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RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Also serving North Riverside

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Vol. 36, No. 30

July 28, 2021

@riversidebrookfieldlandmark

North Riverside mayor names new police chief PAGE 3

Brookfield trustees approve Burlington Ave. apartments PAGE 11

Gunman in 2016 Brookfield murder found guilty Jury convicts Jermaine Douglas of 4 counts of first-degree murder

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A jury took just a couple of hours last week to convict 29-year-old Jermaine Douglas of the execution-style killing of Brookfield resident Michael Smith in 2016 outside his Forest Avenue apartment building Following a four-day trial at the Maybrook courthouse on July 23, Douglas was found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, each of which carries a prison sentence of between six and 30 years.

“The sentencing should be significant,” said former Brookfield Police Chief James Episcopo under whose watch the murder investigation was conducted. “We’re all hoping for a good outcome.”

Douglas is due back in court in front of Judge Geary Kull at 9 a.m. on Aug. 18, according to a spokesperson from the Cook See MURDER on page 23

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

VIPS: Amy Weinert, assistant VP of First National Bank of Brookfield, (standing foreground at left) talks with Linda Sokol Francis, whose $1 million donation paved the way for construction, inside the new library which bears Francis’ name, during a Sneak Peek event on July 23. The bank’s $3.6 million loan also was a crucial source of funding.

Brookfield pulls back veil on new library Bright, inviting spaces in stark contrast to old facility

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The long awaited new Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Public Library is now open.

The sparkling new $11 million library re-

ceived rave reviews at its debut Friday evening at a reception for donors who helped make the library possible.

“I love it; it’s beautiful,” said Susan Berthel, who along with her husband Steve donated approximately $150,000 toward the

Payne Plumbing & Heating

library. The Berthels are the second largest individual donor to the library after the building’s namesake, who donated $1 million in 2018.

See LIBRARY on page 14

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The Landmark, July 28, 2021

Continuing to

Celebrate our 2 year anniversary!

Friday, July 30th • 8pm Mason Rivers

Saturday, July 31 • 8pm Trailer Park Twisters

Open mic every Wednesday night! hosted by Kelly Ott from Mason Rivers We have limited outdoor seating! Come out & play!

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The Landmark, July 28, 2021

Ehrenberg named North Riverside police chief Veteran cop had served in an interim capacity since May

IN THIS ISSUE

By BOB UPHUES

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Editor

Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

It turns out North Riverside Mayor Joseph Mengoni didn’t have to dig too deep to find the village’s new police chief. On July 26, he named Christian Ehrenberg – who has been serving as interim chief since May – to the top job on a permanent basis.

Ehrenberg replaced Carlos Garcia, who was appointed chief in May 2019 and who announced before Mengoni’s election earlier this year that he would be retiring at the end of the summer. Garcia’s tenure ended effectively in May, however, when he went on extended medical leave and Ehrenberg was appointed as interim.

“He has the education, he has the training, the skills that he can assist [the department’s officers] in developing,” Mengoni said.

Mengoni said it was clear to him from the start that he would seek Garcia’s replacement from among the department’s ranks.

Between the time he was elected in April and assumed the mayor’s chair in May, Mengoni said he received scores of messages advising him to “listen to the police department.”

Not knowing exactly what those messages were referring to, Mengoni said he decided to meet with all of the department’s sergeants and get feedback from them.

“They said we have a lot of young, new, talented people in the department,” said Mengoni. “They have training and skills sets in different areas that they really want to put to use. And their hopes for a replacement for Carlos would be somebody that embraces that and really lets them grow as a department.”

Mengoni said providing officers with more specialized training was something they wanted and felt the village and police leadership were not providing, which lowered morale.

“They said they felt they were being stifled, that they weren’t being heard,” Mengoni said. “They felt they were in a rut and that the department wasn’t progressing into the future.”

In an interview with the Landmark, Ehrenberg emphasized the importance of training and said he will implement core training standards for all officers. For example, all officers will be trained as juvenile officers, evidence technicians and DUI officers.

And for the first time, all officers will undergo field medical training, since police are often the first emergency personnel to respond to scenes where urgent, immediate medical care is essential.

From there, officers can bolster their skills with special training, such as becoming a drone operator, doing truck weight enforcement and other skills.

Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Mark Moroney Sales and Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com

PROVIDED

TOP COP: Christian Ehrenberg was named North Riverside’s new police chief on July 26.

He wants to bolster training standards for officers throughout the ranks and create a solid succession plan for the future.

“This is all in an effort to prepare patrol officers to become corporals, and for corporals to take the sergeant’s exam and for sergeants to become administrators,” Ehrenberg said.

“It’s a totally different way of envisioning our department and preparing everyone for the next level of achievement.”

There may be no better time to refocus the police department’s training regimen, because in recent years its ranks have gotten much more junior.

North Riverside presently employs 22 police officers, which include two command staffers, six sergeants and 14 patrol officers.

Of those patrol officers, 12 have nine or fewer years of service and six have less than five.

Just three police officers – Ehrenberg, Commander David Kopka and Office Raul Pelayo – have 20 or more years of service.

Both Ehrenberg and Kopka are the most senior officers, each with 25 years of service, meaning they have five more years before they can draw a full pension, something attractive to Mengoni.

“I talked to Christian about that, and I said my concern is I don’t want you to just use this as an opportunity to say you retired as a chief,” Mengoni said. “I want somebody who’s going to be in there, committed to bringing upon the change that we want.”

North Riverside has had four chiefs since 2013, the longest serving of them being Lane Niemann, who was chief from May 2013 until November 2017.

The last two chiefs, Deborah Garcia and Carlos Garcia – who are married to one another – served as chief for 17 months and two years, respectively, before retiring.

Ehrenberg didn’t say exactly when he had eyes on retirement, but he said that when he does decide to leave, the department’s emphasis on training should ensure that whoever is mayor at that time will have someone ready inside the department’s ranks.

“By the time I leave, I want to give the mayor so many qualified people, it’s going to be hard for him to decide,” Ehrenberg said.

Ehrenberg will be sworn in as police chief at the village board’s meeting on Aug. 9.

He’ll be joined on that night by other officers whose promotions Mengoni announced at a special meeting of the board on July 26.

Kopka, who has held the rank of commander since 2019, was named the department’s deputy police chief, while Sgt. Christopher Boenzi was elevated to commander.

The village’s 2021-22 appropriations ordinance, also passed by trustees on July 26, includes money to hire two new police officers.

Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich

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

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

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The Landmark, July 28, 2021

BIG WEEK

July 28-Aug. 4 Guitarra Azul spices up your Friday

Brookfield Parks and Rec continues its summer outdoor concert series on Friday, July 30 with a performance by Guitarra Azul and their exciting mix of Rumba Flamenco, Latin jazz and world music.

Concerts are held at the band shell in Kiwanis Park, 8820 Brookfield Ave. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Cancellations due to inclement weather will be made at 3 p.m. on concert day.

GUITARRA AZUL

Family Campout in North Riverside

Enjoy a movie in the park and then sleep under the stars during North Riverside Park and Rec’s Family Campout on Aug. 6-7 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 a.m. at Veterans Park, 7550 26th St. Bring your family, a tent and sleeping bags and watch a family friendly flick while enjoying a special snack and playing games. Breakfast will be provided.

The cost is $25 per campsite and registration is required by calling 708-442-5515 or visiting online at northriverside-il.org.

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Call 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or visit brookfield.evanced.info/signup to register.

Movies for kids are back at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., on Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 3 p.m. in the library’s lower-level meeting room.

Next week’s movie offering will be “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” the 2009 animated film featuring the voice talents of Meryl Streep and George Clooney.

Snacks provided. Masks required.

Register by calling 708-485-6917, ext. 140 or visiting brookfield. evanced.info/signup.

The Frederick Law Olmsted Society and village of Riverside will host their next Landscape Workday on Saturday, July 31 from 9 a.m. to noon at Scottswood Common. RSVP required at least 24 hours in advance by emailing to workdays@olmstedsociety. org or calling 708-447-0226. Wear a face covering and bring work gloves and a water bottle. All other supplies and snacks provided. Look for the public works dump truck.

Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., presents its annual RAC Members Show in the Freeark Gallery and “From Here to There: Young Adult and Teen Volunteers”in the FlexSpace Gallery through July 31. Admission is free. RAC is open Thursday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Walk-ins welcome.

The Riverside Farmers Market continues every ■

Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library invites families to explore the world of Jurassic Park while making new friends and playing with imagination and storytelling during “Step into the Pages of Jurassic Park” on Thursday, July 29 at 1 p.m. at Ehlert Park, 4338 Congress Park Ave., in Brookfield.

Kids’ movie in person at Brookfield Library

And more ■

Jurassic Park meets Ehlert Park

Wednesday from 2:30 to 7 p.m. at Centennial Park, 10 Pine Ave., in downtown Riverside. Social distancing encouraged. Face coverings are required for those who are not vaccinated and no pets are allowed.

The Brookfield Farmers Market continues every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. for locally sourced fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked goods and artisan ware. Live music and a picnic area. Social distancing is encouraged and face coverings are required for non-vaccinated guests.

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites adults can get a Wits Workout Grab and Go Bag with new puzzles to keep your mind sharp every week of the summer. There’s also the Practicing Henna via Zoom on July 29 at 6:30 p.m. (advanced registration required/supplies provided) and Stretching and Meditation via conference call ■

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Riverside Library Friend Shop book drive

Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, is back open to the public and is ready to reopen its Friend Shop of second-hand books, but they need your help to do so.

In order to restock the book sale shelves, the library needs your donations, which they hope to jumpstart during a special Friend Shop Book Drive on Saturday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

They will accept books, music and audio book CDs and DVD/BluRay movies that are in good condition (no damaged, moldy, musty items accepted). Textbooks, encyclopedias, newspapers, magazine, VHS tapes or computer software will not be accepted.

All proceeds from book sales support Riverside Public Library programs, events and special projects.

(800-747-5150, code 1453322) on Aug. 1 at 6:30 p.m.

For kids, there’s ABCs & 123s in the Parks (location will be emailed no later than Sunday) on Aug. 1 at 10:30 a.m.; Story Safari in the Great Outdoors in the library’s outdoor space or via Zoom on Aug. 2 at 10:30 a.m.

Visit northriversidelibrary.org/events-new for more info.

Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., 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.

For adults, there’s Chair Yoga via Zoom on July 29 at 11 a.m. and an in-person program, Senior Medicare Patrol Basics, on Aug. 4 at 11 a.m.

Call 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or visit brookfield.

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evanced.info/signup to register for programs.

Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, invites kids to Friday Outdoor Storytime on July 30 at 10 a.m. Kids in grades 6-12 can play Jackbox games on Zoom on July 29 at 2 p.m.

Adults can join the folks from Riverside Community Garden for “Canning 202: Pickles, Sauces and Other Water-Bath Favorites” via Zoom on July 29 at 7 p.m.

Visit riversidelibrary.libcal.com/calendar more info.

Riverside Chess Club, open to anyone age 5 through adult, meets in person each Wednesday through Aug. 25 at 6:45 p.m. in the Community Room of the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road.

Players of all levels welcome. Children under 7 require caregiver over 13. Registration required. Visit riversidelibrary.libcal.com/calendar.

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The Landmark, July 28, 2021

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The Landmark, July 28, 2021

Brookfield tries new approach for marketing village New website will help visitors plan entire day around businesses, attractions

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The village of Brookfield will move forward with a new strategy for marketing the village as a destination, one that will focus more generally on what the village has to offer after launching an unsuccessful rebate program last year.

On July 18, Brookfield Chamber of Commerce officials voted to partner with the village in paying the Libertyville-based marketing firm Bee-line Communications to execute a campaign that will combine a website that highlights local businesses and attractions with Facebook and Google advertising to drive traffic to the website, which will help people plan their days in town.

Bee-line will also “create publicity kits to promote the village beyond online advertising opportunities for placement in various community paper publications,” according to the firm’s proposal to the village.

While the marketing campaign will acknowledge Brookfield Zoo as a major tourist attraction that draws millions to the area, the goal is to market Brookfield independently of the zoo.

That is a much different approach than the

one the village took last year in late summer, ship.

While Bee-line Communications initially when it engaged the Chicago-based company A5 Inc. to create a rebate program known as had targeted launching the new program in late May to capture the full summer season Brookfield Bucks. at Brookfield Zoo, the timeline The campaign, also launched was delayed after a Brookfield in partnership with the BrookChamber member, Boxless Mefield Chamber of Commerce, dia, sought in June to submit a targeted zoo visitors specifically, marketing proposal. offering them a $15 rebate if In the end, the chamber they spent at least $75 at a Brookagreed to go with Bee-line Comfield business within a week of munications. their visit.

“While Boxless Media is defiBrookfield Bucks got off the nitely a strong contender for cerground in the latter part of AuSTACEY MCCLENATHAN tain tactical pieces, I think as far gust and was not a success. The Bee-line CEO as a global campaign that we’re village and chamber of comlooking at, I felt Bee-line is a betmerce split the roughly $9,500 ter choice,” Conroy told Brookcost for creating and managing field trustees at their meeting on Brookfield Bucks, which resulted in just five $15 rebates – all of them for July 12.

The village board delayed giving staff the purchases made at Tischler Finer Foods in go-ahead to begin working with Bee-line ComBrookfield.

The Bee-line Communications’ marketing munications at that time, because the Brookcampaign comes at a total cost of $22,000, with field Chamber leadership had not yet voted on $6,000 of that total being paid by the Brook- a preferred vendor. They unanimously agreed field Chamber of Commerce, said Brookfield to go with Bee-line on July 18, giving village Trustee Brian Conroy, who worked directly staff the green light to engage Bee-line Comwith chamber officials to come to an agree- munications.

Due to the delay in getting started, Bee-line’s ment on another village-chamber partner-

“We’re going to create something that’s engaging for residents and visitors.”

CEO, Stacey McClenathan, told trustees she would recommend extending the campaign through the end of 2021. Once given the goahead, McClenathan said her company could have a Brookfield marketing website up within two weeks.

“The summer is super important,” she said.

Once created, the new website will be owned by the village and can be used after the new marketing campaign comes to an end. The website will exist independently from the village’s own government site.

“In building this other digital property, which would be very easy to update, you’re actually making it easier for people to find and discover you,” McClenathan told trustees on July 12. “We’re going to create something that’s engaging for residents and visitors of Brookfield to be educated about the businesses and plan their day, and it’s something that can be built upon in future campaigns.”

Having the website, said McClenathan, would prove more useful at the end of the day than spending money solely on digital advertising or podcasts highlighting local businesses and attractions.

“You’d use them once and then they’re gone,” McClenathan said. “There’s no legacy there.”

After 16 months of pandemic restrictions, Riverside Township is proud to announce the return of FREE, in-person community programs, at the Town Hall.

27 Riverside Road, Riverside | (708) 442-4400 | www.riversidetownship.org Senior Exercise Class Mondays & Wednesdays Noon 2nd Floor Auditorium

Weekly Movie Screening Thursdays – 12:30 pm 1st Floor August 5 – The Fortune Cookie

Community Resource Center (Re-opens Aug. 9th)

Mon / Weds / Thurs: 9 am – 11 am 4 pm – 6 pm Saturday: 9 am – 1 pm (708) 853-9578 crc@riversidetownship.org Provides referrals for: Aging Services, Benefits Counseling, Intellectual & Developmental Disability Services, Mental Health Services, and Substance Abuse Services.

August 12 – Love In The Afternoon August 19 – The Producers August 26 – Rear Window

Services that never stopped: General Assistance,

Emergency Assistance, Assessor Services, Food Pantry, Nurse’s Closet, Notary Services, and Temporary Handicap Placards.

Vera A. Wilt, Supervisor Michael C. Dropka, Clerk | Frances Sitkiewicz, Assessor Trustees | Liane J. Blauw, Mary Rob Clarke, Timothy Heilenbach, Thomas A. Morrissey

The Landmark, July 28, 2021

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Shot reportedly fired at man outside mall

A North Riverside police officer on patrol at the North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, confirmed that he heard the single gunshot reportedly fired at a 31-yearold Chicago man outside the food court entrance at around 6:25 p.m. on July 21.

The bullet did not strike the intended target or anyone else, according to police, who did not recover a shell casing or report any damage to the building. However, a police officer who was in his squad car about a block away near Urban Air reported hearing a loud bang coming from the direction of the food court entrance.

Shortly thereafter he received a call on his car radio that someone had flagged down another officer at the mall to report what sounded like a gunshot. Police also talked to an employee of T-Mobile, which is adjacent to the entrance, who said a man had run inside the store, claiming someone was shooting at him.

Police interviewed the alleged victim, and he told them he was standing outside the food court entrance when someone wearing a black bandanna over his face jumped out of a silver Volkswagen, pointed a handgun in his face and tried to rip a gold chain from his neck.

The victim turned and ran toward the food court entrance, hearing one shot while he ran away. Security camera footage was inconclusive, said police.

Stolen car recovered on I-290 A resident of the 8000 block of Edgewater Avenue, North Riverside, called police on July 22 at about 11:45 a.m. to report that he went outside to move his grandson’s vehicle, which was parked in the off-street parking lot in front of his apartment building, and observed that it had been stolen during the overnight hours.

Police ran a computer check on the vehicle’s license plate number and learned that it had been found abandoned on I-290 near First Avenue by the Illinois State Police at about 5:45 a.m.

Rollover crash at First and 31st A man whose Hyundai Santa Fe rolled over after being struck by another vehicle in the intersection of First Avenue and 31st Street on July 22 at about 11:40 a.m. sustained only minor injuries, according to police.

According to the police report, the Hyundai was eastbound on 31st Street when a 2007 Honda Odyssey driven by a woman struck the Hyundai’s rear driver’s side while making a left turn, causing it to roll over onto its roof.

When police arrived on the scene the

driver of Hyundai was out of the vehicle, hitting the driver’s side window with a hammer. He told police he was trying to retrieve his cellphone, which an officer later gave to his mother.

Paramedics transported the man to Loyola University Medical Center, though he reportedly told police he wasn’t injured.

Police issued a citation to the driver of the Honda for failure to yield while turning left.

Not actually hit by car A 44-year-old Berwyn woman who reportedly claimed she was struck by a car driven by a 54-year-old Dolton woman as she crossing Harlem Avenue on July 19 actually was never touched by the vehicle, according to the driver and an independent witness.

North Riverside police responded to the 1800 block of Harlem Avenue at about 10:50 a.m. for a possible accident. When they got there, the alleged victim told police she was crossing Harlem Avenue not knowing there was no crosswalk in the middle of the block and saw a Toyota station wagon driving at her. She said she put her hands up to avoid being hit and fell down, suffering leg pain.

However, both the driver and a witness who was walking in the area and saw the incident claimed otherwise. The driver said she slammed on her brakes to avoid the pedestrian in the middle of the street and did not strike her. The witness also told police the vehicle never struck the pedestrian.

Burglary Riverside police responded to the 100 block of West Burlington Street on the afternoon of July 18 after a resident called to report that while he was on a 20-minute bike ride, someone ransacked his home and stole a jug of coins containing about $500.

The victim called police at about 2:40 p.m. after arriving home from his bike ride and finding his home to be a mess, with clothing strewn around the living room and basement floor. Nothing had been touched in any other bedrooms or bathrooms, including dresser drawers and closets.

According to police, the victim said he’d left the house unlocked while he was gone.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, July 18-25 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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Motorcyclist sustains ‘major trauma’ in Brookfield crash A 22-year-old Chicago woman was ticketed for failing to yield after she attempted to turn left onto eastbound Shields Avenue from Sunnyside Avenue into the path of a westbound motorcycle driven by a 59-year-old Riverside man. He suffered serious injuries when the 2020 KTM 450 bike collided with the driver’s side of the woman’s 2015 Chevy Trax on July 22 at about 5:30 p.m.

According to the police report, the motorcyclist was wearing an open-face helmet at the time of the crash and sustained “major trauma” to his face, head and hands. He was taken to Loyola University Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries.

Police said that drugs or alcohol did not appear to have been a factor in the crash, and the woman submitted blood and urine samples, which were turned over to Illinois State Police for analysis.

The woman reportedly told police she saw the motorcycle as she approached the Sunnyside/Shields intersection and that she mistakenly hit the gas instead of the brake, accelerating into the intersection.

The motorcycle swerved to avoid the

Chevy, but it hit the rear of her vehicle.

Paramedics from the Brookfield Fire Department, which is located just steps from the crash location, were on scene within seconds and had the motorcyclist in an ambulance by the time police arrived.

The Shields/Sunnyside intersection was closed to traffic for nearly two hours as investigators processed the scene.

The July 22 crash was the fifth since April in Brookfield involving a motorcycle. All of the crashes resulted in serious injuries, with one of them fatal.

— Bob Uphues

Read it online at www.rblandmark.com

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The Landmark, July 28, 2021

SUBMITTED

CUTE CYCLE: One of the bicycles decorated for display in the Park Your Ride event in Brookfield this August and September, displayed inside Loca Mocha.

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In all of Mary Vyskocil’s 36 years as a Brookfield resident, what the longtime resident treasures most about the village is its old-fashioned neighborly atmosphere of camaraderie and benevolence.

“I always call this town ‘Mayberry R.F.D’ — wherever you go, you meet someone,” she said. “Locals are always very hospitable, helpful — everybody always reaches out and is kind.”

Unfortunately, as the pandemic forced businesses to close their doors, neighbors to keep to themselves, schools to instruct remotely and the village to cancel events and programs, Vyskocil worried the sense of togetherness she cherished most about Brookfield would be slow to bounce back.

But ever since one of her regular trips into Loca Mocha Cafe last year, the wheels in Vyskocil’s mind have been turning to develop a unique way to celebrate Brookfield by encouraging people to step out to visit with neighbors and patronize businesses.

“I saw a guy at Loca Mocha bring a decorated bicycle inside,” she said. “There were ‘Cows on Parade’ in Chicago, and art instal-

lations in downtown La Grange, so why not something in Brookfield?”

That’s where Park Your Ride was born, a village-wide art project where decorated, one-of-a-kind bicycles — whether functional or not, old or new — will be displayed across Brookfield throughout August and September.

From spray painting bikes and adding floral baskets to throwing string lights and other funky props on them, Vyskocil, who previously served on the former Brookfield Special Events Committee and now serves on the Parks and Recreation Commission, hopes the program will be a new way of fostering fun and art in town.

“This is a good way to bring the whole village together,” she said. “Everyone can get involved — businesses, kids. I think it’s a way to promote a lot of creativity, very inexpensively.”

To get the program up and running, Vyskocil first checked with Brookfield’s Beautification Commission and its nonprofit foundation, Beautify Brookfield, whether the initiative would be something they wished to spearhead.

“They have done so much with this village with planters and making the village so beautiful, but they had so much on their plate,” she explained. “They were excited about it but were more than happy to say, ‘Hey, if you are more than happy to undertake this, that would be wonderful.’”

See PARK YOUR RIDE on page 19

The Landmark, July 28, 2021

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Couple reportedly held against will, robbed in North Riverside Investigation stymied after victims refuse to cooperate, police say

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Police say that the investigation into an apparent robbery/kidnapping/home invasion in North Riverside during the early morning hours of July 21 has run into a wall after the two principal victims refused to cooperate.

Security camera footage in the vicinity of the incident, which played out at an apartment building in the 2400 block of Desplaines Avenue -- a short distance from the police station – reportedly confirmed what the victims told police.

At about 3:15 a.m., a 34-year-old woman ran screaming into the lobby of the North Riverside Police Department, stating she and a man had just been held against their will at gunpoint by four men, two of whom took their keys and ransacked their apart-

ment for about an hour – while the woman’s two children were inside.

Police observed that the woman had a zip tie around one wrist. The woman told police that she and the man had left the apartment around midnight and had driven around the West Side of Chicago for about a half hour before returning home.

They arrived home at about 1 a.m. and parked their vehicle in front of their building. When the man exited the driver’s side of vehicle, four men ran toward them. One reportedly pointed a gun in the woman’s face, punched her and ordered her into the rear of the vehicle.

Someone also pistol-whipped the male victim, leaving a gash in his forehead. Both were held inside the vehicle by two men, who repeatedly demanded to know “where the money was.” The men also took the couple’s cellphones and keys.

The two repeatedly denied they had any large sum of money and that the assailants must have mistaken them for someone else.

The two other men took the apartment keys and spent an hour searching it for cash, without success.

One of the children, a teenager, inside the apartment told police he was playing videogames when two men entered the apartment. One pointed a gun at him and “told him to be quiet and be cool and they wouldn’t hurt him,” according to the police report.

They reportedly asked him where the money was three times, at one point putting him on the phone with his mother to ask her. The two reportedly left the apartment through the rear door and the two in the vehicle suddenly exited and ran between two buildings, at which point the female victim ran to the police station.

Vehicle hijacked at gunpoint at NR Mall Two masked men jumped out of another vehicle in east lot, demanded keys

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Two men wearing balaclava-type masks hijacked a vehicle at gunpoint from a 54-year-old Romeoville woman in the east parking lot of North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, on July 24 at about 5:40 p.m., according to North Riverside police.

The victim told police she arrived at the mall alone at about 4 p.m., parking her purple 2018 Kia Optima in the east lot, in front of the parking deck. After shopping for a while she decided to leave but waiting first until a heavy rain storm blew through the

area.

Once the rain subsided the woman walked out to her car. At that time the victim said a gray midsize vehicle quickly pulled up and two masked men jumped out of the backseat and demanded her car keys. The gray vehicle sped away and one of the men pulled out a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the victim, who handed over her keys.

The Kia was last seen heading eastbound on 25th Street. The woman was not physically injured, but she was emotionally distraught, said police, who called paramedics to assess her condition.

It’s the second carjacking incident in the

area in the past couple of months. On June 9, two men hijacked a car in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven gas station at 26th Street and Harlem Avenue in Riverside, just a short distance from the mall.

Those offenders had also gotten out of another vehicle that had brought them to the scene. Both vehicles fled southbound on Harlem Avenue, pursued by police. The vehicle hijacked in Riverside eluded police but the other vehicle crashed after a high-speed chase on I-55 near Channahon.

Police took two men into custody and charged them with felonies. The other two remain at large.

Lyons Township Schools Treasurer board fills vacancy The trustees of the Lyons Township Treasurer of Schools Office, commonly known as the Lyons TTO, did not have to look far to find a replacement for board member Nickolas Kantas resigned from the board recently.

At a special meeting on July 15 the two remaining members of the board, Shakana Kirksey-Miller and board President Michael Thiessen chose former board member Michael Dickman to fill the vacancy.

Dickman, who works as a supervising administrative law judge for the state of Illinois, will serve at least until 2023. Dickman had just left the TTO board in May after serving a full six-year term. Dickman

did not run for reelection in April.

Thiessen did not return a telephone call asking for comment about the choice of Dickman to replace Kantas on the board.

The TTO invests money and handles certain business services, such as printing checks, for school districts in Lyons Township.

Lyons Township High School, which is by far the biggest school district in Lyons Township, recently left the TTO after a ruling in a long-running lawsuit that the TTO had filed against LTHS. The ruling awarded the TTO $764,789.33 in payments LTHS had deferred due to the ongoing lawsuit, but the judge rejected the

TTO’s main claims that LTHS owed it millions in underpaid fees from 2000 through 2012.

The ruling also allowed LTHS to remove itself from the auspices of the TTO, something other school districts in Lyons Township might be interested in pursuing now that a precedent has been set.

Asked whether LaGrange-Brookfield School District 102, which serves the southwest quarter of Brookfield, might consider breaking with the TTO, Superintendent Kyle Schumacher hinted at such a possibility, telling the Landmark, “We want the option to make our own decision.”

— Bob Skolnik

Paramedics advised the male victim to get stitches for his head wound, but the man reportedly refused medical care and said he would take care it. The victims reportedly refused investigators access to either the vehicle or apartment and both signed refusalto-prosecute forms.

Security camera footage from a nearby building reportedly showed four men, one of the brandishing what appeared to be a handgun, rush the vehicle at 1:08 a.m.

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The Landmark, July 28, 2021

D96 weighing mask mandate for kids this fall As virus variant spreads, school board poised to vote on Aug. 4

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

In the face of rising COVID-19 infection rates and despite the impassioned pleas of one parent, the Riverside Elementary District 96 Board of Education is poised to authorize a mandatory mask policy for all students when the 2021-22 school year starts next month.

The board will take a vote on the issue during a special meeting on Aug. 4, but all five board members in attendance at the board’s July 21 meeting indicated they favored mandating masks to start the school year.

“Everybody should be required to mask regardless of vaccination status,” said board member Stephanie Basanez Gunn.

Board members David Barsotti and Shari Klyber agreed, pointing to the recent recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics that all schoolchildren should wear masks while they are inside a school building, regardless of vaccination status.

In a nearly 12-minute long public comment at the beginning of the meeting and in a five minute public comment at the

end, Abby Olech, the mother of two Central School students, implored the board to make mask wearing voluntary.

“I believe masks should be optional,” Olech said. “I do believe it should be the right for the parent to decide if we should restrict the oxygen to their children.”

Olech argued, without evidence, that wearing masks does not prevent the transmission of viruses and that wearing masks for long periods of time could be dangerous to children and affects their mental health.

“Where are the long-term studies that you can show me that masks are safe,” Olech said.

Olech said people should not be scared of the COVID-19 virus, saying that nearly all children who contract COVID do not die from the virus.

“We need to look at viruses as a good thing and not as a bad thing,” Olech said.

“This is not very deadly to children. We can all get sick; it’s OK to be sick.”

The federal Center for Disease Control says most children who are infected with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or no symp-

toms at all, but some children can get severely ill and in rare cases can die.

Olech said her children will claim a medical exemption from mask-wearing and argued that the district must accept any medical exemption claim.

“If I say medical exemption, I should not have to prove it,” Olech said. “It should not be reviewed why, if I have a doctor’s note or not. I am their mom; I know them best.”

Olech seemed to threaten to sue the district if her children are not allowed to attend school maskless.

“I’m getting a lawyer,” Olech said.

It is not yet clear if teachers will be required to wear masks, but it appears that vaccinated children will have to wear masks. At this time, only children 12 and above are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

District 96 will return to a normal schedule for the upcoming school year. Kids will be able to take masks off indoors to eat lunch but will be seated so that they are not directly facing each other.

All classrooms and other indoor spaces will be outfitted with high-efficiency par-

ticulate air (HEPA) filters. The district is likely to offer a voluntary saliva screening test for students and staff.

Other local elementary school districts are also weighing whether to require masks. LaGrange-Brookfield District 102, which includes southwest Brookfield, will discuss the issue at a school board meeting July 22.

Brookfield-LaGrange Park District 95 will discuss the issue at a special meeting on July 29. Lyons-Brookfield District 103, which serves southeast Brookfield, and Komarek School District 94, which serves North Riverside west of First Avenue, have yet to make decisions.

District 103 superintendent Kristopher Rivera said that administrators are meeting with union groups and surveying parents before making a decision about masks.

Districts across the Chicago area are also making this decision. Some, such as Elgin U46, the second largest school district in the state, are requiring masks while others, such as Arlington Heights District 25, are making masks voluntary.

In D102 it’s wait and see on masks in schools Officials will review new guidance from Cook County Health Department

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Masks were the hot topic at the LaGrangeBrookfield District 102 school board meeting on July 22 where elected officials, like others around the state, are considering whether to require kids to wear facemasks inside the buildings when the new school year begins next month.

Thirteen people addressed the issue during the public comment portion of the meeting with 10 favoring a mask requirement, at least for kids who are not vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

District 102 serves the southwest quarter of Brookfield, where its Congress Park Elementary School is located.

Dr. Jamie Belmares, an infectious disease specialist and the father of two school age children, said masks are necessary, at least for unvaccinated children, to keep the virus from spreading.

“We have to keep masking,” Belmares said, while acknowledging that masks are irritating and uncomfortable.

Dr. Michael Sigman, a palliative care specialist at the Rush University Medical Group, agreed.

“A couple hundred kids have died in the

U.S. from COVID-19. I haven’t seen any die of masking,” Sigman said. “We have to wear this at work all day; it sucks, it’s a nuisance and I can’t wait to get rid of it.”

Katie Kierna said students should be not be required be wear masks. Kierna referred to a recent article in the pediatrics journal of JAMA, the journal of American Medical Association, which stated masks may harm children by exposing them to higher than normal levels of carbon dioxide.

She said the study, which has been retracted since its publication, also showed that 68 percent of students wearing masks have experienced adverse side effects such as sadness, increased reluctance to attend school, headaches and difficulty concentrating.

“I also don’t need a study to tell me this because I’m a mother. I see it myself with my own children,” Kierna said. “Also, I feel like that we have not talked about the mental and emotional load on our children, which has become more of a pandemic than actually COVID has for them.”

When Belmares pointed out that the study had been retracted, Kierna said the decision to retract the article was political, a contention that Belmares disagreed with.

“It was considered to be bad science, I

looked it up,” Belmares said.

Other parents implored the district to keep their children safe by requiring masks.

“I need the school to protect Roxy,” said Pam Podolner, referring to her 10-year-old daughter. “Until she is eligible to get a vaccine, and she will be getting one, I need the school to make sure that everyone in that room is wearing a mask to protect these kids.”

Two parents said that students at Park Junior High School who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 should not have to wear masks, citing the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation that vaccinated people generally do not need to wear masks.

Currently only those aged 12 or above are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine.

“I think it’s terribly disruptive and traumatic [wearing a mask],” said Carrie Jenke, the mother of a rising Park eighth-grader who has received the COVID vaccine.

On July 23, the Cook County Department of Public Health issued updated guidance for suburban schools stating its “strong recommendation” that masks should be worn in school by all unvaccinated individuals age 2 years or older.

The Cook County Department of Public

Health further encouraged schools to follow the guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommends that all school children older than 2 wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.

Schools are not required to follow the recommendations from the Cook County Department of Public Health.

“These are not mandatory,” said Tom McFeeley, the manager of communications for the Cook County Department of Public Health. “It is our strong encouragement for schools to follow these guidelines. They are not enforceable, but masking people who are unvaccinated is the only way to get out of this pandemic. That’s what we firmly believe.”

District 102 made no decision at their meeting July 22 about what its mask policy will be. Superintendent Kyle Schumacher said he wanted to wait to see if more guidance would be coming.

“That is something that I do believe that we need to wait on and see what else is going to happen,” Schumacher said at Thursday’s board meeting.

Schumacher said on Friday that the district would review the new guidance from Cook County Department of Public Health.

The Landmark, July 28, 2021

Brookfield trustees approve Burlington Ave. apartments Developer plans to break ground later in 2021

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The developer who has proposed a new 14unit apartment building at 8845 Burlington Ave., across the street from the downtown Brookfield Metra station, was given the green light on July 26 to move forward after village trustees voted 5-0 to award a zoning variance for the project.

Developer Jason Huang told the Landmark that once he obtains building permits, the building should be complete and ready for occupancy within seven to eight months.

First the existing four-unit building and garage that presently occupy the property at the southeast corner of Burlington and Forest avenues must be demolished. Huang must also get a permit for that.

But, he said, work on the new development ought to begin sometime later this year.

“We’ll be moving ground before winter comes,” Huang said.

The winter also won’t affect the pace of construction of the new building, because it will be built offsite in modules, which can simply be brought to Brookfield for assembly.

The new building will have one- and twobedroom rental units, which will be marketed to young professionals who are looking for an easy commute to downtown Chicago via Metra and within walking distance of restaurants, bars and other amenities.

The development needed one zoning variance, for building type, because the zoning district where the property sits doesn’t allow general apartment buildings by right.

The zoning district calls for townhomes, but the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval after the developer’s architect tweaked the design to give the façade more of townhome aspect, with several ground-floor units having their own private entrances.

The development proposal had come under fire by both neighbors and some village trustees over what they believe is inadequate onsite parking. The development will provide 13 parking spaces for the 14-unit building.

The code calls for a building of that size to have 17.5 vehicle parking spaces, but the developer was able to reduce that number by providing 27 long-term onsite bicycle parking spaces.

Initially, the developer included 11 vehicle parking spaces and 39 bicycle spaces, but he had the plan revised after neighbor outcry.

Brookfield trustees subsequently asked the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission to consider revising the code providing developments in the station areas bike park-

PROVIDED

COMING SOON: The 14-unit building at 8845 Burlington Ave. will be built offsite in modules and assembled in Brookfield, a much faster way than conventional construction. ing credits.

However, the developer was using an existing provision in the village’s code and as such did not need a zoning variance for parking.

Brookfield trustees Brian Conroy and Edward Cote both questioned the lack of at least a 1-to-1 unit/parking space ratio, but in the end the development sailed through unopposed. Cote did not cast a vote on July 26; he was out of town attending to a death in his family.

Conroy said that while he remained convinced the development needed at least 14 parking spaces plus one handicapped parking space to meet its residents’ needs, he was not going to impede construction over it.

“I believe we have to act in what is the greater good of the community,” Conroy said before casting his vote in favor on July 26. “And while I see that parking’s a potential issue when I look at what’s at the property now versus what they are proposing ... I wouldn’t want to block this for two parking spots.”

The property was purchased in March for $432,500 by Kang Xin LLC Series 5, whose manager is listed by the Illinois Secretary of State as Ting Heng Huang of Indianapolis. Jason Huang has said the Brookfield building will remain held by the family, which will manage the rental property.

Huang has also said he is hoping to build other transit-oriented developments in the village station areas, though he declined to say exactly where at this time. But, he affirmed that the village’s zoning modernization effort and wish to attract higher-density development near its train stations drew him to Brookfield.

“It’s pretty much 100-percent [the reason],” Huang said. “Before it was pretty difficult to do anything. Now we’re focusing on the train line.”

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The Landmark, July 28, 2021

LIBRARY

‘Took some chances’ from page 1 The new library is in stunning contrast to the look and feel of the old library, which was built in 1985, across the street. While the old library was somewhat dark and cramped the new library, which is just over 21,000 square feet, is bright, open, airy and strikingly modern in both design and function.

“They took some chances and it paid off,” said lead architect Dan Pohrte of Product Architecture and Design.

The 10-foot tall west-facing glass windows on both the first and second floors are perhaps the key to the design. Natural light pours in through the insulated panes, which afford striking views of Grand Boulevard.

The windows amplify the open feel of the library, while bright, efficient LED lighting throughout adds to the crisp, modern look.

That feel is perhaps most evident in the visually striking children’s section which occupies, along with the checkout area, the first floor. The children’s section, along with the rest of the library has a bright blue, green, and gray color scheme.

In the old library across the street, which will soon be demolished to become a parking lot, the children’s section was right next to the adult section. In the new library the children have their own floor.

“I think it will be good to have kids be able to spread out and not be as top of each other,” said Christal Beyer, the library’s manager of youth services. “There’s more space for kids to come do their homework or meet their friends or come to a library program.

There’s a lot more room for them to just come and be kids. … They can come in and not have to worry so much about disturbing the adults on their computers.”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

BOLD LOOK: Walls of glass on both floors of the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library are perhaps the key to the new building’s design, flooding spaces with natural light.

The adult section on the second floor features cushioned bench seating with spaced out individual tables. It also has some larger tables and has a quiet study room in a corner and five other study rooms, including a four-person study room named after, in a whimsical touch by an anonymous donor, James and Lilly Potter, the fictional parents of Harry Potter.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

WELCOME: Library Director Kimberly Coughran (center) mingles with guests on July 23, during the Sneak Peek event for VIPs and donors.

The second floor also features a maker studio with a laser cutter, 3D printer and a multitude of other devices that one can use to make almost anything.

“The possibilities are endless,” said Jessica Krieter, the digital innovation librarian at the library.

“The only limit is your imagination.”

The library has two new selfservice check out stations and a fancy new sorting system that can sort returned books into the proper section bins by reading a bar code, saving a lot of time that used to spent sorting returned books.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer The basement features a divisible meeting room with a 115 per- YOUR NAME HERE: Fundraising remains active, and son capacity meeting room, compatrons can buy an engraved paver for the library’s plete with a large screen monitor and another projection screen front plaza. that comes out of the ceiling.

“It’s magnificent, long time coming,” KisAt the reception for donors on July 23, Brookfield Village President Mike sane said. “Took us 15 years, it took patience.

Garvey praised Francis, saying the new We worked hard and are very proud.”

The route to a new library was a circulibrary would be transformative for Brookitous one. It began in 2007 when the library field.

“I think it’s very important that her name board tried to buy several homes across is on this building and the legacy that she from Kiwanis Park at Arden and Washingwill leave in this village and the surround- ton avenues.

That plan fell through when one of the ing communities for what she’s done for homeowners refused to sell, leaving the lius,” Garvey said. “It’s tremendous.”

Longtime trustees Carol Kissane and Di- brary struck with one home on Arden that anne Duner were thrilled about the new li- it had already purchased. The real estate market crash of 2008 left the library stuck brary.

The Landmark, July 28, 2021 with the house, which it rented out before finally selling it for a nearly $100,000 loss in 2013.

In 2012, the library pivoted and bought the United Methodist Church at 3541 Park Ave., across the street from its longtime home at 3609 Grand Blvd. The library board had hoped to fund construction of a new building by asking voters in 2016 to approve a referendum to sell $10.3 million in bonds.

Voters rejected the referendum, but Brookfield Library Director Kimberly Coughran never gave up. After rejecting the idea of second referendum, Coughran and the library board decided to try and raise the money necessary to build a new library through a combination amassing cash reserves through their annual tax levy and through donations.

The library board amassed roughly $6 million in reserves. But that wasn’t enough. In July 2018 Coughran and fundraising consultant Michael Bruni paid a visit to Francis at her financial planning business at Eight Corners to ask for a sizable donation.

They had decided on a time-honored fundraising tactic of offering naming rights of various aspects of the library in exchange for donations of various amounts.

Francis and Coughran were also members of Brookfield Rotary Club.

“They just happened to come on a good day,” Francis recalled on Friday evening.

Francis, who has run Brookfield Financial Plan, in Brookfield for nearly 40 years,

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

A LOOK INSIDE: People attending the library’s Sneak Peak on July 23 have a look around the New Books display. agreed to donate $1 million dollars and the library board decided to name the building after her. Francis pointed to her grandchildren as one reason that she decided to donate the money.

“My grandkids are home schooled.

They’re here all the time. They live a block down the street,” Francis said.

The $1 million donation from Sokol Francis proved to key and more than 100

We’re hiring!

Digital publishing and technology manager We are seeking a leader in digital and technology innovation and execution for our independent nonprofit community newsroom.

There are many aspects to this role and so we are looking for a special individual who sees the interconnectivity and finds the possibilities invigorating (and, yes, sometimes a little overmuch).

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other individuals have donated to a capital campaign which raised approximately $1.5 million. The library’s final step was taking out a 15-year $3.6 million loan from the First National Bank of Brookfield.

“The library board, not just this board but previous boards, saved for a lot of years to make this happen,” said library board member Jennifer Perry. “It was something they decided in early 2000s. Linda Sokol

15

Francis pushed us over the edge. Linda is very modest about it, but really she made this possible.”

Jo Ann Day, the president of the Foundation for the Brookfield Public Library, said it was remarkable that the town could come together to raise the money to build a new library after the referendum’s defeat.

“I don’t know how many communities could ever have done what this community did,” Day said.

Once she donated $1 dollars, Francis didn’t get involved in the planning of the new library.

“I wrote the check and didn’t say another word,” she said.

On July 23, making brief remarks to the assembled donors and guests, Francis got to see what her generosity helped build.

“I just can’t believe it’s so beautiful,” Sokol Francis said. “It really, really is.”

The library is having a soft opening this week and will host a Grand Opening bash Saturday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. which will feature scavenger hunts, maker studio demonstrations, a fairy time story hour, virtual reality trips and crafts.

“We are thrilled with this much needed new building’s capacity and all it will offer to Brookfield residents for many years to come,” Coughran said in a text message Monday. “If community response from the sneak peek nights can be used as measure, Brookfielders of all ages will be very excited to use the new facility.”

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Familiarity with Google Ad Manager and WordPress are a plus. If you appreciate local community journalism and want to play a part in ensuring the Austin Weekly News, Wednesday Journal, Forest Park Review and RB Landmark remain vibrant sources of hyperlocal news, send your resume to email@ growingcommunitymedia.org.

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You will be reporting on village government, local public elementary and high schools, business and community life.

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The Landmark, July 28, 2021

Komarek, Riverside teachers zero in on new deals

Teachers at Komarek School in North Riverside will get a 1.75 percent pay raise this year while their union and district officials prepare to negotiate a new long-term deal.

The contract between the teachers union and Komarek expired at the end of the 2020-21 school year, but instead of trying to negotiate a new contract in the midst of a pandemic the school board and the union agreed to extend the contract for one more year, along with a 1.25 percent raise.

The starting salary at Komarek School for a teacher with a B.A. and no previous experience is $42,472.

Riverside Elementary School District 96 took a different approach. The school board, administration and teachers union recently concluded negotiations on a new contract after negotiating for about three months over Zoom.

Teachers will not vote on the new contract until school resumes in August.

“We are pleased that this process wrapped prior to the start of the school year,” said Jeff Wyrda, a fourth-grade teacher at Ames School and the copresident of the Riverside Education Council, the District 96 teachers union. “Historically, this hasn’t been the case. We believe this result is a testament to the dedication and willingness of both teams to listen, collaborate and problem-solve to attain a fair and complete package.”

Brad Meyer, an instrumental music teacher at L.J. Hauser Junior High School is the other new copresident of the REC this year. They take over from Jen Ohlman and Katie Kayastha, who were the copresidents last year.

Riverside District 96 Superintendent Martha Ryan-Toye declined to discuss the details of the new contract until teachers vote on the new contract. School board President Dan Hunt and Wesley Muirheid were the board members on the negotiating committee.

Ryan-Toye receives raise At its July 21 meeting, the District 96 school board also voted 5-0 to give Ryan-Toye a 3-percent raise, in line with raises given to other district administrators. The raise brings Ryan-Toye’s annual salary to $205,432.

The school board also voted 5-0 to approve a new contract with the Teamsters Union which represents the district’s custodians. The new four-year deal will give the current custodians 3-percent raises for each of the next four years.

Any new custodians that are hired will start off earning $16.37 an hour and will receive 2-percent annual raises.

— Bob Skolnik

Despite delays, Brookfield bridge work said to be ‘on track’

Brookfield Village Manager Timothy Wiberg told trustees at their meeting on July 26 that despite a pair of setbacks that have delayed construction of the Brookfield Avenue bridge over Salt Creek for about five weeks, he’s been told the project is still on pace to be completed in 2021.

The latest delay, which lasted two weeks before work crews returned to the site on July 26, involved a dispute between Lorig Construction, the contractor hired by the Illinois Department of Transportation for the largely grant-funded job, and ComEd. Several weeks ago, the job site was shut down for three weeks as ComEd relocated a utility pole west of the bridge along the north parkway. After the pole was relocated Lorig said it was still too close to the job site and that the high-power lines would endanger workers who must demolish the concrete abutments of the old bridge to make way for the new structure.

At a meeting involving IDOT, Lorig and ComEd on July 23, said Wiberg, they agreed on a plan to de-energize the power lines to allow the demolition work on the west side of the creek to take place. It’ll take about two weeks for ComEd to accomplish that, during which time Lorig can complete demolition of the abutment on the east side of the creek.

“This bridge is still on track to be completed before winter,” Wiberg said. “We’ve made it very clear to the contractor and IDOT that we do not want that bridge closed for the duration of the winter.”

— Bob Uphues

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TONY TABLET: North Riverside Public Library Director Natalie Starosta demonstrates the various ways the Cisco Webex Board, donated to the library by her husband’s company, can be used to present programs, conduct meetings and more during an interview July 26.

High-tech device donated to North Riverside Library 85-inch Cisco Webex board with 4K video retails for more than $50,000

By BOB UPHUES Editor

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., is the proud owner of a very fancy piece of technology – a Cisco Webex Board 85S, an 85-inch interactive touchscreen device – that features ultra-high definition 4K resolution and can be used to screen movies, conduct meetings, allow people to attend in-person programs virtually and more.

Such a device would normally be considered a luxury for a small library district like North Riverside’s. The devices retail for $50,000 or more, but North Riverside Public Library got its Webex board gratis, a donation from a company called World Wide Technology, a Rosemont-based software company that was getting rid of equipment now that many employees work remotely.

That company acquired the device directly from Cisco, which had offices in the same building but closed them down when the pandemic swept through last year. How did the North Riverside Public Library get on World Wide technology’s radar, you might ask?

Conveniently, the company employs the

husband of North Riverside Library Director Natalie Starosta, James Starosta.

The company also donated a 55-inch TV, which will be used elsewhere in the library to advertise upcoming programs. The Cisco Webex board – Webex is a videoconferencing technology similar to Zoom – is located in the library’s public meeting room.

Although it’s giant-sized, the board functions in some ways like an ordinary tablet and can be used, for example, to visit the library’s website and register for programs at a touch.

“What’s fun about this and what’s going to be extremely functional for us … is to do virtual programming at the same time as we’re doing in-person,” Starosta said. “So we can have hybrid programs without any additional equipment.”

The device has 12 microphones, so it can record sound “amazingly well,” said Starosta.

“And when somebody is speaking it will zoom in on that person, so when we have a presenter or somebody who is showing things or doing demos, it will zoom in on that person,” she added.

See DONATION on page 23

17

18

The Landmark, July 28, 2021

Opinion KOSEY CORNER

THE LANDMARK VIEW

No referendum, no problem

W

ith the opening of the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library this week – do yourself a favor and swing by either sometime this week or during the grand opening they’re planning for July 31 – we kept returning to

one thought.

Thank heavens that referendum didn’t pass in 2016.

In the immediate aftermath of the referendum defeat, library officials were distraught. They’d spent months trying to engage with residents at workshops, open houses and personally to convince them to pass a $10.3 million referendum that would result in a new library at 3541 Park Ave. Even before the referendum push, four years earlier, the library board had gone through an absolute slog trying to get the design approved – a very large, not particularly striking 38,000-square-foot edifice with vaguely Prairie-style massing and elements that would have faced Lincoln Avenue.

Apart from a much larger meeting room, which is also a feature of the library just built, we can’t think of another interior design detail from that 2012 design that stood out. The exterior was conventional, a brick pile with small windows and a bulky stair tower whose singular design element was a vertical ribbon of opaque glass block.

The design was eventually approved by the village board, but no one appeared particularly enthusiastic about it, though library officials certainly were relieved the approval ordeal was over.

When the referendum failed four year later, it at first seemed like all of that work had gone for naught. In fact, those years were a valuable learning experience. Without a referendum to sell, library officials could concentrate on creating a facility to serve the contemporary idea of what a library is.

Where the first design looked a lot like a dull, institutional building that held books, the design of the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library is exuberant, inviting. Libraries have changed a lot since 2012, and the kind of programming and technological offerings they now routinely provide were just beginning to reveal themselves a decade ago.

Much like the old library built in the 1980s on a shoestring because library officials believed voters wouldn’t fund a more expensive facility, the 2012 design would have seemed outdated by now.

The spaces in the new building are flexible and architects had in mind possible future expansion when they set out to design what was built. The building’s very contemporary design may be a bit much for those who prefer more traditional architecture.

But, this design is far preferable to the more traditional scheme of 2012 and sets a precedent for future institutional buildings in Brookfield to break free from the Colonial shackles of past.

This is a welcome new addition to Brookfield and congratulations to the library board on their perseverance and openness to a design that, as architect Dan Pohrte said, “Took chances.”

Enjoy your new library, Brookfield.

T

Libraries offer more than just books these days

he evolution of the local library has been something to behold.

Time was libraries were buildings which contained books and not much else. You went in, quietly, and chose from fiction, nonfiction, biography and reference. Those reference books, encyclopedias and such, were not to be taken out.

In those days you learned the Dewey Decimal System and how to use the card catalog, which contained index cards for every book in the library and where to find it. So if you knew the alphabet and your numbers you were good to go.

Once you had your book, you went to the desk where the librarian would stamp a card which was placed in an envelope inside the front of the book, which told you when to return it. Understand, that all of this was done quietly, because libraries were places of silence

As time progressed, libraries formed partnerships such as the Suburban Library System, which made it possible to get materials from other libraries.

Nowadays, the buildings might still be called libraries, but they are havens of enjoyment for those curious about any number of subjects and pursuits.

You can still get your fill of the written word, but libraries offer educational programs, maker spaces, production studios and more to broaden the spectrum of learning and enjoyment.

In places where once people were told to whisper, they can now hear lectures and videos and pictures of faraway places.

Oh, yes, you can still take out a book at the library and I encourage you to do so. Take a field trip to our local libraries and take advantage of the many offerings which they have for all ages.

JOANNE KOSEY

LETTERS

Smithing should be appointed to RBHS board

Trustees right to question parking access

With the recent announcement that Tom Jacobs is stepping down from the Riverside-Brookfield High School Board of Education (“District 208 school board member resigns post,” News, July 21), I wanted to express my support that Wes Smithing be named his replacement. In the most recent election completed in April, Wes was the fourth candidate running. I would question the commitment of someone else stepping forward to serve on the board of education if they weren’t interested just a few months ago.

Looking forward of what is best for RB, the students, teachers and community, I feel Wes is a natural selection. Two of board members elected in April are in the same statewide union that the board of education will have to negotiate a new contract with during this term. It is important to have someone on the board who is not in education and also not a member of the same union.

Wes would be the one of two members of the board member with a child enrolled at RB. Halfway through his first term as a board member, the other board members appointed him board president. That shows their level of respect for him.

As a new resident of Brookfield, a millennial, somebody who works in the Loop, an avid cyclist, and somebody who says, “Yes, I need a car to live here,” I’d like to thank Trustees Brian Conroy and Ed Cote for vocalizing their opposition to the embarrassing idea that an abundance of bike parking would be enough for the future residents of Brookfield’s newest proposed residential development.

I agree that we should develop certain corners of our beautiful village but, after years in Chicago, I moved to Brookfield because I wanted more living space and accessible parking. I may be looking at this through the lens of a “single-family home owner,” but if I was cool with living somewhere without parking, I would’ve just stayed in Lakeview.

Brookfield

Brookfield

Matthew Joseph

Sam Vittori

The Landmark, July 28, 2021

19

OBITUARIES

Phillip Hammerschmitt, 84 IBM software engineer Phillip Hammerschmitt, 84, of Brookfield, died July 22, 2021.

Mr. Hammerschmitt was a computer engineer until his retirement.

Most of those years he was employed

by IBM. In June of this year, Phillip and his wife, Carolyn, celebrated 59 years of marriage.

He will always be remembered for his great stories and for the weekly “papa cards” that he sent to all of PHILLIP the grandchildren and great-grandHAMMERSCHMITT children.

Mr. Hammerschmitt was the husband of Carolyn Hammerschmitt (nee Crothers); the father of Beth (Tom) Kraus, Timothy (Rizalina) Hammerschmitt, Douglas (Emmanuelle) Hammerschmitt and Amy (John) Stinson; “Papa” of Ian (fiancée Erin), Sean, Haley, Morgan, Sydney, Andrew, Noah, Nathan and Brianna; great-grandpa of Degan and Delaney; the brother of Bruce (Linda), the late Patricia and Marilyn; the uncle of many nieces and nephews; and “master hugger” of many.

A funeral Mass was celebrated July 26 at St. Louise de Marillac Church in LaGrange Park. Interment was at Queen of Heaven, Hillside.

Memorials donations are appreciated to your favorite charity.

Express condolences online at HitzemanFuneral.com.

Sympathy cards can be mailed to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Phillip Hammerschmitt family.

Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Rev. Donald J. Headley, 89 Former Mater Christi associate pastor Rev. Donald J. Headley, pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Chicago and former associate pastor at Mater Christi Church in North Riverside, died July 16, 2021. He served as a priest for the archdiocese for 63 years and was 89 years old.

Father Headley was born on July 11, 1932, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

He was ordained to the priesthood on April 13, 1958 by Cardinal Samuel Stritch and celebrated his first solemn Mass on the day of his ordination at St. Basil Parish in Chicago.

LETTERS

New RBHS board member should align with community priorities The unexpected vacancy on the Riverside-Brookfield High School Board of Education provides our community with an opportunity to thank Tom Jacobs for his service and to support current board members in the important work of appointing a new member to serve through spring 2023.

The board must appoint a new member within 60 days of July 1, the date Tom Jacobs moved out of the district.

A full board is necessary for the hard work of a successful post-pandemic return to school and the allocation of COVID funds.

As a local organization, Indivisible West Suburban Action League offers the community ways to learn about candidates, communicate with elected officials, and hold our elected officials accountable to the voters. For example, in March IWSAL hosted a forum in which each of the four RBHS board candidates had the opportunity to answer the same questions from the community. The voters elected Lorena Gasca, Rebecca Towner and Ryan VenHorst.

Voluntary public service to the school board is usually decided in an election. Under these circumstances, our board of education, led by Presi-

dent Deanna Zalas, has invited applications from eligible residents, committed to sharing the list of applicants with the community promptly, and plans to consider community input submitted via email and public comment at a special meeting in early August.

We applaud the BOE’s swift communication, transparency and promise to consider community input while performing this duty. We expect our elected officials to listen and act in alignment with the community’s priorities.

With the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on Black and Brown students, IWSAL asks the board to consider how their choice can improve ongoing work toward racial equity, restorative justice and trauma-informed practices. We ask the board to choose a candidate who strengthens the collaboration and unity of the board and communication with the community.

Our thanks to all board members for their service. We are excited to move forward into the new school year together.

Helen Gallagher, Lisa Janunas, Lindsay Morrison, Josie Polanek

On behalf of Indivisible West Suburban Action League

After ordination, Father Headley served as assistant pastor at Old St. Patrick Parish on Adams Street in Chicago and St. Theresa Parish in Palatine. He served as faculty member at Quigley Preparatory Seminary and director of the Cardinal’s Committee for the Spanish Speaking; he was chaplain at the St. Joseph Carondelet Child Center, and was part of the San Miguelito REV. DONALD HEADLEY Panama Mission from 1968 through 1980.

Father Headley served also as associate pastor at Mater Christi Parish in North Riverside and St. Paul Parish on 22nd Place in Chicago. He served as pastor at Our Lady of Mercy Parish on Troy Street from 1982 through 1997. The title of pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Mercy was bestowed on him in 2002.

Rev. Donald Nevins, pastor at St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish, said Father Headley’s passion was to teach lay people, especially after the Second Vatican Council: He truly believed in the focus of Vatican II and did what he could in the archdiocese and other places to raise up the expectations of lay people in the Church to fulfill their call to leadership.

Bishop John Manz added that Headley learned to converse flawlessly in Spanish and was a very passionate preacher.

Services have been held.

PARK YOUR RIDE from page 8 Assisting Vyskocil with the event are Izzi Markus, who created the program’s flier and Facebook event page; Ann Sokol, co-owner of The Compassion Factory Art Gallery and Studio; and members of Cycle Brookfield, the local group of bike enthusiasts.

Vyskocil says along with promoting the event at the Brookfield Farmers Market and The Compassion Factory, Cycle Brookfield may be able to organize a town-wide bike scavenger hunt similar to the one the group organized last year.

Residents are being asked via social media to decorate bikes in their own creative styles and designs. Participants are being asked to register. You can find a link on Facebook at bit.

ly/2Tvgztz or by visiting tinyurl.com/9haaw5st or emailing Vyskocil at mav561@gmail.com.

Vyskocil said anyone who wants to participate but needs a bike and/or art resources may also reach out via Facebook or email.

Vyskocil says she hopes participants will consider creating bikes that reflect the character of town, including the zoo, local restaurants, doctors’ offices, schools and more.

“Overall, we want everybody to have fun,” she said. “As the businesses are opening, and we want more people to come out and patronize them and get together, it will be fun [to celebrate] with residents making themed bikes.”

While there is not yet a final list of locations where completed art bikes will be displayed, the group is talking to Brookfield business owners and the Chamber of Commerce. Location information will be shared on the Park Your Ride Facebook event page (bit.ly/2Tvgztz ) by the beginning of August.

To run an obituary Please contact Bob Uphues by e-mail: buphues@rblandmark.com, or fax: 708/524-9066 before Monday at noon.

Please include a photo if possible.

20

The Landmark, July 28, 2021

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year RBLandmark.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@RBLANDMARK.COM PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE TO BIDDERS AND INVITATION FOR BIDS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD VETERAN’S MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN RECEIPT OF BIDS The Village of Brookfield will receive sealed proposals for the Veteran’s Memorial Fountain project until 10:00 A.M. Central Daylight Savings Time, 28th day, July, 2021, at the Office of the Village Manager.

Bids will be opened and read in the Edward Barcall Hall in the Municipal Building, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois, on 28th day, July, 2021, at 10:00 A.M., Central Daylight Savings Time. The Project consists of the following work: VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD VETERAN’S MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN CONTRACT DOCUMENTS The bidding forms and documents are available from the Village website at www.brookfieldil.gov or from Accurate Repro, Inc., 2368 Corporate Lane, Naperville, IL 60563, 630-428-4433, www.hitchcockplanroom.com. A non-refundable fee equal to Accurate Repro, Inc.’s charge for printing the documents will be charged for each requested bid package. The Bid Package may also be examined at the Office of the Village Manager, at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Friday, July 23, 2021. Bid proposals must be submitted on the forms provided. Submission of a bid shall be conclusive assurance and warranty that the bidder has examined the plans, the site of the work and the local conditions affecting the contract and understands all of the requirements for performance of the work. The bidder will be responsible for all errors in its proposal resulting from failure or neglect to conduct an in-depth examination.

The Village of Brookfield will, in no case be responsible for any costs, expenses, losses or changes in anticipated profits resulting from such failure or neglect of the bidder. The bidder shall not take advantage of any error or omission in the plans or proposal. Sealed envelopes or packages containing bids shall be addressed to the Village Manager and plainly marked “VETERAN’S MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN” on the outside of the envelope.

QUESTIONS, CHANGES, CLARIFICATION Any questions that arise must be made in writing and shall be directed by electronic mail to the Timothy C. Wiberg, Village Manager, Village of Brookfield at twiberg@brookfieldil.gov. The written questions, along with the Village’s response, shall be circulated to all known potential bidders without identifying the party submitting the questions. The cutoff for receipt of additional questions shall be 12:00 Noon, Central Standard Time on Friday, July 23, 2021, in order to facilitate preparation of any addenda. No inquiry received after that time will be given consid-

eration. Replies and/or addenda will be emailed to all known potential contractors by 4:00 P.M., Central Standard Time on July 26, 2021.

Receipt of any addenda must be acknowledged in writing as part of the Bidder’s Proposal. Bidders shall be responsible for ensuring that they have received any and all addenda. The Village of Brookfield shall not assume responsibility for the receipt by the Bidder of any addenda.

BID SECURITY Each proposal shall be accompanied by a proposal guaranty in the form of a bid bond, executed by a corporate surety company, a bank cashier’s check or a certified check payable to the “Village of Brookfield” for not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the proposal. The proposal guaranty checks of all, except the two responsive, responsible proposers which the Village determines in its sole discretion to be the proposers with whom the Village desires to commence negotiations for a contract, will be returned after the proposals have been checked and tabulated. The proposal guaranty checks of the two responsive, responsible proposers will be returned after the contract and the contract bond of the successful proposer have been properly executed and approved. Bid bonds will not be returned.

RIGHT TO REJECT BIDS The Village of Brookfield reserves the right to waive technicalities and to reject any and all proposals for any reason deemed in the best interest of the Village of Brookfield.

AWARD OF CONTRACT Unless all bids are rejected, the contract award will be made to the lowest responsive responsible bidder that the Village of Brookfield in its sole discretion determines to be in the best interest of the Village.

In determining who the lowest responsive, responsible bidder is, the Village of Brookfield will consider all factors that it, in its discretion, deems relevant in determining who the lowest responsive responsible bidder is.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS Work performed under this contract shall be in accordance with Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (Illinois Compiled Statutes, Ch. 820, Act 130, Sections 1-12), Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act (Illinois Compiled Statutes, Ch. 30, Act 570, Sections 1-7), Drug Free Workplace Act (Illinois Compiled Statutes, Ch. 30, Act 580, Sections 1-11).

Village of Brookfield, Illinois ____________________________ Timothy C. Wiberg, Village Manager

Published in The Landmark July 28, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING DATE: August 17, 2021

due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s TIME: 6:00 p.m. or as soon current disaster proclamation. It is thereafter as the Agenda permits also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to CALENDAR NUMBER: 13-21-Z public safety concerns related to the APPLICATION: The Zoning Board COVID-19 outbreak. of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use All interested persons will be given permit application filed by the an opportunity to be heard at the Applicant, JD North Blvd Holdings public hearing. Interested persons LLC, to operate an existing craft may provide written evidence, brew lounge, Beer Shop, pursuant to testimony and public comment on Section 8.3 (“Table 8-1: Use Matrix) the application by email to Zoning@ of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance oak-park.us or by drop off in the at the property located at 1026 Oak Park Payment Drop Box across North Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois, from the main entrance to Village Property Index Number 16-07-126- Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, 011-0000, in the DT Downtown Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 17, 2021.

Zoning District.

An individual’s name and their A copy of the application and testimony or comment will be read applicable documents are on file aloud into the record at the public and are available for inspection at hearing if received no later than Village Hall, Development Customer 30 minutes prior to the start of the Services Department, 123 Madison public hearing. Interested persons Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, may also sign up to participate in Monday through Friday between the hearing to cross examine the 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public The Board will conduct the public comment by emailing Zoning @ hearing remotely with live audio oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the available and optional video. The day prior to the public hearing to meeting will be streamed live and sign up. Individuals who sign up to archived online for on-demand participate in this manner will receive viewing at www.oak-park.us/ an email from Village staff with commissiontv as well as cablecast information about how to join the on VOP-TV, which is available to meeting online through Zoom webComcast subscribers on channel conference means or by phone.

6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public The public hearing may be hearing is authorized pursuant to adjourned by the Board to another Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings date without further notice by public Act. The Village President has announcement at the hearing setting determined that an in-person public forth the time and place thereof. hearing is not practical or prudent Published in Wednesday Journal July 28, 2021

Starting a New Business?

Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice in • Austin Weekly News • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark

Call the Experts Before You Place Your Legal Ad! Call Mary Ellen for details: 773/626-6332

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

SECTION 000020 – LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD 8820 Brookfield Avenue Brookfield, Illinois 60513 KIWANIS PARK BOAT LAUNCH

es minority business firms to submit bids on this project and the successful contract bidder to utilize minority businesses as sub-contractors for supplies, equip- ment, services, and construction.

The Village of Brookfield does hereby invite sealed bids for redevelopment construction of Kiwanis Park Boat Launch. Work will include site clearing, earthwork operations, storm sewer, concrete walks and paving, and planting and seeding.

Questions should be directed to Andy Howard or Steve Konters, Hitchcock Design Group at 630.961.1787 ahoward@hitchcockdesigngroup.com or skonters@ hitchcockdesigngroup.com.

Project manuals, including bid form and specifications, and construction documents are available after 11:00 AM on July 22, 2021 from Accurate Reprographics, 2368 Corporate Lane, Suite 100, Naperville, Illinois 60563, 630-428-4433 www.hitchcockplanroom.com. Bidding documents are available for down- load and print at the non-refundable cost of reproduction.

Bids will be accepted at the Village of Brookfield, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513, during regular office hours. All bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked with the Contractor’s name and address, and “Bid for Kiwanis Park Boat Launch,” on the face of the envelope. Bids must be received no later than 11:00 AM August 5, 2021. Bids will be opened on August 5, 2021 at 11:01 AM at the Village of Brookfield, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513. All bidders will be re- quired to submit Bid Security in the form of a Bid Bond, Certified Check, Cashier’s Check in the amount of 5% of the Base Bid, payable to the Village of Brookfield.

The successful bidder, as determined by the Village of Brookfield, shall be required to pay, and to agree to pay no less than the Prevailing Rate of Wages, pursuant to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) for the locality of the Village of Brookfield (Cook County), to each laborer worker, or mechanic needed or used to complete the work as detailed in the contract to be let. The successful contractor, and all subcontractors shall be required to submit, to the Village of Brookfield, certified payrolls no later than the tenth day of each calendar month for the immediately preceding month.

The Village of Brookfield reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, parts of any and all proposals, or to waive technical errors or omissions in submitted proposals.

No submitted bid may be withdrawn until a period of sixty (60) days after the bid opening date, without written consent of the Village of Brookfield.

The Village of Brookfield encourag-

This project is being financed, in part, with funds from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, “Boat Access Area Development” (BAAD) grant program.

END OF SECTION 000020 Published in RB Landmark July 28, 2021

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: Y21007364 on July 20, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of TOTALLY LEGIT CARD CO. with the business located at: PO BOX 5292, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: ELAINE D LUTHER 7723 ADAMS ST, FOREST PARK, IL 60130, USA Published in Forest Park Review July 28, August 4, August 11, 2021

Let the sun shine in..

Public Notice:

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR HIS ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2007OPT1, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OPT1; Plaintiff, vs.

CHARLES T. GRANT; JUANITA J. GRANT AKA JUANITA LACOURT; PRAIRIE PLACE AT 6436 ROOSEVELT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 14415 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-18-428-043-1019 & 16-18428-043-1064.

Commonly known as 6436 Roosevelt Road, Unit 311, Oak Park, IL 60304.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. W18-0641 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3171912

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

HELP WANTED

MARKETPLACE

River Forest Public Schools District 90

District 90 is seeking qualified and experienced applicants for the following positions:

• Speech and Language Pathologist (Roosevelt Middle School) • English Language Learners Teacher (Full-time at Roosevelt Middle School and Part-time FTE 0.50 at Lincoln Elementary School) • School Social Worker (Part-time FTE 0.50 at Lincoln Elementary School & Part-time FTE 0.50 Willard Elementary School) • Speech and Language Pathologist (Roosevelt Middle School) • Grade 1 Teacher (Lincoln Elementary School) • Grade 4 Teacher (Willard Elementary School) • Physical Education Teacher (Willard Elementary School) For detailed qualifications requirements and job duties, please visit our website at https://www.district90.org/about/ employment for our complete list of employment opportunities.

Interested candidates should complete the online application available at www.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.

GRANTS SUPERVISOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Grants Supervisor in the Development Customer Services Department. This position will perform a variety of responsible for developing. Administering and coordinating activities related to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other grant-funded programs for the Village. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Position opened until filled.

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Animal Control Officer in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties involved in enforcing Village ordinances governing the care and keeping of animals in the Village; and to impound, care for and assist with redemption of animals as appropriate. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than August 3, 2021.

Part Time Positions Available for 2021-22 school year After-School Recreation / Day Care Worker Youth Development Specialist on site at Oak Park public schools The Day Care Program of Hephzibah Children’s Association is accepting applications for nurturing individuals to provide care and supervision of 5-11-year-old children in the After School Day Care program on site at Oak Park public schools. The days and hours are Mon – Fri from 2:30-6:00 PM and 2:00-6:00 PM on Wednesdays.

Plan and supervise arts and crafts, indoor & outdoor play, games, sports, homework help and more.

Requirements include: -previous experience working with children -6 semester hours in education, recreation, social work or related college courses desired

PARK DISTRICT OF OAK PARK EARLY CHILDHOOD COORDINATOR Join our team to help lead our program take its next steps! Beginning in early August, the Early Childhood Coordinator will assist teachers and enrichment staff utilize an emergent curriculum to develop thinkers and doers that are innovative, resilient, and compassionate. Partner with the Early Childhood Supervisor to provide a wonderful educational experience for our young students and their families.

Program starts mid-August and runs through the 2021-22 school year.

The ideal candidate has a passion for early childhood education, is nurturing, creative, responsible, communicates well with parents and colleagues, and collaborates with our team to provide a positive learning environment.

TEACHER AND TEACHER AIDE MINI ME BUNCH seeks teacher and teacher aide to enhance and expand daycare serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Teacher must have at least Associates’ degree in Early Childhood Education. Minimum 1 year experience preferred in each position. Must love children and be outgoing, patient, flexible. Contact 773-521-9499

Director qualified according to Illinois DCFS regulations.

This is a part-time year round position, $17.50/hour, 28 hours/wk.

To view full job description and to apply. Go to www.pdop.org/jobs HEPHZIBAH DAY CARE PROGRAM SITE SUPERVISOR Hephzibah Children’s Association offers after school day care on site at each of the Oak Park elementary schools.

The Day Care Program is accepting applications for a Site Supervisor for the 2021-2022 school year to provide supervision to childcare staff as well as care and supervision of 5-11-year-old children.

Regular days and hours are Monday through Friday from 2:30 6:00 PM, Wednesday 1:30 – 6:00 PM. Additional hours on school closing days, in coordination with the school district calendar. May work other hours during school holidays and for staff meetings.

Associate degree in child development or early childhood education, or the equivalent in child development or education desired.

Previous experience working with children required.

Program starts mid-August and runs through the school year.

Additional hours for staff meetings and on school closing days in coordination with the school district calendar.

Contact MJ Joyce at: mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org Equal Opportunity Employer We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all backgrounds to apply

Contact MJ Joyce at mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org Equal Opportunity Employer We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all backgrounds to apply

Forest Park

GARAGE/YARD SALES

WANTED TO BUY

GARAGE SALE 7661 MONROE ST

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

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

off the alley behind Dunkin Donuts

SAT 8/31 9AM TO 5PM

Antique furniture, tables, chairs, dishes, glasses, light fixtures, baby toys, crib.

Oak Park

Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-334

CARS WANTED

WHOLE BLOCK YARD SALE 1200 BLK FAIR OAKS SAT 7/31 9AM TO 2PM

Musical instruments, clothes, some furniture, shoes, toys, computer items and much more!

ART SALE Brookfield

ANNUAL ART MARKET ART & THE UNUSUAL’S, 18 LOCAL ARTIST LAURA ATWOOD STUDIO BEADS & TRADING CO. 9142 BROADWAY SAT 8/7 10AM TO 6PM

Lots of Unusual things from around the World, Jewelry, Paintings, Pottery,Glass, Lotions, Candles, Collections& to much to list. Please Join Us!

CLASSICS WANTED CLASSICS WANTED

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars $$ Top $$ all makes, Etc. Collector James Mercedes,630-201-8122 Porsche, Corvette,

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Cars:

Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

CLASSICS WANTED $$ Top $$ all makes, Etc. Restored or Unrestored James Cars Collector & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Cars: 630-201-8122

Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc. Collector James

630-201-8122

MAINTENANCE Hiring one Maintenance position at private health club in Oak Park.

Hours will be variable between 20 and 32 per week and may include some night and/or weekend hours.

Adult applicant should be out of high school and able to work with common power tools, including snow blowers, lawn mowers, drills and sanders.

Applicant should be competent in painting, basic repairs and janitorial duties.

This job requires climbing ladders and some heavy lifting- please do not apply if you cannot do physical work.

Interested parties, please email your skills and contact information to: Lisa Tanzer at: LisaT@tenandfit.com

PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER Must have own transportation.

For more information CALL 708-738-3848

Hire Local.

Place an ad on Wednesday Classified’s Local Online Job Board.

Go to RBLandmark/classified today!

Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information.

(708) 613-3342 maryellen@rblandmark.com

22

The Landmark, July 28, 2021

CLASSIFIED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG R E N TA L S & R E A L E S TAT E

SUBURBAN RENTALS Apartment listings updated daily at:

SUBURBAN RENTALS

ROOMS FOR RENT

DOWNTOWN OAK PARK 1BR

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT

Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $125.00. New Mgmt.

312-212-1212

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICE OAK PARK Free wifi; flexible leasing, and offices nicely furnished right down to the Kleenex. Secure building & friendly colleagues, often giving referrals to other office mates. Shared Waiting room, Conference room & option to join Peer Supervision Group. Ideal for new practice or 2nd location.

708-383-0729

Small 1BR apartment in DTOP. Renovated and freshly painted. Harwood floors. Walking distance to El. No pets. $850/mo, utilities included.

708-657-4226

SUBURBAN REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT

RIVERSIDE 3 FLAT FSBO

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

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

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR Best Selection & Service

Three above grade 2BR apts. Unfinished basement w/ laundry & 1/2 BA. 4 car brick garage. Zoned for residential and office, if desired. Well maintained. $529,000

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 708-446-1324

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com

CITY RENTALS AUSTIN RENAISSANCE APARTMENTS

A HUD subsidized affordable Apartment property announces the opening of its waiting list for both One and Two Bedroom Apartments! Resident rent is approximately 30% of gross household income, some restrictions apply. Our property is located on Washington Blvd in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

Apartments offered with an occupancy of one to four persons. Properties feature modern kitchens, include appliances, and offer onsite maintenance. Austin Renaissance will accept requests for application packages by U.S. Mail postmarked no later than , September 15, 2021. Send or email a written request for an application package that includes your name, mailing address. Daytime telephone number, Email address, and the number of persons in your household to: Town Center Realty Group LLC, PO Box 64, Huntley IL 60142-0064 or Email requests to mrpaul.tcrg@gmail.com Application packages available by mail or email delivery only. No walk-ins accepted.

Town Center Realty Group LLC

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft.

OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

COMMERCIAL/RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT 2 SPACES FOR RENT IN SHOPPING CENTER: From 1,000 Sq. Ft.(END CAP) TO- 1,635 Sq. Ft. BOTH: Very good Condition. Recently Updated. *Heavy traffic area; Serious inquires ONLY. **Special Discounted Rates-Limited Time!

If Leave message, Include: Your Name, Phone Number and Type of Business.

TEXT or CALL: (708)828-6491

HOME SERVICES CEMENT

CEMENT

MAGANA

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

COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL

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

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

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

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848

AIR CONDITIONING AIR CONDITIONING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Air Conditioning Automotive A/C Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

FLOORS

LANDSCAPING

KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining.

Low prices, insured.

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

HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

708-296-2060

CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP

Evergreen trimming & more. Clean-ups.

Garden weed removal.

Storm Branch Tree Removal.

708-447-1762

Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

PAINTING & DECORATING

708-488-9411

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery.

708-848-9404

CLASSIC PAINTING 708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

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

Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

Public Notice: Your right to know • In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365

PublicNoticeIllinois.com

YOUR WEEKLY AD

REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES:

OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST,FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO

The Landmark, July 28, 2021

MURDER from page 1 County State’s Attorney. Sentencing could take place at that time or other motions could be introduced by Douglas’ counsel.

That the jury found Douglas guilty of four counts of first-degree murder in such short order points to the strength of the evidence collected by a police during their nearly year-long investigation.

“I don’t know there’s any verdict that can do so, but I hope this brings some peace to the families of Michael Smith to see this piece of it resolved,” said Brookfield Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla. “It was a tragedy.”

It was a complex investigation that relied on a mountain of digital evidence, including cellphone records and security camera video

DONATION from page 17 The new Webex board, which the library took possession of less than a month ago, is the latest in a series of upgrades that have been under way throughout the pandemic and are now being rolled out to patrons.

The lower-level children’s services is in the midst of a project to replace the car-

23

along with physical evidence obthat police were charging three tained by police. The investigapeople with Smith’s murder. In adtion likely would not have been dition to Douglas, police charged as successful without the particitwo men who were alleged to have pation of the FBI, which providplanned the murder and hired ed the expertise to analyze much Douglas to perform the hit. of the digital evidence.

Comfort K. Robinson and DeBrookfield was also assisted by Juyon M. Johnican initially were the west suburban Major Case also charged with first-degree Assistance Team, the DuPage murder. In May, both men pleaded County Felony Investigative JERMAINE DOUGLAS guilty to a lesser charge of conAssistance Team, Chicago pospiracy to commit murder and each was sentenced to eight years lice and the U.S. Department of in prison.

Homeland Security.

Because both Robinson and Johnican had “There were a lot of folks on our end and a number of different agencies who did a lot been jailed for more than four years while of work putting that case together,” Episcopo awaiting trial, they were paroled immediatesaid. “That was the outcome we were looking ly after being sentenced and spent no further for. It’s time to be grateful for all the work ev- time in state prison.

There was no plea deal for Douglas, howeryone put in.”

In November 2016, Episcopo announced ever. Two days following Smith’s murder,

police recovered the vehicle Douglas sat in as he drove up to Smith’s car as it sat parked on Forest Avenue and fired several rounds at point-blank range.

On the day he was killed, Smith was to have testified against Robinson, who was accused of being a felon in possession of a weapon during an altercation outside of a Chicago nightclub where Smith was working as a security guard on March 8, 2015.

Robinson’s bench trial for that offense on the morning of Jan. 27, 2016 was continued and Smith left the courthouse without having testified. As Smith parked his car in front of his building in the 3600 block of Forest Avenue, Douglas pulled up alongside in a blue hatchback and killed him.

“He destroyed this family,” Episcopo said of Douglas, referring to Smith’s widow and son, who was 3 years old at the time of the murder. “Their lives will never be the same.”

peting and shelving units and generally reorganize the space similar to what the library completed on its main floor in 2018.

Starosta said officials hope the lower level will reopen by Labor Day. Also in the works is a new book sale room, which will be located in a former storage space near the entrance to the public meeting room. Books for sale will be displayed on shelves that have already been installed, and the room will include a couple of chairs so patrons can browse before buying.

The production studio also provides ways for patrons to convert obsolete video and audio formats – like Super 8 film, VHS, cassette tapes, slides and photographs into digital formats.

Finally, the library is also converting another storage room into a place where the North Riverside Historical Society can store is archives – sans the Melody Mill Ballroom sign, which remains out back of the village’s public works building. The society’s collection is scattered among various private homes and offices right now.

The library currently has a small cart near the main entrance where books for sale are displayed. The new room will be a permanent home for those books, and proceeds from sales will go to the North Riverside Library Foundation.

Finished just last week and now open to patrons is the library’s new production studio, which comes with a variety of musical instruments – guitars, keyboards and electronic drum pad – sound equipment and audio production hardware and software.

S W NE

!

H S A FL

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24

The Landmark, July 28, 2021

W NE

G TIN LIS

NG MI O C

7549 Wilson Terrace, Morton Grove $399,000 G IN M CO

ON SO

W NE

84 Riverside Rd, Riverside

G IN M CO

3137 Kenilworth Ave, Berwyn $345,000

ON SO

G TIN LIS

NG MI O C

ON SO

841 Robinhood Ln, LaGrange Park $899,000

280 Burlington Rd, Riverside $335,000

282 Maplewood Rd, Riverside $1,025,000

555 Byrd Rd, Riverside $625,000

290 Lawton Rd, Riverside $979,000

9841 S Hoyne Ave, Chicago $549,000

ON SO

355 N Delaplaine Rd, Riverside $669,000

AL NT E R

312 Downing Rd, Riverside $909,900

W NE

E IC PR

2037 W Iowa St, Chicago $369,000

152 E Burlington Rd, Riverside $364,900

17 Walker Ave, #1, Clarendon Hills $3,550/mo

AL NT E R

300 Madison St,#433-1, Oak Park $1,625/mo

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