RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Also serving North Riverside $1.00
Vol. 35, No. 30
July 22, 2020
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Blue Lives flag nixed Villages look to county for COVID cash PAGE 6 Riverside board passes on flying
‘divisive’ banner
Most schools look at hybrid models for 2020-21
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Local Little Leagues forge ahead in Phase 4 PAGE 17
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Flight, grounded International trapeze act sidelined by pandemic, waits and hones skills in Riverside
Alternating days, split shifts, remote options all on the table By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
Local school districts have begun announcing their plans for what school will look it in the fall and most, possibly all, districts seem to be opting for a hybrid plan that blends in-person and remote learning amidst a continuing pandemic. State guidelines requiring social distancing of students make it difficult for normal classes with all students in attendance. Students and staff will be required to wear face masks almost all the time, except when eating lunch, when they are inside school buildings Lyons Township High School, like most school districts, is deciding between a hybrid model combining in-person attendance and remote learning. If LTHS chooses the hybrid approach, the student body will be split into two groups by the first letter of their last name. One group will attend their first- through thirdperiod classes on Monday and Thursday mornings. On Tuesdays and Fridays that group will attend their afternoon classes. See SCHOOLS on page 9
AERIAL ACT: Sidelined by the pandemic, Sam Sion (left) and Sylvia Friedman sharpen their trapeze act in the backyard of their Riverside home on July 16. ALEX ROGALS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
By BOB UPHUES
O
Editor
n a warm summer evening when many people would be content sitting on the patio with a long, cool drink taking in the garden or chatting with neighbors, you can find Riverside couple Samuel Sion and Sylvia Friedman 20 feet in the air on a trapeze.
It’s cooler in the evenings, especially of late, and the couple – known professionally as Duo Rose – need to stay sharp. At some point, the show will go on and they’ll need to be at their acrobatic, swinging, contorting best. Samuel and Sylvia are circus performers -- known internationally for an act that Sheri Flanders of the Chicago Reader described last summer as “a death-defying sexy aerial dance – some
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of the best work you’ll see outside of Cirque du Soleil” – sidelined like almost all performing artists by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hired for the first time on staff with the Circus Roncalli, the largest circus in Europe, the Duo Rose were all set for the tour’s opening night in Germany, only to hear the bad news. See TRAPEZE on page 12
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The Landmark, July 22, 2020
Riverside trustees nix flying Blue Lives Matter flag variant Sells: ‘There is nothing about this flag that’s not divisive’
At the same time, Gallegos said, his proposal “was only a suggestion and I’m sure that my fellow trustees have their own thoughts and suggestions.” The Blue Lives Matter flag was created in 2014 after two New York City police officers were killed in the line of duty. It’s a black By BOB UPHUES and white American flag with a blue stripe Editor through the center symbolizing the “thin blue Elected officials in Riverside on July 16 line,” a concept that police are the barrier turned aside a request by Village Trustee Alex standing between civilized society and chaos. The flag was a direct response to the Black Gallegos to fly a version of the Blue Lives MatLives Matter movement, which began around ter flag outside the township hall during the month of September to honor first respond- 2013 in response to police officers killing ers, saying it was a divisive symbol that had unarmed Black people and police brutality against people of color generally. been coopted by hate groups. In short order, the Blue Lives Gallegos’ request appeared to Matter flag began being used by be dead on arrival even before those protesting Black Lives Matthe July 16 village board meeting ter. For example, white supremawhere it was discussed after word cists demonstrating in Charlottesfiltered out into the community ville, Virginia, in 2017 carried the via social media when the meetBlue Lives Matter flag alongside ing agenda was published two the Confederate battle flag and days earlier. other flags bearing fascist symIn introducing the idea at the bols. meeting, Gallegos tied flying the “There is nothing about this ALEX GALLEGOS flag in September with the annuflag that’s not divisive, so for that al anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, asking his fellow trust- reason the flag is inappropriate,” said Vilees to have the village fly the flag “to recognize lage President Ben Sells, who added that the village just two weeks earlier had dedithis day and our first responders.” Acknowledging the pushback he and other cated its entire July 4 parade to honoring elected officials received in the two days prior first responders, and that the village’s first to the village board meeting, Gallegos pointed responders participate annually in a 9/11 to his Hispanic heritage, asking those who memorial ceremony with neighboring comsaw racism and bigotry in the Blue Lives Mat- munities and that Oct. 28 is National First ter flag to “take them up with me directly. And Responders Day. That day, he said, “would be another opI will defend those flags for the true meaning portunity where we could have an unambigfor which they were intended.”
uous statement about what we’re actually talking about.” No other trustees expressed support for the request, which was to fly a version of the Blue Lives Matter Flag that swaps the solid blue stripe through the center with a red and blue one to symbolize support for police and firefighters. A number of residents emailed letters, which were read during the village board meeting, opposing the request, and a handful of residents who have been involved with Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the past two months spoke out publicly against the use of the symbol. No one spoke in favor of flying the flag. Devin Conrath, a recent Riverside-Brookfield High School graduate who has been an active participant in local Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of police in Minneapolis in late May, told trustees that it “would be a big F.U. to fly this flag at this time in history.” RBHS graduates Shalah and Seymone Russell, in a letter read to trustees during the meeting by Audrey Santora, said that trustees were even considering the proposal to fly a version of the Blue Lives Matter flag was “an insult to us as Black women.” “It makes us feel unwelcome in our own community,” the Russells wrote. “That flag silences Black voices in this town” and that the flag “is merely an attempt to cover up systemic racism.” Trustee Edward Hannon, who said he did not think flying the flag was appropriate, did defend the village board’s discussion of Gallegos’ proposal, saying, “That’s the whole reason why we have the village board meeting.”
Riverside to host community conversation on policing Riverside Village President Ben Sells announced at the board of trustees’ July 16 meeting that officials will host a community conversation on policing on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road. The session, which will be held in lieu of that evening’s village board meeting, will feature a panel including Police Chief Thomas Weitzel and Deputy Police Chief William Gutschick. Sells will moderate the discussion. Due to COVID-19 restrictions capping in-person attendance at 50 people, the village president asked residents to email questions in advance to him at bsells@riverside.il.us. However, he said, those attending the meeting in person will be able to ask questions at the event. The community conversation on policing will be televised by Riverside TV.
But, Trustee Cristin Evans said elected officials should take more care when coming to the board table with proposals. “Trustees have a responsibility, prior to bringing something to the board, as far as researching what it is they want to propose,” Evans said. “It could be a harmful idea. … I do think we have a responsibility to do a little research before putting it on the agenda.”
Brookfield poised to allow more gambling machines With pandemic wreaking havoc on business, sixth machine seen as revenue booster
By BOB UPHUES Editor
Brookfield village trustees at their next meeting on July 27 are expected to allow bars and restaurants that have video gambling machines to increase the number of terminals in those businesses from five to six. The move comes just weeks after bars and restaurants were able to reopen their indoor service areas to business after being closed for more than three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state of Illinois turned gaming machines back on July 1. “We’re definitely for the sixth game,” said Gayle Sorensen of the Cordial Inn, which has consistently been the most profitable establishment in terms of video gambling in Brookfield since the machines were legalized by the state of Illinois in 2012. Although the annual revenues from video
gambling have declined a bit since the first couple of years, Cordial Inn in 2019 cleared $178,663 as its share, after the state, the village and the video game vendor took their cuts. The village’s entire share of the video gaming revenues – from all of the machines operating in Brookfield in 2019 – was $162,763, about $16,000 less than Cordial Inn’s video gambling revenue alone. From 2013-19, Cordial Inn’s total video gambling revenue has amounted to a little more than $1.4 million. But, 2020 has not been kind in terms of video gambling revenues due to the COVID-19 epidemic and shutdown of Illinois bars and video gambling between March 17 and July 1. Through June, Cordial Inn has seen just $34,823 this year, putting them far behind where they might have expected to be at this time under normal circumstances. The Illinois General Assembly increased
the total number of video gambling machines allowed in one establishment from five to six in June 2019. However, municipal governments retained the right to regulate how many games were allowed locally, and Brookfield maintained its five-machine limit. With many bars and restaurants hurting due to the prolonged closure and ongoing capacity limits, elected officials have softened that stance. Tony Hernandez Jr., representing Tony’s Family Restaurant on Ogden Avenue, told trustees that a sixth machine would generate needed revenue during a period where bills have continued to come in while revenues have tapered off. “A sixth machine would help generate some revenue for a lot of these businesses who had a hard time during this COVID epidemic,” Hernandez said. There’s a lot of people here that their livelihood depends
on some of these machines to help with the mortgage [and other expenses]. These things have never stopped during this COVID epidemic. We constantly have bills that continue to come in, so a sixth machine would definitely be a nice kiss on the cheek.” According to Illinois Gaming Board, which regulates video gambling, there are 14 establishments in Brookfield that offer gaming on a total of 68 machines. All but two establishments have the five-machine maximum. The Brookfield Elks Club and Sebastian’s Ale House have four each. If each establishment installs the maximum number, that would increase the village’s total by 16 – from 58 to 84. The village would also be in line for a bit more revenue. During the village board’s brief discussion of the subject at its July 13 meeting, trustees voiced no opposition to increasing the number of machines per establishment.
The Landmark, July 22, 2020
Brookfield could close Grand Blvd. downtown on weekends Idea would give restaurants, bars more seating, but details unclear By BOB UPHUES Editor
After weeks of reluctance to pull the trigger, the village of Brookfield appears to be on a path to closing a portion of the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard to traffic on weekends – beginning as early as July 24 -- in order to allow restaurants and bars there to serve more people. As of Monday afternoon, however, restaurant and bar owners still weren’t sure about any of the details, and village officials couldn’t give the Landmark a firm idea if the plan was going to happen prior to press time. “Not sure yet,” Village Manager Timothy Wiberg emailed on Monday. “It’s looking like it will happen.” The idea has been the subject of discussion internally for more than a month, and bubbled to the surface at the village board level in late June as the state moved toward Phase 4. Trustee Brian Conroy pushed fellow elected officials and staff to use the reopening as an opportunity to perhaps attract business from visitors to Brookfield Zoo, whose indoor dining areas were still closed to the public. Conroy saw the July 4 weekend as the time to launch the initiative and create more outdoor seating capacity at a time when indoor seating, while allowed, was still limited. “The opportunity here is that zoo is going to be open without any restaurants, so we could fill that need if we have capacity,” Conroy argued at the village board’s June 22 meeting. “Build the field and see if they come, rather than not build the field and have zero chance of attracting those people.” At that time, however, village management
cast doubt on just how many businesses would be interested or physically capable of handling increased capacity and the investment that would come with it. Wiberg on June 22 said he’d surveyed every restaurant and bar on the block as the state inched toward Phase 3 – which allowed outdoor dining only -- and that only one establishment expressed interest. “We were ready to do it,” Wiberg said. “We had a plan in place.” And there were health and safety concerns as well. Village President Kit Ketchmark worried about drawing large crowds to the downtown – an idea to provide live entertainment via a stage at Grand Boulevard and Brookfield Avenue was scrapped for that reason. “I’d love to close down Grand Boulevard and celebrate the Fourth of July there, but we can’t do that,” Ketchmark said. “We can’t have a festival out there.” The idea appeared to have fizzled at that point, but it resurrected after a July 6 meeting involving village staff, a couple of trustees and all of the Grand Boulevard restaurateurs/bar owners. At that meeting, the owners said they were on board with a plan that would close down Grand Boulevard from just south of Paisan’s (at about mid-block crosswalk) to Brookfield Avenue. The idea was to shut down the street to traffic from mid-afternoon Friday to mid-afternoon Sunday, although owners felt the hours should be extended to cover Sunday dinner. The village board on July 13 gave village staff the OK to explore moving ahead with the plan, but a week later details were still not finalized and some establishment owners were
growing frustrated. “We have no idea of what’s going on at this moment,” said Jen Odesky, co-owner of Pub 78 at 3733 Grand Blvd., on Monday afternoon. The bar has been ready to go for weeks, she said, after having purchased extra tables and chairs they’ll need. “We have everything already put together,” Odesky said. “We would participate if we did get guidelines, but we’re waiting on the village to find out what’s going on.” Mike DiGiovanni, manager at Sebastian’s Whiskey and Ale House, 8900 Fairview Ave., said he was looking forward to being able to add to the 35 seats the bar/restaurant has already added on the sidewalks outside the business. “I ordered 28 additional chairs to get us through the summer,” DiGiovanni said. “I just hired on another cook. We’re already gearing up for it.” While liking the concept of closing down the street on weekends, Loukia Giafas, co-owner of Little Owl Social Pub, 3747 Grand Blvd., said she needed firm details before pulling the trigger. Even then, with August already approaching, she’s not sure it would be worth the investment at this point of the summer. The business has no indoor storage for the extra tables and chairs, which would mean a $3,000 to $4,000 investment. Without knowing exact hours, how much space her business would be given and approaching the end of summer, she was ambivalent. “That’s an investment we’re not in a position to make given the current climate,” Giafas said. “It’s a great idea, but there’s a lot of factors that no one has given us the answers to.”
NR resident reportedly dies from COVID-19 Area sees largest weekly number of new cases since Memorial Day By BOB UPHUES Editor
A statewide trend of new COVID-19 cases increasing appears to be playing out locally, with Brookfield, Riverside and North Riverside as of the morning of July 21 collectively seeing their highest one-week total since the week fol-
lowing Memorial Day. In addition, one more local resident has died as a result of COVID-19. The Cook County Medical Examiner reported that the 68-yearold man died on July 19. The medical examiner’s online dashboard lists the man as a Riverside resident, but information listed in a more detailed online da-
tabase of medical examiner’s records lists the man’s address as one in North Riverside. The man becomes the third North Riverside resident to have died as a result of contracting COVID-19 and the first fatality reported in that village since April 15. See COVID-19 on page 7
IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Editor Bob Uphues Sports Editor James Kay Staff Photographer Alex Rogals 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
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The Landmark, July 22, 2020
RICHARD RODGERS
BIG WEEK July 22-29
COLE PORTER
Classic songs of Rodgers and Porter
North Riverside Public Library hosts a YouTube Live event, “The Classic Songs of Richard Rodgers and Cole Porter,” on the library’s YouTube Channel on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. Trumpeter, bandleader and pop music historian Steve Cooper presents some of the best songs of composers Richard Rodgers and Cole Porter, along with fascinating and humorous behind-the-scenes stories about the music. Just visit YouTube.com at the appointed hour and type “North Riverside Public Library” into the search field to find the channel.
Lyons Township open for tax appeals
Brookfield Chamber’s 60-to-Win is back
(COVID-19 may have canceled a bevy of events in 2020, but the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce’s 60-to-Win raffle fundraiser is not one of them. Tickets ($20 each) are now on sale, so get yours while they last. The chamber sells just 1,100 tickets and each ticket purchased gives you 60 chances to win cash prizes totaling $10,000. The raffle is a major fundraiser that helps the chamber sponsor events such as the Street Dance, Farmers Market, Car Show, Fine Arts Festival, Easter Egg Hunt, Holiday Celebration and more. You can buy tickets at Betty’s Flowers & Gifts, Tischler’s, Mary’s Morning Mix-Up, Edward Jones, Priority Print, Douglas Auto, the Brookfield Farmers Market, Pub 78 and Joe’s Saloon. Or if you’d like to purchase your ticket on line, e-mail info@brookfieldchamber.net.
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; Spanish Language Book Club via Zoom on July 24 at 10:30 a.m.; Stretching and Meditation via conference call (800-747-5150, Code 1453322) on July 27 at 6:30 p.m.; and Films by ■
Virtual Zoo Run
You won’t be able to run past lions, tigers or bears this year, but Brookfield Zoo still invites runners and walkers of all ages to participate in the virtual Zoo Run 5K. Youngsters 4 to 13 years old are invited to participate in a virtual 1-mile Kids’ Dash. Go online at CZS.org/ZooRun to register, and you’ll receive a running packet in the mail, which includes a numbered bib to be worn during your run or walk. You’ll choose their own course and are encouraged to explore the local wildlife in the area. Once completed, participants have until Sept. 6 to submit their official run time online to see how their stats match up to other runners in the virtual race. Registration for the virtual 5K is $40 and includes a moisture-wicking T-shirt. The fee for the 1-mile Kids’ Dash is $25. Kids also receive a T-shirt All proceeds will benefit the Chicago Zoological Society Animal Care and Conservation Fund. Phone discussing “On Golden Pond” via conference call (800-747-5150, Code 1453322) on July 28 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to bodenl@northriversidelibrary. org or visit northriversidelibrary.org/events for all Zoom meeting access info. 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 winner will receive a gift card to a local business. For adults, there’s Chair Yoga with Susan Wilkens of Dancing Cranes via Zoom on July 23 at 11 a.m. register for access info by visiting brookfield.evanced.info/signup. Riverside Arts Center is offering Boredom Buster Boxes and Virtual Party Boxes to give the kids some hands-on fun. Each box all the materials needed to complete an art project and instruction sheets. Order online and RAC will deliver the boxes to your front porch (no contact). Order at riversideartscenter.com/category/classes/ kids-classes. ■
The Lyons Township Assessor’s Office, 6404 Joliet Rd., Countryside, is open for property tax appeals through Aug. 14. Property owners who seek in-person assistance must make an appointment. Due to COBID-19 restrictions, appointment slots are limited. The assessor’s office will not be accepting any type of paperwork for the safety of staff and taxpayers. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (closed for lunch noon to 1 p.m.) with extended hours until 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 4. You can also file your appeal online at cookcountyassessor.com/online-appeals. Email service@ lyonsts.com to request comparable properties. If you have questions, call 708-482-8300, and choose Option 1.
RAC hosts book, plant, art supply fundraiser
Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., will host a Plant, Used Book and Art Supply Sale to help cover costs from the loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 24-26 from 1 to 5 p.m. In addition to used art books and art-making materials, you can pick up indoor and outdoor plants. Wear a mask and be ready to socially distance as you browse the sale in the outdoor sculpture garden. Only a limited number of people will be allowed inside at one time. For more information email to csilverman@ riversideartscenter.com. You can also enjoy the annual Members’ and Kids’ Exhibition virtually. Visit the RAC website at riversiartscenter.com, scroll down the home page to the exhibit information and click the “download” button. The exhibition includes all manner of styles and media, from figurative and abstract painting to photography, sculpture, glass and ceramics. Riverside Public Library offers virtual programs for adults, kids and families, including 20 Tips to College Planning Success presented via Zoom by HelloCollege on July 29 at 6:30 p.m. Visit riversidelibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar to register and get Zoom access info. ■
The Landmark, July 22, 2020
P O L I C E
R E P O R T S
Car break-in, auto theft possibly related A Brookfield woman called police on the morning of July 16 to report that her 2013 black Ford Edge had been stolen during the overnight hours from the 8800 block of 45th Place. The victim told police that she had left the vehicle unlocked and that a key fob was left in the center console. However, she confirmed with her finance company that the vehicle had not been repossessed. That same morning another resident of the 8800 block of 45th Place reported that someone had entered her unlocked vehicle, which had been parked outside her condo building overnight, and stole a wallet containing her driver’s license, insurance card, a credit card, two blank checks and $100 in cash. She learned of the break in when her bank sent her a credit card fraud notice that morning, according to the police report. ■ Brookfield police reported several other vehicle break-ins during the overnight hours of July 15-16, one of them not too far from the 45th Place incidents and two others on the other end of the village, closer to Eight Corners. One incident occurred in the 4000 block of Elm Avenue, where a wallet containing ID cards and credit cards was taken from an unlocked pickup truck. Two others took place in the 9400 block of Henrietta Avenue. In both instances the vehicles were unlocked and the offender had ransacked the glove boxes and center consoles, taking loose change.
Burglary charge for alleged car break-in A 38-year-old Chicago man faces felony burglary charges after he was caught allegedly taking a backpack from the front seat of car while the occupants were browsing the movie selection from the Red Box machine outside Jewel-Osco, 7201 24th St. in North Riverside, on July 15 at about 8:45 p.m. The 23-year-old victim told police he and a friend were selecting a movie, when he saw the alleged offender pacing back and forth near his unlocked vehicle, watching them. A short time later, the victim looked over, saw the car’s front door open and the alleged offender walking quickly away, carrying the backpack. The two got into the car and were able to confront the offender, who reportedly apologized and gave them back the backpack, which contained two iPhones 11, two pairs of Apple Air Pods and about $70 in cash. They also called 911 and police arrested the alleged offender, who was running eastbound on 21st Street from Maple Avenue in Berwyn.
Garage burglary Brookfield police responded to a home in the 4100 block of Park Avenue on July 19 after a resident called to report that she came home late the night before and found that the rear gate had been pushed open, a landscaping decoration had been knocked over and the garage’s service door had been kicked in. The victim told police that a blue-andpurple bicycle had been taken from the garage, but nothing else of value appeared to be missing.
Disorderly conduct, battery North Riverside police charged three women with disorderly conduct after they responded to a report of a fight inside North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, on the upper level near the food court on July 18 at about 5:45 p.m. According to the police report, two of the woman, ages 21 and 22, both of Chicago, got into an argument with a 32-year-old Cicero woman after they became upset that she cut in front of them to get into a shoe store. An argument that started inside the store, spilled over into the common area where the two younger women allegedly punched the third woman while they were on an escalator headed into the food court. Stories about what happened conflicted, according to police, with the alleged attackers claiming the victim had shouted racial slurs at them and tried to strike them with a sign. The victim said she had no idea why the fight started and that she did nothing wrong. Police charged all three with disorderly conduct. Police charged the two alleged attackers with battery.
Bus shelter smashed North Riverside police responded to the Pace bus shelter at Cermak Road and Lathrop Avenue on July 16 at about 2:40 p.m. after a commuter called to report that the front glass panel had been shattered. Police said the commuter had reported seeing the panel intact late on the previous night, leading them to conclude it was shattered during the overnight hours. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, July 1319, 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 22, 2020
Villages look to recoup COVID costs through county $51 million in CARES Act funding being split by Chicago suburbs By BOB UPHUES Editor
Suburban municipalities whose operating budgets were slammed by a double whammy of lost revenues and additional expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergency conditions it triggered are about to get some relief. As part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Cook County received $429 million in funding, a portion of which it is distributing to the Cook County suburbs. On July 8, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced the county had set aside $51 million to reimburse suburbs for COVID-19 related expenses, with 134 communities each being allocated a share based on a formula that included population, median income, COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 people, per capita tax base and the percentage of the local population living in disinvested areas. “COVID-19 hit Black and Latinx communities in Cook County the hardest,” said Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson,
whose 1st District includes part of North Riverside, in a press release. “The equitable lens used to provide much-needed funding to those communities was essential.” Brookfield has been allocated $449,242, while North Riverside is eligible for up to $186,278 in COVID-19-related reimbursement. Riverside has been allocated up to $124,718. “We’re assembling a list of hard costs and soft costs, and we hope to get our full allocation,” said Brookfield Village Manager Timothy Wiberg. “Right now, our biggest need is our lost revenues [due to COVID-19’s impact on commerce], and no one has come up with anything to replace those revenues. But, every little bit helps, and this will help a great deal to recoup our costs.” Wiberg said the village board at its July 27 meeting is slated to pass a resolution entering into an intergovernmental agreement with the county in order to apply for reimbursement for COVID-related expenses. The Riverside Village Board voted unanimously to approve the agreement at its meeting on July 16, and North Riverside Village Administrator Sue Scarpiniti said trustees there are expected to approve the agreement at their Aug. 3 meeting. Cook County will allow municipalities to cast a wide net in claiming reimbursement for expenses. Those include everything from medical transport of COVID-19 patients to the
purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for police, paramedics, firefighters; expenses for disinfecting public buildings and other facilities and for taking public safety measures in response to the pandemic. Villages can also claim payroll expenses for public safety personnel whose jobs “are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency,” according to the county. “During the three months [mid-March through mid-June], a lot of our time was spent on COVID-related matters,” said Riverside Village Manager Jessica Frances. Scarpiniti said she plans to submit claims for overtime incurred by administrative staff and the fire department related to the emergency. Other expenses eligible for reimbursement include those allowing public employees to work remotely, which likely also would include expenses related to setting up satellite police stations. Municipalities can also be reimbursed for economic incentives it provided to local businesses that had to close due to the stay-athome order. Riverside, for example, waived liquor license fees in 2020. But there is some uncertainty about just what eventually will qualify, since the county is requiring municipalities to first submit reimbursement claims with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
While FEMA will reimburse only 75 percent of costs, villages can seek the other 25 percent reimbursement through the Cook County CARES Act. But there’s some question as to whether the county will allow reimbursement for expenses that FEMA denies. “We haven’t gotten answers to that yet,” Scarpiniti said. Frances said officials in Riverside began adding up COVID-19 expenses early on, even before the pandemic swept through the area in March. “From the start we’ve been collecting data -- time, equipment purchases, allocation of staff, contractual services, supplies,” Frances said. “We started tracking it when it began. We were as prepared as you could be.” Frances said the village’s risk management agency, IRMA, has already reimbursed Riverside for some of the cost of PPE it purchased, but added that “it’s our intention is to submit for the entire” [$124,718] being allocated by the county to Riverside. Riverside Finance Director Karin Johns said the village will begin submitting reimbursement requests to FEMA and Cook County monthly beginning at the end of July. Johns said last week she didn’t have ballpark figure for the total amount of Riverside’s COVID-related expenses, but she said it “absolutely” surpassed the amount the county’s CARES Act allocation.
By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.
TAX REFORM BROUGHT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS
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cannot deduct any state and local taxes paid above this amount unless it’s for vacant land held for investment. Miscellaneous deductions: The new law suspends the deduction for job-related expenses or other miscellaneous itemized deductions that exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. This includes unreimbursed employee expenses such as uniforms, union dues and the deduction for business-related meals, entertainment and travel. Home equity loan interest: Taxpayers can no longer deduct interest paid on most home equity loans unless they used the loan proceeds to buy, build or substantially improve their main home or second home.
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The Landmark, July 22, 2020
Riverside mulls repealing ice cream truck ban Any change wouldn’t become effective until 2021 By BOB UPHUES Editor
Fans of the 19th century folk ballad and noted earworm “Turkey in the Straw” may get more chances to hum along with the tune next summer, if Riverside elected officials decide to repeal a village-wide ban on ice cream trucks. Whether or not that change will actually be made to the village’s code isn’t certain, but elected officials on July 16 gave the go ahead for village staff to draft possible regulations that would once again allow the trucks to roam Riverside. Village President Ben Sells said he had seen ordinances from other municipalities that lay out fairly restrictive regulations on times and places when and where the trucks can operate, decibel levels, rules on when music/bells can or can’t play in order to protect the village from creating a nuisance. “We’re not inventing the wheel here,” Sells said. “There are ordinances out there.” The ice cream truck ban has been in effect in Riverside since 2004, when the village board amended its code related to food trucks. The code created permitting rules for “mobile food units” but also “strictly prohibited” ice cream trucks, unless such
COVID19
Brookfield cases jump from page 3 Week over week, five more people tested positive in North Riverside for COVID-19, the highest one-week total since the sevenday period ending June 9. North Riverside recorded just five new cases in the five weeks following that period. Since the state of Illinois moved to Phase 4 of the governor’s Restore Illinois plan on June 26, at least eight North Riverside residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the village’s total number of positives to 86. Brookfield, meanwhile, saw the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 rise by 12 in the seven-day period ending the morning of July 21, pushing the village’s total number of cases to 201. The past week’s total was Brookfield highest number of new cases since the seven-day period ending June 2. No new fatalities were reported from COVID-19 in Brookfield, which has seen two die from the disease, according to the medical examiner. Three more Riverside residents tested positive for COVID-19 during the most recent seven-day period, with fatalities
truck obtained a special permit to operate during special events, in which case they wouldn’t be traveling through the village selling ice cream. Riverside’s action in 2004 seems to have been part of a wave of ice cream truck bans that spread through the Chicago suburbs in the late 1990s and early 2000s in response to incidents in which children had been injured or killed running out into the street to flag down a truck. In April 2000, the Chicago Tribune reported, a Northlake 4 year old was killed when he crawled under an ice cream truck to get a treat he’d dropped on the ground. “I have some recollections of complaints received by the village about these ice trucks cruising the neighborhood and attracting small children into the street causing a safety issue,” said Harold J. Wiaduck Jr., who was village president when Riverside’s village board passed the ice cream truck ban. While trustees said they were open to discussing overturning the ban, they still had a few concerns, particularly during the present health crisis where the goal is to limit people gathering together closely. Trustee Alex Gallegos said when he was a child, an ice cream truck would show up at the Riverside Swim Club like clockwork, whenever an adult swim cleared the pool of kids.
“Twenty, 30 kids would rush over there,” Gallegos said. “You have that group of kids so closely together there during a pandemic, there could be a concern.” Sells said that while the village could make sure safety issues were handled in the ordinance or through the permitting process, the ban would remain in effect this year and would only take effect in 2021, if trustees decide to change the law. Other trustees were leery of ice cream trucks potentially taking business away from brick-and-mortar businesses like Empanadus and Aunt Diana’s. “We don’t want ice cream trucks or any other kind of food truck coming in, taking business away from the businesses we have in Riverside,” said Trustee Edward Hannon. “If someone wanted to open up an ice cream stand like we used to have, a sundries stand, I would hate to think that we have an ice cream truck come through every day and impair that from happening.” Trustees Cristin Evans and Doug Pollock also said they were interested in seeing regulations that might allow ice cream trucks back on village streets, as did Trustee Patricia Collins, participating on July 16 in her first meeting as a trustee since 2017. Earlier in the meeting, Sells appointed Collins to the board to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Elizabeth Peters, who moved out of state.
remaining unchanged at two. Riverside’s rate of new positives was slightly lower than the previous week, when five new cases surfaced. Since data started being collected by the county in March, 106 residents of Riverside have tested positive for COVID-19.
But he said there’s still room for improvement as the positivity rate and hospitalizations for the virus have leveled, instead of seeing continued decreases. “I worry about that because our numbers should be going down when actually they’re about steady,” he said when asked about a rise in cases potentially moving the state backward in its reopening plan. “And that’s not a good development – steady is better than up, I mean, let’s face it. But what should be happening is, we should continue the downward slide.” He once again touted the importance of wearing face coverings, saying “above almost everything else it is what will keep you healthy and safe.” “You don’t have to belittle people who aren’t wearing a mask, but they should get the idea when everybody else is wearing a mask,” he said. “If I told you that you could take a pill that would reduce your likelihood of getting COVID-19 by 80 percent, wouldn’t you do it? Well that’s what masks do.” He said there was a “crisis of leadership” in the national response to COVID-19, once again calling out President Donald Trump. “Having a president who does not wear a mask and does not encourage everybody to wear a mask is a problem. Not to mention denying science,” he said. Jerry Nowicki of Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report.
Governor voices concern On Monday, state officials announced another 1,173 confirmed cases of the coronavirus over the previous 24 hours, as well as six more virus-related deaths. That brought the total since the pandemic first reached Illinois to 162,748 cases, including 7,301 virus-related deaths. Laboratories reported 34,598 test results the previous 24 hours, making for a oneday positivity rate of 3.4 percent, which brought the rolling seven-day rate back to 3 percent after two days at 2.9 percent. Hospitalizations remained stable near their pandemic lows at the end of Sunday as well, with 1,410 people in Illinois in the hospital with COVID-19, including 308 in intensive care unit beds and 133 on ventilators. In a pair of public appearances on July 20, Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted Illinois as “the best of all of our neighbors” in suppressing the positivity rate. Aside from Michigan’s 2.7 percent rolling positivity rate, Illinois’ is the lowest in the Midwest.
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The Landmark, July 22, 2020
Riverside-Brookfield High School names interim special ed director Kevin Baldus takes the helm after department head’s departure By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
Veteran special education teacher Kevin Baldus has been named the interim special education director at Riverside-Brookfield High School, replacing Shelia Jercich who left the school this summer after five years to take a job as the head of special education at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn. Baldus, 46, has been a special education at RBHS for seven years and has taught in a variety of settings for 20 years. His salary will be $89,402. He began his career as a teacher at Krejci Academy, a therapeutic day school in Naper-
look,” Baldus said. ville and also taught a specialWhen he came to RBHS seven needs program in DuPage High years ago, Baldus headed the School District 88. Before comstudy skills program, a supporting to RBHS, he was a special ive study hall staffed by a special education teacher at West Chieducation teacher. More recently, cago High School, where he also served as boys varsity basketball he has served as a co-teacher in coach from 2009 until 2012. math courses and as a case manBaldus served as interim speager as well as serving as the cial education director at RBHS special education department’s for six weeks late in 2019 when instructional coach. KEVIN BALDUS Jercich was out on leave. He has Baldus, who grew up in West also served as the instructional Chicago, earned his bachelor’s coach in the special education department degree from North Central College where he at RBHS for the last 2-plus years. majored in history and secondary education His official title is interim director of spe- and played basketball. cial education services. He says he does not He has earned two master’s degrees, one know yet whether he will apply to do the job in special education from Northern Illinois on a permanent basis. University and another in educational lead“We have a long road ahead of us in just ership from Benedictine University. Baldus figuring out the beginning of the new school was an assistant sophomore boys basketball year and how the school year is going to coach at RBHS until a couple of years ago.
In his time as an acting special education director last year, Baldus got a taste of what it was like to be an administrator instead of a teacher. “After being a teacher for so long you’re kind of used to being part of the bell schedule, so the bell rings and you’re supposed to be some place,” Baldus said. “As an administrator, when the bells go off you’re still doing what you’re doing. As silly as that sounds, that was the biggest adjustment.” Baldus said special education supports for students this year will be implemented once the school decides on what type of school attendance will be required in the upcoming school year. “It’s going to really depend on what direction the district decides to take when it comes to the all school learning plan,” Baldus said. “When the all school learning plan is decided upon, then the special ed supports will be put in place.”
Protesters on guard against sexual harassment
July 17 protest outside of North Riverside Armory puts local spotlight on murder at Fort Hood By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
Around 40 people gathered outside of the Illinois National Guard’s North Riverside Armory, 8660 Cermak Road in North Riverside, on July 17, chanting “Mu na mas! Not one more!” and holding signs demanding justice for Vanessa Guillén -- the 20-year-old soldier who was murdered after complaining to family members about sexual harassment by her superiors. Guillén’s murder resonated with Ansima Rosette Mamboleo, a member of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, a social justice organization based in May-
Olmsted Society Stewards of the land and Olmsted’s Plan
wood, which organized the Friday morning demonstration held at the armory’s Ninth Avenue entrance. “They tell us, ‘Ladies you are free,’” Mamboleo said. “But that [freedom] feels like an illusion.” Mamboleo shared her own experiences enduring job interviews where she’s “double penalized” for being a Black woman. And when she reports the kind of harassment Guillén complained to her family about, “I am shut down,” Mamboleo said. Guillén, a Houston native stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, went missing in April before authorities discovered her disfigured body on June 30.
Last winter FLOS donated money to the Village of Riverside to purchase 10 American Larch trees, which are
deciduous conifers. Michael Collins, Village Forester, planted them the week of May 17. Four are in the Longcommon and Downing Triangle. Three were placed in the Big Ball Park near Shenstone and another three are located at Shenstone and Delaplane. Our landscape workdays have been postponed until the Governor and the Village determine it is safe for gatherings. Once that happens, we plan to revisit the sites we have chosen and decide if those are still where work is needed. We hope to see you very soon! Visit olmstedsociety.org or facebook.com/RiversideFLOS for details
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
SPEAKING OUT: Supporters gather outside the entrance of the Illinois National Guard Armory on 9th Avenue in North Riverside on July 17 during an Action for Vanessa Guillén demonstration, calling for justice for women who have endured sexual harassment in the military. After Guillén’s disappearance, her family spoke out about her allegations to numerous media outlets and on social media accounts they created. “She reported it to her friends. She reported it to her family. She even reported to other soldiers on base, but she didn’t want to do a formal report because she was afraid of retaliation and being blackballed, and she, like most victims, just tried to deal with it herself,” Lupe Guillén, Vanessa’s 16-year-old sister, told ABC News on July 1. Two suspects -- a male soldier and his exgirlfriend -- were arrested in connection with Guillén’s murder. Authorities announced on July 1 that the man died by suicide while his ex-girlfriend is in prison. “Military officials said at a press conference that Robinson was not Guillén’s superior and that during their investigation they didn’t find evidence of sexual harassment to confirm her family’s accusations,” ABC News reported. During Friday’s demonstration in North Riverside, Melinda Garcia, another coalition member, said her organization has joined the
chorus of other activists across the country demanding the military require that sexual assault complaints be reported to a thirdparty agency and for a congressional investigation into Guillén’s death, among other demands. Randall McFarland said that he attended Friday’s protest because he believes that the culture of abuse in the military has gone unchecked for too long. “All too often, this happens to some of our young ladies who are in the military and it goes unchecked,” he said. “I know personally, a few friends of mine who were in the military and they told me about their experiences. It’s not a good thing. It’s beyond time for something to be done about it.” Coalition member Maria Hernandez-Franco said that on July 30, a much larger call to action will take place in Washington, D.C., in order to push for federal legislation designed to deal with sexual harassment in the military. “Here in North Riverside, we will call a press conference once again,” HernandezFranco said. “We will be here and we will continue to fight.”
The Landmark, July 22, 2020
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Brookfield fire union gets new 3-year contract Deal includes pay raises, allows village to change insurance provider By BOB UPHUES Editor
The Brookfield village administration wrapped up its trio of union contract negotiations last week when trustees voted unanimously to ratify a three-year deal with International Association of Firefighter Local 4828, which represents the 19 union firefighters of the Brookfield Fire Department. There are three separate union bargaining units representing village employees, including firefighter/paramedics, police officers and public works employees. Police are represented by the Illinois Council of Police (ICOPS), while public works employees are
SCHOOLS
‘Can’t open as normal’ from page 1 Conversely the other group will attend afternoon classes on Mondays and Thursdays and morning classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Wednesday would be a remote learning day, with custodians giving the two LTHS campuses a deep cleaning. “We can’t open as normal,” said LTHS Superintendent Tim Kilrea, who said the school board will likely make a final decision in early August. LTHS also is pushing back the start of the school year a couple of days making the first day of school Aug. 20 instead of Aug. 17. School administrators acknowledge that hybrid plans that mix in-person and remote are not perfect, but say that they are the best they can do under the circumstances. “No plan is a good plan,” Kilrea said. Administrators say their first priority is the health and safety of students and staff. They also acknowledge that remote learning, as done last spring, is far from perfect. “We know that fourth quarter wasn’t ideal,” said Riverside-Brookfield High School Principal Hector Freytas. RBHS school board President Wes Smithing agreed. “Kids learn better in classrooms,” Smithing said at the District 208 school board meeting on July 14. “I think we found that out pretty clearly.” The half-day plan for LTHS will cost more
represented by Teamsters Union Local 703. In March the village inked a four-year deal with police, following that last month with a two-year deal for public works employees. All three union contracts expired Dec. 31, 2019. With the ratification of the firefighters’ deal, the village administration now will be able to stagger contract negotiations instead of having to handle them all at the same time. The firefighters’ contract is retroactive to Jan. 1 and expires Dec. 31, 2022. Union firefighters voted 9-0 to approve the contract, perhaps indicating the rankand-file’s general happiness with the terms, which call for annual base pay raises of 2.5 percent. Like the police and public works contracts, firefighters who have less than seven years of experience are eligible for annual step raises that boost base pay raises above the contracted amount. For example, a first-year firefighter in 2020
will make a starting salary of $65,331. By the third year of the contract, that same firefighter will be making $81,133, a total salary increase of about 24 percent. Lieutenants are also members of the union, and they are eligible for two years of step raises. The pay for a first-year lieutenant in 2020 is $104,961. In the third year of the contract, that lieutenant will make $116,345, an increase of almost 11 percent. The new union deal also includes new language, matching that in both the police and public works contracts, allowing the village the option to join the North Suburban Employee Benefit Cooperative to provide employee health insurance benefits any time after Jan. 1, 2021. The move, according to an exhibit contained in the contract, would save both the village and employees money in premium costs. Employees are responsible for paying 15 percent of health insurance premiums. A final fairly major change in the contract
lays out in writing the pre-requisites and weighted components of the lieutenants’ promotion process. Previously, a written exam was given a full 50 percent of the weight for promotion, while the oral interview was weighted at just 15 percent. The new contract give much more weight to the oral exam, 30 percent, and a little less to the written exam, 40 percent. Three other factors – ascertained merit (which includes special certifications and advanced training), seniority and subjective evaluation are each weighted at 10 percent. Fire Chief Jim Adams said the change was a mutual one that made sense and was fairer than relying so heavily on the written exam. “Anyone who studies hard can do well on a written test,” said Adams. “The oral exam [which also includes questions about tactical decision making] is when critical thinking skills come into play. You can’t study for that.”
money, as busses will have to take kids to and from school twice a day. Kilrea said he did not have an estimate of how much the additional cost would be, but he said that some of the bussing costs could be recouped if fall sports are cancelled. He noted that field trips will be eliminated.
ery other day. The half-day option, with half the students attending in the morning and the other half in the afternoon, is the most popular option with all three groups, with 57.3 percent of students who responded favoring that option, as did 48.4 percent of staff and 37.3 percent of parents. That option would also make lunch easier to handle, as morning students would likely be given a cold sack lunch to take home with them. With the state mandating groups of no more than 50 gathering in a single room, sack lunches to go obviates the need for students to gather in the cafeteria.
D95 backing off regular classes?
Student shifts in D103 In Lyons-Brookfield School District 103 most students will go to school twice a week. Students will be split into two groups. One group will go to school Mondays and Thursdays and the other group will go Tuesdays and Fridays. Only special education students and students learning English as a second language will attend school in person on Wednesdays, according to a video posted on the district website. During the time the students are not in school they will be doing remote learning. Parents who are not comfortable sending their children to school will have the option of signing up for a completely remotelearning option.
RBHS survey favors half days Riverside-Brookfield High School is expected to announce its plans for fall by no later than Aug. 3. School will start at RBHS on Aug. 17. RBHS is likely to also open with a hybrid model. The school is surveying students, parents and staff to get their opinions. The survey offers three choices -- a late start option with a shorter school day, going to school for half days or going to school ev-
D96 to announce plan Aug. 5 Riverside Elementary School District 96 has also been surveying parents. Although a plurality of parents prefer a return to a traditional school day, the district is likely to adopt some type of hybrid plan. The district expects to announce its plan at a special meeting of the District 96 school board on Aug. 5. In a survey filled out by more than 80 percent of District 96 families, 42.4 percent of parents favored preferred a return to a traditional full school day, while 21.7 percent preferred to have students attend school on alternate days. About 15 percent preferred a shortened school day, and 14 percent preferred all remote learning, with about 7 percent favoring halfday attendance. District 96 Superintendent Martha RyanToye said whatever kind of hybrid option the district chooses, it will also offer a 100-percent remote option for families who don’t want to send their children back to school.
Brookfield-LaGrange Park District 95 had been the only area school district planning to return to a regular school day, but now that could be changing. The District 95 school board scheduled a special meeting for July 21 after the Landmark’s press time, and Superintendent Mark Kuzniewski said he couldn’t comment on the district’s plans prior the special meeting.
Komarek still forming plan Komarek School in North Riverside will not decide on its plans for the next school year until probably early August. “We are still in the planning process,” said new Komarek District 94 Superintendent Todd Fitzgerald. “We probably won’t know until probably the end of the month or the beginning of August.”
Hybrid likely in D102 LaGrange-Brookfield School District 102, which includes the southwestern portion of Brookfield, will announce its plans for the 2020-21 school year on July 23. Superintendent Kyle Schumacher said that plan will probably include a hybrid option as well as an all remote-learning option. School administers know that whatever they decide, they will not please everyone, “We’re not going to make everybody happy with whatever model we select,” said RBHS District 208 Superintendent Kevin Skinkis, who added that he expects 10 to 20 percent of students not to come to school for in-person learning.
Read it online at www.rblandmark.com
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The Landmark, July 22, 2020
The Landmark, July 22, 2020
Summer job scuttled, a business is born
Twins use word of mouth, Instagram to sell custom costume jewelry
because they got a bunch of new charms,” Durkin said. “They also paint designs on jeans so I asked if they could paint a design on my jeans. I’m not sure what it’s going to be yet.” In addition to making jewelry, the Russells decorate pants and shirts. They call that upBy BOB SKOLNIK cycling. They launched their business, called Contributing Reporter S n S Fashion (@snsfashi0n on Instagram) in Twins Seymone and Shalah Russell have early July and already have about 20 customalways loved fashion and jewelry and were ers and a little more than 200 followers. “So far, it’s been amazing,” Shalah Russell known for wearing cool outfits and interesting jewelry at Riverside-Brookfield High said. They buy basic materials from the beauty School. supply stores or craft stores or big box retailWith time on their hands this summer after ers and then go to work graduating from RBHS, making the ordinary they started a business unique. They typically this month to share decorate their jewelry -their creativity and disearrings, necklaces, and tinct fashion sense with bracelets -- with beads others. or other materials. They “We’ve always liked take custom orders and making jewelry, and say that they will work we’ve always loved with their customers to thrifting,” said Seycreate unique designs. mone Russell. “People “This was just a fun at school would always way to rack up a few compliment us.” coins,” Shalah Russell Last summer the said. 18-year-old twins, who The Russells have allive in North Riverside, ways been entrepreneurworked at the Brookfield ial. During the summer Zoo and planned to do so of 2018 they owned and again in 2020. But when operated a shop called the zoo shut down this Snack Shack where they spring, they were out of sold candy, soft drinks, a job. PROVIDED chips, snow cones, hot They kept busy in dogs, Italian beef and ice June participating in Shalah Russell with earrings cream next to the Forest and helping to organize Park barbershop their protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis father owns. They say that if they were working at the police officer. They went to one protest in Oak Brookfield Zoo this summer, they probably Park with their friend, Molly Durkin. During the protest Durkin saw someone would not have started their business. “We probably wouldn’t have done it because wearing hoop earrings that she thought were cool and she turned to the Russells and asked we wouldn’t have had the time or the inspiration,” Seymone Russell said. “Quarantine has whether they could make earrings like that. The Russells got to work. They bought given us the time to do what we truly love.” They personally deliver their products, some basic silver hoop earrings at the KStone Beauty Supply store in North River- usually by bicycle or jogging over. Their sisside and then adorned them with beads. They ter Sidney, 8, and brother Jeff, 7, also help out gave Durkin the earrings, along with another with delivery. As of July 20, they’d sold 61 items and cleared about $325 in profit. set, for free. Next month, Shalah will enroll at WashDurkin was so pleased with the earrings that she baked chocolate chip cookies for the ington University in Saint Louis where she Russells. Durkin also encouraged the Rus- plans to study environmental science, while sells to make earrings for others and gave Seymone will attend the University of Pittsthem $10 for the earrings after the Russells burgh to major in psychology. They hope to find the time to keep their asked for help to get their business going. Durkin also posted about her new earrings business going while they are off at school. They are currently relying on Instagram and and the new endeavor on Instagram. word of mouth to build their business, but Thus, a business was born. Durkin has already placed a couple more plan on creating a website for the business. “We actually hope to keep it going,” Shalah orders with the Russells. “They’re going to make me a necklace soon, Russell said.
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The Landmark, July 22, 2020
TRAPEZE
Europe gig scrapped from page 1 “It got closed down opening night on March 13,” said Sion, who grew up on Longcommon Road in the shadow of downtown Riverside, graduating from Riverside-Brookfield High School in 2007. “We had gone through all our rehearsals,” he said. “We had done our dress rehearsal and then opening night, they sat us all down out in the ring and they said, ‘We have to close the show because of COVID.’” For the next two months, Circus Roncalli housed the couple in Dusseldorf, where the company has a theater, allowing them to keep training. But, when reopening dates kept getting pushed back, they finally sent everyone home on May 10. Now, the circus is aiming for a mid-September open. “But, there’s still no guarantee,” Sion said. For now, Samuel and Sylvia practice the act and work on tricks on the
rig they’ve set up in the backyard of the Sion family home on Longcommon Road. The rig was in the side yard for a while, since there’s a bit more space, but apparently some complaints banished it to the rear. Shaded by mature trees and invisible from the street, it serves pretty much as a private outdoor training space. Sion started training seriously to be a trapeze artist when he was 14, but he was introduced to it much earlier, at age 7, because his mother, Elizabeth Sion, was a member of the Triton Troupers, a circus that since 1972 has performed shows at that community college in River Grove. Climbing ropes while his mom worked out, he later started doing gymnastics and decided to give trapeze a whirl on the suggestion, oddly enough, of his dentist. “I had just quit gymnastics and she told me that she flies trapeze every Wednesday night up at the Broadway Armory in Chicago,” Sion said. Sion started training there with the Flying Gaonas, “and I just was hooked,” he said. He would later study sports acrobatics and a circus
PROVIDED
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
LOVERS IN FLIGHT: The Duo Rose perform an act that combines dynamic trapeze work, contortionism and a good dollop of sexy intimacy that has wowed crowds from Chicago to Europe. act called “Russian bar” with Nour- tour and is backstage at most shows. ready to feel it. They’re just ready to “In his experience, that’s his be happy and to feel the love.” bol Meirmanov, a veteran of the Performing at competitive fesMoscow State Circus and the Ring- whole life,” Friedman said. “We just ling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey change where we are every couple tivals internationally got them of months. … He gets to meet a lot in front of circus casting agents. Circus. Sion and Friedman have been of people and hear a lot of different That’s where they were booked for their first festival in a trapeze duo since 2007, Switzerland. In 2010, they the year he graduated from became the first AmeriRBHS. Friedman, two years can circus act to perform younger, was still a student in Cuba since 1959, and in at Evanston Township High 2013 they landed their first School. They met through tour with Circus Roncalli. Friedman’s contortion Because they do much teacher, Oyunchimeg “Oyuof their work in Europe, na” Yadamjev, who was the couple settled in Kasbased in Skokie. sel, Germany, a centrally Not your typical contorlocated spot with a handy tionist at 5-foot-8, Friedman training space for about said she was always rather five years. flexible, and was drawn Last year, Duo Rose was toward contortionism bea featured act in the show cause she wanted a special“Love, Chaos and Dinner” ty. She hadn’t done any gymat the Teatro ZinZanni, an nastics or dynamic trapeze immersive, variety dinwork prior to partnering ner show performed inwith Sion. side a Belgian Spiegeltent “I knew how to pose, but (or mirror tent) set up in a I didn’t really know how to vast ballroom on the 14th throw myself,” she said. floor of the Cambria HoIn 2007, Sion was teaching tel in downtown Chicago. at a youth summer camp in PROVIDED “It’s one of our favorite Highland Park. That sumshows to work,” said Sion. mer he stayed at the home Sylvia Friedman, Sam Sion and their son, Lukas Duo Rose is scheduled to of a friend, who happened to make a return appearance be Yadamjev’s son. One day, there in 2021. Yadamjev was running late and she languages, which is great.” Duo Rose got its first professional For now, though, Duo Rose is asked Sion to warm up the next student who came in for a lesson. That gig in 2008, working a wedding at the on the sidelines, working out and Rialto Theater in Joliet, where their selling custom made circus equipwas Sylvia. The two started dating a month intimate, rather romantic act was a ment, like custom-made trapeze bars – Sion taught himself welding later and they have been perform- hit. “It plays really well at a wedding,” and built the rig the couple trains ing ever since. They married in 2012 and now have a 2-year-old son, Friedman said. “It’s my favorite pri- on – through their website duorose. Lukas, who accompanies them on vate gig, because the audience is so com.
The Landmark, July 22, 2020
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PEOPLE
Brookfield financial advisor named to prestigious group
L
inda Sokol Francis, to the 2020 spring semester dean’s president of Brookfield list at Carthage College in KenoFinancial Plans Inc. and sha, Wisconsin. They attained a financial advisor with semester grade-point average of Waddell and Reed Finanat least 3.5 on a 4-point scale. cial Inc. has been accepted for the ■ Brookfield residents Mariah Dorsey (early childhood educasecond consecutive year as a memtion), Kaitlin Lizik (communicaber of the Million Dollar Round tions) and Carly Melody (social Table, an international organizawork) were named to the 2020 tion for top financial advisors. spring semester dean’s list with “I feel honored to have qualified and be invited to join this exclu- LINDA SOKOL FRANCIS high honors at Aurora University for earning a semester GPA of 4.0. sive organization,” Francis said ■ Several local students were named to in a press release. “As a Rotarian and world traveler, I am always excited to obtain the the dean’s list (3.5 GPA) and president’s list views of the rest of the world both culturally (4.0 GPA) for the 2020 spring semester at the University of Alabama. Those named to the and financially.” dean’s list included Brookfield residents Amber Bittourna, Brittany Paeth, Kyle Paeth and Zachary Veselsky and Riverside resi■ Dana Dombrowski, of Brookfield, graddent Caden Vais. Named to the president’s uated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ger- list was Brookfield resident Lydia Olson. man from Knox College in Galesburg in June. ■ Brookfield residents Katya Garcia and ■ Riverside resident Cameron Bolton Jessica Taylor and Riverside resident Chargraduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree lie Marcou were named to the 2020 winter in journalism from Drake University in Des semester dean’s list at Grand Valley State Moines, Iowa, at the end of the 2020 spring se- University in Allendale, Michigan. mester. He was also named to the 2020 spring ■ Gloria Corona, of Brookfield, was semester dean’s list by earning a semester named to the spring 2020 dean’s list at the GPA of at least 3.5. University of Findlay (Ohio) for attaining a ■ North Riverside resident Isabelle EcheGPA of at least 3.5. She was also named to the varria (B.S., English creative writing) and Nu Beta chapter of the Delta Mu Delta InterBrookfield resident Kennadi Taylor (B.S., national Honor Society in Business. nursing) were among the more than 900 stu■ Jeremiah Clarkson, of Brookfield, was dents graduating from Bradley University in named to the Wheaton College dean’s list for Peoria in May. the 2020 spring semester for achieving a GPA ■ Among those receiving degrees from of at least 3.5. the University of Iowa at the end of the 2020 ■ Jeremy Heer, of Brookfield, was named spring semester were Brookfield residents to the 2020 spring semester dean’s list at QuinAlex Contreras (Bachelor of Business Ad- cy (Illinois) University for earning a semester ministration in finance), Alyse Malikowski GPA of at least 3.5. (Bachelor of Business Administration in ■ Riverside resident Coulter Greenwell, a marketing), Julia Melone (Bachelor of Arts financial management major, was named to in speech and hearing science) and McKen- the president’s list for the 2020 spring semesna Powers (Bachelor of Arts in history) and ter at Clemson (South Carolina) University Riverside residents Brendan McDonough for achieving perfect semester GPA of 4.0. (Bachelor of Arts in political science) and ■ Emily Pitts, of Riverside, a professional Ryan Zia (Bachelor of Arts in communica- writing and information design major, was tion studies). named to the 2020 spring dean’s honor list at ■ Brookfield resident Daniel Sagel graduCedarville (Ohio) University for maintaining ated with a Master of Arts in educational a GPA of at least 3.75. Michael Pitts, meanleadership from the University of Northern while, was named to the dean’s list for mainColorado in Greeley at the end of the 2020 taining a GPA of at least 3.5. spring semester. ■ Alyssa Brown, of Riverside, was one of ■ Brookfield resident Anthony Landahl 714 students named to the 2020 spring semeswas named Outstanding Student in Televi- ter dean’s list at Denison University in Gransion Arts by the Department of Communica- ville, Ohio. Students named to the dean’s list tion of Bradley University’s Slane College of have maintained a GPA of at least 3.7 for the Communications and Fine Arts. He was one semester. of 60 students of the college to be recognized ■ Brookfield residents Elizabeth Strzelfor superior achievement. czyk (software engineering) and Abigail ■ Alyssa Schwarz, of Riverside, and AuZabrodsky (forestry) and Riverside residents tumn Rajcevich-Schwer and Kiera Notz, Ryan Kodama (industrial design) and Isaboth of Brookfield, were among those named belle Legan (global resource systems) were
On campus
WINNERS: Receiving awards for decorating their homes and blocks for the Riverside July 4 parade were (clockwise from top) the Duff family for Most Decorated Yard; the Audubon Road Social Society for the the Red, White and Blue Spirit Award; and the Kirsch family for the Best Fourth of July Theme.
Riverside salutes residents who showed spirit during parade
While the village of Riverside had to improvise a bit with its July 4 parade this year, officials also wanted to make sure residents could still participate by decorating their homes and blocks to vie for awards. “We want to thank everyone for joining us during our Riverside parade honoring first responders,” said Ron Malchiodi, the director of parks and recreation for the village. “It was great seeing so many families in their yards, greeting us. Also a big thank you to residents who decorated their houses, dressed up in the July 4 gear, made signs and banners and submitted photos.” Malchiodi announced that the winner of the Most Decorated Yard Award was the
named to the 2020 spring semester dean’s list at Iowa State University in Ames for earning a semester GPA of at least 3.5. ■ Among those named to the 2020 spring semester dean’s list at Lewis University in Romeoville for attaining a GPA of at least 3.5 were Riverside residents Nida Aleksa and Danny Zontos, North Riverside resident Jennifer Schoenheider and Brookfield residents Diana Lekkas, Justin Lohmeier, Jane McLaren, Gylmar Ponce and Casey Vileta.
Duff family, who spray-painted red, white and blue stars into their front lawn, accenting other tar-spangled decorations. Winning Best Fourth of July Theme was the Kirsch family, who turned their front windows into an American flag using red crosses, peace signs and hearts to form the stripes and placing a garland of red, white and blue balloons above the garage door. The Red, White and Blue Spirit Award when to the Audubon Road Social Society, who denied a chance to stand out, as usual, in the parade welcomed the parade to the street under a banner thanking first responders that stretched from one side of the street to the other. ■ Fiona Hamilton, a chemistry major from Brookfield, was named to the 2020 spring semester dean’s list at University of Wisconsin-River Falls for earning a semester GPA of least 3.5. ■ St. Laurence High School in Burbank announced that Brookfield resident Julian Gonzalez was named to the A Honor Roll for th4e second semester of the 2019-20 school year. Named to the B Honor Roll were Riverside residents Cade Friend and Calvin Friend and Brookfield resident Charlie Burnell.
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The Landmark, July 22, 2020
Opinion KOSEY CORNER
THE LANDMARK VIEW
Change of approach?
W
hen Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District 95 first announced it was going full steam ahead with regular in-person classes for the 2020-21 school year, we have to admit, we were a bit skeptical. Since the end of June, COVID-19 has exploded regionally across the United States as states have reopened without a cohesive plan and no coherent direction from the federal government, which is opting to ignore the mounting number of cases and deaths from a pandemic out of control. In Illinois, where the governor moved decisively in coordination with county and local leaders, things remain more stable. But, since the Fourth of July the number of new cases continues to tick upward and the start of the school year draws closer and closer. The District 95 school board called a special meeting on July 21, after this newspaper’s deadline, to review and approve its reopening plan. The superintendent declined in advance of the meeting to elaborate on where that discussion might have gone. We hope it was to amend the original plan. Because full-on, regular school just isn’t safe. The pandemic continues. In parts of the country it remains out of control and control here remains tenuous. The city of Chicago is already moving to close barrooms, limit the number of people allowed to dine at one table at restaurants, require residential landlords to enforce visitor limits and other measures. Everybody – even the students, at this point – would love for school to operate in its usual manner. But, let’s face it, schools on their best days are petri dishes, where children pass illnesses along to one another and their teachers, and by extension their families. It’s bad enough when that ailment is the common cold or a seasonal flu. When we’re talking about a disease that has killed 143,000 Americans – and rising -- in less than five months and has infected nearly 4 million, we just can’t take those kinds of risks with people’s health and lives. All school districts need to take precautions to limit contact between students and staff. At best, school districts should strive for some sort of hybrid plan that allows part of the enrollment inside the building at one time and keep them from mingling closely with one another as much as possible. We hate to say it, but sports and clubs are probably out for at least the first semester of the school year. This is going to be a logistical headache and a frustrating way to go through a school year for everyone, but we have to battle through it. We’re not in control of this pandemic, and are not going to be in control for months to come, if ever. The United States is now at the mercy of others to get us out of this predicament via a medical solution, because we have refused to responsibly respond as a nation ourselves. Our children are paying the price of that failure.
‘I
Ice cream trucks welcome in Riverside back in the day
ce cream!” That what kids would shout when the sound of the ice cream truck’s bells could be heard coming down the street. I bring up the subject, because the subject was brought up at the Riverside Village Board meeting on July 16. As usual, it did not go far. Remember, I grew up during the years when you didn’t sit in a car seat. Kids could sit in the front seat without a seatbelt. You slept in a crib where you didn’t catch your arms, legs, or head in the slats and had bumper pads, all of which have been determined unsafe by today’s standards. So while the ice cream truck seems to pose a clear and imminent danger in today’s world, I’m glad I grew up in a different time. Back in the day, the Good Humor truck would slowly wind its way through town with the driver ringing the truck’s bells. The Good Humor man was always cleanly dressed in a white uniform and very polite. We thought it would be fun to do or say something to him to find out if he really had good humor. He seemed to know what time we would be outside. The selection of ice cream treats was limited, but there was some-
thing for everyone. My favorite was the chocolate covered chocolate bar. Don’t remember anyone getting hurt, but we were careful because we wanted that ice cream. For parents, it also served as parenting tool. “If you don’t finish your dinner, you can’t have anything from the ice cream truck!” That also worked as a threat: no ice cream if you don’t behave. It all worked and we survived and learned not to eat the ice cream in the warm sun so it didn’t melt all over your arm. The size of the bars was bigger than today, and we won’t even talk price. Sure, you can go to the store and purchase ice cream treats, but the experience and fun just isn’t there. Eddie Murphy does a comedy routine on this very subject, try and find it -- it is very funny and accurate. So we had our ice cream picked up a piece of chalk, they didn’t have the designated sidewalk chalk then, just regular old, white school chalk, and went to write on the sidewalks. Statements? No we drew the game hop-scotch, though we never knew why they called it that. I don’t know about you but I’m going to go get an ice cream bar and remember.
JOANNE KOSEY
LETTERS
Without COVID control, schools are risky Currently, the president is fighting with the education system, and from what I see he has been fighting with education all his life. He is now demanding that schools open for in person teaching amidst the coronavirus, despite the critically increasing number of cases each day. This new revelation from Trump should not surprise anyone. He has been bragging about a perfect score he got on a cognitive test. From what I remember school was crowded and indoors, the two things we are supposed to avoid. There is no way to social distance. I can remember times it was difficult just to get down a hall, having to squeeze my way through. There were classroom changes every bell in high school, a great way to spread the virus as fast as possible. Some are saying children may be less vulnerable to COVID-19 than their teachers, but they still can be carriers. If a teacher is out with COVID, no one will want to substitute. There is still the fact that the kids will bring it home, and the rest of the family will get it. Just like I remember when I was young, colds and flu went
through the school and then through the family. Other countries that contracted the virus, got it under control. They had better testing, and citizens who acted responsibly. They have routed the virus. Here, in the U.S., the virus is winning, as too few people are taking social distancing and mask wearing seriously. Here the virus is humiliating us, but it’s not too late. America still has a chance to get control, but time is running short. We will need to close some of the country again and boost testing tenfold. That’s the best chance we have to get control, and then start up correctly like we should have done the first time we shut down. My father had a saying, attributed to John W. Bergman: “How come there is never enough time to do the job right, but there is always enough time to do it over again?” Unfortunately, I don’t believe Trump will get this done right, ever.
Joseph Diethelm
Brookfield
The Landmark, July 22, 2020
LETTERS
OBITUARIES
Instituting simple rules could save lives The head of the CDC, Dr. Redfield, recently stated that if everyone would wear a mask in public places indoors and when 6-feet distancing is not possible outdoors, we could get this pandemic under control. Since the president will not enforce any orders even close to this uncomplicated rule, the governors should bypass the federal government and show some backbone. Many governors have already done this. Gov. Newsome, of California, actually admitted to reopening indoor spaces too soon (bars especially) backtracked on his own orders and closed them down. Gov. Pritzker, of Illinois, may do the same. Gov. Cuomo, of New York, showed us all how it can be done. States should fine anyone without a mask $500. They need to close businesses that do not enforce this and fine them as well. This income could help supplement the lack of sales, property and income taxes that all states are experiencing. Monitors could be hired from those who lost their jobs recently to write tickets to folks who do not comply. These changes should be implemented
today. Then, at the end of August, school boards could meet and assess the numbers. School districts that are trying to open early to mid-August are racing against the clock. Mask ordinances and indoor closures need time to work. Schools could open safely (after precautions are put in place) by mid-September if the virus is under control. Time could be made up during that first semester by cutting all of the breaks that occur in the fall. Simple steps, universally followed, is the only way to get COVID under control. We tried state-by-state rules, county-bycounty rules, even municipality-by-municipality rules. This approach has failed. Look at the numbers in the states that tried these approaches. If we had as many dead soldiers in a four-month war as we have COVID victims today, wouldn’t we reassess the situation? We need to ignore our president and get all governors on board with these simple rules. It is not that complicated.
Jan Goldberg Riverside
Request vote-by-mail ballot for November election
As co-presidents of the League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area and under the auspices of the League of Women Voters of Illinois, we are writing to encourage all registered voters to request a vote by mail ballot for the Nov. 3 election. Everyone who has voted in the past two years -- in the 2018 General Election, 2019 Consolidated Election or 2020 Primary Election -- will automatically receive an application for a vote by mail ballot in their mailbox for the 2020 General Election. But why wait? Get registered and apply to vote by mail today. Go to the League of Women Voters of Illinois online tool, illinoisvoterguide.org, to find your appropriate local election authority where you can request a vote by
mail ballot electronically, in most cases, or you can download an application and return it to the election authority by mail. If you need to register to vote or change your address, the illinoisvoterguide.org can direct you to the online voter registration site. After registering, you can request a vote by mail ballot. A voter should not have to choose between one’s health and casting a ballot. Once requested, ballots will be sent out starting Sept. 24, so expect yours in the mail at the end of September or beginning of October. Your vote is your voice. Let your voice be heard.
Ann Lee and Laurie Braun, co-presidents League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area
For Jim Zak, love was most important I just wanted to comment on Jim Zak and his life. Years ago he was given a second chance at life, and he tried to make love the most important thing. He gave out food to those in need, he volunteered at Cantata, he greeted people with positivity and, regardless of their beliefs, made
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each one feel welcome. I could only hope to love like he did with his family. I know in heaven he must be greeting people and making each one feel welcomed. I miss him, as many do.
Carol Spale
North Riverside
Read it online at www.rblandmark.com
Clara A. Concialdi, 89 Former Brookfield resident Clara A. Concialdi (nee O’Shea), 89, of Countryside and formerly of Brookfield, died July 13, 2020 at her home Born March 6, 1931 in Lacey, Washington, Ms. Concialdi grew up at Mooseheart in Batavia. A homemaker and mother, she and worked various jobs, including as a reservations clerk for a hotel. She was a member of St. Barbara Church in Brookfield and the Women of the Moose. Ms. Concialdi was the wife of the late Joseph; the mother CLARA CONCIALDI of Michael (Renee Lorenz) Concialdi, Mark (Mary) Concialdi and Mary Concialdi; the grandmother of Ashley Concialdi, Katrina Thimios, Adam Thimios; the great-grandmother of Jayde Smith; the sister of the late James (Mary) O’Shea, late Kathleen (late Jake) Speake and the late Eleanore (late Tom) Goss; and an aunt to many. Services have been held. Interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside. Memorials to the American Stroke Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, 60674 would be appreciated. Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements. Online condolences may be offered to the family at JohnsonNosek.com.
Matthew T. Olson Paralegal for property management firm Matthew Thomas Olson, 30, of Riverside, died unexpectedly July 5, 2020. Mr. Olson was born May 24, 1990, and graduated from Riverside-Brookfield High School in 2008 and Illinois State University in 2012. He loved music and participated in the jazz and marching bands during high school and with the Big Red Marching Machine at ISU, where he was affectionately known as “Skeeter.” Mr. Olson earned a bachelor’s degree in music and began MATTHEW OLSON working in real estate law and property management. He most recently was employed as a paralegal at South Side Stories Property Management. He served as president of his condominium board. He was hardworking and a highly valued employee and made long-lasting friendships in his workplaces. He enjoyed anime and video games. His favorite game was Kingdom Hearts, as it combined his love of music and the theme of valuing lifelong friendship. Mr. Olson enjoyed family gatherings and
loved his two Scottish Fold cats, Riku and Ienzo. He had an honest, genuine and caring spirit that will be missed by many. His legacy of friendship, experiences and always finding the joy that life has to offer will never be forgotten. He was the son of Patrick Olson and Allison (Houha) Olson; the brother of Clare Rose Olson; and a nephew and cousin to many. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, at Peterson-Bassi Chapels, 6938 W. North Ave., Chicago. A 4 p.m. funeral Mass will follow at St. Paul’s Parish, 60 Akenside Rd. Riverside, where all CDC guidelines will be followed with a limit of 50 participants, use of masks, and social distancing. Donations in Matthew’s name may be made to NAMIillinois.org or St. Paul’s Parish.
Eric R. Peterson, 43 Bank manager Eric R. Peterson, 43, of Brookfield, died July 18, 2020. Born Feb. 17, 1977, he worked as a bank branch manager. He was the husband of Isabel Peterson (nee King); the devoted father of Justin Soltis, Michael Peterson, Mikayla and Charlotte Peterson; the son of Lauren Peterson (nee Oak) and the late Robert Peterson; the son-in-law of Alonzo (Maria) King; the brother of Anna (Ralph) Carhart; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews. Visitation is on Thursday, July 23, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield. A private family service will take place immediately following the visitation. For all those attending, please be courteous of health conditions. COVID regulations allow for gatherings with a maximum of 50 people. Masks are required indoors and will also need to be worn if a line forms outside. Interment is private. Memorials are appreciated to the family. If you would like to express condolences online visit HitzemanFuneral.com. If you wish to send a Mass card or sympathy card, mail to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Eric R. Peterson Family.
Edvige Sancricca, 92 Brookfield homemaker Edvige Sancricca (nee Materazzo), 92, of Brookfield, died July 14, 2020 at her home in Brookfield. Born July 31, 1927 in Olden, West Virginia, Ms. Sancricca was a homemaker. She was the wife of the late Pietro; the sister of Alfredo (late EDVIGE SANCRICCA Santa) Materazzo, Otella (Giuseppe) Materazzo and the late Anna (late Nannino) Cristofori, late Franco (Iole) Materazzo and the late Mario Materazzo; and an aunt to many nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass was celebrated July 18 at St. See OBITUARIES on page 16
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The Landmark, July 22, 2020
OBITUARIES continued from page 15 Barbara Church, Brookfield, followed by entombment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Christ the King Garden Mausoleum, Hillside. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated to St. Barbara Church, 4008 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, 60513. Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements. Online condolences may be offered to the family at JohnsonNosek.com.
Louis Rafaj, 92 Church organist Louis Rafaj, 92 of Lakeside, Michigan, died on July 17, 2020. Mr. Rafaj was born Oct. 17, 1927, in Damborice, Czechoslovakia. In 1949, he escaped from communist Czechoslovakia and eventually immigrated to the LOUIS RAFAJ United States. He dedicated his life to music in service of the Catholic Church, playing the organ in Europe, Canada and the United States, including for many years in Brookfield. Mr. Rafaj spent decades sharing his love
of music with students in the classroom and through private lessons. He was a gifted musician who brought the joy of music to many. Music was his heart and soul. He was a very hard-working man who always had a positive attitude and a unique sense of humor. Mr. Rafaj was the husband of 52 years of Anna Rafaj (nee Prikazsky); the father of the Rev. Elias Rafaj, Anna (Stuart) Rosenberg and Maria (Robert) McGill; the grandfather of Alexis, David, Charlie, Andrew, Anthony, Monica, Joseph and Gabriela; the brother of Anezka Hamanova, Antonin (Ruzenka) Rafaj, and the late Marie Hanakova and Ludmila Vydenska; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m. at the Czech Catholic Mission of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, 9415 Rochester Ave., Brookfield. Interment is private at Lakeside Cemetery, Lakeside, Michigan. Memorials are appreciated to the Czech Catholic Mission of Sts. Cyril and Methodius 9415 Rochester Ave., Brookfield, 60513. If you would like to express condolences online visit HitzemanFuneral.com. If you wish to send a Mass card or sympathy card, mail to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Louis Rafaj Family.
Nancy L. Verville, 89 Retired school teacher Nancy Louise Verville, 89, of Palos Park and formerly of Brookfield, died July 17, 2020
at Alexian Brothers Hospice Residence in Elk Grove Village. Ms. Verville was born in Chicago on June 3, 1931, and was retired from a career as a teacher at Gower School District 62. She was the daughter of the late George NANCY L. VERVILLE and late Elsie (nee Fuerst) Verville; the sister of the late George (late Peggy) Verville; the aunt of Valerie and Glenn; the great-aunt of Megan, Dylan, Logan and Aphisit; and a dear friend to many. Visitation is on Monday, July 27 from 8:30 a.m. until time of prayers 10:30 a.m. at Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, 3847 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. A funeral Mass follows at 11 a.m. at St. Barbara Church, Brookfield. Interment is private at Calvary Cemetery, Virginia, Minnesota. Memorials to St. Barbara Church, 4008 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, 60513 for Masses for Nancy would be appreciated. Online condolences may be offered to the family at JohnsonNosek.com.
Martha Waner, 92 Wedding photography editor Martha Waner (nee Koziol), 92, of Brookfield, died July 18, 2020. Born Feb. 26, 1928, Ms. Waner worked as
a photo editor for a wedding photography company prior to retirement She was the wife of the late Frank Waner; the mother of Lou (Pam) Waner, Catherine (the late Timothy) Knowski, Frank Waner and MARTHA WANER Dorothy (Thomas) Walsh; the grandmother of Matthew Knowski, Melissa Knowski, Audrey Waner, Amanda (Chris) Walsh, Steven Waner, Melanie Knowski, Julie Waner, Jessica Walsh and Thomas J. Walsh; the great grandmother of Elliot Woodgett; the sister of 13; and the aunt and great aunt of many. Visitation is Thursday, July 23 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield. A funeral Mass will be celebrated immediately following at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara Church, 4008 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. Please contact funeral home for a confirmation acknowledgment to attend Mass by Wednesday. Interment is private at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. If you would like to express condolences online visit HitzemanFuneral.com. If you wish to send a Mass card or sympathy card, mail to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Martha Waner Family. Information 708-485-2000.
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Choice of Dessert:
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Sports
@RBLandmark
The Landmark, July 22, 2020
17
Little League is back in Riverside, Brookfield North Riverside canceled season as pandemic spread in April By JAMES KAY Sports Editor
It looks different, but Little League baseball and softball is back in Riverside and Brookfield. After months of discussions around safety and hearing feedback from the community, Little League presidents John Evans of Riverside and Katie Nasti of Brookfield said they are moving forward. “Riverside Little League has been a big part of our community,” said Evans. “Obviously, player safety is our number-one priority and, early in the spring, we surveyed all of our families and asked them if they were interested in having baseball and softball this year. The vast majority of the responses were positive, so we decided to move forward.” Riverside is already in its fourth week of the season, while Brookfield is preparing for an Aug. 1 start. With safety in mind, Evans has advised families to make sure the players aren’t experiencing any COVID-related symptoms. Home plate umpires are positioned behind the pitcher to keep them physically distant from players. While he hasn’t heard a ton of feedback from the umpires in the incipient stages of this year’s season, Evans said it is working out so far. “I think if you ask the umpires, it’s a little bit harder to call a game from [behind the pitcher],” said Evans. “But so far it has worked out well. We use a professional umpire service,
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
MOUND VISIT: Umpires stand behind the pitcher wearing a face mask on Monday, July 20, 2020, during a little league baseball game at River Field on Fairbank Road in Riverside. and we haven’t had any issues so far.” The Illinois Department of Public Health’s Phase 4 guidelines state that sports venues can be filled to a maximum of 20 percent capacity by spectators. It goes on to say that, “spectators from the same household should sit together” and “social distance of at least six feet should be maintained between non-household individuals unless participating in activities.” Evans and Nasti are both encouraging everyone to wear masks when residents go to the fields. “We have been good about [people wearing masks] so far,”
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
JUST A BIT OUTSIDE: Players attempt to keep a six foot distance off of the field on Monday, July 20, 2020, during a little league baseball game at River Field on Fairbank Road in Riverside.
said Evans. “We obviously want everyone to wear a mask, and we are even seeing some of the players wear them when they are on the field all the time. The state doesn’t require everyone to wear masks when they are around the field, so it varies team to team.” Nasti said Brookfield Little League will be taking similar measures in regard to umpires being behind the pitcher and making sure people are following social distancing protocols. The dugouts will only be used for catchers to change into their equipment, while the first row of the stands will be designated for only the players. There will be markers in the stands so people remain six feet of apart. “We are making sure the players are safe but still together as a team,” said Nasti. “We want the kids to have a great experience while making sure everyone’s healthy and not coming to a game or practice with symptoms.” While the situation can change at any point in time, Nasti said she is thrilled to have baseball and softball back in Brookfield. “We’re happy to be moving forward,” said Nasti. “I think the hardest thing was the back and forth of not having an answer either way of whether we could play or not. Being able to go to the fields, drop off equipment and even moving boxes ... it was a great feeling.” North Riverside’s Little League president, Anthony Ritacca, did not respond to the Landmark’s inquiries on the matter. North Riverside Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr. announced in April that the Little League season was going to be canceled due to the pandemic. “It’s not going to open soon,” said Hermanek of the statewide stay-at-home order issued in March by Gov. J.B Pritzker. “And even if it does begin to open slowly, it’s not going to be enough to let baseball be open.”
18
The Landmark, July 22, 2020
RBLANDMARK.COM New local ads this week
HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI
WEDNESDAY
CLASSIFIED Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.
Place your ad online anytime at: www.RBLandmark.com/ClassiďŹ ed/
YOUR WEEKLY AD
REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO
Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion. The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@RBLANDMARK.COM HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
River Forest Public Schools District 90 is seeking an Elementary School Special Education Teacher. Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Education License with Learning Behavior Specialist I Endorsement, a Master’s Degree is preferred and successful teaching experience in special education resource and instructional classrooms is preferred Job Duties: The teacher will be responsible for instructing students with multiple disabilities including: autism, communication disabilities, cognitive and physical disabilities within the least restrictive environment at the elementary level. 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. Agile Software Developer sought by US Bank Nat’l Assoc in Chicago, IL to develop SW products in agile lifecycle. Req Bach in Comp Sci, Eng or rltd tech ďŹ eld & 5 yrs dev’ing & implmnt’ing appls. Must have 5 yrs w/ Java & Eclipse. 3 yrs w/ Selenium; Cucumber; TestNG; SOAP APIs or RESTful APIs; Jenkins; Unix; & VersionOne or Jira. 2 yrs w/ GIT & Oracle database. Apply online www.usbank.com. BETTY’S DAYCARE IS HIRING! We are looking for a qualiďŹ ed Assistant Director (also looking for qualiďŹ ed teachers and assistant teachers), must have a bachelor in Early Childhood Education. experience with Head Start is a plus. email resume to: bettydaycaremr.evans@hotmail. com or call 773-261-1433 Betty’s Daycare Academy Inc. 5725 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago Il. 60651 Director, Biz Planning w/ Mindshare USA LLC in Chicago, IL. Rprts to Group Dir-Biz Plnning & act as expt in the allctd clnt’s biz, w/ knwldge of strtgc goals, org strctre & cul. Bach in ad, mrktng, info tech, or rel + 7 yrs post-bach exp in rel mrktng or techcl biz anlysis roles. Alt, Mast in ad, mrktng, info tech, or rel + 5 yrs exp in rel mrktng or techcl biz anlysis roles. Of totl, must hve 5 yrs: Usng Excel to crte pivot tbls, VLkups, adv frmulas, connctns to ex data surces & run data anlytcs. Adv data mning to cruch huge data sets in a mul-dmnsnal envron. Of totl, must hve 4 yrs: Mdia, or mrktng exp com w/ clnt accnts & mdia prtnrs on an ongng basis arund mdia & bizrel ques & req. Usng Stats Mdlng to buld modls & undrstnd the rltnshp btwn mdia invstmnts & biz outcmes such as sales. Buldng & usng Multivariate Rgrssn tchnqus to estblsh nexus btwn brnd’s advrtsng acrss dif media chnnls & its biz prfrmnce. Exp w/ Tableau or Sprtfre or Pwr BI to collct, splce, vsulze data from disparate data surces & envron. R, Python &/or SPSS to crnch mssve data sets. Of totl, must hve 3 yrs: Diz, buldng & intrprtng prdctve modls to frecst biz in the lng trm usng vrious hstrc data sets includng mrktng invstmnts, sales & equty. Scnrio Plnning to hlp crte dif wht-if scnrios for biz & infrm invstmnt decisns for c-lvl exec acrss clnts. QualiďŹ ed Applicants: Email resumes to hr.talent@mindshareworld.com & reference Director, Biz Planning
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. River Forest D90 has openings for Temporary Daytime Custodians starting August 25, 2020. Responsible for cleaning of buildings and grounds, as assigned. A strong work ethic, interpersonal skills and custodial experience is required. Salary commensurate with experience. For consideration, please send resume to Pam Jenkins, HR Specialist at jenkinsp@ district90.org.
SUBURBAN RENTALS 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
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 Wednesday Classified 3 Great Papers, 6 Communities To Place Your Ad, Call: 708/613-3333
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
RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. *1116 sq. ft. suite *569 sq. ft. with patio RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. *926 sq. ft. OAK PARK–6597 North Ave. *598 sq. ft. 6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. *3 and 5 room suites Strand& & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011
CEMETERY PLOTS 2 WOODLAWN CEMETERY PLOTS (2) Side by side Woodlawn Cemetery plots. Birchwood Section Lot 415 Part 4 Graves 3&4 unit D. $4,000 for both, includes transfer fees. I will meet at Woodlawn for transfer of deeds. Contact: 847-858-7726
ITEMS FOR SALE BEDROOM SUITE Antique circa 1940’s bedroom suite. Bed, nightstand, and attached mirros on dresser and vanity 630-961-5662
ITEMS FOR SALE
ESTATE SALES
BUILT-IN BUFFET Very old built-in buffet, golden brown. Leaded glass doors and sides. $150.00 obo. 708-488-8755
Chicago
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Estate sale at Garage sale prices. Furniture, games, books, artwork, decorations, electronics, audio and video goodies, blankets, linens, clothing and shoes, collectibles and curious. Come ďŹ nd a new treasure! Cash Only. Bring someone to help with heavy items. Mask and Social Distancing measures followed.
CHINA 8 pc set. Edged w/ pink roses 630-961-5662
ESTATE SALE 5110 S OAK PARK AVE SAT 7/25 9AM TO 2PM EVERYTHING GOES!
COUCH AND CHAIRS 93 inch long couch, teal, grey and black print, with 2 reclining end seats. 2 additional matching reclining chairs. 630-961-5662 DINING ROOM SET Rectangular able w/ 1 leaf, felt table pads, plus 5 upholstered chairs. 630-961-5662 LENOX CHINA 5 piece place settings Lenox china, Tuxedo pattern WATERFORD GLASSES Colleen pattern, 2 water goblets, 2 wine glasses, 5 double old fashioned glasses IRISH CARDIGAN Men’s size large. 708-386-6160 SEWING MACHINE White. Like new, in enclosed wood cabinet. 630-961-5662 SIDE TABLES & LAMPS 2 side tables with attached lamps and storage in base. 2 glass bas lamps w/ gold scrolling. 2 white ceramic base lamps w/ gold ecks. With shades 630-961-5662
SUBURBAN RENTALS
M&M property management, inc.
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HOSPITAL BED We will deliver. 708-485-0929
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
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The Landmark, July 22, 2020
RBLANDMARK.COM
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PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES RESOLUTION 2020-29R
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF ADDITIONAL TAX FOR LIBRARY PURPOSES IN THE VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS WHEREAS, the Board of Library Trustees of the Village of Brookfield has requested the corporate authorities of the Village of Brookfield to levy an additional tax of 0.02% for certain library purposes, pursuant to Article 3 of the Illinois Local Library Act [75 ILCS 5/1-0.1 et seq. (2016)]; and WHEREAS, this 0.02% additional tax shall be in addition to the annual levy of 0.35% allowed for the establishment and maintenance of the library; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, as follows: Section 1: The corporate authorities of the Village of Brookfield herewith determine to levy an additional 0.02% tax for library purposes for the tax year commencing January 1, 2020. Section 2: Such 0.02% additional tax shall be levied on the value of all taxable property in the Village of Brookfield, as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue and shall be used for the purpose of sites and buildings; for the construction and equipment of buildings; for the rental of buildings required for library purposes; and for maintenance, repairs and alterations of library buildings and equipment. Section 3: The levy of said additional 0.02% tax shall be effected by the adoption of an appropriate levy ordinance by the corporate authorities pursuant to statutory requirements, which ordinance shall be filed in the office of the Cook County Clerk. Section 4: The Village Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish a copy of this Resolution at
least once in the Riverside/Brookfield Landmark, a newspaper with a general circulation in the Village of Brookfield, within fifteen (15) days after its adoption, and also the “Public Notice,” attached hereto as “Exhibit A,” hereof shall be included with such publication or posting. Section 5: If no petition is filed with the corporate authorities of the Village of Brookfield within thirty (30) days after publication of this resolution requesting that the question of the adoption of this resolution be submitted to the electors of the Village of Brookfield, or if all petitions so filed are determined to be invalid and insufficient, the Village shall then be authorized to levy the tax. However, if a petition is filed with the corporate authorities within said thirty- (30-) day period, which petition is signed by electors of the Village of Brookfield equal in number to 10% of the total number of registered voters in the Village of Brookfield and which asks that the question of levying such a 0.02% tax be submitted to the electors of the Village, then the question shall be submitted at the next applicable election or at any special election called in accordance with law. The Village Clerk shall provide a petition form to any individual requesting one. Section 6: This Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption. ADOPTED this 13th day of July 2020 pursuant to a roll call vote as follows: AYES: TRUSTEES GILHOOLEY, GARVEY, COTE, KALUZNY, AND LECLERE NAYS: None ABSENT: Trustee Conroy ABSTENTION: None
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PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20003407 on July 17, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of AROB DESIGN with the business located at: 7445 ROOSEVELT RD. APT. 308-B, FOREST PARK, IL 60130.. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ASAD ROBINSON 7445 ROOSEVELT RD. APT. 308-B FOREST PARK, IL 60130. Published in Forest Park Review July 22, 29, August 5, 2020
Kit P. Ketchmark, President of the Village of Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois ATTESTED and filed in my office, this 13th day of July 2020. Brigid Weber, Clerk of the Village of Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, August 14th, 2020 for the following:
Public Notice is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park Draft Program Year (PY) 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development (Con Plan) and the Draft PY 2020 Action Plan both are available for public review and comment during business hours MondayFriday, effective July 23-July 27, 2020, at the Oak Park Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302; and on the Village Housing-Grants webpage. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed.
Village of Oak Park Police Department Firing Range Ventilation Improvements Proposal Number: 20-135 There will be a pre-bid meeting in the Police Dept. lobby in the lower level of Village Hall at 123 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302 on Thursday, July 30th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708358-5700 or by e-mailing vics@ oak-park.us between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. M-F. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening. THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal July 22, 2020
Starting a New Business? Call the experts before you place your legal ad! 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
The purpose of the Draft Con Plan is to establish priorities and strategies for utilizing federal fund resources received by the Village for the period October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2025. The Draft PY 2020 Action Plan contains goals and objectives for implementing the Village’s Con Plan, as well as a description of proposed projects to be undertaken in PY 2020 as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program for the period October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. Any comments concerning the Draft Con Plan and Draft PY 2020 Action Plan can be submitted in writing to Mark Dwyer, Grants Supervisor, at mdwyer@oak-park. us, including at the virtual Con Plan-Action Plan public hearing to be held from 3-5 p.m. on July 27, 2020; send an email to this address to attend the hearing. Published in Wednesday Journal July 22, 2020
Let the sun shine in...
Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365 RBLandmark.com PublicNoticeIllinois.com
“EXHIBIT A” PUBLIC NOTICE The public is hereby notified regarding the above “Resolution authorizing the levy of additional tax for library purposes in the Village of Brookfield, Illinois” determining to Levy for the tax year beginning January 1, 2020 an Additional Tax of up to 0.02 Percent of Equalized or Assessed Value of Taxable Property for Particular Building and Equipment Purposes in accordance with Article 3 of the Illinois Local Library Act [75 ILCS 5/1-0.1 et seq. (2016)] that: 1. The specific number of voters required to sign a petition requesting that the question of adoption of the Resolution be submitted to the electors of the Village is 1,319 voters. 2. The time in which the petition must be filed is from the date of publication of this Resolution until 30 days hereof, being the 22nd day of August 2020. 3. The date of the prospective referendum, if one should be called pursuant to such petition, is the Presidential General Election, held Tuesday the 3rd day of November 2020. 4. The Village Clerk shall provide a petition form to any individual requesting one.
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
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PUBLIC NOTICES
19
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/
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
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 mortgagee, 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
tity 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. 14-18-05254 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 18 CH 06920 TJSC#: 40-1612 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 # 18 CH 06920 I3152553
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS SUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET MORTGAGE PRODUCTS, INC., MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-RZ2 Plaintiff, -v.JINKY G. BARREDO A/K/A JINKY BARREDO, ALBERTO VELASCO Defendants 18 CH 06920 1441 SOUTH WOLF ROAD HILLSIDE, IL 60162 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 17, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on August 3, 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 1441 SOUTH WOLF ROAD, HILLSIDE, IL 60162 Property Index No. 15-20-112-0450000 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 mortgagee, 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 quan-
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The Landmark, July 22, 2020
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