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What do Juniors do?

Vol. 41, No. 37

September 16, 2026

Inside Riverside’s use of Flock cameras

Brookfield, VFW host memorial for 9/11’s quarter century The event included the laying of a wreath, the playing of taps and a moment of silence

The village uses 2 license plate readers from Flock, says public safety director

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

“I can remember exactly what I was doing 25 years ago. I got a call from my daughter, and I could tell from her voice there was something going on.”

That was Dale Michelic’s story, and most Americans have one: a story of where they were when they heard the news on Sept. 11, 2001, that planes had struck the World Trade Center in a terror attack that would claim the lives of nearly 3,000 people.

Michelic, the president of Brookfield’s Joshua Harris VFW Auxiliary Post 2868 shared his story in a speech given the morning of Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at a memorial event held at Veterans Memorial Park, at the intersections of Grand Boulevard and Sunnyside and Grant avenues, at 11 a.m.

See MEMORIAL on page 12

Page 5

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

STELLA BROWN

Dale Michelic, the president of Brookfield’s Joshua Harris VFW Auxiliary Post 2868, reads his speech during the VFW’s memorial event on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

Flock cameras, which have found controversy in the news due to concerns around surveillance and misuse of information, have found a home in Riverside.

Public Safety Director Matthew Buckley told the Landmark that there are two Flock cameras in use in Riverside: one on Longcommon Road near Byrd Road and one at the intersection of Barrypoint, Fairbank and Millbridge roads.

According to deflock.org, which has an interactive map of Flock cameras and other license plate readers, there is another Flock camera just over the border in Berwyn at 30th Street and Harlem Avenue, as well as one at the in-

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See FLOCK on page 15

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The Landmark, September 16, 2026

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

IN THIS ISSUE

Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 General Manager Max Reinsdorf Editorial & Audience Strategist Matthew Schwerha Staff Reporters Stella Brown, Jackie Pisano, Bob Skolnik, Gregg Voss 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 VILLAGE OF MCCOOK VIA THE VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE

This rendering shows how the new WC3 facility in McCook could look when it opens in 2028.

Joint police/fire dispatch center growing with move to McCook

Riverside, Brookfield, North Riverside and McCook share facility

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

The West Central Consolidated Communications dispatch center that serves Riverside, Brookfield, North Riverside and McCook is planning a move in two years to a new facility in McCook that will be built with the organization in mind.

The dispatch center, which takes 911 calls from and sends first responders out to emergencies in all four communities, has been housed inside the North Riverside po-

lice station since its creation in 2017. That is where space was available at the time.

Now, the village of McCook is planning to build a new facility that will include spaces designed with WC3’s needs in mind. Construction is set to begin before the end of the year.

“When we first started consolidating, it was really like, ‘Who has space to accommodate enough dispatchers for a consolidated center?’ North Riverside had enough space, but it wasn’t built for future expansion,” said Jessica Frances, who is the village manager for Riverside as well as the chair of the WC3 board of directors until the end of the year. “North Riverside has been our wonderful host since we went live way back when, but if WC3 is looking to expand into the future … [McCook] would

be able to accommodate space for our dispatchers, for opportunity to grow.”

Frances said it hasn’t yet been decided if the facility will be an addition to an existing building or a new, standalone building.

The move will see McCook elevated to a full voting member of the organization, putting it at the same level as Riverside, Brookfield and North Riverside. Up until now, McCook has been a “fee for service” member, paying to reap the benefits of the consolidated dispatch center without a say in its operations, according to Riverside documents.

Frances said McCook’s rise to full voting member will not greatly affect WC3’s operations.

See DISPATCH CENTER on page 13

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

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The Landmark, September 16, 2026

Brookfield’s library hosts book sale

‘“About how many books?” I have no idea,’ lead volunteer says. ‘Maybe 10,000 items’

STELLA BROWN

The first day of the sale on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, drew huge crowds right after opening according to library officials. The sale continues through Sunday, Sept. 13.

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

It was a busy weekend at the semiannual book sale at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library. It was the time to snatch a bargain on books, board games, DVDs, CDs, video games and other miscellanea in the basement of the library.

The library hosted the sale, which began Friday, Sept. 11 and ran through Sunday, Sept. 13. The first day was a “sneak peek” sale, with attendees paying $10 to get a head start on the merchandise.

The second day on Saturday was the main sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with no

price to get in and everything for sale for the listed prices, which were incredibly low. The third and final day ran 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as the “bargain bag” day — customers could take home whatever they could fit into a reusable bag for just $10, with bags provided.

The library runs the book sale every year in March and September, with volunteers from the Friends and Foundation for the Brookfield Library manning tables near the entrance and exits.

Cathy Foster, the vice president of the Friends and Foundation, estimated there were “maybe 10,000 items” for sale.

“We advertised for the first time with

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Foster said the book sale has steadily [a book-selling website], and you have to put how many non-library books you improved its fundraising abilities over have. ‘About how many books?’ I have no the two years or so that she’s been with idea,” she said. “This is the first time we the Friends and Foundation. The first one she participated in haven’t even been raised just $750, she able to put everysaid, but the most thing out at once. recent in March We’ve been [putting generated about them out] as things $6,000. She attributare selling.” ed the growth to the In a Facebook volunteers’ curation post she made in the of the books, setting Brookfield Connecaside damaged or tions group to prodirty tomes to be mote the sale, Foster donated to rural or said the tables were underfunded librar“groaning under ies through other the weight of all the organizations. books” with even The group’s goal more books on the is both to raise floor beneath the STELLA BROWN funds for the library tables. On Friday, and to get “books in there was a verifi- Cathy Foster, who’s in charge at the sale, hand,” Foster said. able mass of books pointed out the “crazy cat lady corner” “We want to sell it for sale spread with books, games, puzzles and paintings reasonably so that across the rows of all themed after our feline friends. people can come in tables and more linand get excited. ‘Oh ing the walls.

Foster emphasized that the books were my God! I got this book for 50 cents! Look “dirt cheap” even compared to neighbor- at this, a pristine hardcover, for $1!’” she ing libraries. She said the group of vol- said. “They leave with bulging bags, and unteers once did a tour of area libraries everybody has a smile on their face. It just to make sure they were the lowest. Books makes my heart sing.” cost 50 cents for a paperback and $1 for a hardcover.

“Games and puzzles are different prices but still very reasonable. We’re the only book sale that has games, puzzles. We have a whole stationery section, journals and Sudoku and crossword puzzles and photo albums, things you wouldn’t normally find at a book sale,” she said. “One of the volunteers said, ‘If somebody gave me a refrigerator, I would sell it.’”

She said the group sources the books and other items from all over, of course including donations from the community.

“I will go to garage and estate sales and ask, ‘At the end of your sale, if you have STELLA BROWN any unsold, would you consider donating Even the volunteers running the Linda it? I can give you a tax receipt, and I will Sokol Francis Brookfield Library’s pack up and pick up,’ and they’re like, semiannual book sale this weekend don’t ‘Yeah,’” she said. “If you’re going to do it, know how many books they have in total. go big or go home!”

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

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Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity is connective tissue The group gives women a social outlet and a place to do good, all in one

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

As of this year, Erin Bierzychudek is the new secretary for the Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity. But before she was a member of the group, she was new in town, a recent emigrant from Canada, and didn’t know where to start with getting to know people.

“I was like, ‘How am I going to meet people, and how am I going to make friends?’ I was six months pregnant, and people here don’t get family or parental leave like they do in Canada,” she told the Landmark.

“I posted on our neighborhood Facebook group saying, ‘I need friends,’ and another mom also named Erin was like, ‘Hey, we should totally hang out, but, also, you should join this thing.’ I had just happened to get a handwritten note in the mail the same week inviting me to come to a Juniors meeting.”

Bierzychudek and other members of the 2026-2027 board of directors described the group, known as Juniors for short, as having a three-pronged purpose: bringing together women in town to form social bonds with their neighbors while completing service projects to improve the community and raising funds for philanthropic redistribution across the area.

“We’re able to draw in a lot of members because they’re either new to the community or they really want to spend time with others, but through the lens of a shared purpose … It’s not just a bunch of ladies getting together and grabbing a glass of wine,” said Michelle Montgomery, the vice president of operations. “There’s not a lot of outlets for women here aside from mom groups, right? What if you’re not a mother? What if you’re interested in connecting with other women around something else other than motherhood?”

Many members of the board, who were newly elected in August, shared similar reasons for joining the inner group that focuses Juniors’ efforts.

“I joined the board my second year in Juniors. I joined as the treasurer, and I got involved mainly because I can’t say no,” said Lauren Wilt, the president of the organization. “I actually had said that I would be willing to get reinvolved on the board [more recently], and they approached me and asked if I would like to be president, which is such an honor and such a compliment from these women who I’ve always looked up to.”

Juniors got its start nearly 100 years ago in 1937, when Riverside resident Lorraine Bender sought to create a young women’s club and recruited 34 other members. By the 1940s, the junior woman’s club got its service-oriented tilt, with members wrapping bandages for the local Red Cross to support the United States’ war effort during World War II. The group only expanded from there, shifting throughout the decades as new traditions and rules were adopted or fell to the wayside. A detailed history is available on the group’s website.

In 2009, the organization became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and a formal charity, working to improve the quality of life in Riverside and identify the needs it could fill in the lives of the village’s residents.

Each year, Juniors requires its members to pay $50 in dues and commit to a minimum number of service hours, either through participating in one of its committees with special focuses like membership, kindness, or planning one of its many events, or through volunteering for an event or other effort. And each year, the group hosts one main fundraiser, after which they distribute much of the funds to different causes, including donations to other local groups. Next spring, that fundraiser will take the form of a trivia night.

Earlier this year, the group hosted Derby Night to coincide with the Kentucky Derby.

Last year’s fundraising effort raised about $19,000, Bierzychudek said, enabling Juniors to give out $30,000 at the end of the 2024-25 season. Funds that don’t go directly

MICHELLE MONTGOMERY/RIVERSIDE JUNIOR WOMAN’S CHARITY

The Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity board of directors stand together. From left, they are April Knowles, VP of membership; Melanie Arazy, VP of community outreach; Erin Bierzychudek, secretary; Michelle Montgomery, VP of operations; Lauren Wilt, president; and Cari Hermann, treasurer. Miranga Wright, VP of fundraising, is not pictured. into the pockets of other groups often go toward other philanthropic efforts, she said.

“Two years ago, we paid off the school lunch debt for [Riverside School District] 96,” she said.

When Juniors does something, members of the community often take notice, Bierzychudek added.

“The neighborhood found out that this had happened, and the neighborhood ended up paying it off instead [last year].

They did a whole drive,” she said. “They realized through that process that all the kids who had free and reduced lunch throughout the year don’t get that funding through the summer, so Ascension Church and some local fundraising happened to

build a program so they could give out free food, free breakfast and lunch, throughout the summer for any of the kids that qualified.”

She described Juniors as the connective tissue between different groups and parts of Riverside’s wider community that allows them to work together and become more aware of each other.

“It’s funny how these things happen, that we can make a need known through our philanthropic giving, and then it’s like, oh wait, the community says this is a thing that we could already be doing,” Bierzychudek said. “We really tie different people in the community together in a way that they wouldn’t have necessarily connected.”

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The Landmark, September 16, 2026

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

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The Landmark, September 16, 2026

RB board approves final F27 budget Public hearing Sept. 8 results in no comments

By GREGG VOSS Staff Reporter

Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208’s board of education approved its 2027 fiscal year budget Sept. 8.

Board approval came after a scheduled public hearing with no public comments.

The approved budget shows anticipated revenue for the year at $35,477,712, with anticipated expenditures at $35,750,713, resulting in a deficit of $273,000, according to assistant superintendent Dr. Kristin Smetana.

“In previous tentative budgets, the deficit was larger due to including the abatement of $3 million from the Working Cash fund for potential $3 million sublease payment to the Brookfield Zoo Chicago,” she said.

Changes reflected in the budget since the August board meeting included an increase in Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax (CPPRT) of $42,563 based on

the estimate released that month; staffing adjustments; and increased investment interest due to first quarter earnings.

Evidence-Based Funding was $4,926,534, an increase of $521,425.

Smetana said the district received upwards of $1 million in state EvidenceBased Funding a year ago, but this year is substantially less.

The reason is that Riverside-Brookfield High School is in Tier 1 of four total state tiers that determines base funding. This fiscal year, Elgin Area School District U-46 joined Tier 1, which impacted the funding all other schools received.

According to the state board of education, Evidence-Based Funding sends more resources to the state’s most under-resourced students and helps ensure all districts have the resources to provide a challenging and well-rounded student learning environment.

The final budget is available for review online.

TODD BANNOR

H S E R F CAL O L & NEWS

Riverside-Brookfield High School

Call Jill at (708) 524-8300 or visit RBLandmark.com/subscribe

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

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Parents talk new superintendent at D96 forum Replacement for Ryan-Toye could be chosen by January 2027

By GREGG VOSS Staff Reporter

Nicole Newsome has three youngsters attending Riverside School District 96 schools.

So she’s invested in the district’s future, including the selection of its new superintendent.

“I’m looking for a superintendent who is present and who acknowledges the nuances of diversity in Riverside,” she said. “That’s really important to me. A superintendent who holds leadership accountable.”

This will be current superintendent Dr. Martha Ryan-Toye’s final school year as superintendent, after more than a decade at the helm. The board of education is working with BWP & Associates, Ltd., to identify, interview and hire Ryan-Toye’s replacement, ideally by January 2027. The new superintendent would start July 1, 2027.

Newsome and about a dozen other parents attended an open forum Sept. 8 in the Hauser Junior High library hosted by BWP to discuss what they would like to see in a new superintendent. BWP president Mark Friedman hosted the forum alongside colleagues Sheila Harrison-Williams, a retired superintendent and BWP partner, and Victoria Stockton, the current Bellwood School District 88 superintendent and a BWP associate.

“I would like to see a stronger social foundation of support, from the superintendent all the way down to the teachers,” said Newsome who is from North Riverside. “We’ve been in the district five years, and we’re here in the district for the long haul, and it’s critical for me that my children have every opportunity and every physical, emotional, psychological support from the district, no matter who they come in contact with.”

While the turnout might be viewed by some as disappointing, Friedman said the option of an online survey at the district website, which will run through Sept. 18, precluded some from attending.

But the discussion was robust nonetheless in response to three questions: What makes District 96 a good district? What issues will the new superintendent face?

And finally, what are you looking for in a

new superintendent?

That last question may have been the crux of the evening, Friedman said.

“This is a young group of parents, they are out there doing stuff,” he said. “They want the visibility. They want a strong decision-maker and someone who will hold others accountable, teachers and principals and on down the line. Basically, they talked about someone who has a vision and thinks out of the box.”

Of course, the commentary was not an indictment of Ryan-Toye, but it was aspirational all the same.

Stephanie Shaw has two children in the district and said she is “looking for someone who is going to listen and be aware of the environment.

“Someone who is going to be open to

hearing a variety of opinions and taking that into account when making decisions,” said Shaw, from Riverside.

Julia Strehlow, from Brookfield, has a child at Hollywood School.

“I would love to have a new superintendent who brings energy and a forwardthinking voice and is also attentive to the whole child,” she said.

Friedman said that what was unusual about this forum compared to others is the fact that there was virtually no talk about district finances.

“The district is in a good financial position, they have done a nice job of managing their fund balances,” he said. “They have been able to do things to keep up buildings and keep class sizes low. It was very refreshing not to have that the first thing

on the agenda.”

But technology and its use in the classroom was a major issue, along with addressing district buildings that are not getting any younger.

“I work for a local municipality and a big problem I’ve seen is a reliance on gov tech that has kind of made it so individuals who are supposed to be doing their job rely more on the technology as opposed to accomplishing whatever the mission is they are trying to accomplish,” said Riverside resident Johann Bayer, who has two children in the district.

“I’m excited about technology, it’s very useful, but it can become a crutch and a crutch that impedes the mission of accomplishing that organization’s goals.”

COURTESY OF RIVERSIDE D96/HAUSER JR. HIGH

L.J. Hauser Junior High School

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The Landmark, September 16, 2026

JACKIE PISANO

Wilson Loibner, general manager of Blackberry Market’s new Oak Park location, comes to town with six years of experience with the family-run chain.

There’s buzz about Blackberry Market

Family business opens fifth location in Arts District, filling neighborhood cafe vacancy left by Buzz Cafe

By JACKIE PISANO Staff Reporter

In 2012, Anna Davidson launched Blackberry Market in downtown Glen Ellyn with a simple mission: combine elevated, fresh food in a welcoming space dedicated to fostering genuine community connections.

Fourteen years later, Davidson has expanded her mission into Oak Park, opening the cafe’s fifth location this one in the village’s Arts District. The goal remains: delivering a signature focus on community to a village which prides itself on neighborly camaraderie.

Located at 905 S. Lombard Ave., Blackberry Market is breathing new life into a historic neighborhood storefront. The spot, which housed the iconic Buzz Cafe for nearly three decades before its 2023 closure, was followed by a brief stint as a Kribi Coffee

location before the brand pulled out of the location last fall.

Expanding on the chain’s success in Glen Ellyn, La Grange, Naperville and Oak Brook, Davidson said the deciding factor on launching a fifth location in Oak Park came down to the village’s warm energy and dedication to local business.

“Oak Park is a vibrant, diverse community that supports local businesses,” she said. “I also loved the space that was available and the history of it being a cafe for so long. I love being in neighborhoods where folks can come in everyday and enjoy our coffee and food, connect with others and enjoy our space. This spot was perfect.”

Disappointed in the loss of another cafe in the Arts District as Kribi pulled out from the building last year, local Realtor and former Buzz Cafe owner, Laura Maychruk, joined forces with her husband Andrew Maychruk

and long-time Arts District landlord Mark Finger to repurchase the property.

Immediately after, Maychruk began reaching out to businesses across Chicagoland she thought would be a good fit to set up shop in southeast Oak Park.

“We were looking for a similar concept to Buzz Cafe, so Blackberry Market made the list,” she said. “All of us share the vision for the Arts District and also have the shared history of the revitalization of the district over the last 35 years. At this point, we want to make sure that the district stays on course to becoming a mecca for all of the arts, including the culinary arts.”

One week after Maychruk emailed Davidson in January, the two met and the deal was sealed. In February, Blackberry Market signed a lease on the property, and the wheels started turning on breathing new life into revitalizing the cafe into Blackberry Market.

With a soft opening last week, Blackberry Market officially hosted its grand opening on Tuesday — an all-day event featuring the cafe’s wholesale coffee partner, Intelligentsia, offering all guests free drip coffee. The cafe also hosted other giveaways as well.

Maychruk says what she’s most excited about is the Arts District “having its gathering space back once again.”

“Anna and her team have created a beautiful, warm and very welcoming place filled with happy, helpful staff that will once again, make this space a magnet for friends and families to meet and enjoy good food and conversation,” she said.

Along with its focus on community, Davidson says Blackberry Market is unique for its emphasis on being intentional about not only the coffee it brews, but the quality of the food served.

“I do think it’s unusual to be so intentional about our coffee and our food — most spots focus on one,” she said. “We have a long history and a very talented team committed to both. We believe in hand crafting the best possible options for our guests to enjoy. We’re so proud of who we are and what we offer — we think Blackberry Market will speak for itself.”

Daily operations at the new location will be overseen by Davidson’s nephew, Wilson Loibner, who comes to Oak Park with six years of Blackberry Market experience ranging from supervisor and front-house manager to assistant general manager and now general manager.

“Blackberry Market does a great job having something to offer for everybody, no matter the day,” Loibner said. “This is true for our food, bakery and drinks, where we do our best to create options for people that are

nut free, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan and people that are not any of these above. You can get food with your friends and family, get food to go, just stop in for a tea, have a quiet moment with a coffee, get catering for an office breakfast or just stop in for a dessert. We work hard to accommodate people’s everyday needs and make no part of our menu an afterthought.”

Oak Park residents eager to visit Blackberry Market include Katie Weaver, who enjoyed the cafe’s La Grange location, and Ann Bemiss, who is visiting the cafe for the first time.

“It’s exciting to have something in this space — another option for lunch and some-

JACKIE PISANO

Blackberry Market, 905 S. Lombard Ave., is open daily, ready to serve breakfast, lunch, coffee and everything in between. where to hang out for a little bit,” Weaver said.

While Bemiss never visited Blackberry Market, she said she was eager to visit the new Oak Park spot after hearing positive reviews online.

“I had read about Blackberry Market on Facebook, and reviews of the food and different things they have, and I was really impressed with the food,” she said. “Today, I ordered the Tuscan turkey sandwich — it was great.”

Eager to get settled in Oak Park, Davidson is looking forward to connecting with returning and new patrons alike.

“I love seeing old friends meet up, a casual date, a child and their parent — any human connection matters and that’s what we’re all about,” she said. “If we can foster more connections for our guests, then I call that success.”

Blackberry Market is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, including menus and catering options, visit blackberry.cafe.

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

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The Landmark, September 16, 2026

MEMORIAL

Day to remember from page 1 The event had about 40 people attending, including many Brookfield police and fire staff. It included the lowering of the United States, Illinois and Brookfield flags before Village President Michael Garvey and Michelic gave speeches. Then, Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla and Interim Fire Chief Matthew Dubik placed a red, white and blue wreath before the memorial statue for those killed in action. The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence before the playing of taps, a bugle call used to mark the end of such memorial events as well as military funerals.

Garvey began his speech by sharing the statistic that about 100 million Americans were too young to remember or were born since Sept. 11, 2001.

“It’s very important that we share our memories, and we make sure they know what the day is about, what happened that day and what happened after that day,” he said. “What I remember most prominently has changed. I remember the day it happened, the first thoughts through my head were, I think, what a lot of people had: shock, anger, fear about what was going on.”

Now, he said, his primary association with the attack is the reactions people had in its wake.

“I remember the heroes, the people that stepped up, the first responders that ran toward the burning buildings, the number of people that helped out in the days, weeks and months after that and continue to do so. I remember how the country came together and acted as one. We were unified,” he said.

STELLA BROWN

VFW members stand astride of the wreath that was placed upon Brookfield’s veteran memorial statue on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

He lauded people who decided to join the military after the attack to seek justice and “protect us from that ever happening again” as well as the “renewed sense of respect” that communities across the country developed for first responders.

Michelic began his speech by recounting the events of the day: the first impact on the World Trade Center at 8:47 a.m., the second impact 17 minutes later, the impact on the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. and the plane crash into a field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania, after the passengers and crew fought back against the hijackers. All told 2,977 people died that morning.

2026 Walking Tours of Riverside

“I, like other Americans, got together that evening with my family, wondering who was responsible for these attacks and what next might happen. I recall looking in the sky that evening and not seeing any planes. That was very surreal,” he said.

Afterwards, he recounted the story of his phone call with his daughter and the

impact of the attacks on him to the Landmark.

“It made me more aware of my surroundings and much more aware of people and all that you have to watch for,” Michelic said. “I think it made us all more aware of what’s going on in this world. I hope it keeps us safer.”

Save the Date!

The Olmsted Society of Riverside invites you to take a relaxing and informative Tour of Frederick Law Olmsted's Riverside, America's first planned suburb and a National Historic Site.

Stewards of the land and Olmsted’s Plan

olmstedsociety.org

Only two tours remain this season: September 27th—North Tour October 25—South Tour

September 26 3–6:00pm

For more information call 708-447-7635 or visit our website.

Good company, great beer, local food…all in a beautiful park setting

Olmsted Society of Riverside

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STELLA BROWN

The Brookfield, American and Illinois flags were dropped to half-mast during the ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

DISPATCH CENTER

tive director of WC3.

Perfect said the move should only enable response times to improve, especially as it coincides with what he called “a major overhaul of all our systems,” which he said from page 3 are approaching 20 years of use.

“We are in the process of upgrading our “McCook has always attended our WC3 phone system to a new next-gen 911 system, board of directors and ops meetings. which supports text, video, voice. It’s got They’ve got some really great staff that built-in AI for translation for 911 callers. have come in and made different recom- It will streamline our answering process, mendations,” she said. “Even though they and it actually will reduce our call processweren’t a voting member, they’ve always ing time,” Perfect said. “One thing that was been collaborative from the onset.” recently put out by some of our agencies is Since late August, each of the four mu- Live 911. That’s a program that we just imnicipalities have been reviewing and ap- plemented that allows officers and our comproving memoranda of understanding mand staff in the field to hear live 911 calls with each other and WC3, stating their as they’re coming in. That program itself support of the plan to build the new facili- will definitely reduce response times.” ty and elevate McCook. Riverside trustees Frances said the idea to move WC3 to approved the MOU at the Aug. 20 village a new facility came about organically as board meeting, while North Riverside and officials in McCook were reviewing their McCook approved it at their existing facilities and realrespective meetings on ized they could accommoSept. 8, and Brookfield offidate the dispatch center, cials approved it on Sept. 14. bringing all of the advanRevisions are planned tages of such a move to its for the intergovernmental dispatch staff. agreement between the five “It’s important for the groups that governs WC3, four communities to have Frances said, but “the IGA a solid foundation for their is much more extensive than emergency services. They a couple-page MOU, so that have wonderful police and will take just a little bit of fire departments and emertime,” Frances said. “The gency medical services, but plan is to have that done, the part that we always talk we’re targeting by the end of about is the dispatchers. this year, because my term as WC3 is a very important chair [will be] wrapped up.”

TOM PERFECT part of that,” she said. “If Frances said the new faExecutive Director of WC3 we don’t have good facilicility would provide indeties and good technology pendent kitchen and dining and resources and staff to spaces for dispatchers in execute that, then those ofaddition to adequate workspaces. Another ficers and firefighters need that lifeline key benefit, she said, would be putting the from that dispatch center.” dispatchers further from access to the pubPerfect said the new facility will boost lic, whereas now they operate out of a space morale among WC3 staff in giving them that is accessible to the public through the more room to stretch their legs and show North Riverside police station lobby. that they deserve their own space.

“Typically, you want them isolated from “[North Riverside is] amazing to us, a protection standpoint of them not having but the facility isn’t made for a consoliquick access to the public in case you ever dated dispatch center. Every town that have someone that wants to do something WC3 has had their small dispatch cenbad. This would provide a protected space ters, because that’s the way it was in in which they’re not easily exposed to the the past, and North Riverside just happublic,” Frances said. pened to have the biggest small center,” “For security reasons, it isn’t common he said. “This gives us the advantage of to have dispatchers answering windows building an actual dispatch center from or in direct contact with the public any- scratch that’s made to be a large consolimore. Everything’s done through the dated dispatch center, to take on more phone now, especially in consolidated agencies, to grow, to get the buy-in from centers,” added Tom Perfect, the execu- our people.”

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Celebrating Ageism Awareness Day Featuring Raymond Jetson founder and author of Aging While Black The 19th Century Club 178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL Friday, October 9 Doors open at 6:00pm Raymond Jetson’s keynote will be followed by a conversation with members of the Aging In Communities Commission and then questions from the audience.

Food provided. Admission is free.

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

13

14

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

P R O P E R T Y

T R A N S F E R S

The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Clerk from July 2026.

Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the clerk.

PROVIDED

Last year, the People’s Choice award winner was “Wizard of Oz” by Ricky Ponsaa and Mark Ferraro.

Scarecrows are invading!

Again!

Orders open for this year’s 100 Invasion of the Scarecrows kits; decorating starts Oct. 1

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

This October, expect to see more spooky, colorful and downright creative scarecrows than ever around Forest Park – up to 300!

The annual Invasion of the Scarecrows fundraiser launched over the weekend at the Park District of Forest Park’s Fall Fest. There, locals who ordered a scarecrow kit this year had their first chance to pick it up, and the money went toward the Historical Society of Forest Park and Forest Park Arts Alliance.

Starting Oct. 1, Forest Parkers will begin installing their decorated scarecrows in the front yards of local homes and businesses.

This year, 100 scarecrow kits are avail-

able. Locals can pick up their kit — which includes a location sign, instructions, a wooden frame, fabric head and plastic bag for stuffing — Sept. 19 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 7410 Madison St. After securing supplies, locals can decorate and embellish their scarecrows however they choose.

Residents who have put up scarecrows in years past can reuse them and, for $10, they’ll be added to a list of participating locations.

Throughout October, Forest Parkers will vote on scarecrows they deem to be Most Historic, Most Artistic, the People’s Choice and Forest Park Pride. The Most Involved Block will also receive an award.

Buy a scarecrow for the 2026 Invasion of the Scarecrows at https://givebutter. com/ScarecrowsInvasion.

1527 Elgin Ave., Forest Park

FOREST PARK ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

314 Lathrop Ave 850 Des Plaines Ave 300 Circle Ave 311 Burkhardt Ct 7736 Monroe St 1527 Elgin Ave 120 Lathrop Ave 427 Marengo Ave 840 Dunlop Ave 917 Elgin Ave 210 Des Plaines Ave 925 Harlem Ave 1105 Dunlop Ave 1037 Dunlop Ave 527 Grove Ln 1125 Marengo Ave 7230 Washington St 7210 W Franklin St 813 Circle Ave 7753 Van Buren St 215 Marengo Ave 7251 Randolph St 7320 Dixon St 7525 Adams St 839 Lathrop Ave 7449 Washington St 122 Circle Ave

$92,000 $88,000 $86,000 $626,000 $599,500 $590,000 $585,000 $560,000 $545,000 $465,000 $436,000 $430,000 $420,000 $405,000 $400,000 $387,000 $383,000 $360,000 $345,000 $320,000 $295,000 $249,000 $220,000 $211,500 $160,000 $142,000 $120,000

Grandview Cap Llc Johnson Brandon J Schlichting Eric C Lauer Andrew Tr Mitchell Gregory K Tr Greystoke Dev And Inv Llc Pellikan Nicholas P Bowhill Llc - Marengo Henry Evanda Clear Skies Homes Llc Janes Emily Light George Mccormick Matthew Rosso Sylvia Swindal Natalie A Hlo Prop Llc Alegre Arlene Schmitz John David Gill Kennedie L Clay Courtney P Knier Julia A Kikas Mariana Grant Ivy Tr Smith Michael Pacheco Socorro N Martinez David Kolasa Edward Extr

Kumbulla Mimoza Strader Jennifer G Hampton Yvonne Janes Emily Mcmahon Brian Clay Courtney Skgja Holdings Llc Wassel Jerome Kimble Levell C Garcia Litzy E Sell Jacqueline Campbell Julia Sitowski Samantha Gedvilas Emily Palmer Beverly Ramirez Mary Origuela Diogo Rafael Miranda Agliata Iii Nick Jack Colucci Alison J Gsljkl Llc Sugg Ann Auld Megan M Davis Joyce Palm Brodie Garcia Eduardo Zermeno Slezewksi Suzette Boezio Wayne

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

15

FLOCK CAMERAS What are guardrails? from page 1 tersection of 31st Street and First Avenue, which is the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Buckley said the two cameras were installed around the same time in March 2024 after village officials discussed their implementation at public village board meetings in November 2023.

“The department considered Flock technology because many crimes involving Riverside also involved a vehicle that quickly crosses our municipal boundaries into other jurisdictions. With only the two local cameras that we have, the goal was to give officers a timely way to identify stolen or wanted vehicles, assist with missing or endangered persons, corroborate witness information and develop objective investigative leads to crimes,” Buckley told the Landmark.

The installation was budgeted at $12,000 for fiscal year 2024, according to village documents.

Buckley said Riverside police make use of three non-Flock license plate readers elsewhere in town as well as mobile readers that squad cars are equipped with, which he said “automatically scan license plates while officers are on patrol and check them through the authorized state law enforcement database, similar to an officer manually entering a plate on the incar computer.”

In Brookfield, police do make use of polemounted cameras, but none of them are license plate readers, said Bob Uphues, the village’s communications manager and the former Landmark editor, in an email. Uphues said Brookfield does not make use of Flock cameras, either.

Buckley said the Riverside police department stores data from the Flock cameras for 30 days, but that number is going down to just seven days starting in January except for records that are manually extended by police staff.

He said the cameras provide police with “timely, objective vehicle information” and can alert officers when a license plate is recorded that is associated with a stolen vehicle or a wanted or missing person.

“After a crime, only authorized users can search by plate, vehicle description, location and time to corroborate information or narrow possible leads. It’s a great in-

COURTESY OF WWW.FLOCKSAFETY.COM

vestigative tool. Because offenders and vehicles move rapidly between communities, responsible interagency access can also extend that investigation beyond the view of Riverside’s two cameras. The Flock technology is just one of many tools used in the support of police work,” he said.

Buckley said data captured by Flock cameras “is usually one part of a larger investigation” and is used in tandem with witness statements, physical evidence and more.

“We have solved numerous crimes using the license plate reader technology that may have gone unsolved without access to the system,” he said.

He gave an example of an abducted child from Ohio who was able to be located driving along Ogden Avenue when the vehicle associated with the abduction was captured by a license plate reader.

“We were able to catch up to that vehicle on Ogden Avenue in LaGrange, take the offender into custody and recover the twoyear-old child,” he said. “It does have its definite benefits to law enforcement and criminal justice.”

Buckley said Riverside does not share its Flock data with Immigrations and Cus-

toms Enforcement in alignment with department policy and Illinois law.

Flock has come under fire in recent years for alleged illegal use of data sharing by out-of-state police and multiple examples of police officers allegedly using Flock data to track individuals for personal reasons.

Buckley said the village has only heard concerns from residents recently and not in the first years of the cameras’ use.

While there is interagency sharing within Illinois, Buckley said federal agencies do not have access to Riverside’s data and that it is safeguarded even within the village’s own systems.

“Access is not public or unrestricted.

Users must be authorized. Searches are logged, and activity can be reviewed by the user, date and time,” he said. “All these are audited. Any search within our system is audited by the command staff here at the police department.”

He said the police department has a policy against misuse of license plate reader data that officers read and sign, knowing the consequences if they go against it.

“If we find that there is misuse of the system, there’s the internal discipline process, and the different consequences could

be pretty severe, depending on the purpose, and up to termination and depending on whether or not it raises to the level of different criminal charges,” Village Manager Jessica Frances said.

Buckley said Riverside’s Flock cameras do not use facial recognition, record audio, identify the occupants of vehicles or even enforce speed limits, like some cameras do in Chicago. While he acknowledged the concerns people may have about the increased surveillance that Flock cameras represent, he said Riverside “maintain[s] strong safeguards to ensure the technology is used properly.”

“It requires a two-factor authentication when logging in. It limits access only to trained, sworn personnel and requires a documented case-related purpose. Our audits are maintained and kept up to date.

We restrict sharing; it’s only allowed with departments that actually apply to our system, and shortening the routine retention to seven days beginning January 1 will assist with that,” Buckley said. “Our goal is to use the smallest reasonable amount of technology to address legitimate public safety needs while remaining transparent and accountable to the community.”

16

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

P R O P E R T Y

T R A N S F E R S

Riverside home on Harrison Ave. sales for $788,000 The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Clerk from July 2026. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the clerk’s office.e.

BROOKFIELD ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

3638 Harrison Ave 3147 Sunnyside Ave 3533 Grand Blvd 4157 Raymond Ave 4145 Madison Ave 4501 Blanchan Ave 9021 Grant Ave 3635 Kemman Ave 4116 Raymond Ave 3641 Arden Ave 4235 Sunnyside Ave 9100 Sheridan Ave 3622 Arthur Ave 4533 Deyo Ave 4018 Deyo Ave 3602 Grand Blvd 9117 Grant Ave 2938 Forest Ave 3246 Oak Ave 9329 Lincoln Ave 9339 Jefferson Ave 3201 Kemman Ave 4304 Arthur Ave 8822 Brookfield Ave 3307 Grand Blvd 8822 Brookfield Ave 4327 Eberly Ave 4618 Custer Ave 3437 Oak Ave 3930 Park Ave 3820 Forest Ave 4606 Arthur Ave 4180 Blanchan Ave 3713 Grand Blvd 4606 Arthur Ave 4043 Forest Ave

$788,000 $651,000 $650,000 $521,000 $475,000 $475,000 $450,000 $450,000 $437,500 $430,000 $427,000 $425,000 $420,000 $415,000 $415,000 $395,000 $377,000 $375,000 $355,000 $351,000 $335,000 $333,500 $325,000 $325,000 $310,000 $305,000 $302,000 $263,000 $250,000 $240,000 $240,000 $199,000 $175,000 $158,000 $150,000 $140,000

Cason Jessica Land Trust Co Tr Garcia Cristhian Sosin Nathan Alexander Kumis Maria N Sharbaugh Rebecca Hewes Ldc Real Estate Enterprises Llc Neary David Newberry Carol G Tr Arp Laverne Trust Shell Caitlin Casper Shawgo Patricia Tr Scrogin Karie Herrera Edder Jose Warren Trevor Van Beek Andrew T Conaway Arleta Maria Extr Bliss Michael Harascsak Alison Tr Szczesny Kaitlyn Pettrone Joseph C Tr Shugailo Anatolii Krueger James Barry Weston Cynthia Ann Donavon Shelly M Maynard Laura H Tr Kingsmead Asset Holding Trust Bonin Darlene F Wilp Melody A Tr Godlewski James Braddy Sharon First Integrity Grp Inc De La Cruz Gustavo Surowiak Stanley C Arkema Edward Meyer Arthur James

Kearney Lauren Tazelaar Sharon Hala Paul E Partowazam Kevin Colon George Calvin Goodwin Melanie K Muzaffar Kamal Cruse Riley Roe Stephen P Hostetler Seth Andrew Munoz Blanca Estela Prosecky Joseph Bardolph Justin D Rodriguez Ulysses Romo Kohl Anthony R Mendiola Jessica Lupa Zbigniew Bonaccorsi Emmett Mata Jose F Walker Elizabeth Koerner Brittany J Tremaine Stephenie Marie Triple Peaks Investments Llc Verber Karun J Tr Areizaga Tatiana Ortega Miko Zhu Susan Y Settino Jr John J Kendall Partners Ltd Terrones Carmen Walus Tomasz Vela-Nunez Evelyn De La Cruz Daniel Bihun John First Integrity Grp Inc Rt Prop Investments Llc

3638 Harrison Ave., Brookfield

RIVERSIDE ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

320 Uvedale Rd

$1,100,000

Towner Daniel A

Anderson Kurt

208 Michaux Rd

$1,500,000

Urtis James M

Del Preto Michael J

100 E Quincy St

$235,000

Mcculloh John R

Mcculloh John R

377 Blackhawk Rd

$395,000

Moravek Paul Tr

Corral Erik

204 Parkview Rd

$500,000

Miller Leo

Covarrubias Ernesto

81 Pine Ave

$525,000

Jk Rlty Mgmt Llc

Mp3 Inv Ltd Ps

126 Northgate Rd

$534,000

Khalil Basmal I

Ramirez Cynthia

731 Selborne Rd

$550,000

Shelven Patrick M Tr

Baker Rachel

564 Selborne Rd

$565,000

Mendez Edward A Tr

Nowicki Lauren

423 Selborne Rd

$585,000

Hickman Christopher

Mayer Michael T

342 Lawton Rd

$605,000

Palin Ellen

Alexander Jason G

260 Gage Rd

$650,000

Sherman Susan A Tr

Lyson Peter

461 Uvedale Rd

$675,000

Giampietro Therese Tr

Mitchell Ashley

283 Bartram Rd

$735,000

Heredia Christopher R

Faile Jacob

234 Southcote Rd

$830,000

Lamantia Dianna R Tr

Pallardy Jr Paul E

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Brookfield police issue speeding citations Brookfield police on Aug. 31 ticketed a 21-year-old Broadview man for speeding.

Around 10:40 p.m., an officer was on patrol on Maple Avenue when they observed a vehicle heading south at 46 mph in the posted 30-mph zone. The officer watched the car come to a complete stop at the intersection with 31st Street before turning right to drive west on 31st once the light turned green. The officer positioned their squad car behind the vehicle and ran its license plate number through the police database, learning the registration of the vehicle was expired.

The officer initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who acknowledged the reasons for the stop and provided the officer with proof of insurance and a photograph of his driver’s license. The officer ran the man’s information and learned his license had been suspended.

The officer issued three citations to the man for driving 15-20 mph above the speed limit, driving on a suspended license and driving with an expired registration. The officer released the man on pretrial conditions.

Going 18 mph above the limit Brookfield police ticketed a 26-year-old Chicago man on Sept. 3 for speeding.

Around 7:10 p.m., an officer was conducting a traffic detail on the 3300 block of Grand Boulevard when they observed a vehicle heading northwest at a speed of 43 mph in the posted 25-mph zone. The officer got behind the vehicle and activated their squad car’s emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop.

The officer spoke with the driver and advised him of the reason for the stop. During the conversation, the officer learned the man’s driver’s license had been suspended and that he did not have the required proof of insurance.

The officer issued citations to the man for speeding 15-20 mph above the limit, driving on a suspended license and operat-

ing an uninsured motor vehicle. The officer set a Nov. 10 court date for the man and advised him he would not be able to move the car from its legally parked spot due to his license being suspended, which the man acknowledged. The officer released him on pretrial conditions.

Going 11 mph above the limit Brookfield police ticketed a 41-year-old Chicago man for speeding on Sept. 3.

Around 10:36 p.m., an officer was conducting a traffic detail on the 8800 block of 31st Street when they observed a vehicle heading west at a speed of 46 mph in the posted 35-mph zone. The officer positioned their squad car behind the vehicle, activated their emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop.

The officer made contact with the driver and advised him of the reason for the stop.

The man advised the officer that he was driving on a suspended license, but he provided proof of insurance.

The officer ticketed the man for speeding 11-14 mph above the limit and for driving on a suspended license before setting an Oct. 13 court date. The man’s passenger provided a valid driver’s license, so the officer turned the vehicle over to her, and she drove it away with the man in the passenger seat. The man had been released on pretrial conditions.

These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department reports dated Aug. 31 to Sept. 7; 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

17

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The Landmark, September 16, 2026

LETTERS

New zoning actually saves existing homes As planning consultant and zoning attorney for Chanda Plepel and Mary Schlesser, owners of two of the 10 townhomes on the 8500 block of Brookfield Avenue, I’d like thank the village’s community development staff and the Zoning Commission for the changes they’ve made to the proposed new zoning map that preserve Chanda’s and Mary’s naturally-occurring affordable homes and those of their immediate neighbors.

The new zoning map had originally changed their zoning district from Station Area 4a, which is being eliminated to C–1 Commercial, which does not allow for townhomes like theirs. That would have made these 10 homes, and the small multifamily building to their west, nonconforming uses with dire consequences for their viability.

That’s because changing to a C–1 district would have made it nearly impossible to sell their homes when the time comes.

Half the secondary mortgage market (FREDDIE MAC) does not accept mortgages for a nonconforming dwelling. And the zoning code’s otherwise quite reasonable provisions for rebuilding or repairing a nonconforming use would, in this particular situation, further discourage any lender from issuing a mortgage for any of these townhomes (it’s compli-

cated). Their homes would have become close to worthless unless they banded together to sell to a developer.

But that won’t happen thanks to a community development staff that quickly understood all this when it was brought to their attention. Within a week, staff revised the new zoning map to place these homes in an R-4 multifamily zoning district where they will continue to be permitted uses.

Frustratingly, not everybody understands what the new zoning ordinance proposes. Contrary to Guy Adami’s Sept. 9 letter (“Proposed changes in Brookfield’s zoning laws”), zoning my clients’ property as R-4 pretty much eliminates any chance that their homes will be replaced by a multifamily

high-rise, unlike if they were rezoned to C–1. And Brookfield’s proposed new zoning ordinance and map actually maintain the current single-family zoning throughout the village.

Hopefully the village board will accept the Zoning Commission’s recommendation to adopt the proposed new zoning ordinance and map that will enable Chanda, Mary, and the other residents of the 8500 block of Brookfield Avenue, some of whom are seniors, to remain in their homes and in the village that they love.

Daniel Lauber

Law Office

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.

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Sports

‘Bubba’ Novak passing, running for RBHS football STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside Brookfield senior quarterback Braeden Novak passed for 1,405 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.

Returning All-UEC quarterback helping Bulldogs to 3-1 start

By BILL STONE Staff Writer

Being on the youngest team a decade ago, Riverside Brookfield High School senior Braeden Novak holds the distinction of scoring the first touchdown in Jr Bulldogs Football competitive history.

“I think, if I remember, it was a running touchdown,” Novak said.

Appropriately, Novak was playing quarterback.

That’s the position where he continues to play and flourish in his second varsity season with the Bulldogs (3-1).

This week is homecoming with the game against Fenton (2-2) Friday, Sept. 18. RBHS beat Ridgewood 63-21 Friday to improve to 2-0 in the Upstate Eight Conference East Division after a 49-7 halftime lead.

RBHS has scored 158 points in Novak’s second season in the system under offensive coordinator Brad Vojcak. Last year, RBHS had 410 points over 10 games.

“I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old,” Novak said. “In my opinion (quarterback) is the best position in football. You get to guide the whole offense, throwing the ball, lots of ways to score.”

Novak’s 2025 totals earned all-conference honors -- 1,405 passing yards (82 for 139) with 19 TDs and 136 rushing yards with one TD.

This season he’s at 737 passing yards with five TDs, all in the last two games, and 213 rushing yards with six TDs. He’s also a team captain.

“I didn’t get off to the start I wanted to with passing,” Novak said. “I want to get all-state, which is a hard goal but I still think I have a chance.”

On Friday, Novak had two more TD passes to Nick Baca (6 yards) and Tim Giacomelli (49 yards) with a 17-yard TD run.

Gideon Bradford had TD runs of 6 and 7 yards and Nico Caputo returned a kickoff 97 yards for a TD. Other TD runs were by Tyler Schultz (24 runs) and in the second half by reserve quarterback Sean Ruckman (8 yards) and Christian Dalton (19 yards).

“Watching (Novak) progress has been awesome to see,” RBHS coach Sam Styler said.

“Having the second year in this offensive system has allowed him to take on a leadership role. He’s playing with a ton of confidence. You’ve seen nights where he’s established his running game but his passing game also has been picking up the last couple of weeks.”

Still, the greatest mystery isn’t whether Novak will throw downfield or surge downfield on his own.

Where did he get that nickname Bubba?

“I’m not entirely sure but I know that I’ve had it since I was born,” Novak said. “I’m the only one in my family with a nickname so it’s kind of weird.”

Jeff Novak, his father, holds claim to being the nickname’s originator.

“It’s just something I’ve called him pretty much from when he was a baby. I don’t really know why,” Jeff Novak said.

“We’ll be out and I’ll say, ‘I have to go pick up Braeden,’ and they’ll be like, ‘Who’s Braeden?’ I think 50% of Riverside only knows him as Bubba. They don’t even know he’s Braeden.”

Novak comes from a football family.

Jeff Novak is a 1986 Hinsdale South graduate who was a standout fullback, linebacker and even punter for the Hornets. He also excelled at baseball, Braeden’s other varsity sport as a junior.

Older brother Matt is a 2022 RBHS graduate. He kicked the last-second, game-winning field goal against Morton in the 2021 opener but then missed most of his senior season with a knee injury. Matt played one

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

19

season of football at Augustana and now attends Louisiana State.

Jeff Novak passed along his sports passion and knowledge to his sons as a coach.

He laughed talking about Braden’s Jr Bulldogs days when he already showed passing potential.

“What was funny was at that age nobody expected us to throw,” Jeff Novak said.

“We had some really fast receivers. They’d run slants and Bubba would just throw and we’d have long touchdowns.

“One of the things I love the most (about Bubba) is he never gets too high or too low.

If the team’s winning 40-0 or losing 40-0, you wouldn’t know. He’s mild mannered but he loves to compete.”

Novak also played middle linebacker growing up but focused on quarterback entering high school.

During freshman season, he was moved from quarterback to wide receiver after the third game.

“It kind of brought me down but coming into sophomore year, I knew I had to kind of show something,” Novak said.

He worked in the offseason on skills and physical strength. After playing with the junior varsity in 2024, he moved up to varsity in 2025.

That junior season began with him platooning with returning all-conference starter Giancarlo Garcia, known for his effective rollouts and his long runs.

In Week 7, Novak began playing quarterback full-time with Garcia contributing in the backfield.

Even though the Bulldogs lost at Glenbard East 45-43 in the UEC title game in Week 9 on a last-second field goal, the offense flourished against a team that previously allowed just 97 total points. Garcia did not return this season.

“I think my passing is about the same just because I’ve been around the same arm strength, but I really think I’ve gotten a lot faster this year,” Novak said. “I’ve gained 25 pounds so I’ve been running a lot more.”

Novak recently visited NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Platteville but mostly is focused on a business major in college.

“If I really like the school and the program, I’ll go play,” Novak said. “If I don’t love the school I’m getting offered for football, I’ll just go to a bigger school down south, where it’s warm.”

20

S P O R T S

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

Bulldogs remain in hunt to defend UEC golf titles Lions continue quests for conference, postseason success

By BILL STONE

at Fox Bend Sept. 5 shared medalist honors in a quad victory (293) by four strokes over Glenbard West.

Other recent top-four scorers have included seniors Grayson Lee, Ben Hare and Braxton Bonnevier and junior Henry Niemiec.

Lee had team bests of 73 at Saturday’s Providence Invite to tie for seventh and a 34 in the 137-145 loss to Naperville North Sept. 9.

Staff Writer

As the Riverside Brookfield High School girls golf team goes after a third straight Upstate Eight Conference championship, juniors Harper Jesswein and Fiona Lombardi are coming off busy summers that have brought improvements.

“I’ve played more rounds and have gotten more comfortable with my game,” Lombardi said.

“I feel like I’ve become a more confident and dependable player on the team. I want to continue improving my consistency, lower my scores, and become a better overall golfer. I want to make it to sectionals either as a team or individually.”

Now the Bulldogs hope to make the most of second chances.

They currently are 3-2-1 in conference duals heading into the UEC Meet Sept. 23 at St. Andrews in West Chicago. Before that, they still can avenge dual losses to Glenbard South and U46 co-op. This year, the teams play each other twice home and away.

LTHS girls golf

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brookfield’s Nicole Robertson hits an approach shot during a match at Flagg Creek Golf Course Aug. 31 in Countryside.

Jesswein was medalist (42) in the 204-204 tie with West Aurora Sept. 9.

Lombardi medaled at the Willowbrook Invite Aug. 22. Sophomore Nicole Robertson, seniors Alexis Busse and Nikki Ritacca and juniors Lily Martin, Elly Dickerson and Ana Bacik also have been among low scorers in recent conference meets.

“I want to continue improving my scores, become more consistent, and play my best when it matters. My big goal for the season is to hopefully qualify for sectionals. I think as a team a big goal is the conference championship again,” Jesswein said.

“I feel like my role has grown because I have more experience and can be someone my teammates rely on. I want to lead by example and help the team keep competing at a high level.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brookfield’s Alexis Busse watches her putt during a match at Flagg Creek Golf Course Aug. 31 in Countryside.

RBHS boys golf The Bulldogs are in contention for a fifth consecutive conference title heading into the UEC Meet Monday at St. Andrews.

They moved to 4-0 in conference duals after beating West Chicago 167-177 Sept. 10.

Senior Oliver Fakhoury’s 3-over-par 38 earned medalist honors.

Senior returnee Zak Milchhoefer, juniors Michael Sloger and Paul Byrne and sophomores Leo Fakhoury and Bryce Sherman also have been top scorers in the league victories.

At the Payton Jones Invite Aug. 21, Oliver Fakhoury tied for third (par 72), followed

by Milchhoefer (77) and Sherman and Leo Fakhoury (83s).

LTHS boys golf The Lions’ depth has helped them heading into the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet Sept. 22.

LTHS is 3-0 in Silver duals with Hinsdale Central and Glenbard West this week.

Sophomore Colin Biebel was medalist (par 36) in the 151-156 victory over Oak Park and River Forest Sept. 8.

Senior Charlie Forrest’s 1-under-par 71

The Lions moved to 4-3 in WSC duals after beating Hinsdale South 155-180 Monday.

LTHS also has beaten Glenbard West on a fifth-score tiebreaker after each scored 162, Addison Trail and Willowbrook while losing to Hinsdale Central, York and Oak Park and River Forest.

The WSC Invite is Sept. 23.

Senior Mekayla Genovesi was medalist Monday (2-over-par 35). Senior Mikaela Jones, juniors Caroline McNaugton and Dagny Stromborg and sophomores Lucy Newton, Kate Carlstead and Molly Collins have been among their top-four scorers in recent meets. Jones’ 44 was the tiebreaker over Glenbard West.

“The most significant way that I have improved since last year is my mental strength,” said McNaughton, a member of last year’s sectional team qualifier.

“I have learned through some challenging and competitive matches to stay resilient and recover from a bad hole or a bad shot. We have a lot of newer golfers on the team, and I want to be a role model for them, trying to maintain a good attitude on and off the course.”

On Thursday at Silver Lake, the Lions lost their dual to Hinsdale Central 147-167 while beating Sandburg (202). Genovesi and McNaughton shot 38s.

The Lions return to Silver Lake Oct. 5 for the 2A Sandburg Sectional if they can advance out of their regional.

“I was proud of our performance (Thursday). We played a strong opponent on a course we will hopefully revisit,” McNaughton said.

S P O R T S

LTHS football seniors enjoy special win at Hinsdale Central

All-tournament Sloger, Roldan help RBHS volleyball continue success

STEVE JOHNSTON

Lyons Township’s Benjamin Sosne (26) carries the ball and tries to get into the end zone against Barrington during a nonconference game Aug. 21 in Western Springs.

By BILL STONE Staff Writer

Senior Owen Matela and his Lyons Township High School football teammates weren’t just thinking about the final minutes of last year’s Homecoming loss to rival Hinsdale Central.

After the Lions prevailed 38-28 Friday on the Red Devils’ home field, years of frustration turned to pure elation for the senior class.

“We never beat them from youth football to high school so we had this game circled on our schedule,” Matela said.

“It feels amazing to come out with a W. Obviously, they had some big plays but we had more big plays. The key to the game was the (offensive) line, just running the ball every play.”

Quarterback Brendan McCabe rushed for two touchdowns and 126 yards and passed for two TDs and 218 yards as the Li-

ons (4-0, 1-0 in West Suburban Conference Silver Division) jumped to a 14-0 lead and answered every time the Red Devils (2-2, 0-2) closed the gap.

Last year, Hinsdale Central won 29-26 after LTHS led 19-14 in the fourth quarter.

The Lions had won the previous three varsity matchups.

On Friday, four of the Lions’ five touchdowns were more than 60 yards. Still, the players had enough energy afterwards to leap a fence and join LTHS fans from the stands in triumph.

“You see your best friends and you want to celebrate with them. It means a lot to them and it means a lot to us for them to come here and show out and chill out,” McCabe said.

“We know what happened (last year). We kept it in our mind during the game. We couldn’t let them get back in the game. That’s exactly what we did. They kept responding and we kept responding so it was great.”

The Lions, ranked No. 5 in Class 8A last week in the Illinois Media football poll, now play host to Glenbard West (2-2, 1-1), ranked No. 5 in 7A before losing 24-14 to undefeated Downers Grove North (No. 3 in 7A).

LTHS coach Jon Beutjer praised the offensive line of center Luke Vaupell, guards Liam Corrigan and Mason Price, tackles Charlie Harrington and Edwin Martinez and tight end Matela.

“They grind in the trenches, our tight ends and wings (too). Really, the offensive line is where it all starts,” Beutjer said.

“That was a big one (to win), on the road.

I was proud of how our kids responded. We would score and then they would score. Up until this point, we haven’t really been able to throw the ball, which is such a nice element to add to our offense.”

After a punt pinned the Lions at their 3-yard line, senior running back EJ Kuhlman (143 rushing yards) had runs of 16 and then 81 for his TD and a 14-0 first-quarter advantage.

McCabe set the big-play tone on the opening drive. His 73-yard TD run came after splitting defenders before finding the left sideline.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to make a play and that’s what happens,” McCabe said.

When Hinsdale Central closed to 14-7 just 1:18 before halftime, Jack Williams returned the kickoff 41 yards to the 45. After a 23-yard pass to Matela, Wolfie Ketterling eventually made a 42-yard field goal 12.4 seconds before halftime.

The biggest play was arguably after Hinsdale Central opened the second with a 70yard TD strike and closed to 17-14.

McCabe threw a 68-yard TD pass to a wide open Tyler Stamm for a 24-14 lead.

The Lions led by multiple scores the rest of the way.

“There’s always a little bit of stress when you’re that wide open. When you get one and take advantage of it, it just feels the best,” Stamm said.

“Two years ago, I watched my brother (Travis) and our whole team come here and do the exact same thing. I love home games but to come over here and be able to put them away (feels great).”

The LTHS defense then came through.

Brady Koren had an interception at the 10 and back-to-back pass breakups by Nathan Fitzgerald and Ina Collins contributed to a missed 35-yard field goal.

LTHS then pulled ahead 31-14 on an 84yard TD strike to Lincoln DeMauro on third-and-14. McCabe’s 23-yard TD run

The Landmark, September 16, 2026

21

opened a 38-21 lead with 5:41 left.

The pregame Salute to Service night commemorated the 9/11 attacks and honored military personnel and relatives of players from both teams.

That included LTHS freshman football coach Keith Bailey, LTHS personnel Kevin Comstock and Scott McClintock and relatives of LTHS players Aidan Webster (James Farnan II) and Cole Harris (Peter Sisco).

Singing the national anthem was Jim Cornelison of Chicago Blackhawks fame.

Webster’s honored grandfather usually attends his games.

“It’s really nice because a lot of people sacrificed a lot for us to be able to be where we are right now and he was a part of that. I really look up to him for that,” Webster said.

RBHS girls volleyball The Riverside Brookfield girls volleyball team had another strong invitational performance as they finished fourth out of 12 teams at the Downers Grove South Invite Saturday.

RBHS (10-8) beat Fenwick and the host Mustangs while losing to Oak Park and River Forest and Joliet West in three sets and Lockport in two.

Senior outside hitter Mackenzie Sloger and sophomore libero Sage Roldan were named to the all-tournament team.

Last year, Lockport was third in Class 4A after beating OPRF in the super-sectional and Joliet West in the sectional finals. Fenwick reached super-sectionals in 3A. “We work hard, hustle and have a competitive drive. This tournament had a lot of hard and challenging teams and we performed so well,” RBHS coach Caitlin StaibLipinski said.

“I am incredibly proud of this team. We needed to make aggressive plays in the right moments without being timid and it worked for us this tournament.”

The Bulldogs previously finished second at the Hoffman Estates Tournament Sept.

5, losing to 3A sectional finalist Belleville East after three two-set victories.

At Plainfield North’s Crimson Invite Aug. 28-29, they reached the Gold bracket for the first time in Staib-Lipinski’s five seasons as head coach and finished seventh overall. Sloger was named all-tournament.

Sloger leads the team with 163 kills, 25 aces and 202 service receptions. Other stats leaders include Roldan (150 digs), sophomore Elsie Crist (354 assists) and senior Asha Ponnappan (36 total blocks).

22 The Landmark, September 16, 2026 HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI • Deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.

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NOVENAS

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards.

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following project: 2026 TREE AND STUMP REMOVAL PROJECT VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS This project includes the removal of approximately 200 trees and 65 tree stumps at various locations within the Village of Brookfield.

Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, the 30th day of September, 2026, in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 11:00 A.M. on the same day, Wednesday, the 30th day of September, 2026, at the Village Hall.

Electronic copies of bidding documents, consisting of the bid proposal and project specifications are available from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154. Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ehancock.com. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:00 P.M. on Monday, the 28th day of September, 2026.

Proposals will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company.

All bid proposals offered must be accompanied by a bid bond, cashier’s check or certified check in an amount not less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a guarantee that if the bid proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. Checks shall be made payable to the Order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield. No bid proposal shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid bond or check.

Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village. The bidder requesting the interpretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery. At the request of the bidder, or in the event that the Village deems the interpretation to be substantive, the interpretation will be made by written addendum issued by the Village.

In the event that a written addendum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be emailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume responsibility for receipt of such addendum.

In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued.

The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations

The Village of Brookfield reserves the rights to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals.

BY ORDER THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS Published in RB Landmark September 16, 2026

ADVERTISEMENT FOR RFP Riverside Brookfield Township High School District 208, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546 will receive sealed bids for

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Education of School District Number 96, in the County of Cook, State of Illinois, that budget for said School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, will be on file and conveniently available to public inspection at 3340 S. Harlem Avenue, Riverside, Illinois in the School District from and after 8:00 am, on the 6th day of August, 2026. Notice is further given that a public hearing on said budget will be held at 7:00 pm, on the 21st day of October 2026, at 65 Woodside Road in this School District Number 96.

Dated this 14th day of September, 2026. Board of Education of School District Number 96, in the County of Cook, State of Illinois.

Published in Wednesday Journal September 16, 2026

Riverside Brookfield High School Sealed Bid – Integrated Facilities Management Services ATTN: Dr. Kristin Smetana, Assistant Superintendent Copies of the specifications will be available starting September 18, 2026. Bidders can access the specification at the following: h t t p s : / / w w w. r b h s 2 0 8. n e t / r f p Contractors are responsible for all costs.

Bids will be received until 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at the District Office.

At this time the Bids will be publicly opened and read. All bids are to be enclosed in a sealed opaque envelope clearly marked, “Sealed Bid – Integrated Facilities Management Services.”

A Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference and Job Walk on September 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Attendees shall meet at Riverside-Brookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Drive, Riverside Illinois 60546. Any contractor who fails to attend the entire mandatory job walk and conference will be deemed a non-responsive proposer and will have its proposal returned unopened.

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The Board of Education reserves the right to change quantities, reject any or all bids, to waiver irregularities in the bidding procedure, or accept the Bid that, in its sole and absolute discretion is considered to serve the best interest of the School District. Any such decision shall be considered final.

Published in RB Landmark September 16, 2026

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The Landmark, September 16, 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

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110 S Herbert Rd Riverside $825,000

175 W Burlington St, Riverside $695,000

D OL S ST JU

235 Longcommon Rd., Riverside $795,000

220 Northwood Rd., Riverside $850,000

343 Lionel Rd., Riverside $785,000

E AG LL I V

220 Maplewood Rd, Riverside $995,000

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

33 S Cowley Rd., Riverside $1,113,750 NT ME TY T S R VE PE IN PRO

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

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