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Prokes trial date set

Vol. 41, No. 35

September 2, 2026

Page 3

Brookfield resale shop benefits BEDS Plus D96 community forum to help identify new superintendent characteristics

Budget Box Resale opened near 8 Corners earlier this month By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

A new resale shop in Brookfield is dedicating its revenues toward benefitting BEDS Plus, the LaGrange-based nonprofit fighting homelessness. Budget Box Resale opened for business on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 3441 Grand Blvd. just off Eight Corners. The shop features second-hand treasures from clothing and jewelry to home goods, wall decor and the kind of lovely miscellanea you find in the bargain bin. The space is accessible through a side entrance rather than the front door. Nancy Lisowski, the owner and operator of Budget Box and one of several vendors selling goods, said the store came about in the wake of the sale of the building where her business previously operated out of the LaGrange Park Antique Mall. “That was the catalyst of a bunch of our dealers retiring or downsizing,” Lisowski told the Landmark. “We got it pretty quickly. This all happened in a month and a half.” Lisowski had been running the show at the LaGrange Park Antique Mall before the building was sold. There, she had organized a nonprofit co-op for the vendors to work together under the banner See RESALE SHOP on page 12

Decision on who will replace Ryan-Toye should be announced in January By GREGG VOSS Staff Reporter

STELLA BROWN

Nancy Lisowski poses with a wall thermometer boasting advertising from Mail Pouch chewing tobacco, which she said was her favorite piece for sale at Budget Box Resale in Brookfield.

Community members will have multiple methods of providing feedback regarding the search for a new superintendent for Riverside School District 96. This will be current superintendent Dr. Martha Ryan-Toye’s final school year as superintendent, after more than a decade at the helm. The board of education is working with BWP & Associates, Ltd., in Libertyville to identify, interview and hire Ryan-Toye’s replacement, ideally by January 2027. A community forum is slated for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8 in the Hauser Junior High School li-

See DISTRICT 96 on page 4

The Landmark, September 2, 2026

Trial date set for ‘Jane Doe’ case against RB and retired teacher Former student says Prokes sexually abused her

Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 General Manager Max Reinsdorf Staff Reporters Stella Brown, Jackie Pisano, Bob Skolnik, Gregg Voss

By BOB SKOLNIK Staff Reporter

A trial date of April 13, 2027 has been set for the lawsuit brought by a former Riverside Brookfield High School student against RBHS District 208 and Gary Prokes, the former head of RBTV, in which the former student alleges that Prokes first groomed her and then sexually abused her while she was a student at RBHS from 2014 to 2018. The plaintiff is referred to by the pseudonym Jane Doe in the lawsuit which was filed in June 2025 by Tom Cronin, Jane Doe’s attorney. According to a judicial order entered on Dec. 15 all proceedings against Prokes have been held in abeyance pending a criminal investigation. Riverside Director of Public Safety Matt Buckley said the criminal investigation of Prokes is still an open investigation and that he could not comment further. Prokes, a graduate of RHHS, retired in 2023 after working at RBHS for 37 years. RBHS achieved a temporary victory last fall when Cook County Circuit Court Judge Frank Andreau dismissed RBHS District 208 from the case but Cronin then filed an amended complaint on Nov. 17 with more specific allegations that school officials knew of or should have been aware of Prokes’s misconduct which brought the school district back into the case. Lawyers for RBHS again tried to get the complaints against RBHS dismissed from the case but failed. The case is now assigned to Cook County Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Chrones who denied motions to dismiss counts against RBHS this spring. The amended complaint alleges negligent supervision, negligent retention and willful and wanton negligence by RBHS as well as negligence and sexual battery by Prokes. It alleges that Prokes befriended and isolated Doe and then escalated physical contact with her from inappropriate touching to sexual assault while Doe was

IN THIS ISSUE

News Intern Lillian Ali Sports Reporters Bill Stone, Melvin Tate Contributing Editor Donna Greene Editorial & Digital Design Lead Javier Govea Design and Production Associate De Sergio Villalona Designer Susan McKelvey Sports Photographer Steve Johnston Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls PROVIDED

Gary Prokes, a longtime RB teacher credited with building the school’s RBTV program, faces charges of sexual abuse. a minor. The amended complaint also alleges that four RBHS students witnessed inappropriate conduct by Prokes. The students tried to make a covert video of Prokes and Doe together in private. The amended complaint alleges that at least one student prepared a memorandum about Prokes’s behavior and met with Dave Mannon, assistant principal for student affairs, and then dean Neil Dughetti to alert them of their concerns about Prokes. The 1 ½ page memorandum, which was titled Yikes, alleges that Prokes was “sneaking around with student” during the 2017 Fall Play and were locked away in a RBTV studio to move allegedly nonexistent boxes. It also alleges that Prokes and Doe remained in the RBTV office after a football game after Prokes hurried other students out of the office. The memorandum also alleges that Prokes met privately with the student who prepared the memorandum and told them that “nothing was going on” between him and Doe. Prokes allegedly told the student

that he was only trying to help Doe and was like a mentor to her. Prokes allegedly told the student that Doe was in “a really bad place” and that he helps her emotionally. The memorandum alleges that after meeting with and presenting the memorandum to Mannon and Dughetti the student who prepared the memorandum was pulled out of Prokes’s class for the rest of the semester, made exempt from the class’s final exam and was told to spend the class period in a supply closet in the student services office for the remainder of the semester. The amended complaint alleges that multiple RBHS educators and administrators knew or should have known about Prokes’s conduct yet nothing was done. RBHS declined to comment about the case. “Because this matter is currently the subject of pending litigation, the district is unable to provide any public comment,” said Kiley Fletcher, the school’s community engagement coordinator, in an email. Deanna Zalas, the school board president, also declined to comment when asked about the case.

Marketing & Advertising Associate Emma Cullnan Legal Notices Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com Operations Associate Susan Liss Babin Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera Senior Advisor Dan Haley

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The Landmark, September 2, 2026

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FILE

Martha Ryan-Toye

DISTRICT 96

Hiring by January from page 1 brary, which will be in a roundtable format, according to Dave Barsotti, chair of the board of education’s personnel committee. Visitors should enter through Door H in the rear parking lot. Additionally, community members can provide input through a confidential survey that will open that day and close Sept. 18. Barsotti said focus groups involving teachers and support staff will be held throughout the day Sept. 8, ahead of the community forum at 6:30 p.m. They will focus on essentially three questions: What is desirable in a new superintendent; what is not; and where the district

should be headed. The goal of the feedback is for BWP to create an ideal superintendent profile, Barsotti said, ideally someone who can execute against the district’s recently approved strategic plan. “The profile is going to be presented in October and from there, that’s what we’ll use for the initial screen of the first set of candidates,” he said. BWP will do the initial candidate screening, and the board will interview four to six candidates before reducing that number to two or three. “We’re looking to have a decision by the December holidays,” Barsotti said, adding a formal announcement will come in January. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by Oct. 10 at https://bwpassociates. com/searches/ where an announcement of superintendent vacancy can be found.

C O R R E C T I O N An article titled “Brookfield’s beautification commission is going dormant” that appeared in print in the Aug. 26, 2026 edition of the Landmark misstated the date of the commission’s final meeting. It was held Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Landmark regrets the error.

The Landmark, September 2, 2026

Riverside begins 2027 budget review

Next year’s capital improvement plan could include a $1.45M debt issuance

of reserves held by the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency, a nonprofit municipal risk pool that operates like insurance for public entities. “Last year, we had requested authorization to do a transfer of the excess surplus, but we did not end up doing that. Because of the surplus that was derived at the end of fiscal year 2025, we kept the money at By STELLA BROWN IRMA, and we currently have $2.3 million. Staff Reporter We also have, in another fund at IRMA While summer’s end is still on the horizon, for our optional deductible, $124,245, for a it’s never too soon to start looking ahead. total of $2.445 million available at IRMA,” Riverside officials are doing just that as they Frances said. She said she recommended the village consider the village’s capital improvement transfer $450,000 from its IRMA reserves plan for 2027 ahead of the start of the official to put toward items within the capital budget process for the year. improvement plan. She also recommended The capital plan has a total cost of about Riverside in June 2027 $11.2 million across all issue $1.45 million in of the village’s funds, limited tax debt, which with about $7.5 million the village has done in the water and sewer every three years, fund, $1.78 million in historically . the motor fuel tax fund “It’s debt that we are and $1.5 million in able to issue beyond our street improvements. tax caps,” Frances said. A majority of the “It previously was to costs in the water and TODD BANNOR fund the repayment of sewer fund, about $4 the public works facilRiverside Town Hall million, will be dedicatity . When that was paid ed to leaded water seroff, we started issuing vice line replacements, though the project is dependent on Riverside it to pay for various capital. This coincides with that schedule. obtaining zero-interest loan funding for the “That total funding puts us pretty close to full $4 million price tag from the Illinois having funding for fiscal years ‘27 and ‘28 for Environmental Protection Agency, Village the capital which is listed,” she added. Manager Jessica Frances said on Aug. 20. Frances said the discussion is just the first Riverside has been earmarked to receive step in Riverside’s look ahead as the end of $1 million in capital appropriations from the the year draws closer. state’s budget, with half going to bondable “Our budget process starts with staff gocapital improvements, $200,000 to lead water ing through the capital needs of the village, line replacements, $200,000 for a renovation then we move to the financial forecast, and of the water tower and $100,000 for infrastaff presents a budget,” she said. “We apstructure improvements, Frances said. prove the budget, the budget ordinance, the “Just because we have an appropriatax levy ordinance, and then we move right tion does not mean it will be immediately back into the audit process.” released. There have been appropriations Frances said village trustees will have that take many, many years to be released at another chance to review capital items costthe state level, but we’re very proud of these ing less than $25,000 before the 2027 budget is new appropriations that we received that approved. Items that cost more than $25,000 will help to offset future costs for Riverside will be presented directly to the village residents,” she said. board for further discussion and approval, Frances made note of the increasing surshe said. plus of funds that Riverside has in the form

“Going back to school” brings renewed hope...

The Landmark, September 2, 2026

Thursday, September 17th

wear your best green!

First come, first served. STELLA BROWN

A special banner was made for the Olmsted Society’s workday in memory of Tom Guardi on Saturday, Aug. 29.

9200 W Cermak Rd -Broadview, IL - 708.343.9040

Olmsted Society remembers Tom Guardi

told you he loved digging up buckthorn,” The group held a Scout Kellogg told the Landmark. “He was quiet, an accountant, so there you go. But he Cabin workday in honor was so kind to everybody. He would just do things. If you said, ‘Oh, I need to think of the late longtime about taking that tree out,’ [he would say], ‘Well, you want it out? I’ll take it out,’ and member it was out.”

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Members of the Olmsted Society of Riverside took to the Scout Cabin this past weekend to memorialize one of their own. From 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers dug holes, removed weeds and shoveled wood chips in memory of Tom Guardi, a member of the group for more than two decades and an active board member. Guardi, 78, died July 13 from pancreatic cancer. Cindy Kellogg, one of the co-chairs of the Olmsted Society’s landscape committee, described Guardi as a quietly devoted member of the group. “He came to all of our workdays, and I

Holly Machina, Kellogg’s co-chair, said she knew Guardi for about 20 years, as long as she’s been part of the Olmsted Society. “He was really instrumental in anything that Cindy and I have ever done because we came in very green. Cindy came in a few years after me, but we were both like we don’t know what’s going on,” Machina said, pausing from digging up weeds on the Scout Cabin’s north side. “Every workday that he was in town, he came to. He came to some of the planning meetings. Once a year, in February, March, we plan with the forester … Tom has come to a lot of those meetings. He’s a financial guy, so he would help us with the finances.” Kellogg said Guardi was instrumental in

The Landmark, September 2, 2026 helping her clean out part of the green space at the intersection of Longcommon and Evelyn roads. “It took us about two years to do it. When we were almost done, he’s standing there, saying, ‘Oh my God, you can see the street!’ He was really good at things like that. He would just help. If I say, ‘Tom, can you help?’ ‘Sure. When?’ He never said no. That’s Tom to me,” she said. “I miss him every day. Every day I drive by that triangle, I miss him.” Machina said she felt Guardi’s impact on Riverside “everywhere.” “Go to any green space. I mean, any green space, any triangle, anywhere we’ve ever had a workday, and we’ve had workdays pretty much everywhere,” she said. “If you look at Riverside Road, he was a big part of all that … You could not see the river. It took us, I don’t know, 10 years, little by little. Mostly, it was buckthorn. Tom was there for all of that.” Constance Guardi described her husband as a thoughtful, orderly man, “but his passion was for gardening,” she said. She shared a story about a cardinal that flew in during the ceremony at his funeral but remained calm, which she said she took as a sign from him. On the banner for

the workday, an image of a cardinal could be seen at the bottom to pay homage. “They were trying to get it out because the ceremony was going on. The service was going on,” she said. “The bird was just there to give the message that he was in a good place.” Guardi said a workday felt like the right way to honor her husband’s memory. “I feel like I had to do this for him to honor his commitment all these years. This program, Holly and Cindy have been running since around 2009, and he retired at that time,” she said. She said she saw his impact in Harrington Park, where a special group comprised of Guardi, Kellogg, Fred Kitch and Bob Finn, all Olmsted Society members, improved the areas along Harlem Avenue. “That was a project that was the last couple of years. They would meet on a Monday; they didn’t meet on a Saturday, and the landscape group was always on Saturdays. That group was a special group, and he was part of that,” she said. “At Harrington Park, definitely, he’s visible … He had participated in [the Olmsted Society] for so many years. He was a stalwart.”

STELLA BROWN

Members of the Olmsted Society work on the Scout Cabin’s north side, picking at weeds, on Saturday, Aug. 29

SHRED IT Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon (NOTE: If the trucks fill-up sooner—we finish sooner!) Forest Park Bank, the locally owned and managed community bank, is pleased to continue the tradition of sponsoring the Annual FREE Sensitive Document Shredding Event in the Municipal Parking Lot located south of the Drive-Up Facility. The Bank has, again, engaged a professional shredding service to shred your documents with an industrial shredder. 7 3 4 8 W E S T M A D I S O N S T R E E T, F O R E S T PA R K , I L 6 0 13 0

You may bring up to two 12” X 12” X 18” boxes of documents to be shred at no charge. Three-ring notebooks and binders with large metal rings cannot be shredded. Staples are allowed. If you have questions about this event, please contact the bank at 708.222.2800 .

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708.222.2800

The Landmark, September 2, 2026

Army Corps coughs up $5 million more for floodwall The federal engineering group will contribute $15M in total

Rain, Rain, Go Away

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

ugust 2026 has brought unusually heavy rainfall to Chicago, with repeated storms leaving us soaked and vulnerable to flooding. Through mid-August, Scott several rounds of McAdam Jr. thunderstorms have produced heavy rain, saturated the ground, and increased the potential for flooding. Although the month is not yet over, it is too early to officially determine if August 2026 will be the wettest August on record. The intense rainfall has significantly impacted many landscapes. Consistently saturated soil has reduced the ground’s ability to absorb additional water, causing rainfall to collect quickly in low-lying areas, and even on the surface, leading to flooding even with proper drainage solutions. Water can move four ways through soil: percolation down, percolation laterally, being absorbed by roots, or through evaporation. When the soil is so heavily saturated, there is nowhere for it to go. The unusually wet conditions show how quickly the landscape can change when repeated storms overwhelm natural drainage systems. Let’s all hope that we are able to dry out soon - for both the landscape, and our own sanity.

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Riverside’s ongoing project to bring a floodwall to Groveland Avenue is getting a massive boost in federal funding. Village Manager Jessica Frances on Aug. 20 announced the village will be receiving an additional $5 million in funding from the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the project due to an increase in the maximum amount of funding it can give. “The village was notified by Army Corps that the cap for the federal contribution has now been increased from $10 million to $15 million,” Frances said before the village board. “That means the costs that we were seeing increase, that essentially the village would have to contribute less. If you recall the last budget we received, we were going to have to contribute in addition to [the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago].” The project, which has made halting progress in the arenas of design and funding since its inception in 2018, was most recently estimated to cost $18 million in 2024, including nearly $1 million for an independent sewer separation. In March 2025, the MWRD increased its share of the cost to $4.9 million, up from the $2.5 million it had previously promised. Altogether, Riverside was on the hook for $2 million in funding at that point, with $10 million coming from the Army Corps, $5 million from the MWRD and about $1 million in additional federal funding facilitated by Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García. That money will cover the sewer separation. “We’ll have new intergovernmental agreements coming before the board with those revised numbers, and we’ll also be providing revised budgets relative to that,” Frances said. “The real estate, the appraisals, all of those things have increased [in price] since the last time [Army Corps] provided that information.” In the project’s tradition of stop-start movement, Frances said the Army Corps has also placed Riverside’s sewer separation project on “administrative review,” pausing the release of funds that have been appropriated for the project. But she said the federal group is allowing work to continue in some form. “They have stated that we can allow [Christopher B.] Burke [Engineering, Riverside’s contracted firm] to do our engineering, and then they would utilize that to then do their final bid documents. Since Burke is already familiar with those different specifications that are required for different federal jobs, we’re able to move forward with that,” she said. Frances said the village board had already authorized the expenditures related to Burke’s work on the project, meaning the engineering firm’s work can begin shortly. She said the engineering work falling to the village and Burke’s hands will actually afford Riverside more flexibility with the construction of

COURTESY OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

This map, presented by Army Corps Project Manger Thomas R. Kanies, shows the original proposed scope for the Groveland Floodwall. the floodwall. “Once we get the engineering, the board can decide at that point in time whether to wait for the federal dollars to be released or whether the village wants to complete the project and not wait. We can do those things in tandem; while it was appropriated $1 million for us, it’s unknown at this point in time of whether or not those monies will be released and on what schedule.”

The Landmark, September 2, 2026

Celebrating Ageism Awareness Day Featuring Raymond Jetson founder and author of Aging While Black The 19th Century Club 178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL Friday, October 9 Doors open at 6:00pm Raymond Jetson’s keynote address will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Jetson and members of the Oak Park Aging In Communities Commission Food provided. Admission is free.

Sponsored by the Village of Oak Park Aging in Communities Commission The Book Loft Oak Park will have copies of Aging While Black available to purchase.

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The Landmark, September 2, 2026

Boutique gift shop opens in Riverside June & Lark on East Burlington sells curated goods fit for any occasion

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

A one-stop shop for all your gifting needs is now open for business in downtown Riverside. June & Lark, a curated gift shop offering household goods and home decor items as well as gifts for lovers of meditation, golf, bees and more, opened its doors on Aug. 1. The shop at 39 E. Burlington St. is open from 1-6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and by appointment only on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. “The goal is to be able to find something for anyone and to be able to build a gift. Maybe you want to have three different, little items that make a larger gift feel more personalized,” said Sara Burcheri, the owner and operator of June & Lark. Burcheri, a self-described “consumer and shopper by nature,” said she felt the store filled a niche in Riverside’s retail landscape for people to pick up small gifts. “I’ve always had a little bit of a retail background, and [a gift shop] is really something that was lacking here in Riverside that we needed, which is the main feedback from almost every person in town who comes in,” she told the Landmark. “They say, ‘We needed this’ … I wanted [people] to be able to go grab a birthday gift, grab a hostess gift, and not have to leave Riverside to do that.” Burcheri said business has been consistent since the shop had its grand opening, even with August being a historically slow retail month and the shop being closed to the public three days out of the week. “There isn’t a ton of traffic on those days, so it’s great for me to be restocking and getting things organized,” she said. The Riverside resident said she has spent her career working in retail management, beginning in college, when the owner of her store “took [her] under her wing” to show her the backend of owning a store. “After college, I worked at Macy’s for about 15 years in event marketing. A lot of experiential events, but really, [I focused on] creating a customer experience that keeps them wanting to come back,” she said. “I’ll try to use all of that knowledge here, hav-

STELLA BROWN

June & Lark, Riverside’s newest curated gift shop, is located at 39 E. Burlington St ing different events and pop-ups. Because it is a smaller town, there have to be ways to engage people and get them to keep coming back for more.” She said she plans to rotate inventory often to keep the shopping experience fresh for customers who come in often and to partner with local vendors so that both brands benefit. “There are a lot of entrepreneurs in Riverside that maybe don’t have a brick-andmortar and aren’t a competitor to me in that way. It’s more like, how can we support each other?” she said. Moving forward, Burcheri said she’s looking forward to diving further into the analytical side of being a business owner,

figuring out what sells and how to balance her inventory, with plans to offer concierge gifting — assembling gift packages for people based on the interests of the recipient and their budget. Burcheri said the leasing agreement for her Burlington Street space came together almost on a whim when the space freed up due to the limited real estate in Riverside. “I wasn’t planning to have this business. It was just an idea that I liked in my mind. ‘I would like to have a store. It would be fun to open a store if there was a space available,’” she said. “The stars aligned with the landlord of the building saying, ‘I like your idea. I like your plan. It’s yours if you want it,’ and it was like, ‘OK, make a big decision.’”

But when the chance came along, Burcheri said she would rather take action and bring something she would like to see in Riverside to the village than continue to complain about the lack of it. In turn, the Riverside community has shown up for June & Lark, Burcheri said. “Everyone is really excited, and it’s been an overwhelming feeling of people being so happy to see something, and they come in, and they love it, and it’s so positive overall,” she said. “There’s support in the broader community and support in my tighter community, all my friends coming to help, unboxing with me and pricing things. Stuff that they don’t have to do it, but they do.”

The Landmark, September 2, 2026

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A rendering of what a bridge will look like in River Forest for the O’Hare Flyer.

Proposed O’Hare Flyer train already drawing opposition from River Forest

CEO says two-block section in village would be elevated and wouldn’t interfere By GREGG VOSS Staff Reporter

A proposed express train that would connect downtown Chicago with O’Hare International Airport and pass through River Forest is drawing scrutiny from village officials. The privately funded O’Hare Flyer would be a “whisper-quiet, battery-electric train,” according to O’Hare Flyer LLC co-founder and CEO David Lundy, that would make its way through River Forest at 80 mph every 15 minutes from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The total travel time from downtown Chicago to the airport would be 15 minutes. Prior to River Forest, the train would travel along Interstate 290, within the so-called “Eisenhower Ditch,” then over the expressway moving north on a curve parallel with Van Buren Street between Forest Avenue and Park Avenue. Once in River Forest, it would continue north between Forest and Park avenues over Chicago Avenue, Iowa Street, Augusta Street and Thatcher Avenue before proceeding to O’Hare through Thatcher Woods. “Most of the tracks that go from Forest Park to River Forest and then beyond are elevated,” he said. “They only go to ground at Iowa Street, and so we’re going to take that section where you have functionally two

blocks, it’s two blocks with four grade crossings, and we’re going to elevate this so you’ll have underpasses. “We’re not going to interfere in any way with the ingress and egress into the neighborhood. You’re just taking the tracks and removing them from the ground level and putting them 15 feet in the air and you’re doing that with sound insulation around them.” Lundy said Monday the rail itself would be continuously welded, which will eliminate the “clicking” heard with Metra and freight trains. He also explained how the route would be configured through River Forest. Still, in a village communication Aug. 26, president Cathy Adduci was unambiguous about the village’s opposition to the project. “I want to assure you, the village has already reached out to our state legislators and those proposing it, and expressed vehement opposition to it, since it would be on a train line that runs entirely through our village,” Adduci said. Adduci said Friday that there are many unanswered questions, which is why the village has reached out to Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford and representatives Emanual “Chris” Welch and Camille Lilly to deliver the message that the O’Hare Flyer “has to benefit all of us.”

In a prepared statement to the Wednesday Journal, Harmon said, “While I appreciate the significant positive impact this project could have on Chicagoland, I’d like to hear from my neighbors who will be most directly impacted.” Lundy said “we are very sensitive to the community issues related to this. “We know the right way to do this is a collaborative approach,” he said, “where we’re saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to share with you what our plans are so you have an understanding, but we’re listening so that we can make sure we’re fine-tuning this in a way that is better and easier for the community.’” That, he said, is why he reached out to Adduci and Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins a year ago to present the proposed plan. He added “ we are actively looking to see if there is a reason to create a stop in the area,” which could impact the area economically. But Adduci wondered if “it’s premature they announced this. “They haven’t worked through the state legislators that represent us,” she said. “I can’t imagine they would agree to have 80 mph trains running through our community. “We worry about a lot of things … not only the possibility of this, (but) the safety and the practicality. I don’t see where it benefits us, Forest Park or Franklin Park.”

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Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Support Short-Term Shortt-tTerm Rehab • Long-Term Care • Home Care

The Landmark, September 2, 2026

RESALE SHOP Supports BEDS from page 1 of Community Vintage Resale. She said the group had partnered with Hop District, a brewery in LaGrange Park, to raise $30,000 for charity through fundraising events. Her business originally got its start 80 years ago before she bought it 40 years ago. It originally opened in Brookfield somewhere on 47th Street, she said, before moving to LaGrange Park and now returning to Brookfield. “It was the end of the summer, and my uncle sold businesses. I could have been talked into anything after being at home with the kids all summer, so I bought a business and learned that way,” she said of her path to business ownership. Lisowski said the current location, which is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is temporary while she works with BEDS Plus to find a larger permanent loca-

tion. All of the proceeds from sales or donations are going to the nonprofit, she said. “We worked with a bunch of nonfor-profits through [the co-op]. I’ve always been in Rotary [Club] and a bunch of other non-for-profit organizations,” she said. “We do whatever we can to support all of them.” Other members of the former LaGrange Park Antique Mall crew who didn’t join in at Budget Box Resale are opening a separate shop in town called 31st Street Antiques, Lisowski added. She said the collaboration with BEDS came about after the organization sought to hire her to lead a similar effort, with their vision being a warehouse-like space to resell the existing stock as well as furniture and larger goods. “Non-for-profit, that’s always where my heart’s been,” she said. “When BEDS contacted me about this idea, it was, ‘Hey, can we hire you to coordinate?’ I’m like, ‘No, you can’t hire me, but yes, I will do it. I will do all of it until you guys take over.’ I’m going to do it voluntarily. That’s where I feel I should be, giving back to the community.”

STELLA BROWN

The entrance to Budget Box Resale is located off the side of the building it inhabits at 3441 Grand Blvd.

P R O P E R T Y

T R A N S F E R S

The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Clerk from June 2026. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the clerk’s office.

BROOKFIELD

RIVERSIDE

ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

9101 27th St 9439 Congress Park Ave 3500 Sunnyside Ave 9135 26th Pl 3147 Cleveland Ave 9328 Jefferson Ave 4239 Park Ave 9135 26th Pl 9501 Jackson Ave 4220 Arthur Ave 3845 Mccormick Ave 4012 Madison Ave 3936 Arthur Ave 4021 Deyo Ave

$539,000 $475,000 $450,000 $45,000 $405,000 $400,500 $373,000 $349,000 $345,000 $320,000 $320,000 $267,500 $230,000 $195,000

Homolka Gary Collins John E Baker Lori A Mulder Candice Czerwien Catharine S Berg John Petrovich Karl Reynoso Virginia Dimarco Andrew E Antos Bridget A Koprowski Bernadine Tr Kloskowski Kevin A Nagle Michael R Altomare Angela G Gualdron Chicago Title Land Trust Co Reynoso Virginia Luba Aleksandra Lagro James Norman Krause Herb Eric Holuska Heath Martin Jordan Jessika Evett Patrick Joseph Moran Gen Temporary Housing Co Rios Tracy D Ricksecker Robert Bora Anastasia D Richardson Daniel Tr Maley Ellen S Tr

ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

380 Selborne Rd 342 Northwood Rd 78 Pine Ave

$1,000,000 $1,000 $1,012,000

Strup Spencer H Bukowski Frank V Twistar Grp Llc

82 Lawton Rd 475 Shenstone Rd 562 Byrd Rd 346 Northwood Rd 7234 Ogden Ave 446 Longcommon Rd 10 E Burlington St 305 Desplaines Ave 478 Kent Rd 514 Uvedale Rd 349 Blackhawk Rd 305 Maplewood Rd

$1,100,000 $240,000 $247,500 $410,000 $500,000 $510,000 $575,000 $656,000 $700,000 $725,000 $775,000 $930,000

Land Trust Co Tr Mullins Sean Connor Bal William F Chlumsky Nancy Tr Pillars Comm Health Wardzala Brenda K Richards Paul Tr Bates Zachary Valencia Jr Gilberto Arturi Jonathan A Brown Jerome J Tr Fournier Nicholas A

Deporter Christopher Bukowski Leslie Trust Dotmiw Llc 78 Pine Ave Rex Protected Series Panella James Alequin Amanda G Adl Renovation Llc Bukowski Vincent J Yan & Arp Llc - 7234 Ogden Ave Riverside Minella Aniello Frank Sherman Susan Tr Garcia Orlando Rotkis Shane Reinart Brendan Endriukaitis Lauren Agostino Jason M

The Landmark, September 2, 2026

P O L I C E

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Drunk driver found asleep at the wheel in Brookfield Brookfield police arrested a 25-year-old Chicago man on Aug. 17 for driving drunk. Around 4 a.m., police responded to the intersection of 47th Street and Plainfield Road on a report of a suspicious automobile after dispatchers reported a silver Honda was parked on the side of the construction lane with a traffic horse under the car. At the scene, an officer observed a scene matching the report and initiated a traffic stop. As they approached the car, which was still running, the officer observed two men sleeping in the driver and passenger seat and smelled a “strong odor” of alcohol. They also saw several open containers of alcohol within the vehicle. The officer reached into the car to place it into park and remove the keys from the ignition. After police woke the driver up, he reached for the ignition, police said. The other man did not wake up, and police later had him transported to the hospital. The officer had the driver step out of the

car, but he did not answer their questions about his alcohol consumption, medical status or whereabouts. The man did agree to take standardized field sobriety testing at the officer’s request, during which they observed several indicators of impairment in the man. The man declined to take a preliminary breath test. The officer arrested the man for driving under the influence and transported him to the police station, where they read his Miranda warning. The man declined to answer questions from police or to provide a sample for a chemical breath test to determine his blood alcohol content. Police issued citations to the man for driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage, illegal stopping, operating an uninsured vehicle and driving with a defective windshield. Officers set a mandatory court date of Oct. 13 and released the man from custody in the lobby of the police department. See POLICE REPORTS on page 14

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MOVING

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The Landmark, September 2, 2026

OBITUARIES

Charles Lenartson, 92 Industrial engineer for Motorola Charles Thomas Francis Lenartson, 92, of Brookfield, died peacefully on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the home of his daughter, Ann Jeannette Lenartson, surrounded by his family, Mary LaNita Lenartson (Hosso), Charles Patrick Lenartson, Faydette (Hamilton) Lenartson, and Katherine Anne Hosso. Born on Nov. 15, 1933, at Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago, he was a homegrown son of Brookfield, the son of Charles Roy Lenartson and Virginia Mary (Hull/Neiner) Lenartson and brother to Lois Mary Lenartson (Nyce) and Macktavish Lenartson. A proud graduate of St. Rita High School, he continued his education at College of DuPage and the University of Chicago, where he

POLICE REPORTS from page 13

Washington driver caught speeding Brookfield police on Aug. 17 cited a 32-year-old Chicago man for speeding. Around 1:30 a.m., an officer was driving south on Eberly Avenue on patrol, approaching 47th Street, when their squad car radar picked up a white Toyota traveling at 59 mph in the posted 30-mph construction zone. The officer watched as the car approached the intersection and disregarded the stop sign, continuing north onto Eberly Avenue.

earned a master’s degree through the university’s Executive Program. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Barbara Parish in Brookfield. His lifelong dream was to serve in the military. He proudly enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953 and served for eight years, attaining the rank of Corporal (E-4). During his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. His pride in his military service was deeply rooted in his family history, which included members who served in the Army during both World War I and World War II, including four uncles who were at Pearl Harbor and survived that historic day. He worked full-time for the Brookfield Postal Service as a mail carrier, later as an industrial engineer for Motorola, and spent time in the Business Department at Queensway. He accomplished much, but his greatest pas-

The officer made a U-turn and initiated a traffic stop, making contact with the driver and only occupant of the car. The officer requested the man’s driver’s license and proof of insurance; the man provided a Washington state license but could not provide insurance information, saying he was unable to log into his account to access it, according to police. The officer ran the man’s information and learned his valid Washington license had been suspended in Illinois. The officer issued citations to the man for speeding 26-34 mph over the speed limit, ignoring a stop sign, speeding in a construction zone, operating an uninsured vehicle and driving on a suspended license. The officer had the man’s car towed and set a Sept. 8 court date before the man said he would order an Uber to leave the scene.

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Driving without a license On Aug. 20, Brookfield police ticketed a 20-year-old Cicero woman for speeding. Around 5 p.m., an officer was on patrol on the 8800 block of 31st Avenue when they saw a silver Toyota moving at 55 mph in the posted 30-mph zone, confirmed with the squad car radar. The officer initiated a traffic stop on the 3100 block of Prairie Avenue and made contact with the driver and passenger. The passenger first apologized and said he was teaching the woman how to drive. The woman was unable to provide the officer with her driver’s license, saying she did not have one but was planning to get one soon. The passenger provided valid proof of insurance for the vehicle and said he had a valid Illinois license. The officer confirmed that the driver did not have a license while the passenger did through the police database.

sion was his family. He also had a lifelong love of trains and proudly collected N-gauge trains. He enjoyed attending air shows and car shows and had a deep affection for animals, having grown up with dogs and a rabbit. During high school, he raised pigeons in cages that had originally been used during World War I. He was a proud Marine and a man whose many interests reflected his appreciation for history, service, family, and the world around him. He will be deeply missed. Committal Service with Military Honors will be held on Sept. 12 at 11:30 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery office by 11:15 a.m. Arrangements were handled by JohnsonNosek Funeral Home, Brookfield. Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family at www.JohnsonNosek.com.

The officer ticketed the woman for driving without having been issued a license and for speeding 26-34 mph over the speed limit. The officer set a Sept. 8 court date and sent the pair on their way with the passenger now driving the car. These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department reports dated Aug. 17-24; they represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

— Compiled by Stella Brown

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Sports

The Landmark, September 2, 2026

Bulldogs offense finds groove in win over Hinsdale South Novak has four of six RBHS TDs; furious turnaround carries Lions to 2-0 By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

The Riverside Brookfield High School football team’s offense enjoyed plenty of success in the season opener but only one touchdown. On Friday, the Bulldogs scored six on their first six possessions in a 41-34 victory at Hinsdale South. RBHS (1-1) lost its opener to Sandburg 28-6. “It was definitely good to see them bounce back after Week 1 and show what we’re able to do the rest of the way,” RBHS coach Sam Styler said. Quarterback Brendan Novak led the way by rushing for 139 yards on 21 carries with four TDs and passing for 150 yards on 14 of 19 completions. The Bulldogs had 409 yards of total offense. Seniors Bryan Rimpila and Gideon Bradford (77 yards on 12 carries) also had rushing TDs and senior Nico Caputo caught six passes for 75 yards. Henry Jurgens converted five extra points. “Offensively, we controlled the game pretty well. Defensively, we gave up way too many big plays. But overall it’s a win so we’ll take it,” Styler said. “The offense did a phenomenal job, established the run game early on and often. We were extremely pleased with what our offense was able to do.” Novak opened with TD runs of 4 and 17 yards in the first quarter. Rimpila joined the backfield in the second quarter for a 1-yard TD run and 21-7 lead. Later TD runs by Novak (17 yards) and Bradford (6 runs) in the final minute of the period created a 34-20 halftime advantage.

After a fourth-down tackle for loss by Anthony Lembcke halted the Hornets’ third-quarter drive at the 16, Novak scored again on a 7-yard run for the Bulldogs’ greatest advantage at 41-20. The Hornets (0-2) scored TDs in the fourth quarter on a 17-yard pass and 25yard run with fewer than seven minutes left. The Bulldogs used the ensuing possession to run out the clock by driving all the way to the Hornets’ 16. Tackle leaders included Dean Mauban (10 with 4 solos) and Rimpila (7 with 5 solos) and Omar Guzman (4 with 3 solos). Andrew Olivares recorded a sack and Joe Stengl and Guzman also had tackles for loss. Joaquin Jara blocked an extra point.

LTHS football Lyons Township High School senior Brendan McCabe awaited his chance to return to quarterback. After playing the position his first two years of high school, McCabe moved to safety in 2025 and had an outstanding season. “To start for sure (it’s a transition), but now it feels great to be back. It’s where I’m meant to be and it’s great,” said McCabe, who delivered one of the biggest plays Friday as the Lions rallied for an 18-9 victory at Wheaton Warrenville South after trailing 9-0 at halftime. With the Lions facing third-and-17 at their 42-yard line, McCabe first somehow eluded a sack. McCabe then scurried toward the right sideline and found senior receiver Owen Matela, whose great catch for a 24-yard gain kept the drive going.

PHOTO CREDIT

Riverside-Brookfield’s quarterback (9) attempts a pass against Sandburg’s Nolan Torgerson (97) during a nonconference game Friday, Aug. 21, in Brookfield. EJ Kuhlman scored on a 4-yard run four plays later to give the Lions the lead for good at 15-9 with 7:12 remaining. “Those are crazy (plays),” McCabe said. “You kind of just run. If they can’t make the tackle, you just get outside and throw the ball.” “He’s very elusive. He’s got a lot of grit and he’s a senior who cares and wants to win,” LTHS coach Jon Beutjer said. “That’s one of the strengths, his ability to extend plays. He’s athletic. He can throw on the run and he made some really, really big plays in the third and fourth quarter.” After just 34 yards of offense in the first half, the Lions (2-0) took their opening drive of the second half 66 yards for a TD with Ben Sosne scoring on a fourth-and-1 run of 18 yards. The defense, meanwhile, allowed just 78 yards in the second-half after the Tigers scored on a 13-yard TD pass just four seconds before halftime. “We showed them the iPads (at halftime) and said, ‘There’s stuff there.’ We’re not executing,” Beutjer said. “I’m just really proud of the guys’ grit and resilience. They kept believing in themselves, believing in each other.” On the Lions’ second play of the second half, Kuhlman gained 38 yards to the Tigers’ 27 and provided the initial spark.

“The first half didn’t go our way, but we never lost our effort,” Kuhlman said. “Especially popping a play like that right after halftime was such a good switch. To have momentum is definitely why we won the game.” Sosne’s TD cut the deficit to 9-7. The starting linebacker has come in for shortyardage situations during both games so far. “As a primarily defensive person, getting to run the ball a little, it is very, very fun,” Sosne said. “That touchdown was all my o-line. You could have driven a semi-truck through there.” Kuhlman rushed for 99 of his 104 yards in the second half. Junior Wolfie Ketterling added a 35-yard field goal with 2:05 left for a two-score advantage. “It was a fun one. Proud of our team a lot. We’re a special team. We can do anything we need to,” McCabe said. “Our identity is run the ball and we ran the ball and that’s what won us the game.” Junior Colman O’Sullivan had four tackles for loss and joined Cole Harris with a team-high eight total tackles. Aidan Webster had four tackles and Sosne also recovered a fumble on defense. “Very fun (game). The close ones are the best for sure,” Sosne said.

S P O R T S

The Landmark, September 2, 2026

Bulldogs determined to net another UEC East tennis title Zavorski twins back for fourth season; Lions return four state qualifiers By BILL STONE Staff Writer

As they begin their fourth varsity girls tennis seasons, Riverside Brookfield High School senior sisters Paige and Brooke Zavorski again will make big contributions in their own ways. The twins often practice with each other, but probably won’t play as a doubles team. “I don’t know. (Paige) is just better at singles,” Brooke said. The pair are among five returning starters for the Bulldogs, who have won backto-back Upstate Eight Conference East Division championships and three straight conference titles counting their Metro Suburban Conference finale in 2023. The Bulldogs’ new head coach is Elise Husemann, also the girls lacrosse varsity head coach. “I just feel like it’s a pretty close community and we’re supportive of one another. It’s really easy to work with everyone,” Paige Zavorski said. “I feel like I’ve been working hard over the summer. My serving has gotten a lot better. I’ve made a lot of improvements from practicing.” At last season’s UEC East Meet, Paige Zavorski won the No. 2 singles title and Brooke Zavorski captured the No. 2 doubles title with graduated Abby Weinert. Junior Amanda Krueger took second at No. 3 singles, and juniors Sophie Dickerson and An-

nika Beil were fourth at No. 3 doubles. Other key players this season include seniors Ella Blomgren and Lucia Rodriguez and juniors Evelyn Cunningham, Cece Mooney and Mollie Price. Last season, Paige and Brooke Zavorski moved up one flight from the 2024 UEC East Meet, when they were champions at No. 3 singles and doubles (with Weinert), respectively. This season, Paige Zavorski and Krueger have been playing No. 1 and 2 singles and Brooke Zavorski and Dickerson have been at No. 1 doubles. “I’m going to miss my doubles partner because we worked well together,” Brooke Zavorski said. “I’ve gotten better at my serving and controlling the ball. I think just everyone being supportive of each other (is our key).” The Zavorskis agree they’ve come a long way since their freshman varsity seasons. “I feel a lot more confident in my game. I’ve improved a lot since freshman year,” Paige said. “Going into freshman year, I wasn’t really confident and kind of scared, but now I just feel more confident,” Brooke added.

LTHS girls tennis Lyons Township senior Abby Sullivan truly works hard on her tennis game. While Sullivan is among four returning

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside Brookfield senior Paige Zavorski was No. 2 singles champion at the 2025 Upstate Eight Conference East Division Meet.

STEVE JOHNSTON

Senior doubles player Sophia Dalgety was among Lyons Township’s six Class 2A state qualifiers in 2025. 2025 Class 2A state qualifiers for the Lions, she also has turned giving tennis lessons into her summer job since before her sophomore year. She now has roughly 35 to 40 clients ranging from age 4 to high schoolers. “I want to teach what I love. I’d rather do something that I enjoy, be outside and teach people how to get better at a great sport, in my opinion, so that just kind of called my name,” Sullivan said. “I reach out to people in the surrounding neighborhoods, I set my rates, determine how many lessons I’m going to book. It teaches me responsibility. It’s really fun.” Sullivan (16-12 record in 2025) and sophomore Anna Turnispeed (7-14) are the Lions’ returning state qualifiers in singles. Doubles qualifiers were senior Sophia Dalgety with graduated Erin Hanzlik (1510) and junior Elise Novey with graduated Rhia Nagale (18-10). Sophomore Chloe Owens also returns to the lineup. Varsity newcomers include nationally-ranked freshman Jessie Janiak. At state, Novey and Nagale were 3-2 and Sullivan was 2-2, winning her first two

matches, to both achieve top-24 finishes. Turnispeed and Dalgety and Hanzlik were 0-2. The Lions advanced both sectional singles and doubles entries for the first time since 2015. “It was so much fun last year (at state),” Sullivan said. “That’s my goal this year, to do even better than I did last year. Probably two or three victories at state would be nice, just to where I got last year or a little bit more.” Sullivan also is motivated because she plans to play club tennis in college. She said teaching tennis has helped improve her own game. “I honestly think it’s been easier (to teach than play). I’ve done tennis for so long,” Sullivan said. “I like being able to teach (fundamentals) to younger people because it helps re-instill those tennis techniques and it make me better. And I learn different ways to teach.” The 2025 Lions were second overall in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division after a 4-2 dual record. Dalgety and Hanzlik (No. 2 doubles) and Owens (No. 3 singles) were second.

S P O R T S

The Landmark, September 2, 2026

Bulldogs’ returnees learned from close 2025 contests 3A regional champion LTHS also builds from experienced lineup By BILL STONE Staff Writer

Senior defender Max Kaplan is among several returning Riverside Brookfield High School boys soccer players who learned plenty from the 2025 season. The Bulldogs suffered two one-goal regulation losses and three others decided on penalty kicks in finishing 5-13-2 overall and 0-4-2 in the Upstate Eight Conference East Division. “We were competitive in a lot of games. I think that once we went down, we found ourselves in a hole mentally and we struggled to get back as a team,” Kaplan said. “This year we feel really strong and like we can compete in those games again and come out with a win.” The Bulldogs already did that Saturday, outlasting Andrew in the consolation bracket of the Reavis Windy City Ram Classic, winning 7-6 on sudden-death penalty kicks to settle a 1-1 tie. “We’ve focused a lot on conditioning. Just finishing out games, I think that was part of the problem (last season),” RBHS coach Ivek Halic said prior to the tournament. “We kept it close and then we’d just lose that mental discipline at the end. The boys are working hard. I love it.” The team has 12 returnees and eight full- or part-time returning starters in seniors Luis Alvarez, Kaplan, Jack Luethje, Michinobu Scheuermann, Liam Wallace, Owen Wilson and Tomas Medina-Colon and juniors Aaron Acevedo, Caleb Adams, Ruben Briceno, Aaron Garcia and Michael Panduro. Varsity newcomers are seniors Alejandro Robles and Dylan Strobel, juniors Konrad Pietka and Wyatt Streeter and freshman Karlo Stavlic. “(Stavlic) is bringing a lot of energy, understanding of the game, a high soccer IQ,” Halic said. RBHS lost in the Class 2A Timothy Christian Regional semifinals 4-0 to the host Trojans after winning the previous two games by shutout. Alvarez was the Bulldogs’ 2025 All-UEC East player, collecting three goals and four assists. Briceno (4 goals, 3 assists),

Panduro (2 goals, 4 assists) and Acevedo (3 assists) also were among top offensive contributors. Goalies Pietka and Medina are new starters but the defensive line is experienced with Wilson, Wallace, Kaplan, Luethje and Garcia. “We’ve maintained chemistry from last year because we all know how we play and how we play together,” Wallace said. “Getting that whole season last year has helped build into this season. We play as a team. That’s maybe more different this year. We’ve bought into the whole team thing and we’re really going into the season strong.” Pietka was the big star Saturday with a save on Andrew’s fourth penalty kick, extending the result to sudden death starting with the sixth round. Adame, Garcia, Briceno, Scheuermann, Stavlic, Wallace and Kaplan converted their penalty kicks. The Bulldogs won as the Thunderbolts’ eighth attempt hit off the post. Stavlic tied the game 1-1 in the first half by converting a penalty kick. The Bulldogs lost their Windy City and season opener Aug. 25 to Hinsdale South 2-1 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie and then lost in the consolation bracket 1-0 to Bradley Bourbonnais Thursday. Briceno scored against Hinsdale South with an assist from Acevedo. Wilson converted the Bulldogs’ OT penalty kick. “We all have the skills we need to be successful, but playing as a team is really going to tie it all together,” Kaplan said. “Just support on and off the field (will help) and make no holes for us to fall short in games.”

LTHS boys soccer Senior defender Ari Chen and several of his Lyons Township boys soccer teammates are used to strong starts. The Lions tied New Trier 1-1 in the Tourney of Champions Saturday after beating Wheaton Academy 3-1 in the home opener, Aug. 26, and Plainfield North 2-1 in the season opener, Aug. 24. Chen and fellow seniors Julian Avdiu,

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside Brookfield senior Luis Alvarez (right) earned 2025 All-Upstate Eight Conference East Division honors. Hayden McTigue and Cormac Moran are in their third varsity seasons. Chen received all-sectional and All-West Suburban Conference Silver Division honors last season. McTigue also started as a sophomore. “We have a lot of experience and a lot of chemistry that you need. We’ve got the new faces that bring a new energy,” Chen said. “Right now we’ve been playing well. I don’t know if we’ve been playing our best. I think we’ve shown sparks that we can play and move the ball well.” The Lions boast even more returning starters from last year’s strong team that finished 17-5-2 and shared second in the WSC Silver at 4-2. They lost to eventual 3A state runner-up St. Laurence 1-0 in the Hinsdale Central Sectional semifinals after capturing their 12th straight regional. Chen, Avdiu, McTigue and Moran are joined by seniors Owen Kachmarik, Harrison Kittridge, Jake Faas, Ryan Keenan, Emmett Kessler, Rocco King, Charlie Pelling and Hayden Rout and juniors Marty Svelnis and Wolfie Ketterling as varsity returnees. Newcomers are seniors Alexis ChavezGonzalez, Nick Dreves-Hunt, Owen Ruiz and Max Sklaryk, juniors Martin Garcia and Trevor Lusk and sophomores Kane Fox, Jakob Roman and Brendan Sullivan. Sklaryk is new to the program after previously playing club soccer only. “We have a lot of returning and very good players on our roster from 1 to 22. We have high goals for the entire year,” said LTHS coach Paul Labbato, whose new varsity as-

sistant is Stewart Turner-Jackson. “I think the encouragement (so far) is that we’ve gotten better each game and our coaching sessions were being able to be implemented (Saturday). We frustrated New Trier in many aspects of the game.” Defense remains a strength. Chen, Kachmarik, Kittridge and Svelnis return from the back line that recorded 16 shutouts with nine coming in the final 11 games and allowed just 11 goals. “We have a lot of experience playing with each other,” Chen said. Ketterling, Chavez-Gonzalez and Ruiz are goalies. Ketterling also is varsity kicker for the LTHS football team. Sullivan is the brother of just-graduated defender Gavin Sullivan. Avdiu (4 goals, 7 assists), Sklaryk (4 goals, 5 assists), Fass (3 goals, 5 assists), Moran (4 goals, 2 assists) and King (3 goals, 3 assists) Roman scored in the first half to tie Saturday’s game after the Trevians scored in the opening minutes on a lengthy throw-in. Ruiz made six saves. “(Ruiz) played outstanding. He was probably the player of the game,” Labbato said. “I think our defense getting stronger and stronger each game (is a key to success).” Cormac and Roman scored against Wheaton Academy along with an own goal. Ketterling had the shutout. “We want to make it as far as we can in the postseason,” Chen said. “Right now, coach is having us make mini-goals, process goals, trying to make us focus next game.”

18 The Landmark, September 2, 2026 HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI • Deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE OAK PARK DOCTOR DEPARTURE In accordance with Illinois state regulations, notice is hereby given that Dr. Susan Vierling of Retina Institute of Illinois, is leaving the practice located at 715 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301. All patients may retrieve their medical records Retina Institute of Illinois located at 715 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301 or by calling 847-297-8900. Dr. Vierling last day at the practice will be September 15, 2026. It is important for existing patients to schedule an appointment within the next 30 days either with one of Retina Institute of Illinois doctors or an outside eyecare doctor to ensure they are receiving ongoing care. Published in Wednesday Journal August 12, 19, 26, September 2, 2026

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: M26001928 on August 14, 2026 Under the Assumed Business Name of PJS TREASURES with the business located at: 841 N. CUYLER AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: PATRICIA JURCZAK 841 N. CUYLER AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA. Published in Wednesday Journal August 19, 26, September 2, 2026

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.

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The Landmark, September 2, 2026

Events

Submit events and see full calendar at rblandmark.com/events

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2 1 E . B U R L I N GTO N R OA D, R I V E R S I D E | 70 8 . 4 47.72 07 G TIN LIS

R T DE AC N U NTR CO

W NE

220 Maplewood Rd, Riverside $1,075,000

235 Longcommon Rd., Riverside $795,000

W NE

G TIN S I L

E AG LL I V

175 W Burlington St, Riverside $695,000

ER NT CE

10 E Burlington St, 2B, Riverside $749,000

W NE

G TIN LIS

R T DE AC N U NTR CO

220 Northwood Rd., Riverside $850,000

E AG LL I V

ER NT CE

10 E Burlington St, 2J, Riverside $549,500

343 Lionel Rd., Riverside $820,000

W NE

R T DE AC N U NTR CO

33 S Cowley Rd., Riverside $995,000

G TIN S I L

NT ME TY T S R VE PE IN PRO

212 Gage Rd., Riverside $895,000

8223 W 30th St , North Riverside $415,000

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY