Landmark_091025 by Wednesday Journal

Retired RB teacher faces suit alleging sexual abuse of student

School included in Jane Doe lawsuit for alleged negligence; district declined to comment

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

A graduate of Riverside Brookfield High School who resides in Riverside has filed a lawsuit against Gary Prokes, the for mer head of RBTV, and against Riverside Brookfield High School, alle ging that Prokes had an illicit sexual relationship with her while she was a student and taking classes with and working under Prokes.

The suit also alleges that RBHS failed to protect her from Prokes and failed to properly investigate Prokes

The plaintiff, who graduated from RBHS in 2018, filed the lawsuit on June 10 using the pseudonym Jane Doe to protect her privacy The lawsuit, in its early stages, seeks damages in excess of $50,000 on each of five specific counts.

“This case arises as a result of the

See TEACHER on page 12

dazzles District 95

Dedicated early childhood wing fosters ‘calm start’ to school year

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Ask anyone in business – it’s always good when a project finishes on time and on budget. Such was the $2.2 million building renovation at S.E. Gross Middle School that started literally the day school ended May 30, with substantial completion by Aug. 11 – 10 days before the 2025-26 school year began. The school is at 3524 Maple Ave. in Brookfield.

The project, which was paid for through the district’s general operating fund, renovated four early childhood classrooms and relocated the school’s Family and Consumer Science (FACS) lab.

Color new District 95 Supt. Ryan Evans

See RENOVATION on page 8

Organizations show Riversiders where to get involved

A community fair at Township Hall brought organizations together

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

A swath of community groups joined forces Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon so Riverside residents could hear how they might get involved and give back

The Riverside Public Library organized the fair, which was co-sponsored by the village and Riverside Township. The fair took place at Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Rd., in the second-floor auditorium.

“The community organization fair is designed to allow people in the public to come and find out all about the variety of service organizations that exist in and around Riverside,” said Diane Silva, the library’s assistant director and manager of infor mation services and the fair’s main organizer. “It’s designed to be an opportunity to find out about places you can volunteer or ways you can get more connected to your community through various means of service.”

On Monday, Silva said about 50 people attended the fair. She said attendees were able to sign up for a raffle for a signed copy of “Bats at the Library,” a children’s book by Brian Lies featuring pictures based on Riverside’s library

“It was a great success,” she told the Landmark. “People were excited to talk about the work that they were doing. I know a lot of tables signed up volunteers in a way they haven’t been able to sign up volunteers in a while. The people who were coming were really excited to learn about opportunities and jump in with both feet.”

Silva said the organizations felt the fair was so successful that they asked for it to be repeated, so the library will likely run the event again next September.

The 20 participating groups included Riverside Township, the Olmsted Society of Riverside, Ride Riverside, Pillars Community Health, the Riverside Chamber of Commerce, the Riverside Township Community Resource Center, the Village of Riverside, Riverside Rocks, American Legion

Riverside Rocks Coordinators Jessica and Mark Mieczkowski talk with Village President Douglas Pollock during the Community Organization Fair Saturday Sept 6, 2025.

Post 488, Riverside Parks & Recreation, the Riverside Area Refugee Resettlement Team, the Share Food Share Love food pantry, Riverside Arts Weekend, the Riverside Community Garden, the Progress Center for Independent Living, the Riverside Juniors Woman’s Charity, the Riverside Community Caucus, the Pathway to Adventure Council, Riverside Friends of the Library and the Riverside Township Lions Club.

Riverside Little League and Knights of Columbus couldn’t make it due to prior commitments, but both organizations had handouts available for people interested in lear ning more, Silva said.

“We have so many great groups in town that are eager to get their message out, and it’s harder and harder to get that message out about the variety of things that exist and ways to serve,” she said. “We had a lot of people reaching out as soon as we publicized it … If anything, we could have had a larger venue and thrown an even wider net out to surrounding communities.”

Silva said she felt more residents than before simply don’t know about the breadth of organizations within Riverside due to the influx of people moving to the village in recent years.

“Twenty years ago, there were a lot of people who had lived here their whole lives, but now, more and more people are finding Riverside as a community, but making those connections is harder because everybody isn’t familiar with everything when they move into town,” she said. “It was becoming increasingly important as the library, and also for the township and the village, to make sure we had ways of bringing new people to our community and connecting them to a community in a way that’s always been very traditional and part of who we are but doesn’t naturally occur in the same ways these days.”

Silva said she hoped residents were able to find a group they wished to volunteer for, and those who might not be interested in giving their time could have learned about at least one community group they didn’t know existed.

“There are so many groups, and you forget that they’re all there and that they’re all looking for people to both help with their mission and to connect with on a personal level,” she said. “Even if you’ve been here forever and you think you know everything going on, I think you might still be surprised.”

Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

EMAIL jill@oakpark.com

Operations Associate Susan Babin ocial Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Senior Advisor Dan Haley BOARD OF DIREC TORS

Chair Eric Weinheimer Treasurer Nile Wendor f Deb Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

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

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ERICA BENSON

Brook eld OKs Ehlert baseball diamond improvements

Field #4 will be skinne and fully fenced in courtesy of Little Leag

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield will partner with the local chapter of Little League to improv ball field number four at Ehlert Park

Village trustees on Aug. 25 ag reed to let Little League recommend a contractor to skin the infield of the diamond, leveling the mounds and removing the gr replace it with dirt. The chapter will also seek bids to fully fence the field in, as the fence now does not run the full perimeter.

Brookfield Little League also approached the village to ask about adding a new set of bases at a distance of 70 feet in addition to the existing based set at 60 feet. This allow kids up to 13-year-old to use the field alongside the younger cohort who already can. The village board did not reach a consensus and will discuss the topic again the future.

Little League will cover the costs associated with the improvements, though Brookfield may sign the contracts work and need to be reimbursed for ments. The cost to renovate the field ranges in the bids Little League sought from $14,800 to $38,500.

Kevin Jawo r ski, the vice president of field maintenance at E hlert Pa rk fo r the local Little League chapter, said the wo rk would enable more groups to pl ay at the field .

“Currently, that field is just reserved for boys’ baseball because of the grass, so skinning that infield and leveling the mound would allow for Challenger, girls’ softball and boys’ baseball all to use that field,” he said.

The Challenger division, affectionately called the Buzz Squad, allows kids with physical or mental disabilities to play together and eng age in the sport of baseball.

Christine Ramirez, the Challenger coordinator for Little League, said participation has grown rapidly — from just eight or nine players two seasons ago to 16 last year and 32 this year — requiring more space than is available in field number five, which is the only fully fenced baseball dia-

mond in town.

In the past, she said, the division has had to have kids pl ay two separate g ames at the same time, one on the infield and another on the outfield, to accommodat e the size of the group. T he changes to field four would allow both groups to play on their own diamond.

“As you know, in the outfield, there was grass and dandelions. Not quite ideal. I had to have bases,” Ramire z said at the meeting. “Obviously, we made it work, and the parents and the kids were thrilled, but to be able to actually let them play on a real field and feel like they’re playing an actual game is the ideal situation.”

Jaworski said the grass at field four would need to be improved in the near fu-

ture anyway, so simply skinning the field instead, alongside fencing it in and adding the new bases, would “kill four birds with one stone.”

While the board has not made a decision on whether to allow the new bases, several members seemed opposed to adding them.

Village President Michael Garvey said he worried allowing older kids on the field could cause an influx of baseballs being hit into the nearby skate park, parking lot or bocci pavilion.

“We really try and make the use of every square inch of park that we have, and by allowing kids that age to play in this, I think it would severely limit the possible uses in the outfield area,” he said.

Trustee Kit Ketchmark ag reed, saying he

felt the expansion could create issues.

Trustee Nicole Gilhooley said she would like to expand the age range of the field but ag reed with the concer ns about stray baseballs. She said she would need more time to make a decision either way.

The other four trustees did not express a strong opinion about adding the new bases.

Jaworski said the new bases could be added easily at any point down the line if the board did not support them now. He said he hoped the main work of skinning the field could be completed this fall.

“It allows the field, all of that new lime, to settle over the winter. Versus, doing it in the spring, all of that new material being put down and then played on right away is not ideal,” he said.

SHANEL ROMAIN/CONTRIBUTOR

A BET TER DIAMOND: A diamond at Ehlert Park w ill be improved Little Leag ue w ill fund the up grades.

Brown bear Axhi euthanized at Brook eld Zoo

Axhi the brow n bear, who lived at Brook eld Zoo Chicago for 30 years, was euthanized as the quality of his life declined in his old age

e 31-year-old bear was rescued by the zoo in 1995

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

After more than three decades of receiving love and care at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, the zoo’s rescued brown bear Axhi has been euthanized.

The nearly 31-year-old bear was experiencing “worsening geriatric conditions” over several months that were affecting his daily quality of life, leading staf f to decide to humanely end his life, the zoo said.

The zoo rescued Axhi in 1995 after his mother was killed by hunters in Alaska.

According to the zoo, brown bears tend to live around 20-25 years in the wild, with few reaching the more advanced had even in captivit

The bear was “a belo for his specie his life at the zoo. He will be remembered by staf f for his personality and habit cluding painstakingly winter for hibe to dive underwater brown bears. Even continued to learn, the zoo said.

“His story reminds us of the challenges bears face in the wild and the vital role conservation ef for ts play in ensuring their survival,” the zoo wrote in a statement.

“For those who cared for him, Axhi will always be remembered as resilient, curious and deeply beloved.”

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.

387-1030.

Consultant bolsters D96 communications

Board OKs plan from Blythe Park School parent Castor Aug. 20

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Sometimes, when you see an opportunity to help, you jump right in.

Such as it was for Riverside School District 96 parent Molly Castor. Just into the 2024-25 school year, she reached out to superintendent Dr. Martha Ryan-Toye to see if she could assist in district communications ef forts.

Without dedicated district communications personnel, it made sense to Ryan-Toye.

A year later, Castor’s proposed 2025-26 district communications plan was approved by the District 96 board of education on Aug. 20. She’ll work 10 hours per week and tackle key communications projects like a district welcome guide, a website audit and maintaining a social media content calendar, among other things.

“She came forward with this depth and rich understanding of what families and parents are looking for,” Ryan-Toye said. “It was kind of the right time and the right place.”

Castor, a director and consultant at Stacks Consulting Group, grew up in Riverside, and attended Central Elementary School, Hauser Junior High and Riverside-Brookfield High School. She currently has two daughters at Blythe Park Elementary School.

A year ago, she had children in two district schools and thus was getting principal communications from both of them. She also started a communications position with the Blythe Park School PTA, meaning she was exposed to the breadth of district communications.

“I thought there were a few opportunities for communications at the district,” Castor said. “I wasn’t even pitching my services . I was wondering what the communications plan was.”

Ryan-Toye was intrigued.

“She reached out via email, ‘I’m a community member and a parent. I’ve been looking at your website and I have some suggestions,’” Ryan-Toye said.

Hiring a consultant is a different model than other districts, like Riverside-Brookfield High School, that have a dedicated communications person. But it works and

adopted by the board Aug. 20 consists of 2024-25 goals; an action plan for those goals; a timeline; and current status. Those ef for ts fall into three categories:

■ Build c onsistent c ommunication channels

■ Enhance district brand perception.

■ Foster community partnerships. For example, a 2024-25 goal was to establish a quarterly superintendent email. That was completed and is scheduled for this school year in the months of August, November, February and May. Another was highlighting the district’s new website, which was completed in conjunction with the new district mobile app, with a website audit planned for 2025-26. Another project that was completed last year was updating the community re port layout, with ongoing

PROVIDED

this year is nizations to distribute a district welcome rside ing. District Instagram followers have increased by 40% over the last year, she of fered as an example. There are social media “champions” at each district school, typically a teacher or a staf f member. This year, Castor is working with those champions on social media best practices, “just to make sure content is consistent and unified, and establishing a voice.”

One thing is clear. Castor is enjoying her work, and part of that is because of her deep roots in the community and the fact she is a district parent.

“I think I would say it certainly adds to it,” she said. “ I’m having these co nversations with other parents and having thi s c onnection with the district, it b rings me a lot of joy and I want to bring that to other families .”

MAKE A JOB: D96 parent Molly Castor pitched Supt. Martha Ryan-Toye on the need for improved district communications. Now she has a part-time job working on just th at.

Former Nazareth QB McCarthy shines in NFL debut vs. Bears

McCarthy passes for 143 yards, 2 TDs as Vikings prevail 27-24

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Like his days as the Nazareth Academy quarterback, J.J. McCarthy proved to be the hometown football hero Monday at Soldier Field.

Unfortunately for Chicago Bears fans, McCarthy’s success came with the rival Minnesota Vikings in his NFL debut.

McCarthy’s outstanding fourth quarter contributed to 21 unanswered points that fueled the Vikings to a 27-24 victory in the season opener after the Bears took a 17-6 lead early in the third quar ter.

“Getting the win. That’s what I’ll remember most,” McCarthy said to ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters during their interview on the field after the victory.

“Just being here in the hometown. It’s a dream come true. To all the kids out there, it’s possible. I just love my guys and we can’t wait to go to war next week.”

Mond ay was also a dream c ome true in many ways for N azareth head c oac h Tim Racki

The lifelong Bears fan was at his first opener. He also had been there for McCarthy’s quarterback debut with the Roadrunners and the University of Michig an, where he captured a national title.

“It was yet another great memory of the journey I’ve been on with this kid for many years. I got to see his parents, a lot of my for mer players,” Racki said.

“Everywhere I turned, there was somebody I knew. I was wearing his No. 9 jersey so I got heckled by some great one-liners so it was a fun evening. I’m a Bears fan so I knew it was coming.”

McCarthy and the Vikings could have

been rattled after the Bears’ Nahshon Wright intercepted McCarthy and returned the ball 74 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown and the 17-6 advantage

The Bears appeared on the verge of another score. But holding and intentional grounding penalties stifled the drive and kicker Cairo Santos missed a 50-yard field goal.

McCarthy and the Vikings seized the momentum. “He always responds so well to adversity and setbacks, even when he was young, because he’s always been mature beyond his years,” Racki said.

“He always had that reset demeanor. When the debut for your first NFL game is not only on national TV but your hometown, it’s not more pressure packed than that.”

McCarthy first found Justin Jefferson for a 13-yard TD pass with 12:13 remaining to close to 17-12 after a missed two-point conversion.

The Vikings then took a 20-17 lead with 9:46 to go on McCarthy’s 27-yard TD strike to Aaron Jones Sr.

McCarthy then all but put the game away with his 14-yard TD run with 2:53 remaining for a 27-17 lead. The Bears scored a TD with 2:02 left but the Vikings ran out the clock.

“(The Vikings’) run game really started to gain steam in the fourth quarter as well. Obviously, that’s going to help any quarterback and it helped J.J.,” Racki said.

McCarthy finished 13-for-20 passing for 143 yards.

“(Our team said) that we’ve got to believe,” McCarthy said to Salters. “That’s one thing that we can do is control is the controllables and our belief in going out there and executing that next play. We’ve got a great group and everyone was on the same page with that.”

Racki texted with McCarthy last week and enjoyed the time with his parents before and after the game. The pregame became a time for reflection.

“I watched him warm up in an NFL uniform and seeing that he’s turned into a man with muscle put on and how big he is,

GOING NATIONAL: Nazareth grad J.J. McCarthy celebrated winning a national championship at the University of Michigan. is week he celebrated beating his hometown Bears.

for

sixth grade riding his bike over to Nazareth to play pickup football with older kids. And there he is.

this goal and to see it come to fruition, all of the highs and lows he’s been through, and his journey and to have been a part of it, it was really a special moment.”

COURTESY OF NAZARETH HEAD FOOTBALL COAC H TIM RACKI

RENOVATION

Better

access,

better space

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pleased. He replaced for mer superintendent Dr. Mark Kuzniewski on July 1, deep in the throes of the work that was coordinated by construction management firm Executive Construction Inc. of Hillside.

“The middle school kids are raving about the FACS lab,” Evans said. “It’s a showstopper. Those that worked in the previous (room) know what a massive upgrade it is. There were a lot of jaws dropped.”

The for mer FACS lab, which was renovated in 2003, became a fourth early childhood classroom and is now part of a section that is sealed with doors on either end of the hallway to contain the school’s three- and four-year-old learners.

Dean Pappas, director of student services who oversees early childhood programming, said the dedicated wing for his students and teachers has had a big impact so far.

“We have our own hallway,” he said. “We’ve seen a calm start to our school year.”

The new FACS lab is a significantly larger space and includes six workstations, refrigerators and freezers and electric induction ovens. Since S.E. Gross was built in a triangle design, it also provides a nice view

of the internal courtyard.

Additionally, a new entrance with double doors, compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, was built within the contained space, so the early childhood students won’t intermingle with middle school students.

“I very much appreciate that the early childhood program has its own space to thrive in, rather than an open program in a middle school,” Evans said. “This needed to occur so we could bring our staffing together, not split between two buildings.”

The project didn’t feature any major glitches, though Evans said Executive Construction did run across minor issues due to the building’s age like a pipe in a certain area or electrical that was run in a place that didn’t make sense.

But he said construction superintendent Anthony Martz ke pt everything moving smoothly.

“He was with us on the last one,” Evans said of a $35 million project a few years ago. “He had people working 10-hour days six days a week, and that is common in school construction projects. The doors need to open the day we say.”

Concrete bumpouts on Maple Avenue at Lincoln Avenue to help make for safer crossings for students and pedestrians are likely to come next summer, when the village of Brookfield repaves Maple Avenue. The village painted curbs to help prevent parking where the school’s buses stop.

T he renovation c ompletion also coincided with a major award, the Gold Circle of Quality from the I llinois Stat e Board of Education, wh ich honors the district and the early childhood progr am for meeting and exceeding q uality b enchmarks on learning environment, i nstructional q uality and progr am administrat ive standards

“District 95 has been the recipient of the Preschool for All Grant for many years, and as part of that grant, districts are monitored to make sure they are meeting the high standards of the grant, which is monitored by ISBE,” Evans said.

The district received the award prior to the renovation, he added.

“The teachers and the staf f are the heartbeat of the program,” Pappas said. “Knowing they design a curriculum that meets these levels, we’re very excited.”

TODD BANNOR

TEACHERS GET READY: Two teacher’s aides at S.E. Gross prepare materials in the newly renovated Early Childhood Education classroom.

TODD BANNOR

New ADA compliant entrance at S. E. Gross Middle School in Br ook eld on Fr iday September 5, 2025.

Riverside OKs buying water from McCook through 2060

e village must maintain an IGA as a condition of an IEPA loan

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Riverside trustees on Thursday approved an ag reement with the village of McCook to have it supply Riverside with water through the year 2060.

While substantially similar to the villages’ existing contract, the 35-year ag reement will help Riverside continue to replace lead service lines in town as required by the Illinois Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act of 2022.

To replace lead service lines in 2025, Riverside has received a zero-interest loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in the amount of $4 million, which the village will have to pay back over a 30-year span.

As part of the terms of the loan, Riverside must keep an active intergover nmental agreement for the purchase of water for the duration of the repayment period, which the new contract with McCook will satisfy.

“The revision is for a period of 35 years because, if we were to secure any funding in the next couple of years, we wouldn’t want to have to go through this process again,” Dan Tabb, Riverside’s director of public works, told the village board.

According to Riverside’s website, the village anticipates the replacement of all lead service lines in town will cost about $25 million. The high price tag means the village must space out the replacements over time, though staff expect Riverside will keep up with the state’s expectations of replacing at least 6% of the village’s leaded lines each year, with work beginning no later than Nov. 1, 2027, and completing by 2044.

According to the village’s lead service line replacement plan, dated April 1, 2025, Riverside knows of 1,474 lead service lines and suspects 291 further lines are leaded for a total of 1,765 lines that must be replaced. Through 2024, the village had replaced 72 lines.

Art as advocac y on display in Riverside

Chicago photographer to feature historical narrative through personal, witness lenses at moving, one–of-akind exhibition

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

For thousands of years, art in various for ms has been used to share stories, convey political messages, pass on cultural traditions and beautify spaces.

Often, art is created to spark thoughts on civil discourse, shock with the artist’s personal truth or evoke emotion of another’s circumstances — positive or negative — through the lens of depiction as simply a bystander.

But, for Chicago-based cinematographer and photographer Carlos Javier Ortiz, today’s cultural and political climate isn’t the sole reason or only time he finds strong images valuable for sharing the stories or experiences of both his world and the worldview of others.

From Sept. 14 through Oct. 18, Ortiz’s photography installation, “Inherit America,” will be featured inside the Riverside

Art Center’s Freeark Gallery, documenting not just a specific ongoing crisis, but revealing continuity of what he describes as the quiet violence of systemic inequities from both daily news and the everyday erosions of individuals’ opportunities, safety and visibility.

“When done with intention, [art] becomes part of the historical record — something future generations can reference,” said Ortiz.

“Advocacy through art matters because it allows us to reflect, to document and to create a space for dialogue. It doesn’t stand apart from history — it becomes history.”

According to Ortiz, “Inherit America” is a poetic documentary, diving into the undercurrents of the U.S., from labor and grief to celebration and resistance. The installation draws from a variety of photographic projects taken over two decades — a display Ortiz says is introspective of the country in which he grew up.

“It’s not a singular project, but a reflection. … what remains in history, for our children, grandchildren and beyond,” he said. “The work is inspired by books, films, newspapers, articles, events and history. I believe the power of my work does not rest in a single image, but in the accumulation of many images, coming together to tell a narrative.”

“Inherit America” is a collection drawing from portraits, documentary imagery, news coverage, street photography and personal archives. It spans politics, immigration,

gun violence, and the quiet dignity of ordinary people. With pieces including elegy to the Great Migration, chronicles of urban communities shaped by violence and loss, hope and hardship, and images of migrant laborers, Ortiz says his photographs aren’t meant to romanticize the subjects, but rather, “hold close the quiet dignity of survival” depicting collective American stories as witnessed from the outside.

While the idea for this project has been in the works for several years, Ortiz emphasizes “Inherit America” holds unique importance to him as it reflects a personal visual history of contemporary America as he’s experienced since the Sept. 11, 2001 ter rorist attacks.

“When I lost my cousin-in-law, Michael J. Berkeley, in the Twin Towers, I began reflecting on how the country would change — and change it did,” he said. “As an artist, when making work, you never know if others will find it important, valuable or educational. The hope is to spark conversations, to create reflection from within and to preserve a visual history from the perspective of the artist — my own narrative I believe each individual will bring their own approach — their own feelings and emotions — to what they see in it.”

Over time, Ortiz adds, what began as a

response to a single moment evolved into a broader question into what America has turned into in the 21st century; particularly, how the nation has been impacted by war and national conflicts to resistance from citizens and moments of beautiful survival woven in between.

“[The exhibit] unfolds what it means to belong in a country that often withholds that promise — what a person will inherit,” he said.

Ortiz’s exhibit comes to Riverside by way of his networking connection with Laura Husar Garcia, exhibitions committee member with the Riverside Arts Center, who asked Ortiz if he’d be interested in participating in an exhibit at the gallery.

“I’ve known Laura for many years and have always admired her humanity, her understanding of the world, and her vision as both an editor and an artist,” he said.

The Riverside Art Center, 32 E. Quincy St., will host an opening rece ption for “Inherit America” on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition will be on view Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 18, with a special artist talk by Ortiz hosted on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.

For more information, visit riversideartscenter.com.

PROVIDED

Liberados, 2008, Archival pig ment pr int, 20 x 24 inches

Los Americano, 2008, Archival pig ment pr int, 20 x 24 inches

Arizona driver ignores stop

Scottsdale, Arizona, man on Sept. 4 after his car ignored a stop sign.

An officer was stationed on Sahler Avenue around 8 p.m. to patrol the intersection with Park Avenue when they saw a silver Jeep disre gard the stop sign and turn east onto Sahler Avenue.

The officer pulled the car over at the intersection of Sunnyside Avenue and Plainfield Avenue. After advising the driver of the reason for the traffic stop, the officer asked the man for his driver’s license and proof of insurance. After taking the man’s information, the officer learned the man’s license had expired.

The officer issued citations to the man for disobeying a stop sign and driving on an expired license. A court date of Sept. 23 was set, and the officer allowed a member of the man’s family who arrived on the scene to drive the car away.

Resident reports a stolen bike

On Sept. 4, Brookfield police received an online report that a resident’s bicycle had been stolen.

According to the report, the bike was taken on Aug. 22 from a bike rack in Kiwanis Park near the volleyball nets. Police reached out to the owner for more information, and the next morning, he said the bike was an olive green Retrospec Beaumont city bike with tan tires.

Police did not report finding the bicycle or arresting anyone related to the theft.

Homeless man taken to the hospital

Brookfield police on Sept. 2 responded to

of a suspicious person and later had firefighters transport a homeless man

Around 9:54 p.m., an officer responded to the Holy Covenant Metropolitan Community Church, 9145 Grant Ave., on a report of a man ringing the church’s doorbell. After arriving, the officer spoke with the man, who was walking along the sidewalk near the church.

T he man told police he had been ringing the church’s doorbell after no one answered the door and that he was in the middle of looking for someone on the grounds of the church. He said he believed the church was a 24-hour homeless shelter. T he officer infor med the man it was not and gave him info rmation on homeless shelters in the area.

A short while later, the man complained of feeling unwell and told the officer he had pain in his stomach. Police searched the man’s bags with his consent and did not find any weapons, so they had Brookfield firefighters report to the scene and transport the man to the hospital.

These items we re o btained from th e Brookfield Po lice Department re port s dated Sept. 1-8; th ey re present a portio n of the incidents to wh ich police responded. Anyone named in these re ports ha s only b een charged with a crime and cases ha ve not yet b een adjudicated. We re port the ra ce of a suspect only wh en a serious crime has b een c ommitted, the suspect is still at la rge and police ha ve provided us with a detailed physical d escription of the suspect as th ey seek the public’s h elp in making an arrest . Compiled by Trent Brown

TEACHER Jane Doe lawsuit

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sexual grooming and sexual battery that that Plaintiff has suf fered from Prokes’s illicit behavior while he was a faculty member of RBHS,” the 16-page complaint filed in Cook County Circuit Court states. “Prokes is a predator and must be held accountable. RBHS is equally culpable: the school district failed to protect Doe despite years of open and obvious ille gal contact by Prokes. This lawsuit is Doe’s attempt to confront Defendants to receive justice for her substantial injuries.”

RBHS officials had nothing to say about the lawsuit when c ontacted by the L andmark.

“The high school is aware of the ongoing litigation; therefore, we cannot provide a comment,” Supt. Kevin Skinkis said.

District 208 school board president Deanna Zalas had a similar response.

“I’m not going to comment on pending litigation,” Zalas said.

Prokes, a graduate of RBHS, retired from RBHS in 2023 after working at the school for 37 years. Prokes did not respond to requests for comment left by tele phone, text and Facebook Messenger

The Riverside Police Department has recently opened an investigation of Prokes.

“We were recently notified on an issue and we are conducting a criminal investigation and at this time I cannot comment any further as result of that because it is a pending investigation,” said Riverside Director of Public Safety Matt Buckley

The lawsuit alle ges that Prokes remained in contact with Doe after she graduated from RBHS in 2018 and that Doe and Prokes had sexual intercourse at the school after her graduation. The lawsuit further alle ges that Doe and Prokes engaged in other sexual activity before she graduated.

“The years of abuse by Prokes and the inaction by RBHS, followed by years of manipulation and evasion, have had a devastating impact on Doe,” the complaint states. “Prokes’s and RBHS’s crimes continue to haunt Doe to this day and causing her to suffer serious emotional trauma and other injuries for which she seeks compensatory and exemplary damage s.” T he complaint states that Doe attempted suicide in 2021 and

was hospitalized for mental health treatment in April and May 2022.

The lawsuit alleges that Prokes groomed Doe from the time she enrolled in a one-week television production workshop taught by Prokes the summer before she started her freshman year in 2015. She then enrolled as a freshman in Prokes’ television production class and continued to take classes from Prokes throughout her high school career as well as work for RBTV.

The complaint alle ges that during her freshman year Prokes contacted Doe via Snapchat, something that he did with many RBTV students, according to a former RBHS student who spoke to the Landmark on condition of anonymity.

During Doe’s freshman year Prokes would, according to the complaint, give hugs to Doe when she had difficulty on school tests alle gedly to help Doe cope with stress. At first, the lawsuit states, Doe would refuse the hugs but then they became more common and were not resisted. The complaint alle ges in the summer after her sophomore year Prokes worked to groom Doe taking her on daily er rands and tasks related to RBTV.

“For instance, Prokes drove Doe to a pet store where they purchased five fish for the RBHS fish tank that stood in the TV production classroom,” the complaint states. “These ‘errands’ manipulated Doe by making her feel special and unique and, as Prokes observed, that she and Prokes had a special relationship. Prokes allowed Doe to name the fish.”

During Doe’s sophomore year, the complaint alle ges, the relationship between Prokes and Doe intensified. They would text and communicate on Snapchat on a re gular basis. The complaint alle ges that a for mer RBTV aide saw Prokes and Doe hugging and kissing during Doe’s sophomore year. The complaint alle ges that the aide did not re port what she saw to school administrators. The aide declined to comment to the Landmark when reached.

During Doe’s sophomore year she, according to the complaint, told Prokes that she loved him. According to the complaint Prokes re plied “I love you too.”

The complaint alle ges that Prokes sought to connect with Doe on the basis of their shared Czech heritage and that Prokes told Doe that he had been physically abused by his father and verbally abused by his mother when he was a child.

The lawsuit claims that during Doe’s sophomore year RBHS officials, concerned about Prokes’ developing relationship with Doe, instituted a new policy forbidding teachers to text students or contact stu-

dents via social media such as Snapchat.

According to the complaint the relationship between Prokes and Doe intensified during her junior year. The complaint alle ges that Prokes, in violation of school policy, continued to text Doe and that Doe would visit Prokes daily for hugs.

According to the c omplaint the relationship became more sexual durin g Doe’s senior year when Prokes be ga n touching Doe i ntimately before, durin g and after their almost daily hug s. According to the c omplaint Prokes often ru bbed Doe’s stomach during the hugging. T he c omplaint alle g es that Prokes and Doe would meet in RBTV production labs, known as studio s, at the school, one of wh ich had a c ouch, as well as in a storage closet.

The complaint alle ges that in November of her senior year, when Doe was 17, Prokes started touching Doe’s genital areas. The first time Prokes put his hands on Doe’s buttocks she alle gedly pushed them away and Prokes apologized and told Doe that she was so attractive that he lost control.

But the touching alle gedly escalated after that.

The complaint alle ges that on the night of the school play in 2017 an unnamed student saw Prokes and Doe hugging in an RBTV studio.

“When Prokes noticed that he had been observed, he immediately left the RBHS Studio B to find the student and to speak with that other student,” the complaint states

The next day, according to the complaint, Prokes called Doe into his of fice and told her that if she was asked about her relationship with him she should just deny everything. He also alle gedly told Doe that his relationship with her “was all wor th it for him.”

The complaint alleges that RBHS officials conducted what the complaint terms a “whitewash investigation” of the relationship between Prokes and Doe and that an assistant principal interviewed Doe who said that it was just a hug and did not reveal the intimacies of their relationship.

Neither Doe’s lawyer, Thomas Cronin, nor Supt. Skinkis would identify which RBHS assistant principal, Dave Mannon or Kylie Lindquist, interviewed Doe. Neither Mannon nor Lindquist returned calls from the Landmark asking them whether they had interviewed a student about Prokes.

During her senior year Doe had an inde p endent study period with Prokes. During that time, the c omplaint alle ge s Doe would re g ularly masturbate Prokes within the school.

“Such sexual liaisons became frequent

both during and after school within the RBHS school building,” the complaint states By the spring of her senior year in 2018 Doe, according to the complaint, believed that she was in love with Prokes and was hoping for a long-term relationship with him.

“When Doe asked Prokes about their future to gether Prokes said ‘You will have to wait for me’ because Prokes was mar ried with a wife,” the complaint states. “Prokes told Doe that it might take a few years before he would divorce his wife so that he and Doe could be to gether.”

In the years after graduation, Doe struggled with mental health and her relationship with Prokes seems to have abated as she considered what had happened. The complaint alle ges that on May 11, 2021 Prokes sent a text message to Doe

“I know you are struggling with the past and all the horrible things I did and I am ashamed of myself,” Prokes alle gedly told Doe by text.

After this, the complaint alle ges that Prokes reached out to Doe with texts and other messages including sending Doe a letter that alle gedly said, “Love you and miss you, Gary.” The complaint says that Doe threw the letter away

After she graduated Doe was, according to the complaint, concerned after hearing about another student becoming close to Prokes. Prokes then allegedly told Doe, “You’re the only student I ever loved; still do.”

The complaint states that when she was about 21, Doe met with Prokes to discuss their past. According to the complaint Doe told Prokes that he had molested her. Prokes allegedly responded “’[T]hat’s a strong word,’ then Prokes cried and told Doe ‘I love you.’” RBHS is accused of negligent supervision of Prokes, negligent retention of Prokes, and willful and wanton negligence. Prokes is accused of ne gligence and sexual battery.

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

THE IRS OFFERS PENALTY RELIEF TO ELIGIBLE TAXPAYERS: PART I

Taxpayers may qualify for penalty relief if they tried to comply with tax laws but were unable due to circumstances beyond their control.

Here’s what taxpayers should know about possible penalties and interest Taxpayers who owe tax and don’t file on time may be charged a failure-to-file penalty. This penalty is usually five percent of the tax owed for each month or part of a month that the tax return is late, up to 25 percent. The failure-to-pay penalty applies if a taxpayer doesn’t pay the taxes they report on their tax return by the due date.

Interest is based on the amount of tax owed and for each day it’s not paid in full. The interest is compounded daily, so it is assessed on the previous day’s balance plus the interest. Interest rates are determined every three months and can vary based on type of tax, for example, individual or business tax liabilities.

More information is available on the interest page of IRS.gov.

IRS payment plan options

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There may be times when taxpayers cannot pay what they owe in full, but remember the IRS has numerous payment plan options available. The IRS offers several different payment plan options, but taxpayers may want to first consider non-IRS options depending on their financial situation.

Regardless of how someone pays, they should act quickly because tax bills get larger as long as they remain unpaid.

YOU'RE

Opinion

LETTERS

This Pro Bono Month, be the di erence

October is Pro Bono Month, so it’s a great time to celebrate the important role volunteer attorneys play in helping people navigate legal challenges. Imagine a senior without an advance directive, a survivor of domestic violence trying to leave an abusive mar riage or get an order of protection, or an immigrant facing complex legal systems without the support of a lawyer. These situations happen every day, and too often, there’s no one to help. According to a 2022 Justice Gap report, for low-income Americans, 92% of their civil legal needs go unmet due to no legal aid attorneys available to help.

Volunteer attorneys are needed now more than ever. Proposed federal budget cuts could cost legal aid agencies in Cook County over $20 million, leaving thousands of Illinois residents without the help they desperately need. Staff at legal aid organizations are already stretched too thin and volunteers make a real difference by helping families, seniors, and survivors of domestic violence get the legal support they need.

That’s where Pro Bono Network (PBN) comes in. Since 2011, we’ve been making it easy for attorneys, wheth-

er new, experienced, taking a career break, or retired, to use their le gal skills to volunteer in ways that chang e people’s lives while also fitting it into their already busy schedules. With training and support, our volunteers provide critical le g al help. Just last year, PBN volunteer attorneys donated 2,852 hours, assisting 811 clients across 20 different project areas.

If you are an attor ney interested in pro bono work, on Wednesday, Oct. 15, you can join PBN downtown to learn more about what we do and also get trained in many of our volunteer opportunities. We’re hosting a free, one-day Pro Bono Network Training Conference in Chicago with CLE-accredited sessions in family law, immigration, elder law, and more. By the end of the day, you’ll be ready to jump in, get involved, and transform lives.

To learn more and re gister for our October event, go to https://www.pbnetwork.org/pbntc.

Have a question? Contact our Pro Bono coordinator, Ronak Maisuria, at info@pbnetwork.org.

Molly MacCready Executi ve director, Pro Bono Network

Send letters to the editor

Dan Haley, Ri verside-Brookfield Landmark

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E-mail: dhaley@wjinc.com

Please include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

OBITUARIES

Believed in taking risks and in people.

A man of many talents

Edward Lyons, 86, for merly of Riverside, died on Sept. 4, 2025 at his home in Chicago. Born on Nov. 20, 1938 in Queens, New York City, he grew up in a close and loving family. His grandparents lived downstairs, and his aunts, uncles and cousins all lived within walking, school and playing distance.

His family moved to New Jersey when Ed was a teenager and he graduated from high school in New Brunswick. He followed his older brother into the military, in Ed’s case, the Navy. He was only 17, so his mother had to sign of f on his enlistment; he wound up on a “kiddy cruise.”

He spent the four years in Hawaii.

After leaving the service, he graduated from Rutgers University and then Virginia Tech, where he earned a PhD in natural resource management/operations research. An engineer at heart, he never stopped wanting to learn, and he returned to college after he retired, ear ning an MBA from the University of Wisconsin.

A man of many talents and interests. He found joy in learning, sharing what he learned, asking questions, and challenging himself and others, both intellectually and athletically.

He was a strategic thinker, a problem solver, a professional and personal risk taker, and a leader. His career spanned the forest industry and manufacturing. He believed in data-based decision making and taking risks, and he believed in people. He always said he was most proud of mentoring and developing staf f, and putting in place systems that promoted the well-being of those individuals.

An excellent tennis player, he frequently beat those who were younger, but nothing pleased him more than when his sons beat him. He was a rower (and built his yaker, hiker, biker, golfer, and rollerblader/iceskater (to keep up

He painted and drew, and tried his hand woodcarving. He could repair almost anything and loved improvising to make things wo , especially if it didn’t cost

him anything.

He traveled widely, and was always up for a new adventure. He loved an unplanned day of wandering, especially if there was a new beer discovered at the end of the trail.

He rarely gave up on a book, especially if recommended by a friend. He took classes in physics, fungi, the environment, politics and astronomy. During the COVID break he wrote a 100+ page treatise titled, “The Dynamic Universe.” He researched and wrote it for younger people (really the grandchildren) and to increase his own knowledge. Just as what is known about the universe is always expanding, so did his treatise.

Frequently, he would quote John Greenleaf Whittier’s 1856 poem, Maude Miller — “For of all the sad things of tongue or pen / The saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’” He strived to live his life without re grets.

His was a life well lived.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Sussman; his sons, Daniel and Michael (Kelly), two grandchildren (Mackenzie and Connor Lyons); his brother, William (Joan), and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Naomi and Thomas Lyons, and his older brother, Thomas Lyons.

Private memorials will be held in Chicago and New Jersey.

Arrangements were handled by Ivins/ Moravecek Funeral Home in Riverside.

Ed Lyons, 86

Sports

RBHS cross country teams uniting for better team results

All-UEC Vaia, Dosek return for girls; Boys have new coach, new faces

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School seniors

Addie Vaia and Rebecca Dosek are pushing themselves to have stronger girls cross country seasons.

For Vaia last season, that meant a solid finish at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional (62nd, 19:02.54 for 2.9 miles) as the Bulldogs’ lone individual sectional qualifier.

“As much as it hurt I felt like I ended on a positive note, I shaved off some time. It was at Katherine Legge (a tough course) so I was proud of that,” Vaia said.

“I had a lot of pressure on me because I didn’t have my teammates with me but I wanted to represent my team in a positive way so I really give it my all.”

Sophomores Elsie Clark, Evelyn Walsh and Julia Daniels and junior Elizabeth Moran also were part of the Lyons Township Regional lineup for head coach Blair Jensen.

Key varsity newcomers include juniors Tia Lombardi and Isabella Limoges, sophomore Anabel Olesiak and freshmen Ella Bursua and Kaylee McClintock.

“We have a lot of new freshmen and they’re really fast and I’m really excited to see what we can do this season,” Dosek said. “I’m not the most talkative so I’m trying my best to actually get out there and talk to them.”

At their first Upstate Eight Conference Meet last season, Vaia (9th) and Dosek (24th) earned top 25 individual all-conference honors for the third-place Bulldogs (221 point). Both also were individual All-Metro Suburban Conference in 2023.

At regionals, the Bulldogs (183 points) were eighth and missed the last team sectional berth by one place and 11 points

“I got sick at (regionals). For the first two miles, I almost caught up to (Vaia) and then fell off completely,” Dosek said. “(This season) I’m hoping to come in with a higher note

and just generally keep consistent, keep doing what I’ve been doing.”

On Saturday, the Bulldogs (231 points) were seventh at Lyons Township’s Mike Kuharic Invitational. Vaia (23rd, 20:16.02 for 5,000 meters/3.1 miles) was top-25 followed by Dosek (20:45.83), Limoges (45th, 21:14.91), Clark (55th, 21:35.24), Olesiak (72nd, 22:20.98), Elizabeth Moran (74th, 22:25.39) and Walsh (78th, 22:41.11).

At the season-opening Trial on the Trail Aug. 27 at Elmwood Park, Vaia (12:43.5 miles) and Dosek (13:19.9) were f ninth. Natalie Moran was third in the freshman race (14:23.53 for 3,400 meters).

“Because this is my senior season I also want to end on a positive note and kind of give it my all every race, no matter wh if I’m not feeling my best,” Vaia said. “We’ doing a lot more focusing on team and making sure we have a good, strong team connection. Last year we did but this want to do a little bit more.”

RBHS boys cross country

O’Brien from their postseason lineups. Otherwise, the Bulldogs will have many new varsity contributors, such as seniors Samuel Lee and Connor Kolodziejski, juniors Bryson Reum and sophomores Wilson Leister, Levi Huf fman, Ian Brosnan, Gavin Duncan and Cameron Glennie. T hey also have a new head coach. Travis Trevizo, also the boys track and field head coach, takes over for the retire d Jack Brad y.

The Bulldogs return seniors Tommy Bogdan, Clayton Dosek, Emmitt Olson and Quinn Hendricks and juniors Aiden

“Our main goal this year is to learn how to r un as a team,” Trevizo said. “Cross country is a team sport in which they can help each other place higher in races. For example, our kids are learning how to draft of f each other and rotate leading positions in order to cut time. Our main team goal is to win conference. T he key to success is consistency.”

In their UEC debut, the Bulldogs (84 points) took second to West Aurora (76) among 13 teams. T he Bulldogs graduated their three All-UEC r unners, including individual state qualifier Brady Norman, the last remaining member of the 2022 2A state championship team.

RBHS also qualified as a team for the 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional (15th, 377) by taking fifth at the Lyons Township Regional (105).

At the season-opening T rial on the Trail Aug. 27 at Elmwood Park, Bogdan (10:48.6 for 2.0 miles) and Olson (10:59.7) finished fourth and fifth and O’Brien (11:19.3) and Dosek (11:19.7) were eighth and ninth.

T he Bulldogs were 20th (497 points) at the Kuharic Invitational. Bogdan (91st, 17:38.62 for 5,000 meters/3.1 miles), Dosek (98th, 17:52.75), Olson (99th, 17:53.42), O’Brien (104th, 18:01.14), Leister (110th, 18:12.43), Hendricks (123rd, 18:46.52) and Huf fman (140th, 19:28.89) were the Bulldo gs’ finishers.

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STEVE JOHNSTON

RBHS Rebecca Dosek races to the nish line dur ing the Mike Kuharic Cross Country Invitational, Sept. 6, in Western Springs.

RBHS, LTHS football remain o ensive; both move to 2-0

Retana rushes for 3 TDs against Hinsdale South; Lions beat WW South

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior Jacob Retana helped the Riverside Brookfield High School football team’s prolific of fense progress even further Friday.

Retana had a 57-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage and finished with three TDs and 122 yards on 11 carries in the Bulldogs’ 41-20 home victory over Hinsdale South to improve to 2-0.

“I believe that was the one of my best games throughout my high school career,” said Retana, who added 10 and 36- yard TDs in the fourth quarter. “I’d like to say that (running backs coach Nick Santos) helped me to get where I am.”

“Jacob’s a hard runner, lots of power, very elusive and when he gets in the open field, he can be pretty dangerous,” RBHS coach Sam Styler said.

“I think that’s what make us dangerous, when you have as many weapons as we do. Our problem is trying to figure out who we’re getting the ball to.”

The Bulldogs built upon their 35-27 opening victory at Niles West behind the starting offensive line of center Felix Sanchez, guards Joey Campagna and Daniel Amparan and tackles Charlie Jicha and Joaquin Jara.

Again alternating their two junior quarterbacks, Braeden Novak passed for 183 yards and three TDs to Jayden Karas (42 yards), John Bielobradek (39 yards) and Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus (56 yards). Giancarlo Garcia, last year’s starter, added 30 rushing yards.

“The offense has been really locked in this year,” Retana said. “We give it all our ef fort on the field, especially the linemen. They keep me going because if they’re gonna to give 100 percent for me, I’m gonna do the same for them.”

At Niles West, Novak passed for 157 yards and three TDs, and Garcia rushed for 92 yards with a 45-yard TD Hinsdale South (0-2) tied the game 7-7 before Novak’s TD passes in stride to the

wide-open Karas and Bielobradek. The Hornets closed to 27-20 with 9:45 left Retana scored TDs on the Bulld two possessions.

“Our offense had a phenomenal night across the board,” Styler said. “Jacob set the tone early with his performanc offensive line did a phenomenal jo (quarterbacks) put us in positions to be successful.”

Ryan Ferguson set up the last TD with his fumble recovery at the Hornets’ 31. Ben Biskupic recovered a later fumble caused by Warren Mason.

Tackle leaders were Bryan Rimpila (9), Mason (six) and Ferguson (5). Andrew vares, Anthony Lembcke and Ja had tackles for loss. Ferguson and Oscar Aguir re had pass breakups.

LTHS football

Lyons Township senior receiv ny Pearson’s first varsity touchdown was a game changer Friday.

His 12-yard catch from quarterback Slightom with 5:34 left gave the Lions the lead for good in their 31-28 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South in Western Springs.

RBHS Warren Mason (5) pulls dow n an interception against Argo dur ing a preseason scrimmage game, Aug. 22, in Brook eld.

“I knew I could beat (the defender) so we called that play and I was side open,” Pearson said.

“(The TD) was amazing. One of my dreams as a kid was get a touchdown on this field (Bennett) and it’s all thanks to my O-line.”

The Lions (2-0) never trailed but saw the Tigers (1-1) again tie the game 21-21 with 10:57 left. The hosts responded with a 75yard TD drive.

“What I was really proud of with our kids was the fourth quarter. When we had to put a drive together, we did,” said LTHS coach Jon Beutjer, a 1999 WW South graduate.

After Pearson’s TD, LTHS senior lineman Jimmy Hillmann got a strip fumble recovery at the 24.

Senior Ryland Avants’ 30-yard field goal

with 1:31 left opened a 31-21 lead. The Tigers scored again with 36.0 seconds but Lou Ratcliffe recovered the onside kick and the Lions ran out the clock.

Hillmann and Pearson are cousins, Brookfield residents and two-way players.

“I haven’ t done anything li ke that (fumble) since I played (youth football),” said Hillmann, an of fensive lineman in 2024.

“It’s nice to be playing defense now. I’m a senior, playing both ways. It’s just fun to g et out there, make a play like that, shift momentum.”

Senior linebacker Patrick Cheney had perhaps the biggest defensive play – a 41yard interception return for a TD and 21-14 LTHS lead on the Tigers’ opening possession of the second half after their TD just 57.2 seconds before halftime tied the game.

“(Cheney’s pick-six) gave us some momentum when I think they had the momentum (at halftime),” Beutjer said.

Ratcliffe caused a second-quarter fumble recovered by Niko Zecevic. Tackle leaders were Cole Harris (8) and Ratcliffe and Brady Koren (6 each). Ratcliffe and Har ris had two tackles for loss

Slightom gave LT HS a 14-6 lead on a 1- ya rd sneak. Slightom also p assed fo r 163 ya rds with a first-quarter 4- ya rd TD p ass to Owen Matela after a 63- ya rd strike to L ukas S anguinet. EJ Kuhlman r ushed 55 ya rd s, including five c onsecutive carries for 27 ya rds before Pearson’s TD rece ption.

“That last dive, I feel like we all put our strength to g ether. We had a different type of spirit,” Kuhlman said.

STEVE JOHNSTON

LTHS cross country teams have state runs on their minds

Boys hope to continue downstate streak; Girls return entire sectional lineup

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School seniors Tyler Gantt and Patrick Collins often trained side-by-side during last year’s boys cross country season behind four experienced seniors.

Now they’re the front runners in workouts along with sophomore Brennan Monohan.

“I remember when I got moved up to varsity, it was a lot of learning. It’s cool being on the other end of that learning,” Gantt said. “And for racing it’s cool and pretty awesome to just be up there battling with the top guys.”

The Lions’ returning trio from the Class 3A state meet returns with many new varsity faces and the same high aspirations.

Last year, the Lions were seventh (280 points) but only 32 points from third after being in contention for that top three team trophy with a half mile left. Gantt (88th, 15:08.1 for 3.0 miles), Collins (136th, 15:27.4) and Monohan (173rd, 15:42.9) were the Lions’ No. 3, 5 and 6 team finishers.

New varsity hopefuls include seniors Sean Tilles and Parker Robinson, sophomores Evan Ruse, Henry James and Benjamin Radtke, senior Beckett Lettiere and junior Colin Shea. Tilles first joined the team last season.

“I think they’re going to take their (varsity) positions very well,” Collins said. “Our other guys know what job they have to do. They know the roles they have to take on. Just us working together and running every day and doing hard workouts, it builds experience in them.”

The Lions have history on their side. They’ve qualified for state as a team every season going back to 2008. Seeking at least top five, their highest finish during the stretch was second in 2015.

At their annual Mike Kuharic Invitational Saturday, the Lions (150 points) finished fifth, five points from third

“This year, we’ve got a shot to be in the

Lyons Township’s Tyler Gantt during the Mike

Sept. 6, 2025 in Western Springs

mix,” LTHS coach Mike Danner said. “From year to year, I think we’re pretty dang consistent. By the time we get through a summer and to this point, we might have a few hiccups here and there but I feel good about where we’re going to finish.”

Gantt, who was 11th (15:23.52), just .16 from 10th, and Monohan (13th, 15:36.18) were top-15, followed by Ruse (40th, 16:25.62), Tilles (44th, 16:32.67), Collins (46th, 16:34.28), Robinson (74th, 17:06.15) and Lettiere (75th, 17:10.86).

At last year’s West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet, Gantt (16th) was the last all-conference individual. The Lions finished second to two-time defending 3A state champion Downers Grove North and they won the Lyons Township Re gional 5357 over the Trojans, who did not run their state lineup.

“It’s a lot (about) consistency, working hard, staying locked in and focused,” Gantt said.

“Sticking together more in races (is our key), cutting that gap from 1 to 5 and focusing on recovery,” Collins said.

LTHS girls’ cross country

Lyons Township senior Mya Coglianese overcame injury and sitting out re gionals

to qualify individually for the 2024 3A state meet.

Then came the challenge of being her school’s lone competitor at state in finishing 98th (18:14.0 for 3.0 miles).

“It’s definitely kind of more stressful. I definitely wanted all of my teammates there,” Coglianese said.

The Lions have a return team state trip on their minds after a one-year return the rest of their sectional lineup of seniors Annika McDonnell, Addie Ainsley Grove and Grace Rhoten and ju nior Amelia Ludden plus senior and 2023 state competitor Jenna Lally (171st, 19:04.3).

New head coach Joe P for retired Eric Simon after being the dis tance coach during the girls track and field season.

“Hopefully we can all go together (to state). It’s definitely more of a team experience, more fun,” Coglianese said. “I kno when I was an alternate (at 2023 state), it better vibe and just having all of mates there to support y

In 2024, the Lions we dale Central Sectional (240 points), three places and 56 points from the last team qualifier.

places and 10.24 seconds from the final qualifier.

Lally was injured the entire 2024 season but competed during the track season. Other varsity hopefuls include sophomore Lucinda Martinez, who ran instead of Coglianese at re gionals, senior Ryann Remiasz, sophomores Elin Dorchinecz, Sarah Edell and Evelyn Thomas and freshman Abbey O’Toole

On Saturday, Coglianese was fifth (19:12.31 for 3.1 meters) at the Lions’ Mike Kuharic Invitational. Ludden (19th, 20:09.65), Lally (26th, 20:19.01), Powers (29th, 20:31.49) and Martinez (32nd, 20:45.83) contributed a 36-second split, followed by Remiasz (66th, 21:53.80) and Grove (70th, 22:13.62).

The Lions (109 points) were fourth on a sixth-runner tiebreaker with Lincoln Way East for third. O’Toole was second in the freshman race (14:21.5 for 3,400 meters).

Coglianese made a 53-second improvement from her 2024 invite finish (13th, 20:05.76). Last season, Coglianese also was an all-conference 14th at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet for the sixth-place Lions

“(Returning to state), it’s pretty motivational, knowing I have the chance to make it this year and I can improve from there,” Coglianese said. “It kind of helps me out and sets a goal for the season.”

Coglianese earned the eighth of 10 individual state berths (32nd, 18:20.3 for 2.9 miles). McDonnell (45th, 18:36.41) was eight

STEVE JOHNSTON

Kuharic Cross Country Invitational,

STEVE JOHNSTON

Lyons Township’s Mya Coglianese during the Mike Kuharic Cross Country Invitational

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

VILLAGE OF OAK PARK REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Issued August 29, 2025

The Village of Oak Park is requesting proposals from qualified firms that wish to provide an after-action report for the officer-involved shooting that occurred late November 2024 in Oak Park.

The Village will receive proposals at the Police Department, Monday through Friday, 8�30 a.m. to 5�00 p.m., at 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302.

Firms responding to this Request for Proposals must submit one �1� bound hard copy, one �1� unbound hard copy, and one �1� electronic copy on a CD or thumb drive of their proposals in sealed envelopes and must conform to format in the RFP located at www.oak-park.us/rfp.

The Village reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals or to waive technicalities. Information concerning this request for proposals is available from Kellie Murphy, Administrative Commander, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302. Kellie Murphy can be reached by telephone at the following number, �708� 386�3800 or via e-mail at kmurphy@oakpark.us

Upon a formal award to the successful Contractor, the selected contractor shall enter into a Professional Services Agreement in substantially the form attached to the Request for Proposal.

Proposals will be accepted until 5�00 p.m. (local time) on September 19, 2025. Proposals shall be mailed to 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302.

Published in Wednesday Journal September 10, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Village of Riverside is accept ing Requests for Proposal for Audit Services. Responses are due by 4:00 p.m. (CST) on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Riverside Village Office, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL 60546. Interested par ties may obtain the Request for Proposal Specifications on the Village’s website www.riverside. ii.us or by contacting the Finance Director, weekdays, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at 708-4472700. Please email a digital copy of proposal to Yvette Zavala, Finance Director yzavala@riverside.il.us

Published by Authority of the Village of Riverside, Illinois Finance Director’s Office.

Published in RB Landmark September 10, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICES

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

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: 1-800669-9777.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS

VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing

Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission

September 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue Illinois for the purpose of considering a request from Jason Dolinski for Variations from:

Section 62.17 to allow a 480 square foot detached garage that exceeds the maximum 440 square footage (10% of Lot Area) permitted in the Zoning Code and,

Section 62.17 to allow a garage that is setback 2’ to the Property Lot Line rather than the required minimum setback of 3’ and,

Section 62.75 to allow a Building coverage of approximately 41.8% rather than the maximum allowed by the Zoning Code of 35% and,

Section 62.75 to allow a minimum Green Space of 35.47% rather than the minimum requirement of 40% and,

Section 62.453 to allow the removal of a non-conforming structure to be replaced with a new structure that is non-conforming under the Zoning Ordinance in an existing “A - 1” Single Family Residential District for property located at 4223 Deyo Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PIN 1803-124-009-0000)

Legal Description:

LOT 37 IN BLOCK 11 IN WEST GROSSDALE, A SUBDIVISION IN THE WEST ½ OF THE WEST ½ OF SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED APPRIL 26, 1895 IN BOOK 66 OF PLATS, PAGES 16, 17 AND 18, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Libby Popovic, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, lpopovic@ brookfieldil.gov, or 708-485-1113. Oral or written testimony may be given during the public hearing. The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 25-14. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall. By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark September 10, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Pursuant to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing municipal contracting and public works improvements, notice is hereby given that the Village of North Riverside, located at 2401 S. Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL 60546, is accepting sealed proposals for the following project:

Project: Tree Management Plan and Update of Existing Tree Inventory

Scope of Work: Preparation of a new Urban Forest Management Plan (2025–2032) and update of the Village’s existing tree inventory. Work includes computerized data collection of public trees and planting sites, preparation of a GIS-compatible dataset, risk and condition assessments, maintenance recommendations, identification of planting spaces, and development of a long-range management plan addressing pruning, removals, plantings, pest mitigation, canopy improvement, species diversity, and climate resilience. Deliverables also include public presentations and technical assistance to Village staff.

Proposal Submission Deadline: September 29, 2025, at 3:00 PM Proposal Selection/Ranking: Early October 2025

Submission Location: Village of North Riverside, 2401 S. Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL 60546

Envelope Must Be Clearly Marked: Proposal: Tree Management Plan and Update of Existing Tree Inventory”

Proposal Documents: Available beginning September 8, 2025, at https://www.northriverside-il.org/ bids.aspx?bidID=14.

Proposal Requirements:

• Proposals and associated costs must remain valid for ninety (90) days from submission.

• Firms must be insured and bonded; at least one project team member must be a Certified Arborist.

• All work must comply with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130/).

• Contractors must be registered with the Village of North Riverside and comply with all federal, state, and local regulations.

• The Village of North Riverside reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive technicalities, and/or accept any portion of any proposal deemed in the Village’s best interest.

Key Dates:

Questions Due: September 15, 2025

Responses Issued: September 22, 2025

Proposals Due: September 29, 2025, at 3:00 PM

Proposal Selection/Ranking: Early October

Board Approval: Late October–Early November 2025 For complete proposal documents and updates, visit: https://www.northriverside-il.org/ bids.aspx?bidID=14

Published in RB Landmark September 10, 2025