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Brookfield Zoo Chicago stars in Christmas movie

Vol. 41, No. 40

October 7, 2026

Page 9

Riverside changes Flock policy amid public concern

The village no longer shares data outside Illinois; one trustee says Riverside should cancel its Flock contract By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

As members of the Riverside community have begun speaking out against the use of Flock license plate reader cameras in town, Riverside officials said the village has changed the way it shares collected data and asks its police staff to use the technology. Resident Brian Lester, an opponent of Flock, put together a 12-page so-called rebuttal letter in September responding to statements made by Public Safety Director Matthew Buckley that the Landmark published in its first Flock story at the start of September. In an eight-page response, the village announced the changes to its Flock policy. Both documents are published in full in the digital version of this story at rblandmark.com. Full versions of each document are available at the end of the story. They could not be included in print due to their length. “Law enforcement agencies outside Illinois previously had access to Riverside’s cameras through data-sharing permissions. Riverside has since re-

voked that access,” the village said in its statement, which Village President Doug Pollock shared with the Landmark. In addition, every search of Flock data by a Riverside police officer must now include the number of an existing police report and an explanation of the search’s law enforcement purpose. While the village asserted that searches without report numbers did not necessarily constitute “improper” searches, it said the new “requirement strengthens transparency and accountability by connecting each search to an identifiable case and documenting why the information was needed.” At the village board’s Oct. 1 meeting, Pollock said the board is set to discuss Riverside’s contract with Flock at its next meeting on Thursday, Oct. 15. In a statement provided to the Landmark, Trustee Cristin Evans said she believes Riverside should cancel its contract with Flock and revoke other agencies’ access to the village’s data. “I have no doubt that the Riverside Police Department uses Flock technolSee FLOCK on page 10

Architects emphasize efficiencies in final public safety rebuild presentation

Riverside has been ‘willing to make space sacrifices … many other villages are not’ willing to cut costs By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter STELLA BROWN

One of Riverside’s two Flock cameras, located at the intersection of Longcommon and Byrd roads, is pictured on Sept. 25.

In Williams Architects’ final presentation to Riverside’s village board about the rebuild the firm has designed of the village’s public safety facility, staffers emphasized the village’s willSee REBUILD on page 11

The Landmark, October 7, 2026

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The Landmark, October 7, 2026

Parole hearing seeks posthumous pardon for convicted Starved Rock Killer Chester Weger was paroled in 2019 and died in 2025 but was never exonerated By GREGG VOSS Staff Reporter

Andy Hale had less than a half hour Tuesday morning Oct. 6 to convince the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to recommend to Gov. JB Pritzker a posthumous pardon for Chester Weger. Hale is a Chicago attorney who has spent the last decade working to exonerate Weger, who was convicted of the murders of three Riverside women March 16, 1960 at downstate Starved Rock State Park. Tuesday may have been the final step in a long journey for him on behalf of Weger, who was paroled in 2019 – but never exonerated. Weger died in June 2025. In addition to Hale, Weger’s sister, Mary Pruett, spoke, as did his son, John Weger, along with Thomas J. Homer, Illinois Appellate Court retired justice. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board provided 20 minutes to listen to arguments from Hale and the others, and a representative of the office of La Salle County State’s Attorney Joseph Navarro. It now must make a recommendation to Pritzker on the matter, which could take months, Hale said. Even if the board does not recommend a posthumous pardon, Pritzker still has the latitude to rule independently and has unlimited time to do so. That, Hale said, is important. “I think if the governor’s office reads it and digests it, I think we have a chance,” Hale said. “It’s overwhelming. If I was the governor and I came across this, I would be like, ‘What an injustice in the state of Illinois, I have to fix this.’ “It makes him look good … ‘I’m going to correct this.’ We have to be honest about our past mistakes. I have a chance with an unbiased audience. I’m hopeful.” After Tuesday’s hearing, Hale said he was at peace on the matter. “I feel we put on a compelling case, that justice needs to be served. I’m optimistic and I feel good,” he said. As for the La Salle County representative, he countered with the fact that Weger

confessed and was convicted for the crime. “I thought he was completely unpersuasive,” Hale said.

Three Riverside women murdered in 1960 The story is well known in Riverside partly due to a presentation Hale hosted in May at Riverside Presbyterian Church, where the murdered women – Mildred Lindquist, Frances Murphy and Lillian Oetting – attended. It’s less than 100 miles from Riverside to Starved Rock State Park, and the women set out in Murphy’s station wagon for a four-day visit on Monday, March 14, 1960, arriving at Starved Rock Lodge, where Weger was a 21-year-old dishwasher. They checked into the lodge, had lunch, then set off on a hike in the park’s St. Louis Canyon. Then they vanished. Two days later, all three were found deceased in a shallow cave in St. Louis Canyon. The case became a national story, including coverage in Life Magazine. Weger, who stood 5-foot-7 and 180 pounds, which compares with the women’s 5-foot6 height, was interviewed by the Illinois State Police March 18 and interrogated again two days later, passed three polygraph tests by the end of the month, then passed three more in April. Then Weger, who had been relentlessly tailed by law enforcement for months, was interrogated for eight hours Nov. 16 before confessing early the next morning. His story was that on his work break at the lodge, he was walking in St. Louis Canyon, decided to rob the women and let them go. But one attacked him, likely Frances Murphy, who apparently dislodged a hair from her attacker, so he defended himself and killed them all before returning to work. Hale never bought that story due to DNA, legal errors and other evidence, hence his presentation Tuesday morning, even though Weger is deceased. “We want the truth to be out,” Hale said.

“He is not innocent” Hale, of Chicago-based Hale Law LLC, laid out every shred of evidence both old and new in a Reply to State’s Response to Chester O. Weger’s Petition for Posthumous Clemency. He also pointed out a key fact in the reply’s conclusion. “This Board and the Governor are the first reviewing body in the history of this case to have the entire record in front of them – the 1960 investigative file, the suppressed reports, the DNA, the witnesses, the expert science, and the post-conviction record itself. No jury, no Illinois court, and no federal court has ever assessed that record in its entirety. The record is now complete, but the remedy is not. “Chester Weger spent 59 years in prison and died still bearing a conviction that the state’s own evidence disproves. The courts can no longer correct that injustice. The governor can.” The reply also included letters of support from Homer and Saul Kassin, Ph.D., distinguished professor emeritus in the psychology department of John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The first point in Navarro’s Response to Petition for Executive Clemency, dated Tuesday, said that Weger “should not be granted clemency posthumously and his petition should be denied because he is not innocent.” It also contends that the “theory that Weger was ‘railroaded’ by multiple unconnected prosecutors over a 60-year period without reason or motive is preposterous. Further, the unauthorized petitioner would have this Board and the Governor believe that any of the judges hearing any part of the Weger case would not have recognized it or blindly went along with it. Another unbelievable theory floated without a shred of evidence.” If you know anything related to the Starved Rock murders, however seemingly inconsequential, email Andy Hale andy@ ahalelaw.com or visit https://www.andyhalepodcast.com/contact

IN THIS ISSUE

Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 General Manager Max Reinsdorf Editorial & Audience Strategist Matthew Schwerha Staff Reporters Stella Brown, Jackie Pisano, Bob Skolnik, Gregg Voss Sports Reporters Bill Stone, Melvin Tate Contributing Editor Donna Greene Editorial & Digital Design Lead Javier Govea Design and Production Associate De Sergio Villalona Designer Susan McKelvey Sports Photographer Steve Johnston Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls Marketing & Advertising Associate Emma Cullnan Legal Notices Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com Operations Associate Susan Liss Babin Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera Senior Advisor Dan Haley

HOW TO REACH US

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

The Landmark, October 7, 2026

Brookfield seeks funds for 31st Street trail, Salt Creek bridge

ITEP could provide 80% of funding to connect South Kiwanis Park and Creekside Park and create a bike lane on 31st By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield is applying for nearly $2.8 million in the form of combined federal and state grant funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation for two projects that would increase connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians across town. Village trustees on Sept. 28 voted to approve the submission of two applications

COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

ADOBE STOCK

This map shows proposed connectivity improvements between Creekside Park and South Kiwanis Park in Brookfield.

A family takes a bike ride on a sunny day

to the department’s Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program for the Des Plaines River Trail South Extension project and the Creekside pedestrian bridge and bike path project. The former project seeks to create a bike lane along 31st Street from Prairie Avenue to Brookfield’s eastern limit about 300 feet beyond Golfview Avenue as part of a larger project to fill gaps in the Des Plaines River Trail and increase regional connectivity. Brookfield has led that project in its stopstart progress since 2019 in collaboration with Lyons, Riverside, Cook County and its Forest Preserve District. The trail runs more than 50 miles from the Illinois-Wisconsin border to River Grove near O’Hare International Airport before picking up seven miles later in Lyons and running another 1.5 miles south. Trustee Kyle Whitehead called the bike path “critical” for biking and walk-

neering on the project. For the Creekside Park bridge, which trustees debated implementing in 2024, Brookfield is seeking $2,290,384 toward the total construction costs of $2,862,980. The village’s 20% match would be $572,596. Both projects’ estimated timelines see engineering and design work continuing through 2028 or 2029 before construction bids are sought in 2030, according to village documents. O’Malley said Brookfield had sought assistance on its applications from the Active Transportation Alliance to improve the village’s chances of being awarded for funding next spring. “These projects are exciting,” Village President Michael Garvey said. “The grants help us move things along faster. There are large price tags on these, but these are both projects that are near and dear to the board’s heart and the public’s.”

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ing in Brookfield. “It’s often talked about in the context of the zoo, which obviously is an important destination to access, but it’s also a connection through the heart of our community to surrounding communities,” Whitehead said. The latter project would connect Creekside Park at the intersection of Brookfield’s Burlington and Grove avenues to South Kiwanis Park, also known as the Creekside Woods, across Salt Creek. Successful ITEP applications see a municipality awarded 80% funding toward the project in question, with the remaining 20% of costs coming from the community’s own coffers. For the 31st Street bike trail — which Dan O’Malley of Hancock Engineering said Brookfield had unsuccessfully applied for ITEP funding for in 2022 and 2024 — Brookfield is seeking $488,640 out of the total cost of $610,800 for phase two engi-

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The Landmark, October 7, 2026

Brookfield is simplifying its snow ban rules

Parking bans would go into effect with two inches of snow regardless of time of day By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield officials are planning to simplify the village’s rules surrounding snow-related parking bans and when they go into effect. Trustees could pass an ordinance at their next village board meeting on Oct. 12 that would allow village staff to implement a snow parking ban whenever two inches of snow are recorded in Brookfield. The village’s existing snow parking ordinance requires that two inches of snow fall within a 12-hour timeframe between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. or between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. the next morning. Deputy Police Chief Terry Schreiber said the time requirements had led to situations in the past where the village could see about three or four inches of snowfall without implementing a parking ban due to the slate resetting when 8 o’clock arrived. “It is very complicated for residents to understand when something is going to be in effect and when it’s not. It’s also complicated for us to figure it out every year as well,” Schreiber said at the Sept. 28 village board meeting. “[We’ve gotten] questions of, ‘If the news said that we got three or four inches, why isn’t the ban in effect?’ Then we have to explain the times.” Under the new ordinance, once a snow parking ban is called, it will stay in effect until 8 p.m. the following day so that both sides of the street can be plowed by public works staff, one side on each day of the ban. Bans called on Saturdays will continue to persist until Monday, as both Saturday and Sunday call for cars to be parked on the same side of the street. For those who are entirely unfamiliar, Brookfield’s snow parking bans call for all cars parked on the street to be moved to one side of the street, alternating based on the day of the week. If a snow ban is in place on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, cars must be parked on the south or east side of the street, and vice versa for Tuesdays,

Thursdays and weekends. Bans can only be called between Dec. 1 and March 31. The village will implement new measures to alert residents the night before if heavy snowfall is expected, giving them to chance to move their cars before the storm rather than during it, Schreiber said, though citations will not be given out until a parking ban is actually called by the village. Brookfield will also add a widget to its website to allow residents to track snowfall and see if a parking ban has been called. The widget will also let residents track the movements of snowplows to see when their street would be, or had been, plowed, Public Works Director Lauren Moore said. Schreiber said the new rules were devised by the police and public works departments to be simpler while maintaining the existing time periods that residents have grown used to and not requiring the village to update its streetside signage, which could cost tens of thousands of dollars. He said the existing rules created “extremely staff-intensive” situations where public works staff would constantly measure the height of fallen snow leading up to 8 a.m. or 8 p.m. during a snow event to see if a parking ban could be put into effect before the next 12-hour timeframe began. Members of the village board seemed supportive of the proposed changes. Village President Michael Garvey said the changes didn’t seem too “dramatic” but that they would ideally increase resident compliance and make things easier for the public works employees tasked with plowing Brookfield’s streets. “I know people find this hard to believe, but we want compliance. We don’t want the ticket revenue,” Garvey said. “We would rather have every car move than gain the revenue from the tickets because, in the end, it probably costs us more time and money when Lauren’s crew can’t get down the street and have to keep circling. One car can affect an entire block getting done.”

The Landmark, October 7, 2026

Riverside formalizes qualms with Harlem traffic proposals

Village trustees passed a resolution against possible closures to Burlington or Quincy for an over- or underpass By STELLA BROWN

in 2019. In his most recent update on the project, presented to Riverside officials on Sept. 17, Murtha said the project’s goal is to improve “travel time reliability, safety and mobility” for anyone moving through the BNSF corridor, from drivers and first responders to cyclists and pedestrians. At that Sept. 17 meeting, Village President Doug Pollock voiced the concerns that the village board has now ratified with the passage of the resolution. “Almost all the options would include closing access [from Harlem] to Burlington and Quincy, which would have, in my opinion, a tremendous negative economic impact on the village,” Pollock said then. Later, in an interview with the Landmark, Pollock said he would support solutions that implement improved signage and light timing to improve locomotion without affecting the “fundamental roadway design” and preventing access to Riverside’s downtown as well some of its businesses along Harlem Avenue that he said could potentially “no longer exist” if an overpass or underpass were constructed. On Oct. 1, before the village board voted to pass the resolution, Murtha said he and others working on the project were “refining our alternatives so as to address the concerns of what we heard in this resolution.”

“We’ve looked at the public comments, had the public meeting and had concerns raised there. We’re working with the consultants to address these,” Murtha said.

h Riverside Players Staff Reporter

Riverside officials have passed a resolution opposing possible grade separations along Harlem Avenue as a solution to traffic related to the BNSF railroad crossing. Any such fix would see access to both East Burlington Street and East Quincy Street closed. On Thursday, Oct. 1, village trustees passed the resolution, which called the potential implementation in the future of an overpass or underpass on Harlem Avenue “an unacceptable burden” on Riverside and its businesses should the connections with both Burlington and Quincy, two of the village’s most important routes between its central business district and the busy thoroughfare of Harlem, be blocked off. While Village Manager Jessica Frances previously told the Landmark that major construction on Harlem Avenue would be at least 10 years away, the overpass and underpass concepts are two potential solutions to improve traffic on Harlem Avenue as the result of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Berwyn-Riverside railroad grade crossing study. The study, led by senior planner Thomas Murtha, began

Seussical The Musical

Meet the Candidates at our RCC Member Social

Wednesday, Oct. 7 • 5:30 p.m. Vinette - 90 Bloomingbank Rd., Riverside Please join the Riverside Community Caucus as we host a social to introduce the candidates interested in running for the Riverside Village Board. Here’s your chance to talk with neighbors and current trustees about issues important to our village. This event is open to the community – Bring a friend!

Performances on This visualization shows how an underpass beneath the Fri October BNSF railroad on16 Harlemat Avenue7:30pm could look. Sat October 17 at 7:30pm No North Riverside Players North Riverside Sun October 18Players at 2:30pm Seussical The Musical Performance Dates Fri October 23 at 7:30pm Sat October 24 at 7:30pm Sun October 25 at 2:30pm Location COURTESY OF THOMAS MURTHA

Proudly Presents

Seussical The Musical

Performances on

Performances on 24, 25 October:Fri 16, 17, 18,1623, October at 7:30pm

Fri October 16 at 7:30pm Sat October 17 at 7:30pm SatSat. October 17 at 7:30pm Fri. & 7:30pm, Sun. Sun October 18 at 2:30pm 2:30pm Sun October 18 at 2:30pm Fri October 23 at 7:30pm Fri October 23 at 7:30pm Sat October 24 at 7:30pm Sat October 24 at 7:30pm Sun October 25 at 2:30pm Sun October 25 at 2:30pm Tickets for 2401 S. Des Plaines Ave Tickets for $25 adults $25 adults North Riverside,$23 60546 seniors

$23 seniors $21 students "Oh, the thinks you can think" when Dr. $21 students $15 children "Oh, the thinkscharacters you can think" Seuss' best-loved collidewhen and Dr. $15 children Seuss' characters cavort in best-loved an unforgettable musicalcollide caper! and Theatre at Scheck Village Commons cavort in an unforgettable musical caper! Theatre at Now one of the most performed shows in 2401 Des Plaines Ave Scheck Village Commons America, Seussical a fantastical, magical, Now one of the ismost performed shows in North Riverside, 2401 Illinois Des Plaines Ave musical extravaganza bringingmagical, to America, Seussical islovingly a fantastical, Web: NRPlayers.com North Riverside, Reserve at Illinois life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters,

Tickets for

Tickets$25 adults

Save the Date:

RCC Candidate Forum Riverside Township Hall

9/25/26 1:54 PM

$23 seniors 708-526-8084 Adults $25 students Seniors $23 $21 nrplayers.com Students w/ID $21 nrplayers.com $15 Children 12 & children under $15

Phone: 708-526-8084 including the Elephant, Thecharacters, Cat in Reserve at life all ofHorton our favorite Dr. Seuss the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. More information at musical extravaganza lovingly bringing to

you can think" when Dr. Sunday, Oct. 18 ed characters collide and rccil.org orgettable musical caper! most performed shows in 2026-RCC-Social-forum-ad.indd 1

Proudly Presents

708-526-8084

the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and There are additional fees forapurchases made by credit card a little boy with big imagination – Jojo.

More information at

Reservations may be made by phone, made online, by mail. There are additional fees for purchases byor credit card If by mail, detach at dotted line, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with check or credit card information and mail this form

# of Adults $25 each

Reservations may be made by phone, online, or by mail. October 16 at 7:30pm If by mail, detach at dotted line, enclose a Friday, self-addressed stamped Name Saturday, and October 17 atthis 7:30pm envelope with check or credit card information mail form

We reserve the right to release unpaid reservations 5 minutes before show time. We will hold tickets at box office unless self-addressed, stamped return envelope is included.

# of Seniors $23 each

We reserve the right to release unpaid reservations 5 minutes before show time. We will hold tickets at box office unless self-addressed, stamped return envelope is included.

Address

Sunday, October at 2:30pm Friday, 18 October 16 at 7:30pm

City, State,Name Zip

Friday , October 23 at 7:30pm

Phone Address

Saturday, October 24 at 7:30pm

EmailZip City, State,

Sunday, October 25 at 2:30pm

Name on Card

Saturday, October 17 at 7:30pm

# of Students $21 each

# of Adults $25 each

# of Children $15 each

# of Seniors $23 each

$ Total

# of Students $21 each

# of Children $15 each

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The Landmark, October 7, 2026

Brookfield Zoo brings Zoo Adventure Passport to Austin Free three-part series is coming to Austin Branch of Chicago Public Library this month

By ABISOLA DAHUNSI Staff Reporter

A long-running wildlife and science engagement initiative is expanding to Chicago’s West Side this fall, offering neighborhood youth and their families hands-on conservation experiences right in their own community. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is launching its popular Zoo Adventure Passport (ZAP!) Foundations program at the Austin Branch of the Chicago Public Library, located at 5615 W. Race Ave. The free three-part series takes place on three consecutive dates in October, marking the initiative’s first official expansion into the Austin neighborhood. Created in the 1990s by a group of educators that included Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman, now CEO of the Philadelphia Zoo, and refined across several Chicago-area neighborhoods over three decades, the program fosters multigenerational connections to nature through play-based learning. The expansion follows years of dialogue between zoo leadership and local stakeholders, including Dr. Felice Binion of the West Side Ministers Coalition and organizers from the Rima Development Center.

Graig Mason, a former curriculum director involved with the program, pointed to the neighborhood’s ongoing cultural and civic developments as a key factor in moving forward. “We started to keep note of what was happening in Austin,” Mason said. “We recognize within our team and the work that we do the integrations and how everything is interconnected between environmental conservation and cultural preservation.” Selecting the Austin Branch Library was strategic. Its proximity to Town Hall Park and other green spaces offered the program a location that was accessible to families while maintaining a connection to the natural environment. Rather than bringing live animals into the facility, each one-hour workshop centers on specific wildlife through storytelling, interactive science tools and biological artifacts, such as pelts, bones, skulls and claws. The upcoming October lineup explores Asian wildlife, starting with tigers and leopards in the first session, Indian peafowl and other animals from India in the second, and orangutans in the third. Participants complete a hands-on project to take home at the end of each session. Fam-

ilies who register and attend also receive complimentary passes to Brookfield Zoo, allowing them to see some of the animals discussed during the program in person. A multidisciplinary team spanning biology, psychology, sociology and education developed the curriculum, framing complex conservation concepts through accessible entry points for young children. “Kids can tackle big conservation concepts, but we don’t hit them the same way we hit them with adults,” Mason said. “We get them to first connect with the animals, then care enough to have a little bit of impact within their own day-to-day actions.” The approach reflects a broader philosophy behind the program: Conservation is not the work of one person, but something built through collective action. “Big-scale conservation efforts are not done by one individual,” Mason said. “They’re done as a collective.” The program also encourages adults to participate alongside children, rather than simply observe. Drawing on his background in formal education, Mason views learning as a two-way process in which children bring their own experiences and perspectives

CREDIT BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO

Brookfield Zoo will take kids on an animal safari at the Austin Branch of the Chicago Public Library.

to the classroom. “As an educator, I recognize the importance of the reciprocal process of teaching and learning,” Mason said. “Children really are the future of the work that we’re doing. As adults, we are doing everything that we can at this time, but our work is going to continue on because of how we inspire kids and how we respond to how they are inspired.” Residents can attend a single workshop or participate in the full three-session series. For caregivers who may be hesitant to join in, Mason encouraged adults to experience the program alongside their children, rather than remain on the sidelines. “I am one of those people that says, ‘Try it,’” Mason said. Mason also referred to his daughter’s interests as motivation for him to explore the world from her perspective. That same sense of possibility, he noted, is part of what drew him to education and continues to inspire his work. “That optimism by which a child looks at the possibilities of the world inspires me to continue to do the work that I’ve had the opportunity to be able to do and now bring Brookfield Zoo to the Austin community,” Mason said.

CREDIT BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO

The Landmark, October 7, 2026

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) 1.Publication Title: NEWSWELL Chicago RiversideBrookfield Landmark 2. Publication no.: USPS 019-585 3. Date of filing: October 5, 2026 4. Frequency of issue: Weekly 5. No of issues published annually: 52 6. Annual subscription price: $57.00 7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 1011 Lake St. Suite 307, Oak Park, IL 60301, Cook Co. 8. Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business office of publisher: (same) 9. Names and complete mailing addresses of publisher, editor and manager editor: Publisher: Max Reinsdorf, 1011 Lake St. Suite 307, Oak Park, IL 60301 Editor: Dan Haley, 1011 Lake St. Suite 307, Oak Park, IL 60301 Managing Editor: Dan Haley, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 10. The owner is: NEWSWELL 355 N. 3rd St. Suite 350, Phoenix AZ 85004 11. Known bondholders, mortgages and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of the total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities are: None. 12. N/A 13. Publication name: Riverside Brookfield Landmark 14. Issue date for circulation data below: September 30, 2026 15. Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: A. Total no. copies printed (net press run): 1541 B1. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions stated on Form 3541: 26 B2. Mailed in-county paid subscriptions stated on form 3541: 971 B3. Paid distribution outside the mails including sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales and other paid distribution outside USPS3:111 B4. Paid distribution by other classes of mail through the USPS: 0 C. Total Paid distribution: 1108 D1. Free or nominal rate outside-county copies included on PS form 3541: 0 D2. Free on nominal rate in-county copies included on PS Form 3541: 368 D3. Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes through the USPS: 0 D4. Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail: 120 E. Total free or nominal rate distribution: 367 F. Total distribution: 1475 G. Copies not distributed: 66 H: Total: 1475 I. Percent paid: 75% 15. No. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: A. Total no. copies printed (net press run): 1494 B1. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions stated on Form 3541: 22 B2. Mailed in-county paid subscriptions stated on form 3541: 914 B3. Paid distribution outside the mails including sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales and other paid distribution outside USPS: 103 B4. Paid distribution by other classes of mail through the USPS: 0 C. Total Paid distribution: 1039 D1. Free or nominal rate outside-county copies included on PS form 3541: 0 D2. Free on nominal rate in-county copies included on PS Form 3541: 327 D3. Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes through the USPS: 0 D4. Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail: 120 E. Total free or nominal rate distribution: 327 F. Total distribution: 1366 G. Copies not distributed: 128 H: Total: 1494 I. Percent paid: 75% 16. Publication of statement of ownership will be printed in the October 7, 2026 issue of this publication. 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Jill Wagner Circulation Manager, October 07, 2026

D208’s 2025-26 performance data show modest gains, decreases Freshmen On Track at 95.37%, slightly down from 97.22% in 2024-25 By GREGG VOSS

and career readiness benchmark,” said Kylie Lindquist, assistant principal for curriculum and instruction. “Our baseWhile a slight dip in Freshmen On Track line scores are largely congruent with the in the 2025-26 school year isn’t a major cause percent of our students who were meeting for concern for Riverside-Brookfield High benchmarks on the SAT as well. School District 208, it is worth a closer look, “We definitely have room to grow beaccording to Principal Dr. Hector Freytas. cause we want our students to score as According to School/District Performance high as they can and have options when Data from the 2026-26 School Year, Freshmen they leave RB,” she said. “Spending time On Track stood at 95.37%, slightly down from to realign curriculum and adjust interven97.22% in the 2024-25 school year. tions to meet the needs of our students has In student number terms, as of Aubeen a big part of our plan to support gust 2026, the class of 2029 had 389 stustudent growth in all areas over the dents on track to graduate and 20 not last couple of school years.” on track. Of those latter students, 14 Additionally, Dave Mannon, assisare Hispanic, six are white, nine are tant principal for student affairs, noted female and 11 are male and seven have modest improvement in number of reIndividualized Education Programs, corded mental health days in 2025-26. or IEPs. “Our attendance and deans’ of“Above 95 percent is still strong. fices restructured their weekly data Even with the dip, the majority of our reviews, so we were able to identify kids are on track,” Freytas said. “It’s attendance patterns earlier and use not a cause for alarm, but it’s worth that information in our small-team a closer look. We’re going to see who meetings with Student Services to the students are and what they have plan for students who are missing SHANEL ROMAIN in common and our goal is to swing school or struggling emotionally,” Students line up to receive diplomas at Riversideback the other way.” Mannon said. Action steps include multiple tasks, Brookfield High School graduation in 2021 “The state created mental health like division heads working with days for good reason, and our goal teachers to help monitor off-track students, can. A student that doesn’t graduate matters.” isn’t to drive that number to zero,” Manand school counselors’ use of Panorama to The class of 2026 was the first class to non said. “It’s to make sure a student who’s monitor early warning data. struggling gets connected with support here take the ACT standardized test as part of According to Beth Augustine, assistant Illinois’ official transition from the SAT. at school instead of staying home.” principal for student services, Panorama That graduating class did not take PreACT The district goal for student engagement is educational software with a student tests as freshmen or sophomores, but did is 75%, and in 2025-26 that number sat at success platform that pulls attendance, take the ACT in spring 2025, with some 77%, well up from 65% in the 2021-22 school grades, behavior and survey results into students deciding to take the ACT again in year, though down a percentage point from one dashboard so staff can see which stu- spring 2026 to improve their score. 2024-25. dents need support. “Our engagement rate has grown steadiGrowth analysis statistics show improveAnother key data point was a 4-Year Co- ment from spring 2025 to 2026 in each of the ly, and most of that growth has come from hort Graduation Rate that jumped slightly five test categories – composition, math, giving students more ways to get involved,” to 95% in 2025-26 from 94.8% in 2024-25. English, reading and science. For example, Mannon said. “That growth doesn’t hapTwenty-two students were considered students averaged 21.3 in composition in pen in a silo. It comes from a positive buildnon-graduates in 2025-26, 12 of whom were spring 2025 and increased to 21.4 in spring ing culture and from sponsors who put in special education students. Nine of those 2026. In math, students rose from 21.4 to countless hours to give students a wealth students ultimately met graduation re- 21.6; English increased from 20.5 to 20.7. of experiences. quirements but returned for transition ser“I tell our students all the time that RB is “Our initial ACT scores are a baseline, so vices. Ten of the 22 students either dropped our ultimate goal is to see where our stu- a special place, and if they’re willing to give out or pursued a GED. dents fall and then determine how we can something new a chance, they may find a Freytas said including students in tran- support more students toward the college passion and build lasting friendships.” Staff Reporter

sition, that 95% increases to over 97%. Students who graduate in the first half of summer school still count in the four-year graduation rate. “The majority of students are graduating, but I recognize that every student that doesn’t graduate on time, it’s a cause for concern,” Freytas said. “We have to reflect on what to do. We meet with students, parents, social workers. “Sometimes, rarely, it’s a struggle to get a student to graduate and we do everything we

The Landmark, October 7, 2026

Brookfield Zoo Chicago stars in Christmas movie

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Filmed and set at the zoo, ‘Christmas at the Zoo’ releases Nov. 10 on Tubi By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is taking a starring role this holiday season with the release of “Christmas at the Zoo.” The holiday romance film is slated for release on Nov. 10, streaming for free on Tubi or available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. “Christmas at the Zoo” is set at the zoo and was filmed there from Dec. 4-13, 2025. The story follows entrepreneur Alicia, who is working to secure funding so the zoo can build a new habitat for its Humboldt penguins. Not surprisingly, she also falls for Shane, an animal care expert. Brittany Underwood and Matt Cohen star in the two lead roles. “While the characters and storyline are fictional, the values woven throughout the film are very real: exceptional animal care, conservation, collaboration and a deep commitment to wildlife,” said Julianne

Olivo, the zoo’s public relations director, in a written statement. The movie’s trailer is available to watch on Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s YouTube channel. As seen in the trailer, the film will feature real animals from the zoo across about 35 different species with scenes set in real zoo attractions that visitors may recognize, including Holiday Magic, its winter-themed lights festival that is set to return this year with 3.5 million lights across the zoo’s hundreds of acres, according to zoo press release. “As an actor, you’re always looking for ways to connect with the world of your character, and the team at Brookfield Zoo Chicago made that easy,” Cohen said in the release. “Spending time with the animal care team and seeing firsthand how deeply they care about the animals and conservation efforts around the globe gave me a whole new perspective. I fell in love with the mission of the zoo, and I think audiences will, too.”

COURTESY OF VERY MERRY ENTERTAINMENT

“Christmas at the Zoo” can easily be streamed for free on any device via Tubi and will also be available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Prime Video beginning November 10, 2026.

As temperatures dip and the air turns crisp, seniors need to take extra steps p to stay healthy and comfortable comfo f rtab fo ble through the colder months. Fall brings beautiful beautifu f l scenery fu but also an increase in flu f u and fl seasonal illnesses. Staying g healthy during colder months is all alll about a to wellness. proactive approach p Here are a few few simple tips to help fe keep you feeling f eling your best this fe season. First, consider scheduling a flu fu fl serious vaccine. The flu f u can pose fl p health h eallth risks, rii sk k s, especially especiiall ly for f or seniors, seniiors, and getting vaccinated d reduces your chances of severe illness. Staying active is also key. While outdoor walks might g be brisk, indoor activities like lik k e stretching, g gentle yoga, or using light hand d weights w e i g ht s are a r e great g r ea t ways w a y s to t o keep keep muscles strong and joints flexible. f exib fl b le. Even 15-20 minutes a day can boost energy and mood! Finally, focus f cus on seasonal foods fo f ods fo that support pp pp immunity. Fall’s harvest —pumpkins, —pumpk pkins, squash, and apples—are packed d with vitamins that can help your body fe ffend nd off f seasonal bugs. ff Adding warm soups and stews with these ingredients provides both comfort comfo f rt and nutrition. fo By y taking these steps, p you can enjoy enj n oy nj y the th he beauty of fa ffall ll while wh hile staying welll and thriving all season long!

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Actors Brittany Underwood and Matt Cohen film a scene in front of the polar bear enclosure at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

Shane Turner (Matt Cohen) and Alicia Wright (Brittany Underwood) at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

The Landmark, October 7, 2026

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

Contract renewal pending

FAMILY TRUSTS

or many investors, a family trust may be a key part of a smart estate and financial plan, especially for preserving and passing on wealth. A family trust is a specific type of trust you could use to help ensure your loved ones receive your wealth, and potentially avoid public disclosure of trust assets. Wondering if a family trust is right for your assets? Speaking with a financial advisor could be a good first step to answering that question and potentially setting one up. Benefits of a family trust: • Avoid probate: Helps keep matters private and potentially saves your heirs time and legal fees. • Shield assets: Potentially protect assets from creditors, lawsuits, and even divorce. • Legacy planning: Define how and when beneficiaries receive their inheritance • Tax strategy: Trusts can potentially be used proactively to help minimize estate tax exposure.

Setting up a trust isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are important choices to make: Revocable or irrevocable? Who serves as trustee? How will it be funded and maintained over time? Speaking with a financial advisor may help find the trust option that best suits your needs. Next, a trustee must be designated - yourself or someone else. Then, decide which family members you want to potentially benefit from the trust and determine exactly what they may get. From there, you’d create the trust agreement. This is when it could be better to work with a professional, especially if you have substantial assets. Next, the trust must be funded by transferring assets to the ownership of the trustee. These decisions will likely depend on your specific goals, family dynamics, and long-term strategy.

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FLOCK

from page 1 ogy with a sincere commitment to public safety,” Evans wrote. “Recent state and national reports on Flock use show a widespread pattern of unauthorized searches, public concealment, and improper use of data-sharing networks to bypass local privacy protections. The village’s current safeguards are insufficient to protect resident and visitor data from misuse.” In his rebuttal letter, Lester used Flock data he had accessed from the police department through a public records request to push back on assertions he thought the data contradicted. Lester said the “biggest claim” was that, as Buckley said in September, “Any search within our system is audited by the command staff here at the police department.” “That implies that these are the kind of searches that they’re OK with the system having,” Lester told the Landmark in an interview. “Your claim is that these are all audited, and the fact is, they very clearly can’t be because 153,600 searches were done during the month [of August 2026] of our data. That [number of searches] cannot be audited by our police staff every month.” In the village’s response, it said each search of Flock data creates an audit record, “but the existence of a record is not the same as command staff reviewing every search individually. Riverside command staff review searches made by Riverside personnel.” Lester pointed to searches made with the stated reason of “LMAO” — an initialism that stands for “laughing my ass off ” — made by the Lake County, Indiana, Sheriff ’s Office in addition to searches with no reason given. The village in its response called the searches “inappropriate” and disavowed them as providing “no meaningful explanation of a law enforcement purpose.” Being outside Indiana, Riverside no longer shares its Flock data with the Lake County Sheriff ’s Office. Lester said six of the agencies Riverside had shared its data with have direct 287(g) agreements with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, so while Riverside does not share data directly with ICE in accordance with the Illinois TRUST Act, other agencies could access its Flock data on behalf of the federal agency. Four of the agencies were in Tennessee while one was in Wisconsin and one was in Alabama. While Riverside no longer shares its data with those agencies, the village said

agencies outside Illinois were required to acknowledge the state’s restriction on the use of data for immigration enforcement, “establish[ing] a clear obligation” for those agencies not to share the data with ICE. That acknowledgment “must be supported by access controls and review of actual search activity,” the village said.

At the village board level On Oct. 1, three residents gave public comment about Riverside’s use of Flock cameras. Among them were Lester as well as advocate Mike Dobbins and opponent Mark Shevitz, who was a village trustee from 2009 to 2013. In his comment, Lester reiterated many of the points in his rebuttal letter, including the village’s inability to directly audit every search of its Flock data due to the sheer number. “Our internal guardrails, they’re not enough. Flock security is not enough,” he said. “The only way to stop people from abusing this kind of Flock data is to just not collect it.” Shevitz, who also spoke to the Landmark last month to describe his concerns around Flock, asked the village board not to renew Riverside’s contract with Flock due to a lack of data showing a reduction in crime since the license plate readers were installed. Dobbins, who was in favor of the continued use of Flock cameras, argued the privacy lost through Flock’s tracking of movement was worthwhile for the benefits they brought to the village’s police department and overall security. “Riverside is a low crime, low lawsuit community precisely because we have proactive, upstanding law enforcement officers who use modern policing technology while respecting the rights of citizens,” Dobbins said. The village board is set to discuss Flock on Oct. 15, though there may be some disagreement among its members on what the future of Flock should look like in Riverside, with Evans calling for the contract’s cancellation. In a September interview with the Landmark, Pollock said he had kept up with the national concerns around Flock, including the abuse of its data in cases where police staff allegedly stalked people, but that he didn’t foresee such a problem in Riverside. “Most of everything I’ve heard in the national news about Flock is people misusing the technology. That leads me to think we need to make sure our controls are there,” Pollock said. “[Riverside staff] are doing everything they can to make sure we’re using the technology right, that there aren’t any abuses internally.”

The Landmark, October 7, 2026

REBUILD

Watching Costs from page 1 ingness to compromise on space to reduce cost while pointing out some aspects that cannot be downsized. Riverside is preparing to pose a referendum question to voters in April 2027 in order to fund the project to fully overhaul the joint police and fire facilities at 31 Riverside Road adjacent to the township hall. The project is expected to cost $29.98 million. The referendum, if approved, will allow the village to issue $29.99 million of bond debt to cover $22.37 million in construction costs. The other $7.62 million will be split into $3.91 million for soft costs like legal fees, design costs and debt interest; $1.97 million set aside for unexpected contingencies; and $1.73 million for expected price escalation on construction costs between now and 2028, when construction would begin. In the presentation, Andy Dogan, the managing principal of Williams Architects, reviewed the project’s nine years in the making, over which time Riverside officials and staff have pushed the architec-

tural designers to minimize the new facilDogan pointed out the project’s relaity’s proposed footprint. tively low cost compared to other new “You have challenged us to be as efficient police stations in suburban Cook County, as possible with space, to multi-purpose including those in Libertyville, Wilmette spaces. Staff has been very willing to look and Geneva costing those municipaliat maximum use of spaces and optimizing ties upwards of $43 million. He spoke out spaces for proper use and effiagainst the idea that Williams ciency,” Dogan told trustees on might be pushing Riverside to Thursday, Oct. 1. “Your staff expand the project in order to are willing to make space sacreap more revenue. rifices and right-sized spaces “Sometimes, we see things in a way that many other villike, ‘Of course an architect lages are not.” wants to build the biggest or The presentation included most elaborate building they new sketch-style visualizations can. They make more money,’” of the proposed building’s exDogan said. “We are successful terior and interior spaces from when our clients are successdifferent angles, including the ful, and our clients are successfire department’s apparatus bay ful when they do thoughtful and decontamination spaces improvements that benefit the and shared programming and community and land responsiJILL MATEO fitness spaces that public safety bly within budget.” Trustee staff and community members He said a remodel of the exalike will be able to use. isting facility rather than the “We don’t want people to fixproposed rebuild would cost ate too much on the design bearound $20 million but would cause we know it’s not done yet. This is our not result in increased space for Riverfirst, best effort to put forward what we feel side’s first responders or create new space are a couple of good designs,” said Joseph for community use while being more diffiJuhl, an architect with Williams and a Riv- cult to make comply with the village’s Road to 2025 climate action and resilience plan. erside resident.

“We’ve seen

these [presentations] before, and it still isn’t repetitive. I’m still learning something new each time. ”

Dogan said comparing the per-capita cost of facilities would be fraught, as public safety vehicles have standard sizes to account for that do not correspond to the size of the municipality they serve. In response to a question from Trustee Elizabeth Kos that she said residents had asked her, Dogan said the facility had been designed with growing vehicle sizes in mind. “It would be incredibly irresponsible to design a building around the exact fleet you have at this point in time, expecting that that will last 75 to 100 years or more, like we want this building to,” he said. Dogan said the building had been designed with potential flooding from the Des Plaines River in mind as well, with the grading levels of the basement and floors above it set in order to avoid the effect of floodwaters on Riverside’s parked public safety vehicles. Trustee Jill Mateo lauded Dogan, Juhl and architect Kim Nigro for their presentation. “We’ve seen these [presentations] before, and it still isn’t repetitive. I’m still learning something new each time. We’re better understanding why it’s the size that it is,” Mateo said. “Even though it’s consolidated, we’re really minimizing how much space we’re using but still serving both departments and the community.”

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The Landmark, October 7, 2026

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Chicago drivers arrested for aggravated speeding Brookfield police arrested a 45-year-old Chicago man on Sept. 21 for aggravated speeding. Around 2:20 a.m., an officer was on patrol on the 8800 block of 31st Street when they observed a vehicle accelerate to a rate of 75 mph in the posted 30-mph zone before maintaining a speed of about 73 mph. The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle at the intersection of 31st Street and First Avenue in Riverside and made contact with the driver, who acknowledged he had been pulled over due to his speed. The man told police he was driving while his driver’s license was revoked, which a search through the police database confirmed. The officer directed the man to exit his vehicle and placed him under arrest around 2:30 a.m. before transporting him to the police station, where he was processed and fingerprinted. Police charged the man for aggravated speeding at a rate

more than 35 mph above the posted speed limit and for driving on a revoked driver’s license before releasing him with an Oct. 13 court date.

Driving with suspended registration Brookfield police on Sept. 23 charged a 21-year-old Chicago man after learning his car’s registration was suspended. Around 4 p.m., an officer on patrol came across a grey Jeep heading west on Congress Park Avenue. After noticing the Jeep’s back license plate had a white sticker, the officer ran the license plate number and learned the vehicle’s registration had been suspended due to a lack of mandatory insurance. The officer pulled the car over at the corner of Congress Park and Prairie avenues and approached the driver, who indicated that he did not speak English.

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While waiting for a backup officer who spoke Spanish, the officer and the driver communicated with a translation app on the man’s phone, and the officer obtained an ID from the man that was not a valid driver’s license. After the second officer arrived, they advised the man of the citations he would be receiving, including operating a suspended motor vehicle, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving without having been issued a driver’s license. Police explained the citations to the man and set a Nov. 10 court date before the man was sent on his way with his brother picking him up.

Aggravated speeding Brookfield police arrested a 30-year-old Chicago man for aggravated speeding on Sept. 24. Around 11:55 p.m., an officer was conducting radar patrol on the 8800 block of 31st Street when they observed a vehicle heading west at a speed of 66 mph in the posted 30-mph zone. The officer caught up with the vehicle and pulled it over near the intersection with Maple Avenue. The officer made contact with the driver and explained the reason for the stop. The man was able to provide a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance at the officer’s request. The officer placed the man under arrest for aggravated speeding at a rate of more than 35 mph above the speed limit and transported him to the Brookfield Police

Department for processing and fingerprinting. Police set an Oct. 13 court date and released the man with instructions on how to get back his towed vehicle.

Driving 31 mph above speed limit Brookfield police ticketed a 65-year-old Broadview man on Sept. 28 for speeding. Around 5 a.m., an officer was on patrol on the 8800 block of 31st Street when they observed a grey BMW heading east at a speed of 61 mph in the posted 30-mph zone. The officer activated their emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop west of First Avenue. After making contact with the driver, the officer explained the reason for the stop and obtained a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance from the man. The officer charged the man with one count of speeding 25-34 mph over the limit and set a Nov. 24 court date before releasing him on pretrial conditions. These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department reports dated Sept 21-28; they represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stella Brown

The Landmark, October 7, 2026

NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR THE VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for the Village of Riverside for 2026 will be held on October 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Room 4 of Township Hall located at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Mary Emmanuel, Village Treasurer, at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546, phone number 708-447-2700. II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2025 were $8,051,217. The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2026 are $8,519,951. This represents a 5.82% increase over the previous year. III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2025 were $529,357. The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2026 are $505,650. This represents a 4.48% decrease over the previous year. IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2025 were $8,631,730.

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The Landmark, October 7, 2026

LETTERS

In support of Flock cameras While we should all be mindful of the role new technology plays in surveilling us, it’s important not to lose sight of the benefits it provides. In the case of Flock cameras, I think it’s crystal clear that the security benefits far outweigh the small amount of privacy we give up. Riverside is a low-crime, low-lawsuit community precisely because we have proactive, upstanding law enforcement officers who use modern policing technology while respecting the rights of citizens. Riverside has strict protocols to ensure Flock cameras are not abused. Officers can’t search the data without an explicit law enforcement purpose. Many serious crimes involve vehicles, and some pass into our town. Flock cameras are an important new tool that past law enforcement agencies would be envious of. While The Landmark reported that Flock camera critic DeFlock’s “report found that less than .3% of license plate reader hits turn into useful leads,” the .3%

number actually makes the case for Flock cameras and proves they are working as intended. For every 1,000 license plates photographed, 997 are ignored, while 3 are used for leads in an investigation. The vast majority of plate pictures are never even looked at. That also shows that it’s working. The system is giving investigators leads and helping them solve crimes. It is grossly inaccurate and shortsighted to view this technology merely as a “surveillance network.” Flock cameras do not track people, faces, or behavior inside vehicles. They capture license plate numbers, vehicle make, model, and color in public streets where there is no legal expectation of privacy. Illinois highways (not just toll roads) have been doing this for years and sharing the information with local law enforcement when necessary. While Flock data is purged after 30 days, state data can be held up to 90 days. Three times longer. And it’s our own government. Where is the outrage at the state of Illinois for collecting our informa-

tion first and investigating later? Crickets. While some have expressed concern about sharing the data with over 450 local organizations, this is arguably the greatest strength of Flock cameras. Criminals don’t care about borders. A vehicle stolen in a neighboring town or involved in an Amber Alert can enter Riverside in minutes. Sharing data allows local police to receive realtime alerts when a suspect or stolen vehicle enters our town. This gives police the ability to stop that crime and prevent another one from possibly taking place. If anything we need more Flock cameras, not less. What you are not being told about is dozens of documented cases where Flock cameras have been used to save a child during an Amber Alert. Flock cameras tracked the vehicle and gave officers the information needed to catch the kidnapper and rescue the child. I for one am perfectly fine with cameras taking pictures of our cars if it means saving a child’s life. If Riverside were to remove Flock cameras,

we’d be giving up a vital new public safety tool, placing a greater burden on our police officers, and placing the public at greater risk. The purpose of Flock cameras is to help keep communities safe, solve unsolved crimes, and help solve ongoing ones. I believe the evidence shows they are doing just that. Riverside should keep its Flock Cameras and I urge you to email Riverside President Douglas Pollock and Director of Public Safety Matthew Buckley and show your support.

Mike Dobbins Riverside

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

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Sports

The Landmark, October 7, 2026

Big showdowns this week for RBHS, LTHS football Bulldogs host Glenbard East for UEC East lead; Lions visit Downers North

By BILL STONE Staff Writer

Riverside Brookfield High School senior Nick Baca of Riverside has an aunt, uncle and grandparents from Brookfield who regularly attend his home football games. Friday’s 28-26 home victory over Bartlett was extra special for the family. Baca’s grandfather, Richard, was among the military veterans honored at the game. Baca served on a Navy aircraft carrier in Vietnam. The Bulldogs’ weekly team dinner was held the day before at VFW Post 2868 in Brookfield. “He’s always open to talk to us grandkids. There’s definitely been some crazy, scary and awesome stories,” Nick Baca said. “That was a special experience to go (to the VFW) and dine in the presence of veterans. Friday’s celebration was huge. It’s always important for the community as well as those players who had family in the military. It’s always nice to salute and commemorate them.” Now it’s time for the Bulldogs to accomplish one of their missions – win the Upstate Eight Conference East Division. RBHS (6-1, 3-0 in UEC East) plays host to Glenbard East (5-2, 4-0) this Friday, Oct. 9, with first place on the line. The Bulldogs visit third-place Glenbard South (5-2, 4-1) in the regularseason finale, Oct. 16. In last year’s winner-take-all title showdown in the regularseason finale, the Bulldogs lost 45-43 in Lombard on a 47yard field goal as time expired after taking the lead with 15.1 seconds left. “We know what we’re playing for and obviously there’s a bad taste from what happened last year,” RBHS coach Sam Styler said. “We know it’s going to be a challenge. They’ve been a successful team and program at the top of our conference.” The Bulldogs showed their resilience against winless Bartlett after falling behind 20-14 with 3:58 left in the third quarter. With RBHS leading 28-20, the Hawks scored a touchdown with 4:22 left, but the Bulldogs stopped the two-point conversion run with linebacker Bryan Rimpila breaking through the end of the offensive line and making the tackle. The two-point conversion was needed after Bartlett only pulled ahead 13-7 in the second quarter. Brandon Ruiz blocked the extra point. “It was a little bit of a nail-biter, probably more so than it should have been. We didn’t play our best football, but we were able to rally,” Baca said. “We found a way to get a scrappy win. That’s always a good thing.” The turning point came after RBHS pulled ahead 21-20 with quarterback Braeden Novak’s 1-yard TD run with 38 seconds

STEVE JOHNSTON

Fenton’s Robert Green (9) is caught from behind by Riverside-Brookfield’s Bryan Rimpila (8) during an Upstate Eight Conference game, Sept. 18, in Brookfield. left in the third quarter. RBHS kicker Henry Jurgens executed an onside kick that Dean Mauban recovered at the Bartlett 46. On the next play, Novak hit James Organ with his second TD reception of the game for a 28-20 lead. After Bartlett closed to 28-26, Organ recovered the Hawks’ onside kick. RBHS ate the clock all the way down to the Bartlett 20 with seven seconds left. The Hawks’ one play before time expired was a hook-and-ladder pass for 7 yards. “The onside recovery and long TD to James set us up for success. We made plays when we needed to,” Styler said. Novak passed for 143 yards and rushed for 93 also with an earlier 9-yard TD pass to Organ (4 catches, 77 yards). Leaders in total tackles were Rimpila (11, 2 for loss), Anthony Lembcke (10) and Jayden Lee (7). Tyler Schultz added a 4-yard TD run.

LTHS football Lyons Township senior linebacker/tight end Aidan Webster had extra postgame congratulations, Friday, with Oak Park and River Forest seniors Liam Brown and Robert Kolovitz. The trio played traveling baseball together for Rake City. On the football field, Webster sacked quarterback Brown for a 9-yard loss on the Huskies’ last offensive play to seal the

Lions’ 34-10 victory in Western Springs. “We talked about it a little bit but nothing too crazy,” Webster said. “In the second quarter I had (Brown). He had a nice move on me, got out of the pocket. Then to just hit him to end the game felt nice.” The Lions (6-1, 3-1 in West Suburban Conference Silver Division), ranked No. 9 in Class 8A last week in the Illinois media poll, now are tied for the Silver lead with Glenbard West (5-2, 4-1) and Downers Grove North (6-1, 4-1), whom the Lions visit Friday, Oct. 9. The Lions limited OPRF (3-4, 2-3) to 73 yards in the second half while building upon their 21-10 halftime lead. EJ Kuhlman had 18 carries for 246 yards with two huge runs. Kuhlman started things with a 73-yard TD run on the Lions’ first offensive play and a 6-yard TD for a 28-10 lead in the third quarter. Senior tight end Owen Matela caught two first-half TD passes from senior quarterback Brendan McCabe – a wellplaced high 13-yarder in the end zone and, following Kuhlman’s 63-yard run, a 29-yarder after catching the ball at the 16 and eluding two tacklers. This was the first time the Miami (Ohio) recruit scored twice in a high school game. “That (29-yard TD) was my favorite because I caught it and made some dudes miss. That was super-fun,” Matela said. “We could have done better though (as a team). We have so much more potential.” McCabe passed for 162 yards among seven receivers. That included Webster, who had a 7-yard TD catch for the Lions’ final score with 7:22 left. On the Huskies’ first possession of the second half, Webster also recovered a fumble at the Lions’ 49 caused by linebacker Colman O’Sullivan. “That was all Colman. He’s been doing that all summer. We were looking for it to happen in a game,” Webster said. Matela was on the right side of the line to help create Kuhlman’s 73-yard TD run along with guard Liam Corrigan and tackle Edwin Martinez. They had another great night with center Luke Vaupell, guard Mason Price and tackle Charlie Harrington. “We worked the linebackers and saw no one was there. There was a huge hole and EJ did the rest,” Matela said. “It was electric. It was just off to the races,” Corrigan said. “We went into the game knowing we’re going to have to run outside with the four-man front. And we have the best running back in the state.” Declan Flynn’s interception and 25-yard return to the OPRF 26 set up the Lions’ second TD. Flynn, Webster and Charlie Carlisle contributed to other tackles for loss. OPRF closed to 14-3 on a 30-yard field goal after Jack Lee broke up an end-zone pass.

S P O R T S

The Landmark, October 7, 2026

Sectional champion Lee leads 4 LTHS boys to state Lions’ Genovesi, Nazareth’s Dwyer and Giangrande also qualify

By BILL STONE

“(State) means a lot. It’s kind of what I wanted to do the whole year and the past two years,” Bloomfield said. At the Benet Regional, Lee (par-72) was fourth, followed by Bloomfield (74), Forrest and Hare (75s), Bonnevier (76) and junior Henry Niemiec (82). RBHS was sixth (329). Fakhoury (75) was followed by junior Paul Byrne (83), senior Zak Milchhoefer (85), sophomore Bryce Sherman (86), junior Michael Sloger (87) and sophomore Leo Fakhoury (93). The individual sectional cut was 77 and required a playoff. In 2A, Nazareth was fourth (321) at the Deerfield Sectional, two strokes from third, but junior Max Dwyer’s 5-over-par 77 advanced to state individually by tying for 11th. Also playing for the Roadrunners were junior Axel Perez (80) and seniors Mark Johannes (81), Mason Simpson (83), Ben Schneider (87) and Luke Krema (90). The individual state cut was 78.

Staff Writer

After nearly winning the West Suburban Conference Silver Division individual title Sept. 22, Lyons Township High School senior Grayson Lee achieved an even bigger golf prize Monday. Once again shooting 69, Lee enjoyed his greatest victory as medalist and also qualified for his first Class 3A state meet at the par-70 Lincoln-Way Central Sectional at Ravisloe Country Club in Flossmoor. LTHS seniors Charlie Forrest and Ben Hare and junior Cohen Bloomfield also qualified for state individually after the Lions just missed advancing to sectionals as a team. “(Winning sectionals) means a lot. It also means a lot that three of the other guys also made it,” said Lee, who was second at the Silver Meet after a one-hole playoff. “Absolutely (my best victory). We were a little bummed out after the regionals but we still kind of get the team effect at state.” Bloomfield (72, tied for 7th overall) and Forrest and Hare (73s, tied for 12th) also advanced to The Den in Bloomington by being among the top 10 individuals not among the three advancing teams. Lee and Bloomfield were all-sectional with top-seven finishes. LTHS senior Braxton Bonnevier (77) and Riverside Brookfield senior Oliver Fakhoury (88) also competed as individual sectional qualifiers. Senior Danny O’Donoghue of Riverside shot 88 for eighth-place Fenwick (315). While advancing four, the Lions had hopes of qualifying as a team but their season of one-shot frustration continued, Sept. 30, when they finished fourth at the Benet Regional at Naperbrook (296), one stroke behind third-place Downers Grove South for the final advancing team berth. On Monday, the Lions’ top four scores combined for 297, which would have tied for second as a team, three strokes behind champion Benet Academy. “The game plan coming in was to validate our season. Just one shot (at regionals). I think we had (that happen) three or four times this season,” LTHS coach Brian Kopecky said. “But we’re right there and the kids came through. If we can finish strong down there, that’ll be special.”

Girls golf

STEVE JOHNSTON

Lyons Township’s Grayson Lee watches his tee shot during a round at La Grange Country Club, Aug. 20, in La Grange. In 2025, Forrest was among three Lions who advanced to state individually after the team was fourth at sectionals behind the eventual three state trophy teams. Forrest tied for 34th with a two-round 155. This season, Forrest overcame a wrist injury that sidelined him the first couple of weeks. “(Monday) was a tough day but I was able to just play well enough to get through,” Forrest said. “Four (Lions advancing) is even better.” Last season, Lee just missed making the postseason lineup. This year, Kopecky said he’s “been money down the stretch.” “I didn’t have that chance (at state) last year so it feels good to complete that this year,” Lee said. At last year’s sectional, Hare missed the

individual state cut by one shot. “It feels good to finally get down there,” Hare said. “It still felt like our whole team was here and if five could make it down, that would be awesome. Sadly, only four made it but that’s still pretty good.” The individual state cut of 73 did not require a playoff. Toward the end of their rounds, Forrest pointed to following a bogey with a birdie to help him stay on qualifying pace. Hare and Bloomfield both pointed to birdies on their 17th hole. “First birdie of the day. I was right there (to qualifying) so I knew I needed to have something,” Bloomfield said. After a solid start, Bloomfield overcame back issues at the halfway point of the season with help from Ruth Lake Country Club pro Dan Sheldon.

Lyons Township senior Mekayla Genovesi (3-over-par 76) and Nazareth Academy junior Gabriella Giangrande (78) advanced to the Class 2A state meet individually at the Sandburg Sectional Monday at Silver Lake Country Club. Genovesi (3-over-par 76, place overall) and Giangrande (78) were among the 10 top-scoring individuals not among the three advancing teams. The individual state cut was 80 and required a playoff. Both continued their momentum from the Reavis Regional, Sept. 29, at Ruffled Feathers. Genovesi won with a 5-over-par 77 for the first-place Lions (342) and Giangrande tied for second (80). “Winning regionals as a senior feels incredibly special and rewarding. Since it’s my last year, it’s very gratifying to have accomplished such an incredible milestone with my team,” said Genovesi. “This (victory) absolutely ranks the highest. The pressure and stakes are much higher at regionals, especially as a senior. To be able to pull off this win, along with our team also pulling off the win, it’s much more meaningful than my past victories.” Riverside Brookfield junior Harper Jess-

S P O R T S

The Landmark, October 7, 2026

RBHS tennis program netsgreat memories for seniors Bulldogs boast five 4-year players; volleyball keeps winning

By BILL STONE

“We were the last match. It was really dark. The (court) lights came on,” Blomgren said. “I think the match went like two and a half hours. It was just a really nice moment because all of that hard work paid off.” Baez recalled her first quad as a freshman at Morton on the Saturday morning of homecoming. With help from good attitudes, she and her upperclassman doubles teammate rallied to win their final match. Last season, Price and Baez enjoyed a team bonding day on the clay courts at the Oak Brook Bath and Tennis Club. Price and Baez chose to play doubles against Garcia and Rodriguez. They even saw a wedding taking place at the club while playing. “It was just a lot of fun playing with everyone. We got to play whatever we wanted,” Price said.

Staff Writer

Senior Leah Baez had tried just about every sport thinkable before entering Riverside Brookfield High School. “I felt like none of them were quite right. There was always something that I didn’t like,” Baez said. Then Baez tried tennis. On Monday, she was among seven Bulldogs who were honored on their rescheduled Senior Day for the match against Morton. Baez, Mollie Price, Lucia Rodriguez, Brooke Zavorski and Paige Zavorski have been four-year program members. Sofia Garcia joined as a sophomore and Ella Blomgren as a junior. After her freshman tennis experience, Baez said she encouraged Garcia to join the following season. “When I did tennis, I really loved it and I learned how much of a mental game it is,” Baez said. “Of course, there’s physical attributes with running and hitting and all of that stuff but I think the mindset was really big for me. If you change it and keep being positive, you can really pull through in your match no matter how good your opponent is.” The Zavorski twins have been four-year varsity standouts who have contributed to three straight conference team titles. This season, the Bulldogs are 2-3 in Upstate Eight Conference East Division duals under first-year head coach Elise Husemann. Their final one was against West Chicago Tuesday heading into the UEC East Meet this weekend. “I like being around my teammates and playing with them and seeing how we grow

Riverside-Brookfield’s Sophie Dickerson during a match against Glenbard South, Sept. 15, in Brookfield. together,” Price said. “I’ve learned to be more patient with myself because there are times where I’m not getting a shot right or getting my serve in. I’ve learned to be patient and keep practicing until I get it and get better.” Baez mostly played singles in 2025, but this year often has been at No. 2 doubles with Price. They’ve known each other since they were first-graders at Brook Park School. “I like the way we mesh together. I kind of feel like everyone is so unique with their personalities, yet we all get along no matter our background or how long we’ve been playing,” Baez said. “Everyone is so nice and caring and coach (Husemann) has been amazing.

You can tell she really cares.” Blomgren has mostly been playing No. 4 doubles. Until last season, she had played tennis casually but was looking for a fall sport. “I kind of just thought tennis sounded like fun so I tried it out and I ended up really liking it,” Blomgren said. “I think the tennis community has been really positive these past two years. I’ll be sad to see it go. It’s a really positive and encouraging environment.” Blomgren’s most memorable match came earlier this season at home against Ridgewood. Playing doubles with junior Olivia Gabel, they pulled out a long, tough battle with most of their teammates watching and cheering.

After just two home matches previously, the Bulldogs rolled to back-to-back home victories over York 25-23, 23-19, Sept. 30, and Downers Grove South 25-15, 27-25, Oct. 1, after winning at Glenbard East 25-12, 2518, Sept. 29. The Bulldogs (16-8, 3-0 in UEC East) have won six straight, all in two sets, heading into Tuesday’s Senior Night against Fenton. The victory over York was especially sweet after losing to the Dukes in regionals the past two seasons. Mackenzie Sloger (17 kills, .545 attack percentage), Asha Ponnappan (7 total blocks), Elsie Crist (17 assists), Ella Wilkowski (5 kills), Sage Roldan (9 digs), Nina Johnsen (8 digs), Demetra Foster (6 blocks) and Kenley Callahan (2 aces) were among the key contributors.

wein shot a 19-over-par 89 to tie for 49th at the Prospect Sectional Monday at the Mt. Prospect Golf Club. The individual state cut of 81 required a playoff. Jesswein was the lone individual sectional qualifier for the Bulldogs, who finished seventh (386) at the St. Ignatius Regional Sept. 29 at Cog Hill. “Sectionals was a good learning experience and I think it was good to play against competition that I won’t normally play during the season,” Jesswein said. “I think be-

ing the only one (from my team) was a little hard. I felt more pressure to do better. Even though it didn’t go how I wanted, I’m still proud of how far I made it and I’m excited for next year.” At the Sandburg Sectional, LTHS and Nazareth tied for seventh at 359 with the Roadrunners awarded seventh on a fifthscore tiebreaker. The Lions’ other scorers were junior Caroline McNaughton (91), sophomores Kate Carlstead (95) and Molly Collins (97)

and Lucy Newton (104) and junior Dagny Stromborg (105). Nazareth’s other scorers were junior Megan Brost (90), sophomore Layla Rucinski (93), senior Elizabeth Salerno (98) and juniors Sophia Brost (99) and Miya Ramirez (128). Jesswein’s 17-over-par 89 at the St. Ignatius Regional tied for 10th. Also playing for the Bulldogs were juniors Fiona Lombardi (94) and Lily Martin (101), sophomore Nicole Robertson (102), senior Nikki Ritacca

(103) and junior Ana Bacik (110). The last individual sectional qualifier shot 92. LTHS won the Reavis Regional by 15 strokes over Mother McAuley. Nazareth (365) was third. McNaughton (85, 4th), Rucinski (87, 5th) and Stromborg and Newton (90s, tied for 8th) also were top-10 regional finishers, followed by the Lions’ Collins (93) and Carlstead (96) and the Roadrunners’ Sophia Brost and Megan Brost (99s), Salerno (101) and junior Eleanor Shorey (114).

STEVE JOHNSTON

RBHS girls volleyball

18 The Landmark, October 7, 2026 HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI • Deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Let the sun shine in...

Your right to know...In print • Online

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3360 | BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals from qualified laboratories 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 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 for the following: Village of Oak Park Drinking Water Laboratory Services Project Number: 26-125 Proposal documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park. us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours. Published in Wednesday Journal October 7, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 for the following: Village of Oak Park Generator Maintenance and Repair Services Project Number: 26-126 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours. Published in Wednesday Journal October 7, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICES

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Riverside will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, in Room 4 of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, to consider an application for a variation from the Zoning Ordinance.

Application No.: PZ 26-0007 Petitioner: Errol Kirsch Owners: Sonja Lin and Matthew Kerkof Address: 169 Barrypoint Road PIN: 15-36-305-013-0000 Requested Variation: Variation from Chapter 4 (Residential Districts) to exceed the maximum building and impervious surface coverage to build an outdoor stair enclosure, a pergola, walkways and a patio. The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. During the Public Hearing the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters. Persons wishing to appear at this hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the matters being considered. Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearing or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to the Village’s Community Development Department at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois prior to 4:00 p.m. the day of the public hearing. The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Dated this 7th day of October, 2026. Published in RB Landmark October 7, 2026

Application No.: PZ 26-0005 Petitioner: Village of Riverside Proposed Text Amendments: Various text amendments to the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance relating to parks and open space zoning including, but not limited to, amending permitted and special uses in parks and open space zoning districts, establishing new or amended parks and open space zoning districts and regulations related to the same, adding purpose and intent statements for parks and open space zoning districts, and amending the standards for special uses in parks and open space zoning districts. The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. During the Public Hearing the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters. Persons wishing to appear at this hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the matters being considered. Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearing or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to the Village’s Community Development Department at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois prior to 4:00 p.m. the day of the public hearing. The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Dated this 7th day of October 2026 Jennifer Henaghan, Chairperson Planning & Zoning Commission Published in RB Landmark October 7, 2026

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OCTOBER 22, 2026, AT 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue Illinois for the purpose of considering and hearing the proposed amendment to the Village of Brookfield’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan. The Amendment proposes changes to the Future Land Use Map as follows: North of the Ogden Avenue north side Alley, and south of Burlington Avenue, the West and East Sides of Blanchan Avenue, the West Side of DuBois Avenue, from Multiple Family to Mixed Use and one zoning lot north of the Ogden Avenue north alley on the East Side of DuBois Avenue, the West Side of Deyo Avenue from Single Family to Mixed Use. The proposed Amendment does not change the zoning of the affected properties. The Plan Amendment may be viewed at the village of Brookfield Village Hall and on the Village’s website. The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Libby Popovic, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, lpopovic@brookfieldil.gov, or 708485-1113. Oral or written testimony may be given during the public hearing. The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 26-12. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall. By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman. Published in RB Landmark October 7, 2026

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES TRUST 2007-1, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 Plaintiff, -v.WILLIAM D. EDGAR, TD BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, AMY L. EDGAR, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ELLEN M. RAVITZ, DAMON RITENHOUSE, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR ELLEN M. RAVITZ (DECEASED) Defendants 2025CH04362 123 S EUCLID AVE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 21, 2026, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on October 26, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 123 S EUCLID AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-400-0160000 The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues

where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-25-02688 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2025CH04362 TJSC#: 46-1714 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2025CH04362 I3294352

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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The Landmark, October 7, 2026

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