CONTINUE #GivingNewsDay. Double your donation.
Details on page 11
RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Also serving North Riverside
Special Section
$1.00
PAGE 8
Vol. 35, No. 49
December 2, 2020
Brookfield records its fifth death as a result of COVID-19 PAGE 7
Pair of armed robberies within days in Brookfield PAGE 17
You weren’t dreaming, voter turnout was huge
DREAMING BIG: The Rev. John C. Talbot addresses the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church on Aug. 18, 1957 during a cornerstone-laying ceremony where they also placed a time capsule that was uncovered last month as North Riverside prepared to demolish the church.
Avalanche of early, mail votes meant initial low totals were deceiving By BOB UPHUES Editor
A full week after the U.S. presidential election, the Landmark published an article about how voters in each village cast their ballots – for the winner, Joe Biden, as it turned out – but toward the end of that article we noted one head-scratching bit of data. At the time that article was written, on Nov. 9, the Cook County Clerk was reporting vote totals that seemed at odds with what our eyes had been telling us since early voting kicked off in mid-October. Incredibly, we noted, the total number of votes cast in Brookfield and Riverside was lower than for the presidential election in 2016. In the case of Brookfield, at the time, the clerk’s office was reporting more than 650 fewer votes cast. The only exception was North Riverside, which recorded a few dozen more votes than in 2016. See VOTER TURNOUT on page 15
PROVIDED
As end approaches, an echo from the past North Riverside uncovers church’s time capsule, under seal since 1957 By BOB UPHUES
A
Editor
ug. 18, 1957 was a big day for North Riverside Community Presbyterian Church. Since 1952, the nascent congregation of about 230 had been worship-
ping over at Komarek School, at first in the basement and then, by 1953, in the newly built gymnasium. By late summer 1957, however, the bones of a new church were visible at the northwest corner of 8th Avenue and 24th Street. Around 4 p.m. on Aug. 18 of that year, the Rev. John C. Talbot, the church’s 28-year-old pas-
tor, stepped up to the microphone – the new church’s dramatic A-frame timbers jutting skyward behind him -- to lead a prayer prior to pretending to seal a time capsule, encased in copper, behind the cornerstone bearing the year of the church’s construction. See TIME CAPSULE on page 6
#1 AGENT IN RIVERSIDE FOR 2019!* *In units + volume based on MREDLLC.COM 1/19-12/19. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
THE SHEILA GENTILE GROUP LIVE LOCAL • WORK LOCAL
708.220.2174 • www.SheilaGentile.com
2
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
Brookfield trustees oppose gas station request for gambling Mobil on Ogden Avenue seeks liquor license change to allow machines
By BOB UPHUES Editor
A bid by the owners of a Brookfield gas station to win approval for converting a portion of the minimart into a video gambling room appears doomed after village trustees unanimously spoke out against the idea at their committee of the whole meeting on Nov. 23. Punnoose Thachet, president of MT&T Inc., which operates the Mobil gas station at 9137 Ogden Ave. in Brookfield, approached the village through attorney Lauren DaValle in late September about changing the business’ liquor license to pave the way for installing gaming machines. The gas station presently has a liquor license that allows it to sell package goods for off-premises consumption. However, Illinois law requires establishments that offer video gambling to have a license allowing them to serve liquor on premises. At the Nov. 23 committee of the whole meeting, the gas station owner was represented by DaValle, associate attorney at Odelson Sterk Murphey Frazier McGrath Ltd. That law firm represents Lucky Lincoln Gaming, a video gambling terminal operator. DaValle attempted to assuage trustees’ fears of the gas station becoming a place where customers might gas up, down a drink or two and then drive off, by saying the Mobil station owners didn’t intend for the video gambling area to operate as a tavern. Because of the state law, the business was required to obtain a liquor license permitting onsite consumption of alcohol. But on-
BOB UPHUES/Editor
GAS AND GAMBLE? The owner of an Ogden Avenue gas station wants a liquor license that would allow him to install video gambling machines inside the minimart, but Brookfield trustees are likely to shoot down the request. premises consumption was not something the business was looking to encourage. “The consumption license was what they need in order to get the video gaming. That is their end goal,” DaValle told trustees. “Obviously, COVID is hitting the business sector pretty hard and video gaming would add to their revenue, and that is why they made this application.” While the village board will vote on granting the liquor license change at their meeting on Dec. 14, it doesn’t appear to have much of a chance.
Trustees swatted away the proposal, with Trustee Brian Conroy, in particular, saying he wanted no part of such an arrangement, having experienced a gas station gaming location on an out-of-state trip in the past month. A woman playing at a terminal was accompanied by two children, Conroy said, one sitting on the floor and one playing with a doll. “It was heartbreaking to see,” Conroy said. “To me, it’s not the least bit appealing or something I’d want to see. … I don’t see anything desirable about this.”
DaValle responded to Conroy’s story by saying children by state law are not allowed in video gambling areas and that the area would be isolated from the rest of the minimart. But, other trustees were in agreement with Conroy’s assessment of expanding video gambling outside of traditional bars and restaurants. “I don’t see anything good that will come out of this,” said Trustee David LeClere, who also worried about allowing onsite alcohol consumption at a gas station. Trustee Michael Garvey emphasized the village’s conscious choice of not allowing standalone video gambling parlors by requiring bars and restaurants to be in business for a year before allowing them to apply for video gambling privileges. President Kit Ketchmark noted that a few years ago the owner of a Brookfield laundromat sought and was denied permission to place video gambling terminals in his business. “If this were to be at the Mobil gas station, what keeps the other three or four gas stations in town from asking for the exact same thing?” Ketchmark asked. Luck Lincoln Gaming provides video gambling terminals to scores of Illinois establishments, including a number of gas stations. They are the terminal operator for machines at North Riverside Gas Mart, owners of a BP station at 2558 Desplaines Ave. in North Riverside. In addition to that gas station, there is a video gambling parlor called the King Cobra Lounge carved out of the minimart at the Citgo gas station at 8545 Cermak Road in North Riverside. It is not associated with Lucky Lincoln Gaming.
RBHS continues adaptive pause at least another week Officials will make call on returning to hybrid plan each Friday By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
The pause of in-person instruction at Riverside-Brookfield High School will last at least one more week. On Nov. 27, the school announced that classes would be conducted remotely during the week of Nov. 30. RBHS suspended in-person instruction on Nov. 13 as cases of COVID-19 spiked in suburban Cook County. As of Nov. 29, the rolling average positivity rate for Brookfield was 11.59 percent while it was 10.24 percent for Riverside and
North Riverside, according to Northwestern University School of Medicine’s online COVID-19 dashboard. Twenty-eight students and six staff members at RBHS have tested positive for the virus since the school year began, with 22 of those students and five of the staff members testing positive since the start of the second quarter on Oct. 19. Superintendent Kevin Skinkis has said school officials will decide every Friday what to do for the following week. RBHS began the school year in August with 100 percent remote learning but began offering a hybrid option for the second quarter, where students had the option of attending school in person one day a week. The plan had been to quickly increase in-person student attendance to two days a week, but was derailed as COVID cases
surged in November. Many students had chosen to stay home even when in person instruction was offered because the in-school experience was essentially the same as what students experienced at home, with instruction delivered over Zoom. Students who had been attending class in person say that it has been a strange experience because so few students were there. “It’s really awkward,” said sophomore Carrol Creedon. “Sometimes I’m the only one, sometimes there’s maybe two other kids. At the most there’s only been four kids.” Many students and parents have also complained about remote learning, saying that all the screen time is tiring and that the experience is not very good. “Overall, I’d say it’s been, I don’t want
to sound too harsh, but it’s been terrible,” Creedon said. “That’s no fault of my teachers or my classmates, it’s just, Zoom.” Lyons Township High School is also still doing all remote learning this week after suspending in person instruction on Nov. 13. LTHS officials will decide later this week whether to resume in person instruction next week.
Komarek, LaGrange D102 still offer in-person learning Only two local elementary school districts are offering in-person instruction this week -- Komarek School in North Riverside and LaGrange-Brookfield District 102, which includes Congress Park School in Brookfield. See REMOTE on page 16
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
Riverside’s card campaign brightens days at Cantata
IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Denise Brennan has connected seniors to the community throughout pandemic
Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter
Though she retired as an assisted living nurse three years ago, Riverside resident Denise Brennan has not forgotten the importance of connecting with some of the community’s most vulnerable individuals -- senior citizens. Closing out her career at The Woodlands at Cantata Adult Life Services in Brookfield, Brennan is all too familiar with not just the physical needs of the residents -- from medication reminders to assistance with daily tasks -- but also with the emotional support and friendship vital to their well-being and peace of mind. So when the pandemic hit and assistive facilities like Cantata enacted strict shelter-in-place protocols to protect the health of their at-risk residents and employees, Brennan knew the decision was the right one, but also came with a cost -- isolation from the outside world and overwhelming anxiety. “I remember talking with some people at Cantata when they first went into lockdown saying, ‘I really feel for you guys. I’m just so sorry you are in the throes of this,’” she said. “I said, ‘I wish there were something I could do.’” Stepping back into the nursing world was not in the cards for her, but Brennan still felt compelled to provide some sort of support to the residents and let them know they’re not forgotten. That’s when she came up with a simple idea: creating greeting cards of support for the Cantata residents to help them feel less alone. As someone who was neither an artist nor had ever made homemade greeting cards before, Brennan knew she could not take on the task alone. Since March, she has solicited help from family, friends and neighbors on Bartram Road, making cards expressing encouragement and well wishes for distribution at the facility. Brennan has been able to successfully spread the word about her card-making cam-
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
STAYING CONNECTED: Riverside resident Denise Brennan hasn’t forgotten the importance of helping senior citizens stay connected during a pandemic that has isolated so many who live in assisted living facilities. paign, soliciting help from people through PROVIDED word-of-mouth and email. Since the beginning, Brennan has been able to collect enough cards to send big batches to Cantata twice a month. While the notes themselves include happy thoughts, well wishes and bits of prayer, they often include original drawings or photos of nature and animals. One of Brennan’s nieces, who is an artist, has shared professional drawings with her that she has been able to photocopy and include in cards. Brennan’s own grandchildren have included their whimsical sketches in cards. And friends and neighbors have included photos of their beloved pets or landscape scenes, such as photos from recent trips to the Garfield Park Conservatory or foliage from around the neighborhood. Brennan has even received cards from as far out as west suburban Glen Ellyn, where her sister, who teaches second grade, asked students to make cards for the seniors for Halloween and Thanksgiving. In addition, Brennan and her neighbors on Bartram Road have twice assembled goody bags filled with small candies and prepackaged snacks for the Cantata residents and staff. According to Brennan, the motive behind the continued community involvement in the project is simple -- sharing a word with a stranger that no matter what, they still matter.
“So much that we’re hearing is the isolation of [seniors] and not being able to see their families, and then you hear so much that seniors are leaving this world without feeling valued,” she said. “I think that it’s important to send a message of value and engagement.” Laima Aleksa, a social service worker at Cantata, is the person to whom Brennan delivers the batches of cards for distribution. Aleksa says that overwhelmingly, the sentiments from the residents and staff at Cantata has simply been joy that there’s a community of people out there rallying for them. “Personally, I am impressed that someone who is not related to a resident in our facility would consistently spend time and creative energy to brighten all the residents’ day,” she said. “It warms my heart when I see them smile upon receiving such a gift.” Resident Patricia Ritacco says she has enjoyed receiving the cards, especially one which included a photo of the Garfield Park Conservatory and the cardmakers’ pets. “Oh, this card reminds me -- I was at the botanical gardens,” Ritacco said. “It takes me back to all the places I’ve visited. It [also] gives me joy to see other people’s pets.” Fellow resident Diane Finch also loves the cards. Her favorite included artwork of the cartoon character Snoopy. “It brightened my day,” Finch said.
Editor Bob Uphues Sports Editor James Kay Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Javier Govea, Mark Moroney Debbie Becker Sales and Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich
Growing Community Media BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer
HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 E-MAIL buphues@wjinc.com ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $34 within Cook County and $44 outside the county. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2020 Growing Community Media NFP.
3
4
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
BIG WEEK December 2-9
Ketchup? On a hot dog?
Brookfield Public Library invites you to celebrate the Chicago dog on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. when author Denis Foley talks about his newest book “No Ketchup” and the city’s hot dog obsession. The program is presented via Zoom. Register at brookfieldlibrary.info or by calling 708-485-6917, ext. 130.
Mall hosts holiday toy drive North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, will host a holiday toy drive to support those struggling to make the holidays merry and bright this season. The collection will benefit families of The Children’s Center of Cicero-Berwyn, which works to provide educational childcare and parent-child development programs for more than 950 local families, many with low income and other risk factors. Guests who bring a new, unwrapped toy to North Riverside Park Mall’s center court through Dec. 14 will receive a mall coupon book. Visit northriversideparkmall.com for more info.
Brookfield Zoo lights up the night Visit “Chicagoland’s largest and longestrunning lights festival featuring over a million twinkling LED lights” during the 39th Annual Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St. in Brookfield. The events runs Wednesdays through Sundays through Dec. 20 and Saturday through Thursday, Dec. 26 to 31, from 3 to 9 p.m. The zoo is not open prior to 3 p.m. on Holiday Magic days.
Participate in a gnome scavenger hunt and enjoy festive foods, such as hot chocolate, spiced wine and cinnamon sugar pretzels while strolling past the 660 decorated trees, many with homemade ornaments.
The display includes a 600-foot-long tunnel with thousands of colored lights synchronized to music, a 20-foot-lit orb ideal for picture-taking, a
Advance admission and parking tickets are required. Buy tickets at czs.org/tickets. Visit czs.org/holidaymagic for more info.
I got a lot of problems with you people
Santa’s Mailbox returns to Riverside
Santa’s Mailbox is back and ready to receive letters from local kids, courtesy of the Riverside Department of Parks and Recreation, just east of the historic water tower at 10 Pine Ave. in downtown Riverside. All letters received through Dec. 20 will get a letter back from Santa. Be sure to include a mailing address, so Santa knows where to send his reply.
And more Loyola Medicine’s Men’s Health Center will host a free virtual seminar on men’s health, including diet, exercise and urinary and sexual health concerns on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. Registration is required at loyolamedicine.org/freeseminar-2020. Spouses, partners and friends are welcome to attend. Riverside Department of Parks and Recreation invites you to register for Around Riverside in 80 Days, challenging you to get out there every day through Feb. 14 and walk, run or bike any distance to stay healthy this winter. Register to participate at tinyurl.com/ y55r9zny and receive a sweatshirt of your choice. ■
■
Riverside Arts Center invites you to bring art home with a Paint Your Own Pottery box. Choose either a platter or serving bowl and receive a box containing everything you’ll need to create a painted masterpiece. Kits are $50 (non-members $55) and you can order online at riversideartscenter.com/kids-art-classes-camps/bisque-box. RAC will arrange for delivery or pick up of your box on your specified day. Celebrate those who make the West Suburban Special Recreation Association hum during the WSSRA Celebration of Stars virtual benefit through Friday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m. The celebration includes a silent auction, raffle, opportunities to make donations and more. View auction items, register and ■
■
41-foot-tall tree and larger-than-life LED animal sculptures. Pose with a life-size cutout of Santa and at other selfie frames. Letters to Santa can be dropped off in a giant red box on the south mall.
“SEINFIELD”
Become an expert on Festivus, the silly Dec. 23 “holiday” celebrated – with an airing of grievances, feats of strength and the all-important Festivus pole -- in the TV show “Seinfeld” and learn about its origins and place in popular culture during “The Irony of Festivus,” a special Zoom presentation by Kelli Marshall on Monday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Register to attend by calling the Brookfield Public Library at 708485-6917, ext. 130 or at brookfieldlibrary.info.
more by visiting wssra.net. North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., is offering the following virtual programs through Facebook Live, conference calls and the teleconferencing app Zoom. Programs include Makerspace Mondays on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. and Talented Tuesdays on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m. both via Facebook Live on North Riverside Public Library’s Facebook page; and Game Night Wednesdays every Wednesday at 7 p.m. via Zoom. For kids, there are the following Zoom programs: ABCs and 123s on Mondays at 10:30, Stories and Sharing on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.; and ■
Lego Builders Club on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. Register by calling 708-447-0869, ext. 230 or at northriversidelibrary.org/kids/youth-servicesregistration. Brookfield Public Library offers virtual classes and programs for patrons of all ages throughout the week. Most youth activities will be presented live on the library’s Facebook page at facebook. com/BrookfieldPublicLibrary. There’s also Chair Yoga via Zoom on Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. Register for Zoom access info by visiting brookfield.evanced.info/signup or calling 708-4856917, ext. 130. ■
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
P O L I C E
R E P O R T S
Burglary suspect pepper sprays Riverside homeowners Riverside’s police chief urged residents to call 911 immediately and not confront anyone they believe may be committing a crime after a car burglary suspect pepper sprayed two homeowners during an incident in the 400 block of Longcommon Road on Nov. 29 around 4:30 a.m. According to police, one of the victims received a Ring doorbell notice on her phone indicating movement in the driveway. The homeowner looked outside and saw the dome light on inside the vehicle in the driveway. The woman woke up her husband, who grabbed a baseball bat and went outside to confront the offender. After exchanging words, the offender pepper sprayed the homeowner, causing him to drop the bat. Both the homeowner and offender grabbed the bat at the same time and struggled for it, while the victim’s wife came outside and struck the offender with a broom handle. The offender responded by pepper spraying the woman and running away. The victims described the offender as a white male in his 20s, about 6 feet tall, between 160-170 pounds and wearing a black hoodie, black face mask and black pants. The offender did not make off with anything from the vehicle and the victims were treated at the scene by paramedics. Police conducted what they referred to as an “exhaustive” search for the offender, including using a police dog, but were unsuccessful. Police Chief Thomas Weitzel said the victims could have been more seriously injured and advised residents of the village to call 911 immediately. “This confrontation could have been much worse if the offender had been armed or the victims had received more serious injuries,” Weitzel said in a press release, adding that officers responded to the scene in less than two minutes. “I ask our residents to please call the police first before any confrontation with a possible offender so that our quick response may facilitate the apprehension of any possible suspect.”
Jewelry store smash and grab North Riverside police are investigating an incident in which two men, one of them armed with a hatchet, smashed a glass showcase near the entrance to Diamonds Forever at the North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, and made off with an estimated $60,000 to $70,000 in jewelry. According to the police report, the two offenders entered the store on Nov. 22 at about 2:30 p.m., looked around the store and made a few inquiries before leaving. They came back at about 3:10 p.m. at which time one pulled out a hatchet from his hoodie
and smashed the display case, dropped the hatchet and grabbed the jewelry. Both men then fled the mall. ■ Darrell King, 34, of Chicago, faces a charge of armed robbery, unlawful use of a weapon and retail theft after he allegedly brandished a knife at a pair of J.C. Penney security guards as they tried to apprehend him for reportedly stealing six smart watches and a cart full of merchandise at North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, on Nov. 28 at about 4:15 p.m. Police estimated the value of the items King allegedly tried to steal at $3,000. Police were able to apprehend him inside J.C. Penney.
Fight call at ‘near max capacity’ bar Brookfield police responded to Cordial Inn, 9207 31st St., at about 12:45 a.m. on Nov. 26 after an employee called to report a fight in progress. According to the police report, officers observed the bar to be at “near max capacity” despite the governor’s ban on indoor dining and drinking due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in suburban Cook County. The governor’s order, which many local establishments have been flouting because local officials say they have no power to enforce it, also requires bars to close at 11 p.m. The alleged victim downplayed the altercation, telling police she had “slipped” while trying to separate two people who were arguing. Security video reportedly showed the offender striking the victim twice with an open hand before leaving the bar.
Catalytic converters stolen North Riverside police responded to the 2200 block of 15th Avenue on Nov. 27 at about 3:10 a.m. after someone called to report the theft of a catalytic converter from a Ford van parked on the street. The victim called after his daughter heard a loud noise coming from the front of the house. When she looked outside, she saw a man underneath the van and a black sedan parked directly behind. Later that day, a resident of the 2300 block of Westover Avenue called police to report that someone had cut the catalytic converter from the underside of his Honda CRV, which had been parked in the driveway overnight. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Nov. 2229, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.
— Compiled by Bob Uphues
Maybe it’s just too much. This year has been one shock after another. If you’re looking at your finances, and you just don’t see the way out, maybe it’s time to think about how you can get a fresh start through bankruptcy or Chapter 13. • You can get out from under a mountain of debt, or stretch our your car payments, or catch up on your mortgage so you can stay in your home. • If you have a business, and business is picking up, but the last few months have left you with more debt than the company can carry, maybe a Chapter 11 reorganization is what will get you through these tough time. • We are open and working to help our clients during this crisis. I’m meeting with clients by phone or video, and we can meet, discuss your case, and file for bankruptcy relief, all electronically. I’ve lived in Brookfield for 30+ years, and worked in LaGrange for 8; if there’s a way I can help my neighbors, I will.
David P. Lloyd A T T O R N E Y AT L AW
David P. Lloyd, Ltd. 615B S. La Grange Road La Grange, IL 60525 708-937-1264 info@davidlloydlaw.com www.davidlloydlaw.com
5
6
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
North Riverside set to demo church, parsonage Future of roughly half-acre site still up in the air By BOB UPHUES Editor
What’s in the cards for the former Christ Presbyterian Church and parsonage properties at 2342 and 2350 8th Ave. in North Riverside? With the village’s comprehensive plan still a work in progress and a mayoral election scheduled for next April, it’s too soon to say. But, Village Administrator Sue Scarpiniti told the Landmark last week that the Parks and Recreation Department is eyeing the site as a potential new home, which would include the department’s offices and a freestanding recreation center. “Recreation identified a need to expand their operations and facilities space,” said Scarpiniti, who said that plan included the construction of a full-service recreation center that would allow the department to move out of the Village Commons into its own facility. Scarpiniti said the village’s lobbyist in Springfield is attempting to convince state Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), whose 4th District includes North Riverside, to support grant funding for such a project. However, that doesn’t mean a rec center is
a foregone conclusion, said Scarpiniti, since individual elected officials have differing opinions on the best use for the property. Residents, especially those who live in the neighborhood, are sure to have opinions on the future of the property. Scarpiniti said the future of the property likely would be addressed as part of the comprehensive planning process, with “a series of public meetings” allowing for resident input. In the meantime, the mid-century modern church building and the raised-ranch parsonage next door on the northwest corner of 8th Avenue and 24 Street was scheduled for demolition beginning the week of Nov. 30. Markham-based KLF Enterprises was the low bidder for demo work, and the $107,989 cost to abate the asbestos and take down the buildings is being funded via a state grant. According to Scarpiniti, it will take eight to 10 days to complete the demolition of both buildings. In November, North Riverside’s police department has used the church and home for K-9 unit training, while the fire department has used it to conduct rooftop training, saw-cutting sections of the roofs of both the church and parsonage. The village also salvaged about 10 pews
BOB UPHUES/Editor
SET TO GO: Fencing has been erected around the former North Riverside Community Presbyterian Church on 8th Avenue. Asbestos abatement and demolition were slated to begin this week. from the church and gave them away to anyone who wanted to come by and take them. They disappeared within 20 minutes of the village posting about the giveaway on social media, Scarpiniti said. Once the structures are demolished, the short-term plan is for the village to turf over the parcel, which is a little more than a half-acre. Due to the time of year, however, the turf won’t be laid until next spring. It will remain open space until the village
TIME CAPSULE
Neighbor remembered from page 1 More than 100 members of the congregation sat on folding chairs arranged in rows along 8th Avenue. It was pretty big news for the small suburban church, and reports announcing the cornerstone laying ceremony were published in the days preceding it in Chicago’s American, Chicago Daily News, Chicago Tribune, the Proviso Herald, the Suburban Life and a publication called the North Riverside Star, published by Riverside News. The time capsule lay sealed behind that cornerstone for the next 63 years, unremembered, except by Steve Thinnes, who grew up in the house across the alley from the church. Thinnes’ father, Arnold, was the maintenance man for Community Presbyterian Church from 1964 to 2004 and young Steve, now 57 years old, said he would visit his dad at work on Saturdays and wander through the church. One day as a kid he stumbled across photos from the cornerstone laying ceremony. Arnold Thinnes, who still lives in the home
PROVIDED
SET IN STONE: Rev. John C. Talbot places the time capsule in position behind the cornerstone of Community Presbyterian Church on Aug. 18, 1957 as other church officials look on. he bought in 1958, told his son that the plan had been for the time capsule to be opened in 2057. Those old photos were on Steve’s mind
recently when he was paying a visit to his 85-year-old father, and he spotted a North Riverside public works employee outside the church.
decides what to do with the property. The village purchased the two properties on Feb. 3 for $500,000 after they were placed on the market with a total listing price of $975,000. The village decided to pull the trigger on the purchase late last year after a deal with another buyer fell through. “In a landlocked community like ours, I think it’s a great acquisition,” Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr. said last December. “I wanted to be sure to let them know about the time capsule and get into that wall before they tore it down,” Thinnes said. Earlier this month, a public works crew retrieved the briefcase-size copper box, along with its mid-20th century artifacts, preserved in pretty much mint condition. It’s clear the time capsule was sealed in place sometime after the Aug. 18 ceremony, since the copper box included an envelope containing roughly two dozen black-andwhite photos, a bit curled at the edges now, from the event. One of the photos shows Talbot placing the capsule in its designated spot behind the church’s façade. A label on the back of the photos appears to indicate they were taken by Kenneth Luehr, who lived over on 3rd Avenue. Apart from those photos, there are others of a groundbreaking ceremony that took place in March 1957, along with photos of architects’ renderings of the exterior and interior of the church. Appropriately, there is a three-ring binder containing a detailed history of the church along with short descriptions of groups like the Women’s Association, choirs and youth fellowship. There’s even an original, signed copy of the congregation’s 1954 contract with its first pastor, the then 25-year-old recent seminary graduate, John C. Talbot, who would be paid
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
7
Brookfield sees its first COVID-19 death since June Village closing in on 1,000 cases; Riverside, North Riverside set one-week highs
By BOB UPHUES Editor
For the first time since June, a Brookfield resident has died from COVID-19 and both Riverside and North Riverside set one-week records for the number of new cases as of the morning of Dec. 1. The Cook County Medical Examiner reported that a 93-year-old Brookfield man
died after being infected by the novel coronavirus. COVID-19, the upper respiratory disease resulting from exposure to the virus, has now killed five Brookfield residents. The man was pronounced dead during the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. The last time a Brookfield resident died from COVID-19 was June 7, but the number of new confirmed and probable cases con-
tinued their rapid ascent last week. After a noticeable dip in the number of new cases for the seven-day period ending on the morning of Nov. 24, totals crept up again last week with 103 new cases being reported in Brookfield as of noon on Dec. 1, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health. Since the pandemic’s arrival in March, there have been 956 confirmed or probable
cases of COVID-19 reported in Brookfield. The Cook County Department of Public Health has reported 459 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Brookfield since Nov. 3. It took the village 31 weeks to log its first 456 cases. While no one has died as a result of COVID-19 in Riverside or North Riverside since See COVID-19 on page 17
Golden Wok Restaurant 1122 Maple - 17th Ave. La Grange Park • 354-3930 Finest Cantonese and Mandarin Food at reasonable prices. WE NOW DELIVER TO RIVERSIDE AREA CALL FOR DETAILS
Fast Carry-outs or enjoy Lunch & Dinner in our new Dining Room • Serving Beer & Wine•
Everything Plumbing & Drainage Water Heaters • Drippy Faucets Sump Pumps • Sewage Pumps Clogged Drains
Connell Plumbing 708-531-9478 Free Estimates Mon-Sat 24 hour emergency
$3,900 annually to lead the flock. In addition to copies of newspapers from the week of the cornerstone ceremony, the congregation also included a brand new Bible, still in its box, and a hymnal. The Women’s Association made sure to include a copy of its cookbook, and the church also included a couple of purely secular artifacts – an August 1957 summer sale catalog from Sears and a 45 rpm record of “Love Letters in the Sand” backed with “Bernardine” by pop star Pat Boone. “Love Letters in the Sand” was a huge hit for Boone that summer, reaching the top of the Billboard chart in June and early July. At the time of the cornerstone ceremony, the record had slipped from the top spot, but it’s understandable, really, why the church elders might have looked down on placing the No. 1 hit of Aug. 18 in the time capsule. It was “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” by that swivel-hipped corrupter of church-going suburban teens, Elvis Presley, who had knocked Boone’s recording off the top of the chart five weeks earlier.
Brookfield Resident Licensed & Insured P.L. #058-198117
CALL NOW! 708-531-9478 30 years in business Handyman Services Available
Ivins /Moravecek
Funeral Home & Cremation Services Family owned since 1885 David Moravecek - Owner
PROVIDED
HIDDEN TREASURES: Inside the time capsule were newspapers, documents related to the church and its history, photos and a couple of secular items: a Sears catalog and a Pat Boone record.
Additional Suburban Chapel Locations Available Specializing in Pre Need & Veteran Care
80 E. Burlington St., Riverside
(708) 447-2261 | www.ivinsfh.com
8
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
The Irony of Festivus
Events December 2020
Winter Greens Market Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Dec. 20, Oak Park Conservatory Shop online or in-person for wreaths, garland, swags and other winter accents. An array of balsam, fir, boxwood, winter berries, magnolia tips, spruce tops and more are available for winter containers and decorating. For those needing help putting a container together, drop it off and it will be arranged for you. More/order: pdop. org/events/winter-greens-market. 615 Garfield St., Oak Park.
Letters to Santa Through Dec. 24, Oak Park Conservatory Need to get your wish list to Santa? Print out some stationery, write him a note, then drop it off at the Santa Express mailbox located inside the Conservatory. Printable stationery here: pdop.org/assets/1/7/Letters_to_Santa_ Template.pdf. 615 Garfield St., Oak Park.
Animal Care League (ACL) Holiday Bazaar Shop for holiday items, donate through the giving tree, try your luck on the online raffle and purchase ACL apparel all to support homeless pets. Browse selected bazaar items and enter the raffle online through Saturday, Dec. 5. In-person shopping is Friday, Dec. 4, 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wear your mask and be prepared to wait in line. Pickup online bazaar merchandise and winning raffle items Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1003 Garfield St., Oak Park.
Holiday Movies and Music Thursday, Dec. 3, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library Journey back over the past century of film with John LeGear as he showcases songs, dances and magical movie scenes from some of “the most warmly embraced holiday films of all time,” with actors such as James Stewart, Donna Reed, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, Tom Hanks, Natalie Wood, Maureen O’Hara and Cary Grant. Register: oppl. org/calendar
Holiday Magic Wednesdays through Sundays through Dec. 20; Saturday through Thursday, Dec. 26-31, 3 to 9 p.m., Brookfield Zoo Visit “Chicagoland’s largest and longest-running lights festival featuring over a million twinkling LED lights.” The display includes a 600-foot-long tunnel with thousands of colored lights synchronized to music, a 20-foot lit orb ideal for picture-taking, a 41-foot-tall tree and larger-than-life LED animal sculptures. Pose with a life-size cutout of Santa and at other selfie frames. Letters to Santa can be dropped off in a giant red box on the south mall. Also, participate in a gnome scavenger hunt and enjoy festive foods, such as hot chocolate, spiced wine and cinnamon sugar pretzels while strolling past the 660 decorated trees, many with homemade ornaments. The zoo is not open prior to 3 p.m. on Holiday Magic days. Advance admission and parking tickets are required to ensure social distancing. $17.95$24.95. Tickets: czs.org/tickets. More: czs.org/holidaymagic. 8400 31st St., Brookfield.
Holiday Housewalk for Healthy Kids Anytime Dec. 4 through 30, Virtually with OPRF Infant Welfare Society Children’s Clinic Take video tours of five Oak Park and River Forest homes all dressed up for the holidays. View, one-of-a-kind, how-to holiday project videos showcasing local talent and merchants. And enter the Grand Raffle for a chance to win $10,000. $55, includes one raffle ticket. Tickets/more: https://one.bidpal.net/ holidayhousewalk/welcome
Pro Musica Winter Concert Saturday, Dec. 5, 2 p.m., and after, Virtually with Pro Musica Youth Chorus Hear a livestream debut with the Youth Chorus as students ages 4-18 sing a variety of seasonal songs rehearsed outside this fall before they moved to virtual rehearsals when the weather turned cold. Donations accepted. Access here: ProMusicaYouthChorus.org
Monday, Dec. 7, 7 to 8:15 p.m., Zoom with Brookfield Public Library Become an expert on Festivus, the silly holiday introduced by Seinfeld and celebrated annually on Dec. 23. Learn more about its origins and place in popular culture, Chicago’s included. Register: brookfield. evanced.info/signup
Mini-DIY Gifts: Mocktail Kit and Tea for Two Tuesday, Dec. 8, 6 to 6:30 p.m., and Monday, Dec. 14, 5:30 to 6 p.m., Facebook Live with Brookfield Public Library Learn how to make thoughtful, budget-friendly presents. On Dec. 8, learn how to put together a travel-size mocktail kit. More: facebook.com/ events/4031344483556938. Up next, on Dec. 14, create a decorated mason jar with tea for two. More: facebook.com/events/1450250728518150. Recommended for adults and teens.
Hanukkah Crafts and Treats Wednesday, Dec. 9, 7 to 8 p.m., Zoom with the River Forest Public Library Get ready for the holiday by joining in for crafts and baking. Suggested for adults and seniors. Register: riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com/ events/hanukkah-crafts-and-treats
Our Melting Pot - Holiday Cookies Thursday, Dec. 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Zoom with Riverside Public Library Each month the group shares favorite recipes, asks questions and has a chance to chat. This month, bring your favorite holiday cookie recipes to share. Register: riversidelibrary.org/calendar.html
Sustainable Gift Workshop Friday, Dec. 11, 4 to 5 p.m., Facebook Live with the Brookfield Public Library Learn some zero-waste gift wrapping hacks and get some ideas for easy, low budget, DIY gifts to make at home. Recommended for teens and young adults. More: facebook.com/events/240979317448143
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play” Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m., Livestream with Oak Park and River Forest High School This holiday movie classic is performed by students at OPRF as a live 1940s radio broadcast. See how angel Clarence, who wants to earn his wings, guides George Bailey through the chapters of his life, after he considers ending it one fateful Christmas Eve. Tickets: oprfhs.org/theatre/current-theater-season
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
Crafternoons – Make Your Own Holiday Gift ift Tags and Candy Cane Wreaths Saturday, Dec. 12, and Jan. 9, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Zoom with the North Riverside Public Library This all-ages craft time is fun and easy. Register in advance to receive craft supplies through curbside pickup. In December, prepare hand-made gift tags. Register: northriversidelibrary.org/event-new/crafternoon-make-your-ownholiday-gift-tags. In January, create candy cane wreaths. Register: northriversidelibrary.org/event-new/crafternoon-candy-cane-wreaths/
Duo Diorama Concert Saturday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m., Vi Virtually with Unity Temple Restoration Foundation Unit Un ty Chamber Cham Ch ambe am be Music Series artistic directors Winston Choi and MingHuan Xu Unity of DDuo uo Diorama Dioram will perform classical renditions of holiday favorites recorded at Unity Temple. Audience Q&A follows the performance. The performance will be available for viewing for 48 hours after the live event. $20 per household. Tickets/more: utrf.org/event/duo-diorama-holiday
“Christmas Comes but Once a Year”
Let’s Be Jolly Holiday Concert Friday, Dec. 11, 7 to 8 p.m. through Jan. 1, Facebook and You Tube with North Riverside Public Library Hear flutist Carlyn Lloyd and pianist Jon Warfel as they play music of the holiday season. RSVP: northriversidelibrary.org/event-new/lets-be-jolly-holiday-concert/ View concert: https://www.facebook.com/NRPL2400/events
Saturday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m., Livestream with Oak Park Festival Theater Past and present collide in this new holiday comedy. Squabbling academics attempt to unlock a puzzle box containing the script for “Christmas Comes but Once A Year,” penned by Shakespeare’s contemporaries. In a flashback to 1602, those playwrights struggle to complete their holiday story. $15. Tickets/more: OakParkFestival.com
Season’s Greetings LEGO Master Challenge Saturday, Dec. 12, 1 to 2 p.m., Virtually with the Forest Park Public Library Bring your bricks to participate in fast, timed challenges with seasonal themes. There will be prizes awarded for each round. Recommended for youth. More/register: fppl.evanced.info/signup/calendar
Duo Diorama
Sing We Joyous Saturday, Dec. 12 and after, 7:30 p.m., Virtually In its 15th year, this family-friendly production includes the Oriana Singers, City Voices, Pro Musica Youth Chorus, the OPRF Marching Huskies Drumline, the Sing We Joyous Orchestra and other musicians. The annual sing-along and humorous twist to the “Twelve Days of Christmas” can be expected as well as some new additions like a shadow puppet telling of “The Gift of the Magi.” $25, suggested donation. Tickets: oriana.org
Support Local Business - Brookfield Gift Guide 2020 With the pandemic continuing to press local businesses, consumers are asked to consider shopping local for the holidays By Allegra Fowler
T
he impacts of the coronavirus are visible all around our community. Restaurants are working hard to provide safe dining opportunities, salons are getting creative to serve their customers, and our local businesses are working tirelessly to keep providing to our community. While many of us consider shopping at local businesses a way to give back, this year more than ever, our local businesses need us. Major retailers appeal to consumers by making shopping easy and providing quick information to take the guess-work out of your holiday gift search. This year, we hope you will take a look through our Brookfield Gift Guide and consider spending your money at a local business where it will surely make a difference for your friends and neighbors.
9
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/ holiday-gift-guide-brookfield/home In the Guide, gift ideas are sorted into categories to help you identify the best items for your loved ones. From stuffed animals for your toddler, to fanny packs for your trendy teen, consider skipping the mega-retailers for something unique from a small business in your community. Some retailers have websites where you can order online, but all retailers are willing to work with you to place and fulfill orders this year. If you’re nervous about shopping, consider making a personal shopping appointment.
If you are a Brookfield business and you would like to have products added to the Guide, please email brookfield2020gifts@gmail.com.
BrookfieldChamber.net
10
The Landmark, December 2, 2020 Celebrating 35 years as Your Neighborhood Realtor!
Events
3601 VERNON AVE • BROOKFIELD A STUNNING white brick 22-year-young split level. Large “open floor plan” family home with an eat-in kitchen, luxurious living room with a skylight, and formal dining room. 4 BRs, 3 full BAs, including an owner’s bedroom with an en suite, soaking tub and separate shower. Fireplace in ground flr rec center, plus a sub-basement with a pool table! Brand new BR carpeting, brand new wood and wood laminate flooring in kitchen, living rm, dining rm and rec rm. White cabinet kitchen with granite counter tops being installed. C/A. Concrete patio, detached 3 car garage. Crisp and clean home ................................ $449,000
604 LA GRANGE RD • LA GRANGE A PRETTY HOME, larger than it looks, with a sweet back porch. 2 BRs on the main floor plus 2 full BAs, one handicap equipped with grab bars and a commode “walker”. Larger carpeted family room area, living room dining room “L”, and fireplace. Hardwood floors under carpeting in the front rooms, exposed in the smaller bedroom. Full basement is partially finished and has a room with a raised floor for exercise equipment, a den, playroom, etc. Gas forced air furnace, central air. Sunny throughout. Transferred in as-is condition................................... $335,00
Monday, Dec. 14, 1:30 p.m., Virtually with the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association Hear Jess Koehn, Evan Bravos and Antonio Quaranta singing a variety of music from seasonal classics to opera and more, including Chorale #12 from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Purcell’s “Next Winter Comes Slowly” and Vince Guaraldi’s “Charlie Brown Christmas.” $15, suggested donation for non-members; free, members. Tickets/ more: nineteenthcentury.org
Brown Bag Book Club: “A Noel Killing”
Karen Arndt - Broker - 708-447-9907 - info@karenarndt.realtor ASSISTED LIVING • SHELTERED CARE • MEMORY CARE • SKILLED NURSING
Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.
A safe & smart choice. Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.
Tuesday, Dec. 15, Noon to 1 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library In this lunchtime mystery lover’s book group, discuss the “who done it” by M. L. Longworth, in which the magistrate for the town of Aix-en-Provence does not like Christmas, especially the too early decorations, swarms of tourists, and the tacky trinkets being sold in town. Just as the holiday begins, a man is poisoned, sending the town into a panic. A long list of suspects complicates things, including an unhappy wife and disgruntled business partner. Available on Hoopla. Register: oppl.org/calendar
It’s Christmastime in the City: Chicago and its Yule Time Traditions and Contributions
Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.
Thursday, Dec. 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Zoom with the River Forest Public Library Join historian/entertainer Clarence Goodman as he highlights Chicago’s holiday traditions from the windows on State Street to the Sears Wish Book. Brought in partnership with River Forest Township. Register: riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com
We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.
CONTACT US FOR AN OUTDOOR VISIT 2800 Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL 60546 (708) 477-5092 | CaledoniaSeniorLiving.org
The Three Baritones
Limited availability!
Three Baritones
Sounds Good! Choir Concert Friday, Dec. 18 and after, 4 p.m., Virtually Hear songs of the season sung and recorded remotely by a non-audition choral program for ages 55+ under the direction of professional artists in the Chicago area. Besides holiday favorites, also hear Shalom Chaverim and Calypso Lullaby. Free. More/view the concert: soundsgoodchoir.org.
Stories with Santa Friday, Dec. 18, 6:30 to 7 p.m., Facebook Live with Brookfield Public Library The jolly old elf will read some stories and spread good cheer. Afterwards, there will be a Q&A with Santa. Ask questions throughout the event via chat on Facebook, or email ahead to youthservices@brookfieldlibrary.info. For event: facebook.com/events/415256446151285
Christmas Music from Latin America Sunday, Dec. 19, 4 to 5 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library Take a musical journey to Latin America as singer Miguel de León and his five-piece band play some of “the most famous and beautiful” villancicos (Christmas songs) that are sung during the holiday season. Register: oppl.org/ calendar
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT.
SUPPORT TRUSTED JOURNALISM TODAY Growing Community Media joins other nonprofit news organizations around the country as participants in NewsMatch – a national call-to-action
TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL, ETHICAL, AND FACT-BASED JOURNALISM
Your local, independent newsroom reflects the unique identity of the place where you live and work, whether you read Wednesday Journal, Austin Weekly News, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark or the Forest Park Review. You can count on Growing Community Media to provide news based in verifiable facts. What’s happening with our schools or local elections? Who’s holding government accountable? What local activities are available to help you or your family? A trusted source of local news is more important than ever. Listening to diverse voices and airing opinions in a respected public forum is essential to our thriving communities and to democracy itself. We will be listening hard as we rejuvenate our approach to public service in areas such as equity, the environment and education.
AND TO APPEAL TO OUR READERS TO RAISE THE FUNDS THAT MAKE IT POSSIBLE
Quality local news isn’t guaranteed. Growing Community Media’s successful transition to a nonprofit organization needs your engagement and your financial partnership. From now until Dec. 31 NewsMatch will match your monthly donation 12 x or double your one-time gift up to $5,000. Our newly appointed Board of Directors, have also committed to matching your gifts. There are many reasons to support Growing Community Media. Your donation is a potent way to demonstrate the value we add to your life and your community. With gratitude, Dan Haley
To donate, visit www.rblandmark.com/donate
11
12
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
presents
A Wednesday Journal & A Tribe Called Aging Production
wabi sabi F I L M F E S T I V A L
Our Covid-19 free gift to the community watch it free on ZOOM in your own home
Appreciating the beauty of impermanence, a quarterly Film Series encouraging everyone to embrace and respect our aging population and the transformation of our society.
Olympia Friday, December 4 • 10am This sublimely intimate, fly-on-the-wall verité documentary tells a poignant story of a woman finding her own voice on her own terms to assert a gigantic creative force into the world. Throughout an engrossing story that seamlessly blends past and present, Olympia Dukakis opens her heart and exposes her truest self to Harry Mavromichalis’ unobtrusive camera. Exhibiting both candor and vulnerability, we see her deal with age, grief and sexuality while opening up about her struggles with motherhood, depression, suicide and drug addiction. Through her brutal honesty and sincerity, Olympia compels us to confront our own shortcomings and differences by letting go and moving forward with defiant conviction. This intimate portrait of a working-class professional, a scholar actor of intense intuitive power, and a woman beloved around the world, culminates on the steps of the Dukakis’ humble ancestral home in Lesbos, Greece. Here we see Olympia’s life come full circle, both personally and professionally. Joining us for Q+A/discussion is the film’s Director Harry Mavromichalis, moderated by Elizabeth White.
Signature Sponsors
Non Profit Patron Sponsors
Oak Park Township/River Forest Township
Learn more and register at: wabi-sabi-olympia.eventbrite.com
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
13
Riverside influencer now a budding entrepreneur Iris Natasha Linares translates fashion background into lifestyle brand
Linares felt she’d be best able to express herself through video as opposed to standard photo blogs. “I’m a pretty talkative and outgoing person as it is, so I just felt more comfortable with video,” she said. “It was something that was more interesting to me rather than just taking photos and writing a paragraph on a blog. You could actually feel and see my By JACKIE PISANO personality.” Contributing Reporter At first, her YouTube channel mainly fondoubtedly, 2020 presented a year cused on makeup tutorials, affordable fashof challenges, but for Riverside ion finds and beauty product hauls. Fortunately for Linares, her personality resident Iris Natasha Linares, it sparked intense self-reflection, did shine through video -- enough that withruminating on the future and ex- in the first couple of months of relaunching amining personal goals. And she kept hear- her channel, her videos caught the attention of a YouTube manager who introduced Lining one nagging question: ares to an online marketing program, where “If not now, when?” Despite living in the midst of a global pan- she would learn the tools needed to get paid demic, mass business closures and wide- for videos through ad revenue and score corspread uncertainty, Linares decided there porate brand sponsorships. Noticing the growth was no better time to of social media trends take the plunge and do and lifestyle influencwhat she’s always wanting, Linares’ chaned to do — open her own nel began a shift from business. beauty product reviews On Oct. 16, the Riverto sustainable thrift sider launched Iris and shopping, home decor Indi, an online Boheand organization and mian brand focused on day-in-the-life content. home decor, clothing, She also began crossvintage and other spepromoting her content cially curated items. IRIS NATASHA LINARES through Instagram. Products range from Linares’ current shirts and jackets to YouTube viewership jewelry, hats, blankets ranks at over 1.5 miland wall art. lion views, and to date Inspired by Linares’ independent spirit and the latest fashion her videos have included paid sponsorships trends for young women, Linares promotes with brands like Cupshe, FabFitFun, FuncIris and Indi as a sustainable brand to in- tion of Beauty, MixEasy, MVMT Watches spire dream chasers and bring a one-of-a- Inc., Poshmark and Otherland. She credits her growing audience and kind lifestyle brand to shoppers locally and shifting popular social media trends to helpnationwide. While Linares is new to the business ing solidify the need to world, she is no stranger to entrepreneur- both build her own personal brand and finally ship. A native of Chicago’s Logan Square launch a business. “I didn’t want to conneighborhood, Linares has always had her sights set on the fashion industry and being tinue always making the same content,” she said. her own boss. In high school, she started her own You- “Twenty-three-year-old Tube channel, sharing outfits of the day me and 28-year-old me and current clothing trends. But by the time are just very different. We she began college at Dominican University have different priorities in 2010, her channel took a back seat to the and we’re at different places in life. I like to demands of classes, student fashion shows still play with makeup, but I want to share things in my life where they’re at now.” and working to pay for school. Today, Linares says what’s attracting auAfter graduating in 2014 with a degree in diences to her content is showing her daily apparel design and fashion development, Linares again decided to pick up YouTube-ing, life authentically — something she says she juggling video production alongside work- needed to showcase if she wanted to launch ing in various positions within the retail a successful business. “I knew I couldn’t have all those [preindustry.
U
“Just seeing entrepreneurs — especially other women and Latinas just go for it — pushed me that this is the year for me to do this.
Iris Natasha Linares vious] videos and go ‘Bam, I’ve started a business,’” she said. “I think I always knew that I had more to offer. I was always hungry for more, and I think that’s where it all stemmed from. I knew I wanted to be my own boss one day. Linares credits growing a YouTube channel from zero to a base of over 1 million views to providing the strong online community needed to sustain an e-commerce business. “I knew when I started my business it would be kind of that same adrenaline, like I’m starting from nothing, and I’m working to build it to something I’ve always envisioned for myself,” she said. Starting her business took Linares roughly a year and a half, from obtaining her business license in March 2019 to spending the next 18 months creating brand logos, product packaging, website and social media design and inventory. And, despite the current business climate, Linares decided now was the time to go full speed ahead with Iris and Indi. Especially
PROVIDED
this year, the influence of social media and online shopping gave her the confidence she needed to open. “Just seeing entrepreneurs — especially other women and Latinas just go for it — pushed me that this is the year for me to do this,” she said. “As much as we love a good brick and mortar to go walk around ... we don’t know what the future holds. I feel like this year specifically, any retailers online have really been able to shine, whether it’s a small business or really big corporation.” Additionally, with the ever-growing culture of female lifestyle influencers taking over YouTube and Instagram, what Linares says sets her apart is her continued interaction with followers and hope that viewers see a little bit of themselves in her. “I’m an open book and I share everything,” she said. “Not only am I sharing new content on my YouTube channel, but I’m willing to share with you what it’s like -- the struggles, being completely honest, showing you how exhausted I am, showing you how excited I am, showing you what works and what didn’t.” To shop Iris & Indi, visit irisindi.com. Follow Linares on YouTube at youtube. com/brunettefreckle and on Instagram at @iris.tasha and @shopirisindi.
14
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
Opinion KOSEY CORNER
THE LANDMARK VIEW
Body cameras should Santa’s message: Christmas is on the way be a priority
T
he village of Brookfield is the first of the three villages the Landmark covers to put real dollars behind an initiative to equip its police officers with body cameras. Over the next five years, the village plans to spend about $100,000 for the devices, which will be worn by every cop on the street in addition to some extra cameras that can be used by command staff if they also respond to incidents. Over the past couple of years, the subject of body cameras also has been broached by Riverside and North Riverside police, but the expense for getting a program off the ground largely has been the reason for not moving forward. But, the time has come. Body cameras are inevitably going to become part and parcel of the equipment worn by police officers, no different than Tasers, handcuffs and sidearms. In fact, it’s the deployment of those other items that make cameras an important part of contemporary policing. From the police perspective, the cameras will provide them with a tool that documents an incident from an officer’s point of view, raw footage of how an incident unfolds from start to finish. Police believe that in the vast majority of instances, body camera footage will support their officers’ narratives about decisions they made and the actions and statements of others involved, whether offenders or victims or witnesses. For the public, the body cameras can provide a way to hold police officers accountable for their actions. Both are compelling reasons to make body cameras a priority for local police departments. Riverside and North Riverside ought to follow Brookfield’s lead as soon as possible and implement a program. While the cost is real, there appear to be some avenues to defer some of it. Brookfield, apparently, is seeking a grant from its risk management agency, which has an interest in the village having a strong case to present in court when citizens sue police over the use of force. Township government, which frequently award grants to purchase equipment for public safety purposes, is another source of funds. An annual line item of $20,000 to $25,000 for body cameras is no more than the villages pay for GIS systems, and its importance to both police and residents make it well worth paying that sum. Of course, body cameras on their own are just a tool – ones that can be used poorly. Each police department will have to craft solid body camera use policies and hold their officers to those policies. By and large, people in Brookfield, Riverside and North Riverside have high regard for the police officers who serve them. Use of force complaints against officers locally are infrequent and the departments value training. This isn’t about not trusting police to do the right thing unless there’s a camera around to keep them honest. Police wield enormous power and can apply deadly force against citizens if they choose to. Given that power, police should expect that the public would want their actions to be as transparent as possible. This is a way for the police themselves to provide that higher level of transparency.
T
alked to Santa Claus this morning, I really did. We both were sad we were not going to be able to see each other on Friday night at the Riverside Bank during the Holiday Stroll, but we understand. However, he did assure me that things were still going strong on his end. The North Pole has been safe because all are wearing their masks and staying a safe distance away from each other. Mrs. Claus has been constantly reminding the elves to wash their hands, something she normally does anyway. Santa has assured me and asked me to let you know that he has not forgotten all you boys and girls. He has been reading the letters you sent to him and told me that children will still receive presents but only, and these were his direct words to me, “only if they’ve been good, obedient and work hard.” He told me today more than ever boys and girls need to listen to their parents. Just because it’s Christmas you don’t automatically receive presents. The elves are working hard, making sure they wear their little masks and get plenty of rest so they don’t get
sick. It’s important because they are the ones who make the gifts. As for the reindeer, well they are making sure they get enough exercise and then resting up for their trip on Christmas Eve. Rudolph is making sure his nose is shiny and bright to lead Santa on his travels. Things will be different this holiday season, but Santa has also been in contact with the local recreation departments in Riverside, Brookfield and North Riverside. All are planning some things to keep the holiday season alive, so read the Landmark to find out what’s happening. I remember going downtown to Marshall Field’s to see Santa, the big tree and the decorated windows, Uncle Mistletoe and Aunt Holly and learn about Field’s exclusives. Wonder where they are now? Even with all that is going on, we can still make it a Christmas to remember and make the best of it. Santa wants you to know he will miss you and thinks about you. If we think about the first Christmas we will have to admit, as bad as things may seem today, they are better than they were that time many years ago. The star is always shining above us, no matter what.
JOANNE KOSEY
LETTERS
Former president remembers effort to save Arcade I read with sadness your Nov. 24 article concerning the passing of Joe Zappani (“Giuseppe Zappani, who saved Arcade Building, dies at 65”). I spent a fair amount of time with Joe both during his purchase of the Arcade Building and afterward. He truly was a testament to the spirit of Riverside, as well as the savior of one of Riverside’s most famous landmarks. Before Joe came on the scene, I helped lead the town’s efforts to save the Arcade Building. You might recall the theme the town used: This Place Matters/Riverside & Its Landmark Arcade Building. The focus of our early efforts to draw attention to the building was the board-up mural which covered the windows of the Arcade Building. We coordinated the efforts of the teachers and students of RB High School, District 96 and St Mary’s School. We recruited the help of Riverside retailers and other friends of Riverside. It all culminated in the unveiling of the mural at the December 2009 Riverside Holiday Stroll. The Arcade Building looked magnificent. I do remember how cold it was that night.
PROVIDED
SLICE OF HISTORY: Mural panels that once adorned the boarded up windows of the Arcade Building in 2009 still serve as a reminder of the work done to save the historic building. As the rehabilitation of the Arcade Building started to take shape after Joe’s purchase, we offered for sale the 4-by-8-foot mural panels. My three children purchased four of the mural panels for me as a tribute for all my work to save the Arcade Building. I put up the four panels along the fence at the rear of my yard. They are still there. In all their glory, 11 years later. I see them every day … and think of all that we accomplished.
Mike Gorman
Riverside Ed. note: Mike Gorman was Riverside village president from 2009-13.
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
OBITUARIES
Carl Barnas, 77 United Airlines retiree Carl Barnas, 77, of North Riverside died on Nov. 19, 2020. Mr. Barnas graduated from RiversideBrookfield High School in 1961. While working and attending some college classes, he was draftCARL BARNAS ed into the U.S. Army, serving in South Korea until his honorable discharge. He worked for 35 years for United Airlines. He was known for being a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan, for his love of sweets, for his appreciation of any and all murder mystery shows, his acumen for card games (especially hearts, pinochle and blackjack) and his bad dad jokes. He died knowing that the Cubs won the World Series in his lifetime. Mr. Barnas was the husband of Chong Mi; the father of James and Jennifer (Adam); the grandfather of Amara; and the brother of Carol (Larry) Knistoft. He is survived by cousins, niece and nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank, and mother, Stella (nee Sitarz), as well as aunts and uncles. Services have been held. Ivins-Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington Street, Riverside.
George V. Braz Retired truck mechanic
GEORGE V. BRAZ
George Vito Braz, 65, of Lyons, died Nov. 16, 2020. He was a retired truck mechanic. Mr. Braz was the husband of Ana; the father of Agnes Corliss; the grandfather of Justin Corliss; the brother of Rita Brazauskaiete and
VOTER TURNOUT from page 1
Well, it turns out there was a very good reason for that puzzling data: the Cook County Clerk was still counting votes. That counting lasted all the way until the day before Nov. 24, when Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough announced she had certified the election results. The final tallies showed that Brookfield, Riverside and North Riverside voters, as we had suspected, actually had turned out in droves. And local voter turnout in each of the three villages was higher than the rest of suburban
the late Andrius (Renata) Braz. Services have been held. Inurnment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.
Cynthia C. Darre, 56 Co-director of school food services Cynthia C. Darre, 56, of Melrose Park and formerly of North Riverside, died Nov. 13, 2020. Ms. Darre was co-director of food services for School District 84.5 in River Grove. She was the wife of CYNTHIA C. DARRE Aldis; the mother of Elaine; the daughter of the late Carmello and late Elaine; the sister of Dominick (Irene) Cannata, Zaharo (late Joseph) Ensalaco, Elaine D. Anzalone and Cathy (Hank) Kurtz; and an aunt and cousin to many. Services have been held. Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.
Richard G. Dunleavy, 61 Electrical designer, race car driver Richard G. Dunleavy, 61 of Brookfield, died Nov. 22, 2020. Mr. Dunleavy attended Hollywood Elementary School and began his lifelong passion for motorsports when he began racing quarter RICHARD G. DUNLEAVY midgets. He attended Hauser Jr. High and Riverside-Brookfield High School, where he played football and grew his enthusiasm for racing. He had a career as an electrical designer for many years. When Mr. Dunleavy was not travelling to race tracks around the Midwest, where he was a member of several driving and racing associations, he was either snowmobiling or spending time with his friends and family. Mr. Dunleavy truly cared about the well-beCook County. Overall, suburban Cook County voter turnout was 71.2 percent, a figure pretty much in line with prior presidential elections and a little bit lower than in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2016. But, that percentage appears to have been connected to the number of people registered to vote, because 100,000 more suburban Cook County voters cast ballots in 2020 than in 2016. Those lines outside Brookfield Village Hall during the early voting period were no mirage. According to the clerk’s office, “Cook County suburban voters shattered previous records for early voting and voting by mail, with 76 percent of votes being cast prior to Election Day.” In all, according to the clerk, 913,358 of the
ing of everyone around him, whether he was acting as the neighborhood mechanic, driving his family to hockey tournaments or hosting friends in his all-too-well-known garage. He was the husband of Robin (nee Gillson); the father of William; the brother of Thomas; and a cousin and friend of many. A funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 28 at St. Mary Church in Riverside. In lieu of flowers donations to Gift of Hope are appreciated at giftofhope.org. Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.
Charles D. Frederick, 86 Lyons resident Charles D. “Freddie” Frederick, 86, of Lyons, died Nov. 27, 2020. Mr. Frederick was the husband of Sharon (nee Phillips); the father of Timothy (Diana), Christine (Greg) Abrams, Jackie (Bob) Anderson, Tom and Angela CHARLES D. FREDERICK (Mike) Margas; the grandpa of Bradley, Gregory, Emily (A.J.), Nick, Bobby (Dana), Samantha (Geoff), Christopher, Sharon (Joe), Michael, Jimmy, Sarah and Danny; the great grandpa of Jackson, Jordyn and Jenna; and the brother of Dolores (late Harold) Kozerski and late Virginia (late Bob) Pardus. Visitation and services will be held privately. Interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. All are encouraged to pay your respects or share a fond memory through the online guestbook at moravecek.com. Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.
15
ries and volunteering. He was the father of Sean (Zelida), Suzanne and Scott Mooney; the grandpa of Naomi and Sebastian Mooney and grand dog Jake; the brother of Stephen (Susie) and the late Lawrence Mooney; the uncle of many; and sweetheart of the late Mary Nakayama. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 126 Herrick Road, Riverside. Please arrive by 9:45 a.m. to check in. Mass will be livestreamed at tinyurl.com/y2qxygkn Interment is on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W. Hoff Road, Elwood. Online respects may be paid through the online guestbook at moravecek.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hines Fisher House at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Ken’s memory. Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.
Barbara E. Piekarski, 86 North Riverside homemaker
Kenneth W. Mooney, 79, of Riverside, died Nov. 28, 2020. Mr. Mooney served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he was a helicopter pilot. He later received his M.B.A. from Harvard and was a retired healthcare consultant. He loved Irish music, telling sto-
Barbara E. Piekarski (nee Broucek), 86, of North Riverside, died Nov. 24, 2020. Born on March 21, 1934 in Chicago, Ms. Piekarski was a homemaker. She was the wife of the late Richard S.; the mother of BARBARA E. PIEKARSKI Debbie (late Randy) Czajka, Dina (David) Witken and the late David (Lynette); the grandmother of Jason (Sarah), Joshua, Jacob (Jennifer), Tyler, Chandler, Alexa, Danielle, Zachary; great grandmother of Addison, Logan and Zoey; sister of the late Charmaine (late Robert) Kutt and the late Ronald (Janet) Broucek; and the sister-inlaw of Beverly (Ed) Paitl. A funeral Mass was celebrated Dec. 1 at Mater Christi Church in North Riverside, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements Online condolences may be offered at KuratkoNosek.com.
1,188,017 ballots cast in suburban Cook County for the 2020 presidential election were cast before Election Day on Nov. 3. So, how did the numbers stack up locally? Not only were more ballots cast in each village than in 2016, the voter turnout in each village was also higher in 2020. The highest local voter turnout came from the village of Riverside, where 80.3 percent of registered voters cast ballots. For the 2016 election, voter turnout in Riverside was 77 percent. In terms of sheer numbers, Riverside accounted for 5,677 total ballots – 568 more ballots than in 2016. In Brookfield, this year’s voter turnout was 76.3 percent compared to 75 percent in 2016. Residents of the village cast 10,544 ballots, top-
ping the 2016 total by 987 ballots. As in 2016, voter turnout in North Riverside was the lowest of the three villages in 2020. Even so, the village’s 74.4 percent voter turnout this year was better than the 72 percent turnout in 2016 and greater than turnout countywide. More impressive was the percentage increase in the number of ballots cast in North Riverside this year compared to either Brookfield or Riverside. The smallest of the three villages, North Riverside voters cast 3,787 ballots this year -- 506 more than in 2016, or a 15.4 percent increase from four years ago. The percentage increase in ballots cast in Riverside and Brookfield was 11.5 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively.
Kenneth W. Mooney, 79 Retired healthcare consultant
16
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
Lincoln School asst. principal to lead D103 early childhood program Lappay is third person to hold post in past six months By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
Lincoln School Assistant Principal Beatriz Lappay has been tabbed to replace Kim West as the director of early childhood education in Lyons-Brookfield School District 103. Lappay is now the third person to hold that job in the last six months. West was hired over the summer to replace the retir-
ing Chris Newell, who started the pre-kindergarten program in District 103 and ran it for more than three decades. In September, West became the director of student services, a job that came open when Colleen Bergren resigned at the start of the school year to take a position in Indiana. Lappay was hired over the summer to be the assistant principal at Lincoln School, the largest elementary school in the dis-
NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR THE VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS I.
A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for the Village of Brookfield for 2020 will be held on December 14, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Hall Board Room in the Municipal Building of the Village of Brookfield, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513. Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Brigid Weber, Village Clerk, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513, (708) 485-7344.
II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2019 were $10,979,000. The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2020 are $12,060,876. This represents a 9.854% increase over the previous year. III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2019 were $2,782,658. The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2020 are $2,641,350. This represents a 5.078% decrease over the previous year. IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2019 were $13,761,658. The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2020 are $14,702,226. This represents a 6.835% increase over the previous year. DECEMBER 2, 2020 Growing Community Media, NFP.
2015 until January 2018. Laptrict. She came to District 103 pay also has worked as a special after working for two years at education teacher for school Cicero School District 99. districts in Villa Park, BolingDuring the 2018-19 school year brook, Elgin, and at Proviso she was an assistant princiWest and Glenbard North high pal at Cicero West Elementary schools. School, a pre-K through fourth With the move into the new grade school. In 2019-20, she was position, Lappay also gets a one of eight assistant princiboost in salary. As director of pals at Unity Junior High. early childhood education LapAt its Nov. 24 meeting, the BEATRIZ LAPPAY pay will be paid an annual salaDistrict 103 school board voted ry of $95,000. She had been paid 4 to 2 to approve hiring Lappay as the early childhood director. Board $83,000 as assistant principal at Lincoln members Sharon Anderson and Marge Hu- School. bacek voted against hiring Lappay. Shannon Johnson was not at the meeting. Superintendent goals approved Hubacek said Lappay didn’t have any In another action at the Nov. 24 meetreal experience in early childhood educa- ing, the District 103 school board voted tion and has jumped from job to job during 6-0 to approve six performance goals for her career. Superintendent Kristopher Rivera. Per“I’m just a little troubled that this was formance goals are required for multiyear the best candidate for this position,” Hu- school administrator contracts. bacek said. The goals for the current school year are Lappay earned a bachelor’s degree in for Rivera and his administrative team to art from Northern Illinois University in complete a district-wide school improve2003. She has two master’s degrees, one in ment plan, to develop an instructional special education from Lewis University support system that supports teachers in and another in school leadership that she their quest to improve student achievement, to develop a handbook for a district earned from Concordia University. She earned an endorsement in English wide multi-tiered systems of support as a Second Language and bilingual educa- process, to work toward enhancing comtion from Illinois State University in 2014. munications by the use of social media She is now studying for a doctorate in edu- and the district website, to work toward enhancing the district’s technological incation at National Louis University. Before coming to Cicero District 99, Lap- frastructure and to work toward providpay worked as long-term substitute special ing students with continued educational education teacher for a couple months in opportunities while the navigating the the spring of 2018 for Hawthorn District 73 COVID-19 pandemic. in Vernon Hills. Rivera will be required to prepare a She spent her longest time, nearly three report the school board at the end of the years, working for the Acero Charter year indicating his progress toward those School Network in Chicago from August goals.
REMOTE from page 2
Komarek began offering in-person instruction in October. Komarek students who attend school in person do so for a half day, five days a week. Only 36 percent of Komarek students have chosen to attend school in person, but the return-to-school option has been successful for those who have decided to return to classrooms. No students and two staff members at Komarek School have tested positive for COVID-19 for since in-person instruction resumed in October, according to Komarek District 94 Superintendent Todd Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald said that the relatively few students attending school in person has allowed the school to easily implement social
distancing and other mitigation strategies. A saliva testing protocol has helped District 102 stay open for a hybrid schedule. Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District 95 has suspended in-person instruction this week to guard against a surge of cases after Thanksgiving, but officials tentatively plan to resume a hybrid schedule on Dec. 7. “We’re really using this as a way to practice and get kids knowing remote in the event that the governor was going to force schools to close, which he did not do,” said District 95 Superintendent Mark Kuzniewski. “I really think we’ll be back in the hybrid model next week. The numbers look good right now, but we’ll see how they play out.” Riverside Elementary School District 96 has suspended in-person instruction until January, while Lyons-Brookfield School District 103, which includes Lincoln School in Brookfield, has been on a 100-percent remote schedule all year.
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
17
Two armed robberies reported within days in Brookfield Each incident involved 3 offenders, 1 armed with handgun By BOB UPHUES Editor
Brookfield police are investigating a pair of armed robberies, one of them a vehicular hijacking, which took place within the past week. Deputy Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla told the Landmark the first incident occurred during the early morning hours of Nov. 25. The victim, a man walking alone in the 9000 block of Southview Avenue, reportedly told police that he was approached by three men wearing all black clothing and black face coverings. One of the offenders displayed a handgun and demanded the victim’s belongings, ac-
cording to police, and after obtaining the victim’s phone and wallet they were last seen fleeing on foot. While the victim didn’t see the offenders exit or enter a vehicle, surveillance video reportedly showed a newer model Nissan Sentra with heavily tinted windows and missing a cover from the front passenger side wheel circling the area where the victim was walking around the time of the robbery. Kuruvilla said police believe the vehicle was involved in the Brookfield incident, because three offenders dressed in similar clothing, who fled in a similar vehicle, robbed a gas station in Lyons less than an hour later.
COVID19
“He is not alone in that assessment,” Pritzker said. “The dip in Illinois’ cases over the last few from page 7 days comes as we are seeing near-record high numbers of hospitalizations, meaning that July, cases in both of those village continued our ability to handle any new surge in COVID to mount last week, with each village setting patients is still limited,” he added. a new one-week record for new confirmed According to data from the Illinois Departand probable cases. ment of Public Health, the daily average numLike Brookfield, both villages saw their ber of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in one-week totals drop slightly for the period the state actually fell Nov. 24-29, to 5,944. That Nov. 17-24, new cases in Riverside and Brook- was a decline of roughly 1.9 percent, from the field shot up again for the week-long period previous week’s average. ending on the morning of Dec. 1. But that number was still higher than the Riverside saw 69 new cases peak of the first wave of the of COVID-19, bringing the total pandemic in early May when it since the pandemic began to 509. stood at 4,816, and it remained The number of confirmed and four times higher than the hosprobable cases of COVID-19 inpitalization rate recorded the creased by 36 in North Riverside week of Aug. 2 when it stood at for the week-long period ending 1,410. on the morning of Dec. 1. In all, As of late Sunday, about only since March, there have been 292 28 percent of the state’s staffed residents of the village who have hospital beds remained availcontracted the disease. able, while nearly 18 percent of Three North Riverside resiall hospital beds in use were ocdents have died from COVID-19. cupied by COVID-19 patients. J.B. PRITZKER In Riverside, there have been two Pritzker said it could take sevIllinois governor fatalities to date. eral days, or even weeks, before The Illinois Department of the state sees what impact holiPublic Health announced that day travel and gathering will the COVID-19 positivity rate had have on its infection rate, and he fallen in suburban Cook County said he has no plan to scale back to 12.6 percent on Nov. 27. That the Tier 3 mitigations in place was down from a high of 15.6 for at least the next three weeks. percent on Nov. 18. “I say this as we come off of Despite some slight improvea Thanksgiving holiday when ment in key public health metrics over the many people may have dropped their guard past week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he has no and gathered with people from outside of immediate plans to roll back COVID-19 miti- their own households,” he said. “The hope gation efforts as he warned of a possible post- now is that we can fend off the surge in the Thanksgiving surge. next few weeks to get to a healthier holiday Speaking during his daily COVID-19 brief- time in the latter half of December. We’ll be ing on Nov. 30 in Chicago, Pritzker quoted Dr. watching the data closely to monitor for a Anthony Fauci, director of the National Insti- Thanksgiving related surge in our case count, tute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who our positivity rate, our hospitalizations, and warned over the weekend of “a surge within ICU admissions.” a surge” due to the large volume of holiday Peter Hancock of Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report. travel over the Thanksgiving Day weekend.
“Our ability to handle any new surge in COVID patients is still limited.”
Carjacking reported Meanwhile, Brookfield police broadcast a village-wide alert Saturday evening, warning residents of a vehicular hijacking that took place in the 3500 block of Harrison Avenue around 2 p.m. on Nov. 28. While details are limited at this time, three offenders approached the victim on his property, either inside or near his ga-
rage, and demanded the keys to his vehicle, a gray 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. One of the offenders displayed a handgun, police said. The victim handed over the keys and the offenders got into the vehicle, fleeing at a high rate of speed through the alley. Anyone with information on either of these incidents is being asked to call the Brookfield Police Department’s Detective Division at 708-387-1931.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR RIVERSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 96 I.
A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Riverside School District No. 96 for 2020 will be held on December 16, 2020 at 7:00 P.M., at the Riverside School District Learning Resource Center at Hauser Junior High School. Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Ms. Martha Ryan-Toye, Superintendent, 3340 S. Harlem, Riverside, Illinois 60546, (708) 447-5007.
II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2019 were $26,282,872.00. The corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2020 are $26,819,178.00. This represents a 2.42% increase over the previous year. III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2019 were $0.00. The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2020 are $0.00. This represents a 0.00% increase compared to the previous year. IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2019 were $26,282,872.00. The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2020 are $26,819,178.00. This represents a 2.42% increase over the previous year. District Office: JTF Board of Education meeting December 16, 2020
18
The Landmark, December 2, 2020 New local ads this week
HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI
WEDNESDAY
CLASSIFIED Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.
Place your ad online anytime at: www.RBLandmark.com/Classified/
YOUR WEEKLY AD
REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO
Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion. The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@RBLANDMARK.COM ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIBRARY SERVICE UPDATE The Library is now under the Essential Service Model. Computer Sessions by appointment only. 30 min sessions. Call 708-366-7171 or sign up at fppl.org/computersignup. Copy machine (copy/scan) available for drop in. Vestibule Pick Up of library holds available. Place holds online at fppl.org or call.
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED TEACHER AND TEACHER AIDE MINI ME BUNCH seeks teacher and teacher aide to enhance and expand daycare serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Teacher must have at least Associates’ degree in Early Childhood Education. Minimum 1 year experience preferred in each position. Must love children and be outgoing, patient, flexible. Contact 773-521-9499. Wednesday Classified 3 Great Papers, 6 Communities To Place Your Ad, Call: 708/613-3333
HELP WANTED
River Forest Public Schools District 90 is seeking a Part-time School Social Worker (One Day a Week) Qualifications: a) Valid State of Illinois Professional Educator License b) Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) preferred Job Duties: The School Social Worker provides needs-based behavioral and social-emotional services to the students, parents, and faculty/staff of a school. The role includes, but is not limited to, individual and group counseling with students; direct and indirect consultation with students and teachers; assessment, behavior planning and intervention implementation and monitoring; and universal screening/prevention of behavioral & social-emotional concerns. The individual hired for this position will be required to develop ISP goals, monitor progress towards goals and participate in annual reviews and re-evaluations as needed. The School Social Worker hired for this position will work with D90’s team and provide services at one of the private and parochial schools located in River Forest. The social worker will collaborate with parents, faculty and administration at the private and parochial school to meet the needs of students. This individual fulfills the requirements of the role as stated in Rules and Regulations for Special Education. Apply online at district90.org
SUBURBAN RENTALS
SUBURBAN RENTALS
OAK PARK: ROOSEVELT/ OAK PARK AVE. CORRIDOR 2BR 4RMS close to blue line. On site laundry, parking, heat & water incl. $1200/ month 708-383-9223
M&M
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. *1116 sq. ft. suite *569 sq. ft. with patio OAK PARK–1053 Lake St. *Entire 3rd Floor, 1275 sq. ft. OAK PARK– 6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. *3 and 5 room office suites Strand& & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011
COMMERCIAL/ RETAIL SPACE
COMMERCIAL/ RETAIL SPACE
A RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT–
1635 Sq Ft. IN SHOPPING CENTER: 315–325 S. Harlem Ave., Forest Park, IL.
• Very Good Condition–Recent Updates: NEW: Ceiling/floor tiles, basebrds, HVAC Unit, bath lav & sink/faucet, drywall. White primed walls throughout. • Suitable for almost ANY business type. • Heavy traffic area; Across: Rush-Oak Park Hosp. No Agents, pls. CALL: Jim (708) 828-6491
ITEMS FOR SALE
CEMETERY PLOTS
10 FT CHRISTMAS TREE In box. 708-447-1762
TWO BURIAL PLOTS WOODLAWN (2) burial plots at Woodlawn Cemetery side by side. Located in Birchwood Section. $5000 for both 847-858-7726 Andytarnoff@comcast.net
POOL TABLE Complete setup pool table 708-447-1762 SMALL CHEST Small plastic chest with six dustproof drawers. Pretty burnt orange color, like new. 33”h x 12”d x 15”w. 708-488-8755 SMALL METAL FILE CABINET 13”w x 30”h x 10”d. 6 skinny drawers. 708-488-8755 Items for Sale ads run free in Wednesday Classified.
SUBURBAN RENTALS
property management, inc.
708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Contact us for a complete list of available rentals throughout Oak Park and Forest Park.
Apartment listings updated daily at:
AUTOS FOR SALE 2013 CHEVY CAMARO 3000 certified miles. 708-447-1762 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S430 10,000 miles. 708-447-1762
WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400
FIREWOOD UNLIMITED
Fast Delivery MIXED HARDWOODS CBH & MIX 100% OAK CHERRY OR HICKORY 100% BIRCH
847-888-9999
You have jobs. We have readers! Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified! Call 708-613-3342.
Ceiling Fans Installed
Order online:
www. suregreen landscape.com
Credit Cards Accepted
Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-3342
ELECTRICAL
A&A ELECTRIC
Let an American Veteran do your work
We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.
708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area
FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.
New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com
HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do
HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers
708-296-2060
Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience
CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE
FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.
Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair
FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small
708-488-9411
FIREWOOD HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs
Seasoned 2 years Stacking Available
Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue. Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.
ELECTRICAL
Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates
773-637-0692 Ask for John
708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000
HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING
Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404
Attention! Homeimprovement pros! Reach the people making decisions your target demographic Advertise in Wednesday Classified. Call 708/613-3342
PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost
708.749.0011
PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.
Small & big work. Free estimates. Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services
708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed
Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years
PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20005148 on November 12, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of FREELAND & THATCHER with the business located at: 805 LAKE ST UNIT 429, OAK PARK, IL 60301. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: HAWANYA BLAKELY 479 N HARLEM AVE UNIT 501 OAK PARK, IL 60301, USA Published in Wednesday Journal 11/18, 11/25, 12/2/2020
PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20005178 on November 12, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of INCLINE REAL ESTATE ADVISORS with the business located at: 319 UVEDALE ROAD, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JEFFREY K. CERMAK, 319 UVEDALE ROAD, RIVERSIDE, IL, 60546, USA Published in RB Landmark 11/18, 11/25, 12/2/2020
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICES
PublicNoticeIllinois.com
PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE LAW OFFICE OF LINDA EPSTEIN Attorney for Petitioner 722 W. Diversey Parkway, Ste. 101B Chicago, iL 60614 STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division. In re the marriage of WILLIAM JESUS GONZALES, Petitioner and FRANCISCO JAVIER ESPARRAGOZA ESPINOSA, Respondent, Case No. 2020 D 008427 The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your Appearance and Response electronically to said Petition in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before December 23, 2020, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition. DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal 11/25, 12/2, 12/9/2020
(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@RBLANDMARK.COM
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Public Notice: Your right to know
HEARING DATE: December 17, 2020 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 15-20-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use application filed by the Applicant, Hinsdale Bank & Trust, pursuant to Section 8.3 (“Table 8-1: Use Matrix”) of the Oak Park Zoning District to construct and operate a two (2) lane drive-through facility for a bank at the property located at 400-406 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-423-025-0000 & 16-07-423-026-0000 in the MS Madison Street Zoning District. A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., by contacting the Zoning Administrator at Zoning@oak-park.us. The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOPTV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an inperson public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 out-
break during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the main entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on December 17, 2020. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning@oakpark.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom webconference means or by phone. The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal December 2, 2020
NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed separate bids will be received by the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (the “Board”) for the following project: OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 SD97 - SUMMER 2021 ADDITION & RENOVATIONS BEYE, LINCOLN, LONGFELLOW, WHITTIER OAK PARK, IL 60302 BID GROUP 1 – DEMOLITION, EXCAVATION, CONCRETE, MASONRY, STEEL, GENERAL TRADES, MILLWORK/ CASEWORK, ROOFING, METAL PANELS, DOORS FRAMES & HARDWARE, GLAZING, DRYWALL & ACT, FLOORING, PAINTING, SPECIALTIES, ELEVATOR, WHEELCHAIR LIFT, PLUMBING, HVAC, and ELECTRICAL Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. CST on Friday, December 11, 2020 at the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Administrative offices, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, and will be virtually opened via zoom and read at 2:30 p.m. CST on that date. Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked: Oak Park Elementary School District 97 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 Attention: Bulley & Andrews Project: SD97 - SUMMER 2021 ADDITION & RENOVATIONS Virtual Bid Opening will be held at 2:30pm CST on 12/11/2020 per link: https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/84381616944?pwd=cGRPcVZuVVh5S0tmZmVBUXlFSEJ5QT09
Meeting ID: 843 8161 6944 / Passcode: 039859 / +13126266799,, 84381616944# US (Chicago)
LLC One Drive, located at the following link. No username or password is required.
Scope of work for Bid Group 1 generally includes, but is not limited to: Demolition, excavation, concrete, masonry, steel, general trades, millwork/ casework, roofing, metal panels, doors frames & hardware, glazing, drywall & ACT, flooring, painting, specialties, elevator, wheelchair lift, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical.
https://bulleyandrews-my. sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/amantel_bulley_com/ EnFU50U2lZJHvgH8M5EOgUsB37AO8_Gejp_4_ry47Ql0mQ?e=AyfkWu
All bids must be submitted in accordance with the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project. Bid security in the form of a bid bond in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid amount shall be submitted with the bid. Should a bid bond be submitted, the bond shall be payable to the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. All documents and information required by the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project shall be submitted with the bid. Incomplete, late or non-conforming bids may not be accepted. No bids shall be withdrawn, cancelled or modified after the time for opening of bids without the Board’s consent for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled time of bid opening. The Bidding Documents for the project (which include the bidding instructions for the project and other related documents) will be available Wednesday November 25, 2020 and are available for viewing/ download online without cost or purchase on the Bulley & Andrews,
The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District. The site will be available for visits by appointment to be coordinated with Bulley & Andrews, LLC. Interested parties may inspect the existing conditions. Schedule an appointment with Alex Mantel of Bulley & Andrews in advance if you wish to visit the sites. All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all Contractors working on public works. If during the time period of work, the prevailing wage rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount. All bidders must comply with the Illinois Statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.
PUBLIC NOTICES
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 Monday, December 21, 2020 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, to consider an application from the Village of Riverside for a Special Use Permit for a government/public service use to allow the installation of a radio antenna and 100 ft. tall support structure (tower) at the Riverside Public Works Facility in the R1-A Residential Zoning District for the property located at 3860 Columbus Blvd. Due to the ongoing public health emergency and consistent with the Governor’s most recent emergency declaration, various Executive Orders entered by the Governor, and the recent amendments made to the Open Meetings Act in Public Act 101-640, the public hearing will be conducted electronically. The hearing will be streamed live via Zoom and on Riverside Television, where it will be available on YouTube’s Riverside TV channel. The Zoom Meeting ID and access code will be made available on the Village’s website prior to the hearing. Video of the public hearing will subsequently be posted and made available to the public on the Village website. Application No.: PZ20-007 Petitioner: Village of Riverside Property Commonly Known As: 3860 Columbus Road PIN: 15-36-315-028, 15-36-315029, 15-36-316-008 Proposed Special Use: A special use for a government/public service use is sought to install a radio antenna and 100 ft. tall support structure (tower) at the Riverside Public Works Facility for the purposes of supporting wireless communication between the Public Works Facility and Village Offices and a new village-wide water meter reading system in the R1-A Residential Zoning District. The above application can be made available for inspection by contacting the Village Clerk, by phone at 708-447-2700 or via email at chaley@riverside.il.us. Public comments regarding the proposed special use are welcome when received by email or in writing by the Community Development Director prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Emailed comments may be sent to Director Sonya Abt at sabt@riverside.il.us. Written comments may be submitted to the attention of the Director at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois. While written comments are strongly encouraged, live public testimony and comments can also be made during the hearing by persons participating via Zoom. 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 2nd day of December, 2020 Jill Mateo, Chairperson Planning and Zoning Commission Published in RB Landmark
12/02/2020
www.rblandmark.com
LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2020 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2021 Village Wide Emergency Water and Sewer Repair Work Bid Number: 21-106 Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708358-5700 or by stopping by the office located at 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Information is also available from the Assistant Public Works Director, Rob Sproule, rsproule@oak-park.us and the Village’s website http:// www.oak-park.us/bid. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening. For more information call the Public Works Service Center at 708.358.5700. Published in Wednesday Journal December 2, 2020
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION DECEMBER 17th, 2020 at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, December 17th, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for a special use for an indoor assembly use at 9207 Broadway Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PIN 15-34-307-026-0000). The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Written comments may be provided prior to the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Elyse Vukelich, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 or evukelich@brookfieldil.gov. 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 12/02/2020
For additional information on the project, contact Alex Mantel of Bulley & Andrews, LLC at amantel@ bulley.com or 219-678-8383. Dated: 11/5/20 Alex Mantel Bulley & Andrews, LLC
❄ ❅ ❆
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Published in Wednesday Journal November 25, December 2 and 9, 2020
❄ ❅ ❆
19
Are you a “For Sale By Owner?” Call 708-613-3342 to advertise.
HEARING DATE: December 17, 2020 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 07-20-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use application filed by the Applicant, McDonalds Corporation, to modify and expand its existing single-lane drivethrough facility pursuant to Section 8.3 (“Table 8-1: Use Matrix) and Section 15.2 (B) (Expansion) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance to add a drive-through lane for a dual-lane drive-through facility at the property located at 111 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-17-105-003-0000 in the MS Madison Street Zoning District. A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www. oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or
prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the main entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on December 17, 2020. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning @oakpark.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom webconference means or by phone. The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal December 2, 2020
Illinois Classified Advertising Network EVENTS
GUN SHOW – December 4-5-6, Fountain Hall, 8505 Durand Ave. Sturtevant/Racine, WI Friday 3pm-8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-3pm. Large selection of guns & ammo. More info: 563-608-4401 www.marvkrauspromotions.net
FARM & RANCH FARMERS WANTED ILLINOIS FARMER considering retirement in the next 2 - 3 years? Take 5 minute survey for $10. Call (773) 717-5572
MISCELLANEOUS NEW DISCOVERY ELIMINATES COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS! All Natural Male Enhancement Product Increases Staying Power, Performance, & Pleasure. Risk FREE 60 Day Guarantee + FREE SHIPPING 15% Discount with Coupon perform03 Visit: TryProZyte.com
WANTED FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals. Call 312-598-1758 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com
Starting a new business? Call the Experts! Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice in Wednesday Classified. Call 708/613-3342 to advertise.
20
The Landmark, December 2, 2020
W NE
G TIN S I L
NG MI O C
ON SO
112 Burlington St, Riverside $339,500
195 Lawton Rd, Riverside $525,000
112.5 Lincoln Ave, 2H, Riverside $109,900
444 Washington Blvd, #204, Oak Park $195,000
3608 Wenonah Ave, Berwyn $289,900
56 N Cowley Rd, Riverside $399,000
7240 Ogden Ave, Riverside $485,000
192 Waubansee Rd, Riverside $539,000
293 Gage Rd, Riverside $548,000
399 Audubon Rd, Riverside $635,000
L TA N RE
4441 Wolf Rd, #401, Western Springs $699,000
144 Scottswood Rd, Riverside $799,000
45 Longcommon Rd, Riverside $975,000
622 Robinhood Ln, LaGrange Park $2,200/mo
AL NT E R
36 S Kensington Ave, #6, LaGrange $1,595/mo
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
Visit us at www.atproperties.com/agents/Burlington to view all of our properties and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates on the local real estate market.