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Riverside project rising

Vol. 41, No. 36

September 9, 2026

Page 4

The hidden history of a local hero Riverside talks Twenty-five years after 9/11, Brookfield filmmaker debuts compelling documentary at Oak Park Film Festival about a La Grange native’s sudden, historic mission to combat terror By JACKIE PISANO Staff Reporter

When the events of Sept. 11, 2001 come to mind, most people picture the horrors endured by the victims of the hijacked airplanes, inside the Twin Towers and at the Pentagon. They also recall the brave first responders at Ground Zero, the lifelong trauma of both survivors and victims’ families, and the heavy toll paid by soldiers who fought overseas in the resulting war on terror. However, unseen in public memory is the story of Lt. Colonel Daniel “Nasty” Nash — an F15 fighter pilot who, on the chaotic morning of 9/11, was tasked with scrambling into action from Otis Air National Guard Base off Cape Cod, Mass. with his wingman, blasting into supersonic speed to intercept what was believed to be a hijacked commercial airliner. Although the attacks on American soil ended that day, their effects on Nash, a La Grange native and 1984 graduate of Lyons Township High School, did not. In a powerful new documentary created by Nash’s high school classmate and See NASTY NASH on page 7

consolidating its fire stations The move may come once the village remodels its existing police and fire facility By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

PROVIDED

Daniel Nash, a 1984 graduate of Lyons Township High School, is the focus of a poignant new film showcasing the story of a local hero and how the events of 9/11 changed his life.

Riverside officials on Sept. 3 discussed the history of its two firehouses and its public safety mutual aid agreements amid some public debate about the potential closure of the station north of the BNSF line. Riverside is moving forward with its plan to remodel the existing shared fire and police facility attached to Township Hall, though the move will ask voters to approve the plan on their ballots next April. Officials have said the plan includes closing Fire Station #2 at 60 Pine Ave. due to the inadequate sleeping and living facilities for on-call firefighters staying overnight. The plan has generated some public debate in the form of residents’ opinions published by the Landmark, including one written by Village President Doug Pollock.

See FIRE STATIONS on page 12

The Landmark, September 9, 2026

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The Landmark, September 9, 2026

Riverside budgets $8,000 to replace outdoor dining fences

IN THIS ISSUE

Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Officials say it’s only fair to cover costs for the fixes they’re requiring

General Manager Max Reinsdorf Staff Reporters Stella Brown, Jackie Pisano, Bob Skolnik, Gregg Voss

By STELLA BROWN

News Intern Lillian Ali

Staff Reporter

Riverside is budgeting to chip in and cover the costs for two businesses in town that may have to replace the barriers around their outdoor dining areas by the end of 2027. The village board decided on Thursday, Sept. 3, to budget $8,000 for the two potential replacements as part of Riverside’s facade improvement grant program, through which the village helps fund signage or other visual work for businesses in town. The discussion comes after officials decided in April to regulate outdoor dining throughout Riverside, limiting exterior fences to a height of 42 inches and requiring a minimum measure of transparency, achievable through gaps in the fence or similar measures. Anne Cyran, Riverside’s director of community development, said only two barriers demarcating outdoor dining areas deviate from the new standards: the one at Breakfast Hacienda and Cafe is two inches too tall, she said, while the one at La Estancia is seven inches too tall and does not meet the transparency requirement. Cyran said village staff estimated each fence would cost $4,000 in total to replace, though she noted that the need to replace them is ultimately up to the village board. Trustees would also have the option to grandfather these existing fences into the code if they don’t want to force the business owners to replace them by the end of 2027, as the new policy dictates. $12,600 is dedicated to the other portion of the facade improvement grant for 2027 for any businesses seeking financial aid on improving their signage or making changes to the street-facing portion of their business. Some members of the board voiced support for only reimbursing half of the cost of the fence replacements, which would have entailed budgeting only $4,000 be-

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 FILE

Legal Notices Mary Ellen Nelligan

Riverside outdoor dining tween the two businesses, until Village President Doug Pollock made a case for offering to cover the full cost. “There is something unique here in that, with the outdoor dining, we’ve passed an ordinance requiring them to fix it,” Pollock said. “Traditionally, it’s been totally voluntary on the part of the business whether they improve their facade.” Trustees Elizabeth Kos and Jill Mateo also vocalized support before the board reached a consensus to budget the full $8,000. “We’re requiring them to make this change. [The fences] were built prior to our ordinances regulating them,” Mateo said. In total, the facade improvement grant program has $20,600 budgeted toward it for 2027.

Other budgeted items Village Manager Jessica Frances at the Sept. 3 village board meeting updated trustees on other items that had newly been budgeted since the most recent discussion of Riverside’s capital improvement plan

Marketing & Advertising Associate Emma Cullnan

for 2027 on Aug. 20. The priciest items include $45,000 for the parks and recreation department’s park planning from the parks and recreation fund for 2027 and $25,000 for a triangle restoration program starting in 2027 and continuing into future years, with village staff and volunteers working to maintain restored triangles. $13,856 is budgeted as Riverside’s onequarter portion of the cost to enable crosscommunity fire station alerting through West Central Consolidated Communications, a regional emergency dispatch group to which Riverside belongs. The village of McCook is working to construct a new facility for WC3 to benefit all four of its member communities, which also include Brookfield and North Riverside. Smaller items include $3,000 budgeted for emergency equipment repairs completed by the parks and recreation department and $2,000 budgeted for a native landscaping program to be designed and administered by the village’s landscape advisory commission.

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com Operations Associate Susan Liss Babin Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera Senior Advisor Dan Haley

HOW TO REACH US

P.O. Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305 PHONE: (708) 613-3300 E-MAIL: dhaley@newswellchicago.org ONLINE: www.RBLandmark.com Riverside Brookfield Landmark is published weekly by NEWSWELL Chicago. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No. 19-585). Riverside Brookfield Landmark NEWSWELL Chicago is located at 1011 Lake Street St 307, Oak Park IL 60301. The newspaper is available at newsstands for $1. Annual subscription rate in Cook County is $57 and $95 outside of Cook County. Advertising rates available by contacting our office. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Riverside Brookfield Landmark, NEWSWELL Chicago P.O. Box 6670 River Forest IL, 60305. © 2026 NEWSWELL

The Landmark, September 9, 2026

Luxury apartments break ground in Riverside Construction is officially underway at 28-30 E. Burlington St.

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

A major development project has officially broken ground in downtown Riverside. Construction began on Tuesday, Sept. 1, on the planned apartment complex at 28-30 E. Burlington St., starting a process that could take up to 18 months according to property owner Patrick Leone. The work kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony featuring village staff, elected officials, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and developer duo Leone and Mary Leone, his wife. Once completed, the five-story complex will feature 22 luxury apartment units, including two so-called live-work units on the ground floor for tenants to live in the back and run a business out of the front. Plans for the project began about three years ago, when preliminary materials first made their way through the village’s review process beginning with its planning and zoning commission. Most recently, the village approved a final plan for the complex at the start of 2025, with expectations that the work would start later that year and reach completion by the end of this year. With work finally underway, Community Development Director Anne Cyran said construction documents listed 450 days of work, “which, based on the start in August, would put us in October of 2027.” Leone gave a more liberal estimate of a year and a half, putting the opening of the building around March 2028.

STELLA BROWN

Riverside officials, Chamber of Commerce board members and property owners Patrick and Mary Leone stand before the site of new construction at 28-30 E. Burlington St. The two parcels had housed the former site of Coveny Lane, a home decor and beauty boutique, at 30 E. Burlington St. and a medical office that housed a controversial pain clinic at 28 E. Burlington St.

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Leone purchased the property of the clinic in 2018, having previously purchased the adjacent property, and demolished the existing buildings that year. Before then, he said each parcel had been

left unused for a number of years. “One building was out of use for a good 10 years, and the other one probably five or six years,” he told the Landmark. “It’s been a lot of work to get to this point, but it’s nice to see it finally getting under construction.” The Leones said they hope to see the apartments become a bastion for Riverside residents who wish to downsize from their homes while staying in town. “There is a lot of need. People have been here for years, they’ve raised their kids here, and they don’t want their big homes anymore, but they want a luxury place to live in town,” Mary Leone said. “I think that it’s going to fulfill a need. A good need.” Cyran agreed, calling housing for residents to age in place “a missing housing segment in Riverside.” “For folks who love the community and want to stay, but aren’t, for whatever reason, interested in having a single-family house or a different type of housing this offers another option for them,” she said. Cyran said the project “builds on the momentum” that Riverside’s downtown area is experiencing. “New businesses have opened. Investments have been made by longstanding businesses and property owners. There’s energy in the events like the farmers market, Spring Fling and Holiday Stroll. It also compliments the streetscaping the village has done on East Burlington Street and what we have planned for East Quincy [Street], Riverside Road, East Avenue and Forest Avenue,” Cyran said.

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The Landmark, September 9, 2026

PROVIDED

Board members and volunteers of the Oak Park - IL Film Festival promoted this year’s event at the village’s Thursday Night Out this summer.

An Oak Park-centric film festival launches into its third year A

Oak Park Film Festival opens Sept. 16 with local people, places and themes By JACKIE PISANO Staff Reporter

Venice. Cannes. Toronto. Sundance. Tribeca. South by Southwest. And — Oak Park? Major film festivals have long taken center stage as vital cultural and commercial launchpads connecting visionary directors and renowned filmmakers with audiences and critics. But in 2023, a group of Oak Park creatives came together to establish the village’s very own film festival, proving masterful cinema and storytelling doesn’t just happen on global stages. Now in its third year, the Oak Park - IL Film Festival (OPILFF) has established

itself as a celebration of independent cinema right in our own backyard — an annual event honoring filmmakers who share a deep-rooted bond with the community through projects spotlighting Oak Park through content, casting, crew or setting. This year’s fest kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 16, with a special Opening Night program at the Lake Theatre, 1022 Lake St., featuring a Hollywood film with a special Oak Park connection — 2013’s “Enough Said,” starring the late James Gandolfini, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Oak Park native Tavi Gevinson. Gevinson, who launched fashion blog, “Style Rookie,” at age 11 founded the iconic “Rookie Magazine” just four years later, quickly becoming a global sensation and one of the most distinctive voices of her generation. Following her 2014 graduation from Oak Park and River Forest High See FILM FESTIVAL on page 6

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

LIVING TRUSTS: PART I

living trust is a legal tool for financial and estate planning that allows you to control your assets during your lifetime and ensures they are transferred to your chosen beneficiaries efficiently and privately after your death, typically avoiding the public and often costly probate process. Following is a list of the key components of any trust. • Grantor (Settlor/Trustor): The person who creates the trust and places assets into it. • Trustee: The person or entity responsible for managing the assets within the trust according to the trust document’s instructions. In a revocable living trust, you typically name yourself as the initial trustee. • Successor Trustee: The person who takes over management of the trust if you die or become incapacitated. • Beneficiaries: The individuals or organizations who will receive assets from the trust. • Funding: The crucial process of transferring the legal title of your assets (like real estate, bank

accounts, and investments) into the name of the trust. The two main types of living trusts differ primarily in flexibility and tax implications. Revocable Living Trust: This is the most common type. You can change the terms, add/remove assets, or cancel the trust entirely at any point while you are alive and mentally competent. Assets in a revocable trust are still part of your taxable estate and do not offer asset protection from creditors during your lifetime. Irrevocable Living Trust: Once established, this trust cannot be easily changed or revoked without legal intervention or beneficiary consent. The grantor gives up ownership and control of the assets, which can provide potential benefits like protection from creditors and reduction of estate taxes for high-net-worth individuals.

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The Landmark, September 9, 2026

FILM FESTIVAL Opening soon from page 5 School, Gevinson expanded her reach into acting, landing celebrated roles on both Broadway (“This Is Our Youth,” “The Crucible”) and television (“Scream Queens,” “Gossip Girl”). Prior to screening Gevinson’s film, the film fest’s Opening Night will feature a special video interview, filmed especially for

the event. The festival continues Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20 at Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison St., transforming the small stage theater into a cinema venue for a jam-packed weekend of all things movies. The weekend marks the indie film-portion of the festival, where audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy 31 films from across a variety of genres, including documentaries and shorts — all with an Oak Park connection. The festival will also feature industry professionals sharing insights and experiences with attendees, along with food complimentary from Oak

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Park restaurants. Joyce Porter, an Oak Park resident and SAG-AFTRA actress, model and voiceover talent, is the festival’s founder and board president. For over 20 years, she served on the board of Oak Park Festival Theatre, and as someone familiar with the film festival circuit both across the U.S. and abroad, she felt that Oak Park’s reputation as a vibrant, arts-centric community gave the village the perfect potential to host a strong local film festival. “In 2023, I made a Facebook post to see who would also be interested in helping organize a film festival in Oak Park,” she said. “The right people showed up, and we created a board that was talented to bring it together.” After one year of planning, the Oak Park - IL Film Festival launched in September 2024. At first, Porter says, it was a bit of an experiment to see how many films would actually be submitted. Three years in, she says the board gets more film submissions than they can show. “Oak Park is a unique community,” she said. “There are not many other communities, other than a large city, where you could actually have all the films have connection to that community — and have enough creative people that there would be more than enough films to show.” This year, 44 films were submitted to the festival, with final selections made by the event’s 13-member board. Porter says Opening Night sets the stage for a cinema fest with locally-focused glitz and glamour. “Opening Night is elegant,” she said. “People can have their photos taken by a professional photographer in front of a backdrop, and a lot of people dress up for the evening.” Oak Park resident Katelyn Capri Zenie, a producer and production designer in Chicago’s indie film scene, is participating in the event for the first time as the festival’s manager. While she’s worked in the Chicago-area film space for over a decade, Zenie says joining the film fest’s team has shown her even more of the artistic talents that thrive within the Oak Park community. “Since joining the hyperlocal filmmakers community within Oak Park, I’m learning that there’s more and more creative people within Oak Park,” Zenie said. “It’s been helpful to see that, and I feel like I’ve gained a lot of new friends just this year. It feels really validating and goes to show that we have so much more to offer within

Oak Park and how we can contribute to the bigger picture of Chicagoland.” After the 2024 and 2025 festivals, Porter says feedback from audiences and participants about the fest has been nothing but positive. “Everyone loves it,” she said. “We do a survey to people who attend the festival asking for their feedback, and one of the questions is, ‘Would you come back next year?’ I’ve never seen anyone say ‘no.’” Porter adds that the growing success of the film festival proves Oak Park is not just a creative hub, but a community eager to embrace new traditions and celebrate diverse arts. “The festival shows that there is so much creativity in Oak Park,” she said. “We have excellent films — and an advantage over most film festivals in that a lot of film festivals you go to, people have to fly in, and only sometimes does everyone show up. But in our case, because it is locally oriented, we have almost all the directors there for the Q&A and you get to see them, hear from them and connect with them. That makes it very special.” Zenie agrees, adding that unlike other film fests, Oak Park’s provides more flexibility for producers and their entries — notably, not having a time limit as to how long ago submitted films were produced. “A lot of the filmmakers are able to contribute their works they’ve produced over time,” she said. “Films take many years to produce, and this way, they’re still able to show their films to their local community and connect with their neighbors. This year in particular, I feel like we’ve really reached an ever deeper kind of audience within the Oak Park community itself. We’re really excited.” Zenie hopes locals will attend the fest for its focus as a hyperlocal celebration of storytelling from all walks of life. “There’s not a specific genre of film — it’s all that’s from Oak Park, and you really get to build up other creatives around you and the community at large,” Zenie said. Porter adds the fest provides more of an inclusive and immersive experience than most other film festivals. “It’s an outstanding festival where you get to be involved more than in most festivals and get to see most of the directors and a combination of narrative and documentary films,” she said. Tickets for the Oak Park - IL Film Festival are available now, with early bird pricing available through Thursday, Sept. 10. For tickets and information about films shown and event schedules, visit opilff.org

The Landmark, September 9, 2026

NASTY NASH Friend a hero from page 1 friend, John Scaletta, “Nasty: The Battle After the Mission” shares with audiences the story of Nash’s local background, his heroic efforts on the day of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history, and the lasting personal impacts of that day, including the struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder which ultimately cost Nash his life. After being warmly received at film festivals across the country, including the film’s screen debut at La Grange Theatre in May, “Nasty” has been selected for screening at the Oak Park - IL Film Festival, along with a nomination for best long-form documentary. Scaletta, the owner of Motion Source Film Studio in Brookfield, teamed up with his wife, Stephanie (a former staff member for outreach with Oak Park Township), who PROVIDED served as executive producer, to create “NasThe official movie poster for “Nasty.” ty,” recalling both the harrowing details of what Nash witnessed on 9/11 and stories of the man behind the uniform from those clos- of a local American military hero. Originally planned to be a 10-minute short est to him. The idea for the film came after Scaletta, a film, Scaletta’s project quickly expanded into high school friend of Nash, was inspired to a 42-minute biographical film on Nash — an ambitious five-year undertakcreate a float for the annual La ing which was supported by the Grange Pet Parade in 2021 in help of over 50 people. Nash’s honor. “The intention was always to Initially, Scaletta was going to be a short documentary, but as create a randomly themed Evel I started to film and then interKnievel float for audiences. view Dan’s brother, Brendan, I Instead, as Scaletta found out realized we needed more interabout Nash’s untimely passing views — and it just grew and at age 54 that June, his idea pivgrew,” he said. oted from a float of fun to one of “Nasty” maps Nash’s life honor, building an F15-themed growing up in La Grange and float dedicated to Nash. his early military career to reWhen Scaletta began buildcalling the moments which ing the float, he considered PROVIDED led Nash to being one of two making a short documentary pilots scrambled on the mornof the float’s creation. John Scaletta, owner of ing of 9/11 — exploring how “When you’re doing a docu- Brookfield-based Motion those events ultimately led to mentary, you’re kind of just Source Studio, is the his death. filming everything and everyproducer and director of “Some people were fine after body around what’s happen9/11, and some people weren’t,” ing, and then at the end, trying “Nasty.” Scaletta was a Scaletta said. “Dan was one of to make something out of it,” childhood friend of the those guys — he was never he said. “I thought, ‘Let’s just late Nash. the same after that day. He had film the building of the float PTSD and was never able to and see what we get.’” But when Scaletta’s good friend and Mo- shake it.” Shortly after 9/11, Nash began drinking tion Source business partner, Craig Bass, suggested pivoting the film’s focus to telling heavily. As Scaletta says, Nash’s life “quickly Nash’s story, the wheels turned from creating spiraled out of control.” While Nash eventually received an honora light-hearted film to one honoring the life

PROVIDED

Scaletta’s 2021 La Grange Pet Parade F15 float in honor of Nash.

PROVIDED

Lt. Col. Daniel “Nasty” Nash died in June 2021 due to the effects of PTSD and alcoholism. able discharge from the military, the effects of his service on Sept. 11 lingered. Nearly 20 years after the attack, Nash died, leaving behind three children, his mother, three siblings and countless extended family, friends and former Air Force comrades. “His brother, Brendan, was very receptive to be a part of the project to honor his brother,” Scaletta said. “We really wanted to highlight Dan as a hero, because he was for what he did for the country. Brendan said it best: over 20 years later, 9/11 took his brother. That interview was a poignant moment of the film. It was true — had 9/11 not happened, we don’t think Dan would have ever started drinking.” Upon the film’s completion, Scaletta says first sharing the film in May with local au-

diences in Nash’s hometown — and with a hyperlocal audience — felt like a profound, emotional homecoming. “It meant a lot to me, and I know it meant a lot to his family, to have the film premiere at the La Grange Theatre because Dan lived just down the street on La Grange Road and used to see films at the theater when he was a little kid,” he said. “We thought it was pretty special for the film to come full circle back to the La Grange Theatre.” Scaletta says there was not a dry eye in the theater when Nash’s family, friends and even strangers first saw the film. “There were a lot of people who didn’t know Dan’s full story, including myself, until we had all these interviews from talking to different people,” he said. “To put all of that into one film was pretty powerful.” While 9/11 is still in the memory of those who were alive to remember the day’s catastrophic events and its resulting global effects, Scaletta hopes “Nasty” helps audiences both reflect on a local hero’s story from the day and give younger audiences the opportunity to learn the significance of the day, along with the story behind someone whose life was forever changed because of it. “The whole idea is to get as many people to learn about Dan and his story and the 9/11 angle,” he said. Including La Grange and Oak Park, so far, “Nasty” has been picked up by 16 film festivals across the U.S. The film will screen on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison St.

The Landmark, September 9, 2026

Locals sign petition to keep Forest Home Cemetery open later Last month, the cemetery started closing at 4 p.m. instead of dusk, reportedly citing security concerns By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

FILE PHOTO

After buying a crypt for her husband in May, a local woman was visiting Forest Home Cemetery in August with her 11-year-old daughter when, around 3:50 p.m., a staff member came by to say the cemetery gates would be closing soon. “I was completely shocked and confused because

Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight

CHAMBER MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ALPHABET LEARNING CENTER My Alphabet Learning Center www.myalphabetlearningcenter.com

his week, we’re proud to spotlight Alphabet Learning Center, a longtime Brookfield business that has cared for and educated children in our community since 2011. For nearly 15 years, Alphabet Learning Center has provided local families with a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. Serving children from infancy through preschool age, the program focuses on the development of the whole child socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically. Through structured learning, hands-on play,

creativity, exploration, and positive relationships, their experienced caregivers and educators help children build confidence, curiosity, independence, and a strong foundation for future learning.

Thank you, Alphabet Learning Center, for being a valued member of the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce and for investing in some of the youngest members of our community.

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As they approach their 15th anniversary in October, we are proud to recognize Alphabet Learning Center for its continued commitment to Brookfield families and the generations of children who have grown and learned within their doors.

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The Landmark, September 9, 2026 I had never been notified that visitation hours had changed,” the woman told the Review in an email, requesting anonymity for her privacy. When the woman bought her husband’s plot, she was told she could visit the cemetery from dawn to dusk — which can be as late as 8 p.m. in August. “As we gathered our belongings and walked back to our car, I remember feeling devastated that our grief suddenly seemed to have limitations and a schedule,” she said. “It was difficult to understand how families could be expected to fit mourning and remembrance into what felt like office hours.” The woman started a petition on Aug. 20 against the 4 p.m. closure of Forest Home Cemetery. As of Sept. 4, the petition has over 630 signatures. Forest Home Cemetery did not respond to request for comment. “Cemetery management explained via my email request that the change was due to security concerns,” the woman said. There have been a recent string of thefts from cemeteries, and last month, two people were arrested for stealing brass doors from cemeteries in Forest Park and surrounding municipalities. The woman’s petition asks Forest Home

Cemetery to consider the access of grieving loved ones in their security measures, suggesting that visiting hours are extended to at least 7 p.m., or the cemetery implements controlled access for plot owners. “Our goal is not confrontation but collaboration. We hope to work together toward a solution that respects both the operational needs of the cemetery and the needs of families seeking time for remembrance and reflection,” she said. “Access to our loved ones should be balanced with security concerns in a way that recognizes the realities of work, school and family life.” After Forest Home Cemetery started closing at 4 p.m. last month, “I arranged with my employer to leave work early so I could pick [my daughter] up after her first day of middle school and take her to visit her father,” the woman said in an email. “She wanted to tell him all about her first day. We rushed through traffic only to find the gates already closed at 4 p.m. The heartbreak on her face in that moment is something I will never forget. As a parent, not being able to give my daughter that opportunity to feel connected to her father on such an important day was devastating.”

Top stories, local government, features, events, art, and sports right at your fingertips!

FIRST RESPONDERS AND FIRE PREVENTION TUESDAY, Sept.15, 2026 From 11 a.m. to 12:30pm

Join Brookfield Deputy Police Chief Jim Mihalik and Iterim Fire Chief Matt Dubik for information and updates on how you can remain safe and confortable. Lunch will be served. RSVP by Sept. 8 ENJOYING ALL OUR FOREST PRESERVES HAVE TO OFFER TUESDAY, OCT. 13,2026 From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Kenyon Duner, Brookfield resident and Accessibility Coordinator for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, will give an overview of everything the District has to offer. Join us afterward for a nature walk, weather permitting, if you are able. Lunch will be served. RSVP by Oct. 6 HOLIDAY MUSIC SING-ALONG BINGO SUNDAY, NOV. 15,2026 From 1 to 3 p.m.

All events at CATANA WYE VALLEY, 8700 31 st St., Brookfield, Illinois

@forestparkreview @wednesdayjournal @riversidebrookfield_landmark @austinweeklynews @forestparkreview

The Landmark, September 9, 2026

Robert Held, battered by an ICE agent, sues Broadview Held was pushed to the ground in Brookfield in December 2025

CREDIT: BROOKFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT

ICE agent Adam Saracco is seen in Brookfield police body camera footage from Dec. 27 after he allegedly assaulted lawyer and activist Robert Held at the Shell gas station at 31st Street and Maple Avenue. Credit: Brookfield Police Department

OAK PARK FILM SCREENINGS Wednesday, September 16 6:15 - 8:45 pm Oak Park Public Library Veteran’s Room 834 Lake St, Oak Park Sunday, September 20 12:30 - 2:30 pm Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Community Center 1019 South Blvd, Oak Park

A FILM ABOUT SEEKING COMMON GROUND

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Thompson on Aug. 25 asking that Broadview rescind the protest area and “permit peaceful expressive activity” on public sidewalks around the detention facility. He said she responded that he should speak to the village attorney and that the protest zone policy has not since been lifted. By STELLA BROWN Held said he plans to return to the west Staff Reporter sidewalk on Saturday, Sept. 5 from about Robert Held, the man who was pushed to noon to 3 p.m. but that he “reasonably the ground by ICE agent Adam Saracco in fears” he and any other “peaceful demonDecember 2025 at a gas station in Brook- strators” may face enforcement of the profield, has filed a lawsuit against the village test zone policy. of Broadview to prevent it from enforcing a In a Sept. 1 press release shared on designated protest zone outside the federal Held’s behalf, spokesperson Paula Thompdetention facility in that comson wrote that he found the munity. “factual basis” to uphold the Held, an attorney and board designated protest zone has member of the Chicago Counchanged, with the facility and cil of Lawyers, filed the fedsurrounding protests becomeral complaint Tuesday, Sept. ing “far less active” since last 1 against the municipality of fall and the protest zone’s enBroadview as well as Mayor forcement being inconsistent. Katrina Thompson and Police “Broadview continues to Chief Thomas Mills in their place unnecessary restrictions official capacities. on our First Amendment right Thompson and Mills did to protest,” Held said in the not respond to an emailed rewritten statement. “It is part quest for comment on Sept. 1, of the very foundation of the though an automatic response Constitution and our democindicated Thompson would be racy that the entire country is ROBERT HELD out of the office and unreacha ‘free speech zone.’” able through Monday, Sept. 7. This isn’t Held’s first lawsuit According to a draft copy against Broadview, Thompson of the complaint Held filed, and Mills. In October 2025, bewhich he shared with the fore ICE agent Saracco pushed Landmark on Aug. 28, Broadhim to the ground, Held filed a view keeps a designated suit over the designated hours “grassy area” for protesting on the east side of Beach Street, across the of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in which protesting outstreet from the detention facility, excluding side the facility was permitted, according protestors from the public sidewalk on the to the Chicago Sun-Times. In his Sept. 1 statement, Held said he had west side of Beach Street. In the complaint, Held said an unidentified Broadview police previously obtained a preliminary injuncofficer on Aug. 22 “ordered” him to move tion to limit Broadview’s ability to restrict off the sidewalk and directed him to the the hours of protest outside the detention facility, with a final ruling “expected in the designated protest area. Held said he sent a letter in writing to coming days.”

“It is part of the Constitution ... that the entire country is a ‘free speech zone.’”

The Landmark, September 9, 2026

YOUR

BEST

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Glaser Players stage ‘California Suite’ The Neil Simon comedy will show Sept. 11-13 and 18-20

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Six showings of the Neil Simon comedy “California Suite” are headed for Riverside. The Glaser Players and Strand Theater are presenting the show at St. Paul’s Parish, 60 Akenside Rd., on Sept. 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sept. 13 and 20 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase on the Strand’s website, with only 100 reserved for each showing. “We definitely wanted to do something that was well known,” said John Dumas, the leader of the group. “We hit on Neil Simon. We thought that would be something. He’s one of the great comedy playwrights of the 20th century, and his stuff does not get done a lot anymore, surprisingly.” Director Nancy Greco said the show, which is split into four vignettes with different characters set in the same hotel room, appealed to her in part because she had acted in it previously. The other constraint, she said, was picking a show with just one set due to space constraints, as the Strand and the Glaser Players are still searching for a

permanent home. “I gave them a list of things, and originally, there were a couple of suggestions for some other pieces, and I said no. They wanted ‘Noises Off,’ and I said, ‘It’s one set, but it’s a difficult set. There’s too much running around. If you don’t know your space, it’s not practical,” Greco told the Landmark. “[Simon] had written ‘Plaza Suite,’ which took place in one hotel room, but I actually think that ‘California Suite’ is better written.” Dumas said the group was able to secure the performance space after Father Luke Wetzel of St. Paul’s reached out to them about it. “He has some knowledge in theater, and he actually had reached out to us. They’ve been supporters of the food pantry for a while, so I’ve gotten to know him,” Dumas said. “They’ve followed our story in your paper, and [he knew] we weren’t going to have a permanent space again, so he reached out to us and said, ‘Hey, if we can help you in the short term, we’d be happy to do that.’” Over the past four weeks, the cast has been rehearsing wherever they can find the space, Greco said. Many days, that’s been the Share Food Share Love food pan-

try, 9030 Brookfield Ave., where Dumas is the administrative director. On Tuesdays, when the pantry is open for distribution, Greco has had her cast over her house to rehearse. “My basement is all finished. There’s an extra bedroom down there with a bed and everything, so it lends itself to a hotel room with a bed and a couch,” she said. Greco said she was a friend of Daryl Glaser, for whom the Glaser Players are named, after he cast her in a play in Riverside in 1984. “Over the years, I did many productions with him. It really touches my heart that I get to be the first director for the inaugural show, having worked with him. I feel like I can take him to heart and think that he’s looking over my shoulder, helping me with ideas and encouraging me,” she said. Greco said she’s most looking forward to seeing the audience’s reaction to the differing facets of the show. “It’s very funny,” she said. “There are things that are poignant, though, and I want to see if the audience picks up on it and what the audience thinks of some of the things that I directed people to do that I thought punched up the humor or made it more poignant or touching.”

Caregiver burnout is a growing concern, especially for f r those caring fo fforr aging loved ones. The demands of fo caregiving, while rewarding, g can become overwhelming and d lead lead to physical, y emotional, and mental exh haustion.It’s essential to recognize exhaustion.It’s the signs early y and consider options to prevent p exh haustion and ensure exhaustion quallity care for f r all involved. fo quality f r Signs. Common signs fo • Look Out for f tigue, irritability, fa y include chronic fatigue, f elings of helplessness, and a decline fe declline feelings in personal health. Caregivers may also experience sleep disturbances, anxiety, and withdrawal fr ffrom om social activities. • Strategies to Reset: It’s important f r caregivers to seek support fo p for and living practice self-care. Senior living communities and respite care services off ffe ff fer relief by providing p profe f ssional fe offer professional f r their loved fo loved ones, allowing care for caregivers time to rest and recharge. Taking a break doesn’t mean giving up on caregiving; rather, it ensures caregivers remain healthy and strong enough g to continue caring for f r their fo loved d ones in the long term. Recognizing g the signs of burnout and seeking hel help lp is crucial fo fforr caregivers and their fa ffamilies. milies.

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The Landmark, September 9, 2026

FIRE STATIONS North and south from page 1 At the village board’s Sept. 3 meeting, Public Safety Director Matthew Buckley gave a 23-minute presentation on the history of how Riverside’s firefighters responded to emergencies and why he said the second fire station is unnecessary. From the 1950s through the 1970s, the village used its tornado siren to notify volunteer firefighters of an emergency so they could respond directly from their homes, as they did not stay on the premises of the station. In the ‘70s and ‘80s, the village also used pagers for that purpose. In the 1990s, due to many firefighters working outside of the village during the day, Riverside began staffing its firehouses with volunteers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those hours were extended to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting in the 2000s, Buckley said, with firefighters still responding from home after 6 p.m. Finally, at the start of the 2020s, Riverside shifted to a paid, on-premise model with rotating, full-time staffers, Buckley said. At some point, the facility at 60 Pine Ave. was converted into Fire Station #2 so that village firefighters could respond to emergencies on both sides of the railroad tracks even if the downtown crossing was blocked by a train. Now, that station is no longer needed as backup, Buckley said, due to existing mutual aid agreements with surrounding communities. As a member municipality of West Central Consolidated Communications, which

Riverside fire and police station

FILE

Brookfield fire station dispatches police and fire services, Riverside has equal access to firetrucks from Brookfield, North Riverside and McCook. “Under the automatic aid [agreements], neighboring resources can be dispatched at the same time as Riverside units,” Buckley said. “The closest appropriate unit will respond, regardless of the municipal boundary.” As a result, a firetruck from another municipality could respond to the scene of an emergency sooner than a Riverside unit, even if the railroad crossing isn’t blocked. Buckley said some of these neighboring municipalities only have one fire station themselves but haven’t found themselves wanting for another one due to the mutual aid agreements. He gave trustees an exFILE ample of a time a Riverside firetruck was the first

to the scene of a fire in a neighboring town that does have two firehouses. “It shows how that does work, even when that neighboring department has two stations, and they still got stuck by the train,” Buckley said. “The closest one will get there first and get to work and take care of whatever the issue may be.” He said consolidating the fire stations had emerged as the best solution in 2018, when the village had considered all the options for what to do with its two firehouses. “I personally live on the north side of the tracks on the north side of town. If I didn’t feel comfortable, as a resident or as an employee with combining the two firehouses, I would not be standing up here saying that I believe that is what we need to do here in Riverside,” Buckley said. Some members of the village board voiced support for the consolidation effort following Buckley’s presentation. “I also live on the north side of the tracks, and I’m pretty confident that anything that would happen to my house would be responded to quickly with all of our partnerships,” Trustee Cristin Evans said. “One thing that impresses me is that the public is always asking for more efficiency, more cooperation, less overlap,” Pollock said. “[Through] this auto-aid and mutual aid agreements, we essentially have a regional public safety department, if you will, with our own people dedicated to our village but with the support of … all the area fire stations.”

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Brookfield man arrested for striking his girlfriend Brookfield police arrested a 55-year-old Brookfield man on Aug. 27 for domestic battery. Around 9:18 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 9000 block of 26th Avenue on a report of domestic battery. Dispatchers said the complainant had said her boyfriend had been drinking and had hit her. She told dispatchers he was in the living room and she had locked herself in the bedroom before he busted the door down. After arriving at the residence, officers made contact with the man in the front of the home and asked him to explain what had happened. The man said he had been watching TV when his girlfriend became upset with him and “demanded” that he change the channel. The man said they went on to argue before his girlfriend left the living room and went to the bedroom. He said the incident did not escalate physically but that he had wanted to “place hands” on his girlfriend. Officers then spoke with the complainant, who confirmed the incident began when she asked her boyfriend to change the channel. She said he got upset and began to berate her, at which point she went into the kitchen, where he followed and continued to mock her. She said he placed his hands over her face and head and squeezed hard before striking her with an open hand several times in her chest. She said she then ran into the bedroom and locked the door, which her boyfriend damaged by kicking, before she called 911. Officers observed that the woman had red marks on her chest, suggesting she had been struck. One officer went to speak to the man to arrest him while another stayed with the woman and explained the process for the arrest. Police transported the man to lockup at the Berwyn Police Department, where he refused to speak further and where police charged him with domestic battery.

Charged with speeding Brookfield police on Aug. 29 ticketed a 28-year-old Broadview woman for speeding. Around 3 a.m., an officer on patrol heading south on Kemman Avenue when they observed a tan Toyota heading north. Using the radar inside the squad car, the officer determined the car was driving at 59 mph in the posted 25-mph zone. The officer made a U-turn and activated their emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. The officer approached the car and

made contact with the driver and sole occupant, who acknowledged how fast she was going and said she was heading home because she had work in the morning. The officer issued a citation to the woman for speeding 26-34 mph over the speed limit and released her on pre-trial conditions with an Oct. 13 court date.

Ex-husband harassing ex-wife Brookfield police responded on Aug. 24 to a report of harassment, but no one was arrested. Around 2:40 p.m., an officer arrived at a residence on Prairie Avenue after dispatchers said the complainant had said her ex-husband had been showing up at her house even after police had told him not to. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the woman, who explained she had been having an ongoing issue with her ex-husband and that she had seen him parked in front of their house earlier that today. She said she was afraid that he was trying to harass and intimidate her. The woman showed the officer photos of her ex-husband parked outside and said she would place them on a USB drive to share with police because there were too many to share over email. The officer told her that a special watch had been placed on her house to ensure more officers would be present in the area, which police said made the woman appear more relieved. The officer also explained to the woman how to take out a restraining order against her ex-husband. The next day, an officer contacted the woman’s ex-husband over the phone and asked him why he had gone to the house. The man said he wanted to check the house was taken care of and the grass was being cut since he pays the mortgage on it. He said he had been at the house the previous day for only five minutes and that he was not trying to intimidate anyone. The officer asked the man not to return to the house, to which he agreed. These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department reports dated Aug. 24-31; 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

The Landmark, September 9, 2026

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The Landmark, September 9, 2026

LETTERS

Proposed changes in Brookfield zoning laws The Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission has been working to simplify zoning law in Brookfield, which seems like a good idea. Apparently the zoning laws that helped make Hollywood and other neighborhoods in the town great places to live over the last 60 years need to be changed. Many major changes are planned, but I will focus on one. One of the things the zoning commission is doing is taking properties that are nonconforming and changing their designation. For example, the small town homes on Brookfield Avenue near the Hollywood Train Station will be changed to residential R4. As pointed out at the meeting, these are some of the few examples of very affordable single-family homes that exist in Hollywood. Unfortunately, the new designation means that those lots will be eligible to be converted to multi-unit dwellings as high as 60 feet. Unlikely unless a developer was to purchase adjoining lots, something they have been known to do. That would mean new large condominium buildings, or apartment buildings with rental units, right in the middle of Hollywood. It seems the zoning commission is pushing high-density living not just in the downtown or on Ogden Avenue, but all over Brookfield. To do so will increase traffic and noise. It will

likely greatly increase the number of children at our schools, though the zoning commission seems to have anticipated this and has designated sites that could be new schools. We in Hollywood and other residential neighborhoods in Brookfield have paid a premium to live in areas with less traffic and noise. Sixty years ago, whether on purpose or by chance, the Brookfield zoning board made decisions that gave us the residential areas of Brookfield busy at times, but usually peaceful. It seems like the village zoning commission has different ideas of what Hollywood and other almost 100% residen-

tial areas in Brookfield should be like. They will make it easier for taller buildings, up to 90 feet, bars, and parking garages to be built in these now nearly 100% residential areas. It appears that 10 years from now, Hollywood and the other sections dominated by single-family homes will be very different places. Within a month the zoning commission will make its recommendation for increased density to the village board. If you care either way, you may want to attend that meeting.

Guy Adami

Brookfield

Send letters to the editor

Ken Trainor, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark E-mail: ktrainor@newswellchicago.org Please include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

OBITUARIES

John Scheer, 82 Lifelong White Sox fan John George Scheer, 82, of Brookfield, died on Aug. 22, 2026. Born on Jan. 27, 1944, he was a #1 lifelong Chicago White Sox fan, attending over 50 home opener games. He also was a trivia quiz master. John was the husband of Beverly (nee Kos); the father of Keith (Lori) Scheer, Brian (Anji) Scheer and Renee Scheer; grandfather of Jackie, Brian, Amy, Justin, Mason Kodrich and Anya Kodrich; greatgrandfather of Theo, Momo and Lucious; brother-in-law of Carole (Bob) Hanus, Robert (Cynthia) Kos, and the late John (Joanne) Kos; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on

Saturday, Sept. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Loyal Order of Moose, 7536 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview. Arrangements were handled by JohnsonNosek Funeral Home. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.johnsonnosek.com.

Nancy Patchett, 73 Single mom and nurse Nancy Patchett, 73, of Brookfield, died on Sept. 1, 2026. Born on July 25, 1953, she lived in Brookfield, where she and her soulmate, Marty, owned M&N Video store in 1992 until he died at the age of 39. Though losing Marty was an unimaginable heartbreak, she found the strength to carry on and raise their children as a single parent. A

stubborn woman, full of determination, incredible strength, and unwavering love, she worked tirelessly to provide for them and give them a good life. With incredible perseverance, she put herself through school while working in banking for a number of years and eventually earning her LPN, then dedicated herself to a fulfilling career tending to others at Hines VA Hospital, where she was able to make a difference in the lives of those she cared for. She was funny, sarcastic and never met a dog she didn’t like. Her daughter grew up to be her best friend. In later years, her son Bart became a source of tremendous comfort and support. They lived together and he helped take care of her. He stood by her and made sure she was never alone when she needed him most. Her life was one of resilience, sacrifice and devotion. She will be remembered for never giving up and continuing to move forward. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Nancy is survived by her three children, Justin Patchett, Bart Patchett, and

Tammy (Jim) Scariano; her six grandchildren, Christopher, Joshua, Jessica, and Jadon Patchett, and Haylee and Tyler Scariano; her siblings, Mary (Bob) Spreitzer, Jim Dosselman, Cathi (Greg) Harp, and Roy (Gina) Dosselman. She was preceded in death by her adoring parents, Roy and Catherine Dosselman and her brother, Mike Dosselman. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In remembrance of Charles Lenartson “God needed you more” God saw you getting tired And a cure was not to be So He put His arms around you and whispered, “Come with Me” May Charles rest peacefully, surrounded by the love and memories of his family and friends.

Sports

The Landmark, September 9, 2026

Organ, Bulldogs’ sophomores have say in latest win Five touches, five TDs for Williams, Kuhlman in Lions’ victory

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School sophomore Jack Organ had quite a thrill in May playing center field for the varsity baseball team in the postseason. On the football field, Organ now is making an impact at wide receiver. He had his first two varsity touchdown catches Friday, two of many sophomore successes in the Bulldogs’ 48-14 victory at West Chicago in the Upstate Eight Conference East Division opener. “It felt awesome. I was always hoping for one,” said Organ, who had 29- and 28– yard TD catches from senior quarterback Braeden Novak. “At the end of summer camp, I got called up to start and I was pretty excited.” The Bulldogs (2-1) had plenty to be excited about, starting with Novak’s 74-yard TD strike to senior Tim Giacomelli on the first play from scrimmage. With TDs on all first-half possessions, the Bulldogs led 41-6. Nico Caputo scored on an 8-yard run and 3-yard run with 49.3 seconds left in the third quarter for a 48-6 lead that prompted a running clock. “We knew that we wanted to start fast. That was kind of our message all week,” RBHS coach Sam Styler said. “I think that (TD) really set the tone for what was about to come.” Starting safety Dean Mauban and running back Tyler Schultz were among other sophomore standouts. Braeden Sloan, Matt Rimpila, Georgie Kirsch, Griffin Wojtulewicz and Vincent O’Keefe are the other sophomores on the online varsity roster. Another five sophomores joined them Friday after the junior varsity game was canceled by excessive heat. “At the start, it helped having sophomores (on varsity),” Organ said. “I didn’t have a lot of people to talk to, but now after meeting the seniors and juniors I’ve built a great connection with them.”

BILL STONE

RB sophomores and varsity football players James Organ (left), Dean Mauban and Tyler Schultz. Mauban caused one fumble and recovered that and another one. His caused and recovered fumble at the Bulldogs’ 19-yard line on fourth-and-one continued the momentum with only a 14-0 lead. “We went over film and I knew the exact play. I knew it was going to be a rocket toss and I was in the spot,” Mauban said. “I got a lot of reps on JV, got used to it, but I think varsity is a whole different level.” Mauban’s second recovery on a fumbled pitch at the Wildcats’ 33 just 1:00 before halftime led to the last first-half touchdown on a 1-yard run by Gideon Bradford three plays after a 28-yard pass to Caputo. Bradford rushed for 64 yards. Schultz rushed for 51 with an 11-yard TD for a 34-6 lead. “My first touchdown on varsity, pretty great,” Schultz said. “I got moved up at the beginning of the summer and I’ve loved it. I love running the ball on varsity.” “The sophomores we’ve had up all year have done a phenomenal job for us,” Styler said. “It’s great knowing we have a bright future ahead of us.” That includes this season. Novak passed for another 288 yards (621 for season) but the strike to Giacomelli was his first TD pass of

the season. “The last two weeks, I’ve missed some downfield throws with a few drops but (offensive coordinator Brad Vojcak) told me Monday the first play of the game was going to be a deep ball and I connected it to Tim. I was just super-excited, a great way to start,” Novak said. “James stepped up (at receiver) and I think we’re going to keep clicking. At the start of the season, we knew a bunch of young guys were coming up and having a big role. That’s what they did for us today.” Other defensive leaders were Bryan Rimpila (15 total tackles, 2 sacks), Brandon Ruiz (8 total tackles, 3 for loss), Jayden Lee (5 total tackles), Josh Villeda (3 tackles for loss) and Andrew Olivares (2 tackles for loss).

LTHS football As a freshman in 2025, Lyons Township running back Jack Williams had two carries in the varsity season opener and then returned to the sophomore team until the postseason. Now full-time varsity, Williams sure is making the most of his opportunities. “I love it. I like playing at the highest level

of competition I physically can,” Williams said. On Friday, Williams touched the ball three times with impressive results – three touchdowns and 212 total yards in helping the Lions (3-0) beat Morton 48-0 in Western Springs. He began by returning the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. “Honestly, I didn’t really have to do much. The Red Sea kind of just parted for me,” he said. “My blockers did a great job of opening it up and I just had to run through.” On his two carries, Williams had the Lions’ last first-quarter TD on a 57-yard run for a 34-0 lead and first of the second quarter on a 58-yard run. “It’s a real fun time, touching the ball three times, scoring three times. But all because of the line,” Williams said. “It was awesome to see all of the guys do their job and Jack take one to the house (on the opening kickoff). Just really proud of the way we started the game,” LTHS coach Jon Beutjer said. On his two carries, senior running back EJ Kuhlman had 48- and 11-yard TD runs. Quarterback Brendan McCabe added a 6-yard TD pass to KB Barnes and Caiden Kovel had a 37yard TD run, the game’s final score with 3:00 left until halftime. Wolfie Ketterling kicked five extra points The offensive line included center Luke Vaupell, tackles Charlie Harrington and Edwin Martinez, guards Liam Corrigan, Thomas Green and Mason Price and tight end Owen Matela. Defensively, Evan Schwartz had two tackles for loss and Nate Fitzgerald, Aidan Webster, Jayveion Rimmer, Jamison Miller, Charlie Harrington, Santino Visalli and Declan Flynn one each. “Credit to our offensive line, (offensive coordinator Brennan) Quick and Jack, too. He runs hard, mean,” Beutjer said. “Jack’s a wrestler, baseball player, really tough kid. It’s nice to have EJ and Jack as running backs.” The Lions next visit rival Hinsdale Central (2-1), which won last year’s LTHS homecoming game 29-26 with a fourth-quarter rally.

The Landmark, September 9, 2026

S P O R T S

Moran sisters on final run for RBHS cross country Another large LTHS roster returns five from 3A sectional lineup By BILL STONE Staff Writer

Riverside Brookfield High School senior Elizabeth Moran and sophomore Natalie Moran have strengthened their sister connection through running. “It’s a big inspiration because she did track freshman year so we’d always go to meets,” Natalie Moran said. “She would always talk about it and was really passionate about it so that definitely encouraged me.” The pair are hoping for even more memories in their final girls cross country season together after quite an exciting May in track and field. The two qualified for their first Class 3A state meet. They joined graduated Rebecca Nosek and Addie Vaia on the 4x800meter relay, which ran a season-best 10:08.80 (27th). “Going to state was definitely one of the greatest sports moments shared with Natalie,” Elizabeth Moran said. “It was so special to have the opportunity to run with all of the other qualifiers. I think my favorite moment was the excitement after when we were all congratulating each other and feeling accomplished.” Elizabeth Moran, Ava Alfaro, Tia Lombardi and Jaelyne Manjarro are the lone cross country seniors for first-year head coach Lisa Voigts-Guzman, an assistant last season for retired head coach Blair Jensen. Natalie Moran (51st), junior Elsie Clark (81st), sophomore Elia Bursua (99th) and Elizabeth Moran (114th) return from last season’s Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional lineup (12th, 303 points). Varsity newcomers include juniors Evelyn Walsh and Anabel Olesiak and a large freshman group led by Delaney Gidd and Mahlya Hala that comprises half of the team. At Lyons Township’s Mike Kuharic Invitational, Saturday, Gidd finished third (18:37.6 for 5,000 meters) behind two returning 3A allstaters and 21 seconds ahead of fourth place. “It’s been really fun so far. We have a really

young team but everyone seems to be getting along well,” Voigts-Guzman said. “Of course it’s great to win meets and improve times but it’s also real exciting to have some girls meet (personal) goals. We are working towards getting these girls to become successful runners but it’s even more important to help them develop their character and become good people.” The Bulldogs were seventh Saturday (197 points). Bursua was 11th (19:56.7), followed by Walsh (58th, 22:18.0), Clark (69th, 22:47.5), Olesiak (74th, 23:03.9) and Elizabeth Moran (87th, 23:50.6). At the season-opening Trial on the Trail Aug. 28 at Elmwood Park, Clark was a varsity-best 11th (13:27.3 for 2.0 miles) for the third-place Bulldogs. Gidd (invite-best 11:26.4) and Bursua (12:27.6) were first and third in the frosh-soph race. “Only having four seniors doesn’t change the dynamic at all. We still have a fun and welcoming team where we always support one another,” Elizabeth Moran said. “The incoming freshmen have brought great energy to practices and meets and I’m excited to see how we run.” Natalie Moran has been sidelined by a stress fracture in her tibia diagnosed in early July. “The injury definitely makes me more nervous because I haven’t gotten to train regularly since track,” Natalie said. She hopes to return soon and enjoy more fun moments like that 2026 state track meet with Elizabeth. “It was a really good experience and to get to do it with (Elizabeth) was really fun,” Natalie Moran said. “We had a great time and I feel like we all got a lot closer. It was super fun that it was a relay and was all part of a team.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brookfield’s Elia Bursua during the Mike Kuharic Invitational at Lyons Township, Sept. 5, in Western Springs. The Lions are determined to be better after finishing 10th at the 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional (233 points), three places and 42 points from the last team qualifier. Sophomore Naomi O’Hare (43rd), senior Amelia Ludden (61st), junior Sarah Edell (71st), sophomore Abbey O’Toole (100th) and junior Ruby Radamaker (105th) all return from the sectional lineup, but individual state qualifier Mya Coglianese graduated.

LTHS girls cross country Senior Samantha Smith and junior Evelyn Thomas have big plans as co-captains for another gigantic Lyons Township girls cross country roster. “What we’re really working for this season is to really get everyone on the same page between all of our varsity and other runners to help every single runner improve individually,” Smith said. “Also that way, the team as a whole can come together and each person can be better.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Lyons’ Amelia Ludden during the Mike Kuharic Invitational at Lyons Township Sept. 5, in Western Springs.

Other key returnees include senior Allie Huth, juniors Lucy Martinez, Eleanor Meuer, Abby Elter and Elin Dorchinecz and sophomores Anna Dulyaba, Adriana Caballero, Ellinor Lach and Bella Stojowski. Key freshmen include Viktoria Vidakovic, Sydney Hartman and Kennedy Hartman. The co-captains will be assisted by seniors from the different training groups to achieve program goals. “We’ve been collaborating and I’m pretty excited for the season,” Thomas said. “(We’re trying for) more team bonding definitely, saying affirming things during practices, workouts and races, and just being super appreciative of the team and pushing everybody to do their best.” The Lions were eighth at their annual home Mike Kuharic Invite, Saturday (213 points). O’Hare (34th, 21:03.6 for 5,000 meters) and Ludden (36th, 21:09.1) finished among the top 40, followed by Edell (49th, 21:49.4), Martinez (53rd, 22:01.5), Lach (59th, 22:23.7) and Thomas (60th, 22:28.2). In the junior varsity race, Meuer was third (21:45.3). Vidakovic was fourth in the frosh-soph race (14:46.4 for 3,600 meters). “If we can stay healthy and continue to improve, I believe we will be a very competitive team,” second-year LTHS coach Joe Pontrelli said. “Our varsity’s team goal is to qualify for the state meet. We have a very talented group and I am excited to watch them continue to grow, develop and progress.”

S P O R T S

The Landmark, September 9, 2026

Bulldogs hope extra work means faster times Healthier Lions hope for return to their state-qualifying ways

By BILL STONE Staff Writer

Even after classes officially began, Aug. 17, the Riverside Brookfield High School boys cross country team still had practice before school. “We had to get here at 6:30 in the morning and almost the entire team was there,” senior Ian Spatzek said. “I thought it really showed a lot of grit and determination that most people were really serious about the team.” The Bulldogs hope to translate a more dedicated offseason into success under second-year coach Travis Trevizo. They won the season-opening Trial on the Trail, Aug. 26, at Elmwood Park and were 22nd at Lyons Township’s Mike Kuharic Invitational, Saturday (591 points). “At the end of last year (Trevizo) gave us a really detailed plan and was passionate about us improving ourselves and building the team and improving upon the foundation from before,” senior Tony Lombardo said. “I’ve kind of looked up to him. I used to be kind of lazy, not doing all of the things I was supposed to, but now I’ve banded with my friends. I’ve gone on runs on my off days. I’ve really improved from there and other people should be doing that, too.” At last year’s Class 3A Sectional, junior Levi Huffman (129th) and senior Bryson Reum (139th) were the No. 4 and 7 team finishers the Bulldogs (18th, 525 points). Other varsity returnees include seniors Aiden O’Brien, Emerson Ayala, Gavin Duncan, Spatzek and Lombardo and juniors Wilson Leister and Cameron Glennie. Key sophomores include Cameron Cimino, Carmine LaManna and Asher Edmonson. Key freshmen include Frankie Harford, Ian Durbin, Clark Walker, Matthew Castorena and Aaron Greco. “We are committed to getting better for our end goals,” Trevizo said. “The kids are coming early for weights, practicing in the rain, and running high mileage on weekends. Our senior and sophomore leaders are truly taking charge. We want to continue to grow our program for the better and we’ve got the right athletes.” At Trial on the Trail, Leister (11:14.3 for 2.0 miles) and O’Brien (11:29.3) were third

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brookfield’s Aiden O’Brien during the Mike Kuharic Invitational at Lyons Township Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 in Western Springs and fifth. At the Kuharic Invite, O’Brien was 92nd (18:07.5 for 5,000 meters), followed by Lombardo (114th, 19:06.9), Duncan (124th, 19:27.4), Leister (125th, 19:30.9), Brosnan (136th, 20:17.3), Spatzek (145th, 20:53.3) and Glennie (147th, 20:54.7). With more mileage behind them this season, Lombardo and Spatzek hope to break 3.0-mile barriers 17:50 and 19:00, respectively. “I think what would make this season very successful for the team is to build a sense of community, especially with the new freshmen,” Spatzek said. “We bring everybody together and build those connections as well as everybody improves. I think that’s the most important thing about cross country.”

LTHS boys cross country Juniors Brennan Monohan and Evan Ruse was among the rough breaks the Lions suffered during what should have been a promising 2025. By mid-September, both experienced pain while running. A couple of weeks later, both were lost for the rest of the season with stress fractures. The

Lions’ streak of consecutive IHSA state meet team berths dating back to 2008 with longtime coach Mike Danner also came to an end. “I was very happy with track season because I kept grinding and kept showing up,” Monohan said. “I think making it to the state meet is super huge (for us) and that’s what all of the guys want. It’s definitely a work in progress but I think we can do it.” The Lions finished sixth at their annual Mike Kuharic Invite, Saturday (180 points), with a healthy Monohan (5th, 15:41.9 for 5,000 meters) and Ruse (29th, 16:38.3) as their top two finishers. Also running varsity were junior Henry James (39th, 16:46.1), seniors Colin Shea (48th, 17:03.1) and Juan Contreras (59th, 17:16.6), junior Ben Radtke (66th, 17:22.2) and senior Lucien Sullivan (71st, 17:29.7). Sophomore Luke Borling was sixth in the frosh-soph race (11:51.6 for 3,600 meters). At last year’s 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional, Radtke (51st), Shea (64th) and James (97th), were the Lions’ No. 2, 3 and 7 team finishers. The 12th-place Lions (299 points) were five places and 129 points from the last qualifying spot.

“The sectional was loaded. You could not afford an off day or be dealing with injury problems. It just didn’t work out,” Danner said. “All of the kids (returning) had a good track season. I believe we will be the sectional host so hopefully there’s a lot of motivation there, running well on our home course.” The Lions not only want to qualify for state but compete for a top-10 finish. Monohan’s performance Saturday shows he can compete for top-25 all-state honors. During track in May, Monohan was the lone non-senior on the state-qualifying 4x800-meter relay (21st) and just missed qualifying in the 1,600 at sectionals (4:24.28). At Magis Miles June 6, Monohan achieved personal bests for the 1,600 (4:16.84) and mile (4:18.36). “I’d love to be all-state (for cross country). I’d love to just try my best and see what I can do and not hold back.” Monohan said. “I always raced (graduated Tyler Gantt). Even though he was a teammate, I always wanted to beat him. Now I’m all alone with workouts so it’s a lot harder. You have to gauge only by how much better you’re doing.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Lyons’ Evan Ruse during the Mike Kuharic Invitational at Lyons Township, Sept. 5, 2026 in Western Springs.

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

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PUBLIC NOTICE: VILLAGE OF RIVER FOREST BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS

Owned businesses are strongly encouraged.

Published in Wednesday Journal September 9, 2026

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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.

Public notice is hereby given that on September 1, 2026, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the Village of River Forest, Illinois, voted to amend its Rules and Regulations. Printed copies of the amended Rules and Regulations may be obtained from the Office of the Village Clerk, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois. The office can be reached via telephone at 708714-3526. The Village’s website is vrf.us. The amended Rules and Regulations shall become effective on September 21, 2026, or 10 days after the date of publication of this notice, whichever date is later. Published in Wednesday Journal September 9, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING Request bids for the” Pleasant Home ADA Bathroom Addition” at the National Historic Pleasant Home located in the Park District of Oak Park’s Mills Park. Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302 The Park District of Oak Park will accept sealed bids for individual trades, including Plumbing, Electrical, Fine Carpentry and the procurement and installation of an ADA Vertical Platform Lift for the Pleasant Home ADA Bathroom Addition located at 217 Home Ave. Oak Park, Il. 60302. The project consists of selective demolition of interior walls, stair well, exterior windows, masonry and roof. Installation of foundation, fine carpentry, walls, windows, doors, roofing, rough carpentry, electric work, and plumbing work. The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids for Plumbing, Electrical and Fine Carpentry and Installation of an ADA Platform Lift until 10:00 a.m. (Central Daylight time) on Friday, October 9th, 2026, at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois. Copies of the bidding documents and requirements will be available at 2pm, Friday, September 11th, 2026, via the Demand Star website at:

Park District of Oak Park By: Chris Wollmuth, Parks and Planning Committee, Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, Il. 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal September 9, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Monday September 21, 2026 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2026 Sidewalk Snow-Ice Removal Assistance and Fall Leaf Collection Assistance Bid Number: 26-123 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours. Published in Wednesday Journal September 9, 2026

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pdop.org/rfps-bids A Mandatory Pre-bid walk-thru is scheduled for Friday, September 18th, at 10:00 a.m. (Central Daylight time) at Pleasant Home, 217 Home Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. For additional information, contact Bill Hamilton at bill.hamilton@ pdop.org or 708-725-2052. Bid bonds will be required by bidding contractors. This contract bid must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2025. Only the bids in compliance with the provisions of the bidding specifications will be considered. Minority and Women

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The Landmark, September 9, 2026

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The Landmark, September 9, 2026

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 IN M CO

ON SO

110 S Herbert Rd Riverside $825,000

R T DE AC N R U NT CO

235 Longcommon Rd., Riverside $795,000

220 Northwood Rd., Riverside $850,000

E AG LL I V

175 W Burlington St, Riverside $695,000

176 Riverside Rd, Riverside $1,400,000

343 Lionel Rd., Riverside $820,000

33 S Cowley Rd., Riverside $995,000 NT ME TY T R S VE PE IN PRO

ER NT E C

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

R T DE AC N R U NT CO

212 Gage Rd., Riverside $895,000

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

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