Former Riverside resident reaching new heights
Brook eld and Riverside diverge on 1% grocery tax
Brook eld’s trustees approved a local tax while Riverside’s spoke against one
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
Riverside and Brookfield’s village boards are taking opposing stances on a local 1% tax on groceries for 2026 after Illinois decided last year to cut that tax at the state level.
Tim Rann attempting to scale 52 South American peaks in 52 weeks
By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter
Climbing one mountain is literally and figuratively a tough thing to accomplish.
But 52 in 52 weeks, in the relatively unfamiliar environs of South America?
That’s what Tim Rann is planning, and for a good cause
Rann, a 2003 Riverside-Brookfield High School graduate, is attempting to
scale mountains within driving distance of his family’s home in Quito, Ecuador for ROMP, which stands for Range of Motion Project. That organization, launched by David Krupa, originally from Forest Park, helps ensure access
See HEIGHTS on page 3
In Brookfield, the board approved the tax on July 14, but in Riverside, trustees July 17 directed staf f not to draft an ordinance, opting to reconsider the tax next year for possible implementation in 2027.
While the state has left it to local municipalities to impose the tax or let it sunset, it is not a new tax. Through the end of the year, Illinois will collect the tax and disburse the revenue to each town. Both villages have so far relied on
See GROCERY on page 6
Riverside-Brook eld High School graduate Tim Rann takes in the peak of Co topaxi mountain from his vantage point at the summit of Volcán Rumiñahui in Ecuado r.
HEIGHT A
fundra from page
to high-quality prosthetic served people there.
As of Monday, Rann has scaled 25 mountains, though he’s quick to point out not 25 individual peaks. Most of 16,000 feet or less and so $4,300 to help more than 10 prosthetics and care, with a stretch of $20,000. T hey carry exotic names li Cotopaxi, Cerro Amarillo, ñahui and Volcán Rucu Pichincha.
“I’m an accountant by put things out there and wo Rann said via Zoom call from his home in Quito, where his wife, Melissa and thei children Sofia and Sebastian li sa Rann is a foreign service officer with the U.S. gover nment.
“I didn’t model my way said. “It wouldn’ t be assured, something that could be way I kind of approached it after setting that number (was) I have peaks within two hours of feel like one peak a week on right amount for f amily obligations and work obligations.”
After high school, Rann attended Notre Dame, where he met his wife and then moved to Asia within days after graduation. It was there that he was able to dive deeply into the adventure lifestyle he now enjoys.
“We would do bike trips from Bangkok to Hanoi and around Cambodia, we and some friends,” he said. “In my late 20s, I got into climbing and then when my wife and I were in Indonesia, we started hiking up volcanos.”
That was about a decade ago and Rann said that wasn’t serious mountaineering. A serious posture didn’t really happen until the family moved to Ecuador last August. He started in earnest after a three-month sort of orientation to climbing that started late last year
So what’s been the toughest peak to summit so far? Hands down, it’s Cotopaxi, which is about 90 minutes outside of Quito, and is 19,347 feet above sea level, so not only are there altitude challenges, but there are always concer ns about weather.
“I felt really strong physically and ready for it,” Rann said. “I had done some glacier training, and I’d been in Quito for months and I was acclimated to the height.”
Family day in the stunning Parque Nacional Cajas just outside Cuenca. Sebastian’s determination and stamina never ceases to amaze me.
At Cotopaxi, two things happened. He had to stay overnight at a refuge at 15,000 feet, which understandably is not an easy place to sleep. The trek to the summit began at midnight, and then the fun really began.
“A snowstorm came in and it was challenging to see,” he said. “It was complete whiteout, cold and windy. We had to go very f ast and when we reached the summit, we had to go down right away.”
But he did it, and he’s planning on doing it again in October as a member of the ROMP climbing team. He’ll scale the peak again with a group of adaptive athletes and several ROMP patients
Don’t think Rann doesn’t cherish Riverside, though. He’s coming back this weekend to visit his folks . He remember s his youth vividly, especially walking to Blythe Park Elementary School and attending Hauser Junior High, where he said he “had teachers that advanced my world view.” He remembers fondly riding his bike with his friends to a nearby forest preserve and stopping at Riverside Foods to “get some baguettes and Vienna
sausage s, which we thought for some reason were delicious.”
RBHS was a turning point in his life, because it got him to Notre Dame
“(It) had some key teachers and guidance counselors,” he said. “I think I was very driven academically, but I didn’t know what to do with it. RB really helped me understand where I could go next.”
That eventually was the Far East and now Ecuador, doing things that he probably couldn’ t have imagined back then.
That ties back to his advice to people, especially youngsters, who want to try something big – maybe not mountain climbing, but something just as big to them.
“I think when I was younger I would have a lot of analysis paralysi s,” he said. “Taking that first step is the hardest. Every journey started with one ste p.
“It’s giving yourself permission to take that first ste p.”
If you’d like to donate, visit TimothyRann.com
PROVIDED
Friends, family and neighbors mourn Devin Ekstam
e 25-year-old Brook eld resident died May 10
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
Neighbors and community members gathered on the 4100 block of Madison Avenue July 13 to remember Devin Ekstam, a 25-year-old Brookfield resident who died on May 10 from an accidental gun wound.
Bonnie Stinton, Ekstam’s grandmother who raised him, said she would miss his “over-the-top joy” the most. Due to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, both his emotional lows and highs were exaggerated, she said.
“When he was up, he was just so joyful. He was so into fun,” Stinton told the Landmark. “I believe that if you’re not having fun every day, go back to bed.”
The memorial took place over the course of the afternoon in the front and back
yards of resident Geri Pasieka. Stinton and Ekstam lived next door to Pasieka for about 11 years in Ekstam’s childhood before they moved elsewhere in Brookfield, Stinton said.
Ekstam was a talented athlete who played many sports, his favorite being soccer, which he played for four years during his time as a student at Lyons Township High School before attending Parkland Colle ge in Champaign-Urbana.
Stinton said her grandson’s love of soccer started at a young age and guided the family through multiple trips to England, the first when Ekstam was just 6 or 7.
“He was a soccer nut. He went to Arsenal Stadium on a tour. His team was the Tottenham Hotspurs, so he got to go to a Tottenham g ame. … We went to lots of soccer,” she said. “The second time I took him — I think he was maybe 11 or 12 — they upgraded us to first class for no reason. We don’ t even know what the reason was, and we went and sat, and he was in heaven. He said, ‘People really go like this all the time?’”
Lauren Cascone said they were friends with him for about seven years after he befriended Hernandez’s younger brother.
hoping that he would get better, and then he called us saying that he was sober, and it made me so happy. It really made me so happy. I told everybody.”
“Devin and my brother became best friends. They would hang out every single day, talk all day, every day, and then we all became a little group,” Hernandez said. “Lauren was actually my brother’s friend, but now she’s my friend.”
They both said they would miss Ekstam’s protective nature.
“Anybody that would mess with me, he was on it. He would never let anybody disrespect me. He would never let anybody disrespect any of his friends, any of them,” Hernandez said. “He’s fought so many people for my brother, for me, for everybody He was never afraid, ever.”
Not even 12 hours later, Hernandez lear ned through mutual friends that Ekstam had died and had to break the news to her brother.
“It was a very hard day,” she said. “Me and Lauren were crying all day.”
“There was one time my mom had gotten pushed by one of our tenants,” Cascone said. “[Ekstam] found the tenant outside somewhere. They were in their car, and they were about to run him over or something, and he was screaming, ‘Hey, you pushed my friend’s mom!’ He got on them pretty good.”
Stinton said Ekstam inherited addictive tendencies from his parents and struggled with substance abuse throughout his life, which affected his relationships and friendships.
“Honestly, my favorite memory is him telling me, the day before he passed, that he was sober,” Hernandez said. “We had to distance ourselves from him because he was getting way too out of control. … We
“Every time you hung out with him, it was always something you remember. One time, I was at Jasel’s house, and there was some random cat that was strolling around. He took the cat, and we played with it in the apar tment,” Cascone added. “I took it to Devin’s house. He took care of the cat for a day, and then we saw all these signs for a missing cat, and I was like, ‘Dev, we got to get this cat back.’”
Stinton said the gathering of people who knew Ekstam, from old neighbors to close friends and relatives, was a gift after his unexpected death.
“It lets me watch him grow up again, because each of them has such great stories about what he did wrong or right in their yard, but they always thought he was the most polite kid that they knew, even though he was wild,” she said.
Hernandez and Cascone ag reed it was heartwarming to see people come together to remember Ekstam.
“Devin was a great friend, he really was,” Hernandez said. “He cared about all of his friends. I feel like he cared more about his friends than himself.”
TRENT BROWN
From le , Jasel Hernandez (standing), Lauren Cascone and Bonnie Stinton stand with a portrait of their late friend and grandson, Dev in Ekstam.
Dancing with the Chamber
Mark your calendar fo the 3rd run of the loca dance competition
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
It’s official: Dancing with the Chamber, the Brookfield Chamber of one-night dance competition featuring members of the local business community, is back for a third iteration that org promise will be bigger than still time for you to throw y ring before the competition takes place on March 21, 2026.
“In previous years, we ha the community and looked tants ourselves. This year, up applications to any Chamber business or Chamber-affiliated person who is interested in dancing,” said Te the lead choreographer
Swanson told the Landmark applications are restricted to members of the Chamber of Commerce, so the “first thing” interested applicants who aren’t members should do is sign up. You can do so at brookfieldchamber.net/become-a-member; membership costs $50 per year for an individual, $90 for a nonprofit or $125 for a business. Then, visit swaydancechicaho.com/dwtc to fill out an application. The webpage has all the information you might need if you’re wondering what it takes to prepare for the event and have a shot at winning.
“We’ve done this twice now, and everywhere I go, people ask me about it,” Swanson said. “I’ve had probably 30 people tell me that they’re interested in dancing. So many people are interested, which is so great. At the beginning, we had to go and explain it to people, talk them into it and tell them the vision because they weren’ t sure what it was going to be.”
The Chamber’s board will vote on the cast by the end of August, she added.
“I think they’re looking for people that are interested [in becoming] or already very active with the Chamber,” Swanson said. “Even if they’re new to the Chamber and they haven’t been active yet, if they’re
really looking for that exposure and to get involved in the community. People that have a lot of investment in Brookfield and in the Chamber.”
While the first iteration in 2022 took place in October and the second in 2024 took place in April, this edition will be held in March. Swanson attributed the inconsistent timing to scheduling difficulties and said Dancing with the Chamber will likely never be held on an annual basis.
“It’s a huge project, and it takes me away from my business, what I re gularly do. Part of it is that; the other thing is that we have this event at Riverside-Brookfield High School and finding the perfect time in their schedule. We tried it last time at the end of the [school] year, and that turned out to be difficult because of all of the end of the year activities at the school,” she said. “We’re still trying to find that sweet spot, and we’re hoping [it’s] March.”
While the big day is still eight months out, Swanson said her work will start in September with a group meeting with the finalized cast of 10 dancers. Individual rehearsals will start as early as October, with
each competitor practicing for six to seven hours in half-hour blocks.
“They can space those out, or they can cram them in, however they like. There are holidays and things like that, too, so I work around the business owners and their schedules,” she said. “We’ ll first talk about any interest that they have, if they’ve always wanted to do a salsa or if they’re interested in a certain type of dance. I get a feeling of their personality type, or if there’s certain types of music they really like, and we go from there.”
Swanson said she’s most looking forward to working so closely with another group of Brookfield community members.
“I have had so much fun getting to know other business owners in Brookfield. It’s made me feel so connected to them, and this really brings out different parts of them that I think the community doesn’t get to often see, and I love that,” she said. “Usually, they’re nervous, and it’s a very out-of-their-comfort-zone thing, and it’s really fun to watch them come out of that and show some of the personality behind the business.”
Mulch: A Key Ally to Beat the Heat
On the heels of the intense heat we’ve experienced recently, one obvious response is supplemental watering to ensure your landscape stays healthy. But don’t overlook another key component: mulch, which plays a vital role in helping your landscape thrive. What benefits does mulch provide?
1. It acts as an insulating layer that will keep your soils cooler. Cooler soils = happier roots and plants.
2. It reduces the evaporation of moisture from the soil, thereby helping reduce your watering needs as you retain moisture.
3. It helps reduce weed growth. Weeds will compete for moisture and nutrients, so anything that limits their presence is positive for the landscape.
4. Mulch being a natural product helps improve the soils. As mulch breaks down, it can assist in improving soil structure and supplying essential nutrients for plant uptake.
We offer a variety of natural, shredded hardwood mulch products that not only beautify your property but protect the investment in your home’s landscape. For any mulch needs you might have, McAdam offers bulk delivery and pick-up service.
TRENT BROWN
Trustee Nicole Gilhooley (le ) wowed the judges with her American tango per formance of “Cell Block Tango” last year
Scott McAdam Jr.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Riverside Foods, depicted July 17, 2025, is Riverside’s only grocery store and one of a handful of stores whose sales would contribute to grocery tax revenue.
GROCERY
Divergent paths
from page 1
the tax for funding to the tune of $40,000 to $50,000 each year.
Brook eld approves 1% grocery tax
The 1% tax on grocery items will go into effect in Brookfield on Jan. 1, 2026. The village board voted 5-1 to approve the tax, with Trustee Jennifer Hendricks voting against it. In June, Finance Director Doug Cooper said revenues from the tax account for about $50,000 of Brookfield’s budget each year.
“It may be a small thing, the few cents that it might cost extra for me to pay, because I don’t struggle to pay my grocery bills, but for someone who does struggle to pay their grocery bills, those extra cents might make a very big difference,” Hendricks told the Landmark. “Those are our neighbors. I don’t want to create an undue burden for them.”
“The state put us in a pretty terrible posi-
tion,” she added. “Essentially, we’re being asked to either vote for a tax on a necessity or lose an existing revenue stream. It was a really hard decision to make.”
While the other trustees voted to approve the tax, several acknowledged the disproportionate impact that extending it could have on low-income villagers
“I want to acknowledge that residents are feeling the strain of rising costs and struggling to pay bills each month, and I think even a 1% tax on essentials can be a challenge. At the same time, I think the grocery tax, especially given some revenue shortfalls this year, is important,” Trustee Julie Narimatsu said at the meeting.
“It represents at least partial compensation for staffers, whether it’s parks and rec, public works or other departments in our village; our debt payments for vital infrastructure projects; keeping parks and rec programming rates low to accommodate assistance to families and seniors who need help accessing village programming,” she said. “I really struggled with this vote.” Trustee Kyle Whitehead called the tax “regressive.”
“I don’t think any of us are excited about a tax conversation like this,” he said. “The reality is, though, we have limited options
TRENT BROWN
to raise local revenue for all the critical services we provide, so I don’t think we can af ford to let this lapse.”
Hendricks said she relied on advice from another board member to make her decision.
“Trustee [Kit] Ketchmark actually said to me before I came onto the board, ‘Always vote in the way that allows you to sleep at night,’” she said. “I feel that it was a tax that the state shouldn’t have had in the first place. I understand taxing luxury goods; I would struggle much less with that. Tax on cigarettes? Fine. Tax on alcohol? Fine. But when it comes to groceries, those are things that everybody needs.”
Riverside rejects 1% grocery tax
Riverside’s village board had its first discussion on the grocery tax T hursday evening after a six-week summer hiatus, but trustees quickly reached a consensus to let the tax sunset, at least for 2026.
At the meeting, Finance Director Yvette Zavala said Riverside earned $42,525 in revenue last year from the grocery tax, but that number is expected to increase over time for a total estimate of about $502,000 over the next 10 years.
“If we choose not to go forward with the tax, we will have to review the annual budg et and look for other ways where we would have to either decrease services or increase other fees to make up for the revenue,” she said.
Trustees Joseph Fitzgerald and Alex Gallegos were the first to speak out against the grocery tax.
“We’re taxed enough as it is by Cook County and the state, and, at this time, it wouldn’t be the most appropriate route,” Fitzgerald said. “If it’s something that needs to be addressed later on in other fiscal years, we can talk about it at that time.”
Trustee Cristin Evans pushed back on the assertion that Riverside would have to make compromises elsewhere to recover the lost revenue.
“I understand that if we decide not to pursue an ordinance, then we’ ll be shor t
$50,000,” she said, “but I’m wondering if there are other areas of revenue this year that came up ahead of what we expected. Do we know for sure what the budg et is for next year? I’m not comfortable saying we’re going to have to increase fees or decrease services with just this one decision without having actual figures or data.”
Village Manager Jessica Frances said some of the village’s revenues this year have been “quite volatile,” making it difficult to predict whether Riverside could come out ahead and af ford the loss of the grocery tax.
“We are close to being on target with budg et but always reco gnizing that our margin between the revenues that we receive and our expenditures is pretty close,” she said. “There are a lot of dif ferent considerations at play, so I can’ t provide you a very concrete answer at this exact moment until we’ve reviewed more of these data points.”
Like Whitehead in Brookfield, Trustee Elizabeth Kos called the tax “regressive.”
“It hits our residents who are lowerincome more than it hurts our residents who are higher-income on food. This is not a luxury item,” she said. “I would rather look at some other places to raise fees than impose this tax at this time.”
Trustee Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga said she found the tax’s re gressive nature to be “the most disturbing piece.”
“With our [Cross-Community Climat Collaborative] ef for ts and our emphasi on trying to provide a discussion of ty every time we consider a new proposal or policy, I think that, even though all of our neighboring communities are seemingly jumping on the ‘Let’s keep the tax’ bandwagon, I think we owe it to the ef to be the outlier,” she said.
Evans suggested the lack of the tax in Riverside could even draw people from outside the village to shop at Rive Foods if they don’ t want to pay it in thei own municipality.
Landscape Workdays July 29 (Harrington Park) and August 16 (Akenside and Longcommon) 9am-Noon
Volunteers needed! Make a difference in the community by helping to beautify Riverside’s green spaces. Details on website or email workdays@olmstedsociety.org
Vintage Baseball Game Sunday July 27, 1pm Big Ball Park
Step back in time and experience how baseball was played in Frederick Law Olmsted’s day! Bring your own blanket/folding chairs and snacks to watch America’s favorite pastime. Players wear attire from that era, use long wooden bats, and follow rules of bygone times. Fun for the entire family - and it’s free!
Walking Tour Sunday July 27 2-4pm
Docent-led tour explores Riverside’s history and its architecture north of the tracks. See website for more details. Special tours always available - email tours@olmstedsociety.org
SAVE THESE SATURDAY DATES!
July Concert:
Louie Kertgen Friday, July 25th
July Concert: Louie Kertgen Friday, July 25th
T he board ag reed to reconsider the tax next year to possibly go into effect starting in 2027.
5-7pm in the Ballroom
July Concert: Louie Kertgen Friday, July 25th 5-7pm in the Ballroom
Louie Kertgen is a singer, songwriter, drummer, middle school teacher, chef, dog owner, part time bartender and guitarist. His music ranges from folk and country to punk and pyschedelic. He is the front man and guitarist in the Chicago band Coyote Fire! Snack provided
5-7pm in the Ballroom July Concert: Louie Kertgen Friday, July 25th 5-7pm in the Ballroom
Louie Kertgen is a singer, songwriter, drummer, middle school teacher, chef, dog owner, part time bartender and guitarist. His music ranges from folk and country to punk and pyschedelic. He is the front man and guitarist in the Chicago band Coyote Fire! Snack provided
Louie Kertgen is a singer, songwriter, drummer, middle school teacher, chef, dog owner, part time bartender and guitarist. His music ranges from folk and country to punk and pyschedelic. He is the front man and guitarist in the Chicago band Coyote Fire!
Stewards of the land and Olmsted’s Plan
Senior BenefitsLiving YOUR BEST LIFE withLisaCapone
Senior living communities offer a myriad of benefits that enhance the quality of life for older adults. One of the primary advantages is the opportunity for social interaction. Residents can participate in a variety of activities, from arts and crafts to group outings, fostering friendships and reducing feelings of isolation.
Senior living communities also free residents from the burdens of home maintenance and chores. Housekeeping, laundry services, and meal preparation are typically included, giving residents more time to enjoy their hobbies and interests. Moreover, senior living communities often provide various levels of assistance, from independent living to full-time care, allowing residents to age in place comfortably. This flexibility ensures that as needs change, the appropriate level of care is always available.
new shops with free Saturday shuttle
For now, it’ll take you from the farmers market to the Brook eld Shops and 2 parking lots
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
387-1030.
This summer, Brookfield is trying out a free shuttle service on alternating Saturdays to encourage shoppers to hit both the farmers market at village hall and the Brookfield Shops at Eight Cor ners.
The shuttle first ran on July 12 and is scheduled to run on July 26 and Aug. 9 and 23. On that first day, it ran in a loop from the farmers market to the Congress Park Avenue parking lot at Ehlert Park, the Brookfield Shops and the village-owned parking lot on 31st Street from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the same hours as the farmers market.
Libby Popovic, Brookfield’s community development director, said the program is a collaboration between the village and the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce, which runs the farmers market. The village-run Brookfield
Shops retail incubator’s six stores are open Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. That means they’re open at the same time as the farmers market.
“Because they’re in two different locations, we were thinking of having a shuttle service because parking is always an issue. Once someone parks at either the Shops or they’re parking at the farmers market, there would be a shuttle that would bring visitors back and for th,” Popovic told the Landmark.
“The intent is to drive some of the traffic that’s already going to be there into either location and make that as easy as possible.”
She called the first day a “test run” of the program and said the hours and stops could vary throughout the summer as Brookfield and the Chamber learn how people would use the shuttle
She said it would likely start running at 9 or 10 a.m. to get closer to the opening of the Brookfield Shops and either run directly between the shops and far mers market or make one additional stop at a parking lot in town.
“The Chamber had suggested that we try those two additional stops [at parking lots] because it does get somewhat con-
gested around village hall during the times that the far mers market is going on, but we found that no people used it,” she said. “We’re testing out what works best during the hours that the Shops are open.”
Popovic said the bus used for the shuttle was borrowed from the parks and recreation department, who use it for kids’ programs, like the STARS before- and afterschool program. She estimated the shuttle would cost Brookfield $250 per day to operate, including paying a bus driver and covering insurance costs
Despite the low usage, she said the first attempt went well but that Brookfield plans to improve its signage advertising the service in the future.
“We heard a lot of residents that didn’t use it that wanted to use it,” she said. “It’s one of those things that we have to test out a couple of times to really get some good metrics on it. There weren’t a lot of people using it; no one used it from 31st. No one used it from Ehlert Park We didn’t anticipate a lot of usage initially because the word needs to get out there, so we’re testing out and playing around with times and locations to see what works best for everyone.”
Brook eld Shops at Eight Corners.
Brook eld Zoo names VP of people and culture
Nichole Gladney has worked for Keolis, Kra Heinz and Experian
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
Brookfield Zoo Chicago appointed Nichole Gladney as its senior vice president of people and culture effective July 8, the zoo announced July 16.
As the zoo’s newest vice president, Gladney
will oversee its human resources strategy and organizational development efforts so its “workplace and workforce initiatives align with the zoo’s mission” of inspiring conservation leadership and education, the zoo said.
With more than 20 years of experience in global organizations, Gladney most recently served as vice president of talent acquisition and engagement for the North American branch of Keolis, a French company that designs and operates public transit systems across the world.
She has also worked as vice president of human resources for both the Kraft Heinz
Company, the conglomerate behind food brands like Kraft, Heinz, Oscar Mayer and more, and Experian, one of the three agencies that reports peoples’ credit scores.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nichole to Brookfield Zoo Chicago,” said Dr. Michael Adkesson, the zoo’s president and CEO, in a written statement. “Our people are the heart of who we are and how we deliver our mission. Nichole’s passion for building purpose-driven teams and her strat egic mindset will help shape the future of our workforce and the culture that supports it.”
PROVIDED BY BROOKFIELD ZO O CHIC AG O
Nichole Gladney is the newest vice president at Brook eld Zoo Chicago.
Opinion
LETTERS
I am a 35-year resident homeowner in Brookfield and longtime, passive, occasional reader of the Landmark and Suburban Life way long ago. A left political bias clearly seeps through the opinions, stories, editorials. My opinion will probably not be posted as only those letters with opinions demeaning, belittling, mocking, the current president of the United States are fla gged OK by the editor to be posted. No amount of evidence,
proof, overwhelming mountains of documents, witnesses, showing the previous POTUS was mentally incompetent and being operated by non-elected staf f will ever be allowed to be shown within the page s of Landmark or its affiliates. It will be rubber-stamped Fake-News and a conspiracy theory, just as all other truth was cast the past four years.
Andris Rakas Brookfield
Arvid Hallstrom, 79 P.E. teacher, football coach
Arvid Hallstrom, 79, a longtime resident of Riverside, husband, father, brother, godfather, and uncle, died on July 15, 2025. Born on Sept. 20, 1945, in Chicago, he led a life rich in , accomplishment, and service to others. He attended Evanston High School. Riverside would become his home for nearly 40 years where he and Susan raised their daughter Erica. His dream was to retire on a golf course in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, and for the last 15 years of his life, he lived that dream. Raised Catholic, he became heavily involved in the Lutheran Church with Susan for the rest of his life.
A man of many talents, he was a respected football coach and physical education teacher in his younger years. For over 40 years, he was a professional in corporate insurance and also spent time as a Marine, a Shriner, and a Mason. He dedicated many hours to charitable , always seeking to uplift those around him. He enjoyed golfing, traveling, sipping his favorite scotch, and finding joy in nature’s beauty. He loved watching football and was a dedicated fan of the Chicago Bears.
Arvid is survived by Susan Hallstrom, his wife of 49 years; his daughter, Erica Hallstrom; and his sister, Camilla (John) Radzinski. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Clara Hallstrom.
A memorial service to honor Arvid’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on July 23 at Joy in Christ Lutheran Church, 110 Balboa Road, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909.
An online guestbook can be found at www. smothfamilycares.com
Genevieve Wright, 85
Riverside resident
Genevie leris), 85, of Rive rside, died on Ju ly 13, 2025. Born on Sept. 25, 1939 in K aunas, Lithuania to Anele and Jonas Ke bleris, she was the mother of Mark, Ke i th and the late Kenneth (Amy); gr andmother of Ky le, A manda, Marshall, Mitchell and Bradley; and sister of the late Ray mond (Edith) Ke bleris.
Visitation was held on July 21. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on July 22 at St. Mary Church.
Thomas Strenk, 82
Av id reader and gardener
Thomas Strenk, 82, of North Riverside, died on July 20, 2025. Born on Feb. 3, 1943, he was a U.S. Ar my veteran. He loved history, geography, reading and gardening. He was an avid football fan and especially enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears.
Thomas was the husband of Christine (nee Schreiner); the father of James (Camilla) Strenk and Jeanette (Pete) Manning; the grandfather of Edward and Lukas Strenk and Cheyenne and Jax Manning; the brother of Audrey (late Steve) Stacoviak; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by Stanley (Eleanore) Strenk and Beatrice (late Raul) Ramirez.
Family and friends will gather at ConboyWestchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester on Saturday, July 26 for a memorial visitation from 1 until the chapel service at 3:30 p.m. Interment private
Ar r angements we re handled by the O riginal Ku ratko Family - B rian D. Ku ratko, Funeral Director.
Drunk driver arrested after eeing initial tra c stop
Brookfield police arrested a 65-year-old Joliet man July 7 for alle gedly driving drunk.
Around 7:30 p.m., an officer was heading west on Ogden Avenue on patrol when they saw a westbound gold Toyota stopped in the right lane on the 9100 block. According to police, the car stayed stationary for about 15 seconds, impeding traffic, before heading west and swerving into the left lane, where it nearly struck another vehicle. The officer watched the car continue to weave within its lane, crossing the lane markers on the left and nearly hitting the curb on the right, before shifting lanes without using a turn signal.
The car continued to weave on the road into the next traffic lane, causing an oncoming vehicle to swerve out of its way, before shifting back into the right lane without signaling.
The officer pulled the car over at the intersection with Blanchan Avenue and spoke with the driver and sole occupant. The officer told him to move his car into the Sherwin-Williams parking lot so they could finish the traffic stop safely but, after returning to the squad car, saw the man’s car pass the lot and continue west on Ogden Avenue into LaGrange.
The officer pursued the car with their squad car’s lights and siren active, and the man finally pulled over just before the intersection with LaGrange Road. The officer told the man to turn of f the car and asked why he didn’t pull into the parking lot; the man responded that he “just needed to get there” while pointing in the northwest direction, police said.
The officer saw the man had bloodshot, watery eyes. When asked to provide his
driver’s license and proof of insurance, the man handed over an expired license with valid insurance. The man reiterated that he needed to “go there” and pointed in the same direction, later saying he had to go to work and that he was coming from Chicago. He slur red his words and the officer smelled alcohol on the man’s breath. When asked, the man admitted he had drunk alcoholic beverages at noon that day. He ag reed to take field sobriety testing, accidentally leaving one of his sandals in the roadway while walking to the sidewalk. Another officer who arrived on the scene got the man’s permission to move his car into a nearby parking lot and said the driver’s seat had been wet; the man said he had urinated in the car out of fear of being pulled over.
During the tests, the man showed multiple indicators of being impaired, including struggling with his balance, not listening to instructions being unable to follow a light with his eyes without moving his
head. The man also said his breath smelled of alcohol due to a medication he took earlier in the day. The man also said he did not believe he was fit to drive. The man declined to take a preliminary breath test. The officer arrested the man for driving under the influence due to the various indicators and transported him to the police department. After a 20-minute observation period, the man ag reed to take a chemical breath test, which showed .188 blood-alcohol content. Police charged the man for illegally stopping in the road, driving without a valid license, driving under the influence and improper traffic lane usage. Police released the man from custody, and the man called a rideshare to take him home.
Caught cutting through a parking lot
Around 8:22 p.m., an officer was in the BP gas station parking lot at the intersection of Prairie and Ogden avenues when they saw a black Ford F-250 heading west on Ogden Avenue. The truck turned into the gas station lot before re-entering northbound traffic on Prairie Avenue, effectively going around the stoplights at the intersection.
The officer followed the truck north and initiated a traffic stop as it turned west onto Windemere Avenue. The officer spoke with the driver, who said he did not have his wallet and could not provide police with his driver’s license or proof of insurance. The man ag reed to give his full name and date of birth, so the officer ran his information through the police database and learned the man did not have a valid driver’s license.
The officer told the man he would have to leave the car parked on the 8900 block of Windemere Avenue and cited him for avoiding a traffic control device, driving with no valid license and operating an uninsured vehicle. The officer set a July 22 court date and sent the man on his way.
These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department re ports dated July 7-14; they re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.
Compiled by Trent Brown
RBHS grad Elizondo among this year ’s Evans Scholars
LTHS graduates Watson, Chavez also awarded scholarships for golf caddies
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
The great colle ge news this spring for recent Riverside Brookfield High School graduate Brandon Elizondo truly became a family af fair. As Elizondo opened the large FedEx envelope informing him that he was among this year’s Evans Scholars receiving grants for full colle ge housing and tuition to qualifying golf caddies, he sat in the kitchen with his parents as they prepared for dinner
“After reading a sentence or two, when I found out I received the Evans, I didn’t know how to react,” Elizondo said. “I was shocked. My mom saw me tearing up not knowing. Once I told her, she and my dad were overwhelmed and it was such a great feeling.”
Elizondo has worked since sophomore year at the Riverside Golf Club in North Riverside, his hometown. He will attend the University of Kansas (Lawrence) and major in business. He will possibly pursue a career involving commercial real estate.
Lyons Township High School graduates Liam Watson and Rachel Chavez also
were among the more than 130 Illinois honorees this year in the nation’s largest scholarship progr am for caddies, founded by Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. in 1930.
Watson is a caddie at Edgewood Valley Country Club in LaGrange Highlands and also will attend Kansas while 2024 graduate Chavez works at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook. She just completed her freshman year at Kansas and was an honor student in the Colle ge of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
be attending colle ge without the Evans financial assistance. T here currently are a record 1,190 caddies as Evans Scholars at 24 partner universities nationwide. Nearly 12,300 have graduated since the progr am’s inception.
As soon as he visited Kansas, Elizondo knew it “was one of the best decisions. I’m more than happy and thankful for the opportunity to go to colle ge for free. I’m definitely going to take advantage of it and give it my all. ”
United States from Mexico in the early 2000s. T hey first slept outdoors in a relative’s van as they got their footing. His father found work in construction and his mother in a bakery, sometimes bringing Jose with her
He is, he said, “Overwhelmed with joy and thankful for all of my parents’ ef forts and hard work and how they told me never give up. It was a hard time [starting fo r them] but thank God it all worked out. All of those nights with struggle were worth it in the end.”
Elizondo says he enjoys working at Riverside GC. “Every day I g et to work with someone who’s good at their profession or is giving me good life advice,” he said. “Whatever you give to people, you get back even better. Reading greens, giving club advice, it ’s making their rounds better and helping them enjoy it. And I’m g etting paid to do what I love. A lot of people know me by name and I know all of them by name. It’s definitely a life-changer to be working there.”
Elizondo said he probably would not
Elizondo follows his older brother Jose as an Evans Scholar. Now a rising senior at Marquette University (Milwaukee), Jose encouraged Brandon to consider caddying at Riverside
“I probably was, at first, nervous about how good a job I was doing. I didn’t even see the Evans as a thing [for me],” Elizondo said. “It was something [later on], thinking what was I going to do after senior year? T hank God I’m able to go to school and finish my education.”
Elizondo is the second of four children in his f amily. His parents came to the
At RBHS, Elizondo was a four-year soccer player. He earned 2024 All-Upstate Eight Conference honors as a starting attacking center midfielder with two goals and five assists.
As a golfer, Elizondo enjoys casually playing “with my buddies,” and takes great pride in being a caddie. Since midJune, it’s g enerally been 10-plus hour days at Riverside GC doing two or three 18-hole loops and cleaning the bag room or car ts at the end of the day.
“I will definitely be caddying again [after this summer],” Elizondo said. “I’ve never had excitement to go to work until now when I started caddying.”
LTHS graduate Weibel is the new girls swimming coach
State quali er with Lions succeeds retired Walker a er coaching Lane Tech
By LILY KOCOUREK Contributing Reporter
A Lion has returned home. And the deep end is calling.
Former Lyons Township High School boys swimming standout Brendan Weibel has been named the new girls swimming head coach. The move follows the retirement of head coach Scott Walker, who led the program for 24 seasons and left a lasting le gacy
Returning to LTHS, Weibel is eager to build upon the foundation laid by Walker, who was the boys head coach when Weibel competed during his four years before graduating in 2014.
“My primary goal is to maintain what has been built over the years,” Weibel said. “Lyons Township swimming is more than just a program. It’s a pillar of the community. I want to preserve that culture of hard work and unity while continuing to grow the team.”
After graduating from LTHS, Weibel main-
tained his connection to swimming by coaching youth teams while attending the University of Illinois.
More recently, he served as girls swimming head coach the past two seasons at Lane Tech in Chicago. His leadership propelled the team to historic success — eight school records and a program-best 16th-place tie at the 2024 IHSA state meet (34 points). The Lions finished fifth at state last season (146 points) with five top-eight, all-state finishes and seven school-record perfor-
BRENDAN WEIBEL
BRANDON ELIZONDO
Sarussi has MVP nal season for UIC women’s track
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Ally Sarussi had quite a senior sendof with the Washington University women track and field team as part of its 2024 NCA Division III national team champion. 2020 Lyons Township High School graduate however, still had one season of eligibilit and a graduate degree to pursue
“I was going to take a gap year, but then I kind of thought I have an opportunity to run another year,” Sarussi said. “I love a lot so I might as well take the opportunity while getting my de gree.”
As a grad student this spring, Sarussi had her best individual season for the Uni versity of Illinois Chicago. She was named the team’s Most Valuable Performer and athletic department’s Female Newcomer of the Year for non-freshmen after qualifying for the NCAA Division I postseason in the 1,500-meter run following her lifetime-best, school-record 4:19.35 at the Missouri Valley Conference Meet.
LTHS gr aches NCAA First Round, sets records as grad student
he wanted to break 4:20 after a secondastest 4:28.93 in prelims and personal-best 4:25.63 from the Drake Relays April 23. The top-three finish — just 15 ahead of fourth lace — also gave Sarussi all-conference honors and put her on the awards podium after finishing fourth in the 800 (2:10.34) at the indoor MVC Meet. She also was part of the eighth-place 4 x 400 relay’s school-record
doors in 2023 and 2022.
At the NCAA West First Round May 30 in Bryan-College Station, Texas, Sarussi was ninth in her heat (4:25.74) and 34th overall as the No. 40 seed among 48 entries.
“It was very cool to be able to go to that. It’s insane facilities and to get to compete with some of the best athletes in the nation was exciting, a rewarding experience,” Sarussi said. “My parents got to see me race there so it was a memorable way to cap off my career.”
She became the first UIC women’s track and field athlete to compete on the national level in a track event and the third in combined women’s and men’s track and field history. She has one more year of school at UIC as she pursues her doctorate in physical
mances over the prelims and finals.
Julie McDermott remains the girls diving coach.
Weibel said his coaching philosophy emphasizes consistency and dedication that turns an individual sport into a team endeavor
Graduate stude nt Ally Sarussi (188) was named MVP in her lone season with the University of Illinois at Chicago women’s track and eld team.
therapy after graduating from WashU with a degree in anthropology and minor in psychology.
“Winning the [MVP] award was cool but it was more fun to do the exciting things on the track and get to know my teammates better and develop some long-lasting relationships and push myself to a new level,” Sarussi said. “I definitely learned a lot about myself as a person and athlete in terms of how I was able to come onto the team and deal with this new training plan and how I was able to be coached by a totally different person. It really proved my adaptability.”
Sarussi’s competitiveness also helped The MVC Meet May 17-18 in Carbondale could have been Sarussi’s finale. The 4:19.35 became her ultimate moment.
“I’m going to remember that conference final race for a long time,” Sarussi said.
“It’s important that the team trusts the process,” Weibel said. “Swimmers need to understand that while each race is their own, they’re working every day to better the whole team.”
Inclusivity is also a key focus for Weibel, especially when welcoming new swimmers or those new to competitive swimming
“Not everyone will swim in the same lane or at the same pace,” Weibel said, “but everyone is a component of this team — in workouts, team gatherings and on and off the pool deck. Getting people into this sport, creating opportunities for them to be part of it, that’s what excites me most.”
onsidering the West First Round’s slowest seed time was 4:22.50, Sarussi also adanced to NCAA’s because of the 4:19.35. ust competed the best I ever had to make the podium at conference,” Sarussi said. “I don’t really know how I did it. I was ushing to get top three and to have that 4:19 come along with it, I knew my body ould do it. It just took everything in me and everything had to go perfectly. I’ll definitely take that one with me.”
Previously, Sarussi was known mainly for 800s. At LTHS, she was part of all-state 4 x 800 relays in 2019 (3rd) and 2018 (7th). She never ran at state for cross country but joined LTHS teammates at Nike Cross Regionals
For WashU, Sarussi had six top-eight Division III All-American performances – four individually and two in relays, including the 2023 indoor national championship with the distance medley relay. The COVID-affected 2020 season gave athletes like Sarussi an additional season of eligibility.
Approaching the 2024 outdoor nationals, Sarussi had been All-American three times in the 800 but began adding the 1,500 to help the Bears get team points. Sarussi just missed the 800 finals with 10th but was an All-American third in the 1,500 (4:28.74). The Bears (71 points) won their second national team title by 23.5 points after being third out-
Weibel’s journey with swimming started in 2005 and stretched across some of the most competitive club teams in the area with Lyons Aquatics and the Westmont Swim Club. By the time he hit his stride at LTHS, he was among the team’s top-ranked swimmers during his junior and senior seasons. He qualified for state his senior year in both the 200-yard individual medley (18th, 1:57.74) and 500 freestyle (24th, 4:44.90).
Looking ahead, his goals are grounded in
“We worked for that for so long. Winning Division III nationals was such a highlight, such a way to cap it off. We had a really strong senior class,” Sarussi said. “Just through the four years at WashU and with UIC, I learned so much about drive and commitment. I really do love track a lot and it helped me grow so much as a person. It’s tested my perseverance and to set and reach new goals and have that happen alongside being a student, it’s something I’m proud of.”
Coming to UIC, Sarussi was fourth in the 800 (2:10.34) at the indoor MVC Meet after an injury-affected cross country season. With more specified training, she began to flourish in the 1,500.
Her first 1,500 outdoors happened to be at WashU March 28 in St. Louis (2nd in 4:30.06) – an emotional return with her UIC teammates and coaches while reuniting with former ones
“I just felt really lucky to be there and lucky I’d gone to school there. The race didn’t go as well as I’d hoped but everyone brought me up and supported me,” Sarussi said.
After NCAAs, Sarussi went out a winner in her last competitive race “for the foreseeable future.”
At the Magis Mile June 7 at St. Ignatius, Sarussi won the Elite division and topseeded final women’s race with a meet-best 4:46.89 mile (4:27.98 for 1,500 meters).
“I wanted to be competitive and try to win it. It was a good opportunity to do that against a field (mainly) of really good high school girls,” Sarussi said. “Definitely going into it, I was excited for one more time to get a good mile time while I was still in shape basically.”
progress. He wants to uphold the LTHS standard of excellence while making sure every swimmer ends the season stronger — in the water, and as teammates
“If we keep focusing on improving every aspect — technique, endurance, mindset, and teamwork — the team success will follow,” Weibel said. “I want every season to end with our swimmers improved and proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
Bill Stone contributed to this story
COURTESY OF UIC ATHLETICS
PUBLIC NOTICE OF ANNUAL BUDGET
Notice is hereby given by the Board of Education of Riverside School District No. 96 in the Cook County, State of Illinois, that a budget for said school district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, will be on file and available for public inspection by appointment Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm starting the 17th day of July 2025, at the district’s administrative offices on 3340 South Harlem Avenue in Riverside Illinois. To schedule an appointment please email fittonj@district96.org.
Notice is further given that a public hearing on said budget will be held at 7:00 o’clock p.m. on the 20th day of August 2025 followed immediately by the scheduled regular board meeting.
Board of Education
Riverside School District No. 96 Cook County, Illinois
Published in RB Landmark July 23, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF OAK PARK
Per the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance, notice is hereby given of a Neighborhood Meeting with Fenwick High School. The meeting will take place at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, and will be held in the Gearen Library at Fenwick High School. The meeting is open to the adjacent property owners, and comments on the proposal are invited. The Applicant, Fenwick High School, seeks approval of a Planned Development for an addition to the existing building on the south side of the school, located at 505 Washington Blvd. Entrance to the school is off the parking lot on East Ave. If you have any questions regarding this proposal prior to the neighborhood meeting, please contact the applicant, Fenwick High School, at 708-386-0127 or communications@fenwickfriars. com.
Published in Wednesday Journal July 23, 2025
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Education of School District No. 91, in the County of Cook, State of Illinois, the tentative budget for said School District for the Fiscal Year 2026 will be available for public inspection at the District Office, 424 DesPlaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, after 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing on said budget will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the 11th day of September, 2025, at Grant-White School, 147 Circle Avenue, Forest Park, in this School District No. 91.
Dated this 30th day of July, 2025
Board of Education School District No. 91
County of Cook State of Illinois
Monica Angelo Secretary
Published in Forest Park Review July 23, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
You are hereby notified that a Public Hearing has been called by the Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park, Oak Park, Illinois to be held at the Village Hall of Oak Park at 123 Madison Street, (Lombard and Madison), Oak Park, Illinois in Village Hall Council Chambers at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, for the purpose of considering the following item of business:
To hear comments from the Public on the Public Housing Agency Plan.
The draft of the PHA Annual Plan for 2025 along with the public’s comments will be considered by the Authority before adoption of the Annual Plan to be submitted by Wednesday, October 15, 2025, to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The draft plan is available for inspection at the following locations during normal hours of operation, Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.:
Oak Park Housing Authority, 21 South Boulevard Oak Park, IL 60302
Mills Park Tower, 1025 Pleasant Place Oak Park, IL 60302
Written comments will also be accepted prior to the hearing for inclusion in the public record. Address all comments or inquiries to:
Oak Park Housing Authority
Executive Director Re: PHA Annual Plan 2025 21 South Boulevard, Oak Park, IL 60302
Published in Wednesday Journal July 23, 2025
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SOUNDVIEW HOME LOAN TRUST 2005-OPT4, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-OPT4
Plaintiff, -v.-
CHARLES E. SILMON, CASSANDRA SILMON, DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE OF HSI ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2006-OPT2, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-OPT2, STATE OF ILLINOIS - DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS
Defendants 2020CH05803 529 49TH AVE 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 April 16, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on August 20, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 529 49TH AVE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104
Property Index No. 15-08-408-0510000
The real estate is improved with a single family residence.
Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.
Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.
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 Con-
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
dominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).
IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.
You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.
For information, 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) 236-SALE
You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.
CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527
630-794-5300
E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com
Attorney File No. 14-20-05247
Attorney ARDC No. 00468002
Attorney Code. 21762
Case Number: 2020CH05803
TJSC#: 45-1755
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 # 2020CH05803
I3270109
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC., Plaintiff, -v.-
AMALEK V. SMITH; FELICIA SMITH; ADMINISTRATOR OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, AN AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; Defendants. 2024CH00915 915 Ferdinand Ave., Forest Park, IL 60130
NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 2/4/2025, an agent of Auction.com, LLC will conduct the auction in person at 12:00 PM on August 20, 2025 located at 100 N LaSalle St., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60602, and will sell at public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate. Commonly known as 915 Ferdinand Ave., Forest Park, IL 60130 Property Index No. 15-13-408-0240000
The real estate is improved with a Single Family Residence. The judgment amount was $236,725.20 Sale Terms: 20% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to Auction.com, LLC, No third party checks will be accepted. All registered bidders need to provide a photo ID in order to bid. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. (relief fee not required) The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
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)(l) 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.
For information, contact Plaintiffs attorney: Diaz Anselmo & Associates, LLC (630) 453-6960 please refer to file number 6706-196067. Auction.com, LLC 100 N LaSalle St., Suite 1400 Chicago, IL 60602 - 872225-4985 You can also visit www. auction.com.
Attorney File No. 6706-196067 Case Number: 2024CH00915
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. I3269944
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-3
Plaintiff, -v.UNKNOWN HEIRS AND/OR LEGATEES OF HENRY C. FLOWERS A/K/A HENRY FLOWERS A/K/A HENRY CALVIN FLOWERS, DECEASED, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND/OR LEGATEES OF HENRY J. FLOWERS, JR., RITA ROBINSON, FRANCES PERRY, GLADYS MANCE, ANNA TOLBERT, ANNA WHITE, CAREL ROBINSON, LENNEL ROBINSON, JOHN LYDON, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF HENRY C. FLOWERS A/K/A HENRY FLOWERS A/K/A HENRY CALVIN FLOWERS, DECEASED, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS
Defendants 24 CH 10945 833 SOUTH 21ST AVENUE
MAYWOOD, IL 60153
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 18, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on August 12, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:
Commonly known as 833 SOUTH 21ST AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-10-328-0110000
The real estate is improved with a single family residence.
The judgment amount was $130,452.34.
Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.
Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.
The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).
IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 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, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2801 LAKESIDE DRIVE, SUITE 207, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 24-101013. 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.
LOGS Legal Group LLP 2801 LAKESIDE DRIVE, SUITE 207 Bannockburn IL, 60015
847-291-1717
E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com
Attorney File No. 24-101013
Attorney Code. 42168
Case Number: 24 CH 10945
TJSC#: 45-1681
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 # 24 CH 10945
I3269405
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