Obituaries

LETTERS

However, if the voter does not have the vote-bymail ballot to give the election judges, they will allow the voter to utilize a “provisional ballot.” After the voter has marked the provisional ballot, it is not inserted into the scanner, but instead is placed in an envelope with an attached affidavit completed by the voter who signs to swear or affirm that the person has not already voted.

That envelope with the affidavit and the provisional ballot is given to the judges, who deliver it separately to the election authority after the polls close.

Only if the election authority is able to confirm that no vote-by-mail ballot has been counted for that voter, will that provisional ballot be counted after Election Day.

Laurie Braun, co-president Ann Lee, co-president

League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area

Clean Energy Jobs Act addresses climate change

The Landmark presente d an innovative green approach to storm water management in an op-ed and article in the July 29 edition. The partnership between the Nature Conservancy and the Metropolitan Planning Council could help alleviate the problem of flooding in Riverside and Brookfield neighborhoods that has become more troublesome in the last decade. Future weather may well increase the number of properties along Salt Creek and the Des Plaines River that flood in times of excessive rainfall.

The plan does not address the cause of increased flooding, among other issues, however. The Chicago area recently experienced the warmest months of June through August ever recorded based, on the average summer temperature measured by the National Weather Service.

Northern Illinois was recently struck by violent derecho storms causing much damage. Lake Michigan water levels have reached all time high levels. It has been a long hot summer in many ways as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic fallout as well as civil disruption.

Climate change is believed responsible for many of the weather extremes we have experienced. Greenhouse gas emissions are a primary cause of climate change. The Clean Energy Jobs Act has been introduced in bills before the Illinois House and Senate.

The CEJA aims to address the problem of carbon emissions by incentivizing renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels. It would also lead to the creation of jobs in the renewable energy field and ensure that many of these jobs would be accessible to communities affected by economic disruption. These jobs would outlast the current crises.

Local state representatives Michael Zalewski, Elizabeth Hernandez and Edgar Gonzalez as well as senators Kimberly Lightford and Celina Villanueva are among sponsors of the CEJA. Hopefully, they can help advance this bill to a vote during the upcoming veto session in Springfield.

Richard Swanson

Brookfield

Rita M. Bambach, 90

Owned beauty salon

Rita Mae Bambach (nee Bennett), 90, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sept. 10, 2020.

Ms. Bambach was born in Chicago, on Jan. 1, 1930 to the late Robert Bennett and the late Anna Bennett. She was one of four children. She grew up in Brookfield and attended RiversideBrookfield High School. After high school, she owned her own beauty salon in Western Springs.

She married Richard “Dick” Bambach on May 11, 1963 at St. Louise de Marillac Church in La Grange Park. The couple settled in LaGrange Park, where they raised their three children. She loved to travel and visited all 50 states. She also loved to garden, bake and play games with her grandchildren. She was best known for her kind and loving way.

Ms. Bambach was the wife of Richard; the mother of Rich, Rod and Robyn; the mother-in-law of Robin, Linda and Scott; and the grandmother of Haley, Jackson, Olivia, Bradley, Georgia, Adriana and Kevin.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 12 at St. Louise de Marillac Church, followed by interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.

Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Those wishing to express condolences online can visit HitzemanFuneral. com. If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Rita Mae Bambach family.

Kerri A. Bradford, 41

Riverside Juniors o cer, scout leader

Kerri Ann Bradford (nee Koscik), 41, of Riverside and formerly of Chicago and Richton Park, died Sept. 5, 2020.

Ms. Bradford earned a master’s early degree in childhood KERRI A. BRADFORD education from the Erikson Institute in Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority.

She was an active member of the Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity, where she had served terms as an officer of

OBITUARIES

the club and chaired and co-chaired numerous committees. She was involved in Riverside Cub Scouts Pack 24. where she served as an assistant leader and helped organize events. She previously served as the leader of combined Girl Scout Troops 1123 and 1321 in Chicago, where she was also actively involved in leadership of the service unit.

Kerri was a doting mother, caring and loved wife, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, niece and friend to many. She leaves a legacy of perseverance and living life to its fullest no matter the challenges.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Albert Bradford; her son, Ryan Alexander Bradford; her parents, Richard A. Koscik and Nancy J. (nee Erwin) Koscik; her brother, Scott M. Koscik, and sister-in-law, Joellyn Koscik (nee Tendy); her nephew, Jason Koscik; and her uncle and aunt Robert and Linda Koscik.

Funeral services and interment were private. Donations are appreciated in Kerri’s name to the Comprehensive Transplant Center at Nor thwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (feinberg.northwestern. edu/giving) or Riverside Pack 24 Cub Scouts to pack24riverside@gmail.com via PayPal.

Online condolences may be offered at KuratkoNosek.com.

Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements.

Gerald A. Carlson, 89

Retired master tool and die maker

Gerald A. “Jerry” Carlson, 89, of Brookfield, died Sept. 12, 2020.

Mr. Carlson served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was retired career from a as a masGERALD A. CARLSON ter tool and die maker.

He was the husband of 67 years to Madeline Carlson (nee Condon); the father of Deacon Tom (Pamela) Carlson, James Carlson, Karen (Phil) Kedzuch, Kevin (Kris) Carlson, Amy (Tom) Kuchynka and the late Gerald P. Carlson; the grandfather of Andy (Austeja) Kedzuch, Nicholas (Jill) Kedzuch, Brian (Ashley) Carlson, Austin Carlson, Corey Kuchynka, Timothy Kuchynka, Steven (Kelsey) Carlson, Christine Carlson, Casey Carlson and Julianna Carlson; the great grandfather of Weston Kedzuch; the brother of John (Joanna) Carlson, Patricia Carlson, Dave (Mary) Burry and the late Rose (Michael) Calabrese; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 3 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 17, from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara Church, Brookfield. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside

All wishing to attend Mass need to register. More info rmation at HitzemanFuneral.com.

Memorials appreciated to the St. Barbara’s Food Pantry.

To express condolences online visit HitzemanFuneral.com. Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Jerry Carlson family.

Lloyd A. Lawson, 92 Retired computer programmer

Lloyd Arelando Lawson, 92, of Brookfield and formerly of Downers Grove, died Sept. 7, 2020.

Mr. Lawson served in two branches of the Armed Forces, LLOYD LAWSON joining the Navy in June of 1946 and then serving as a lieutenant in the Air Force during the Korean War.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and his MBA from Ohio State. He went on to work as a computer programmer for Western Electric, Waukesha Motors and Caterpillar Tractor. Using his education and experience, he also taught accounting part time at the College of DuPage for over 20 years.

Mr. Lawson sang with College of DuPage Chorale, West Suburban Symphony Chorus, several Lutheran church choirs as well United Methodist Church of Downers Grove and the Downers Grove Choral Society, where he had the opportunity to sing at several churches in Europe. He also had the experience of singing at Carnegie Hall with Sherill Milnes.

When not singing, traveling and teaching, Lloyd loved gardening both flowers and vegetables.

He was the husband of 62 years to L. Elaine Lawson (nee Kranz); the father of Lana (Eric) Larson and Cathy (Jim) Lawson-Kenned y; the grandfather of

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Bradley Larson and Liz Larson; the brother of the late Idablle (the late Walter) Bills, Claude Lawson and Bill (the late Roberta) Lawson; and the uncle and great uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 12:30 p.m. to time of service at 1 p.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield. Interment is at Fairmount Willow Hills Memorial Park, Willow Springs.

Memorial donations are appreciated to the family.

For those wishing to express condolences online, visit HitzemanFuneral.com. If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o Lloyd Lawson family.

Victor Maruska, 80

Business owner

Victor Maruska, 80, of North Riverside, died Sept. 6, 2020.

Mr. Maruska served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a member of the Shriners. He owned the business Tape & Label VICTOR MARUSKA Graphics, Inc.

He was the husband of Gloria (nee Ross); the father of Michael, Joseph (Andrea) Maruska and Vicki (Brian) Pencak; the grandfather of Adam, Victor, Natalie and Andrew (Diana) Maruska and Alyssa and Ella Pencak; and an uncle and friend of many.

Services have been held. Interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.

Memorial donations are appreciated to a charity of your choice.

Ivins/Moravecek Funeral, Riverside, handled arrangements.

Richard J. Zaborsky, 87

Attorney

Richard Joseph Zaborsky, 87, a longtime resident of Brookfield and Lyons, died Sept. 10, 2020.

Mr. Zaborsky was born Jan. 4, 1933 in Chicago. He was a proud alumnus of Tonti School Class of 1947, Lindblom TechRICHARD ZABORSKY nical High School Class of 1951, University of Illinois Class of 1955 and The John Marshall Law School Class of 1958. He was an attorney with an office in Brookfield.

He was also an antique car collector and an avid world traveler. He was a ticket holder of the Indianapolis Speedway and would take his friends to the race every year. His favorite TV show was “Perry Mason.”

Mr. Zaborsky loved going to the theater to see old musicals and loved to read, specifically about the history of Chicago. He was an avid student of the history of Chicago, was exceptionally knowledgeable of the good and bad politics and politicians, the city’s architecture, streets and notable people of all the eras. In recent years, he enjoyed visiting and reminiscing with many old friends.

He was the son of the late Emil and Anna (nee Spousta); the brother of the late Emil R., late George A. and the late James H.; the uncle of Barbara Zaborsky Sharp Copeland, Maryann Zaborsky, Georgia Zaborsky Eitel and Robert Zaborsky; and a great uncle and greatgreat uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Visitation Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 2 to 9 p.m. at Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, 3847 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Barbara Church in Brookfield. Interment is at Bohemian National Cemetery, Chicago.

Online condolences may be offered JohnsonNosek.com.

To run an obituary

Please contact Bob Uphues by e-mail: buphues@rblandmark.com, or fax: 708/524-0447 before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

NEWS

FORECLOSURE Loan in default

from page 1

Fears of foreclosure have dogged North Riverside Park Mall for months. In March, the mall’s lender disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that North Riverside Park Associates LLC’s loan was in default after the company failed to make a roughly $68 million balloon payment due Oct. 6, 2019.

Also troubling was news that in November 2019, the mall property was appraised at $48.8 million, far below the amount owed on the mortgage.

Mall officials earlier this year pointed to a Cook County Assessor valuation of $85.3 million for the property and said they were continuing to work with the lender to avoid foreclosure.

“We’ve been negotiating with the lender for the past six to eight months,” said North Riverside Park Mall general manager Harvey Ahitow in March. “We have a new proposal in that we’re waiting to see the result of. We’re going to get this done. It’s just a matter of time.”

The foreclosure action does not mean a deal can’t be worked out, and in a recent SEC filing, the lender noted that while the foreclosure action makes its way through the courts, they would be “simultaneously continuing discussions with the borrower until a resolution is reached.”

Ahitow did not respond to phone and email messages from the Landmark seeking comment on the foreclosure action.

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

would be doing the same this month, news in May that J.C. Penney was seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection ignited fears that North Riverside Park Mall could be left with no retail anchor tenants should Penny’s be liquidated.

However, the 118-year-old department store chain, and the North Riverside location with it, appears to have been saved for the moment.

On Sept. 9, J.C. Penney announced it had agreed in principle for its assets to be purchased by Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Group, a pair of shopping mall operators whose properties include a number of J.C. Penney stores as anchor tenants.

Also involved in the $1.75 billion deal are a group of J.C. Penney’s creditors. Simon/ Brookfield would acquire J.C. Penney’s retail and operating assets, while creditors would form a real estate investment trust that would include 161 properties and all of J.C. Penney’s distribution centers.

An SEC filing on Sept. 10 laid out the terms of the master lease for those properties, but the properties to be owned by the real estate trust were not identified. That same filing included a business plan that indicated J.C. Penney intended to operate 653 stores going forward.

When it announced bankruptcy proceedings in May, J.C. Penney operated close to 850 stores. The company identified 156 stores for closure in 2020; those closures are under way.

But the business plan in the most recent SEC filing also indicates the company plans to close 37 more stores in 2021. The filing did not identify which stores would be on that list, and indicated that number could change depending on conditions.

A bankruptcy court filing on Sept. 10 suggested that the sale of J.C. Penney’s assets would be completed by the end of the month.