing access to developing English literacy in a friendly approach as a means to achieving life goals.

TEACH, which is made up of 360 volunteer tutors ranging in age from 20 to 92, serves immigrants from more than 37 countries year-round.

According to Constantine Bitsas, TEACH’s executive director, 70 percent of students are native Spanish speakers, coming from all across Mexico, Central and South America.

TEACH also has a sizable population of Lithuanian and Polish students and growing numbers of students originally from Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

The majority of students come to TEACH through word of mouth and learning about TEACH through local churches, libraries and immigrant businesses, like ethnic grocery stores and restaurants.

While half of TEACH’s tutors are retired teachers, many come to TEACH simply because they are open-minded individuals interested in helping others thrive in a new country.

Tutors undergo a 12-hour training program and develop their own lesson plans, and students are then placed with specific tutors, where together they set personal goals to guide instruction and learn English relevant to their individual jobs and life circumstances.

Prior to COVID-19, TEACH provided instruction in locations throughout the area, including at Brookfield’s St. Barbara Church and the Brookfield Public Library, and other churches and libraries in Cicero, Berwyn and Summit.

But even when public spaces were mandated closed, TEACH didn’t stop. Instead, it rededicated itself to empowering its students during these difficult times, with tutors mov-

PROVIDED

BRUSHING UP: Before the pandemic, tutors and students from TEACH met in person at area churches and libraries, including at Brookfield’s St. Barbara and the Brookfield Public Library. Now those sessions are handled virtually and even by mail. ing to teaching via computer, phone and even snail mail.

“Tutors and students have decided which way they want tutoring, using Google Meet, Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp, phone calls, texting or mailing assignments to tutors and then taking on the phone with tutors,” Bitsas said.

During COVID-19, not only can information seem conflicting, but non-English sources of information are not always readily available.

In addition, a high percentage of immigrants and non-English speakers also work in industries which are both deemed essential and have been the hardest hit, including hospitality, retail, industrial and food service jobs.

“We try to do all tutoring in English because, ultimately, we want to empower students with the language so they can advocate for themselves,” said Bitsas. “With COVID-19, who had ever heard of social distancing? I certainly didn’t. So, when [the students] hear that, they don’t really know what that means or understand all of the information that’s out there, so we try to speak to them and teach them about the information in English as much as we can so they can then take that knowledge and use it.”

Additionally, Bitsas says, most of TEACH’s clients are also at high risk of COVID-19 exposure, due to multigenerational living arrangements — thus limiting social distancing — and residing in densely populated areas.

“These folks may have a lot of unique needs because of the types of jobs they work, and they may be losing their jobs, don’t have child-

care, and struggling with utility costs,” Bitsas said. “We want students to be able to speak with their children’s teachers, communicate better at work, qualify for promotions or new jobs and sort through pertinent information.”

With that in mind, TEACH has set up an open-ended survey for students to share what resources they are most in need of during this time, including healthcare, food and shelter, new employment and childcare.

TEACH has also organized virtual health literacy classes, providing a session on how to navigate COVID-19.

While tutoring and immigrant services abound in Chicago, Bitsas says TEACH helps fill the gaps in the suburbs where immigrant resources are not as plentiful.

“There are tons of resources in Chicago, but once you get across the city lines, there really is a huge dearth of services like what we do,” he said. “So, what do people do who live in Brookfield? I think a critical piece of what we do is provide them with resources that nobody else is providing because [the resources] just aren’t out here.”

In addition to tutoring, TEACH has also helped inform local immigrant communities and small businesses of the various grants and financial opportunities available during this time, including unemployment and the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program.

For more information about TEACH, including volunteer opportunities or becoming a student, visit teachempowers.org or call 630-217-0396.

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

9

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

PARADE PEP: The band Zydeco Voodoo (above), a regular in the Riverside July 4 parade, pumps out the Cajun beat aboard a trailer pulled by a parks and rec truck during the Riverside July 4 parade. The parade, which wound down just about every street in the village, was captured on video by Riverside TV (top right), whose camera was set up in the bed of a public works truck. The parade honored Riverside first responders.

A fine Fourth, after all

It lasted less than a minute, yet Riverside residents went outside, set up chairs on their front lawns and parkways, waved and shouted good wishes to the handful of police officers and firefighters who drove slowly past and waved back.

They, along with a zydeco band perched atop a trailer being pulled by a Riverside Parks and Rec truck, comprised the village’s July 4 parade, which this year went to residents instead of the usual routine, a concession to life during a pandemic.

“It was one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done in

BOB UPHUES/Editor

First Division residents wave to police officers and firefighters, including Fire Chief Matthew Buckley (top, waving from an ambulance) as they paraded through the neighborhood.

my 17 years here,” said Ron Malchiodi, the village’s recreation director and one of the people responsible for organizing the “parade,” which drove past most every residence in the village during a nearly four-hour journey that started at 9 a.m. on the Fourth.

“It seemed like everybody in Riverside was out and they seemed thankful that we were doing it and for the first responders, who the parade was dedicated to,” Malchiodi said.

While planners had tried to schedule rough time frames for where they’d be during the morning, it turned out that they had to move a little slower, since they were towing the band.

“We had no way to time [in advance] towing the trailer with the band on it at the speed they were comfortable with,” Malchiodi said.

Fire Chief Matthew Buckley, who was riding along in the passenger seat of the ambulance that led the parade, said he thought residents appreciated the parade.

“I thought it was very well received from residents out there,” he said. “There were a lot of people lining the route, and it was great to see that.”

While the organizers of the official parade didn’t know it, there was a second parade motoring around the village at the same time. About a half dozen or so classic car collectors who have participated in the annual July 4 parade for almost 50 years, formed their own six-car parade, giving those lining the streets a little bonus.

“We’ve been doing this since the village celebrated its [centennial] in 1975,” said Rey Navarro, who drove his red MG TC. “People seemed to like it.”

Along with Riverside TV’s “best of ” outdoor concert show from July 3 Concerts in the Park past, village residents got to experience at least a taste of community celebration.

“We know how big these events are to people,” Malchiodi said. “We just wanted to observe them in any way we could.”

— Bob Uphues

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

BOB UPHUES/Editor

Residents along the parade route got a bonus attraction from Rey Navarro (above, driving his red MG TC) and other classic car enthusiasts who cobbled together an impromptu car parade that also motored through town at the same time as the village’s parade.

10

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

NADIA AND MICHAEL RANIERI

SHALAH (LEFT) AND SEYMONE RUSSELL

Seeing

Seven sets of twins graduated with the RBHS Class of 2020

By BOB SKOLNIK

GRANT AND CAMERON WINKLER

T

Contributing Reporter

he second and third ranked students in the Riverside-Brookfield High Class of 2020 have the same last name. That’s because Claire Kawiecki, who ranked second in the graduating class, and Danny Kawiecki, who ranked third, are twins.

The Kawieckis were just one of seven sets of twins, an unusually high number, in the Class of 2020.

Three of the sets of twins have been classmates since kindergarten at Ames School: the Kawieckis, Nathan and Sebastian Sanchez and Cameron and Grant Winkler.

All seven sets of twins are fraternal, not identical twins.

And five of the seven sets of twins are boy/girl twins.

Seymone and Shalah Russell are the only girl/girl twins, while the Sanchezes are both boys. The other twins in the class were Danielle and David Abalde, Michael and Nadia Ranieri and Adrian and Joanne Vera.

Both Claire and Danny Kawiecki graduated from RBHS

The Landmark, July 8, 2020 without ever getting a grade lower than an dia, her youngest children, have always A. Claire’s grade-point average was 0.041 been very close.

“They’re each other’s best friends; they higher than Danny’s, because she took one more Advanced Placement course than her really are,” said Kathy Ranieri, who is the village clerk of North Riverside. brother.

Their senior year the Ranieris had four The two took a staggering combined 25 AP classes between them. They are so classes, counting lunch, together. They sat close academically that they each received together at the same lunch table and sat next the same score, 34, on the ACT. Ever since to each other in class whenever they could.

“If we’re allowed to choose seats, we alsixth grade, they have closely tracked each other’s grades and neither wanted to fall be- ways sat next to each other,” Nadia said.

Both are pitchers. Nadia, a lefty, was hind the other.

“I definitely think that we’re a standout softball pitcher and competitive, especially hitter going 16-3 as a juspecially with test scores, but nior and hitting .516. ut it’s more in a supportive Michael, a righty, ive Micha way,” Claire said. was mostly a relief d.

“I would never pitcher. pit want to see him Both had do worse, or their senior t significantly seasons canworse, and I celled when don’t think schools were he’d want me shut down to do worse this spring either but because of we push each the COVID-19 t other.” pandemic, but p Claire and both will play bo Danny Kawieckii ball in college. Nawill both be attenddia is following her nding the University older sister, Alivia, to y of si Illinois in the fall.. Claire Augustana while Michael is planning on majoring in is going to College of DuPage.

Coll JOANNE AND bioengineering, while Danny Nadia and Michael are so ADRIAN VERA plans to study aeronautical engiclose that during their freshneering. man year, when Nadia was makThe only other twins going to same col- ing new friends, her new friends got the lege next year are the Veras, who both will wrong idea about the boy Nadia was always attend Triton. talking to at school.

While the Kawieckis are so the close aca“All of my friends that I met thought me demically, perhaps no set of twins in the and Michael were actually dating at first, Class of 2020 are as close emotionally as because we were literally always together,” Nadia and Michael Ranieri, although all the Nadia said. twins share a close emotional bond.

Most of the other boy girl twins had simi“Me and Michael are the closest twins I lar experiences when people got the wrong know,” said Nadia Ranieri. idea about their relationship. Many people Their mother says that Michael and Na- didn’t even know that some of the twins were twins.

“I didn’t know David and Danielle [Abalde] were twins. I just thought they were brother and sister,” said Sebastian Sanchez.

“Looking back that’s kind of dumb because, I mean, they’re the same age and in the same grade.”

If Nadia and Michael Ranieri are maybe the most similar and closest, Cameron and Grant Winkler may be the most different twins.

“Yin and Yang,” Grant Winkler says.

Cameron agrees.

“We’re basically night and day as far as interests go,” Cameron said.

Grant is outgoing and very funny. Everyone seems to know him. He has a big

NATHAN (LEFT) AND SEBASTIAN SANCHEZ

See TWINS on page 12

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The Landmark, July 8, 2020

TWINS

two are average,” David Abalde said.

The Abalde and Winkler twins also are the only kids in their families.

Like Cameron Winker, Danielle Abalde is on the shy side and a top student. She is gofrom page 11 ing to Georgia Tech in the fall to study computer science. personality and is usually the life of the Their brothers are fun-loving, outgoing, party. Cameron is shy, introverted, except social and very secure in who they are. They when she’s on stage, and studious. Grant are proud of their sisters even as they recogloves sports while Cameron is into music nize that they are different from them. and drama. And while Grant was an average It’s not always easy to be a twin. student, Cameron took many AP classes and “Lots of comparisons between me and her is going to study mathematical statistics at within the family and the school, that was Purdue University. something I always had to live with,” David Growing up, Cameron was often best Abalde said. known as Grant’s sister, but she came into Adrian Vera is more outgoing than his her own at RBHS, starring in numerous twin sister, Joanna, who is quieter and more plays, playing the French horn in the band studious. and being elected band president her senior “Adrian has a lot more friends than I do,” year.

Joanna Vera said. “I’m the more quiet one, She also won second place in a state wide so people just know me as Adrian’s twin.” musical composition The Sanchezes and contest. Grant says Russells are both that he couldn’t be quite close which ofprouder of her, notten comes easier for ing all the hard work same sex twins. and long hours she “Having boy-girl put in. twins is drastically The two never had different than hava class together at ing same sex twins,” NATHAN SANCHEZ RBHS, have very difChristine Kawiecki ferent friend groups, said. and rarely even saw Many thought that each other at school. that Nathan and At RBHS, Grant Sebastian Sanchez Winkler and David were identical twins, Abalde became best especially when they friends. They will be roommates in the fall were younger. Their mother dressed them at Illinois State University, where Grant will alike until they were in third or fourth grade. study cybersecurity and David will study “It was just easier for me to dress them the business and education. same,” Lizette Sanchez said.

As they got to know each other at RBHS But, the twins’ pediatrician told her to stop Grant and David discovered that they had a doing that so they would be seen as distinct lot in common. individuals and not just twins.

“It was kind of funny because we were in The Sanchezes and the Russells were the same boat: separated parents, a [twin] strong students at RBHS. Both Sanchez boys sister who is a high overachiever while us play the violin and the Russell girls both

Built-in support

“You can always count on one another.”

DANIELLE AND DAVID ABALDE

CLAIRE AND DANNY KAWIECKI were editors for the Clarion, the RBHS student newspaper, with Shalah Russell serving as co-editor-in-chief last year.

Academic achievement seems to be a twin thing. Nine of the 14 twins made the A Honor Roll in the third quarter, meaning they had GPAs of 4.0 and above. Two more, David Abalde and Michael Ranieri made the B Honor Roll.

The Russells are known for being independent thinkers who are not hesitant about speaking their minds. Both Seymone and Shalah Russell have spoken at recent protests against racism and police violence.

They are also known for their distinctive and interesting sense of fashion.

The Russells, who like the Ranieris went to Komarek School, said that there are definite advantages to going to high school with your twin, especially during those anxious first few weeks of freshman year.

“You already had a friend walking in, you already had someone you knew,” Shalah said. “Over the years it was just convenient, especially for stuff like your locker or if you needed something you could just meet back up. If you ever forgot a gym shirt you always had someone else’s you could borrow. It’s just nice to always know that you have someone you can count on moving to a new school and new environment.”

Nathan and Sebastian Sanchez agree.

“You can always count on one another,” Nathan Sanchez said. “To get work done, support each other in case you’re falling behind.

Shalah Russell, who says that Seymone is more outgoing than she is, is headed to Washington University in the fall, while Seymone is going to the University of Pittsburgh.

Nathan Sanchez is going to study computer science at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, while Sebastian is going to be a pre-med student at Macalester College. The two boys are quite close.

“They wake up in the morning and the first thing they do is look for each other,” Lizette Sanchez said, noting that the twins have separate bedrooms at their Riverside home. “They wake up just talking to each other like they haven’t seen each other for ages.”

For all the twins except the Veras, next year will be the first time they live apart. All but the Kawieckis and Veras are going to different schools.

Most of the twins are anxious to move on to a new, more independent life, but acknowledge that they will miss their twin. But they all know how to keep in touch.

“I’ll just text him,” Sebastian Sanchez said.

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

13

Tempers flare on D103 board over Facebook post Vice president says colleagues responsible for woman’s comment referencing her late son

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The bitter divisions and personal animus that has been a hallmark of Lyons-Brookfield School District 103 school board meetings in recent years, flared into the open at the board’s June 30 special meeting when Superintendent Kristopher Rivera read a three-page statement prepared by the board’s vice president, Winifred Rodriguez, excoriating board colleagues Shannon Johnson and Marge Hubacek.

Rodriguez was angry because late at night on June 23, Gloria Medina, a vocal critic of the school board majority, wrote a comment referring to the death of Rodriguez’s adult son in 2014 on a Facebook post critical of the school district.

Earl Johnson, the husband of Shannon Johnson, had posted a link to a Landmark story about the hiring of a new assistant principal at Lincoln School. With it he posted a campaign photo of the four-person board majority -- Rodriguez, Vito Campanile, Olivia Quintero and Jorge Torres -- commenting that the majority made a bad choice.

Then Medina make a comment saying “Earl Johnson, Yes these are the monsters who make decisions because they don’t care about children. Winifred you had a son do something good in his memory!!!”

Rodriguez’s son, Tito, was a 28-year-old Chicago police officer when he was struck and killed by a car while he was riding his motorcycle to work on the Dan Ryan Expressway on the afternoon of July 20, 2014.

Rodriguez said Johnson and Hubacek were responsible for the post and for the vitriol and venom on social media about the school board majority, because Johnson and Hubacek are

listed as two of the five administrators of the wrote it. Johnson also noted that Rodriguez’s daughter had reposted Medina’s post “SD 103 Residents” Facebook page.

In her statement, Rodriguez said the Face- and delivered a harsh attack on Medina on the much larger “Lyons Living” Facebook book page had become “a vicious soapbox of hate, libel, name calling and personal attack.” page.

“This was brought to my attention when She held Hubacek and Johnson personally it was posted by your daughter on Lyons responsible for Medina’s post.

Living after it was taken down “Hubacek and Johnson, who from this page,” Johnson said. run the blog, decide which “When your daughter reposted comments are published and it, it brought it to everybody’s atwhich are removed,” Rodriguez’s statement said. “They tention.” decide whether the blog will Rodriguez had a sharp retort focus on the needs of the school to Johnson and defended her children, the concerns of the daughter. school district, or focus instead “She was trying to show what on their own selfish politics kind of people you are,” Rodriand name-calling. guez said. “You’re ignorant.”

‘Even though the comments After the meeting Hubacek they approve which viciously and Johnson said that Medina’s and personally have been atpost was inappropriate but that tacking me are made by others it had been quickly taken down – I believe by individuals who and that they had nothing to do they know and work with – they WINIFRED RODRIUGUEZ with it.

TD103 school board are personally responsible for “I posted an apology,” Johnson vice president the libel and false statements said. “I said it was wrong.” that are being made and that Former school board member are so disrespectful you have Deanna Viti-Huxhold, who is to ask how people like that can one of the five administrators of even be associated with the the SD 103 Residents group, said needs of our school children.” that she made the sure Medina’s Hubacek and Johnson repost was removed once she beacted strongly to Rodriguez’s came aware of it and the adminstatement, with Johnson and Rodriguez istrators sent Rodriguez an apology. heatedly talking over each other for a time “We administrators did apologize that we while board President Jorge Torres banged did not see it right away,” Viti-Huxhold told his gavel trying to calm things down. the Landmark.

Johnson told Rodriguez that she had not The morning after Medina’s post an angry been even aware of Medina’s post until af- Rodriguez sent an email to Rivera and to all ter it had been taken down by another page the members of the school board complainadministrator the morning after Medina ing about the post and saying that the be-

“She was trying to show what kind of people you are. You’re ignorant.”

havior of Hubacek and Johnson should be addressed.

Hubacek and Johnson then emailed their replies to Rodriguez in which they said that they had nothing to do with the post.

“You have every right to be hurt and angry, but you don’t have the right to attack me or Shannon,” Hubacek said in her email to Rodriguez.

After the June 30 meeting, Hubacek and Johnson said Rodriguez was using the post to score political points.

“This is coming from a woman who is politically connected to [Lyons Village President] Chris Getty, who had no problem distributing all that crap during the election,” Hubacek said. “Now she is going to come up with this. It was a Facebook issue. She’s turned this into a politically motivated thing.”

Hubacek and Johnson also said they thought it was inappropriate for Rivera to read Rodriguez’s statement aloud at the school board meeting and wondered why Rodriguez didn’t read her own statement.

“It was highly inappropriate,” Johnson said of Rivera reading the statement. “It was something she could have read and it was not the place to do that either. She had already sent an email and it had already been addressed.”

During the meeting, Rivera said that he was reading Rodriguez’s statement because Torres, asked him to do so.

“I think it was very inappropriate for the superintendent to read that, which only goes to prove, I think, our point is where he takes his direction from,” Hubacek said.

“For the superintendent to play into that, I thought, was inappropriate and disrespectful. It shows what a puppet he is.”

Riverside tower plan to get public hearing

Trustees OK moving ahead with structure to improve water data transfer, communications

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Riverside trustees last month gave the go ahead for a public hearing on building a 100foot tall communications tower at its public works headquarters property, across the river in Riverside Lawn.

The tower is needed, officials say, to provide a data relay point for a proposed new remoteread water meter system as well as a faster way to transmit that data to the water billing department at the village offices in Riverside proper.

Riverside last overhauled its water meter system in 2004, when it replaced meters that had to be manually read with a remote-read system that still required someone to drive

through the village and get readings from homes and businesses as they passed by.

That $800,000 program was funded by charging water customers an extra $235 fee on their water bills.

What’s being proposed for installation in 2021 is a remote-read system where data can be transmitted from individual meters throughout the village to a communications tower, eliminating the need for an employee to drive through the village to collect data.

The new system, officials say, will also allow customers to track their water usage and provide a better way for the village to monitor unusual spikes in usage and catch leaks before households receive extremely high water bills due to an undetected problem.

But to make the system work, the vil-

lage has to have a communications tower tall enough to get a relay antenna above the tree canopy that surrounds the public works building.

Plans call for the tower, which would be a triangular-shaped structure made of galvanized steel that is tapered from bottom to top, to be located in the southwest corner of the public works property.

Such a tower on that property would require a special use permit, and village trustees on June 18 all agreed that the Planning and Zoning Commission convene a public hearing on the matter.

A public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to be held in late summer or early fall.

Trustees appeared satisfied that the tower

would not be an eyesore to residents who live north of the Des Plaines River in Riverside, along Riverside Road, particularly when trees are in full leaf.

The tower no doubt will be quite visible to those living near the public works facility in Riverside Lawn, which is an unincorporated section of Riverside Township between the river and 39th Street. It will also be visible to those who live in Lyons immediately south of 39th Street.

The village is required to notify anyone who lives within 250 feet of the tower’s location of the public hearing. While that places anyone living in Riverside proper out of that radius, officials said they planned on sending notices to people who live within 250 feet of the Riverside Road right-of-way in Riverside.

14

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

Opinion

THE LANDMARK VIEW

KOSEY CORNER

The elephant in the room

It was different, but it was still a Riverside Fourth

A

nyone who has sat through a North Riverside Village Board budget workshop can tell you that the annual ritual is something of an exercise in déjà vu.

Elected officials are always under the gun to hammer something out, because they have waited until the last moment to finalize a budget document before the state’s deadline to do so, and there’s always a large projected budget deficit to close.

For many years running there’s also been an annual call by the village’s finance director – now its acting village administrator – for elected officials to find a solution for the budget’s financial albatross: its ever-increasing police and fire pension obligation.

And, elected officials have just not wanted to face up to the fact that there’s only one solution to that problem – they’re going to have to ask voters to OK a tax to fund some or all of that annual obligation.

Part of it is that they don’t believe voters will approve such a referendum, especially voters on the west end of the village who just voted themselves a hefty tax hike to pay for a major renovation of Komarek School.

But, a good part of it is politics.

One of the reasons North Riverside is in its never-ending cycle of pension scrambling is that for a generation, elected officials lulled voters into a false sense of security, keeping their property taxes artificially low by using sales tax revenues to subsidize village services and by deciding, when finances got tight or when the economy crashes, to forego pension funding in order to close budget deficits.

It was good politics. Voters enjoyed not paying for water, garbage pickup and vehicle stickers. They loved the low, low property taxes (which remain incredibly low, comparatively speaking).

When elected officials began facing the reality that the village couldn’t possibly keep subsidizing services as they had in the past, those fees began being passed along to residents -- for water, garbage, vehicle stickers, sewer infrastructure. Even property taxes rose slightly.

While those were appropriate financial decision, they didn’t make for an awesome message, politically.

It opened the door for criticism of the longstanding VIP Party majority’s handling of finances in decades past, while bemoaning an increased burden on residents and suggesting there’s another way to avoid residents having to pay for the municipal services they receive.

While we may think that’s a fool’s errand, promises of easing residents’ financial burden has undeniable appeal, and small gestures – things are tough, let’s just cancel that $180 sewer infrastructure fee this year – are attractive to voters.

But, they don’t address and can’t address the underlying reality that if you want excellent municipal services, if your town of 6,500 residents wants police and fire departments staffed at levels for a town twice that size, you have to pay for it.

And you have to pay for the pensions those employees are entitled to collect. There is no easy fix, and it won’t come by cutting fees and taxes for residents, unless you’re planning to make large cuts to personnel. You don’t nickel and dime your way to $3.5 million a year.

Anyone who tells you otherwise isn’t being straight with you.

A

nother July 4 in Riverside is now in the history books, and this one can be considered different than any others in our village.

Celebrating our nation’s birthday is a long-held tradition in Riverside, and it has evolved over the years but is always true to its patriotic roots. My earliest recollections of July 4 (and to the best as I can remember, I have never missed one -- won’t tell you just how many that is) started with a parade that began downtown and ended up at Big Ball Park.

The flag was prominent at the front of the parade, followed by fire trucks, police cars, dignitaries, the RB marching band, floats, groups of walkers and decorated bikes.

When you arrived at the park, you’d see a small stage that had been set up.

The National Anthem was sung by Frances Creadon, accompanied by Marge Shimandle on a portable electric piano. Speeches by the village president and sometimes by visiting dignitaries, such as Paul Simon and Mike Howlett, followed.

Children were a big part of the day with the teenieweenie costume parade contest, decorated bicycle contest and other games with prizes.

Trophies were awarded for floats that followed the

theme of that year’s parade. The village organized the event with the help of the Jaycees and the Junior Woman’s Club. In the afternoon, around 3, was the water fight, with the Riverside Fire Department challenging another town’s department to try and get the little barrel on a wire to one side or the other, a watery takeoff on tug o’ war. Messy!

As time passed, the parade route changed, there were more participants and it ended downtown at Guthrie Park. A committee was formed to help the recreation department with the planning.

Then came the Friends of the Fourth, who saved the tradition in 2009 when the village decided it couldn’t afford it, and saved the parade in 2020 by bringing it to the people.

Small as this year’s parade was, the spirit of the day was large.

Our first responders gave of their time to drive through the village. They were greeted with enthusiasm and patriotism. Flags of all sizes were flown, homes and lawns decorated. It was great!

July 3 and 4, 2021 is in the planning stages with the Friends of the Fourth. This was a celebration for all Riversiders, and celebrate we did, just on a smaller scale. Riverside proved again what they can do. Happy birthday, America, from your friends in Riverside.

JOANNE KOSEY

LETTERS

Thanks for the great Riverside parade The Riverside Friends of the Fourth would like to thank the village of Riverside, the fire and police departments, public works and the recreation department for their participation in Riverside’s July 4 parade on their own time.

It was a chance for residents to say thank you to the first responders and other entities within Riverside.

These are the people who help our quality of life and

guard our safety on a daily basis.

It was only fitting that this year, 2020, our parade was held to honor these groups. They have proved their dedication to their chosen professions and to the people they are charged to serve. Thank you again.

OBITUARIES

He was also an avid golfer and an IHSA football referee for more than 40 years.

Mr. Anderson was the husband of Dawn (nee Evans); the father of Blake (Lupita) and Kevin Anderson; the grandfather of Sebastian and Leonardo; the brother of Richard Jett (Lynn) Anderson; and the uncle of Jeff Anderson, Brian Anderson, Bill Covich and Andy Covich.

Services have been held. Memorials donations are appreciated to Project Zero or the Chick Evans Scholars Foundation would.

Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangement.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at JohnsonNosek.com.

John R. Anderson, 68 Longtime IHSA football referee John Read Anderson, 68, of Brookfield, died June 28, 2020 at LaGrange Medical Center.

Mr. Anderson was born in Oak Park on July 25, 1951 to the late Richard J. and Carol (nee Read) Anderson. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and later worked as a network specialist at Hewlett Packard and as a clerk in the Department of Revenue Services for the state of Illinois.

Joe Ballerine, Andy Daun, Danny Jisa, JoAnne Kosey, Rey Navarro and Ben Sells Riverside Friends of the Fourth

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

OBITUARIES

Judith A. Bartz, 74 Retired nurse worked for the V.A. Judith Anne Bartz, 74, of Riverside and formerly of Hales Corners, Wisconsin, died after a brief but terminal illness on June 26, 2020, surrounded by friends and family.

Born in Jefferson, Iowa, she moved to Milwaukee and attended Pulaski High School, where she graduated at the top of her class.

She married Dennis Bartz and raised her daughter, Kelly, in Hales Corners.

She was great fun, had many friends, was always smiling, and especially loved the Fourth of July. She loved to golf, taught the neighborhood kids to ski and was a loyal member of the Alpine Valley Ski Patrol.

Ms. Bartz worked her way through nursing school as a paramedic and midnight shift ambulance driver, then cared for others at the Veterans Administration hospital with humor, compassion and nerves of steel. She bravely overcame addiction to lead a life full of love and adventures.

After retiring, she moved to Riverside to help raise her grandchildren, who loved her very much and she became part of the Navarro family. She wintered in Mexico and settled in the small village of Troncones, where her spirit flourished.

She found true peace in her beloved Troncones in the lime green house with the red gate on the Clinic Road. The locals considered her one of their own, and her adopted family surrounded with her with joy and love.

Ms. Bartz was a magnet for dogs and could never turn away them away. She was most happy when surrounded by her loyal companions, Buddy and Rito. She was preceded in death by other members of her pack: Duke, Ben, Schnitzel, Mackey and Joe the cat, and they are waiting for her over the rainbow bridge.

Judy was book smart, kind, selfless and funny. She was a voracious reader, traveler, and free spirit who loved unconditionally. She appreciated beauty but was never concerned with material things and was content with what she had, anywhere that happened to be. She lived out her days in her paradise by the ocean.

Ms. Bartz was the mother of Kelly Anne (David) Navarro (nee Bartz) and the grandmother of David and Nicholas.

Private memorial services will be held at St. Mary Parish in Riverside and in Troncones, Mexico.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Surfers for Strays (surfersforstrays.com) or Hazelden (hazeldenbettyford.org/Donate).

Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.

James T. Esner, 65 Retired North Riverside firefighter James “Jim” T. Esner, 65, of Berkeley and formerly of North Riverside, died June 30, 2020 in Elmhurst.

Mr. Esner was born Jan. 19, 1955 in Chicago. He was retired from a career as a firefighter and fire inspector for the village of North Riverside. He was a member of North Riverside Firefighters Union Local 2714 He enjoyed crossword puzzles, gambling, traveling and watching the news and The Weather Channel. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Mr. Esner was the husband of Debra (nee Westphal); the father of Beth (Chris) Carroll, James T. Esner Jr., Michael Cernock, Don (Stacy) Mitchell and the late Lisa Thomas; the grandfather of Reese, Peyton, Dylan and Jake; and the brother of Jeannine (Craig) Crossin.

Services have been held. Interment was at Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery in Oakbrook Terrace.

Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at KuratkoNosek.com.

Alberta Frintner, 86 Bank teller Alberta Frintner (nee Ilg), 86, of LaGrange Park and formerly of Brookfield and Fontana, Wisconsin, died July 2, 2020.

Born June 30, 1934, she worked as a bank teller for more than 20 years at First National Bank of Brookfield prior to retirement. She was a resident of Brookfield for more than 40 years.

Ms. Frintner was the wife of the late Edward William Frintner III; the mother of Linda (Dean) Cada, Judy Frintner, Sharon (Paul) Ranieri, Steven (Mary) Frintner, David (Mary Pat) Frintner and Joan Timberlake; the grandmother of Kellene (Matthew) O’Connell, Katie (Jeff) Thiede, DeeDee (Jim Croke) Cada, Adam (Michelle) Kranz, Daniel Ranieri, Reese and Jack Timberlake, Michael, Megan, Sean, Nathaniel and Carly Frintner; the greatgrandmother of Brady O’Connell, August Thiede, Blake Kranz and Quinn O’Connell; the sister of the late William (the late Ann) Ilg and the late Victor (Josephine) Ilg; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Due to COVID-19 precautions, a private funeral Mass will take place at St. John of the Cross Church, Western Springs.

Interment is private.

Memorials are appreciated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1550, Chicago, 60601 (give.cff. org) or St. Thomas Hospice, 119 E. Ogden Ave., #111, Hinsdale, 60521 Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

For an extended version of the obituary, please visit hitzemanfuneral.com/ alberta-frintner-nee-ilg.

BUDGET

Pension problems from page 1 This year’s road improvement project was deferred in exchange for a project that will bring sidewalks to a part of the village’s south side that has never had them. North Riverside will also defer its next phase of replacing the Cermak Road water main, instead focusing water/sewer dollars toward a $1.3 million project to repaint and maintain the water standpipe on 26th Street.

Trustees also agreed to fund police and fire pensions at a level somewhat lower than the full actuarial amount, but still within state requirements, a savings of about $336,000.

The rest of the budget deficit – about $1.2 million – will be covered by tapping the general operating fund’s cash reserve, which at the start of the fiscal year on May 1 stood at about $5.5 million.

“If there’s going to be a blip on the radar, this is the year,” said Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr. in a phone interview following the two-night budget workshop on June 29-30. “That’s why you have a reserve, because you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Scarpiniti and village department heads were working on the 2020-21 budget when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, forcing revenue assumptions to be reconsidered without really knowing what the impact was going to be and for how long.

Officials really don’t know the impact on revenues like sales taxes and the village’s restaurant/ bar taxes, because they won’t receive those numbers from April until later this month and won’t receive May’s receipts until August.

“We’re going to adopt a budget based on a worstcase scenario using $1.2 million out of reserves,” Scarpiniti said, adding that the budget doesn’t factor in any assistance the village might receive for COVID-19 relief from federal, state or county sources or business-interruption insurance payments the village might receive as a result of the civil unrest in late May/early June.

Scarpiniti said elected officials will meet again in late August or early September, when they will have more solid figures about COVID-19-related impacts to revenues, and then reconvene quarterly to discuss the budget and make amendments based on the new information.

She also recommended that elected officials confront the single largest budget line item that traditionally accounts for annual operating budget deficits that need to be bridged – police and fire pensions.

“Now, let’s address the elephant in the room, which is the police and fire pension fund contribution,” Scarpiniti told trustees five hours into the second night of the budget workshop on June 30.

Historically, going back many years, trustees have avoided the ever-growing pension obligations, instead using them for many years as a way to balance budgets by either underfunding pensions or not contributing any money to the funds at all.

For 2020-21, trustees decided to contribute roughly $3.3 million to its fire and police pension funds. That’s about $215,000 more than the village contributed last year.

Scarpiniti had given trustees three options: Contribute the full actuarial amount, which was

15

more than $3.6 million; contribute the statutory minimum allowed by the state, which was about $3.17 million; or what she termed a “transitional” amount of $3.3 million, which would allow the village to catch up to the full actuarial contribution over four years.

Initially, all trustees except for H. Bob Demopoulos, said they wanted to fund pensions at the full actuarial amount. Demopoulos suggested the statutory minimum due to the extraordinary circumstances caused by the pandemic.

But trustees, except for Demopoulos, came around to the transitional amount after Scarpiniti said the village could decide later in the fiscal year to contribute more should economic circumstances allow it. Demopoulos still favored funding at the statutory minimum.

In recent years, the village has used proceeds it receives from red-light camera fines to fund pensions, but with the pension obligation growing and with red-light camera revenues in jeopardy on several fronts, Scarpiniti urged trustees to find a solution.

One avenue open to the village is to impose a property tax for police and fire pensions, something allowed by law, but an option that requires voters to approve via referendum. Scarpiniti recommended that trustees go to voters and find out whether they would go for such a tax.

“This is a discussion we have every single year at budget time,” Scarpiniti, who has served as the village’s finance director since 2001 and was elevated to administrator earlier this year, told trustees. “These pension funds for police and fire take up almost $3.5 million of the village’s total operating budget. That is the deficit we’re talking about pretty much every year. …

“The board has to look for a long-term solution, and politically you’ve always taken what I’m going to tell you is the easy way out ... and you’ve used the pension funds to balance your budgets at the expense of the pension funds historically.”

While trustees seemed skeptical that such a referendum would pass, Trustee Joseph Mengoni and Demopoulos suggested perhaps asking voters to make North Riverside a home rule community, which would give village government greater taxing powers.

“I think it would not be irresponsible for us to at least discuss the possibility of these referendum questions, because the situation we have in our budget is not just a one-time COVID situation,” Scarpiniti said. “Unfortunately, the board has never wanted to take that discussion on.”

Even without the impact of COVID-19 factored in, Scarpiniti was projecting about $1 million less in revenues, much of that in the form of lower red-light camera fines. Earlier this year the Illinois comptroller announced that her office would no longer collect those fines using its Local Debt Recovery Program.

Scarpiniti said that decision shaved off about $300,000 in revenue for fiscal year 2019-20 and will reduce collections in 2020-21 by about $700,000.

“I think we’re going to see continued pressure on that revenue stream,” Scarpiniti said.

But, there was no talk of removing the cameras, which are unpopular to motorists, because of the revenue they produce.

“Without that money, I don’t know what this village would do, because red-light camera money makes up almost $1.5 million of our total revenue. … You could say that funds one of your pension funds right there, in and of itself.”

16

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

ZOO

ver without getting too close to one another.

Carts laden with gifts and open-air concession stands selling food and drinks from the still-shuttered gift shops and restaurants dotted the zoo’s walking paths. from page 1 “We’re still trying to gauge capacity,” said Rippe, adding that the zoo had targeted 2,500 a very hot ticket item since Brookfield Zoo to 3,000 people as maximum capacity to start must operate within capacity limits until with. the state is able to fully reopen, which is not “This week was kind of a trial week to see likely for some time. what 2,500 to 3,000 people looks like in the “It’s a great feeling to finally get back to park, and we’re then slowly going to increase a sense of a new normal,” said Leah Rippe, that capacity,” Rippe said. “On 216 acres you vice president of marketing and communi- can handle more. You can absolutely social cations for the Chicago Zoological Society, distance here.”

The zoo is allowing entry via timed ticket which operates Brookfield Zoo. “We’ve been very lonely and we are eager to see our guests only. Visitors must reserve a time and pay for tickets and parking online. No tickets are and members back.”

Among those visiting the zoo during the sold onsite and once all of tickets for a parfirst couple of days was Cook County Board ticular day are purchased, that’s it.

Asked how the first day went in terms of President Tony Preckwinkle, who had dropped by a for a morning visit before it got attendance, Rippe answered, “We were sold too hot on the morning of July 2 and was seen out. We’re actually seeing an increase in memberships right now just so people can leaving via the South Gate just after 10 a.m. come earlier.”

As she was leaving, a steady stream of famChicago residents Sonny Martinez and Liilies were strolling in the other direction into the park where they were greeted by a very mari Huertas, zoo members for the past eight large animatronic Ankylosaurus, screeching years, brought their two children for a visit on July 2 and were grateful for the outing. at visitors as they passed by.

“We took it as a good opportunity to get Even with the building crowd, there was some fresh air and stretch our legs,” said still plenty of room for families to maneuMartinez, who like the rest of his family was wearing a face mask. “Being cooped up for three months now, we saw the chance that the zoo was providing a safe environment where it wasn’t crowded and you could space each other out. I could see they have adequate hand-sanitizing stations and reduced the possibility of clustering people closer together.”

His daughter, Imari was excited to visit.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer Asked what she was MORNING VISIT: Cook County Board President Toni Precklooking forward to seewinkle (right) enjoyed a trip to Brookfield Zoo early on July ing, she said, “Nothing in specific. I’m just really 2, the second day the park was open to members, taking a glad we can get out and spin around the zoo before the midday heat set in. just know the animals.”

Slowly increase capacity

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

MASKED UP: The statue of a lion that greets visitors as they walk through the South Gate at Brookfield Zoo has been outfitted with a face covering to reinforce that safety protocols are in place and need to be followed while guests are inside the park.

Tiffany and Adam Gabrys drove up from far southwest suburban New Lenox to arrive for their morning slot on July 2. Tiffany said she was “pretty impressed” by the steps zoo officials had taken to ensure a safe environment.

“There’s definitely enough room to move around,” Tiffany said. “I think people are being really respectful if you’re getting too close to either put your mask back on or intentionally walk around other people to maintain your space. Wearing a mask is kind of a small sacrifice to be able to enjoy some things.”

The Gabrys family have been zoo members for two years, purchasing their membership just after their daughter, Lexi, was born. The biggest attraction for Lexi, who was having a look at the rhinos, was the Dinos Everywhere! display of life-size dinosaurs, including the enormous 100-foot long Argentinosaurus, which stood nearby on the West Mall.

“She’s obsessed with dinosaurs,” Tiffany said of Lexi.

Rippe said visitors so far had been fol-

lowing guidelines for wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distance.

They’d also clearly gotten the message about the reservation-only entry system; they didn’t have to turn anyone away at the gate on the first day the zoo reopened.

“I think the face coverings was the biggest surprise. I was glad to see that about 99 percent of the guests were complying by the recommended guidelines that we’re following by the state” Rippe said, adding that as long as people maintain their distance from others, they don’t have to wear the face coverings continually inside the zoo. “If making a purchase at a kiosk for food or merchandise, we do ask that you wear the masks, also if you’re doing the goat feedings or giraffe feedings, facemasks are required.

And because all transactions at the zoo are cashless for now, if you want to feed the goats you’d better make sure you have two quarters, because they’re not giving any change.

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Sports

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The Landmark, July 8, 2020

17

IHSA gets OK to move to Stage 2 Programs can hold sport-specific workouts

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

Illinois high school sports are (kind of) back.

After working with the Illinois Department of Health, the IHSA announced on July 3 that it’s been approved to move to Stage 2, paving the way for programs to hold sport-specific workouts. Before the July 3 announcement, teams were restricted to strength and conditioning workouts and could only be in groups of 10 people or fewer.

Under the latest Return to Play guidelines, students can practice up to five hours a day while teams can hold indoor and outdoor workouts with groups of up to 50 people.

“Safety remains at the forefront of everything that the IHSA is doing as we move

into Phase 4 and beyond,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson in the press release.

“We appreciate the collaborative efforts of the SMAC and IDPH in recognizing the physical, mental, and emotional benefits for our student-athletes and coaches as they progress into training in a more traditional practice setting. Our focus now shifts to continuing to work with state leadership to determine how to provide the safest environment possible for fall sports.”

While this is a huge step for the return of high school sports in the state, there are still restrictions and safety measures that

fall under Stage 2.

Before programs can get back out of the field, each school must get approval from its administration on what activities teams can run. Players must be screened before practice to see if they exhibit COVID19-related symptoms and must have a temperature that is under 100.4 degrees. If any player exhibits these symptoms before practice, they are not permitted to practice and must be cleared by a physician before returning to practice. Athletes must also bring their own water bottles.

Teams are also encouraged to have hand

sanitizer stations, make sure players aren’t sharing equipment and maintain social distancing when athletes aren’t participating in a drill.

In terms of when teams return to game action this fall, coaches and other personnel must wear masks on the sidelines.

There must also be 30 feet of distance between groups of 50 people while those not participating on the field must maintain social distancing on the sidelines.

One intriguing element of gameplay this fall is that it’s up to the school whether spectators can attend events. If the school does permit people to attend games, stadiums can only be filled to 20 percent of their capacity. There must be six feet of distance between “families or household units” in the designated seating area for spectators.

You can find the Stage 2 guidelines on the IHSA’s website.

High school football this fall?

Two sports reporters offer up mixed feelings

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

In the fifth edition of The On Deck Pod, Jakub Rudnik joins James Kay to outline the case for why Illinois high school sports should and should not return. They also go into how the pandemic has impacted high school prospects and sports media.

Rudnik has written for publications such as Chicago Tribune, Pioneer Press, Chicago Sun-Times and Prep Hoops and recently created a newsletter called “Illinois High School Basketball News.”

You can find The On Deck Pod on Spotify, Google Play and Apple Podcasts.

Highlights from the episode James Kay: Jakub, the last time we had a chance to really talk extensively was at a playoff game for Fenwick boys basketball on March 10. That seems like forever ago with how everything escalated from that point on.

Jakub Rudnik: Yeah, most definitely. I thought about that day a lot because the next 48-72 hours were a whirlwind. I wrote a story and it fully anticipated that Fenwick would be playing that Friday for the sectional title and instead, the story I turned in was kind of worthless, because two days later everything was canceled.

JK: The last few months have been surreal but we are now at this point where there are discussions around whether the IHSA should bring back high school sports. Do you think with all the information that we have and don’t have that this is a good idea to push for a fall season and even summer workouts right now?

JR: I don’t have a clear answer. Right now, I feel like they’re going about it the right way, at least with what they are doing with conditioning [and social distancing] but that is different than playing football games. Anytime you have students and coaches come together, you’re adding risk. We are in one of the states that has done well so far but it’s also July. Two weeks from now, if infections

go back up, my answer would be different.

JK: The more that I think about it, I think this is such a bad idea. The reason why Illinois went from being one of the state’s most impacted by the pandemic to flattening the curve as well as it has is because we took these measures that limited physical contact and have had people be more than six feet apart from each other.

At the same time, if the Illinois Department of Health does approve certain guidelines for athletes to get back out there, I can’t stand here with no medical experience and say that we should go against it. But I feel like even if the situation is getting better, we still have no long-term studies for how this impacts the general population or certain demographics that could really be hurt by this.

JR: Yeah, you bring up a lot of good points.

There was someone who tweeted that a student might die and when you think about that, even with really, really low death rates, half a percent for the overall population, if you lose one or two students, is playing football worth it?

New episode of The On Deck podcast up now I do want to see sports in the fall, especially being a part of the sports media and wanting to watch sports, but I hope we can just move [football] to the spring and really hold out hope that there’s a vaccine so that everybody can do this safely.

Check out the rest of the podcast at Spotify, Google Play and Apple Podcasts for the rest of the conversation on how the pandemic impacts college prospects and sports media.

Read it online at www.rblandmark.com

18

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

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Job Duties: The teacher will be responsible for teaching the curriculum and working cooperatively with colleagues including: grade level teammates, the Student Services Team, other faculty and support staff. The teacher will be responsible for building relationships with students, supervising and managing the class, effectively teaching the curriculum to meet the individual needs of students, evaluating individual student’s progress, and communicating progress with children and parents.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at district90.org. Please do not send hard copies of supporting documentation, i.e., cover letters, resumes, licensure, etc. to River Forest Schools District 90; instead, upload these materials onto the online job application system for proper processing.

HAPPY KIDD’S WEST INC. 6928 W 16th St Berwyn, IL 60513 We are seeking a Director and 2 teachers. Director must be qualiďŹ ed and have Associate’s degree or equivalent. Teachers must be director or teacher qualiďŹ ed. Mon. thru Fri. working with Infants to 6 yrs old. Compensable salary negotiable based on experience.

Call 773-619-5545 or fax resume to 773-728-5437.

BILINGUAL (SPANISH/ENGLISH) CASE MANAGER The Proviso Public Partnership,nfp is looking for a Bilingual (Spanish-English) Case Manager. Duties and qualiďŹ cations include: • Ability to complete screenings via phone and telehealth • Part-time position - 20 hours/ week- $15-$20 per hour based on experience • Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology or other related ďŹ eld • Computer Literacy For more details about the job, please email admin@pppnfp.org

SUBURBAN RENTALS

HELP WANTED

CITY RENTALS UNFURNISHED APT 4BR 2BA 4 BR, 2 BA w/ front room, living room, den and encl. porch. Storage closet. Close to transportation.

Tenant pays util. 1 mo. security required. Near school. Call 773-2970109 and leave message.

ROOMS FOR RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro.

Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up.

773-637-5957

M&M

property management, inc.

708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Contact us for a complete list of available rentals throughout Oak Park and Forest Park.

Apartment listings updated daily at:

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, ags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

AIR CONDITIONING/ HEATING AIR CONDITIONING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

SUBURBAN RENTALS OAK PARK 1 BR APT 1 BR, LR, DR, KITCHEN, encl. back entry/porch. Laundry, heat incl.

Storage avail. Owner occupied 2 at. Quiet residential neighborhood. $1050/mo. Garage pkg $65/mo.

708-383-1512 OAK PARK: ROOSEVELT/ OAK PARK AVE. CORRIDOR 2BR 4RMS close to blue line. On site laundry, parking, heat & water incl. $1200/ month 708-383-9223

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy ofďŹ ces for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking. Free wiďŹ ; Secure building; Friendly colleagues providing referrals. Shared waiting room; optional Conference. Call or email with questions. Shown on Sundays.

Lee 708.383.0729 drlmadden@ameritech.net

GARAGE SALES BrookďŹ eld

GARAGE SALE 4624 DUBOIS FRI 7/10 9AM TO 4PM SAT 7/11 9AM TO 3PM

Men’s clothes, sizes XL to XXL. Women’s clothes, size M. Miscellaneous. Rain or Shine.

GARAGE SALES Oak Park

MOVING FROM HOUSE TO APT 1185 S. HUMPHREY FRI 7/10 & SAT 7/11 9AM TO 1PM ONLY

Lawn furniture, Yard equipment, Ladders, odds and ends left over from home repair... wearing a mask is required....social distancing is encouraged.....hand sanitizer will be available for your use.

ITEMS FOR SALE BUMPER POOL TABLE $29.00 708-488-8755 LENOX CHINA 5 piece place settings Lenox china, Tuxedo pattern IRISH CARDIGAN Men’s size large.

WATERFORD GLASSES Colleen pattern, 2 water goblets, 2 wine glasses, 5 double old-fashioned glasses 708-386-6160 LYON & HEALY MUSIC CABINET Doors slide vertically. LP and music storage. Black.

708-488-8755

ITEMS TO BE GIVEN AWAY HOSPITAL BED We will deliver.

708-485-0929

Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified! Call 708-613-3342.

Air Conditioning Automotive A/C Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Hot Water Heaters Rodding Sewers

CEMENT Residential Commercial Industrial Licensed Bonded Insured Free Estimates ¡ Veteran Owned

Drives Walks Patios Stamped Concrete Curbs/Gutters Garage Floors Foundations Parking Lots Water Control

devegaconcrete.com ¡ 708-945-9001

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000 Attention!

Home improvement pros!

Don’t be caught short‌ reach the people making the decisions‌ Advertise your home improvement business in Wednesday Classified.

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Installing Ceiling Fans Rewiring Old Houses Service Upgrades

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FLOORS

• No Job Too Big or Too Small • Lic * Bonded * Ins * 24 hrs

CEMENT

MAGANA

C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N “QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATION� ESTABLISHED IN 1987

COMMERCIAL ˜ INDUSTRIAL ˜ RESIDENTIAL

708.442.7720 '5,9(:$<6 Â&#x2021; )281'$7,216 Â&#x2021; 3$7,26 67(36 Â&#x2021; &85% *877(56 Â&#x2021; 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* Â&#x2021; 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7( FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

www.forestdoor.com

KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;ooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-ďŹ nishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair â&#x20AC;˘ Painting Fans Installed â&#x20AC;˘ Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning â&#x20AC;˘ Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Do

708-296-2060

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

RBLANDMARK.COM

HANDYMAN

HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404

LANDSCAPING NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP

Evergreen trimming & more.

Hand weed removal.

Clean-ups.

Call 24 hrs.

708-447-1762

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

ROOFING

PUBLIC NOTICES

INVITATION FOR BID Sealed proposals will be received

by The Oak Park Housing Authority at 21 South Boulevard, Oak Park, IL, 60302 until 2:00 p. m. local time on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at which time they will be opened and read. The sealed bids will be received for the following project: Mills Park Tower Re-roofing. Tear off existing low slope roofing materials to structural deck, provide new insulation and roofing, provide new flashing with termination bar, and sealant.

Drawings and Project Manual are available at no cost in PDF electronic format from Heitzman Architects, 111 North Marion Street, Oak Park, IL 60301, telephone (708) 267-1352, email frank@heitzman.org, or printed drawings and Project Manual may be obtained at the direct cost of reproduction from Imperial Reprographics and Supply, 823 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois 60304, telephone (708) 848-1030.

Bidders are encouraged to attend the pre bid meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. on the first floor of Mills Park Tower, 1025 Pleasant Place, Oak Park, IL 60302. Bidders having questions or needing further information may call Ken Southward at (708) 3869322, extension 134.

Bid Security: Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in the amount of 5% of the base bid or a certified check in the same amount payable to the Oak Park Housing Authority. Checks of unsuccessful bidders will be returned as soon as practicable after the opening of the bids.

319 Chicago Avenue Reroofing and Tuckpointing, Oak Park, Illinois.

773-637-0692

Each bidder is required to comply with Equal Employment Opportunity for Community Development

PUBLIC NOTICE OAK PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JULY 14, 2020 AT 7:00PM The Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District 97 will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 7:00pm. The purpose of said hearing will be: To receive public comment on a proposed waiver application to allow District 97 to limit physical education with a licensed physical education teacher to 60 minutes per week for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

MEETING WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY In order to protect the health and safety of our board of education, staff, and community members, District 97 has decided to hold its July 14 board meeting virtually, using Zoom. The public may join this meeting using the following dial-in information: Meeting ID: 850 5951 2353 Password: 633498 Published in Wednesday Journal 07/08/2020

The Oak Park Housing Authority reserves the right to award the contract to its best interests, to reject any or all proposals, to waive informalities in bidding, and to hold the three lowest proposals for a period of sixty (60) days after bid due date.

This project is subject to Federal Regulations including Fair Labor and Prevailing Wages. The Oak Park Housing Authority, in an effort to reaffirm its policy of non-discrimination, encourages the efforts of Contractors and Sub-Contractors to take affirmative action in providing for Equal Employment Opportunity without regard to race, religion, creed, color, sex, national origin, age, protected Veteran status or handicap unrelated to ability to perform the job. The Owner encourages General Contractors to employ minority subcontractors and suppliers.

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, required distancing and masks will be required.

Ken Southward Director of Housing Director (708) 386-9322

INVITATION FOR BID Sealed proposals will be received

by Oak-Leyden Developmental Services, 411 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 until 2:00 p. m. local time on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at which time they will be opened and read. The sealed bids will be received for the following project:

Prospective bidders must obtain bid documents, which will be available from Heitzman Architects, 111 North Marion Street, Oak Park, IL 60301 telephone (708) 848-8844, or Imperial Reprographics and Supply, 823 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304, telephone (708) 848-1030.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Performance Bond: The Contractor, before commencing the work, shall furnish a Performance Bond for contracts over $100,000.00.

The Performance Bond shall be in an amount equal to 100% of the full amount of the Contract Sum as security for the faithful performance of the obligations of the Contract Documents. Such Bond shall be issued by a Surety satisfactory to the Owner and shall name the Owner as primary Co-Obligee.

Published in Wednesday Journal July 8, 2020

MIDWEST ROOFING All types of roofing repairs Commercial - Residential Call for free estimate

PUBLIC NOTICES

Block Grants and all other applicable federal regulations, copies of which are available for inspection at the Owner’s office.

Bidders are urged, but not required, to attend a pre-bid meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2020 at 319 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois to familiarize themselves with the project.

Bids must be submitted on the form provided in the bid documents and in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with job being bid.

Oak-Leyden Developmental Services reserves the right to award the contract in its best interest, to reject any or all proposals, to waive informalities in bidding, and to hold the three lowest proposals for a period of sixty (60) days after bid due date.

Steve Pratapas, Interim CEO Oak-Leyden Developmental Services

Published in Wednesday Journal July 8, 2020

INVITATION FOR BID Sealed proposals will be received by the Maywood Fine Arts Association, 25 North Fifth Avenue, Maywood, Illinois, 60153 until 2:00 p. m. local time on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at which time they will be opened and read. The sealed bids will be received for the following project: Maywood Fine Arts Exterior Remodeling, 25 North Fifth Avenue, Maywood, Illinois.

Prospective bidders must obtain bid documents, which will be available at Heitzman Architects, 111 North Marion Street, Oak Park, IL 60301 telephone (708) 848-8844, or Imperial Reprographics and Supply, 823 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304, telephone (708) 848-1030.

Each bidder is required to comply with Equal Employment Opportunity for Community Development Block Grants and all other appli-

cable federal regulations, copies of which are available for inspection at the Owner’s office.

Bidders are urged, but not required, to attend a pre-bid meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 25 North Fifth Avenue, Maywood, Illinois to familiarize themselves with the project.

Bids must be submitted on the form provided in the bid documents and in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with job being bid.

The Maywood Fine Arts Association reserves the right to award the contract in its best interests, to reject any or all proposals, to waive informalities in bidding, and to hold the three lowest proposals for a period of sixty (60) days after bid due date.

Katherine Bus, Managing Director Maywood Fine Arts Association (708) 220-1070

Published in Wednesday Journal July 8, 2020

  

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF STICKNEY

PUBLIC NOTICE You are invited to attend a virtual Teams meeting to be conducted by a District 209 representative on Friday, July 10, 2020, from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss how students with disabilities who attend Walther Christian Academy or who are home-schooled within the district will be served by District 209 during the 2019-20 school year. In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, public school districts are required to spend a portion of their Federal Part B special education funds in order to provide identified students with disabilities who attend private schools with the opportunity to equitably participate in special education services offered by the district. As part of that process, we must conduct a public meeting in order to discuss our plans to fulfill that responsibility for the coming school year. In addition, we want to ensure that your voices are heard during this process through your attending the meeting and sharing your opinions and feedback. Finally, we wish to also share information about how students with suspected disabilities can access the process offered by the district to screen and evaluate for those suspected disabling conditions. If you will be attending the meeting, please contact Vanessa Schmitt, Director of Specialized Services at (708) 3385919 to receive log-on information.

PUBLIC NOTICE Attention Leopoldo Villalobos, you are the last indicated owner or lienholder on file with Illinois Secretary Of State. Our records show, your 2003, TOYOTA, CAMRY with the following VIN 4T1BF30K03U040744 was towed to our facility. The current amount due & owing is $1965.00. If payment is not received within 30 days, Nobs Towing Inc. will intent to enforce a mechanic’s lien pursuant to Chapter 770 ILCS 50/3. Sale of the aforementioned vehicle will take place at 1510 Hannah, Forest Park, IL, 60130 on 8/10/2020.

Notice is hereby given by the President and the Board of Trustees for the Village of Stickney of a hearing to be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 21, 2020, concerning the Village’s intent to adopt an ordinance providing for the appropriations for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2020 and ending April 30, 2021. The hearing on the proposed 2020-2021 appropriations ordinance will be held conferencing and with physical attendance as feasible at Village Hall 6533 Pershing Road, Stickney, Illinois, and in compliance with the most recent declaration disaster and Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-44 and Public Act 101-0640. Electronic attendance via Zoom is strongly encouraged. The information for the Zoom hearing is as follows: Website: Zoom.us Meeting ID: 312 915 7558 Password: 768782 You are hereby invited to attend the public hearing and you will be given an opportunity to be heard, either in person or via electronic attendance, in respect to any matters pertaining to the proposed appropriation ordinance. Face masks will be required and strict social distancing will be enforced. Public comments or testimony may be submitted in advance, up to one hour before the hearing to the Village Clerk at villageclerk@ villageofstickney.com. or via phone at 708-749-4400 and will be accepted from those attending in person at the appropriate time during the hearing as indicated on the agenda.

A copy of the tentative budget and appropriations ordinance is available for public inspection at the Finance Department at Village Hall, 6533 Pershing Road, Stickney, Illinois during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In the event of questions, please contact David Gonzalez, Treasurer for the Village of Stickney at (708) 749-4400.

Audrey McAdams Village Clerk Published in RB Landmark 07/08/2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION JULY 23rd, 2020 at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, July 23rd, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for a variance regarding 3310 Prairie Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PIN 15-34-219-044-0000).

Legal Description: Lot 4 (Except the North 7 ½ feet thereof) and the North 15 feet of Lot 5 in Block 16 in Brookfield Manor, in the North east ¼ of Section 34, Township 39 North, Range 12 East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments.

Written comments may be provided prior to the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Elyse Vukelich, Village Planner, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, evukelich@brookfieldil.gov or 708485-1445. The application may be viewed by contacting the Village Planner. Please reference PZC Case 20-09.

Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark 07/08/2020

Published in Forest Park Review 7/08/2020

PUBLIC NOTICE You are invited to attend a virtual Teams meeting to be conducted by a District 209 representative on Friday, July 17, 2020, from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss how students with disabilities who attend St. Joseph High School or who are home-schooled within the district will be served by District 209 during the 2019-20 school year. In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, public school districts are required to spend a portion of their Federal Part B special education funds in order to provide identified students with disabilities who attend private schools with the opportunity to equitably participate in special education services offered by the district. As part of that process, we must conduct a public meeting in order to discuss our plans to fulfill that responsibility for the coming school year. In addition, we want to ensure that your voices are heard during this process through your attending the meeting and sharing your opinions and feedback. Finally, we wish to also share information about how students with suspected disabilities can access the process offered by the district to screen and evaluate for those suspected disabling conditions. If you will be attending the meeting, please contact Vanessa Schmitt, Director of Specialized Services at (708) 3385919 to receive log-on information.

Published in Forest Park Review 7/08/2020

Published in Forest Park Review 07/08/2020

PUBLIC NOTICE Attention Mathew Rivera, you are the last indicated owner or lienholder on file with Illinois Secretary Of State. Our records show, your 1986, Honda, VT700C with the following VIN JH2RC1911GM201755 was towed to our facility. The current amount due & owing is $1965.00.

If payment is not received within 30 days, Nobs Towing Inc. will intent to enforce a mechanic’s lien pursuant to Chapter 770 ILCS 50/3. Sale of the aforementioned vehicle will take place at 1510 Hannah, Forest Park, IL, 60130 on 8/10/2020.

Published in Forest Park Review 07/08/2020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING Plaintiff, -v.JUANITA J. EDWARDS Defendants 2018 CH 05854 301 48TH AVENUE BELLWOOD, IL 60104 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 3, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on August 6, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 301 48TH AVENUE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104 Property Index No. 15-08-229-0010000 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, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mort-

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Publish your assumed name legal notice in • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark • Austin Weekly News Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342

19

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE gagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. 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.

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 SECTION 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. 14-17-05268 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 05854 TJSC#: 40-1864 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 # 2018 CH 05854 I3152386

20

The Landmark, July 8, 2020

21 E. BURLINGTON ROAD, RIVERSIDE | MYBURLINGTONREALTY.COM | 708.447.7207

EN OP

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330 Northwood Rd, Riverside $485,000

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835 Community Dr, La Grange Park $599,900

74 Woodside, Riverside $599,999

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WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Visit us at www.atproperties.com/agents/Burlington to view all of our properties and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates on the local real estate market.