A Brookfield food pantry is ‘determined’ to feed amid federal cuts
Share Food Share Love could see 50% more neighbors in need without more food to give
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
The head of Brookfield’s Share Food Share Love food pantry said federal slashes to food assistance funding, and cuts to Medicaid and food stamps included in the Trump administration’s just-approved One Big Beautiful Bill Act, could have disastrous consequences at the local level.
“It’s going to impact us one way or another. If the Greater Chicago Food Depository gets hit badly, obviously that’s going to limit what they can do to provide food to us, so we’re going to have to resource that from the public, either through donations of cash or food,” said John Dumas, the pantry’s administrative director
He told the Landmark Share Food Share Love receives about 75% of the food it gives out from the depository, which distributes food to pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and more across Chicagoland to combat hunger.
In turn, the depository obtained about
See FOOD on pa ge 4
Roger Nothnagel has been an auxiliary policeman, electrical inspector an d re ghter photographer
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
Brookfield’s part-time jack-of-all-trades has of ficially left the building.
Roger Nothnagel first joined the village in April 1975 as an auxiliary police officer. In 1980, he was hired as an electrical inspector for Brookfield, a role he maintained for decades until his retirement this year.
“Back then, the building department was run by the fire department, so, essentially, I was a paid-on-call firefighter,” he told the Landmark.
“It wasn’t too much longer after that, the building department got transfer red back to a separate department in the village. I stayed with
See RETIRES on pa ge 8
Summer reading is in full swing
Brook eld and Riverside o er di erent challenges to keep kids reading
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
Life can change a lot from year to year when you’re still growing up, but across the country, and here in Riverside and Brookfield, summer reading remains a constant.
At the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, the 2025 summer reading challenge started June 2 and will last through Aug. 9. Kids in elementary school and younger are tasked with reading for 6 hours in 30-minute increments, earning a raffle ticket for each one, up to a total 12. Teenagers and adults can earn up to five entries, one for each book they read
“It’s an easier [goal] for children to hit,” said Ayleen Huerta, a youth librarian in Brookfield, of the different challenge structure for kids. “They already do minute-reading in school.”
Each age group will have its own raffle drawing for multiple prizes, including a Bluey LEGO set or mini karaoke machine for kids, a movie gift basket or Galloping Ghost gift card for teens and a Brookfield Zoo gift basket with tickets or an Enjoy Brookfield gift card for adults. And there’s a new kind of prize this year, too
“We usually do the raffle priz e, but, this year, we’re doing check-in prizes to try and encourage kids,” said Jennifer Smith, the library’s youth services manager. “Six hours is sometimes a little intimidating, so I want to make sure that, no matter what, kids are just attempting and doing their best. Every week, we have a different prize they can come in and g et. It’s small. This week, it’s bubbles.”
Smith said to keep an eye out for mystery pets toys next week, too.
“I think that one will be popular,” she said. “[Kids] don’ t have to give us their paper or anything. T hey really don’ t even have to be signed up; they just have to come tell us that they’ve been working on their reading.”
Smith suggested kids try reading “They Call Me ‘No Sam’” by Drew Daywalt, a middle-grade novel about a pug named Sam who believes his name is “No
Sam” due to the chaos he causes and the responses from his family.
Huerta recommended “Otto the Book Bear” by Katie Cleminson, a cute story about a bear who’s a character in a storybook and comes to life to wander his library
At the Riverside Public Library, summer reading started June 5 and ends Aug. 2. T he progr am, which is open to all ages, asks participants to keep a log of each day they read by filling in drawings of literal wooden lo gs
“We plan a progr am that is both fun for kids and a goal that is attainable. We don’ t want to have something that’s so difficult that it’s discouraging,” said Nora Durbin, the child and youth services manager in Riverside. “We tell them, talk with your adult at home to figure out what constitutes a day’s wor th [of reading], and push them to a minimum of 20 minutes a day, but it could be much more if they’re super readers.”
T he library also provides a list of 20 alternate activities, up to 10 of which can be used in place of a day of reading once completed. T he list includes things like visiting a museum, a far mers market or a progr am at the library, going for a bike ride or swim, or learning a new skill like birdwatching or g enealo gy.
“We reco gnize, too, that [for] some kids, reading can be a struggle, right? So, we also pepper in activities that they can complete,” Durbin said. “There’s a balance. You want to make it fun and interesting.”
She said the activity list changes year to year, with some of the items this year intended to highlight the library’s amenities, like its museum passes, as well as Riverside’s iconic nature.
“It’s a selling point, too. I always say, if you look at this list, there’s things you may already be doing. How many of you are going for a bike ride?” she said. “Then, there are things that might push you out of your comfort zone that you can choose if you want to do, like going screen-free for a day.”
Durbin recommended kids check out “Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct” by Mo Willems, whose title is self-explanatory. Other librarians in Riverside suggested the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Ar temis Fowl” series for f ans of realistic fiction and f antasy, respectively.
Librarians in both towns said summer reading is important for kids so they can hit the ground r unning after summer comes to an end.
“Not only does it make going back to school easier in the f all, it helps those reading skills grow. A lot of the schools do see a slump after the summer in reading scores,” Durbin said. “Our schools test them almost immediately with their [Measure of Academic Progress] tests right when they come back, and if you haven’ t been reading over the summer, those are going to take a big hit.”
“Summer reading is a longstanding effort on the pa rt of libraries to fill the gap between the school years,” Smith said. “Even though it’s only two months, kids lose a lot during that time.”
Read & Support
Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com
Operations Associate Susan Babin
Nile Wendor f
Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson
HOW TO REACH US
ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066
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FOOD Impact of fed cuts
from page 1
28% of its food last year from government sources, including the United States Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). In March, the USDA paused about half of TEFAP’s funding, reducing the money available to food providers nationwide by $500 million.
If the depository is unable to get that proportion of food without TEFAP funding, Share Food Share Love could receive up to 21% less food or have to find ways to get that food elsewhere as the effects of the cuts ripple down the supply chain.
But beyond the cuts to TEFAP, Dumas said the new federal cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would make it harder for people to qualify for the programs, could mean more neighbors find themselves turning to the food pantry so they can eat.
“If Medicaid and SNAP get cut, more people are going to need more help, and even the people that get it now are going to need
even more help. That’s a part of those folks’ budgets,” he said. “We find 75% to 80% of the people that come to our pantry work, so this is not a question of, they’re in need because they’re not getting any income. They just don’t get enough to be able to afford all the things they need, plus food. We help them out with the food, and then they can use their money for rent and utilities.”
Dumas said the depository has infor med the food pantry they could see an increase of up to 50% in the number of people seeking assistance now that the bill has been signed into law by President Donald Trump
He said pantry officials have heard the Trump administration could even come after the tax-exempt status of nonprofits like Share Food Share Love if they refuse to turn away people in need who have immigrated illegally.
“If you, as the government, don’t want to help people, that’s your choice. I personally don’t agree with that, but fine. But don’t get me both ways. Don’t put it on me to tak e care of people and then make it harder for me to do that. That’s a nasty way to do things,” he said. “I can’t tell you absolutely, but at this point, right now, we would have no intention of honoring that. We would make do without [tax-exempt status].”
Items inside the Share Food Share Love food pantry are arranged on shelves in aisles to replicate the experience of grocery shopping.
For community members who feel inspired to help, Dumas said monetary donations, rather than giving food or time, will be the biggest boon.
“I don’t want to minimize what [volunteers] do, but, certainly, the pressure on us is going to be related to the food and to what we’re able to give out,” he said. “Almost everything we get, no matter what source we get it from, we’re paying, in a lot of cases, less than wholesale value. We get the food very cheaply, so, even if [donors] can only afford a couple of dollars, we’ll put it to good use.”
Even a donation of $2 or $3 could go a long
way, he said, as beneficiaries of SNAP only receive about $6 per day from the program.
Despite the setbacks facing the food pantry, Dumas said Share Food Share Love will stay steadfast in its mission.
“We have every plan of being there and giving out food, just like we always have, hopefully in the same quantities,” he said. “It’s going to make our jobs more difficult, but we’re very confident, and we’re very determined, to make sure that our neighbors don’t suffer as a result of these decisions that they have no hand in.
COURTESY OF SHARE FOOD SHARE LOVE
Cook County launches new crime and court stat dashboard
e Cook County Criminal Justice Dashboard provides a new way for residents to access local criminal justice data
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter
Last month, Cook County leaders debuted a new publicly accessible data tool to provide insights into trends in regional criminal justice issues.
The “Cook County Criminal Justice Dashboard” was created with funding from the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge and developed in conjunction with Loyola University of Chicago’s Center for Criminal Justice researchers, according to county officials
The tool’s debut follows large changes to the county’s criminal justice administration, including the elimination of cash bail in 2023 and a sharp decrease in Chicago arrests that’s largely held steady since the COVID-19 Pandemic. The tool includes statistics on incidents and arrests, criminal case filings, jail bookings and releases, pretrial release decisions, sentences and prison and parole populations, according to county officials.
“The Cook County Criminal Justice Dashboard reflects the ongoing collaboration among our justice system partners,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “It shows our shared commitment to transparency and to making the criminal legal system work better for the public We’re proud to share this tool to help residents better understand how the justice system affects people and communities across Cook County.”
The dashboard project sources data from the Office of the Chief Judge, the Cook County State’s Attor ney, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County and the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender, according to county officials. It features data dating back to the beginning of 2018.
“With these tools, I hope the public will be able to gain a better understanding of our criminal legal system, including the impact policy can have on a person after an arrest,” said Cook County Public Defender
Sharone R. Mitchell. “By bringing data from all our offices together in a shared commitment to transparency and accountability, I hope we can promote discussions and inspire critical analysis that provides a more holistic view of how our courts operate, instead of only focusing on stories about the outliers.”
The tool breaks down quarterly court operation statistics by jurisdiction, including District 4, which takes cases from west Cook County municipalities like Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Berwyn, Brookfield and Riverside. So far in 2025, 8% of all Cook County criminal cases have come from District 4 communities, a nearly identical share to the number of cases coming out of the county’s southern and southwestern suburban court districts, according to county statistics.
The number of criminal cases filed in the county rose last year, although it is still far from the system’s pre-COVID heights. In 2024, the county-wide system processed 61,507 new criminal charges, compared to 55,233 in 2023 and 86,434 in 2019. There were 16,653 new criminal charges filed in the first quarter of this year, according to county statistics.
District 4 criminal case filings topped 5,000 for the first time since 2019 last year with 5,248. There were 1,308 new filings in District 4 in the first quarter of 2025, according to county data.
The most common charge in District 4 and Cook County on the whole is domestic battery or aggravated domestic battery, of which there were 208 cases in 2025’s first quarter, according to county statistics.
The tool presently only features Chicago crime data. The data featured in the tool regarding incident reports does not show a proportional decrease in the annual number of incidents reported to police by residents since, suggesting that the large decrease in arrests and criminal charges is likely the result of shifting law enforcement strategies.
The new dashboard will allow residents to understand the facts of the local criminal justice system better than before, the tool’s developers hope.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Riverside-B Stone prepare to g
The Landmark walks in local 4th of July parades
We had a blast seein your faces on Fr
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
Every year, when the Fourth of around, people think of classic summer activities like barbecue lunches and kids playing outside, and in Brookfield and Riverside, many associate the federal holiday with annual parades that morning.
For many, it’s a day of f of wo the Landmark, the morning starts with showing out at both parades to our work and meet the community behind our readership.
While it was an early morning to make it to Riverside on time — especially for this reporter, whose apar tment is on the Far North Side of Chicago — the groggy drive was worth it to see people’s smiling faces lining the side walks as we processed through town, from Delaplaine Road down Longcommon Road and ending at Riverside Township Hall.
Alongside Jill Wagner, the Landmark’s circulation manager, Bill Stone, its high school sportswriter, and Charlie Meyerson, a member of its nonprofit board of
Growing Communit y Media Board of Directors member Charlie Meyerson hands out a piece of candy to the crowd in Brook eld.
directors, I handed out sweet candy treats, from Nerds and Laffy Taffy to gummy fruit snacks. While this line of work leads me to speak with many community members, I shared a moment with more residents than
JILL WAGNER
ever each time I threw they caught it (or, sometimes, they didn’t). While we heard other candy only to kids, everyone, from kids to their parents and grandparents watching them.
In Brookfield, too, Garfield Avenue all the way to slinging candy eve
A few dedicated readers supported us vocally from the sidelines, appreciated. The Landmark is a source of local news for everyone in town, but it was nice to put some faces to the readership work to serve and pers each week.
Thank you to ev on Friday, whether you walked in a parade for your own group or just watched heading to further celebrations later in the day. While I don’t li erside, I write for and you all made me feel like a small piece of your community that day. From the bottom of my heart, and the bottom of the Landmark’s archives, thank you all.
Riverside Brook eld High School students march through downtown Riverside in the parade on July 4.
e Riverside community lines the sidewalks downtown as the procession reaches the end of its route at the parade.
Our Century, Your New Beginning.
JILL WAGNER
JILL WAGNER
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RETIRES
that, and I staye department, too.”
In fact, he became the tographer, taking pictures of the blazes that occurred in town department work
Nothnagel said he part-time until Brookfield disbanded its paid on-call firefighter pr 2008 and replaced it with full-time employees. From then on, he electrical inspector, der the community development depa ment, where he took a close look trical systems across the code compliance.
“Between the three departments, I think I’ve probably been in he joked.
Nothnagel said he ne ing the village through his fi service. Despite his commitment to helping Brookfield part-time, he also worked a full-time job as a construction electrician for about 45 years, though he retired from that role more than a decade ago.
“I got my electrician apprenticeship six months after I got out of high school,” he said. He said his dedication to Brookfield came in part from his memories of growing up in town. His service to the village started when a friend made a similar decision.
“One of my b est friends got on the fir e depar tment, and I thought that would be nice to do, but at that time, they we re n’ t taking paid on-call firemen. T hey we re taking auxiliary p olicemen, so I thought, ‘Well, maybe this will be something b etter,’” he said. “A s time went on, they needed more paid on-call firefighters. T hen, I g ot hired as the electrical i nspector … One thing led to another, and I j ust staye d with it. I staye d with that, I staye d with the p olice department, I staye d with the fire department, and time g oes by fast sometimes.”
Nothnagel said Brookfield’s community is what made the village stand out to him over the years.
“The people in town, most of the people I worked with, were real good,” he said. “It’s hard to pick any one [favorite] thing [about Brookfield], that’s for sure.”
He said working for the village has changed over the years as different ad-
Roger Nothnagel is pictured working as an auxiliar y policeman in Brook eld, one of the roles he lled as a part-time employee since 1975.
ministrators have come and gone, each putting “their own twist on thing s.” Other big changes in town have been more physical in nature.
“The six-story building, that was a big change, over there on Brookfield Avenue,” he said. “That bridge they built a few years back, that certainly was something else, the way it took so long.”
When asked to recall memories of working for the village, Nothnagel said the incidents that stuck out the most to him were big fires.
“Those stand out, especially when Hollywood Motors bur ned down back in the ‘80s,” he said. “There was one, over on Arthur [Avenue] in 2018. There was a bad house fire.”
He said his longest job with the village, as an electrical inspector, was the one that called to him the most.
“It all fit in with my re gular profession, and I just wanted to make sure that the people that were doing work or having work done in town were doing it the right way,” he said.
He said volunteering with Brookfield became a good way to pass time after his retirement from full-time work but that he knew it would end eventually.
“It’s nice to have something to do. You get bored when there’s nothing to do, but other than that, it was about time” to retire, he said. “I met a lot of people, that’s for sure. Everybody stands out in Brookfield.”
PROVIDED BY CATHY NOTHNAGEL
Riverside man arrested for harassing Brookfield woman
Brookfield police arrested a 58-year-old Riverside man on June 26 for repeatedly disturbing a Brookfield woman at her home
An officer responded to the 3800 block of Madison Avenue around 1:40 p.m. on a report of a disturbance and spoke to a resident, who said an older man had thrown dog feces into her garbage can the previous day. When she requested he remove it, the man screamed profanities at the woman in front of her children, she told police. Then, on this day, the man rode past the woman’s house on his bike as she was heading out with her children and began to scream at her. The woman told police she simply wanted the man to leave her family alone.
The officer spoke with the man, who refused to identify himself multiple times, stating he did not need to identify himself because he did nothing wrong, police said. The officer infor med the woman that the man would not identify himself and that further police action could not be taken unless she agreed to pursue a disorderly conduct charge against him. The woman then agreed to have the man charged, and police detained the man, who had tried to ride away on his bike “several times,” police said.
The officer infor med the man he would be transported to the police department for a finger print inquiry since he refused to identify himself. Police searched the man’s person and found a handgun; after finding the man’s driver’s license, police learned he had a valid concealed carry license.
Police cited the man for disorderly conduct and interfering with a village employee and set a July 21 cour t date.
Repeat home burglar arrested
Riverside police charged a man with felony residential burglary after he was seen trying to gain access to a residence he had previously burgled
On June 13, an officer responded to the 2900 block of Harlem Avenue on a report of theft to the same residence where police had responded the day before on a report of a burglar who had tried to break into the basement and steal a bike.
The homeowner told police he noticed his surveillance camera was missing when he got home from work around 3:20 p.m. He had checked the footage and saw the same man Riverside police arrested on June
12 trying to gain access to his basement around 1:35 a.m. on June 13 before the camera footage cut off.
T he resident told p olice he did not b eli eve the man in the video had mad e entry to his b asement after the c amer a stopped recording.
On June 19, Rive rside p olice learned Berwyn p olice had taken the burglar i nto c ustody for retail theft. A Rive rside officer c ontacted C ook C ounty f elony review and had one c ount of residential burglary approved
Riverside police processed the man on charges of residential burglary and misdemeanor theft before revoking the pretrial release he had been granted on June 12 and taking him to Cook County jail.
Suspended license plates
Brookfield police ticketed a 22-year-old Brookfield man June 25 for driving a vehicle with suspended re gistration.
Around 3:26 p.m., an officer was on patrol on the 4100 block of Eberly Avenue when their squad car’s license plate reader hit on a gray van nearby. The officer ran the car’s plates through the police database and learned the car had been suspended due to a lack of insurance, police said.
The officer turned on their car’s emergency lights and pulled the van over in a traffic stop. The officer spoke with the driver of the van and asked him for his driver’s license and proof of insurance. He provided both, but the officer ran the man’s information through the database and learned his license expired last July.
The officer cited the man for driving with suspended re gistration and without a valid driver’s license let him go on his way after setting a July 22 cour t date.
These items were obtained from the Riverside Police Department reports dated June 13 and the Brookfield Police Department reports dated June 23-30; they represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.
Compiled by Trent Brown
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Opinion
LETTERS
Why don’t Brook eld people rate?
An article in the Landmark on June 11 was headlined, “Brookfield Zoo offers free admission to Riversiders.” What happened to the people of Brookfield? Why can’t they get free admission?
A lso in the paper, Rive rside ’s minimum bill for water is 4,000 g allons Brookfield’s minimum is 5,000 g allons
We seniors do n’ t usually use 5,000 g allons. Why ca n’ t the village of Brookfield pro-rate the amount of water we use if it is under 5,000 g allons? T hey pro-rate it if it is over 5,000 g allons.
I guess the people in Brookfield don’t rate.
Andy Sherlag Brookfield
And the rockets’ red glare
Just as sure-fire as Donny Trump g ets wh atever he d esires by way of hi s blood-soaked wallet, fireworks c ame with the fourth day in Ju ly, per usual. I g et it, I too enjoyed r unning from a freshly lit b ottle rocket or pointing a roman c andle at the moon, watching d ancing s pitfires brightly launch i nto nothingness — when I was 13. Now, at the aforementioned age but flip the 1 & 3, I ca n’ t help but wonder about the reasoning for adults to ke ep making things go b oom. I truly wonder wh at the c elebratory explosions are fo r. I figure it must something li ke :
1) “I love bringing ter ror and trauma to any vets with P TSD, perturbing all the babies/elderly I reside next to, and every zoo animal, wild creature & p et in my neighborhood — it ’s patriotism.”
2) “With the wonders that our overly qualified president has accomplished, like leaving the lower class to “figure out health care,” aka cutting it & letting so many inevitably pass, while rewarding the bezoionaires in tax cuts & rear end smooching, nor to forget militarizing our cities, unjustly sending citizens to far, far away super-prisons (can’t wait for the movie on that one!), or just being such a handsome orange wrinkle man — a lot to celebrate with booms and explosions,” or finally 3)
“Since it has rained so much this summer, particularly the last few weeks before this ‘holiday,’ I bet sending hot ashes & bits of sulfur-simmering garbage all over my roof, my neighbor’s roof, and everywhere else it may land is a great, smart play on my end.”
The real quandary, aside from any jests at the big Donald Duck, is: Where’s all the local 5-0? Even the fourth-grade kiddo next door knows most fireworks launched into the sky (aka when our lil’ town turned into a live example of what it’s like living in other places in the world currently) — is ille g al (see Brookfield’s Code of Ordinances Article XI: Sec. 36605-11 if you drank the Kool-Aid). Our local enforcement will sit outside our homes, eagerly waiting for 8:59 a.m. to blink into 9 a.m. to write a pa rking ticket — yet, as we literally send an SOS “Ticket Me” sign in the air one after the other for hours on end, no police are to be found. Seems priorities of the fuzz seem to track more toward “green,” rather than “red, white & blue.” Anywho — hats of f to Cooper & the mysterious “PEP” party (the same this very publication tends to “hifive” any chance it gets) for taxing Brookfield’s only grocer, Tischler Finer Foods — as if grocery costs aren’t high enough. Paul Pagæsh Brookfield
OBITUARIES
Carolyn Hammerschmitt, 85 A teacher for 30 years
Carolyn Hammerschmitt (nee Crothers), 85, of Brookfield, died on Ju ly 4, 2025. S he taught for nearly 30 years at St. L ouise de Marillac School, touching c ountless lives and opening her hear t and home by adopting four children and c ontinuing to tutor students i nto her retirement. Her le ga cy of love, c omp assion, and unwave ring dedication to learning will live on in all of those she nur tured and inspired
Carolyn was the wife of the late Phillip Hammerschmitt; the mother of Beth (Tom) Kraus, Timothy (Rizalina) Hammerschmitt, Douglas (Emmanuelle) Hammerschmitt, and Amy (John) Stinson; the grandmother of Ian (Bailey), Sean, Haley (Triston), Morgan, Sydney, Andrew, Noah,
Nathan, and Brianna; the great-grandma of Degan, Delaney, Landyn, and Joyner; the sister of Mary (Jim) Hill, Rob (Renee) Crothers, George (Marge) Crothers, Cathy (the late John) Coffey, and the late Marelyn (Ray) Musich; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 10 from 3 to 8 p.m. and Friday, July 11 from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 31st St., Brookfield. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday at St. Louise de Marillac Church, corner of 30th and Raymond Ave., La Grange Park, with interment at Queen of Heaven in Hillside.
Memorials appreciated to your favo ri te charity.
To run an obituary
Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.
Sports
Brook eld 12U softball team edged for District 9 title
District play continues for Brook eld, Riverside, North Riverside
By BILL STONE
Contributing Reporter
The end of the season for the Brookfield Little League Majors 12-Under softball allstar team Monday was especially emotional.
Brookfield’s 5-3 loss to Western Springs in seven innings in the District 9 championship series at Ehlert Park not only was close. This also marked the end for the group in the oldest age division for Little League softball, after winning the 2024 districts at 11U.
“It was a tough loss. They fought really hard to get back to this spot and then a few things just didn’t go our way,” Brookfield manager Andy Righeimer said. “It’s a great group. I’m very proud of everything they did.”
Brookfield Majors softball team members were Molly Beattie, Olivia Buscemi, Leila Chave z, Brooklyn Depke, Hailey Franklin, Amelia Johnson, Sophia LaLonde, Isabella Raygoza, Eloise Righeimer, Eulalia Sokol, Josie Stremski and Maeve Toland. They were coached by Andy Righeimer, Zach Toland and Erin Depke.
Had Brookfield won Monday’s extra-in-
ning nail-biter, the team still needed to beat Western Springs in another game immediately afterward in the double-elimination format to become district champions and advance to the state tournament.
Brookfield nearly pulled it of f after losing to Western Springs 4-0 in their first meeting July 2. Brookfield opened with a 17-0 victory over Riverside, June 30, and through the consolation bracket reached the championship by beating La Grange 6-3, Saturday.
Batting as the home team Monday, Brookfield came back to tie the g ame 1-1 in the second and 3-3 in the fourth.
“[Monday] was an intense g ame. It went up and down so often,” Andy Righeimer said. “They just picked each other up every moment they had. They were in it until the end.”
When the game remained tied 3-3 after six re gulation innings, both teams began the seventh with a runner at second base.
Western Springs immediately got an infield single, stolen base and two-run single from standout pitcher Avery Stojak.
Pitcher Toland then retired the next three hitters, including a great catch by rightfielder Depke. Brookfield was retired 1-2-3 in the seventh.
“Coming back [from the 4-0 loss] and getting back to the championship game really pumped them up a lot,” Andy Righeimer
eld’s shortstop Maeve Toland makes the throw to rst against Riverside during the Illinois Major League So ball District 9 game June 30, in Brook eld. See SOFTBALL on page 13
STEVE JOHNSTON
Brook
Cicic rides basketball wave, transfers to Pepperdine
Bulldogs’ two-time 4A all-stater joins Division I program through portal
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Stefan Cicic’s NCAA Division I men’s colle ge basketball journey is taking him from the bayou to the beach. Cicic recently transfer red to Pe pperdine University in Malibu, Califo rnia after his redshi rt freshman season at Tulane University (New Orleans).
“I have my high ocean view so it’s very beautiful,” joked Cicic, the 7-foot center and 2024 Riverside Brookfield High School graduate who was a two-time allstater. “I went and liked it. T hey showed me their playing style and how it’ll benefit me. T hey basically showed me everything. I’m really blessed and Califo rnia’s a beautiful place.”
Cicic opted to enter the NCAA transfer portal on April 22, the final day. He said he rece ived 5-6 inquiries but Pe pperdine was the only school he visited. Cicic committed on the spot. T he recr uiting visit was his first trip to Califo rnia. Now Cicic is there throughout this month for summer basketball camp
“I kind of took a little g amble on myself [with the portal],” Cicic said. “A couple of [other inquiries] were eye opening but I had it set on Pe pperdine.”
Pe pperdine is in transition also. This past season was the first for coach Ed Schilling. T he Waves finished 13-22 (4-14 in West Coast Conference) but beat three higher seeds before losing in the semifinals of the WCC Tournament.
Schilling previously spent 13 years as an assistant coach at Massachusetts, Memphis, UCLA, Indiana and Grand
Canyon, with those teams reaching the NCAA Tournament a combined eight times. T he Waves last qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2002 in NBA Hall of Famer Paul Westphal’s first season as head coach.
“When I was on my visit, I liked how they treated me and how trustworthy they are,” Cicic said. “Watching film, how they play, I really like their playing style
“Obviously, my goal is to play. T he goal is to start. That would be everyone’s goal, do what I can to help out the team.”
He is excited about Pe pperdine’s flex offense, which he said has the big man scoring often in the post and passing from the top of the key. While also a solid perimeter shooter, Cicic remains committed to scoring inside.
“I’ve slimmed down a little bit, worked on my footwork, shooting, more fundamentals. I’m really focusing on my g ame every year to g et better,” said Cicic, now 20 pounds lighter. “Oh yeah, I feel lighter, quicker, more bouncy. [But] I’d rather much play [center] because of my size.”
At T ulane, Cicic pl ayed in three of the Green Waves’ November g ames against L ouisiana Christian, L ouisiana-Monroe and Alco rn Stat e, missing two shots in four total minutes. T ulane (19-15, 12-6 in A merican A thletic C onference) lost to U SC 89-60 in their opener of the i naugur al C olle ge Basketball Crown p ostseason tournament.
“I didn’t really want to waste my freshman year (eligibility) so I redshir ted,” Cicic said.
At RBHS, Cicic was named Class 4A second-team all-state by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association as a senior and junior after transferring from Niles Notre Dame. He also was the Metro Suburban Conference Player of the Year as a senior and MSC Blue Division Player of the Year as a junior
Bulldogs’ Mrozik-DeJesus gains all-state lacrosse honors
Mercyhurst recruit earns honorable mention; Dwyer, Du y among allstate girls
By BILL STONE
Contributing Reporter
conference season at Fenwick. He was allsectional in 2024 and honorable mention all-sectional this past season after being second on the Bulldogs in goals (37) and assists (9), causing a team-best 21 turnovers and being third in ground balls (43).
All-sectional senior Ben Lupfer was the Bulldogs’ offensive leader with 42 goals and 11 assists and was second in ground balls (50) with 15 caused turnovers.
AAA club team. Just before the Bulldogs’ season opener in mid-March, he verbally committed to play lacrosse at Mercyhurst following an official visit. He plans to major in biology or human sciences. He would like to be a chiropractor.
“It was one of those schools where you just visit and when you first see it, you fall in love,” Mrozik-DeJesus said.
Nazareth freshman Eve Bedford and senior Olivia Mowrer.
Right before the boys lacrosse season, Riverside Brookfield High School junior Xavier MrozikDeJesus felt great about his verbal commitment to NCAA Division I Mercyhurst University (Erie, Pennsylvania). He was just as ecstatic after the season ended. Following the postseason, Mrozik-DeJesus found out from RBHS coach Joe Urbanski that he had been named honorable mention all-state.
“I was at my house with my family and a friend. I got the call. It was a little unexpected,” Mrozik-DeJesus said. “I couldn’t stop pacing around my house. A surreal experience. I’m really excited and thankful I got it.”
This was Mrozik-DeJesus’ second season with the Bulldogs after one varsity all-
SOFTBALL
Local all-star teams
from page 11
said. “I felt like our adrenaline, spirits were really high going into it.”
Brookfield tied the game in the fourth when LaLonde singled, stole second and third base and scored on an errant pickoff throw. Toland earlier was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on Stremski’s single
In the second, Raygoza walked and eventually scored from third on a delayed steal. Andy Righeimer has coached his two daughters and son every softball or baseball season.
“I’ve got a son [in Minors] so we’ll keep go-
Senior Max Strong was academic all-sectional. Senior Tommy Kos was sportsmanship all-sectional.
Many from the strong senior class were freshmen on the Bulldogs’ first varsity team in 2022. This season, the Bulldogs achieved their first postseason victory. Strong had team highs of 102 ground balls and 128 won draws along with 28 goals and 18 caused turnovers. Other statistical standouts included seniors Jack Duffy (20 goals, 3 assists, 29 ground balls), Jimmy Faletti (36 ground balls, 18 caused turnovers) and Angel Salazar (27 ground balls, 23 won faceof f s), junior goalie Pat Galloway (145 saves, .686 save percentage) and juniors Joey Zimmerman (43 ground balls, 20 caused turnovers), Damian Nieves (15 ground balls, 12 caused turnovers), Warren Mason (21 ground balls, 12 caused turnovers), Eddie Schook (5 assists, 21 ground balls), Charlie Sloan (5 goals, 5 assists, 19 ground balls) and Jacob Retana (28 ground balls).
This summer, Mrozik-DeJesus is busy playing with his True Illinois Premier
ing with it,” he said. “We’re lifers in Brookfield Little League. It’s a great organization.”
Also in Majors softball, Riverside was 1-2 and North Riverside was 0-2.
In Juniors softball, Brookfield finished third in District 9 with a 1-2 record.
For 10U softball, Brookfield and North Riverside begin District 9 play against each other Wednesday. Riverside starts Thursday against La Grange or LaGrange Park.
In the three-team 11U softball district, North Riverside defeated Riverside 12-5 in Monday’s first game and is scheduled to play La Grange Tuesday.
In Little League baseball, District 9 pool play began Monday for Brookfield, Riverside and North Riverside in Majors and Brookfield and Riverside in 11U.
Brookfield was 0-2 in District 9 Intermediate baseball.
“I didn’t know until I visited that what I wanted was a small-school experience. The familiarity with everybody there was what I wanted. They take academics and athletics very seriously.”
Just like RBHS, the Lakers are a building program. This spring marked their first season in NCAA Division I, going 2-11 and 1-6 in the Northeast Conference. Other True teammates also have shown interest in the program.
“That was another thing. I g et to be pa rt of a grow ing progr am,” Mroz ikDeJesus said.
Nazareth Academy seniors John Hughes and Luke Neri were named to the All-East Suburban Catholic Conference team.
Girls lacrosse
Lyons Township High School senior Emma Dwyer was named second-team all-state Nazareth Academy freshman Kathleen Hardy was honorable mention all-state, the first all-stater in program history.
Culin, Dwyer and Kristufek were members of the All-West Suburban Conference Silver Division team. The trio also were invited to the Illinois senior all- star game. Kristufek was unable to attend.
Hardy also was named the East Suburban Catholic Conference Newcomer of the Year after collecting 137 goals, 29 assists, 62 ground balls and 28 caused turnovers.
Culin surpassed 100 goals for her career. Other statistical standouts included sophomore Peyton Johnson (36 goals, 6 assists, 39 ground balls, 103 draw attempts, 83 draw controls), Kristufek (47 goals, 14 assists) and Dwyer (57 ground balls, 53 caused turnovers, assist).
Nazareth junior Morgan Fantozzi and dy
XAVIER MROZIK-DEJESUS
EMMA DWYER
KATHLEEN HARDY
STEVE JOHNSTON
Riverside’s Hazel Jurgens connects for a hit against Brook eld.
LEGAL NOTICE
The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25th, 2025 for the following:
Village of Oak Park Viaduct Conduit Repair Project REQUEST FOR BIDS
Bid Number: 25-124
Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.
Published in Wednesday Journal July 9, 2025
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.
The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.
To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777. GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA
LEGAL NOTICE
The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025 for Project: 25-15, Bike Boulevard Pavement Marking and Signage Improvements Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements consist of: the installation of pavement markings including polyurea, Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), and thermoplastic; the fabrication and installation of signs and telescoping steel sign supports and all appurtenant work thereto.
Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 4:00 p.m Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/ budget-purchasing/requestsproposals or at www.questcdn. com under login using QuestCDN number 9775758 for a non-refundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.
The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.
THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer
Published in Wednesday Journal July 9, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025 for Project: 25-14, Garfield Traffic Signal Upgrade. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements consist of: salvaging, replacing and/or relocating existing traffic signal heads, conduits, posts, and foundations; modifying existing controllers; relocating pedestrian push buttons; and all appurtenant work thereto.
Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 4:00 p.m Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/ budget-purchasing/requestsproposals or at www.questcdn. com under login using QuestCDN number 9775790 for a non-refundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.
The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.
THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK
Bill McKenna Village Engineer
Published in Wednesday Journal July 9, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M25000637 on June 26, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of THE PINWHEEL LAB with the business located at:1545 MONROE AVE APT 2, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JESSICA MO 1545 MONROE AVE APT 2, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305, USA
Published in Wednesday Journal July 2, 9, 16, 2025
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed Proposals will be accepted for:
2025 Washington Blvd Phase I Engineering Services
The Village of River Forest is requesting proposals for professional engineering consultant services, for completion of Phase I Engineering and the development and IDOT approval of a Project Development Report for Traffic and Pedestrian improvements on Washington Boulevard from Thatcher Avenue to Lathrop Avenue as outlined in the Village of River Forest’s Village Wide Traffic Study. Respondents must be able to demonstrate expertise with all aspects of roadway related engineering tasks and bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Submittals should include the firm’s qualifications, project team, resumes, project approach, and recently completed related engineering work (high value will be placed on experience assisting municipalities with Phase I engineering for improvements similar in scope).
The RFP is available for download starting Monday, July 7, 2025, at: www.vrf.us/bids
Proposals must be submitted by Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. to: Village of River Forest
Attention: Jack Bielak P.E., CFM Director of Public Works & Engineering 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305
Proposals will be considered based on the criteria set forth in the RFQ.
No Proposal shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled deadline.
The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these Proposals to waive technicalities and reject any or all Proposals.
Published in Wednesday Journal July 9, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND
SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE ON BEHALF FOR CSMC 2018-RPL12 TRUST
Plaintiff vs. THOMAS EVANS, VEORIA EVANS, STATE OF ILLINOIS, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC.
Defendant 19 CH 13708
CALENDAR 57 NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on August 6, 2025, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-10-123-039-0000. Commonly known as 316 22ND AVE., BELLWOOD, IL 60104. The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.
For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Suite 201, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125. 1904973
INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3268790
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION PARAMOUNT RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE GROUP, INC. Plaintiff, -v.-
SABRINA MCDADE Defendants 2024 CH 06544 1014 GARDNER ROAD WESTCHESTER, IL 60154
NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on April 22, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 24, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:
Commonly known as 1014 GARDNER ROAD, WESTCHESTER, IL 60154
Property Index No. 15-16-416058-0000
The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $258,302.82. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to
The Judicial Sales Corporation.
No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. 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 151701(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, contact CHAD LEWIS, ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 6400 SHAFER CT, STE 325, ROSEMONT, IL, 60018 (561) 241-6901. Please refer to file number 24-224197. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc. com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.
CHAD LEWIS ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC 6400 SHAFER CT, STE 325 ROSEMONT IL, 60018 561-241-6901
E-Mail: ILMAIL@RASLG.COM
Attorney File No. 24-224197
Attorney ARDC No. 6306439
Attorney Code. 65582
Case Number: 2024 CH 06544
TJSC#: 45-1129
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 # 2024 CH 06544 I3268586
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