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RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Also serving North Riverside

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Vol. 36, No. 38

September 22, 2021

@riversidebrookfieldlandmark

TikTok ‘devious licks’ hits local schools PAGE 3

Artwalk returns this Friday PAGE 5

Brookfield Ave. bridge won’t be in place until 2022

FIVE ALARM

Trouble rerouting water main is latest headache for delay-plagued project

By BOB UPHUES Editor ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

A new bridge over Salt Creek at Brookfield Avenue will not be in place before winter, Brookfield Village manager Timothy Wiberg announced Sept. 13, meaning the road closure between Forest and Arden avenues that’s been in place since May will continue at least into the spring of 2022.

Local officials had targeted the new, roughly $3.5 million bridge to be constructed by November, but the project has been plagued by a series of delays, the latest of which involves re-routing a Brookfield Avenue water main to accommodate the new bridge’s larger superstructure.

Engineers planned to connect a new section of pipe to the 16-inch main east of Salt Creek, re-route it north under the village See BRIDGE on page 13

Firefighters pass out chili samples, during the annual Chili Fest and Cook-off at the Village Commons in North Riverside. For more photos see pages 8, 14, and visit online at RBLandmark.com

Strong teacher support for new D96 contract 4-year pact reduces teacher spending on health premiums

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

In a switch from a long running trend, teachers, paraprofessionals, library assistants and school secretaries who work in Riverside Elementary School District 96

will contribute a little less, in percentage terms, towards their health insurance premiums under a new four-year contract that was unanimously approved by the District 96 Board of Education on Sept. 15.

Teachers and other members of the Riverside Education Council had earlier ap-

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The Landmark, September 22, 2021

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The Landmark, September 22, 2021

With boost from feds, RBHS sees deficit turned to surplus COVID relief funds ‘a lifeline’ this year

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Thanks to just over $1 million in federal COVID relief money the budget for the 202122 fiscal year at Riverside Brookfield High School projects a $694,000 surplus. The District 208 Board of Education formally approved the budget by a vote of 6-0 at the Sept.

14 school board meeting.

“The ESSER funds are our lifeline this year,” said District 208 school board president Deanna Zalas at the meeting referring to the acronym for the Elementary and Secondary Education Emergency Relief funds that are part of various federal stimulus and COVID relief legislation passed by Congress over the last two years.

Assistant Superintendent Kristin Smetana said the federal money turned what would have been a deficit budget into a projected surplus.

“We would not have had a surplus without the ESSER funds,” Smetana said.

ESSER money is paid out to school districts as reimbursements for various expenditures, not as direct grants. RBHS is getting reimbursed by the federal government for spending approximately $336,500 on paraprofessionals, $171,000 on Chromebooks, $170,000 for educational software, $84,000 for hiring 1.4 FTE new teachers, $75,000 on alternative learning programs and $60,000 for wraparound services for vulnerable students to name the biggest uses of federal money. RBHS expects to receive $1,022,288 in ESSER money during the current fiscal

year.

Federal money also helped turn what was a projected deficit last year into what ended up as a $1,183,296 budget surplus.

For the current fiscal year operating revenues at RBHS are estimated to be $28,692,708, a 1.97% increase over last year. Operating expenses are estimated to be $27,998,708, a 3.87% increase over last year. RBHS is receiving an additional $135,000 in general state aid this year as a result of the state’s evidence-based funding formula.

When all funds are included the district’s anticipated surplus rises to $837,231. Total revenues are projected to be $34,558,720 while total expenses are projected to be $33,721,489. The district is expected to end the fiscal year in June with reserves of $21,896,776 or just over 54% of total expenses of $2.9 million of working cash funds that has been set aside for land acquisition is not included. If that $2.9 million in working cash is included the district is projected to end the year with reserves equal to 64.8% of annual expenses which means the district could fund its operations for nearly eight months in the next fiscal year without any additional revenue before running out of money.

The bulk of the district’s revenues, 74%, comes from local property taxes. State aid accounts for 10% of revenues, other local revenue accounts for 9% of revenue and federal aid is expected to account for 7% of revenues this year. This year the district is projecting a 99% property tax collection rate, up from the 97% rate it projected last year.

Salaries are by far the biggest expense for the district accounting for 76% of expenses with employee benefits accounting for another 11%. Due to the retirement of five teachers the total expenditures on salaries are projected to decrease by almost 1% this year despite the increase of total teaching staff by .7 FTE. Insurance costs for staff are projected to decrease by 3.84%.

The district is projecting a large increase in rental income, estimating that it will receive $70,000 in rental income for the use of its facilities after only receiving $22,187 last year due to the pandemic.

Other area school districts are also projecting surpluses. Lyons Township High School District is projecting a surplus of $125,202. LTHS is expected to receive about $1.2 in federal ESSER money. Riverside Elementary District 96 is projecting an operating surplus of $1,131,453. The District 96 budget, which was approved in July, includes $400,000 in ESSER money.

Brookfield, LaGrange Park District 95, which passed its budget in July, is now projecting an operating surplus of between $300,000 and $400,000 aided by about $564,000 in ESSER grants. Komarek School District 94 is projecting an operating surplus of approximately $150,000. Lyons School District 103, which includes the southeastern portion of Brookfield, is projecting an operating surplus of $61,474 and LaGrange District 102, which includes the southwestern portion of Brookfield, is projecting an operating surplus of approximately $230,000.

Local students get in ‘devious licks’ with TikTok petty thefts

Schools ask parents to talk to their kids

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The nationwide “devious licks” TikTok craze has hit local schools. It started earlier this month when a student stole a package of disposable facemasks from his school and posted it on TikTok calling the theft a devious lick. Students from across the country suddenly began following suit and trying to one up each other by taking items from school and committing petty vandalism, of-

ten focusing on bathrooms, and then posting about it on TikTok. TikTok is a social media platform that specializes in posting short videos and it is very popular among teenagers. Last week TikTok removed any videos on its site that mentioned devious licks in an attempt to stop the vandalism.

Area schools have not been exempt from the trend although many school administrators don’t seem anxious to talk about it with the press, perhaps because they don’t want to encourage copycat incidents.

“We have had a few minor incidents that See TIKTOK on page 15

IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Digital Publishing & Technology Manager Briana Higgins Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich

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The Landmark, September 22, 2021

BIG WEEK

Radio Players to perform

September 22-29

“I Love Lucy”

The evolution of TV’s great sitcoms

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites you to join in person or virtually for “A Funny Program about Funny Programs,” a presentation by Marty Gitlin about TV’s greatest sitcoms.

Gitlin, the only author to have ranked TV sitcoms, will show you snippets of favorite shows chronologically, from “I Love Lucy” to “Modern Family” and everything in between and witness how shows evolved through the years.

The presentation is equal parts history, humor and trivia.

Snacks provided.

Register online at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new.

The Chicago-Hollywood connection

Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers

‘A Beautiful Day’ at North Riverside Library

Brookfield Public Library invites you to join movie historian Kelli Marshall of Chicago Movie Tours and stroll virtually through Chicago’s Union Station as you learn about its longstanding relationship with Hollywood and movie stars during “Chicago’s Union Station and Hollywood” on Monday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

This Zoom presentation, which showcases Union Station and the special way it connects us all, is Part One of the library’s “All Aboard!” series, in collaboration with Blue Island Public Library, South Holland Public Library and Stickney-Forest View Public Library.

You can register for parts two, three and four at brookfield.evanced.info/ signup.

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites you to watch a screening of the 2019 film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” starring Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers, the beloved children’s TV show creator and host, a role for which Hanks received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

The film, which is part of the Mary’s Monthly Movie series at the library, will be screened at the library on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. Free. RSVP at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new.

And more Nazareth Academy you to its 2021-22 Parent Speaker Series, which kicks off Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. with “High School 101 Panel: Smoothing the Transition” featuring panelists from Nazareth’s faculty, staff and administration. The series is conducted via Zoom and is free and open to the public. Register at nazarethacademy.com under the Student/Parent tab.

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St. Paul VI Parish is hosting a Novena to St. Paul VI nightly at 7 p.m. through Sept. 25 at Mater Christi Church, 2401 10th Ave, North Riverside. These evenings will be a special time for prayer and to learn about St. Paul VI in anticipation of the celebration of his feast day on Sept. 26. Call 708-447-1020 for more.

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The Brookfield Chamber of Commerce continues

its 60-to-Win raffle drawings every Thursday through Nov. 18 at 4:30 p.m. at Joe’s Saloon, 9220 47th St. in Brookfield. You can also watch a livestream on the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Facebook page (facebook.com/BrookfieldIllinois). Winners’ names will be posted each week at brookfieldchamber.net.

Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., hosts two exhibitions through Oct. 16. In the Freeark Gallery and Sculpture Garden there’s “Coded: Coated” featuring the work of Jonathan Castillo, Hannah Givler and Paul Somers. The FlexSpace Gallery hosts “Proposals and Speculations” featuring the work of Shir Ende and Lancer Livermont. Free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Habakkuk Theatre and Open Door Theater pres■

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The Riverside Township Radio Players will begin their 23rd season on Sept. 24.

Masks will be required by all in attendance, seating will be limited and spread out but families can sit together. The season begins with The Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show episode entitled “First Rexall Sponsored Show” and an Academy Award Theater “My Sister Eileen”.

The performance is at 7:30 p.m. and is Free in the Auditorium at Riverside Township Hall.

This is the Radio Players first performance since February.

For more information go to riversidetownshipradioplayers. com or follow on twitter @ radioplayers.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Ellie Babka at 708.442.8810 or email babka@ att.net.

ent an outdoor production of “Coastal Disturbances” at Ehlert Park, 4338 Congress Park Ave. in Brookfield, on Saturdays and Sundays through Sept.

26 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $18 at the door or online at habakkuktheatre.org.

Riverside Arts Center presents “Porcelain Utopia: Mid-Century Lustron Homes in Illinois and Beyond,” an exhibit of photographs by Dirk Fletcher in the lobby of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, through Dec. 31. Free. Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Riverside Farmers Market continues every Wednesday from 2:30 to 7 p.m. at Centennial Park, 10 Pine Ave., in downtown Riverside. Social distancing encouraged. Face coverings are required for those who are not vaccinated and no pets are allowed.

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The Brookfield Farmers Market continues every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. for locally sourced fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked goods and artisan ware. Live music and a picnic area. Social distancing is encouraged and face coverings are required for non-vaccinated guests.

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North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites adults to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month during the hybrid program Authentic Latin Cuisine on Sept. 24 at 1:30 p.m. Library will supply dry ingredients and recipe with a list of other ingredients. Then after making your dish at home meet on Sept. 24 and chat about your creations. There’s also in-person Yoga & Meditation on Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. The library’s Virtual Immigration Series presents “Navigating USCIS ■

The Landmark, September 22, 2021

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Music is back on Grand Blvd.

Summer is not over yet. Not while there is Music on Grand this Saturday. This is a full day of entertainment for everyone in the family. It is centered around the stage on Grand Boulevard between Sebastian’s Ale House and Brookfield Breakfast.

Kids fun starts at 10 a.m. with a free Scribble Monster and then at 11:30 Istvan & His Imaginary Band.

The bands get underway at 1 p.m. with Neal Alger; Jolly Ringwalds at 3 p.m.; Bobby K at 7 p.m. and True Company at 8:30 p.m.

Food will also be available.

The event is sponsored by the Village of Brookfield and Parks and Recreation.

CZS/Brookfield Zoo

Oktoberfest at Brookfield Zoo

Visitors to Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., can toss on their lederhosen and enjoy live polka music at the Beer Garden on East Mall on Sept. 25 and 26 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the zoo’s Oktoberfest, which is free with general admission.

Available for purchase will be Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest beer and a seasonal menu with bratwurst, sausages, pretzels with beer cheese and more. Spot the Leinie’s mobile pedi-cab, and if you’re over 21, you may just get your hands on some complimentary memorabilia.

LTHS Career Fair

Lyons Township High School will host a Career Fair on Thursday, Sept. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the South Campus library, 4900 S. Willow Springs Road in Willow Springs.

You can apply in person for one or more of several open positions at Lyons Township High School, which has immediate openings for an administrative assistant, a para-educator, a student assistant (security), in technology services and in building and grounds.

Each position offers full benefits. Registration is encouraged. Visit www.lths.net/employment to register and submit a resume. Email HR Director Ed Piotrowski at epiotrowski@lths.net with questions.

Online” on Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.

Kids ages 4-up can choose either in-person or Zoom attendance for Lapsit Storytime on Sept.

23 at 10:30 a.m., After School Art Escape on Sept. 23 at 3:30 p.m., Learn with Lester the Llama on Sept. 25 at 10:30 a.m., ABCs and 123s on Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m., Story Safari on Sept.

28 at 10:30 a.m. and Builders Club 2.0 on Sept.

28 at 4 p.m.

Visit northriversidelibrary.org/events-new to register for all programs.

Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., invites you to play fun drawing games and create your own creepy crawly with cartoonist Mark Anderson during “Andertoons: Bizarre Bugs and Irregular Insects” via Zoom on Sept.

25 at 1 p.m.

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The Brookfield Artwalk returns

Visit brookfield.evanced.info/signup to register for programs.

Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, invites you to Costuming Cosplay where you can learn tricks for finding and assembling costumes, including wig styling and props on Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room. Registration required.

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Visit riversidelibrary.libcal.com/calendar to register for programs.

Riverside Chess Club, open to anyone age 5 through adult, meets in person each Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Guthrie Park, Riverside and Bloomingbank roads in downtown Riverside. Players of all levels welcome. Children under 7 require caregiver over 13. Email sean@riversidechessclub. org for more info.

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The Brookfield Artwalk is back.

Nearly 20 artists will offer their work this Friday evening at locations on Broadway, Grand Boulevard and at the Brookfield Library. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at all locations.

There is a wide variety of art being displayed including ceramics, blockprinting and sculpture, pottery, henna, sci-fi drawings, anime, jewelry and home décor.

And there is live music at multiple locations and active art being created at several more.

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The Landmark, September 22, 2021

To battle COVID, homecoming dances move outside No high heels on football field’s artificial turf

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Both Riverside-Brookfield High School and Lyons Township High School have moved their homecoming dances outdoors this year to avoid dance attendees having to wear face masks and to promote safety while the COVID pandemic is still going strong.

The RBHS homecoming dance will be held Sept. 25 in the school’s football stadium. The theme for the homecoming dance this year is Mamma Mia, the musical featuring songs from the Swedish group ABBA, which was the spring musical at RBHS last spring. The dance will begin at 7 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m. No one will be admitted after 7:30 p.m.

Only RBHS students will be able to attend. Tickets are $10. Because the dance is being held on the artificial turf football field students will not be allowed to wear high heeled shoes on the field.

The weather is expected to be a little cool on Saturday with a daytime high temperature of 68 predicted.

The RBHS Homecoming Court was selected last week. Members of the Homecoming Court are Brooke Craig, Zona Evans, Mary Izzo, Madison Lester, Nina Zoppi, Stephen Berger, Noah Briones, Harrison Covarrubias, Jose Elizondo, and Rickey McDonald. The homecoming king and queen will be announced on Friday.

The LTHS Homecoming dance will be held Oct. 2 at the LTHS South Campus driver’s ed driving range. Monster Entertainment has been hired to transform the driving range into a dance floor and party scene.

The theme of the dance, appropriately enough, is Starry Night. The dance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the LTHS dance will cost $20. Non LTHS students will be permitted to attend if they are approved in advance by the LTHS administration. Tickets for non-LTHS students will cost $30.

Back to 1869

Photo by CATHY MALONEY/Contributor

The flutist Toria Burrell-Hrencecin performing at Sunday’s Picnic Like It’s 1869 event on the bluff overlooking Swan Pond in Riverside. The event was sponsored by the Riverside Landscape Commission. About 50 people attended.

The Landmark, September 22, 2021

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‘Coded: Coated’ examines art’s surfaces

By MICHELLE DYBAL

A

Arts Editor

rt can be evocative and probing, and “Coded: Coated,” the latest exhibit at the Freeark Gallery in the Riverside Arts Center (RAC), does this thoroughly and completely, with the work of three artists, guest curated by Jay Wolke.

Wolke, the newest member of the RAC board of directors, is an artist too, with his photographic works in the permanent collection at the Art Institute of Chicago; the MOMA and Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Wolke is also professor of Photography at Columbia College Chicago. Exhibit curating is another area of expertise and when asked to curate a show at RAC, his idea was to “have an exhibition based on materiality and how that contributes to the way we see objects or understand their meanings.”

“Coded: Coated” features Chicago artists Jonathan Castillo and Paul Somers, along with Hannah Givler from Iowa City, Iowa. Wolke said each artist has their own approach to working with surface. Givler is minimalist; Somers is an abstract relief sculptural artist using an “almost maximalist approach;” and Castillo is a photographer employing handmade paper.

Wolke feels there is a resonance among the works: “Each one takes a uniquely powerful approach to putting idea and message into the work and each one has a unique approach to the materials that they’ve chosen.”

While the approach may differ, a common thread is that the materials bring into question a bigger issue. With Castillo’s work, four floor-to-ceiling portraits of “Julia” printed in cyanotype on assembled 3-by-3 panes of handmade paper, the material itself contains the message. The paper is made from shredded $20 bills. The money is representative of Julia’s student debt, the young woman in the photos. Each portrait costs $13,793.26, which includes paying off a portion of the sitter’s loans.

“Julia #2” by Jonathan Castillo.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY RIVERSIDE ART CENTER

SURFACE IMPRESSIONS: Artist Jonathan Castillo (left) discusses his work “Julia,” part of Coded: Coated at the Freeark Gallery, Riverside Arts Center, through Oct. 16.

In Somers’ art, heavy felt is sewn with the kinds of let- language and processes that would produce an artifact or ters and numbers seen on school sports jerseys, a screen- thing that would have ideas behind it. Hence the idea of a printed gun, plastic animals, deconstructed footballs, other code, a code being something that is not a real thing, but one must decipher, or know how to “kitsch” — juxtaposed in one piece decipher, in order to understand its with a rainbow patch and another meaning. The idea of coated in that patch featuring a unicorn with a meaning has, at least to some degree, rainbow mane, in a different work to do with the surface of the work itwith a pink thong. According to Wolke, Somers’ art “questions and deself.” constructs masculinity and cultural The overarching idea of “Coded: expectations around men and male Coated” is to look beyond the suractivity, especially around sports.” face, not just when viewing art, but “Idea and material are very much everywhere. at play with each other,” Wolke said “A great role of art is to take things of Somers’ art. that we might already have experiGivler’s minimalism most blatantence with and recontextualize them ly asks the viewer to question what is and repurpose them, and that inbeing seen. “Drape Plane,” made of cludes images in a way that includes pine veneer, looks like wood and acts a new context,” Wolke said. “I think like wood for the top three-quarters that is the primary function of what of the piece mounted on the gallery an arts institution does — looks at wall, but then is cut and drapes like the world differently. fabric.

“I want people to walk away hav“She subverts the expectations we ing been challenged and entertained have of materials,” Wolke said. “… and I want them to be able to think a Her work is incredible at transforlittle differently about the way they mation and demanding we make “Drape Plane” by Hannah Givler. see,” he added. “I hope the works will sense of what we’re looking at.” provoke a cultural dialogue because It is this play of material in art all three of these [artists’] works are that explains the exhibit title “Coded: Coated.” representative of larger social and political ideas.”

“They are so closely aligned in the making of art objects,” See “Coded: Coated” at the RAC, 32 E. Quincy St., RiverWolke said of the title words. “I thought it was a logical com- side, through Oct. 16. Gallery hours, Thursdays through bination of ideas. Most art, obviously, is a representation, it Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Artist talk with Jonathan Castillo on is not the real thing, so it relies on certain kinds of visual Sunday, Sept. 26, 2 p.m. More: riversideartscenter.com.

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The Landmark, September 22, 2021

Local food pantry eyes Brookfield Ave. warehouse Share Food Share Love hopes to eventually purchase property

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Share Food Share Love Food Pantry, founded in 2015 and operated out of the basement of Faith Lutheran Church in Brookfield, saw steady growth in its clientele prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The food pantry, which is an agency of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, served roughly 150 people per month into the early days of 2020. That changed almost overnight in the wake of the pandemic.

“Within a couple of weeks we doubled our need,” said John Dumas, a member of the Faith Lutheran congregation who is administrative director of the food pantry, which now operates independently of the church.

At the pandemic’s height, some 300 people sought food from the pantry, which since March 2020 has provided pre-packaged bags of food to its clients twice a week – Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings – outside of the church.

The number of clients has reduced somewhat, but the food pantry still serves 250 from about 15 communities people weekly, and that has meant the food pantry needs more room, especially since they would like to resume letting clients choose their own food, inside the building.

“In January and February our board discussed moving things back inside, but if we did that we knew we wouldn’t have enough room,” Dumas said.

FILE

Share Food Share Love administrative director John Dumas So Share Food Share Love Food Pantry enlisted the help of commercial real estate broker Dan Chopp to scout possible new locations for its operation, and settled on the industrial/office building at 9030 Brookfield Ave. Located in the SA-6 zoning district, the

PHOTOS BY ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

It’s hot!

Chili lovers (right) sampled the hot stuff and young hopefuls (above) tried their luck at games, during the annual Chili Fest and Cook-off at the Village Commons in North Riverside. For more photos visit online at RBLandmark.com

building had been a non-conforming use in the district prior to action earlier this year by the Brookfield Village Board to allow the buildings in that stretch of Brookfield avenue to continue to be used for commercial purposes.

But, the village board also requires any

new non-residential use to obtain a special use permit to operate in that fashion. Share Food Share Love will have their special use application considered at a public hearing before the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. “We’re dedicated about being good neighbors,” said Dumas, who said the food pantry has not been a source of complaints at its present residential location. “We’ll do what we need to do to make it work.”

Dumas said the food pantry will lease about 5,000 square feet of the 7,000-squarefoot building. The front office area will include a client waiting room with the pantry in the warehouse space behind it.

Eventually, said Dumas, Share Food Share Love plans to occupy the entire space. The nonprofit’s goal is to eventually purchase the building from the current owner, Main Holdings Inc., which purchased the property in 2009 for $300,000, according to Cook County property records.

The food pantry does not intend to use the alley, which abuts residential properties. All deliveries will be made on Brookfield Avenue, where there’s an overhead garage door to take in such deliveries, and the entrance for clients will also be on Brookfield Avenue, with plenty of parking spaces along the railroad tracks across the street.

“There’s more parking than you can imagine,” said Dumas.

The Landmark, September 22, 2021

Sundays, 10am

Sunday School 9:30

FILE

Brookfield Fire Chief Jim Adams

Brookfield Fire Department wins $857,000 in federal grants Money will fund new pumper/ladder truck, onboard computers for fleet

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The village of Brookfield will be able to retire its two oldest fire engines and replace them with a single vehicle combining a pumper and ladder truck after winning an $800,000 grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistant to Firefighters Program.

Fire Chief Jim Adams, who wrote the grant request, said the new “quint,” as the vehicle is called, is expected to cost $1.1 million to $1.2 million, easily the single most expensive vehicle the village has ever had to purchase.

A committee of firefighters is working now to finalize exactly how the village will configure the new rig, and Adams said the hope is to secure pricing through a municipal purchasing cooperative in order to shortcut the competitive bidding for the purchase.

Still, it will be months before the new engine will go into service.

“Usually 10 months is the turnaround,” Adams said. “I’d love to have it in service one year from today.”

Obtaining a grant of that size will allow the village to replace a pumper truck that is 30 years old and the fire department’s ladder truck, which is 20 years old. The old pumper is a reserve engine, but it still sees service, said Adams. As recently as last week, the 1991 pumper was in service as the front line engine at Fire Station 2, filling in for the main engine, which was in the shop for service.

“To say that I’m proud of Jim is an understatement,” said Brookfield Village Manager Timothy Wiberg. “I don’t know what timing is on getting that money, but we will be including … it as part of the [2022] budget workshop, and I certainly hope the board

will be supportive of leveraging [the village’s share of the cost].”

Adams said buying a quint made the most sense for Brookfield in terms of using manpower most efficiently. The existing ladder truck is just that, said Adams. It’s a rolling toolbox topped with a 100-foot extension ladder.

“With the minimal manpower we have, running a truck like that doesn’t make sense,” Adams said.

Combining the pumper and ladder truck into one vehicle, said Adams, “You have four guys in one rig working it, which is a more efficient use of manpower.”

Although the engine will be a large apparatus – about 12-feet high – it will have no trouble fitting into a bay at the main fire station on Shields Avenue, Adams said.

The grant for the new vehicle was just one of two FEMA grants the fire department was awarded. Brookfield also has been given a little more than $57,000 through the federal agency’s Fire Safety and Prevention Grant Program.

That money will go toward the purchase of 11 mobile data terminals, laptop computers that will be installed in each of the department’s response vehicles. The computers will allow firefighters the ability to get instant information on buildings – from potential hazards to floor plans – they are responding to.

The computers will also be linked to the village’s GIS system, showing where fire hydrants are located (good when they may be covered by snow) and will allow firefighters to input and access fire inspection reports in the field.

“Information we don’t know we’ll have right at our fingertips now,” Adams said. “It’s a huge leap in technology here, because we’ve never had that in our vehicles.”

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The Landmark, September 22, 2021

North Riverside plans water main work on 26th Street Project to switch water service lines will result in rolling lane closures

By BOB UPHUES Editor

If you plan on heading west on 26th Street during working hours in the next couple of months, be forewarned that you’re likely to run into sporadic lane reductions to accommodate a water main project that will extend from roughly Hainsworth Avenue to Lewe Court.

On Sept. 7, trustees voted 5-1 to award a $400,000 construction contract to Orland Park-based Riccio Construction, the lower of two companies submitting bids for the work.

Both bids came in higher than the village engineer’s estimate of $397,850, with Riccio bidding about $451,000. The only other bid, from Trine Construction, came in at nearly $612,000.

Trustee Marybelle Mandel, who cast the lone vote against the contract, suggested the village board reject both bids and seek new ones, but Village Administrator Sue Scarpiniti said it was doubtful bids would be more competitive, since six firms picked up the village’s bid packet and just two returned bids.

In addition, seeking bids at this point would delay construction to the point that

the work might not be able to be completed before cold weather set in. Village Attorney Kevin Kearney added that because half of the project is being funded by a federal Community Development Block Grant, the project must be done in the calendar year the grant was awarded.

In order to keep the project within the $400,000 budget set by the village, the scope

Olmsted Society Stewards of the land and Olmsted’s Plan

Earlier in the month, it was very exciting to have WGN’s “Around Town With Ana Belaval” in town to highlight our Riverside Walking Tours. Ana and the crew were professional, fun, and did a fantastic job showcasing iconic sites in the South Division. The show generated a terrific response from viewers, and we welcome all those wanting to tour our lovely village.

On October 19, a Zoom presentation with Michelangelo Sabatino & Serge Ambrose, authors of “Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses,” will spotlight Riverside’s Freeark House & include a conversation with current owner Kim Freeark & Architect John Vinci.

Register at the Riverside Library website Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses 1929-1975 to receive a link to the presentation.

Warm summer days are transitioning to cooler, crisper weather, perfect for taking a tour or volunteering at a Landscape Workday.

The next Landscape Workday is October 16, 9am-Noon, at Longcommon Common.

RSVP workdays@olmstedsociety.org.

Visit olmstedsociety.org or facebook.com/RiversideFLOS for details

of work was reduced.

What may have driven some bidders away is that, for water main work, the North Riverside project is not typical. Instead of installing a new water main, the village is actually switching about two dozen water service lines from an old 8-inch main under the north half of 26th Street to a newer 12inch water main located under the north

sidewalk.

The 8-inch main is approximately 80 to 90 years old, according to Public Works Director Tim Kutt and has been a maintenance problem. The 12-inch main is probably 40 to 50 years old.

Work is tentatively scheduled to begin Sept. 27, said Kutt, and will impact westbound traffic and the north sidewalk during the eight weeks of construction. Sidewalk squares will need to be removed and replaced where service lines from properties will connect to the 12-inch water main. The service lines running from the 8-inch main will then be sealed and abandoned in place.

“We’re trying to minimize the time people will be without water,” Kutt said.

Kutt said he expects rolling lane closures in the westbound curb lane along 26th Street as crews move from service line to service line along the main.

Workers will also need to cut several holes into the roadway in order to cap valves where the 8-inch main connects to north/south water mains for residential side streets. At the end of the project workers will also need to open small sections of 26th Street to cap each end of the 8-inch main before abandoning it in place.

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P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Cop interrupts aggravated carjacking at Harlem BP A North Riverside police officer observed an attempted aggravated vehicular hijacking, Sept. 14, in a BP gas station on Harlem Avenue.

He saw a suspect exit a silver Infiniti sedan and approach the driver of a 2015 Dodge Charger who was standing at a gas pump. The suspect allegedly had two pistols drawn.

On seeing the officer approach, the suspect returned to the Infiniti and the car sped westbound on 26th St. at an increasing rate of speed. The car reached 93 mph as it crossed 1st Avenue. The officer reported the Infiniti made an abrupt turn onto 6th Avenue toward Cermak Road.

At that point, the officer was ordered to end the pursuit.

The victim was unharmed and unable to provide a detailed description.

A license plate check indicated the Infiniti had been stolen in a carjacking out of Maywood. Later on Sept. 14, the car was found by Chicago police, unoccupied on the 4600 block of S. Ellis in Chicago.

Fraud with Microsoft’s name Both the Brookfield and the North Riverside police departments reported incidents of alleged fraud last week. In both instances, the come-on was related to alleged fraudulent actions involving the victims’ bank accounts and Microsoft.

On Sept. 15 in Brookfield, the victim said, he had received multiple calls identified as coming from PNC Bank and Microsoft saying that $15,000 in fraudulent charges had been made on his account. He was told to spend the money remaining in the account on gift cards that he could use “to remake new accounts.” The man purchased $1,500 in Target gift cards and presented the numerical codes from those cards to the alleged perpetrators. It was only then that he believed he had been scammed. He called PNC and was told his accounts were in order.

Meanwhile in North Riverside on Sept. 17, a woman was at her job on Cermak Road in Berwyn searching YouTube. Her computer locked and then offered messages telling the user to

contact Microsoft to unlock the device. The alleged Microsoft employee told her that $12,500 had been withdrawn from her account at BMO Harris and that the only way to retrieve those funds was to withdraw an additional $12,500 and deposit it into a Bitcoin machine nearby.

She was also told that if she raised questions at the bank while making the withdrawal, she might be blackmailed and charged with possessing child pornography.

When she contacted her bank after making the Bitcoin deposits, she was told that her bank account was in order.

The Landmark, September 22, 2021

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Hit-and-run On Sept. 15 an auto-bicycle hit-and-run took place at 1st Avenue and 31st Street. The unknown driver of a Chevrolet Suburban was turning left from 1st Avenue onto 31st Street when it hit a bicycle rider crossing 31st. The accident took place at 4:45 p.m. and resulted in several 911 calls to Brookfield police.

Witnesses said the bike rider was in his late 50s, wearing a neon shirt. He was reportedly on his feet after the accident and was transported to Loyola University Medical Center by Riverside paramedics.

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The show must go on A performance of the play Coastal Disturbances, which is currently being performed on the volleyball court at Brookfield’s Ehlert Park was disturbed Sept. 18 when residents of a neighboring house cranked up their music to an “extreme” level according to a police report.

Disorderly conduct charges were brought.

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These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Sept. 13-19 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

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The Landmark, September 22, 2021

Growing Community Media & A Tribe Called Aging Present

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Our FREE GIFT to the community watch it free on ZOOM in your own home

Appreciating the beauty of impermanence, a quarterly Film Series encouraging everyone to embrace and respect our aging population and the transformation of our society.

Fast-

Forward Friday, October 1 • 10am

If you could see your family’s future, would you change anything? FAST-FORWARD, a documentary film narrated by Rosario Dawson, follows four millennials and their parents as they travel through time to meet their future selves. Wearing an MIT-produced “aging empathy suit” and working with professional make-up artists, they grapple with the realizations, conversations and mindset required to age with intention.

Family dynamics are a primary driver of success -or failure -as we age. Being intentional and talking about your future 20, 30 or 40 years ahead of time with your closest relatives is never premature or off-limits. With expert commentary by medical and aging professionals, we see sons and fathers, daughters and mothers laugh, cry, and have heartwarming ‘aha’ moments together. They revisit their plans, make big changes, and approach the rest of their lives with a whole new perspective.

FAST-FORWARD is a story that shows how successful aging is possible when intergenerational loved ones converse about their needs, communicate from the heart, and plan for the process ahead. Ultimately, the families learn they have more control over how they age than they thought.

Following the film we will be joined by director Michael Eric Hurtig for a live Q & A!

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The Landmark, September 22, 2021

BRIDGE

Group Inc., which the village hired as the lead engineering firm for the bridge project, are putting together cost estimates for two

possible alternate solutions – open cutting a trench across the bottom of Salt Creek or hanging the new section of water main

from the new bridge itself.

Either would be expensive change orders that would have to be approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation, which is the agency in charge of the project, which has received a federal grant covering 80 percent of the total cost.

Open cutting the riverbed would also need a permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and would involve temporarily damming an area of the creek with sheet piling and pumping the water out to create an exposed work space.

Wiberg estimated that open-cutting the river bed would cost an additional $300,000 while hanging the pipe from the bridge could be more expensive than that. Brookfield would be responsible for 20 percent of that extra cost.

He expressed confidence that the water main work could be completed this year, but said the water main issue will mean the actual bridge won’t be constructed until next year.

Even before that work can continue, Lorig Construction, the general contractor for the project, needs to finish demolishing the concrete piers from the old bridge. Perhaps that work can be done during the winter months, but not until ComEd relocates and de-energizes a power line near the northwest corner of the bridge area, a problem that stopped the demolition work west of Salt Creek in late July.

in base pay for the remaining three years of the contract. The starting salary for a firstyear teacher with a bachelor’s degree is now $45,788. A teacher with a master’s degree and 10 years of seniority will now make $70,972.

Teachers with 10 to 20 years of experience will be getting 4.25 percent raises this year, three percent raises in the next two school years, and a 2.75 percent raise for the 20242025 school year.

Teachers with more than 20 years of experience will get raises of four percent this year, 2.75 percent raises for the next two years, and a 2.5 percent raise in the 2024-25 school year.

The negotiations on the new contract, which were all conducted over Zoom, went on for about three months and were completed in June but teachers and other school staff didn’t vote on the contract until after they returned to school.

Both sides in the negotiations described the negotiations as collaborative and said that trust was built between the two sides.

“It really was a good process,” said District 96 Superintendent Martha Ryan-Toye.

Last year some teachers felt they weren’t really listened to in the district when the district started the school year with a hybrid learning plan when 60 percent of teachers favored 100 percent remote learning. When the district decided to switch to full day in person learning last spring, a majority of teachers opposed the switch. Teachers were also angered in May when former school board member Jeff Miller said staff members who were not vaccinated against COVID were irresponsible in the wake of an unvaccinated paraprofessional at Hollywood and a kindergarten student at Hollywood with whom the

paraprofessional worked both tested positive for COVID. At Miller’s last meeting before his term expired a large group of teachers wearing red shirts gathered outside Ames School where the meeting was held to show their displeasure and the then union co-presidents wrote a letter to school board president Dan Hunt expressing their outrage at Miller’s comments and calling on him to resign.

But new union co-presidents Jeffrey Wydra, fourth grade teacher at Ames, and Brad Meyer, an instrumental music teacher at L.J. Hauser Junior High School, said that the negotiations on the new contract went well and said that a more collaborative relationship was being built with the school board and administration.

“I think that according to our vote, 111 to 14, I think people were much pleased with what we came up with, and we’re building relationships with the Board of Education in a positive way,” Wydra said after the board vote. “They’re hearing what we need; we’re hearing what they need, and it really shows in the vote.”

Meyer agreed that the negotiations went smoothly.

“I believe the whole process in general, from start to finish, was extremely collaborative, extremely professional,” Meyer said.

“This is a great start to our tenure as union presidents. It’s a great step forward for both the district and the union in working together to help the students do the best and succeed in the district.”

The collaborative spirit extended to creating a joint teacher-administration Professional Learning Planning Team to plan

professional development for teachers in an attempt to give teachers more input into their own professional development. In the past some teachers thought the district’s professional development was too administrator driven.

Teachers are required to participate in eight after school professional development sessions a year that can last no longer than 75 minutes each. They are also required to stay after school for no more than an hour six times a year for faculty meetings.

Annual sick days were increased one day to 14 paid sick days a year. Staff will also get two additional personal days that they can take for religious holidays that are not days off in the district. That is in addition to the three personal days staff already had.

Teachers are required to be at school each day for at least seven hours and 10 minutes with at least 30 minutes for lunch. The contract calls for elementary school teachers to get at least 270 minutes of planning time a week during the school day. Hauser teachers get at least five periods a week, each lasting at least 20 minutes but preferably 30 minutes, for individual planning time and get five more periods a week for team planning time.

Educational support employees are receiving a three percent raise this year, and 2.75 percent raises in each of the remaining three years of the contract. The staring salary for a school secretary was increased to $31,883 and will increase to $33,834 in the last year of the contract. The starting salary for paraprofessionals and library assistants was raised to $18.71 an hour and increases to $19.86 an hour in the 2024-25 school year.

Latest delay from page 1 hall parking lot and then west under Salt Creek the before bending south and reconnecting to the water main on the west side of the bridge. The work was to be done using an auger to bore the hole for the new section of pipe.

But somewhere below the creek, the auger hit an obstruction.

According to Wiberg, the engineering firm and general contractor didn’t know what the obstruction was. Maybe it was a large boulder, bedrock or some other structure abandoned in place from an earlier project, like the MWRD’s Deep Tunnel system, a section of which runs through that area.

Because there are so many underground utilities, from fiber-optic lines to the section of the sewer connected to the Deep Tunnel, after a couple of weeks of study they believed they had found 10-foot wide corridor a bit farther north where they could drill a new hole.

But, the auger again hit another obstruction, possibly the same as the first, sending engineers back to the drawing board.

Wiberg said that engineers from Ciorba

D96

New contract approved from page 1 PPO health insurance premiums increased by two percent and many staff felt that their pay raises were eaten up by increased health insurance costs.

In the new contract teachers and other union employees will now pay one percent less of their health insurance premiums.

That translates to five percent of the premium for an HMO plan for a single person, nine percent of the premium for a single person PPO plan, 15 percent of the premium for a family HMO plan and 19 percent of the premium for a family PPO plan. The change is expected to cost the district an additional $17,000 a year.

“We figured that concession would help a little bit since that was a big topic with the last ratification,” said school board member Wesley Muirheid, who along with Joel Marhoul, served as the school board’s representatives on the district’s negotiating team.

Salary increases in the new contract average out to 3.3 percent a year. All teachers are getting a one-time 1.25 percent salary increase to compensate them for the loss of the per diem stipends which were previously paid for professional development meetings.

District 96 uses step increases only for the first 10 years of a teacher’s career. Teachers with 10 years or less experience will get a two percent increase in base pay (plus step increases) this year and a .5 percent increase

13

BOB UPHUES/Editor

The Brookfield Avenue bridge over Salt Creek, which last received a major overhaul in 1986, will be replaced from the riverbed up next year, resulting in a wider, more pedestrian-friendly structure.

14

The Landmark, September 22, 2021

Opinion

THE LANDMARK VIEW

N

Modern-day firefighting

ot sure if back in the Fire Academy they teach a course in scoring large grants from larger units of government. If they do, Brookfield Fire Chief Jim Adams must have aced the class.

With his leadership, Brookfield has now scored two critical grants from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The first, with a lofty $800,000 attached, will pay the lion’s share of the $1.1 to $1.2 million cost of a new fire truck which will become the backbone of the department’s small fleet.

In addition to securing the critical funds, this purchase represents a notable strategic decision by the department in shifting the equipment and the staffing it will need to fight fires going forward.

The “quint,” as the vehicle is called, joins the functions of a traditional pump truck and ladder truck into a single vehicle.

It allows the department to retire two aging vehicles and replace it with the multi-function quint, which can be run with the lower staffing levels now common in departments.

A committee of firefighters is currently working out the specs they want on this truck, which will be, by a margin, the most expensive piece of equipment the village has ever purchased. Adams expects the quint to be on the street one year from now.

Not to be overshadowed, though, is a $57,000 grant the department has obtained from FEMA to purchase 11 mobile data terminals. These are effectively laptops that will be installed in each of the department’s response vehicles. The new technology will put a range of time-critical information in front of firefighters as they travel to a fire. This includes building floor plans and potential hazards, the location of all nearby fire hydrants, and all fire inspection records.

This is modern-day firefighting. And modern-day grant writing.

A better dress code

Combining the insights of students and administrators, Riverside-Brookfield High School has made notable changes to its dress code for the fall semester. We applaud the effort, which eases up on restrictions on wearing baseball caps, headscarves, bandanas and hoodies to class. The new code also is less restrictive of the design of sleeveless attire that previously had a pretty ridiculous minimum width for straps. Sounds like something from the 1950s.

There are still, rightfully, prohibitions on clothing “deemed vulgar, inappropriate, unsafe or disruptive.”

That translates partly to clothes pushing alcohol or drug messaging or which are sexually suggestive in their messaging.

An acknowledged accomplishment here is to back off clothing restrictions aimed primarily at students of color or young women. That is a positive improvement to a welcoming culture at RB.

Aim higher

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Frank Province, of Forest Park, throws a dart on Sept. 18, during the annual Chili Fest and Cook-off at the Village Commons in North Riverside. For more photos, see page 14 and visit online at RBLandmark.com

OBITUARIES

Steven J. Daily, 73 Worked in well-drilling business Steven James “Freddie” Daily, 73, of Riverside, died peacefully on Sept. 9, 2021, at his home after a short battle with cancer, with his loving wife and daughter by his side.

Mr. Daily was born in Lansing, Michigan, on Aug. 9, 1948 and was a member of the Holt Nazarene Church. After high school, he was drafted into the Army and certified STEVEN J. DAILY as a tank turret mechanic. He served in South Korea 2/10 Calvary HH Troop and was honorably discharged as an E5 in 1970.

For 30 years he worked in the well drilling business, beginning early with the family business, Daily & Jackson Well Drilling. He was known by his fellow coworkers as a local legend in the field.

He was also featured in the Lansing State Journal for his heroic efforts helping to rescue several stranded residents in the Lansing area during the blizzard of 1978. He was accredited for saving several lives during the seven-day rescue effort.

In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, watching car racing, motorcycles and collecting guns. After

surviving a brain aneurysm in 1997, Steven enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing cards, doing word find puzzles, walking his dog, watching Family Feud, and doing yard work with his wife.

Mr. Daily was a beloved village of Riverside resident for the last seven years, who greeted everyone with a wave, a smile, and a mint on his daily walks around the community.

He was preceded in death by his infant son, Steven James Daily Jr.; his father, Ira Daily; his mother, Janet Louise Gross; his stepfather, Harold Francis Gross; his twin brother, David Lee Daily and his sister, Judy Ann Daily.

Mr. Daily is survived by his wife, Jane Daily; his daughter, Ami Daily; his stepsons, Mark Pine, Jeffrey (Kathy) Pine and Jason (Katina) Pine; his stepdaughter, Kelly (Ron) Holakovsky; his grandchildren, Courtney, Justin, Tyler, Morgan, Logan, Nicholas, Dylan, Connor and Kennedy; his great grandson, Charlie; and his faithful furry companion, Buddy.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25 at Estes-Leadley Funeral Home, 2121 Cedar St., Holt, Michigan, 48842 with visitation beginning at noon.

Memorial contributions, in honor of Steven, may be made to the American Cancer Society at donate3. cancer.org.

Cremation services were provided by Ivins/ Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside.

To leave an online condolence, visit estesleadley. com.

The Landmark, September 22, 2021

TIKTOK

A ‘ridiculous’ trend from page 3 we believe are related to the devious lick TikTok challenge,” said Dave Mannon, assistant principal for student affairs at Riverside-Brookfield High School, in an email.

“The deans and security have done a good job with hallway supervision and bathroom checks to monitor and address any incidents.”

April Mahy, the principal of L.J. Hauser Junior High shared her concerns about the trend in an impassioned email to Hauser parents on Sept. 17 asking for their help in combating the trend.

Mahy wrote that some students had made very poor choices and she told parents, in all capital letters, “WE NEED YOUR HELP.”

Mahy called the devious licks phenomenon “one of the most ridiculous national trends in recent memory.”

In her email to parents Mahy wrote that students are encouraged to steal items from the school such as soap dispensers from the bathrooms, fire extinguishers, paper towel holders, pencil sharpeners, and classroom items that have the teacher’s name on them.

Some students also stuff toilets and steal urinal cakes.

“Bathroom and teacher’s classroom items have been stolen or destroyed all in the name of this social media challenge,” Mahy wrote in her email to parents.

Mahy asked parents to help stop this behavior by talking to their children and monitoring their social media activity. She also said that students committing vandalism might be reported to the police.

“We are asking all families to reinforce the message that this behavior is unacceptable at school,” Mahy wrote. “Students found to be

doing these things will face the most serious consequences that can be enforced and may be escalated to the Riverside Police Department as vandalism and destruction of property.”

Thus far though no incidents at Hauser or RBHS have been reported to the Riverside Police Department, said Matt Buckley, Riverside’s public safety director.

Mahy did not return a call from the Landmark asking about devious licks incidents.

Riverside Elementary School District 96 Superintendent Martha Ryan-Toye said that Mahy believes that talking to press about the incidents would only encourage more incidents. Ryan-Toye said she did not have an estimate of the damage to Hauser but said that she thought it was minor and that nothing had reached the level of reporting it to police or seeking financial restitution.

Ryan Evans, principal at S.E. Gross Middle School in Brookfield, also sent an email to parents last week about the devious licks trend.

In response to an inquiry from the Landmark

15

Evans said that there have been a few incidents at Gross.

“We have seen some juvenile behavior in the bathrooms,” Evans said in an email to the Landmark. “At this time it has had little financial impact. We have had great support from our parent community in talking with their children about this and the reinforcement of expectations here at school.”

Komarek School Principal Diane Michelini said there have been a couple of minor incidents at Komarek including a soap dispenser being removed from a boys bathroom and water on the floor in a boys bathroom.

Lyons Township High School principal Jennifer Tyrrell said there have been devious lick incidents at LTHS. “We’ve experienced some incidents of damage at both North and South campus over the course of the last week or so. At this point we continue to increase our presence and supervision in order to deter that behavior within our school,” she said.

OBITUARIES

Eva Doubeck, 100

Richard Roleck, 79

Member of North Riverside Golden Agers

Engineer

Eva Swiech Doubeck, 100, died peacefully at home in North Riverside on Sept. 14, 2021. She loved flowers and the Chicago Clubs and was a member of the North Riverside Golden Agers.

Eva was the mothEVA DOUBECK er of Wayne (Carol), Joyce, Judy (Russell), the late Janet (the late Robert), Bruce (Maritza), Gwen (Roger), and the late Craig; and the grandmother and great-grandmother of many.

She was preceded in death by husbands Warren Stephen Swiech (37 years) and Roy Doubeck (15 years); her siblings, Edward, Marie, Lillian, and Martha; and three beloved chihuahuas Mitiki, Kotiki and Fifi.

Interment of cremated remains will take place in spring 2022 at Chapel Hill Gardens Cemetery, Oakbrook Terrace.

Arrangements were handled by the Cremation Society of Illinois, 773-281-5058 or www. cremation-society.com.

Richard Roleck, 79, of Brookfield, died on Sept. 17, 2021. An engineer who worked in manufacturing, he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and an avid boat enthusiast.

Richard was the RICHARD ROLECK husband of the late Noreen Roleck (nee O’Donnell); the father of Richard John (Lori) Roleck, Jeffrey Allen (Jackie) Roleck, David Michael (Alana) Roleck and Christopher Scott (Shannon) Roleck; grandfather of Cassidy, Caleigh, Camryn, Matthew, Kate, Abigael, Nora, Josephine, Emmett and Liam; brother of the late Shirley Roleck; and uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 21 from 3 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 22, 9 to 9:30 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Barbara Catholic Church, 4000 Prairie Ave., Brookfield at

10 a.m.

Current COVID regulations require all in attendance to wear a mask indoors.

Entombment will take place at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.

Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com

Frank Volpe, 67 Football coach at St. Mary’s Francis (Frank) Volpe, 67, who died recently, generously volunteered for nearly 30 years as a youth coach, most notably as a legendary football coach for St. Mary’s in Riverside. Under his leadership, FRANK VOLPE his teams won nine league championships, and during his finest season, the team went undefeated without allowing a single point. He spent several years coaching football at Riverside-Brookfield High School and St Joseph High School. A longtime board member for the Catholic Grade

School Conference of Chicagoland, he was honored as Coach of the Year in 1999. The CGSC later annually awarded a plaque named after him to the junior varsity football league champion called “The Frank Volpe Award.” One of his female players, Laura Enriquez, recently authored a book about her experience playing for Frank titled, Demons (the nickname of the St. Mary’s football team).

He also coached basketball and baseball at St. Mary’s and served for many years as a board member of the St. Mary’s Sports Club. As someone once remarked: “Initially you see Frank as this gruff, kinda scary guy, but after you know him, you realize he is just a big cuddly teddy bear!” He will be sorely missed by his family and friends, including dozens of coaches and hundreds of players.

Frank was the husband of Barbara Volpe; the father of Joseph Volpe and father-in-law of Casey Volpe; grandfather of Oliver Francis Volpe; son of the late Joan and Joseph Volpe; brother of Joann Volpe and Alyce Sosnowski and brother in-law of John Sosnowski; uncle of Molly Sosnowski, Marc Sosnowski, and more nieces, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

The family hopes to have a Celebration of Life event later this year.

To run an obituary Please contact Bob Uphues by e-mail: buphues@rblandmark.com, or fax: 708/524-9066 before Monday at noon.

Please include a photo if possible.

16

The Landmark, September 22, 2021

Sports

@RBLandmark

Frosh swimmer grows up fast

Vlcek has broken several R-B records already

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside-Brookfield freshman swimmer Hailey Vlcek began her first R-B Invitational Sept. 11 with the 200-yard freestyle and quite a challenge.

The competition included talented Oak Park and River Forest High School freshman Sadie Murphy, Vlcek’s teammate on the Academy Bullets Club swim team.

“She normally beats me at pretty much everything,” Vlcek said. “I beat her once before, the 200 [butter]fly, but she just swam right before the event.”

This time, Vlcek finished first.

There was more to celebrate. It was the first of Vlcek’s two school records previously held by Sara Martinek from 2004.

“It was before I was born,” said Vlcek, smiling.

“I want to say determination [helped]. I really wanted to, not say win, but I just really wanted to have at it, get new [best] times. I wasn’t expecting to break two records, but that’s what happened. I was kind of nervous but it was a nervous excited.”

Vlcek’s 1:54.19 beat the 1:55.28 school and frosh-soph record. Murphy was second in 1:55.07.

“I touched the wall and then I looked up at the [record] board and my jaw dropped,” Vlcek said. “Oh yeah, 100 percent [Murphy

pushed me].”

Later in the 100 free, Vlcek’s 52.85 broke the 53.16 varsity and frosh-soph record to win by more than three seconds.

On Sept. 7 at York, Vlcek’s 1:00.64 for the 100 fly broke the frosh-soph school record of 1:01.23

by Claire Kawiecki in 2016.

“She made a big jump [at the invite],” said R-B coach Mike Laurich, who also coaches Vlcek with the Bullets, which trains at R-B. “We knew she’d make an impact. She was always that kid you saw working really hard. Everything she got, she’s worked for.”

Vlcek’s records already have beaten the 52.86 and 1:54.88 times needed at sectionals to automatically qualify for the Nov. 12-13 state meet.

R-B senior Mary Izzo qualified for 2019 state in the 100 free. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 state meet was not held.

As a sophomore, Izzo came within .1 of R-B’s 100 free record.

“I was definitely sad. But I’m so happy [Vlcek] got it now,” Izzo said. “I love watching her. It sounds weird, but it’s so cool watching this girl come up and she has three years left, four basically. I’m like, ‘She’s going to kill it.’”

The summer before fourth grade, Vlcek began competitive swimming with the Village Field Club and joined the Bullets soon afterwards.

Izzo also competes for the Bullets, but club events are divided by age groups. Vlcek and Izzo knew of each other, but not personally.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

MUTUAL SUPPORT: Senior varsity swimmer Mary Izzo, left, and freshman varsity swimmer Hailey Vlcek, in the Aquatic Center at Riverside Brookfield High School. Izzo serves as Vlcek’s “Big Sister” At this past club state meet, Vlcek and Izzo finally talked and bonded quickly. They’re now paired as part of R-B’s Big Sister, Little Sister team bonding.

“I knew I wanted this girl because she is just an awesome person and super-talented in the water,” Izzo said. “It’s a good relationship because it’s beneficial both ways. I kind of have the wisdom of being on the team, and she’s pushing me to be better myself.”

“I was really happy about that, too. She’s really motivating,” Vlcek said. “I didn’t really expect to come into high school this season and have it turn out this well. I’m really happy because I’ve gotten to meet a lot of the seniors, the juniors. It’s pretty cool that I’ve

gotten to do all of this in such a short amount of time.”

At its six-team invite, R-B (282 points) finished second to OPRF (367). Vlcek and Izzo were part of the second-place 400 free relay with sophomore Kate Ryan and junior Emma McVicker (3:49.37) and second-place 200 free relay with Ryan and junior Aja McKay (1:43.95).

Izzo also was second in the 200 individual medley (2:18.50) and fifth in the 100 backstroke and McKay was third in the 50 free and 100 back. Ryan, McVicker, senior Cecilia Rosa, sophomore Caroline Strubbe and freshman diver Olivia Denson added top-six individual finishes.

Pre-meet prep pays off for Covarrubias Practice round leads to fourth-place showing in MSC meet

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

When Riverside-Brookfield sophomore Mayan Covarrubias realized she would have free time Saturday, she practiced her golf game. She traveled with her parents to Naperbrook Golf Course in Plainfield, the site of Monday’s Metro Suburban Conference Meet, and shot an 85.

“I was just hoping to do a little bit better than that [Monday],” Covarrubias said.

And she did. Even with some All-conference is just part of her challenging rain and winds, she progress this season. At the Bullposted an 84 and tied for fourth to dogs’ Flagg Creek home course, comfortably earn all-conference she improved her best 9-hole score honors with a top-10 finish. The to a 4-over-par 37.

Bulldogs (421) were fifth.

At the 2020 MSC Meet, Covarru“There’s some shots that I want bias shot in the mid-90s. back, stuff that I could have done “It was my first conference better, but I’ll definitely take 84,” match so I felt the nerves definitely Covarrubias said. got to me,” Covarrubias said. “Con“I decided Thursday, Friday, ference was not good last year. That I’m free on the weekend. Why not was probably one of my worst total scout out the place where I’m go- MAYAN COVARRUBIAS 18-hole rounds, but honestly, I had ing to play a tournament? I knew fun. With the rain and everything, the greens were faster. I knew the greens were I felt like that was probably the best I could tougher. And I definitely knew where to place have done [Monday].” the ball at certain holes, whereas if I didn’t R-B juniors Sophie Swicionis (110, tied for come Saturday, I probably would have done 31st) and Ava Storandt (112, 35th) and sophomore Malia Davis (115, 37th) also had counting something different.”

scores, followed by senior Elizabeth Centorcelli (117, 40th), sophomore Kate Newberry (119, 42nd) and juniors Amelia Gardiner (131, tied for 51st) and Abby Roedel (145, 58th).

Third-year R-B coach Doug Schultz is hopeful to perhaps add another coach and junior varsity level after this year’s roster grew to 18 with two seniors from 14 with four seniors in 2020.

The R-B boys finished sixth (358) at the MSC Blue Division Meet Monday at Kankakee Elks Country Club in St. Anne.

Senior Jack Jones (84) tied for 15th. Senior Stephen Berger (90, tied for 25th), sophomore Joey Garvey (91, tied for 27th) and junior Marc Kaplan (93, 29th) also were top-30, followed by juniors Murphy Regan (96) and Will Domanowski (100) and senior Matthew Decosola (106).

The Landmark, September 22, 2021

Growing Community Media

17

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

HELP WANTED River Forest Public Schools District 90

River Forest D90 has an opening for a Evening Custodian. Responsible for cleaning of buildings and grounds, as assigned. A strong work ethic, interpersonal skills and custodial experience is required. Salary commensurate with experience. For consideration, please complete an online application on our District website at www.district90.org.

PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER

Must have own transportation.

For more information

CALL 708-738-3848

The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Part-Time Civilian Information Management Call Taker.

Pay is $17.19/hr. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include high school diploma (or equivalent), good verbal and written skills, working knowledge of the computer and Windows, ability to type accurately, a good working knowledge of the English language, the ability to treat customers and co-workers in a polite manner and the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Data entry skills and experience answering telephones/operating a switchboard are preferred. EVENING AND OVERNIGHT HOURS ARE MANDATORY. Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130.

Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net.

PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER Job Title: Paid-on-Call Firefighter Description: The Village of Riverside Fire Department is seeking applicants for the position of Paidon-Call Firefighter.

Additional Status Information: This is not a full-time position.

Qualifications: - In good physical condition - Reside within 1.5 miles of the boundaries of the Village of Riverside at time of appointment - Be 18 years of age at the time of application - Possess a high school diploma or GED - Possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record Miscellaneous Applications are reviewed in October 2021.

Application deadline is Friday, October 8th, 2021.

The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

Responsible for Developing and Implementing real-time, clinical decision-support software for some of the most prestigious hospitals in the country. Requires Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of experience or Master’s degree plus 2 years of experience in software development. Review full job duties online and apply to: employment@vigilanzcorp.com

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Riverside Department of Public Works is seeking energetic and motivated applicants who enjoy working outdoors. This is a parttime, seasonal position lasting from approximately October through the end of December. Applicants will be expected to work up to 40 hrs. per week or as scheduled by staff.

Primary tasks will include, but not limited to: cutting grass, general facilities maintenance, flushing hydrants, reading meters, assisting full-time employees, and other duties as assigned.

Applicants must be 18 years old, possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug/ alcohol screening.

Applications can be downloaded from the Village website at www. riverside.il.us or picked up at the Riverside Village Hall located at 27 Riverside Rd, Riverside, IL 60546.

Completed applications should be submitted to the Riverside Village Hall or the Riverside Public Works Department, 3860 Columbus Blvd, Riverside, IL 60546. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Pay rate is $15/hr.

The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

HELP WANTED

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Budget and Revenue Analyst in the Development Customer Service Department. This position will Serve the public with professional administrative and analytical duties in the areas of budget preparation, purchasing, payroll, data analysis and process improvement. Provides, prepares and maintains records, and financial and statistical reports and analysis which assist in the Village’s ability to improve business processes and gain efficiencies through better use of technology. Budget duties include assisting in the development, analysis and application of performance measures with regard to Village services and resources; preparing, modifying, tracking and monitoring Village expenses and transfers; and conducting budget-related research and analysis. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park. us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications September 24, 2021.

Illinois Classified Advertising Network WANTED

FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals.

Call 312-291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com

Hire Local.

Place an ad on GCM Classified’s Local Online Job Board.

Go to RBLandmark/classified today!

Contact Stacy Coleman for more information.

(708) 613-3342

scoleman@growingcommunitymedia.org

Find Marketplace listings on the next page!

In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | AustinWeeklyNews.com | RBLandmark.com | ForestParkReview.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

18

The Landmark, September 22, 2021

CLASSIFIED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

MARKETPLACE YARD SALE Oak Park

FREE RUMMAGE SALE JUDSON BAPTIST CHURCH 1252 N AUSTIN AVE SATURDAY OCTOBER 2 11AM-2PM

Small home appliances, clothing, furniture, and more! Everything is free! Event will take place outside in church parking lot.

GARAGE/YARD SALES Oak Park

GARAGE SALE 1108 FAIR OAKS AVE SATURDAY 09/25 8AM-2:30PM

Items include furniture (including a large tv stand and a desk), outdoor portable basketball hoop, boys’ clothing (mostly sizes 8-10), women’s clothing and accessories, toys, children’s booster seats, and various household items (including a waffle maker, rugs, etc). Email: memillh@ gmail.com with any questions. We will add more photos to this gallery throughout the week. https://bit.ly/ OakParkGarageSale.

ITEMS FOR SALE PIANO FOR SALE

R E N TA L S & R E A L E S TAT E CARS WANTED

SUBURBAN RENTALS

Chickering 1938 grand piano, 5’4”.

Good condition. Refurbished and restrung in the past. Buyer must move.

Reasonable at $1000.

BERWYN DELUXE 4 RMS

Call 312-339-2370

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

CEMETARY PLOTS 3 FOREST HOME CEMETERY PLOTS

(3) Side by side Forest Home Cemetery plots. Lot 83 Block SO Section 75. Located at west end of cemetery. Reasonable offers considered.

Contact: 815-671-9321

Riverside

GARAGE/ESTATE SALE FRI 09/24-SAT 09/25 9AM-4PM 156 ADDISON RD

CLASSICS WANTED CLASSICS Restored or Restored or Unrestored Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Import Cars: Cars:

Mercedes, Corvette, Mercedes,Porsche, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, MuscleCars, Cars, Ferrari’s,Jaguars, Jaguars, Muscle Mustang && Mopars Mopars Mustang Top $$ Etc. $$$$Top $$allallmakes, makes, Etc.

Collector James Collector James 630-201-8122 630-201-8122

Deluxe 4 RMS, 1 BDRMS apt. Close to train, hospital, school, park. Includes heat, water, all appliances, laundry facility, parking. Handicap accessible. Just painted, new blinds.

No pets. $995/mo. Sec. dep. 1 mo.

Credit Check. Available Sept or Oct. BROKER

708-347-2500

ROOMS FOR RENT Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave.

Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $125.00. New Mgmt.

312-212-1212

CLASSICS WANTED Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc. 630-201-8122 HOME SERVICES Ceiling Fans Installed

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair

708-488-9411

Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

708-296-2060

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HAULING

PLASTERING

BASEMENT CLEANING

McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery.

708-848-9404

LANDSCAPING BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

PLUMBING Supreme Plumbing & Sewer Services Installation: kitchens, baths, showers •Sewer Systems Piping Clogged drains •Water heaters

AUSTIN RENAISSANCE APARTMENTS

A HUD subsidized affordable Apartment property announces the opening of its waiting list for both One and Two Bedroom Apartments! Resident rent is approximately 30% of gross household income, some restrictions apply. Our property is located on Washington Blvd in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

Apartments offered with an occupancy of one to four persons. Properties feature modern kitchens, include appliances, and offer onsite maintenance. Austin Renaissance will accept requests for application packages by U.S. Mail postmarked no later than , September 15, 2021. Send or email a written request for an application package that includes your name, mailing address. Daytime telephone number, Email address, and the number of persons in your household to: Town Center Realty Group LLC, PO Box 64, Huntley IL 60142-0064 or Email requests to mrpaul.tcrg@gmail.com Application packages available by mail or email delivery only. No walk-ins accepted.

Town Center Realty Group LLC

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICE OAK PARK

Free wifi; flexible leasing, and offices nicely furnished right down to the Kleenex. Secure building & friendly colleagues, often giving referrals to other office mates. Shared Waiting room, Conference room & option to join Peer Supervision Group. Ideal for new practice or 2nd location.

708-383-0729

• In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365

PublicNoticeIllinois.com

PUBLIC NOTICES ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS LEGAL NOTICE

Free Estimates!

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Village of Stickney Zoning Board of Appeals (the “ZBA”) will convene a public hearing on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 6:00P.M. in the Board Room, at the Village of Stickney, 6533 West Pershing Road, Cook County, Illinois.

708-955-7844

johnlavin530@gmail.com License #PR-1234

708-447-1762

708.749.0011

CITY RENTALS

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Evergreen trimming & more. Clean-ups.

Garden weed removal.

Storm Branch Tree Removal.

CLASSIC PAINTING

708-386-7355

Quality workmanship & service 20+ years’ experience Locally owned & operated

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

MMpropMgmt.com

VILLAGE OF STICKNEY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

708-243-0571

PAINTING & DECORATING

Best Selection & Service

Public Notice: Your right to know

Collector James

ELECTRICAL

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft.

OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Cars:

Many nice items from Vermomt estate. Antiques, furniture, collectibles, much clothing, misc wrought iron table and chairs.

Lots to see!

SUBURBAN RENTALS

Reach the people making the decisions.

Place an ad in GCM Classified!

Call 773/626-6332

Said Public Hearing is convened for the purpose of considering and hearing testimony regarding a petition submitted by Stanislaw Pepek (the “Petitioner”), the owner of the property located at 4429 Wenonah, Stickney, Illinois, 60402, which is zoned Single Family Residential.

The Petitioner is requesting a variance in order to build two (2) new single-family residences on two (2) parcels with attached garages on the front of the houses which are thirty (30) feet wide each, where the use of said property would be consistent with the permitted uses in the Single-Family Residential zoning district (the “Petition”).

PIN: 19-06-310-010-0000; 19-06310-011-0000

PUBLIC NOTICES Legal Description: LOT 7 IN BLOCK 3 IN WALTER G. MCINTOSH’S FOREST VIEW GARDENS BEING A SUBDIVISION OF BLOCKS 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, AND 28 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT PARTITION OF PART OF SECTION 6, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF SAID FOREST VIEW GARDENS, RECORDED JUNE 7, 1922 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 75432229, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. The ZBA will entertain the submission of documents, testimony and public comment regarding said Petition. All persons who are interested are invited to attend the public hearing to listen and be heard. The Petition and all related documents are on file at Village Hall, Clerk’s Office, located at 6533 West Pershing Road, Stickney, Illinois.

This Public Hearing may be continued to a further time, date and place without further notice being given except as may be provided in the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Chairman, John Torphy Published in RB Landmark September 22, 2021

The Landmark, September 22, 2021

CLASSIFIED

19

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know

In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year RBLandmark.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 21-06 HEARING DATE: October 7, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: The Plan Commission will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video.

The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT Uverse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7( e ) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an inperson public hearing is not practical due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Written testimony or comments regarding the application may be provided prior to the start of the public hearing by email to planning@oak-park.us. The individual’s name and a reasonable part of their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. If email is not an option, written testimony or comment can be dropped off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the south entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, to be received no later than 5:00 PM on October 7, 2021. All written testimony and comments will be distributed to the Plan Commission and made a part of the official hearing record. Those wishing to provide public testimony at the hearing must contact the Village Planner at planning@oak-park.us for instructions on attending the hearing live via Zoom by 5:00 PM the day of the hearing. Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by emailing a completed cross-examination form to clerk@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner

will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone. Questions regarding written testimony, comment or cross examination may be directed by phone to 708-358.5420 or email planning@oak-park.us SUBJECT PROPERTY ADDRESSES: 7 Van Buren Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60304 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lots 1 AND THE NORTHERN HALF OF LOT 2 IN BLOCK 2 IN H.W. AUSTIN’S SUBDIVISION OF BLOCK 2 AND 3 OF JAMES B. HOBB’S SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER POF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH. RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THRID PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Vacation Area: ALSO INCLUDES THE PART OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, BEING DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 1 IN H.W. AUSTIN’S SUBDIVISION, THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 24 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID LOT 1, 122.52 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT 1; THENCE NORTH 01 DEGREES 57 MINUTES 46 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE NORTHERLY EXTENSION OF THE WEST LINE OF SAID LOT 1, 15.00 FEET TO A LINE PARALLEL WITH AND 15.00 FEET PERPENDICULARLY DISTANT NORTHERLY OF SAID NORTH LINE; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 24 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST ALONG SAID PARALLEL LINE, 122.52 FEET TO THE NORTHERLY EXTENSION OF THE EAST LINE OF SAID LOT 1; THENCE SOUTH 01 DEGREES 58 MINUTES 13 SECONDS EAST ALONG SAID NORTHERLY EXTENSION, 15.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. P.I.N.s: 16-17-131-013-0000 PROPERTY OWNER: Oak Park Residence Corporation, c/o Beth

Swaggerty, 21 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 PETITIONER(S): Oak Park Residence Corporation, c/o Beth Swaggerty, 21 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 REQUEST: The Plan Commission will conduct a public hearing on a planned development application for a six (6) story 45-unit multiple family building in the in the R-7 Multi-Family Residential Zoning District. The Petitioner seeks the following allowances from the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance associated with the Planned Development application, found in Article 4 – Table 4-1 Residential Districts Dimensional Standards: a decrease in minimum lot area from 35,100 sq. ft. to 11,085 sq. ft.; an increase in height from 45 feet to 71.85 feet; an increase in maximum building coverage from 70% to 85.17%; a decrease in minimum interior side setback from 9.05 ft. to 8.3 ft.; a decrease in minimum rear setback from 24.5 feet to 1.5 feet; a decrease in automobile parking from 34 spaces to 17 spaces; a decrease in loading area from one space to zero spaces. The Petitioner is also requesting to vacate a portion of the Van Buren right-of-way abutting the subject property a length of 122.52 feet by 15 feet wide.

A copy of the application and each of the applicable documents are on the Village Website at www.oakpark.us and also on file and available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during current business hours, Monday through Thursday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Anyone with questions about the application may contact the Village by phone at 708-358.5420 or by email at planning@oak-park.us.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

Request of SANDRA ANNE CASTILLO-MEZA Case Number. 2021CONC001308

Request of VICTOR CRISTIAN ENCISO Case Number. 2021CONC001309

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: SANDRA ANNE CASTILLO-MEZA to the new name of: SANDRA MEZA

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: VICTOR CRISTIAN ENCISO to the new name of: VICTOR CRISTIAN CASTILLO-MEZA

In re the marriage of Arturo Montalvo Muro, Petitioner and Arcelli Landeros Sanchez, Respondent, Case No. 2021D006937.

The court date will be held: On November 19, 2021 at 10:30am at VIA ZOOM- Meeting ID: 958 9492 1843/Password: 226532 Cook in Courtroom # 1707 Published in Wednesday Journal September 8, 15, 22, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 21-08 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment-Accessory Dwelling Units) HEARING DATE: October 7, 2021 – Continued from September 2, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the agenda permits.

LOCATION OF HEARING: The Plan Commission will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT Uverse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7 (e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Written testimony or comments regarding the application may be provided prior to the public hearing by email to planning@oak-park. us. The individual’s name and a reasonable part of their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. If email is not an option, written testimony or comment can be dropped off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the south entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 7, 2021. All written testimony and comments will be distributed to the Plan Commission and made a part of the official hearing record. Those wishing to provide public testimony at the hearing shall contact the Village Planner at planning@oak-park.us for Instructions on attending the live Zoom meeting by 5:00 PM the day of the hearing.

Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by emailing the cross-examination form to clerk@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up.

Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone.

Questions regarding written testimony or comment can be directed to 708-358.5420 or email to planning@oak-park.us.

PETITIONER: Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 REQUEST: The Petitioner requests text amendments to the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance as follows: Article 2 (Definitions & Rules of Measurement) by adding a definition of an “accessory dwelling unit,” and Article 9 (“Site Development Standards”), Subsection 9.3A(3) by exempting attic, basement and attached accessory dwelling units from accessory structure setback regulations, and adding a new Subsection 9.3B (“Accessory Dwelling Units”) to allow attic and basement conversions with separate entrances and attached accessory dwelling units with separate entrances and detached first-floor accessory dwelling units with separate entrances. A copy of the application and each of the applicable documents are on file and available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during current business hours, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal September 22, 2021

Published in Wednesday Journal September 22, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

PUBLIC NOTICES

The court date will be held: On December 6, 2021 at 9:00am at VIA ZOOM- Meeting ID: 965 2561 6475/Password: 553663 Cook in Courtroom # 1704

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Published in Wednesday Journal September 8, 15, 22, 2021

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to

said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before October 26, 2021, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal September 22, 29, October 6 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2021/2022 Water Meter Replacement Project Bid Number: 21-136 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Issued: September 22, 2021 Published in Wednesday Journal September 22, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE FOREST PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Lump sum sealed bids will be received by the Board of Library Trustees of the Village of Forest Park for Exterior Improvements at the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Boulevard, Forest Park, IL 60130. Sealed bids will be received on or before, but not after 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Boulevard, Forest Park, IL 60130.

Bids received after that time will not be considered. All Bids shall be addressed and delivered to the circulation desk immediately inside the entrance to the building on or before the time set forth above.

Sealed envelopes or packages containing the Bid Forms shall be transmitted to the attention of the “Library Director” and shall be marked or endorsed with the title of the Bid (“Sealed Bid for Forest Park Public Library Exterior Improvements”) and the Bidder’s full legal name. The bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the main floor meeting room at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. Bids shall be submitted in the form and manner contained in the Bidding Requirements.

Contractors may obtain copies of the Bidding Documents from any BHFX Digital Imaging location beginning Wednesday, September 22. Please contact BHFX at (847) 593-3161 to obtain a set of Bidding Documents or visit their Plan Room online at www.bhfxplanroom.com. Bidding Documents may be downloaded from the BHFX online Plan Room at no charge to bidders. Bidders shall be responsible for the costs of reproduction of printed copies.

Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond or a cashier’s check in the amount of 10% of the total bid, made payable to Forest Park Public Library, as a guarantee that the successful bidder will promptly execute a satisfactory contract, will furnish a satisfactory performance bond and payment bond and proceed with the work.

Upon failure to do so, the bidder shall forfeit the amount deposited as liquidated damages and no mistakes, errors, exclusions, or omissions on the part of the bidder shall excuse the bidder or entitle the bidder to a return of the aforementioned amount.

No bid will be considered unless the bidder shall furnish evidence

satisfactory to the Board of Trustees that the bidder has the necessary facilities, abilities, experience, equipment, financial and physical resources available to fulfill the conditions of the Contract and execute the work, should the Contract be awarded such bidder.

Bidders will examine the plans and specifications and the location in which said work is to be done and judge for themselves all the circumstances and surrounding known and reasonably foreseen conditions affecting the cost and nature of the work, and all bids will be presumed to be based on such examination, familiarity and judgment.

Questions about the bid documents should be submitted, in writing, to Andy Dogan, Williams Architects at ardogan@williamsarchitects.com. Responses to questions submitted by bidders during the bidding period shall be in the form of written addendum to all plan holders of record.

Questions will not be accepted after Friday, October 1.

The successful bidder shall be required to provide a Performance Bond and a Material and Labor Payment Bond in the amount of 100% of the Contract Amount, as well as liability and property insurance as required by the Bidding Requirements before commencing work. The successful bidder shall enter into a formal contract based on the conditions and requirements in the Bidding Requirements and the Bidding Requirements will be incorporated into the Contract.

Not less than the prevailing wage shall be paid for labor on the work to be done as required by law. The Forest Park Public Library is tax exempt.

The successful bidder will be required to comply with the provisions of all State of Illinois and federal laws concerning public works projects as well as the State of Illinois Human Rights Act and the regulations of the Illinois Human Rights Commission.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids, and to waive any technicalities and irregularities in the bidding and to hold the bid proposals for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of opening set forth above.

Published in Forest Park Review September 22, 29, 2021

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The Landmark, September 22, 2021

N W CTIO E N RU ST N O C

W NE

G TIN S I L

337 Longcommon Rd, Riverside $975,000

808 Community Dr, LaGrange Park $635,000

205 E Quincy St, Riverside $290,000

7401 N Sheridan Rd, #401, Chicago $279,000

3137 Kenilworth Ave, Berwyn $329,000

152 E Burlington Rd, Riverside $339,900

16W307 95th Pl, Burr Ridge $895,000

84 Riverside Rd, Riverside $2,100,000

7549 Wilson Terrace, Morton Grove $384,900

9841 S Hoyne Ave, Chicago $529,000

AL NT E R

2037 W Iowa St, Chicago $369,000

3125 Madison Ave, Brookfield $334,900

7722 Madison St, River Forest $18/sq ft

11 Walker Ave #1, Clarendon Hills $3,550/mo

AL NT E R

229 Park Ave, #308, Clarendon Hills $3,125/mo

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