Landmark_090325 by Wednesday Journal

Star Buds is staying put

dispensary

no longer move to the corner of Burlington Street and Harlem Aven

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

After Riverside’s approval process took several months of meetings last summer, the Star Buds cannabis dispensary will no longer look to move location at the corner of Longcommon Road and Harlem Avenue to a new development at the cor ner of East Burlington Street and Harlem.

Riverside’s village board of trustees on Aug. 21 approved a termination ag reement with Ja Re Enterprise LLC, ending the arrangement for to sell the village-owned parcels S. Harlem Ave. and 363-369 E. Burlington St. for the development of the new Star Buds dispensary.

The ag reement was included within the consent agenda for the meeting, meaning trustees did not discuss or consider it individually.

According to the village board

ssistant Village rside, Anne Cyran has been promoted to the director of

rside’s village started in the g. 25, and underwent onboarding with Monroe until her fi, Aug. 28. Cyran is taking on most of the duties Monroe away with

Brookﬁeld talks ﬁnancing for potential recreation cente

village cannot issue bonds for the full, projected $25M cost until 2030

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield trustees have directed village staf f to begin discussions with bond consultants to find a way to realistically finance the construction of a potential community center at Ehlert Park that would cost at least $25 million.

At the village board’s Aug. 25 committee of the whole meeting, Stevie Ferrari, Brookfield’s assistant village manager, asked the board to reach consensus on one of three options to move forward with the project now that Brookfield has accepted the results of a feasibility study completed by Williams Architects

Ferrari said Brookfield could either take no further action on the project, leaving it for a future village board to reconsider; direct staf f to seek outside funding sources like grants, though those would be unlikely to cover more than 10% of the overall project cost; or instruct staf f to start looking into a possible bond referendum, which would be one of the only surefire ways to cover the project’s large cost.

Ferrari said Brookfield will not be able to issue any bonds until at least 2027 after the village is scheduled in December 2026 to make the final payments on about $12 million of bonds it had issued for street improvements in 2015 and 2016. She said the village would only be able to bond $12 million at that time, leaving at least $13 million of the initial price estimate and likely $2 million in further price escalation unfunded

The village could also wait to issue $25 million in bonds altogether after it pays off a $7 million bond for 2018 street improvements in 2028 and another $6 million bond for 2020 roadwork in 2030, she said, though there would likely be further price escalation then beyond the $2 million expected by 2027. Brookfield has a maximum cap of $25 million on bonds, meaning the construction costs would leave the village unable to use the

is render ing shows what the front exte rior of a communi ty center at Ehlert Park could look like.

bonds for any other project until they are paid off, Ferrari said.

“Bottom line, this facility in its current cost of $25 million is not going to be able to be built without some sort of referendum or some combination of funding mechanisms to include a referendum,” she told trustees

Village trustees and staffers alike said they felt it would be unreasonable to issue $12 million in bonds in 2027 rather than waiting for the rest of the village’s bonds to sunset.

“I think it would be really problematic to have to go for a referendum for half of a rec center and then, again, later, go back and say, ‘Hey, we’d like a referendum for the rest of the rec center,’” said Trustee Jennifer Hendricks “For me, I think that’s a non-starter.”

“I agree with you. It doesn’t make sense to go for referendum,” Village Manager Tim Wiberg added. “We’re going to ask for half now, and if they give it to us, then we’re just banking on a ‘Yes’ vote in three years. That’s not sound planning.”

Village President Michael Garvey compared the high price of the center to the estimated cost to pave the remaining unpaved alleyways in Brookfield, a project he said residents often ask about; realistically, he said, it would cost upwards of $100 million to pave them all, he said, making the point that the board cannot consider the potential recreation center in a vacuum.

“We don’t have the benefit of looking at each of these issues in isolation. If we make a decision to focus on a referendum for a parks and recreation center, it would be to the exclusion of other projects going forward,” he said.

Through the course of the board’s dis-

cussion, trustees agreed they would like to consider all of the village’s potential capital projects in tandem, though several said they did not feel prepared to discuss the issue of paving alleys at the meeting, as the memo the board had received to prepare for the discussion touched solely on the recreation center.

Some trustees said they felt the option to seek a bond referendum was the only possible path forward for the project, though Wiberg and Ferrari explained that staff still needed the board to give direction to take next steps, as the completion of the feasibility study for the center did not imply the village’s pursuit of its construction.

As the board reached a consensus to start looking into the bond process, Trustee Julie Narimatsu said she felt there would always be opportunity costs to a project of the recreation center’s scope and that the board simply needed to understand what those could be.

Trustee Kyle Whitehead agreed and unscored the community value of the center, which the feasibility study found most residents would desire and be willing to pay the annual costs for bonds toward.

“It’s a huge gap in our community right now that we don’t have an indoor recreation space that everybody can enjoy We invest so much in our parks, and our parks are awesome; unfortunately, because of the weather, they’re not used by many residents for much of the year,” he said. “A center like this could provide tremendous value in terms of the physical health and the mental health of nearly every resident if they were to take advantage.”

Operations

Cahillane, Steve

Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

HOW TO REACH US PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305 PHONE: (708) 442-6739

E-MAIL: dhaley@wjinc.com ONLINE: w ww.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published digitally and in print by

one-year subscription

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on newsstands for

$57 within Cook County and $95 outside the county. Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305. © 2025 Growing Community Media NFP.

COURTESY OF WILLIAMS ARCHITEC TS

Independent Living Deal of the Century!

PROMOTION

the assistant village manager position, Village Manager Jessica Frances told the Landmark. Some other tasks, especially those “more administrative in nature,” she added, will be taken on by Frances herself or handed down to Yvette Zavala, Riverside’s finance director, or Emily Stenzel, the village clerk.

“I was initially extremely excited to learn about that opportunity because it aligns exactly with what I’d like to do in my career,” Cyran told the Landmark. “As the village planner, I focused mostly on zoning and planning projects with a few other initiatives. In this expanded role, I’ll continue those responsibilities, but I’m also going to take on department management and broader strategic planning.”

Frances said Cyran’s promotion will lead to the elimination of the village planner position. If necessary, Riverside will bring in a planner on a contractual basis to assist with a greater-than-usual workload, she said.

“We have such a solid team that we’re able to either give additional responsibilities internally or also promote from within,” Frances said. “You don’t see that in every village, and I feel like Riverside’s really for tunate to have that.”

Cyran said her interest in community development began while she was earning her master’s de gree in public administration from Michigan State University.

“I loved the idea of serving the community, and I wasn’t sure how I wanted to do that until I learned about planning, which perfectly aligns with my interests and my values because it’s community engagement in how people can best enjoy their community,” she said. “Riverside, especially, is a really special place. It’s beautiful, it’s community-oriented and it’s exceptionally well-planned. I’m passionate about planning and community development, and it’s a privilege to work in the village, which has a national reputation for excellence in the field.”

Cyran said there are several community development projects in the works in Riverside, including the construction of a five-story apar tment complex at 28-30 E. Burlington St., an update to the village’s building codes and enhancement near the BNSF railroad to support businesses and improve sustainability.

“I want to make sure our development

Anne Cy ran is Riverside’s new director of community development.

processes are more efficient and accessible while proactively planning for the village’s future,” she said. “I also want to foster a culture of collaboration within the department, within the village’s departments and with the community. I think we are known for providing high-quality customer service; I want to ensure that continues and explore opportunities to improve.”

Before her departure from Riverside, Monroe told the Landmark she felt Cyran was an ideal candidate to take charge of the village’s community development.

“Anne has been very inte gral in many of our operations in community development. When we brought her in a couple of years ago, I definitely saw the potential in Anne for whatever it is she puts her mind to. She has the foresight, and the thoughtful character of her personality, I think, suits Riverside,” she said. “I knew instinctively that Anne should be the person to, at least interim, be doing certain things with department operations.”

Cyran said she’s most excited to work further with the residents of Riverside in her new role.

“I’m really looking forward to what we’re planning for the future. I think community development works best when it’s done with the community, so I’m looking forward to listening, collaborating and leading projects that make the village even more livable and beautiful and welcoming.”

PROVIDED

Riverside’s assistant village manager departs

Ashley Monroe heads to Kane County Forest Preserves as deputy director

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Assistant Village Manager Ashley Monroe has resigned from her post at Riverside to become the new deputy director of the Forest Preserves of Kane County. Her last day with the village was Thursday, Aug. 28, and her first day in her new position was Tuesday, Sept. 2.

After Monroe’s departure, Riverside will not hire a new assistant village manager, Village Manager Jessica Frances said; instead, it will promote a new community development director who will assume most of the tasks from the sunsetting position.

“We’re very sad to see her go, but we are excited for her and her next adventure,” Frances told the Landmark.

Monroe is the second village official to leave Riverside this year after Village Clerk Ethan Sowl resigned in February to become the assistant village manager and zoning and planning administrator for Elm Grove, a village in Wisconsin.

Monroe said she submitted her r esignation on Au g. 12. Frances announced her departure on Au g. 21 at the village b oard’s meeting

“I had general interest in working with a special district at some point in my career. The Forest Preserves and the mission and values of conservation, preservation, general wellness and activity really struck a chord with me,” Monroe told the Landmark. “I ended up seeing that the county had posted for this brand-new position … Because that type of role comes around so infrequently, I took a look at it and wanted

to explore what that could look like for me. There are elements of what I’ve learned here in Riverside that are directly applicable.”

Monroe said a number of parallels between Riverside and her new workplace also caught her eye.

“T he Fo rest Preserves d oes have properties that it manages that are historic in nature, so historic landmarks, wh ich, of c ourse, is a c ritical c omponent of wh at Rive rside is and the history that c omes with that. K ane C ounty j ust c elebrated i ts 100th annive r sary of inco rp oration, ” in c omparison with Rive rside c elebrating i ts 150th earlier this month, she said. “That historical importance is really neat to me. T here are only 11 forest preser ve districts in the state of Illinoi s, so that unique character of being one of few is also familiar to Rive rside.”

Monroe said her new role will be largely administrat ive, with her wo rk ing to suppo rt the operations of the forest preserves’ different departments, including elements of natural resource management, p lanning, land acquisition and c ommunity eng agement.

She struggled to name a single favorite memory of her four years with Riverside before settling on a potluck lunch her coworkers at the village threw for her on Monday, Aug. 25, to celebrate her before her de parture.

“Rive rside has b een nothing b ut welc oming to me for the period of time tha t I was her e. Our r esidents in Rive rside and this g eneral re gion are ge nuine in their community care and their sense of c ommunity and the ways that they c ont ribute,” she said. “I have not b een in a p lace that is so focused on the r espectf ul preservation of this historical ideal. T here’s something r eally gr eat about reco gnition by man y, many r esidents in the c ommunity, not j ust a fe w, of the significance that Rive rside has to the national forefront of p lanning, d esign and historical character.”

BACK TO NATURE: Ashley Monroe le her post as Riverside’s assistant village manager for a new job as deputy director the Kane County Forest Preserves.

S he also lauded the village b oard and the thoughtfulness of i ts member s, having wo rked for Rive rside under two village presidents and a handful of diffe rent trustees

“The reason I wanted to come to Riverside was because of the stability and

professionalism of the board of trustees. Their thoughtful deliberation about issues here and the overall support and trust in staf f in executing those ideals, I think, were really characteristics of what I hoped I would see in Riverside,” she said. “That’s what you want to see in a desirable community to both live and work for.”

Unity Temple to host violence prevention ice cream social

Congregation hosts event in Austin Gardens with peacekeepers from Nonviolence Chicago

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Unity Temple is sponsoring an opportunity for Oak Parkers to meet people at the forefront of violence prevention ef for ts in Chicago.

T he cong re gation’s gun violence prevention team is hosting an event with staf f from The Nonviolence Institute for Chicago on the evening of F riday, Sept. 12. T he event, an “ice cream social” featuring the Milk and Honey ice cream truck, will give Oak Parkers the opportunity to meet with the institute’s peacekeepers and learn about how to support the group’s mission of making Chicago safer through grassroots relationship building and community support

T he event will last from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Austin Gardens on Forest Avenue north of Lake Street.

T he institute’s outreach workers are typically long-time residents of the communities they serve and work to mediate conflicts in their neighborhoods to prevent them from spiraling into violence, provide victim support programming and other community eng agement work

“The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s street outreach teams advocate for the community,” the group said of its work in the community. “We host giveaways and nonviolence trainings, provide food and toiletries, and conduct wellbeing checks when needed. To help communities take back areas where violence has occurred, we host block parties creating safe spaces and building relationships with our neighbors.”

T he institute has peacekeepers working in Austin, West Garfield Park, Back of the Yards and Brighton Park

In 2024, peacekeepers responded to over 300 shootings, conducted nearly 1,000 conflict mediations “that likely prevented a shooting” and enrolled nearly half of all shooting victims they supported into ongoing programming, according to the group

Gun violence Prevention is one of Unity Temple’s seven justice network values

Since last November, there have been three fatal shootings in Oak Park.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Riverside board talks, again, about regulating food trucks

Trustees did not reach consensus on where to draw the lines

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Trustee Joseph Fitzgerald said he was against licensing f ood trucks annually in the first p lace and that he would prefer to move forward only with the specia l events model so Rive rside c an make exp loratory steps without c ommitting to a license schedule that might not wo rk fo r the village.

Rive rside ’s village b oard has agai n discussed gove rn ing where and how f ood trucks c an operate in town without r eaching a full consensus

At their Au g. 21 meeting, trustees we re tasked with deciding whether food trucks should be able to obtain an annual mobil e food license for re g ular operation withi n the village or if all trucks should be limi ted to operating with a special event lic ense tied to a specific occasion.

Vi llage Manager Jessica Frances sai d that, li ke any r estaurant a pplying for a re g ular annual license to open for b usiness, f ood trucks seeking an annual lic ense would require village staf f to review their operations, including wher e and when they plan to operat e.

After then-Assistant Vi llage Manage r

A shley Monroe walked trustees throug h a list of p ossible locations where trucks c ould set up shop in Rive rside, b oth downtown and along Harlem Avenue in the village ’s B-1 c ommercial districts, the b oard seemed split on where to allow f ood trucks.

Trustee Cristin Evans said she f elt the trucks should be excluded from downtown d ue to the loud noise thei r g enerators c an make that c ould disrupt brick-and-mortar b usinesses in the area.

Trustee Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga ag r eed , c alling it a “question of scale” and saying downtown Rive rside is g eared mor e toward pedestrian infrastructur e.

Trustee Elizabeth Kos disag r eed, saying she f elt the village should have the same standards for b usinesses re ga rdless of whether they ’r e downtown or along Harlem Avenue.

Trustee Jill Mateo said she was “agnostic” on whether to limit f ood trucks by district b ut c ame out in suppo rt of the annual licensing model, referencin g the ag r eement that has b een r eached by the owners of Rmarts at the corner of L ongcommon Road and Harlem Avenue and P rime Ta co s, a f ood truck that re gularly operates out of the g as station’s pa rk ing lot. Both owners spoke in favo r of the ar r angement at one of Rive rside ’s initial discussions about food trucks “I think if the Rmarts owner we re her e, he would make the c ase, again, tha t it helps his business,” Mateo said.

Vi llage President Doug Pollock ag r eed to set the matter aside for another meeting with the b oard’s mixed f eedback, directing the discussion toward the topic of special events licenses. He said he f elt the license would require the b oar d to limit the n umber of times any truc k c an set up shop in town, in c ontrast with the village ’s existing license, wh ich has no such cap; otherwise, f ood truck operators could apply for a cheaper special event license to avo id the c ost of an ann ual license.

Kos ag r eed and said the b oard would li ke ly need to look at the f ee structur e for b oth kinds of licenses to ensure f ood truck owners ca n’ t abuse a loophole to apply for special event licenses throughout the year and pay less money than for an annual license

“I think this c omes back to the q uestion of, are we going to have the annual fe e, in my mind, because if we ’r e not going to have an annual fe e, then we ca n j ust do a limited n umber of days for a special event, and we ’r e d one,” she said.

Hungerhurtslearning andourcommunity 'sfuture

Endinghungerbyconnectingthefourcornersofourcommunity

Everychildshouldbeabletolearnanddreamwithoutworryingabout wheretheirnextmealwillcomefrom. YetinCookCounty,18% of childrenfacefoodinsecurity, leavingtoomanystudentsstrugglingto findtheenergytheyneedtodotheirbestinschool.*

Hungerhurtslearning andourcommunity 'sfuture

Settingthetableforchange ...

Whatdoes "puttingfoodonthetable" meantoyou?

Hungerdoesn’ tonlyaffectbodies ; itaffectsminds , too. Childrenwho cometoschoolhungryhaveahardertimefocusingandstaying involvedinclass . Teachersseetheeffectsofhungerintheir classroomseachday. Thechallengeisn’ talackofcuriosityordrive ; butgivingstudentsaccesstothefoodthatfuelslearningandgrowth.

is map shows di erent areas around Riverside’s downtown that could possib ly host a food truck, color-coded based on whether they would t the distance requirements the board has already agreed to

“But if we want to say there’s a diffe rence b etween a special event and somebo dy li ke at Rmarts, then we want to have a separate fee structur e. ”

After much back-and-for th discussion on the definition of a special event between members of the b oard and staf f, Kos said she f elt the village should pic k a starting point to the b est of i ts a bility and be pr ep ared to c hange the r ules down the line if needed .

S he emphasized that, to her knowledge, P rime Ta c os has r emained the onl y f ood truck i nterested in operating in Riverside even as the village b oard has disc ussed re g ulations over seve r al months.

“It’s not that I do n’ t want to be diligent

Formanyofus , puttingfoodonthetablemeansweareprovidingforothers , caring forourselvesandforourfamilies . Itmeanswehaveenoughmoneytopayforour foodandforotheressentialneeds .

Butwhathappensifwecan’ taffordthismostbasicofhumanneeds?

Atourfoodpantry, wehavewitnessedcountlesstimestheinjusticethatishunger. Evenwhenpeoplehavejobs , toomanydon’ thaveenoughmoneytoputadequate , nutritionalfoodonthetableandstillpayforothersurvivalexpenses .

Voicesforchange

Today ’sstudentsaretomorrow ’snurses , teachers , builders , and communityleaders . Byensuringeverychildhassteadyaccessto food, weunlocktheirpotential, supportfamilies , andhelpour communitygrowstrongerforgenerationstocome.

Thereasonsforincomedisparityarewellresearched Incomedisparityhaslong oftenbeencausedbyinequitiesineducation, housing, employment , and healthcare Meanwhile , thecostoflivinghascontinuedtoriseandwageshave continuedtolag. Acrossthe 15 communitiesweprimarilyserve , levelsofincome disparitycontinuetorangewidely. Yetevenwithinourwealthiervillages , hundreds offamiliesarelivingpaychecktopaycheck .

Together, wecanworktomakesurenochild ’sfutureislimitedbyan emptyplate.

at first, b ut I think we c an also revisit and say, ‘OK, we need to bring this in . This is not how we envisioned this going,’” she said.

Vi llage A ttorney Bob Pickrell said the b oard could roll out an initial set of re gulations as a pilot pr ogr am, “explicitl y creating the expectation that we ’r e testing the waters to see wh at i ssues would c ome up.”

After about 45 minutes, Pollock ended the discussion “for the sake of time,” tabling it to a f uture meeting with the b oard’s lack of consensus and saying he would wo rk with staf f to a ddress as many of the trustees’ remarks as p ossible the next time the item was brought for th.

Asanemployedmotherofthreerecentlysharedwithus ,“Attimesithasbeenlike tryingtomakeendsmeet , figuringoutshouldIpaymybills , mymortgage , or shouldIfigureoutwhatwe’regoingtoeatfordinner ?”

Together, wecanworktomakesurenochild ’sfutureislimitedbyan emptyplate.

* Withinourfoodpantry ’s 15-villagepriorityservicearea, nearly 1900 childrenarelivingin householdswithincomesbelowthefederalpovertylevel. Manymorechildrenarelivinginfood insecurehouseholdswithincomesonlymarginallyabovethefederalpovertylevel. Sources : U S BureauofLaborStatistics ; GreaterChicagoFoodDepository, CookCountyCommunity AreaCensusDataandCommunityAssetMap

* Withinourfoodpantry ’s 15-villagepriorityservicearea, nearly 1900 childrenarelivingin householdswithincomesbelowthefederalpovertylevel Manymorechildrenarelivinginfood insecurehouseholdswithincomesonlymarginallyabovethefederalpovertylevel. Sources : U.S BureauofLaborStatistics ; GreaterChicagoFoodDepository, CookCountyCommunity AreaCensusDataandCommunityAssetMap

Throughoutourcommunities , puttingfoodonthetableisabasichumanright Puttingfoodonthetablemeansprovidingforourselvesandforothers . Itmeans wecanaffordtotakeabreakfromourdailyworriestofeelthecomfortsof mealtime , togetherness , andnutritionalwell-being.

Puttingfoodonthetableisanactofsharingandlove

Wanttohelp? UsethisQRcodetofind twoeasywaystodonatemonetarily :

reallneighborshere Todosso

We' reallneighborshere svecinosaqui

sharefoodsharelove .org

PROPER TY TR ANSFERS

The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Clerk from June 2025. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the clerk’s office.

BROOKFIELD

Sweet Merrilyn L Alvarez-Santana Magaly

Harlem Ave $290,000 Argueta German Mcdevitt Christopher

Northgate Rd $325,000 Palumbo Kathleen Tr Ziko Daniel

E Quincy St $430,000 Ziko Daniel Nagrodski Gabriele

Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight

La Grange Area Department of Special Education (LADSE) 1301 W. Cossitt Ave

La Grange, IL 60525 (708) 354-5730 • adse.org

The LADSE Vocational Program is the longest operating state-funded program devoted to high school special education and vocational training. Our sole purpose is to assist area high schools in providing quality, well-managed training opportunities that will lead to successful post graduation outcomes. The LADSE Vocational Program has been incredibly successful over our 67 years of existence. Our success is very much tied into our ability to partner with our local business community.

Supporting High School Special Ed & Training

A Specialized Service to Highlight: Our goal is to expose students to adult workplace thinking and communication; any opportunity can be framed and built into a genuine educational learning experience. We aim for our community-based experiences to have the least amount of impact on our business partners while providing meaningful learning that resonates with our high school students.

There are three primary questions that we hear from our community partners when discussing bringing high school students into their worksites:

1. Insurance: All LADSE students are covered by LADSE district insurance, wherever their learning takes place, including in community business job sites.

2. Training students: LADSE and district Job Coaches take your instructions and modify them, repeat them as needed, and use them to help the student learn the job task and deliver consistent, quality results.

3. LADSE support: LADSE has a team of Employment Specialists who are responsible for answering all questions prior to starting any work experience.

The Employment Specialists will have a meeting with you and your staff prior to any student visiting the job site to determine the how/why/when for any vocational experience.

In closing, if your agency or business is looking for an opportunity to be engaged in their community and to deliver a truly life-changing, valuable service to the local community with special needs, look no further than the LADSE Vocational Team. Once the student has completed all training, graduated high school, and started an adult life of their own as a paying consumer; the pay-back is immense! The lessons learned in your business, through your donation of time and space, will last a lifetime!

For more information about how to partner with the LADSE Vocational Department, please contact Alex Budziszewski at abudziszewski@ladse.org / (708) 482-1170 or Jennifer Burke at jburke@ladse.org / (708) 482-1155.

2 drivers caught in Brook eld without licenses

Brookfield police on Aug. 25 ticketed a 21-year-old Brookfield man for driving with an inoperative taillight.

Around 10:47 p. m ., an officer was driving north on the 4100 block of Maple Avenue when they obser ve d a car heading in the same direction with the drive r’s s ide taillight out. After following the car west onto Ogden Avenue, the officer p ulled the car over and spoke with the drive r, wh o was able to provide proof of the vehicle’s i nsurance but said he did not have a driver ’s license at all.

The officer cited the man for his two infractions and called for a truck to tow the man’s car before sending him on his way.

Driving around railroad gates

Brookfield police on Aug. 28 ticketed a 25-year-old Chicago man after he illegally crossed a railroad track.

Around 9:32 p.m., an officer on patrol was driving south on the 3700 block of Prairie

STAR BUDS

Dispensary not moving

from page 1

documents for the termination agreement, Star Buds decided not to move due to the opening of BLOC Dispensary, 7122 Ogden Ave. in Berwyn, in June less than a mile away from the proposed development’s location.

The village approved a sales agreement for the two properties with SB IL 2 LLC in September 2023. The closing date was originally scheduled for Jan. 22, 2024, but Riverside approved extensions for Star Buds, first to July 22, 2024, and then to Dec. 31, 2024.

In November 2024, the village board approved Star Buds assigning the contract to Ja Re, which, according to documents included with the assignment ag reement in a memo to the board, seems to be operated by Ahmad Joudeh, a Star Buds partner.

Joudeh did not respond to an email from the Landmark requesting an interview. Star Buds re presentatives did not return a similar request submitted through the company’s online contact form.

Jessica Frances, Riverside’s village manager, told the Landmark Star Buds approached the village about a week or two before trustees approved the termination

Avenue when they observed a silver Ford heading north drive around the emergency gates blocking the BNSF railroad for a train’s arrival. The officer followed the car north and pulled it over on the 8900 block of Lincoln Avenue.

The officer made contact with the driver of the car, who showed the officer proof of insurance but said he did not have a driver’s license. The officer searched the man’s information through the police database and learned his license had been invalid since 2021.

T he officer cited the man for drivin g around the railroad gate and for drivin g with an invalidated license before setting an Oct. 14 c ourt date. After c onfirming that the man’s gi rl friend, who had b een a p assenger, had a valid drive r’s license, the officer made the two sw itch seats so she c ould drive the car aw ay from the traf fic stop

These items were obtained from the Brook-

agreement to say the company wants to stay put at the 2704 Harlem Ave. location, which it had previously leased but now owns.

“It was in pretty short order that this wasn’t something that they could reasonably move forward with, given the location of it and given the research that they had done,” she said. “We’re happy to have them stay as a business, whether it would be in the new location or at their current location, but at that point in time, given all the data they had to make an informed decision, they felt it was in their best interest to not move forward with closing” on the new real estate

Frances said Riverside will work with Williams Architects, the firm contracted for the village’s project to remodel its public safety facilities, to create a request for proposals to develop the site at the corner of Burlington Street and Harlem Avenue now that Star Buds’ plan will not come to fruition.

That plan included demolishing the existing structure on the west parcel to make way for a new parking lot and re placing the current parking lot on the east parcel with a new building, complete with glass LED paneling facing west and a drive-thru for online cannabis orders to be picked up.

Dispensaries cannot operate drive-thrus under Illinois law, though several bills that could change that have been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly over the past few years to little success.

field Police Department reports dated Aug. 25 to Sept. 1; 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

Frances said Williams will provide renderings for potential developers to see what could be done on the site within four to six weeks; once the village board approves, the village will release the RFP. Final consensus on picking a new development will take place three to six months later, she said.

Having withdrawn from the sales ag reement, Star Buds will consider making improvements to the existing location, Frances said, though she didn’t know exactly what. The addition of a drive-thru to that location would require a new zoning review process, she said.

Alison Costanzo, a resident and vocal opponent of the planned Star Buds development due to the influx of traffic she predicted it would bring to East Burlington Street, said she wasn’t surprised to hear the dispensary was no longer moving.

“There’s been no work on the site all summer long, and, considering how hard the village pushed to get all of their variances and all of that passed, for no work to be done — one of the neighbors and I were talking, and he was like, ‘It just seems really weird,’” she told the Landmark. “Maybe they realized what a bad spot that is.”

She said she felt disappointed by a perceived lack of transparency from the village over the development’s status and worried about the village’s past dedication toward a project that has now fallen through.

a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Trent Brown

“It raises a lot more questions for me as a resident of, OK, now what? The village was doubling down [that] this is going to be an economic driver,” she said. “Of course, I want the community business district to succeed because that makes our community succeed, but the right way of doing that, you have to weigh and measure the considerations of residents and businesses and understand the difficulties of that street being one of the straight throughways.”

While Riverside did work with Star Buds to approve its development plans through meetings with the planning and zoning commission and the village board, Frances said the company was responsible for paying fees to cover the associated staff costs.

“Residents aren’t necessarily subsidizing someone’s specific zoning relief or zoning request. That cost is borne by the individual or business making that request,” she said.

No matter what goes in at the site, Costanzo said she still wished to see Riverside complete a traffic study on East Burlington Street, reiterating a desire she expressed when she spoke publicly at village meetings last year.

“It’s frustrating when, as a resident, you bring things to their attention, and things fall on deaf ears,” she said. “When there are legitimate questions, I don’t always feel like the village takes it seriously.”

Celebrating 100 Years YOUR BEST LIFE withLisaCapone

Cantata Adult Life Services (formerly known as the British Home) turned 100 this year, and we’re marking this milestone with a community-wide celebration you won’t want to miss! Join us on Saturday, September 13 for the Cantata Centennial Festival, a full day of live music, delicious food, family fun, and special moments honoring our century of service.

Enjoy performances from talented local musicians, explore unique vendors, and sample offerings from popular food trucks. Kids will love the family-friendly entertainment, while adults can relax with beer, wine, and great company.

We’ll also announce winners of our 50/50 raffle—supporting Cantata’s mission while giving lucky participants a chance to win big. This once-in-a-century celebration is our way of saying thank you to the community that has been part of our story for 100 years.

Barbara Egan, 85 Chicago Public School teache r

Barbara L. Egan

(nee McGove r n), 85, of Rive rside, died on Au g. 25, 2025. Born on Ju ly 8, 1940, she was a gr aduate of Mater Dei High School in S anta A na, C alifo rn ia, class of ’ 58, and Marywood C olle ge in Scranton, Pennsylvania. A Chicago Public School teacher for over 20 year s, she was a long time member of St Mary C hurch, the Riverside Ladies B ridg C lub and the Infant Welfare Society. S he love d reading, watching movie s, going to pl ay s, tr aveling and doing sud oku and crosswo rd p uzzles. S he had a unique abilit y to maintain l ifetime friendships throughout the c ountr y from Pennsylvania to Califo rn ia

OBITUARIES

Diane Kretz, 88 Pianist and piano teacher

Barbara was the w ife of the late Bernard Egan; the mother of Christopher Egan, B rian (Veronica) Egan and the late Matthew Egan; and the gr andmother of Samuel and Fiona Eg an.

Vi sitation was held at the C onboy-Westchester Funeral Home on Au g. 28. A f uneral was c elebrated at St. Mar y C hurch, 105 Herrick Road, Rive rside with i nterment at Queen of Heaven Cemeter y.

In lieu of fl owers d onations may be made to St. Ju de Children’s Research Hospital (www stjud e. org)

Ar r angements we re handled by the O riginal Ku ratko Family, Brian D. Ku ratko - Director.

Margaret Diane Kretz (née Danaher), 88, known to family and friends as Diane, died peacefully at home in Riverside on Aug. 26, 2025, surrounded by loved ones Born in Chicago to Thomas and Margaret “Peg” Danaher, she was a woman of quiet strength, deep faith, and radiant generosity. A gifted pianist and passionate teacher, she taught piano for decades. Her home echoed with hymns, classical pieces, and the laughter of children lear ning to play music.

She lived her Catholic faith with humility and conviction, offering kindness, hospitality, and prayer to all. Her handwritten notes, warm meals, and gentle wisdom were the quiet sacraments of a life de

Diane was the wife of the late Norbert mother of Thomas (Stephanie) Kretz, Margaret Kubik (Dave Votaw), Laurence Kretz (Maribel Favela), and James (Sara) Kretz; the grandmother of Thomas (Destiny), Steven, Martin, J. Connor, James “Jack”, Aubrey, Lauren, Jessica “Jessie,” and the late Candace. She also held a special place in her heart for her bonus grandchildren — Daniel, Abigail, Eric, Adrian, Jack, and Sarah — whom she welcomed into the family with war mth and generosity. And she shared a lifelong sisterly bond with her cousin Peg McLean.

Visitation is at Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside, on Friday, Sept. 5, from 3 till 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9-9:45 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Church (St. Paul VI Parish), 105 Herrick Road, Riverside, on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, beside her beloved Norbert

In honor of Diane’s lifelong commitment to education and the arts, the family encourages donations to a local music education program or Catholic schools.

To run an obituary

Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

Sports

Bulldogs’ Garcia, Novak quite the combo in opening win

Juniors take turns helping o ense score o en in 35-27 win at Niles West

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School junior quarterbacks Giancarlo Garcia and Braeden Novak were quite an offensive combination during their youth football days with the Junior Bulldogs.

“Bubba [Novak] used to be my quarterback growing up,” Garcia said. “He used to throw me touchdowns, so it’s kind of funny seeing of us playing quarterback now at the same time.”

They and the Bulldogs had plenty to smile about after Friday’s season opener at Niles West. With Garcia and Novak alternating at quarterback every possession, RBHS led from the start and held on for a 35-27 victory in Skokie.

“It was great. The first varsity game, I was excited, a little nervous but me and [Garcia] are friends since pre-school,” Novak said. “At the start, I was a little bit [nervous], but once I got in the game and got in the groove, I just kept driving.”

In 2024, Garcia was the varsity starter and earned All-Upstate Eight Conference East Division honors. Novak also was impressive during pre-season after being the junior varsity starter.

Even up until Thursday, RBHS head coach Sam Styler said the coaches weren’t sure who to play

“We figured because there wasn’t a clearcut winner and they both played up to an excellent level, better to have two guys out there and let’s just see who can put us in position to be successful,” Styler said. “They’ve been competing all summer. Both of them are capable of leading us into a touchdown and putting us in a position to score every drive We’re going to keep this thing going. They’re great with it and I think they’re awesome.”

With Garcia at quarterback on the Bulldogs’ first possession, they went 55 yards, Garcia scoring on a 1-yard run. Garcia later added an electrifying 45-yard TD run for a 3514 lead in the third quarter.

Novak had three TD passes, starting with a 66-yard strike to a wide-open Jayden

Karas r Mr caught 24- and 12-yard TD passes, respectively. With their cadences, the pair also drew the Niles West defense offsides numerous times

“We’ve been friends since pre-school. We’ve built that brothership and we know we have each other’s backs,” Garcia said. “When I can’t score, he’ll go out there and score. When he can’t score, I’ll go out there and score.”

At RBHS, Garcia became a running back who sometimes played quarterback in rushing situations. He became the varsity starter last year after the graduation of starter Diego Gutierrez.

With bigger brother Ryan a standout linebacker and running back for RBHS, No has played quarterback since starting or nized football at age 7.

“[One of my favorite passes is] the route. I love throwing it across the over all of the defenders,” Novak said. “[Gar cia] pushes me throughout the practice and we both make each other better eve day.”

Caputo, who had one TD all of 2024, his 12-yard TD pass near the right side of end zone with 1:00 left in the half lead. Two plays earlier, he drew a p ference penalty that advanced the 13.

“I came out of my route and see the

of it.’ And I see Xavier make a great block. And I was just gone to the end zone.”

“All offseason we put a really big emphasis on blocking as receivers,” Caputo said. “It’s not stuff that shows up on the stat line or scoreboard but it’s the stuff that really makes those plays happen.”

Niles West closed to 35-27 by scoring on the ensuing possession and again with 1:48 left in the third quarter after the Bulldogs fumbled away the kickoff return at the 26. Warren Mason blocked the extra point.

After John Bielobradek’s 28-yard field goal attempt caromed off the right upright with 8:28 left, the Wolves’ final two drives didn’t get past their 25.

c h r

[Novak] a lot of credit, seeing me there, and it was a good call by our coach, too.”

Garcia then scored on the Bulldogs’ first possession of the second half. With the ball at the Wolves’ 45, he eluded one tackler, two more at the 30 and then broke free along the left sideline with help from a downfield block by Mrozik-DeJesus

“We talked all summer about my being smart when I run. Last year I took a lot of hits,” Garcia said. “I had one guy rip my jersey. I broke free and there’s two guys there. I about to di to the ound but I was like

Senior Ben Biskupic had a sack in his varsity debut and Luke Ferguson, Anthony Lembcke, John Evans Jr. and Oscar Aguirre contributed to tackles for losses or zero yards. Evans and Jayden Lee had pass breakups.

The Wolves’ first two TDs came on passes of 16 yards and 36 on fourth-and-10 and second two on runs of 31 yards after two broken tackles and 7 yards on third-and-4.

“Maybe it wasn’t pretty all of the time, but our guys were prepared,” Styler said. “I think the name of the game was we were able to stay disciplined. We had a couple of mental errors but our guys stuck with it and up. A win’s a win and we’ll clean rything up.”

BRAEDEN NOVAK

GIANCARLO GARCIA

RBHS boys soccer pairs high goals with young lineup

Eight juniors, ve sophomores join ve returnees from UEC East champions

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Seniors Austin Castilla, Pablo Ponce and Logan Wilson not only are team captains for the Riverside Brookfield High School boys soccer team but they’re among the few returnees from last year’s Upstate Eight Conference East Division champions

Senior goalie Eros Valadez and junior midfielder Luis Alvare z also return as fullor part-time starters. The Bulldogs finished 10-8-1 and lost their Class 3A Argo Regional opener 6-3 to the host Argonauts,

“Patience will be a big factor [this season] Also I think discipline’s going to play a big factor,” Ponce said. “We’re going to be down some games. We have to have the discipline to be up and continue playing at the highest level instead of putting our heads down.”

Other team members are seniors Santiago Medelin, Jacob Gonzalez and Nick Ortiz, juniors Max Kaplan, Jack Luethje, Michinobu Scheuermann, Jackson Serge, Jackson Streeter, Liam Wallace, Owen Wilson and goalie Tomas Medina-Colon and sophomores Caleb Adame, Aaron Acevedo, Diego Briceno, Aaron Garcia and Michael Panduro.

The Bulldogs so far are 1-2 in their opening games at the Windy City Classic after losing to Shepard 4-3 on penalty kicks Saturday at Reavis to decide a scoreless tie.

“We have a young team, (five) sophomores, (eight) juniors. Everybody’s a role

player,” RBHS coach Ivek Halic said after Thursday’s victory. “Everybody’s playing extremely well. I’m very pleased with how the dynamic of the team is. They’re working hard, every ball was fought for. That’s what I was pleased with.”

The Bulldogs boast experience defensively. As outside defenders, Castilla was a fulltime starter and Ponce a part-time starter in 2024. With Valadez in goal, the Bulldogs allowed just 26 goals in 14 games

“I feel like I have a lot of experience so I can push this team and let them know what they will expect at the varsity level,” Castilla said. “[We want] just to be the best version of ourselves. Also communication and more positivity.”

Most of the scorers graduated. Alvare z had one goal last season and Logan Wilson one assist in 2024. Acevedo and Wallace scored against Washington with assists by Briceno and Panduro, respectively. Alvare z scored against Sandburg with Panduro assisting. Wallace, Panduro and Castilla converted penalty kicks Saturday.

Logan Wilson should contribute more this season after being a part-time starting forward and wing midfielder. Wallace was promoted to varsity for invitational play.

“It’s extremely exciting,” Wilson said. “I was facing injuries last year but I was able to watch the whole team and how they succeeded and it was an awesome experience. I just want to forward that for this year and carry that on.”

RBHS Austin Castilla (4) looks to move the ball against Sandburg during a Windy City Ram Classic rst-round game at Lemont, Aug. 26, in Lemont.

RBHS hopes to achieve its first re gional title since 2019. In the 2024 UEC East, the Bulldogs took first with a 5-0-1 record, winning and losing one game each on penalty kicks. The Bulldogs lost to West Aurora 2-0 in the crossover match of UEC division champions.

“This is a new group. Just playing well,

building that chemistry,” Halic said. “It’s always been about winning games but also playing well, working for each other, the discipline, being accountable and that work ethic. That’s always a goal, repeating first place [in conference] and being champions. Just the little details will make a big difference in the long run.”

LTHS football comes out strong with victory over Joliet Catholic

Long TD drive, run-stopping defense fuel Lions’ win over storied opponent

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior two-way Patrick Cheney and his Lyons Township High School football teammates faced plenty of adversity just opening the football season against perennial power Joliet Catholic Academy. Leaving with a 24-14 road victory at Memorial Stadium in front of a playoff-like estimated crowd of 5,000 only added to one of the Lions’ most satisfying recent victories.

“This is totally up there. I’d say beating York on their home field last year is my No. 1 but this is up there for sure.” said Cheney, a third-year starter. “They had a big crowd. It was their Senior Night. All of the alumni was there. Their home opener. We took control of the ball in the fourth quarter. We brought it to them on Week 1. We were ready to play, ready to hit. We beat them up front, d-line and o-line both. We hit them at all angles.”

LTHS, a Class 8A quarterfinalist who

went 11-1 in 2024, entered the game ranked No. 9 pre-season in the Associated Press.

The Hilltoppers were ranked No. 7 moving up to 6A after losing to Nazareth Academy in last year’s 5A state championship game. After their lead was cut to 21-14, the Lions could have wavered late in the third quarter when their next drive began from their 1-yard line. Senior quarterback Jack Slightom – one of many new starters – instead engineered a 19 play, 77–yard drive that consumed 11:56. Sophomore Wolfe Ket-

terling’s line-drive 20-yard field goal with 3:09 left basically put the game away. After JCA turned the ball over on downs at the LTHS 46, the Lions ran out the clock. “Our main goal was coming away with points because any points would make it a two-score game,” Slightom said. “Honestly, I didn’t really know [the drive] was that long until I walked off and there was so much time off the clock. I think we were all in the moment, in the flow state, just moving.” Senior two-way starting lineman Roman

STEVE JOHNSTON

LTHS girls ag football plan on even more success

Brook eld’s Tamburello among returning starters from 14-4 debut season

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior Jax Tamburello of Brookfield received the welcome news just two days before her first summer league game with the Lyons Township High School girls flag football team. Under rules changes for the sport’s second IHSA-sanctioned season, players on the offensive line can now move and screen block the defense from the quarterback and backfield players but still without physical blocking or using hands or extended arms.

“Oh, you don’t know the amount of times I’d gotten called [with penalties] last year for just getting in people’s way because last year the rule was I had to stop moving before the opponent runs into me or attempts to get around me,” said Tamburello, the Lions’ returning starting center. “I could not move at all. Now I can move this year. I can now shift and be really annoying to the opponent and get all in their way. It’s going to be a fun season.”

Nothing should get in the way from the Lions having another successful season after an impressive 2024 debut. In the program’s first year of existence, they finished 14-4 and won regionals before losing 29-14 in the Whitney Young Sectional semifinals to Young, which went on to finish third in the state. Many of the Lions’ victories came over programs that had previously existed as club teams.

Sosnovyy’s sack and caused fumble recovered by senior Lou Ratcliffe was the biggest play by a defense that allowed just 42 rushing yards with six tackles for loss.

Slightom was 15-for-20 passing for 195 yards with touchdown passes to juniors Owen Matela (4 yards) and EJ Kuhlman (7 yards).

“When you play a team li ke Joliet Catholic, a premiere exceptional program, for our kids to go there, play confident, play hard, not turn the ball over. We’re happy about that,” LTHS coach Jon Beutjer said.

“Were there mistakes? Absolutely. But the ef fort was there, the energy, the discipline, the execution. It’s really good to get that Week 1 win on the road against a re-

LTHS Taylor Ho enberg (2) tries to split the Simeon defense during a nonconference ag football game, Aug. 25, in Wester n Springs.

“All of our returning players are super-excited to get back on the field. They all get along and are just excited for another chance and season together,” said LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens, whose new assistant coach is Morgan Gallagher.

“Our expectation is to win a lot more,” Tamburello said. “I think we have a pretty good chance to be pretty high up.”

The Lions boast several returning starters and returnees after graduating just five seniors and their varsity roster has expanded from 22 to 29. With the program’s continued

ally, really good program.”

With JCA at the LTHS 41 in the final minute of the first half, Sosnovyy’s sack on third-and-15 caused a fumble at the JCA 44 that Ratcliffe recovered at the 19 and returned to the 12. Two plays later, Slightom found Kuhlman 4 seconds before halftime for a 21-7 lead.

“I feel like that play really turned the game over,” Sosnovyy said. “I saw the quarterback scramble out. I got lucky, I would say, and made the tackle, the sack. And then Lou was right behind me to make the fumble recovery, which was also huge, so props to him.”

JCA closed to 21-14 to open the third quarter, including a 38-yard carry for most

growth, there’s also now two coaches at each level.

Senior safety/wide receiver Anna Bigenwald was named all-state and the team’s Most Valuable Player. Senior quarterback Char Ebeid was named Offensive Player of the Year. Other returning starters include seniors Kennedy Campbell, Maren Cavanaugh, Carly Granger, Fiona Sullivan, Teya Magajne and Anya Torres, juniors Grace Downey, Helena Enriquez and Christina Lid and sophomore Taylor Hoffenberg.

Seniors Lisa Baron of Brookfield, Kailey

of their rushing yardage. After the Lions stopped the Hilltoppers’ next possession, came their game-changing drive from the 1. Kuhlman began with gains of 3 and 5 yards to create some breathing room and running back Frank Suero’s 26-yard run got the ball to the LTHS 45.

On fourth-and-5 at the JCA 37, Slightom found Cheney for a 10-yard gain. On thirdand-4 at the 21, Kuhlman broke a tackle at the 25 and gained 15 yards to extend the drive at least another three minutes and provide closer range for Ketterling, who missed a 48–yarder on the Lions’ opening drive

“We felt like that was the game there, especially fourth down where we converted,”

McGuire and Lila Porter and junior Leah Monahan also return. Varsity newcomers are senior Cecilia Vlk, juniors Madeline Blasco, Lorelai Brown, Margeaux Dvorak, Ada Flynn, Lucy Flynn, Sophie Picha, sophomores Alyssa Episcopo and Delaney Episcopo, both of Brookfield, Jane Erickson, Kayden Jackson and freshman Megan Robinson.

“Our entire offense is back so that’s exciting that we can just build off where we were last year,” Hutchens said.

“A lot of our seniors who graduated were more on defense. Other than that, our of fense is pretty set and then people are learning how to fill in the gaps,” Tamburello said.

Ebeid’s passing and high-completion percentage was among the Lions’ strengths in 2024. While line players like Tamburello can screen block, another rule change allows multiple defensive players to rush instead of just one. Centers may snap the ball between their legs or sideways

“Generally I’ll stay at center, but if there’s a really strong player on the side, [Hutchens] might switch me and I’ll play wide receiver as a blocker,” Tamburello said.

There’s even more to play for this season. The West Suburban Conference has begun conference play with champions for the Lions’ Silver and Gold Divisions as well as individual all-conference recognition.

“Since we do have a conference, it would be nice to be the first team to win conference,” Hutchens said. “Honestly, I just think a goal personally would be to continue to build off last year, continue to focus on the details of route running, timing, putting our defense together. We’ll have some fun but we’ll also be very competitive.”

Beutjer said. “We wanted to score, but we also wanted to eat clock.”

Suero and Kuhlman rushed for 58 and 50 yards and Matela caught five passes for 68 yards. Ratcliffe scored the Lions’ first TD on a 3-yard run 10:19 before halftime

Nathan Fitzgerald and Cole Harris each had six tackles and Anthony Pearson and Ratcliffe four apiece. Fitzgerald and Sosnovyy contributed to two tackles for loss.

“For a team that likes to run the ball, I think we did an outstanding job. All the credit to our d-line, linebackers,” Sosnovyy said. “The stands were packed. Our crowd was big. It was a great game. The [LTHS] student section brought the energy for sure.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday September 17, 2025 for the following:

Village of Oak Park 2026 Comprehensive Landscape Maintenance

Bid Number: 25-126

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website http://www.oak-park. us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 3585700 during the hours above.

A mandatory pre-bid meeting shall be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Public Works Center. Proposals received from bidders who do not send a representative to the pre-bid meeting shall not be considered.

The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

Published in Wednesday Journal

September 3, 2025

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

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

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: M25000804 on August 18, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of NEWLOOK DESIGN STUDIO with the business located at: 907 RIDGE ROAD, WILMETTE, IL 60091. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: STEVE ECONOMOU 1141 SHERMAN AVE, EVANSTON, IL 60202-1335, USA

Published in Forest Park Review August 20, 27, September 3, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M25000838 on August 26, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of KATE LOVES CODE with the business located at: 510 S HUMPHREY AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: KATIE DONALDSON, 510 S HUMPHREY AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA

Published in Wednesday Journal September 3, 10, 17, 2025

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-KS3 Plaintiff, -v.LARRY BROWN, PATRICE LOVE-COLEMAN, STATE OF ILLINOIS - DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2024CH10706 218 SOUTH 15TH AVENUE MAYWOOD, IL 60153 NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 30, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 29, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Commonly known as 218 SOUTH 15TH AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153

Property Index No. 15-10-401-0230000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-24-07262

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2024CH10706

TJSC#: 45-1499

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2024CH10706 I3272406

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT

LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-6

Plaintiff,

-v.-

KOFI OKYERE A/K/A KOFI A. OKYERE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Defendants 2018CH08427 10530 CAMELOT WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 11, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 17, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 10530 CAMELOT, WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

Property Index No. 15-20-203-0210000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue

laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-18-06643

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2018CH08427

TJSC#: 45-2046

Case # 2018CH08427 I3271709

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