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Vol. 36, No. 50

@riversidebrookfieldlandmark @riversidebrookfield_landmark

December 15, 2021

Riversider’s charity provides essential support to women in crisis PAGE 3

Also serving North Riverside

@RBLandmark

COVID cases spike in villages, school districts PAGE 10

Riverside double murder suspect arrested on Cape Cod

Joe Sharp stands outside of his decorated home on Sunday, Dec. 12, on North Delaplaine Road in Riverside.

U.S Marshal task force tracks alleged fugitive killer to relative’s home

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A man suspected of killing 38-year-old Jeremy Lane and 31-year-old Tiata Johnson inside a Riverside apartment on Nov. 13 reportedly hunted down Johnson after she left her home in Danville to avoid him after an incident on Nov. 8 that resulted in his arrest there for disorderly conduct.

Police say Carl Curry, 33, who was on parole for a felony weapons conviction, tracked Johnson to the building where Lane lived at 63 Forest Ave., forced open the front door to the third-floor apartment and gunned down the couple in a bedroom.

“He loved everybody and there wasn’t no one he wouldn’t help,” said Annett Lane of her son, Jeremy, who was an old friend of Johnson’s. “He was trying to do the right thing.”

“I don’t think Jeremy was actually the target. I think whoever he would’ve saw Tiata with he was going to kill,” she said.

See MURDER on page 13

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Christmas Town on Delaplaine

Pandemic inspired idea for a holiday season ‘destination’ in Riverside

By BOB UPHUES

R

Editor

iverside has not one, but two, picturesque Victorian gothic water towers – at least for the rest of the month – courtesy of Joe and Betty Sharp, who would like you stop by their North Delaplaine Road

home and snap a selfie, maybe even the family photo for your Christmas cards.

While you’re at it, you might want to have a seat under the tree in the front yard and get your picture taken with Santa Claus or walk next door to the house where Sharps’ daughter and son-in-law – Laura and Rich Duff -- live and climb aboard a full-size sleigh pulled by eight lighted reindeer and

get a photo there.

It’s Christmas Town in Riverside, partly the result of an obsession with decorating for the holidays and partly the result on the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sharps’ display is a new one, rolled out in 2020.

“We thought it was good because it gave See DECORATIONS on page 12

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The Landmark, December 15, 2021

We’re at two-thirds of our NewsMatch goal - We need you to jump in now As the end of 2021 comes into view, and with it the close of our annual NewsMatch funding challenge, we’re at 66 percent of our $125,000 goal.

That’s both great and a little scary. We’re still looking to raise $40,000.

So we’re turning to our readers for help. We need you as an active partner in reinventing community journalism in our seven neighborhoods by building our nonprofit newsroom.

Six weeks ago we turned to a group of Growing Community Media’s most dedicated supporters and asked them to create a matching fund to spark other donations. Those good people – their names are just below – gathered up $18,000 as a match.

We thank them for leading the way.

Well, with the help of so many, we have quickly matched the MatchMakers $18,000.

Today, we are launching a brand new $10,000 match made possible by the Monroe and Fran Sullivan Charitable Fund. That means the next $10,000 we raise from readers will be doubled courtesy of the Sullivan’s, our longtime friends and supporters.

Whether you are able to give us $10 or $500, our gratitude will be the same. If you value the work our small and mighty newsroom does each day then please join in.

Dan Haley Editor and Publisher Growing Community Media p.s. Share this message with people you know who would want to know more.

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The Landmark, December 15, 2021

Riversider creates nonprofit to help women in need

IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

‘Love Purse’ has provided more than 2,500 handbags packed with essentials

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

For Riverside resident Maria Castro, the spirit of giving and offering a helping hand to those facing adversity aren’t just things to be emphasized once a year during the Christmas season. For her, compassion toward others is the ethos which drives her all year long — both in her day job and newfound, round-the-clock project.

Since 2005, Castro has worked as a community investment manager with Comcast, working alongside Chicago area nonprofits to build community partnerships, bridge the digital divide in low-income neighborhoods by providing internet access, identify recipients for technology grants and oversee a slew of community service projects.

Both through her job and other philanthropic efforts, Castro has seen firsthand the positive difference that can be made when people join forces for a greater good and to uplift the lives of others in need.

Earlier this year, a new lightbulb went off in her head, shining a light on a new venture — creating personalized handbags designed to equip and uplift women and girls experiencing homelessness, domestic abuse and other hardships.

She calls the initiative Love Purse, a nonprofit which aims to make women across the Chicagoland area feel loved, valued and respected, especially in a time when most of them may have lost everything due to violence, poverty and other traumas.

Filled with personal hygiene items including toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, combs, feminine hygiene products, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, socks and snacks, each Love Purse takes an otherwise ordinary handbag and turns them into a sort of portable safe haven.

Each bag also contains personal, handwritten notes of inspiration to let each recipient know that despite the circumstances, she matters and is respected as a woman.

The concept behind Love Purse first came to Castro back in March following a phone conversation with a friend about, of all things, a Facebook post.

For the past five years during March, Castro has used her Facebook page as a platform to highlight inspirational women and causes for Women’s History Month.

This year, as she was compiling new people to highlight, she called a friend who heads up A Safe Haven, a Chicago home-

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf

PROVIDED

Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

Maria Castro less and domestic violence shelter. Castro learned that because of the pandemic, the shelter has seen triple-digit increases in the number of women seeking assistance. The shelter was running low on supplies, and her friend was unsure about what to do.

Castro put out a message to her network of friends and community partners to see if she could solicit toiletries for the shelter.

Within hours, Castro’s connections sent her dozens of items to take to the shelter.

While receiving the abundance of goods made Castro happy, something about the process just didn’t feel quite right.

“As I came up with the idea of collecting all these toiletries, I told my husband,

‘I just don’t feel right giving a woman who already feels down and out and really down on her luck a plastic bag saying, ‘Here you go, here’s your toiletries,’” she explained. “I just felt like that was so insensitive.”

Thinking how vital a handbag is for most women to hold all things essential, Castro thought, why not give these women their new set of essentials in a new purse?

Ordering $20 handbags on Amazon, Castro began taking the donated toiletries and filling the bags up for distribution. But still, Castro thought, something more could be done.

See CASTRO on page 16

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The Landmark, December 15, 2021

BIG WEEK

December 15-22

AMY ALESSIO

Vintage holiday treats

Riverside Public Library invites you to join cookbook collector Amy Alessio as she talks about favorite holiday treats from the past during “Vintage Holiday Cookies and Candies,” a Zoom program on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.

Alessio’s humorous, nostalgic program also includes recipes so you can create our own vintage holiday sweets. Register by visiting riversidelibrary.libcal.com/ calendar and an event URL will be sent to you via email.

Radio Players host annual Christmas performance

Riverside Township Radio Players present their annual Christmas show on Friday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m., performing two shows from Radio’s Golden Age in the auditorium of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside.

The troupe will recreate the “Suspense” episode “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and “Christmas Shopping” from the family comedy show “Archie Andrews.”

Free. Masks required for all in attendance. For more, visit riversidetownshipradioplayers.com.

Holly-Day Camp in North Riverside

North Riverside Parks and Rec offers families a way to kick cabin fever during the school break by inviting kids ages 4-12 to their Holly-Day Camp on Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave. Kids will enjoy sports, games, arts and crafts, treats and music. There will also be outdoor activities, so plan accordingly. Register for one or more dates at $25 per day ($27 non-resident). Before/after camp available (7:30-9 a.m./3-6 p.m.) for $10 per day.

Call 708-442-5515.

Family Pajama Extravaganza at Brookfield Library Break out your most festive pajamas and face masks as the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., celebrates 20 years of holiday stories during its annual Holiday Family Pajama Extravaganza on Friday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Started as a simple affair featuring stories and crafts, the event has evolved into an afterhours bash with stories, crafts, music, cookies, cocoa and even Santa. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the event, each family registered will receive a special edition snowflake ornament.

The event is free, but registration is required. Call 708-485-6917, ext. 140 or visit brookfield.evanced.info/signup.

And more Brookfield Zoo’s 40th Annual Holiday Magic festival of lights continues through the end of the year on the following dates: Dec. 15-19 and 26-31 from 3 to 9 p.m. each day. Reserved-time admission (available in 20-minute increments) and parking tickets must be purchased online prior to arrival. Visit CZS.org/OnlineTicketing.

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Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., welcomes visitors to enjoy the exhibitions“Messengers” featuring the art of Liz Chilsen and “Obstacles and Intimacies” by Stephanie Brooks, which continue through Jan. 8, and “Vessels,” featuring the art of Tulika Ladsariya, Melissa Zeigler Monroe and Shawn Vincent, which continues through Dec. 31. Gallery hours: Thurs.-Sat. from 1 to 5 p.m. or by appointment.

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Riverside Parks and Recreation invites kids to write letters to Santa and place them in a special mailbox that’s been located on the east side of the historic water ■

tower, 10 Pine Ave. Letters received by Dec. 18 will get a note back from Santa.

Visit Santa Claus in the lower level center court of North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, through Christmas Eve on the following dates: Dec. 15-17 from noon to 7 p.m.; Dec. 18-23 from noon to 8 p.m.; and Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visits are free, photo packages available for purchase.

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North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites you to Crafterdarks: Pine Cone Trees in-person on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.; Quilt Block of the Month Makeand-Take kits available Dec. 20-26; and Stretching and Meditation via conference call (800-747-5150, code 1453322) on Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m.

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Kids ages 4-up can choose either in-person or Zoom attendance for Lapsit Storytime on Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m.; After School Art Escape on Dec. 16 at 3:30 p.m.; and Learn with Lester the Llama (in-person only) on

Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m.

Register for programs at northriversidelibrary.org/ events-new.

Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., invites you to Chair Yoga via Zoom on Dec. 16 at 11 a.m.; Ornament Making in the Maker Studio on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.; and a Friends of the Library Writers’ Workshop in Meeting Room 2 on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. New members welcome. Visit brookfield.evanced.info/signup to register for programs.

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■ Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, will pass out RB Finals Brain Break Kits, treats high school students can pick up and take home Dec. 15-16 at the CYS desk.

For kids there’s Holiday Storytime in the Community Room on Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m. and Friday Flix for teens on Dec. 17 at 3:30 p.m. Registration required.

Let the library Friends wrap your gifts

Brookfield Friends of the Library invite you to leave the present wrapping to them while you browse the collection or look for a gift in the Book Nook of the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., during the FOL Gift Wrap on Saturday, Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Just drop in with your gifts and the Friends will provide the wrapping paper, bows, gift tags – and the all-important wrapping – free of charge. Any monetary donations will support Friends’ initiatives.

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

Riverside Chess Club, open to anyone age 5 through adult, meets in person each Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Room 30 of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road. Players of all levels welcome. Children under 7 require caregiver over 13. Email sean@riversidechessclub.org for more info.

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Through March 25, 2022 the Lyons Township High School South Campus Fieldhouse indoor track, 4900 S. Willow Springs Road in Western Springs, will be open to the public from 6 to 7 a.m. on days LTHS is in session. There is no admission charge or fee to use the track. Please bring an ID and be prepared to sign in.

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The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo the second Sunday of every month. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games start at 2 p.m. with cash payouts.

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The Landmark, December 15, 2021

D95 school board committee will study meeting broadcasts More than 100 sign petition to resume livestreaming proceedings

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Reacting to a petition signed by more than 100 community members, the Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District 95 Board of Education has agreed to study whether or how to resume livestreaming its school board meetings.

The district stopped livestreaming its meeting on Zoom this fall saying that not many people watched the videos, which were time-consuming for staff to arrange and suffered from poor audio quality.

A school board committee will now look at what the district’s options are and decide whether there is a cost-effective way to broadcast meetings. The Brookfield Village Board will start livestreaming its meetings in January, with the person spearheading that initiative saying the village is paying less than $10,000 to purchase and install the cameras and equipment and will incur a recurring annual cost of about $4,500.

School board President Katie Mulcrone said that the board will look at options and get quotes to see what it would cost to find an effective way to broadcast meetings.

School board members seemed reluctant amount of people,” Filbey said. “Is it worth to spend the kind of money the village is the expenditure?”

Superintendent Mark Kuzniewski said spending to livestream their meetings, but board members Jackie Jordan and Eliza- that the 116 people who signed the petition calling for meetings to beth Loerup seemed the be livestreamed represent most interested in finding only about 1 percent of vota way to live stream or ers who live in the school broadcast the meetings. district.

“I would like to try “In my opinion it’s a very something,” said Jordan small representation of who volunteered to lead voters,” Kuzniewski told the committee. the school board, adding Loerup, who is a teachthe school district generer, mentioned that the ally doesn’t make decisions principal at her school ELIZABETH LOERUP based on petitions. uses Google Live to comD95 school board member The leader of the petimunicate. tion drive, Jaime Baker, the “I’m definitely intermother of a kindergartner, ested in problem-solving said that while she is happy through this,” Loerup that the board will consider said. resuming livestreaming its But board member Jesmeetings, she was discoursica Filbey was wary of spending $15,000 or more to livestream aged by the cool response from the board.

“That would be great if they could come meetings, saying very few watched the meetings earlier this year when they were up with a solution, but it seemed that they’re not really willing to do it,” Baker broadcast on Zoom.

“It’s a large amount of money for a few said. “They cited one thing that the village

“I’m definitely interested in problem-solving through this.”

Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight Betty’s Flowers & Gifts 9138 Broadway Brookfield, IL 60513 We Deliver • Wire Service 708-485-3893 Find us on Facebook!

Hours: Mon-Fri 9-6 | Sat 9-5

I

celebrated 23 years in business on Wednesday, December 8th. I have always loved flowers, and the joy they bring. It is an honor and privilege to be a part of people’s life, whether they are planning a wedding, celebrating an occasion like a birthday, Mother’s Day, Christmas; or bringing some beauty or encouragement to someone. I grew up in Brookfield, so having my business here was an easy choice. Over the years I have been able to work beside my children and grandchildren in the business, and share my enthusiasm for the craft. I also enjoy being able to provide unique gift items for all ages. It’s always so nice when we get a call from a customer telling us how much they loved the flowers or arrangement. It’s very fulfilling to know we made somebody’s day,

was doing that cost $10,000. I know that we can find equipment that’s a lot more affordable than that. And they had also said that Zooming the meetings was very stressful, time consuming, but I’m able to just show up there with my computer, literally press start and that’s it. It’s not that big of a deal.”

Baker has recorded the last two District 95 school board meetings on her computer and says she has posted them to the District 95 Parents Facebook page and on YouTube.

The Facebook group is private. A search of YouTube for the videos came up empty.

She said that her video of the November school board meeting had more than 100 views and that the video of the Dec. 9 meeting has already been viewed by 36 people.

“People are going and reviewing it, and looking at it so there is a need for it,” Baker said.

Baker has also asked that the district have microphones at the board table, saying it is difficult for visitors attending meetings in person to hear what board members are saying.

Eight members of the public attended the Dec. 9 meeting.

Presented by

simply by doing what we love.

Over the years, I have seen many changes in town. New businesses and new families moving into town, new buildings go up, and old ones come down, but the heart of Brookfield remains the same. It’s a great community with great people. I have been involved with the Brookfield Rotary and the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce for many years and, served in the role of Chamber President at one time. It’s so important to give back to the community that gives so much to their local businesses. I am proud of the Chamber of Commerce’s accomplishments, and being part of the organization that brings events like the Art Fest, Farmers Market, Monsters on Main Street, Senior Valentine Social, 60 Betty LeClere at her Eight Corners district shop, Betty’s Flowers and Gifts. | Alex Rogals/Staff Photographer To Win Raffle and the Holiday Celebration to the community.

However, the flowers and gift items were and a note of congratulations. (Betty would Something you may not have known more popular, so we discontinued that never tell you this – this information has about Betty’s Flowers is that they used to service to make room for those items. Over been received from other sources). offer tuxedo rentals to help those planning the years, Betty has always been one of the a wedding, or going to prom, have one first people to welcome a new business into less stop to make in the planning process. town with a beautiful flower arrangement

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The Landmark, December 15, 2021

Cuban cuisine coming to Harlem Avenue Cubanito Express headed to storefront that formerly housed Wing Wah space

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A new takeout restaurant serving Cuban cuisine is slated to occupy the Harlem Avenue storefront Wing Wah called home for decades before the Chinese takeout mainstay closed in 2019.

Lucio Ambrocio, one of five partners involved in the venture, told the Landmark he hoped Cubanito Express would open its doors before the end of 2021 or in January at the latest at 3222 Harlem Ave., once interior renovations are complete.

Ambrocio said his partners were his brothers Vicente, Rafael and Cesar along with the company’s chef, Marco Estrada-Oropesa, whom the Ambrocios consider to be another brother.

In October, Vicente Ambrocio submitted a business license application for the restaurant, and in November, he applied for a building permit to remodel the space. A contract for that work indicates they will spend about $3,100 to install a new three-compartment sink, hand wash sink, vegetable sink and a new floor drain.

A brief description of Cubanito Express, which appears to be targeting the commuter

crowd, on the business license application states it will be open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cubanito Express will serve breakfast sandwiches, salads and coffee, and it will operate as a takeout restaurant like its longtime predecessor. Lucio Ambrocio told the Landmark that the sandwiches would be similar to those served at other Cuban spots in Chicago, like Cafecito, and their own “signature” sandwiches combining Cuban and Mexican flavors.

While Cubanito Express is the first restaurant venture for the Ambrocio brothers, they’re fully jumping into the business. In addition to the Riverside location currently being built out, they’re also planning to open a second Cubanito Express location in the 4700 block of South Pulaski Road in Chicago.

When it does open in Riverside, Cubanito Express will join the Middle Eastern restaurant Nada, which opened in 2019 at 3216 Harlem Ave., in that stretch of Harlem Avenue between Addison and Herrick roads.

Shortly after Wing Wah closed at 3222 Harlem Ave. in 2019, a restaurant called Taco Burger Express reportedly had plans for the space, but that eatery never materialized.

BOB UPHUES/Editor

The Ambrocio brothers hope to open Cubanito Express in the Harlem Avenue storefront that once housed Wing Wah either later this month or early in 2022. They are also planning a second location in Chicago.

Convicted in 2018, Riverside pain doc still awaits sentencing Dr. Paul Madison remains free on bond after date reset for the eighth time

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Dr. Paul C. Madison, accused of improperly prescribing millions of doses of powerful opioids from a downtown Riverside office between 2013 and 2017, was convicted of federal insurance fraud charges in 2018 that could land him in prison for 10 years.

But the 68-year-old Madison remains free on bond and his sentencing on the federal conviction, which had been set for Dec. 14, has been postponed again.

On Dec. 3, Madison’s attorney filed a motion to continue with the U.S. District Court in Chicago, asking to delay the sentencing hearing until mid-January due to a health emergency involving a family member.

Judge Robert M. Dow granted the continuance on Dec. 6, giving Madison at least another month and one more holiday season as a free man.

Madison has proved adept at delaying sentencing for more than three years, asking for and getting continuance after continuance. Since his conviction in late 2018, Madison has had his sentencing date postponed eight times.

In April, Madison was granted a continuance after telling the court he had been diagnosed with and was being treated for prostate cancer. His sentencing date was continued three times more after that, with his attorney telling Judge Dow on July 22 that the request to delay Madison’s Aug. 4 sentencing date would be a “final continuance.”

Dow reset sentencing to Sept. 4, then to Dec. 14 and now until mid-January 2022.

The federal government indicted Madison for insurance fraud unrelated to the Riverside clinic in 2012. At the time, Madison worked out of an office in Water Tower Place on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago.

The feds accused Madison of fraudulently billing insurance companies for about $3.5 million in claims, ordering employees to submit false bills for procedures not performed and to falsify patient records.

That case was initially set to go to trial in 2015, but Madison was also successful in having that delayed for three and a half years. When the two-week trial finally concluded in December 2018, a jury convicted him on six counts of health care fraud, three counts of making false statements in connection with the delivery of health care services and two counts of ag-

gravated identity theft.

The health insurance fraud charges carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years for each count.

Madison, whose Illinois medical license was suspended in 2016, has not been charged criminally in connection with his prescription practices at the Riverside Pain Clinic, which operated out of a nowdemolished building at 28 E. Burlington St. in downtown Riverside for four years.

The clinic was “administered” by Dr. Joseph Giacchino, whose medical license was revoked in 2011 after being accused of improperly prescribing controlled substances and offering free medications to female patients in exchange for sex.

But Madison’s name has popped up in criminal cases involving others, such as the 2016 indictment of executives from the drug manufacturer Insys Therapeutics for racketeering, mail and wire fraud and violating anti-kickback laws.

In that lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, Madison appears as an unindicted co-conspirator who allegedly accepted cash to host sham speaking engagements and improperly prescribe the company’s powerful fentanyl spray.

Five executives of Insys Therapeutics

in 2020 were convicted of racketeering.

The founder was sentenced to 66 months in prison.

Madison, Giacchino and another former doctor employed at the Riverside clinic, William McMahon, were also the only named defendants in a class-action civil lawsuit filed in 2018 by municipalities and other units of government across the country against about dozen opioid manufacturers and distributors. Riverside and North Riverside joined the suit as plaintiffs.

Earlier this year, two settlement agreements were reached with the distributors McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen and the manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson calling for the defendants to pay $22.7 billion to states where units of government had sued the firms.

Riverside trustees voted to opt in to the settlement at their meeting on Dec. 2, while North Riverside and Brookfield trustees voted to formally opt in on Dec. 13.

The Illinois Attorney General will divide the funds allocated to Illinois according to a formula the office has developed for that purpose. That formula has not been released publicly yet.

The Landmark, December 15, 2021

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Burglary crew hits North Riverside Mall, returns for more

A burglary crew that reportedly forced its way into the North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, late on Dec. 7 and stole nearly $5,000 in merchandise from Kids Footlocker returned several hours later, early on Dec. 8, but were chased out of the mall by security personnel and eluded police during a chase down Harlem Avenue at speeds reaching 90 mph.

Police responded to Kids Footlocker on Dec. 7 at about 11:25 p.m. after the store’s night manager called to report seeing the security gate pulled up. The store closed at 8 p.m. and the gate was down as of 11 p.m., according to the police report.

Missing from the store were eight pairs of Air Jordan Retro 11 shoes, 12 pairs of Ugg boots and 31 items of clothing totaling $4,980.

Security camera video showed three people – one of them carrying bolt cutters – approach the store at 11:20 p.m. One lifts open the gate before all run throughout the store, grabbing items and leaving at 11:21 p.m. The trio returns at 11:22 p.m., grabs more merchandise and leaves at 11:23 p.m.

Exterior cameras at the mall showed a silver vehicle driving through the lot and parking near Entrance 2, the entrance closest to Kids Foot Locker, prior to the break-in.

North Riverside police responded again to the mall at about 5:50 a.m. on Dec. 8 when the silver vehicle returned and three people fitting the description from the first incident were seen by security inside the shopping center.

The three fled the mall when they were confronted by security personnel and entered a silver Infiniti sedan with dealer plates that sped away east on 25th Street and then north on Harlem Avenue.

North Riverside police pursued the vehicle on Harlem Avenue with the sedan’s speed hitting 90 mph as it approached Roosevelt Road.

Police terminated the pursuit when the sedan drove into oncoming traffic north of Roosevelt Road as it approached I-290.

Police later learned the same vehicle was wanted by Chicago police in connection with the burglary of a liquor store in the 1800 block of West Montrose Avenue at 3:45 a.m. on Dec. 8.

In that incident four offenders broke out a glass door to gain entry and steal merchandise.

Garage burglary arrest Anthony W. Marzec, 58, of Brookfield faces one felony burglary charge after being arrested in Berwyn on Dec. 9 for allegedly breaking into a garage in the 9300 block of Monroe Avenue, Brookfield, and stealing multiple items in November.

On Nov. 23, a Brookfield resident called

police after finding more than $3,000 worth of items missing from his garage, including power tools, batteries and chargers, and two mountain bikes.

The morning prior to the burglary being reported, a Brookfield police officer had observed Marzec walking with a bicycle and a lawn mower that turned out to match descriptions of items taken in the burglary.

That incident was captured on the officer’s body camera.

Police also reported recovering security camera video of Marzec in the vicinity of the garage during the early morning hours of Nov. 22.

After following up on several leads trying to locate Marzec, police observed him riding a bicycle eastbound on Cermak Road at Gunderson Avenue in Berwyn and took him into custody.

Vehicle break-ins ■ North

Riverside police responded to the 2500 block of Westover Avenue at about 11:50 p.m. on Dec. 8 after a man called to report someone had entered his vehicle, which he said was locked, and ransacked the interior.

The victim told police that the burglary happened sometime after 9:30 p.m. when he parked the car at that location. The only thing missing from the vehicle was loose change and a few dollar bills.

Police at about 12:40 a.m. on Dec. 9 received another report of a vehicle break-in in the 2500 block of Westover Avenue. That vehicle had been unlocked and parked on the street since 9:30 p.m. the prior night. It was ransacked, but nothing appeared to be missing.

■ At 8:23 a.m. on Dec. 8 police were called to an identified address on 26th Street after a resident reported someone had broken into her unlocked vehicle, which was parked behind an apartment building.

A door, the trunk and the gas cap were open, the glove box was ransacked and the panel to access the diagnostic car code reader had been peeled off. The offender may have been trying to steal the vehicle, police said.

■ A resident of Park Avenue in North Riverside reported to police that during the overnight hours of Dec. 9-10 someone entered his unlocked vehicle, which was parked outside of his home, and removed loose change. The glove box had also been ransacked.

months ago in Brookfield and neighboring communities.

Thieves struck two vehicles, one in the 4500 block of Maple Avenue and one in the 4600 block of Maple Avenue, within minutes of one another on early on Dec. 8. A woman called police at 3:47 a.m. after the sound of power tools being used outside woke her up.

She looked out the window to see a Mitsubishi SUV on a lift and two figures in black hoodies standing near the vehicle.

At 3:51 a.m. a resident of the 4600 block of Maple Avenue called police after being awakened by a “grinding noise” outside. Looking outside the man observed two people wearing hoodies, one holding a power grinder, near a Mitsubishi SUV parked nearby.

In what is likely a related incident, a resident of the 8800 block of Plainfield Road reported on the morning of Dec. 8 that the catalytic converter was cut from the undercarriage of her Mitsubishi Outlander overnight.

■ A resident of the 9100 block of Fairview Avenue, Brookfield, called police to report that someone had removed the catalytic converter from a 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander, which had been parked on the street overnight on Dec. 12-13.

The man told police he believed the theft occurred at about 4 a.m. when he was awakened by what he thought at the time was a passing train.

DUI crash Brookfield police charged a 45-year-old Stickney woman with driving under the influence of alcohol and cited her for traffic offenses after she reportedly drove her Chevy Spark through a red light to turn left onto Ogden Avenue at Eberly Avenue and struck a westbound black Chevy SUV driven by a 22-year-old LaGrange man head-on.

No one was injured in the crash, which took place at about 10:40 p.m. on Dec. 11, but the impact was enough for air bags to deploy. The woman driving the Chevy Spark reportedly admitted she’d been drinking before getting behind the wheel. Paramedics took the woman to the hospital where she reportedly consented to a blood draw before being released into police custody.

■ Catalytic converters were removed from

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Dec. 6-12, 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.

four more vehicles in Brookfield in the past week, continuing a trend that began several

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

Catalytic converters stolen

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The Landmark, December 15, 2021

PEOPLE

A

Local Girl Scout leaders, volunteers honored

number of local residents were among those honored in November for their positive impact on Girl Scouting during an award presentation at the Andrew Toman Grove Forest Preserve in North Riverside by Josie Diaz-Pope, Girl Scout Service Unit 411 manager for the towns of Berwyn, North Riverside, Riverside, Brookfield and Westchester.

“One way that I am able to express my gratitude to our dedicated leaders of troops from kindergarten to 12th grade is to recognize them with SU Awards,” Diaz-Pope told the Landmark in an email. “The three categories are New Found Treasure, Hidden Heroine and Volunteer of Excellence.”

Those recognized as New Fond Treasure Award winners were Sara Ionescu, Melissa Obrock and Virginia Ortega for their outstanding performance as newer leaders.

The Hidden Heroine Award went to volunteers who provide over-and-above assistance on a variety of projects, including Sandy Briolat, Tina Freese, Pamela Gonzalez, Lisa Hennelly, Sarah Johnson, Christina Kallenborn, Laurie Leatherwood, Terri Lynne-Culloden, Kate Nessinger, Abigail Randall, Gretchen Reyes and Tina Wolfe. A special Hidden Hero Award went to Joseph Gebhart.

Finally, Cindy Reynolds was named a Volunteer of Excellence, an award given to those who contribute outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout leadership experience through use of the national program portfolio or who have contributed outstanding service of the council’s mission.

On campus

■ Ten

PROVIDED

Girls Scout Service Unit 411 Manager, Josie Diaz-Pope gives thumbs up to Melissa Obrock (back row, left), leader of Troop 45435 at Komarek School and Troop 47101 leader Virginia Ortega (second from right), who received New Found Treasure awards.

On stage

T.J. BOOTH AND NIKKI BATTLES

Welcome to town Brookfield business owners, Chamber of Commerce members and local officials gathered on Nov. 19 to cut the ribbon at Focus Om Yoga and Wellness, 9045 Monroe Ave. in the village’s Eight Corners business district.

The business was celebrating its grand reopening under the ownership of T.J. Booth and Nikki Battles, who bought the studio this summer from former owner Charlene Vickery.

Quinley Costello, 11, of Brookfield, was among those chosen as cast members for Ballet Leger’s production of “The Nutcracker” earlier this month at Dominican University in River Forest.

Costello was cast QUINLEY COSTELLO in the lead role of Clara,. Ballet Legere is the longest “Nutcracker” production in the Chicago area. The production features professional dancers as well as students and other adults.

I’d be honored On Nov. 10, the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) presented a plaque to former Riverside Chief of Police Thomas Weitzel, honoring his 11 years of service

with the task force.

Current NIPAS President, Vernon Hills Police Chief Patrick Kreis, stated, “Chief Weitzel’s dedication, and devoted years of service to the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System helped develTHOMAS WEITZEL op it into the strong organization it is today.”

Weitzel held the positions of trustee, secretary, treasurer, vice president and president. NIPAS currently has 99 members agencies including municipal police, county police, college and university police, and other specialized police agencies.

“I was proud to have served as president of the Illinois Police Alarm System,” said Weitzel. “I’m a strong believer in the concept of mutual aid systems for police response to large scale incidents that cannot be addressed by local police agencies alone.”

Brookfield residents were among the 225 Lyons Township High School seniors recently named Illinois State Scholars, a program that recognizes high school students for outstanding academic achievement.

Those honored included Charles Clevenger, Brianna Episcopo, Katherin Estrada, Gonzalo Herrera, Paige Liddell, Evan Madden, Dulce Nava, Emily Quintero, Duska Richert and Anthony Traverso.

Students ranking in the top 10 percent of the state’s high school graduating seniors were named state scholars. Selection is based performing in the top one-half of their high school class by the end of their junior year and/or scoring at or above the 95th percentile on the ACT or SAT. ■ Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park has announced its honor roll students for the first quarter of the 2021-22 school year. Students on the A Honor Roll earned a grade-point average of at least 3.8 on a 4-point scale. B Honor Roll students achieved a GPA of between 3.33 and 3.79.

A Honor Roll students included Brookfield residents Emme Barnes, Michael Fong, Greta Nelson, Sarah Newmann, Kevin Prosen and Jannelle Steger; North Riverside resident Gianina Montoro and Riverside residents Erin Briars, Gabriel Kaminski, Madelyn O’Meara, Elizabeth Selover, Emma Udelson and Chase Zidlicky.

B Honor Roll students included Brookfield residents Noah Barnes, Andrew Buenrostro, Noah Lenaghan and Iris Nelson and Riverside residents Alice Buchman, Daniel gentile, Madeline Markham and Peter Selover.

■ Lyons Township High School student Maria Gondos, a senior from Brookfield, was one of four student-artists who earned honorable mention honors in the annual Chicagoland 4 X 5, the largest “small” art exhibit in the nation, which featured more than 1,000 pieces measuring 4-by-5 inches in a variety of media.

Just over 100 works of art were selected to receive awards. Gondos won honorable mention in the drawing category.

■ Julian Becerra and Maria Gondos, both seniors from Brookfield, were among those named Students of the Month for December at Lyons Township High School.

Students were nominated by their teachers and then selected by the various departments as the most exemplary students in each subject.

Becerra was recognized for his excellence in physics, while Gondos was chosen in choir/Madrigals/advanced vocal techniques.

The Landmark, December 15, 2021

9

PEOPLE

Eagle Scout project focuses on hydrants

PROVIDED

The Lyons Football Club Varsity Gold team placed second in the BGYFL Senior Gold D2 title game last month.

Lyons Football Club varsity teams place 2nd in league

The Lyons Football Club Varsity Gold team placed second in the Bill George Youth Football League Senior Gold D2 Super Bowl on Nov. 14 at Benedictine University in Lisle, falling to the Oak Park Huskies 12-8.

LFC started the season 0-3 but roared back to win their final three regular season games and then beat the Carol Stream Panthers 19-0 and Elmhurst Eagles 20-6 in

the playoffs to reach the final game.

The team was coached by Steven Gonzalez, Michael Praser, Dominick Rusk, Brendan Curtin and Kevin Skinkis.

Meanwhile, the LFC Varsity Silver team placed second in the BGYFL Senior Silver D1 playoffs, falling to the Tri-City Chargers 22-16 on Nov. 13 at Benedictine University. The team lost just two games all year.

PROVIDED

Mateo Cubas

A Riverside Boy Scout seeking his Eagle rank recently wrapped up a project to help firefighters locate fire hydrants at night when village streets, lit only by dim gas lamps, are dark.

Mateo Cubas’ project called for applying reflective tape around the protruding top collars of about 435 hydrants located throughout the village. Cubas contacted Public Works Director Dan Tabb, who is also a fire department battalion chief, to get advice and the village’s blessing for the project.

Cubas then made kits consisting of the reflective tape and a wire brush and alcohol to clean the hydrant surfaces before the tape was applied.

Cubas also checked each hydrant to make sure the tape was applied correctly to each hydrant and fix any mistakes.

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The Landmark, December 15, 2021

New COVID-19 cases spike in local schools, villages Increased testing under way in Riverside District 96 amid outbreak

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Winter break can’t come soon enough for beleaguered school administrators as they deal with a surge in COVID-19 cases this month.

Last week, Riverside Elementary School District 96 had its worst week of the school year as far as COVID is concerned, as 17 students -including three first-graders in the same class at Ames School -- tested positive.

Following the advice of the Cook County Department of Public Health, Superintendent Martha-Ryan-Toye decided not to quarantine the entire affected first-grade class at Ames.

Instead, the three students who tested positive are isolating at home while their classmates are being tested more frequently to make sure that they don’t have COVID. Saliva testing, which is normally done once a week, occurred on Dec. 13 and students in the class will be tested again on Dec. 15.

“We were advised through Public Health and our SHIELD testing to keep the classroom open and up the testing frequency,” said District 96 Superintendent Martha Ryan-Toye.

The “test-to-stay” protocol is designed to keep as many students as possible attending school in person. Students who test negative remain in the classroom. In September an entire second-grade class at Ames was quaran-

tined for two weeks after four students in the class tested positive for COVID. Two other Ames School students tested positive last week as did nine students at Central School, and one each at each of the three other schools in the district: Blythe Park, Hollywood and Hauser.

Children under the age of 12 have only recently become eligible to receive vaccination shots against COVID. Ryan-Toye said that partially vaccinated students are among the students who tested positive last week in District 96.

COVID cases are also surging at other schools in the area. Seven students tested positive last week at Brook Park Elementary School in LaGrange Park after no students had tested positive in the previous week in Brookfield-LaGrange Park District 95.

Cases are also on the rise at Komarek School in North Riverside, where four students and three staff members have caught COVID so far this month. Prior to December only four students and four staff members had tested positive for COVID at Komarek since the school year began in August. Cases are also up at Congress Park School in Brookfield, where seven COVID cases have been reported this month.

At Riverside-Brookfield High School cases are also surging, with 19 students and four

staff members testing positive for COVID thus far in December. Ten of 19 students and three of the four staff members who tested positive at RBHS in December were fully vaccinated against COVID, according to Superintendent Kevin Skinkis.

Two of the four staff members who tested positive at RBHS last week are contract employees and not technically employees of RBHS. Contract workers at RBHS include custodial workers and cafeteria employees as well as a few employees of the LaGrange Area Special Education cooperative (LADSE) and of the West 40 Regional school’s office.

According to data from the high school, 76.4 percent of RBHS students and 95.3 percent of RBHS staff members are fully vaccinated.

Cases are also up at Lyons Township High School where 17 students and five staff members at tested positive for COVID last week.

Lincoln Elementary School Principal Theresa Silva did not return a call from the Landmark asking how many COVID cases there have been among students at the Brookfield school in December.

New cases spike throughout villages For the seven-day period ending on Dec. 13, Riverside and North Riverside recorded their highest number of combined new cases of COVID-19 in 2021.

The two villages combined to record 74 new cases in the week, matching exactly the number of cases the two villages posted for the same week in 2020. Separately, Riverside recorded 36 new cases in the week ending Dec. 13 while North Riverside recorded 38.

The Cook County Medical Examiner did not report any fatalities from COVID-19 in either village for the week ending Dec. 13.

While the number of new cases has spiked, the seven-day rolling positivity rate for ZIP code 60546, which includes both Riverside and North Riverside, was 2.19 percent as of Dec. 13, according to the Northwestern School of Medicine’s online COVID dashboard.

That’s a good deal lower than the rate for suburban Cook County as a whole, where the seven-day rolling positivity rate was 4.8 percent as of Dec. 10, the most recent data available from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The seven-day rolling positivity rate in Brookfield, meanwhile, is even higher. According to the Northwestern School of Medicine’s online dashboard, the rolling rate for Brookfield as of Dec. 13 was 5.21 percent.

The 80 new cases Brookfield recorded for the week ending Dec. 13 is the village’s highest one-week total since mid-January. No new fatalities were recorded in Brookfield during the week.

Bob Uphues contributed to this report.

The Landmark, December 15, 2021

11

D96 again ponders Blythe Park auditorium makeover School board OKs preliminary design for multipurpose room, Hauser-Central playground

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

At its Dec. 1 meeting, the Riverside Elementary School District 96 Board of Education unanimously approved two memoranda of understanding with its architects, authorizing spending $142,750 for preliminary design work for improvements at the district’s Hauser-Central campus and at Blythe Park School.

The agreements authorized DLA Architects to complete schematic drawings for outdoor work at the Hauser-Central campus and for revamping the Blythe Park auditorium into a multipurpose room. The two parking lots at Blythe Park School would also be replaced.

The goal at Hauser-Central is to separate Hauser’s rear parking lot from adjacent outdoor play areas and to improve playground and field space. It could include a new playground and outdoor learning area, a new athletic field and a reorganization of the parking lot and the pickup and drop-off areas.

“We would love to get a playground constructed back there if we could,”

said District 96 Superintendent Martha Ryan-Toye. “It’s a reconfiguration of things.”

At its Jan. 19 meeting, the school board will discuss whether to use natural grass or artificial turf for new athletic fields and play space at Hauser.

That was a controversial issue when an artificial turf field was installed at the Riverside-Brookfield High School football stadium six years ago.

The work at the Hauser-Central campus could cost approximately $4.5 million to complete, according to the memorandum of understanding approved for the project. But the approval of the memoranda does not mean that the district is committed to actually doing the projects.

“It’s not an agreement to finalize, or go out to bid, or bring these projects to fruition,” Ryan-Toye said. “It’s still like an exploration; it just becomes a more active exploration.”

Work to convert the auditorium at Blythe Park to a multipurpose room could cost around $1 million, Ryan-Toye said.

District officials want to transform

the Blythe Park auditorium, which was part of the original design by the renowned architecture firm Perkins & Will, into a space where subjects such as art and music can be taught. The room could also serve as a lunchroom. Classroom space is a premium at Blythe Park as the school is becoming a two section school with two sections of each grade at the school.

When the idea of converting the Blythe Park auditorium into classroom space was discussed a few years, some in the Blythe Park community opposed the idea saying that the auditorium is a treasured space at Blythe Park School.

The school building itself is one of two Riverside schools – the other being Central School – designated a local landmark. While exterior alterations must be vetted by the village’s Preservation Commission, interior changes do fall under Riverside’s preservation ordinance.

If work is done at the Hauser-Central campus and/or at Blythe Park, it is anticipated that construction work would not begin until the summer of 2023.

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The auditorium at Blythe Park School, part of the original 1948 design and located on the lower level, could be converted into a multipurpose room in the future.

12

The Landmark, December 15, 2021

DECORATIONS Combined effort from page 1 people sort of a destination,” said Joe Sharp, who was putting some finishing touches on the display on the front lawn of his home at 144 N. Delaplaine Road last week. “They’re not going to the mall with their kids to get Santa pictures anymore, so we put a Santa out here for them and they can get a picture with that one.”

And so people have. With Delaplaine Road being one of Riverside’s busier thoroughfares, the Sharps see cars slowing down for a look with their driver’s stopping, putting on the flashers and hopping out for a quick picture by Santa, the sleigh next door, the water tower or one of the five other Christmas Town “buildings” on the Sharps’ lawn.

“It’s just so much fun to see kids coming through and playing and petting things,” Sharp said.

While the elaborate outdoor display is new – the sleigh originally went on the Sharps’ lawn as a solo feature – Betty Sharp sets up a Christmas display of ceramic buildings inside the home every year. In 2020, with the pandemic prohibiting indoor visitors, the Sharps decided to look outward.

“We realized nobody was coming over to see [the indoor decorations], so Betty came up with the idea of let’s so something in the front yard,” Joe said.

So during the summer of 2020, Joe began making five Christmas Town buildings – all about 4- to 5-feet tall -- out of plywood. The original buildings included a toy factory, Santa’s house, a clubhouse for Santa’s elves, a toy store and a reindeer barn, which proved to be the most popular with kids.

“We talked to parents and noticed where kids were going last year, and the factory and reindeer barn were the things they really played with,” Joe said. “Kids would come up and pet the reindeer.”

The displays in front of both houses are

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Joe Sharp has created a Christmas village, punctuated by a replica Riverside water tower, on his front lawn (above), while his daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Rich Duff, next door invite visitors to get their photos taken inside a sleigh (below left) or with a dancing animatronic Grinch (below right) and Santa. meant to be interactive, and visitors are encouraged to walk up on the front lawn to get a closer look and take photos. There are even signs saying so for those who might feel funny having the kids touching the displays.

Both houses also sport a little child-height mailbox where they can grab a treat or prize – sometimes there are candy canes, sometime pencils – for themselves.

“That’s what we want [kids] to do,” Joe said.

One of this year’s additions to the display is a soft toy factory, which has lighted windows displaying stuffed animals and doors that open and close, revealing the elves who make the toys. The building is a little bigger than the others, which has proven a bit of a prob-

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

lem in high winds (which also have temporarily sidelined a dancing Grinch next door), but some more secure staking has it firmly rooted.

And then there’s the pièce de résistance, the replica Riverside water tower, which has pride of place in the center of the display atop a platform to give it the necessary height and emphasis.

Unlike the rest of the buildings, the cylindrical tower was fashioned from, suitably, a rain barrel. Wrapped in a textured plastic skin that gives it a brick-like surface and painted to mimic its model’s Victorian gothic arches, the replica tower is topped by an aluminum roof – its paint peeling a bit like the one on which it’s modeled.

The roof was fabricated by cutting out two circles of aluminum and forming them into funnels. The pointy top itself is made from an old oil-change funnel.

“Unlike the town, I thought it’d be nice to put a star on top,” said Joe, who also has set up a projector that displays the words “Seasons greetings” on the shaft of the tower at night, just like the real one downtown.

“It’s not an exact duplicate, but it’s close enough,” Joe said.

The display has been such a hit that Joe Sharp says it’s likely to continue in the future.

“It’ll probably grow again by a couple houses next time around,” he said. “Maybe we’ll build the center of town.”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

The Landmark, December 15, 2021

13

MURDER

Awaiting extradition from page 1 On Dec. 9, the Massachusetts State Police announced that Curry had been apprehended at a relative’s house in Hyannis, Massachusetts, by officers from the Massachusetts State Police, the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and Barnstable County, Massachusetts, police.

Riverside police and the Great Lakes Regional Task Force of the U.S. Marshal had gathered evidence following the double murder that Curry might be hiding from authorities with relatives in the Boston area.

Riverside Police Chief Matthew Buckley said detectives had identified Curry as a suspect soon after one of CARL CURRY Lane’s relatives called police around 1 p.m. on Nov. 13 to report a possible burglary at Lane’s downtown apartment. The relative had gone to check on Lane after being unable to reach him by phone.

Police responding to 63 Forest Ave. found the front door to Lane’s apartment forced open and discovered both Lane and Johnson fatally shot.

“From the onset of this investigation, the Riverside Police Department was provided with information which showed that this was not a random crime and that the victims were targeted by [Curry],” said Buckley.

Police, said Buckley, used video camera recordings, license plate reading technology and social media posts to identify Curry as a suspect. Riverside police obtained a warrant for Curry’s arrest on Nov. 19 and worked with the U.S Marshal Fugitive Task Force to track him down.

“This cooperative effort and sharing of information between local and federal authorities proved to be crucial in this case,” said Buckley, who singled out Detective James Lazansky as well as Commander Leo Kotor and Deputy Chief Frank Lara, both former detectives, for their efforts in leading the investigation.

Following his arrest, Curry was charged with being a fugitive from justice and is now being held on the Riverside homicide warrant, awaiting extradition to Illinois. It’s unclear when Curry will be formally charged in Cook County.

Barnstable County Sheriff Jim Cummings told the Landmark in an email that Curry remains in custody at the Barnstable

BOB UPHUES/Editor

At a press conference Dec. 10 at the Riverside Township Hall, Riverside Public Safety Director Matthew Buckey, at the podium, announces the arrest of Carl Curry, who is suspected of fatally shooting Jeremy Lane and Tiata Johnson on Nov. 13. Flanking Buckley (from left) are Commander Leo Kotor, Detective James Lazansky and Deputy Police Chief Frank Lara.

JEREMY LANE

TIATA JOHNSON

County Jail and said Curry’s next court date there is not until Jan. 14, 2022.

Jeremy Lane moved to Riverside earlier this year, according to his mother, because he believed he found a safe place to live.

“He thought he was safe,” said Annett Lane. “He told me he was happy being here.”

Annett Lane told the Landmark that Cur-

ry had confronted Johnson at her Danville home with a gun, and that Johnson had taken a photo of him with the weapon. It is not clear whether Lane was referring to a separate incident or the Nov. 8 incident, but if Curry had been in possession of a firearm it would have been a violation of his parole.

Danville police did not respond to a re-

quest from the Landmark for information about the Nov. 8 incident at Johnson’s home.

Curry was convicted in 2019 in Illinois for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to six years for that offense and was paroled from the Sheridan Correctional Center on Aug. 16. He has prior convictions for unlawful restraint and drugrelated offenses.

“She was crying out for help. I believe the system failed her again,” Annett Lane said of Johnson. “[Curry] was never supposed to have a weapon.”

Curry was released from custody after his arrest in Danville and, fearing for her life, Johnson sought refuge in Riverside.

“She drove to her friend Jeremy Lane’s residence here in Riverside,” said Buckley. “She stayed with Jeremy thinking she would be protected and that Curry would not be able to find her. Unfortunately, he did locate her and her protector, Jeremy Lane.”

Read it online at www.rblandmark.com

14

The Landmark, December 15, 2021

Opinion

THE LANDMARK VIEW

T

A swift, effective investigation

here was excellent news last week from police regarding the apprehension of the man suspected of murdering Jeremy Lane and Tiata Johnson inside Lane’s downtown Riverside apartment on Nov. 13.

A combined effort involving detectives from Riverside, the WESTAF task force and the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force was able to trace the suspected gunman, Carl Curry, to a relative’s home in the Boston area.

Along with Barnstable County Sheriff ’s Police, the U.S. Marshal was able to take Curry into custody at a residence in Hyannis, on Cape Cod. Curry remains in custody there, pending his expected extradition to Cook County, where Riverside police obtained a warrant for his arrest on murder charges last month.

The relatively swift arrest is a testament to the excellent detective work performed by Riverside police and those assisting in the investigation.

It looks like it may take some time for that process to wind its way through the court system, with Curry not expected back in court in Barnstable County until mid-January. However, it’s simply a matter of time before Curry will be back here to face charges.

According to Riverside Police Chief Matthew Buckley, the Nov. 13 double homicide appears to be related to an earlier incident, on Nov. 8, in Danville, where Johnson lived and from which she fled fearing for her life after Curry was arrested for disorderly conduct at her residence.

We’re not clear on all of the details surrounding that event, and Danville police have so far ignored requests from the Landmark to provide more information. We’ll continue to seek that information.

At the time of both the Danville and Riverside incidents, Curry was on parole for a gun possession conviction in 2019. He was sentenced to six years for that offense and had been out of prison since August.

Lane’s mother told the Landmark that on at least one occasion prior to Nov. 13, Curry had displayed a weapon to Johnson. That’s some chilling information for sure and speaks to the absolute ease with which firearms are obtained. Lane’s and Johnson’s families will live with that heartbreak for the rest of their lives.

That’s an American tragedy, and one that citizens are literally paying for with their lives. If we’re going to get at the root of gun-related crime, making guns harder to get would seem to be the obvious place to start.

As for Curry, if he’s convicted, let’s hope he never gets the chance to obtain another.

Justice delayed

Speaking of convictions, how is it possible that Dr. Paul Madison, a former Riverside pill-mill physician who was convicted in 2018 of massive health insurance fraud, has avoided jail time?

The federal fraud indictment came down in December 2012 – nine years ago – and a jury convicted him on 11 counts. His appeal was denied but he’s remained free on bond the whole time as sentencing date after sentencing date gets set, stricken and reset.

Madison’s newest sentencing date will now come in mid-January, according to court records, but we’ll believe it when we see it.

KOSEY CORNER

Artificial or real, its Christmas tree season

S

ince it is the Christmas season we are laden with different traditions that we repeat annually, but sometimes don’t know why. That go me to wondering, “Why the Christmas tree?”

It was believed that evergreen trees were believed to keep away witches, evil spirits, ghosts and illness. Believed to have been brought to this country by German settlers in the 1830s to Pennsylvania. Earlier, the Puritans felt Christmas should be free of pagan symbols like the Christmas tree. Oliver Cromwell preached against “the heathen traditions.”

However, by the 1890s trees gained in popularity and ornaments to put on them were being sent to America from Europe, many from Germany.

President Teddy Roosevelt, a confirmed environmentalist, banned the tree from the White House at Christmas, not wanting a tree cut down for a decoration. He probably would have like the artificial trees of today. Also, FYI Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states; yes, that includes Alaska and Hawaii.

In the 20th century, artificial Christmas trees grew in popularity and they can be found in various forms for convenient assembly and storage.

They can come readymade, lights and all, or you can make a project of it by sticking the “branches” into a pole that serves as the “trunk.” They

JOANNE KOSEY

can be green or any color you like.

My mother’s favorite were the “flocked” trees – the ones that are pure white, like they’re covered in snow -- which she had until we cried, pouted and she allowed us a real tree in the basement.

Christmas was again real in our house.

Nowadays, the Kosey house goes artificial for many reasons. I like to keep it up until Jan. 6, so an artificial tree means there will be no needles to be found and stepped on. Light a balsam candle and you have almost the real thing.

So there you have it, a few Christmas tree facts you can share while sitting around your own tree, making your own memories and enjoying a cup of eggnog or, for me, Bailey’s Irish Cream.

Happy Holidays!

OBITUARIES

Christine M. Kuypers, 70 UIC academic advisor Christine M. Kuypers (nee Pagac), 70, of North Riverside, died Dec. 6, 2021 in Maywood. Born Oct. 8, 1951 in Chicago, Ms. Kuypers worked as an academic advisor at University of Illinois at Chicago’s College of Engineering.

She was the mother of Christopher Fortuna, David (Rebecca) Fortuna and Edward Kuypers; the grandmother of Alexis, Hudson and William Fortuna; the sister of Christopher (Benita) Pagac and Larry Pagac; and dog-mom of Elsa and Han. Services have been held.

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

Online condolences may be offered at KuratkoNosek.com.

CHRISTINE M. KUYPERS

@RBLandmark

Sports

The Landmark, December 15, 2021

15

LTHS girls basketball learning lessons of leadership

Lions using Lead ‘Em Up program to foster, imbue leadership traits

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Junior Ally Cesarini is handling important additional responsibilities in her third varsity season with the Lyons Township High School girls basketball team.

Her teammates have noticed.

This season, the Lions are using the Lead ‘Em Up program to encourage and strengthen overall leadership skills. Players on all three levels will be voting and commenting about which teammates best represent the programwide’s leadership definitions.

Cesarini was the varsity’s first selection.

Also chosen were Kiera Kessler (sophomores) and Anne Georgelos (freshmen).

“I felt really appreciated by my teammates.

I wasn’t expecting it. I’m glad that they just noticed my efforts,” Cesarini said. “I felt really honored. Hearing all of the things that my teammates said made me want to keep being a leader and keep standing out.”

This season, the talented Lions (8-1) are going for the green – the color Lead ‘Em Up uses to signify those with exemplary leadership traits.

LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens found the Maryland-based program online, watched podcasts and was impressed by testimonials, most notably women’s basketball Hall of Fam-

er Jennifer Rizzotti, currently president of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun. “I felt it was important for us to learn behavior necessary to lead and to follow,” Hutchens said.

“It would only help us because a player-led team will be more successful than a coach-led team in high level or intense situations. Such as in a game, where they can’t hear you. They have to own it and be on the same page. Just having that common shared language and culture built was really important.”

Early in the season, Lead ‘Em Up’s Adam Bradley conducted a four-hour, in-person session explaining to players the tiers of leadership qualities through the colors red, gray and green, the highest level.

Hutchens now administers the program’s philosophies and activities. Bradley remains as a consultant who checks in occasionally.

“We were all really excited about it. It’s not that we weren’t close but we weren’t just fully developed as a team,” Cesarini said.

“It’s definitely brought more leadership and more acceptance. Before we’d all go to the same people, like [to practice] free throws.

Now we’re kind of mixing and doing everything together.”

The Lions define leadership by six words -- accepting, encouraging, selfless, competitive, communicative and coachable.

LTHS varsity players already voted Cesarini among their captains with seniors Izzy Lee, Hailey Markworth and Olivia Mezan.

On the court, Cesarini is adjusting to playing more minutes and as an inside forward rather than off-guard.

BILL STONE/Contributor

Ally Cesarini “The things that her teammates said were very complimentary of her personality and her game,” Hutchens said. “[Comments included] ‘You never see Ally speak of our team negatively. Ally makes an effort to connect with every teammate,’ which is important because we have freshmen through seniors [on varsity].”

“We have a freshman [Nora Ezike on varsity] and I know how it feels, so I’m trying to make sure to get her in as much as possible, make her feel accepted, and all of the newcomers on the team,” Cesarini said. “I feel like the previous two years I didn’t re-

ally talk, ask questions. I definitely wanted to form better relationships by just being accepting and talking.”

LTHS players will vote monthly for green players. Cesarini feels many teammates already are green.

“Anyone can be a leader. You just have to take that stance and have the right mindset of being one,” Cesarini said. “We all kind of help each other. [One game] Hailey came up and told me something. Then I went up to Izzy and told her a few things. There’s no one person that has more leadership than the other.”

Oak Lawn snaps RBHS girls’ 4-game win streak After slow start, Bulldogs show signs of improvement

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside-Brookfield High School sophomore Emily Organ has made quite the jump this girls basketball season from junior varsity to starting for the varsity.

“It’s definitely different. JV is a little less

intense,” Organ said.

Organ is among several varsity newcomers or first-time starters already finding success.

The Bulldogs had won four straight and five of their last six before losing to Oak Lawn 50-33 in second round of the Oak Lawn Holiday Tournament on Dec. 13.

RBHS (6-5, 0-1 in Metro Suburban Conference) completes pool play Dec. 15 with Aurora Central Catholic and plays Dec. 18 against the same-place finisher from the other pool.

Senior Rachel Wilczak and junior Bryce Pacourek each had 10 points Monday and junior Ava Marrello five with a fourth-quarter three-pointer. Wilczak also had eight re-

bounds and Pacourek added five steals.

The Bulldogs jumped ahead 6-0 on Oak Lawn (9-2) and stayed within a basket until midway through the third quarter. The Spartans ended the period with a 7-2 run to pull ahead 32-26 and then scored the first See RBHS HOOPS on page 16

16

S P O R T S

The Landmark, December 15, 2021

LTHS boys rebound to down rival Hinsdale Central

By BILL STONE

RBHS boys roll on The Riverside-Brookfield High School boys basketball team concluded a dominating week Dec. 11 by beating Romeoville 78-50 in their Team Rose Classic opener at Mt. Carmel.

J.P. Hanley (21 points, 8 rebounds) and Joevonn McCottry (18 points) both had big offensive games for the Bulldogs (8-1).

RBHS also won Metro Suburban Conference crossovers over Chicago Christian 82-20 on Dec. 10 and Ridgewood 82-35 on Dec. 7.

Arius Alijosius was 5-for-5 from three-point range en route to 21 points Friday. Hanley and Brady Vaia each had 12 points and Will Gonzalez five assists.

CASTRO Positivity from page 3 “Women don’t just carry their purses for fashion. They contain their most private and personal belongings,” she said. “It’s an essential part of their lives. I found extra note cards at home and decided, ‘Why not write them little notes of inspiration?’”

With messages like, “You matter,” “We love you,” and “This too shall pass,” Castro placed a handwritten note into each purse before taking them to the shelter.

“As I sat there and looked at these purses, I just felt this overwhelming feeling that whoever opened them was going to know that somebody did this out of love — that they were getting these purses because somebody loved them enough and cared about them enough to say, ‘Here you go,’” Castro said. “The next morning, it came to me — it’s a love purse.”

From that first batch of donations, Castro dedicated to have one T-shirt printed with

from page 15

During team photo day, Lyons Township High School senior Grace Hughes grabbed a basketball for her individual photo and discovered something.

Hughes could palm a basketball – and held it with her arm extended straight out.

“I have really big hands,” said Hughes, laughing. “When I was taking that picture, I just palmed it and it was able to stick. I was trying to figure out a pose – and then it worked.”

Her cardboard cutout along the baseline was among the seven honoring LTHS seniors Dec. 11 as the Lions defeated Proviso West 59-33 on Senior Day. Izzy Lee, Hailey Markworth and Olivia Mezan are senior starters.

Reserves Hughes, Molly Michalak and Brigid Dunne joined the lineup in the second quarter, including one all-senior stretch with Lee (13 points) and Hailey Markworth (12 points). Senior Anna Bryant is sidelined after recently undergoing ACL surgery.

Hughes and Michalak each scored four points in the fourth quarter.

“Being (Senior Day), I had a lot of energy coming in and I feel I was able to use that energy on the court and I finally had a way better game,” Hughes said. “I started off not doing too hot in the season but I finally feel like I’m getting my momentum.”

The Lions (8-1, 3-0 in WSC Silver) have won four straight, previously beating Glenbard West 69-40, Hinsdale Central 56-42 and Fremd 48-39 after losing at Benet 57-44 on Dec. 1.

Markworth scored in double figures all three victories, including 19 against Fremd. Ella Ormsby scored 13 at Benet.

has been able to help make Love Purse a true movement. And, from media coverage on local TV and social media, people and organizations from not just the area, but across the country — and even Mexico and Canada — have been donating purses, toiletries and money to Love Purse and starting their own local chapters.

Along with individual ambassadors, various small businesses and municipalities have helped get in on the action as well, including Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, Cook County Circuit Clerk Iris Martinez, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Berwyn’s First Lady, Gail Lovero.

Since its inception, Castro says Love Purse has been able to provide partnering organizations with upwards of 2,500 purses.

Castro says along with organizations receiving purses, supplies and monetary donations as they come in, she also receives donations and packages at home. Because space is limited there for inventory, Castro packages purses as soon as she receives them and delivers them on a frequent schedule.

“It’s certainly been a very humbling ex-

perience to know that one person can start such a movement,” she said. “Yet, it’s not one person because I cannot take the credit for everything that has been given to me by the village of people who have stepped up and helped. This certainly is not a Maria Castro thing; I am blessed a million times over that so many people — even men — have jumped in and asked, ‘What can I do?

How can I support women’s issues?’”

The best part about creating Love Purse, Castro said, is the positivity it brings to the lives of the recipients.

“I feel like the woman is the conduit to everything that happens in a household, and when she loses that household or her identity, that could be detrimental to her family,” she said. “Their stories are horrific, but the feeling they get when they get the purse — you can’t even describe it.

They are so grateful and so happy to have this purse filled with everything they need when they enter the shelter.”

Individuals interested in reaching out to Castro about donations or other outreach opportunities can contact her via email at maria@lovepurse.org or visit her website, lovepurse.org.

Hanley (17) and McCottry (15 points) led 11 Bulldogs who scored against Ridgewood.

After tough back-to-back road losses, the Lyons Township High School boys basketball team rebounded in a big way on Dec. 10.

The Lions won at rival Hinsdale Central 60-41 and then beat York 61-37 the following night in LaGrange.

LTHS (5-2, 2-1 in West Suburban Conference Silver) was coming off losses at Riverside-Brookfield and No. 1-rated Glenbard West.

“Hinsdale Central is a very good team, and they play very well at home. The atmosphere was loud and exciting. I am very happy for our players to win in that environment,” LTHS coach Tom Sloan said.

Tavari Johnson collected 22 points with six assists and Will Carroll (10 points, 5 rebounds) and Jackson Niego (10 points) also scored in double figures. Aidan Sullivan added seven rebounds.

Nik Polonowski (14 points), Johnson (12 points, 5 steals), Sullivan (8 points, 8 rebounds) and Carroll (8 points) led the way against York.

Team building

nine points of the fourth quarter for a 15-point advantage.

“We’ve made progress the past couple of games. Just today we kind of were flat the second half. Usually our energy is in the second half,” first-year RBHS coach Jordan Mack said.

“We’ve just got to work on our intensity a little bit. They just outhustled us.”

The Bulldogs showed probably their best fight in beating Hinsdale South 38-24 at home Dec. 4. Wilczak (10 points), Organ (9 points) and senior Shannon Malloy (7 points) were RBHS’ leading scorers. In their home and MSC opener Nov. 30, the Bulldogs lost to Immaculate Conception 53-45. “[Hinsdale South] was a very physical game and overall we all played as a team,” Organ said. “I think we’re gradually getting better by working together as a team.

There’s just little things that we’re continuing to work on that’ll help us. It was a little rough in the beginning in terms of getting used to playing with each other.

The senior class last year was pretty good so it was a big change.”

The Bulldogs’ winning streak also included double-digit victories over Lindblom 52-22 in the Oak Lawn opener, Westmont 56-35 and Ridgewood 51-37. RBHS also beat Zion-Benton 55-23 on Nov. 23 for seventh place at the Maine East Tournament after going 0-3 in pool play. The also won 53-45 at De La Salle on Nov. 17.

Lions add win over York to improve to 5-2 on season Contributing Reporter

RBHS HOOPS

LTHS girls race to 8-1 start

the saying “#LovePurse.” She put on the shirt, posed with the bags in her arms and challenged her friends online to donate a love purse in their honor.

Almost immediately, donations began flooding in, and Castro was busy making and collecting hundreds of more bags and toiletries to donate to A Safe Haven. Over the next few months, more friends began reaching out with suggestions for new shelters and organizations throughout Cook and DuPage counties also in need of donations.

Since then, organizations receiving donations have included Berwyn’s Break the Silence, providing resources to domestic violence victims; Mutual Ground, a domestic abuse treatment center in Aurora; DuPage Pads, a social services organization based in Wheaton; Community Crisis Center, an Elgin-based nonprofit providing safety for those impacted by financial crisis and domestic violence; Wheaton’s Family Shelter Service, helping those facing domestic violence; and Family Rescue, a Chicago organization which provides support services and programs to victims of domestic violence.

With volunteers, or “angel ambassadors”, across the city and suburbs, Castro says she

The Landmark, December 15, 2021

Growing Community Media

17

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

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

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HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.

Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES: Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential duties and responsibilities 1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture.

2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays.

3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers.

4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management.

5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software.

6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system.

7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review.

8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning.

9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs.

10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,

software and other forms of systems and data.

11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training.

12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling.

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties 1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures.

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems.

5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations.

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis.

Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android.

Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology.

Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down.

Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant.

Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and

VB scripts.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages.

Ability to: Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following: - Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time - Operating assigned equipment - Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance - Working in and around computer equipped vehicles Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for: - Making observations - Communicating with others - Reading and writing - Operating assigned equipment and vehicles Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others.

Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance.

Work overtime as operations require.

Experience and Training Guidelines Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking.

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment.

Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.

Director of Religious Activities and Education (Arlington Heights, IL) Plan, dvlp, & direct Islamic education prgms; publicize prgms through bulletins, flyers, mailings, & brochures; consult w/ Kyrgyz American community leaders on aregular basis; analyze revenue & prgm cost data; maintain regular & convenient office hrs for community members seeking counseling & guidance; sched special events, such as camps, conferences, meetings, seminars, or retreats; visit community members’ homes to provide info or resources regarding Islamic education prgms. Bach deg in Islamic Theology, Islamic Studies, or Education + 24 mos of F/T exp in the job or in teaching reqd. Must be fluent in Kyrgyz lang. M-F, 40 hrs/ wk. Send resume (only by mail) to Bekmurat Amirakul, Kyrgyz Community Center, 1114 N Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004.

POLICE RECORDS CLERK The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. This position will perform a wide variety of specialized clerical duties in support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

SANITARIAN The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Sanitarian in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak- park.us/jobs.

Seasonal Farmers’ Market Manager The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Manager in the Health Department.

This position manages the Oak Park Farmer’s Market including the vendors that sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This is a part-time seasonal position with work from January-mid November and work required on Saturday’s from May through October. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

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Fun, Clean, Picture Frame Assembly JOB Tired or bored of clicking away on a keyboard working at home? Manufacturing Keep your hands and mind busy with a fun, safe, clean assembly job. You’d have your own large assembly zone, at least 15-20 feet away from others, so we’re really safe here. Top rated firm Alpina Manufacturing LLC founded in 1992, Oak Park resident owner. Beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K gas stations, Hospitals. Full time, Part time, Flex hours for working parents or students. We train, no travel, work in Galewood. Open to any backgrounds. Excellent pay, friendly caring management. Stop in anytime between 7am and 4pm M-F ask for Izzy to apply and check us out. Alpina Manufacturing 6460 W Cortland St Chicago IL 60707

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal-opportunity basis.

To complain of discrimination, call

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The Landmark, December 15, 2021

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MMpropMgmt.com CICERO 3724 S 53RD CT

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Modern appliances include dishwasher. Utilities separate. $1,700 per month plus security. Lease with option to buy possible.

708-383-8223 or 773-676-6805

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft.

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

ROOMS FOR RENT

Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave.

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

312-212-1212

PUBLIC NOTICES

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

WOODWORK Terry's

Woodwork Restoration On-site refinishing of wood

and fiberglass since 1977.

Includes doors, woodwork, windows, staircases and new woodwork etc. All work done by hand. NO sanders. Your unfinished project my specialty!

References available.

Contact Terry Seamans at 630-379-7148 or terryseamans@yahoo.com

AUSTIN RENAISSANCE APARTMENTS

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

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

Town Center Realty Group LLC

NOVENAS PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail .Publication must be promised. Thank you Jesus. Thank You St . Jude. R.R.

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING DATE: January 5, 2022

PLASTERING

CITY RENTALS

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 01-22-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, Massage Fix, LLC, to operate a massage service establishment pursuant to Section 8.3 (“Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 101 N. Marion Street, Suite 302, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-125-020-0000, in the DT Downtown 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 hearing 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 January 5, 2022. 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-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning @oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. Individuals who sign up to participate in-person will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference 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 15, 2021

773-637-0692 Ask for John

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 7th, 2022 for the following: BID 22-105 VILLAGE OF OAK PARK EMERGENCY STREET LIGHTING AND TRAFFIC CONTROL REPAIR RATES REQUEST FOR BIDS 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 Streets & Street lighting Superintendent, Scott Brinkman, sbrinkman@oak-park. us or on the Village’s website http://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/finance-department.

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.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal December 15, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of BABY GRAULAU 2021CONC001674.

Reach the people making the decisions.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: BABY GRAULAU to the new name of: RICARDO LONGORIA

Place an ad in GCM Classified!

Call 773/626-6332

The court date will be held: On February 2, 2022 at 10:30am at via Zoom: Meeting ID: 923 0250 9713 Password: 709022 Cook County in Courtroom # Cal. 6/ 1707 Published in Wednesday Journal December 8, 15, 22, 2021

The Landmark, December 15, 2021

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICES

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of Chela de Jesus Piedra Gonzalez, Petitioner and Nelson Alejandro Armijos Gonzaga, Respondent, Case No. 2021D010060.

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 response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before December 29, 2021, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal December 1, 8, 15 2021

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 7th, 2022 for the following: BID 22-106 VILLAGE OF OAK PARK STREET LIGHTING AND TRAFFIC CONTROL MATERIALS PRICING REQUEST FOR BIDS 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 Streets & Street lighting Superintendent, Scott Brinkman, sbrinkman@oak-park. us or on the Village’s website http://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/finance-department.

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.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal December 15, 2021

19

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING DATE: January 5, 2022 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 04-22-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, Khamkoon, LLC, to operate a massage service establishment pursuant to Section 8.3 (“Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 1105 Holley Court, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-119-0250000, in the DT Downtown 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 hearing 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 January 5, 2022. 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-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning @oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. Individuals who sign up to participate in-person will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference 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 15, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings HEARING DATE: January 5, 2022 Act. The Village President has TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter determined that an in-person public as the Agenda permits hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak CALENDAR NUMBER: 02-22-Z during Governor JB Pritzker’s APPLICATION: The Zoning Board current disaster proclamation. It is of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct also not feasible to have a person a public hearing on a variance present at the public hearing due to application filed by the Applicant, public safety concerns related to the Stephanie Yunez, who seeks a COVID-19 outbreak. variance from Section 9.3 (L) (1) All interested persons will be given (a) of the Zoning Ordinance of the an opportunity to be heard at the Village of Oak Park, which requires public hearing. Interested persons that fences located within 35 feet of may provide written evidence, a front lot line or closer to the front testimony and public comment on lot line than the existing building, the application by email to Zoning@ whichever is less, must be open oak-park.us or by drop off in the fences and cannot exceed five feet in Oak Park Payment Drop Box across height, to maintain the existing fence from the entrance to Village Hall, that is six (6) foot tall and does not 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, meet the open fence requirement at Illinois, to be received no later than the property commonly known as 5:00 p.m. on January 5, 2022. An 1007 N. Harlem Avenue, # A, Illinois, individual’s name and their testimony Property Index Number 16-06-307or comment will be read aloud into 041-0000 (“Subject Property”) in the the record at the public hearing if R-6 Multiple-family Zoning District. received no later than 30 minutes A copy of the application and prior to the start of the public hearing. applicable documents are on file Interested persons may also sign up and are available for inspection at to participate in-person in the hearing Village Hall, Development Customer to cross examine the applicant and Services Department, 123 Madison its witnesses, present evidence, Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, testimony or public comment by Monday through Friday between 8:30 emailing Zoning @oak-park.us a.m. and 5:00 p.m. before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. Individuals who The Board will conduct the public sign up to participate in-person will hearing remotely with live audio receive an email from Village staff available and optional video. The with information about how to join hearing will be streamed live and the hearing online through Zoom archived online for on-demand web-conference means or by phone. viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast The public hearing may be adjourned on VOP-TV, which is available to by the Board to another date Comcast subscribers on channel without further notice by public 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers announcement at the hearing setting on channel 99. The remote public forth the time and place thereof. hearing is authorized pursuant to Published in Wednesday Journal, December 15, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive bids (labor rates only) from qualified electrical contractors to perform planned and emergency electrical work at Village owned buildings during the calendar year 2022. Bids will be accepted at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, December 29th, 2021.

Village of Oak Park 2022 Electrician Services Bid Number: 21-110BM Issuance Date: 12/15/2021 Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708358-5710 or by e-mailing vics@ oak-park.us between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. M-F. 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.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal December 15, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive bids (labor rates only) from qualified plumbing contractors to perform planned and emergency plumbing work at Village owned buildings during the calendar year 2022. Bids will be accepted at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, December 29th, 2021.

Village of Oak Park 2022 Emergency Plumbing Services Bid Number: 21-108BM Issuance Date: 12/15/2021 Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708358-5710 or by e-mailing vics@ oak-park.us between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. M-F. 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.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal December 15, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES 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 2022 LIFE SAFETY WORK IRVING, HATCH, WHITTIER OAK PARK, IL 60302 BID GROUP 1 – Early Mechanical Equipment Release Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Administrative offices, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, and will be publicly opened 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 2022 LIFE SAFETY WORK Scope of work for Bid Group 1 generally includes, furnish mechanical equipment.

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 December 15th, 2021 and are available for viewing/download online without cost or purchase on the Bulley & Andrews, LLC One Drive, located at the following link. No username or password is required. https://tinyurl.com/fuy5eare 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.

For additional information on the project, contact Alex Mantel of Bulley & Andrews, LLC at amantel@bulley.com or 219-6788383.

Dated: 12/13/21 Alex Mantel Bulley & Andrews, LLC Published in Wednesday Journal December 15, 2021

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A MR. COOPER Plaintiff, vs.

ELENA F. MARROQUIN A/K/A ELENA FIGUEROA INDIVIDUALLY AND AS GUARDIAN FOR CHRISTIAN MARROQUIN AND NICHOLAS MARROQUIN, JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., MARIELENA SANTANA INDIVIDUALLY AND AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE ESTATE OF RICCARDO A. MARROQUIN A/K/A RICCARDO MARROQUIN, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants, 17 CH 954 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-07-420-011.

Commonly known as 425 S. EAST AVE., OAK PARK, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125. 17-00157 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3181888

paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale.

The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm..

Please refer to file number 19092500.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

LOGS Legal Group LLP 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717 E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 19-092500 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 19 CH 14891 TJSC#: 41-2041 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 19 CH 14891 I3182691

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC., MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, MANA SERIES 2007-OAR4 Plaintiff, -v.ELLEN C. SCHNACK, RANDALL C. SCHNACK Defendants 19 CH 14891 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 4, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 5, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 030R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-319-0080000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $417,344.71.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount

20

The Landmark, December 15, 2021

W NE

G TIN LIS

TS NI U 7

N W TIO NERUC T NS CO

150 S Oak Park Ave #304, Oak Park $135,000

7312 W Ogden Ave, Riverside $1,799,000

337 Longcommon Rd, Riverside

1501 Beach Ave, LaGrange Park $275,000

84 Riverside Rd, Riverside $2,100,000

166 Northgate Rd, Riverside $399,900

231 S Maple Ave #C, Oak Park $240,000

324 Blackhawk Rd, Riverside $599,000

2916 S Harlem Ave, Riverside $549,000

152 E Burlington St, Riverside $329,900 L IA RC E MM CO

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

873 N Larabee St, #701, Chicago $405,000

3125 Madison Ave, Brookfield $322,900

530 Byrd Rd, Riverside $475,000

7722 Madison St, River Forest $18/sq ft

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