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Vol. 35, No. 51

December 16, 2020

Slate forms to challenge incumbents in North Riverside PAGE 7

RBHS will open up classrooms for second semester

Botanical-themed gift shop opens in Riverside PAGE 8

SOAKED SANTA

Plan is to have students attend in person twice a week

By BOB SKOLNIK

Riverside Parks and Recreation Director Ron Malchiodi, dressed as Santa, waved and shouted messages of holiday cheer to kids of all ages during a very rainy Holiday Hello with Santa drive-by event on Fairbank Road near the Scout Cabin on ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer Dec. 12.

Contributing Reporter

When the second semester at Riverside-Brookfield High School starts on Jan. 5, officials are planning to allow students to attend school in person twice a week.

However, students who don’t want to come to school will still have the option to continue remote learning.

“We are going to bring students back second semester,” RBHS Principal Hector Freytas said at the Dec. 8 meeting of the District 208 Board of Education. “We’ve invited students back and I know we’re going to do an even better job second semester.”

RBHS will remain in 100-percent remote learning posture for the rest of the first semester, which ends on Dec. 18. Despite record-high rates of COVID cases, administrators are feeling pressure from some parents and school board members to get students back on campus.

Five parents spoke during the public comment portion of the board meeting, imploring the board to resume in-person instruction. One parent and one student spoke in favor of keeping students home for remote learning while the pandemic is raging.

“I believe our students belong in school,” said Rory See RBHS on page 13

Loyal to Madigan, but open to change Local allies call for Dems to unify around House speaker’s experience

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Michael Madigan has been the speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives

for 35 of the last 37 years. Whether the embattled, but still powerful Democrat from the Southwest Side of Chicago will continue in that post when the 102nd General Assembly convenes next month

is very much an open question.

Right now, Madigan doesn’t have the votes to be re-elected speaker, because See MADIGAN on page 17

lauren cody wishes you happy holidays and a very joyful new year!

Cell: 708-514-3367 email: lauren.cody@bairdwarner.com • www.laurencody.com

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The Landmark, December 16, 2020

Local news connects As this hard year moves to its close, we all have a lot on our minds. Gratitude is what we are thinking about here at Growing Community Media.

As we wrap up our year of transition into an independent non-profit newsroom across our seven neighborhoods, we are thankful for the opportunity we’ve had this year to provide the connective tissue, the glue that reports on our communities, reflects back the powerful challenges of this pandemic and the powerful local response to this pandemic.

That response has come from local governments and schools. It has come from the thousands who rose in a pandemic to demand racial justice. We’ve seen non-profits remaking themselves on the run and we’ve written about kids auctioning off their artwork to raise money for those non-profits.

We’ve reported on our entrepreneurs finding a way to hang on until we finally see the light. And we’ve told stories of readers organizing to support those small businesses.

Our reporters have been there.

And, in this remarkable and often brutal year, we’re grateful to so many of you who have donated, become members of this new venture in local news, who have literally paid for those reporters to be on the street observing and reporting.

Between now and New Year’s Eve, we’re asking those of you who value our work but who haven’t signed on yet to join in. We have matching funds ready to double your donation. The current match we are working is from 46 of our very first donors. They’ve raised $18,000. Now we’re working steadily to match it with another $18,000.

Help us. Help us build into 2021.

With gratitude, Dan Haley Editor and Publisher Growing Community Media P.S. Please help us spread the word by sharing with friends and colleagues who you think would be interested in supporting our work.

To donate, visit www.growingcommunitymedia.com/donate

The Landmark, December 16, 2020

Fitzgeralds Christmas bus delivers holiday cheer Music club will deliver a concert to your block, if there’s enough demand

By MICHELLE DYBAL

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Arts Editor

It may be dashing through the snow into your neighborhood, decked out with holiday décor, a real-live Santa and a band playing holiday tunes. The Fitzgeralds Community Christmas Bus is making the rounds from Berwyn to Riverside, Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park, too. It could even venture elsewhere if demand is there.

While people “can’t have the same kind of family plans and holiday travel, we have something silly like this bus rolling down their street,” said Will Duncan, Fitzgeralds club owner.

The concept started early April with Truck Concerts when all was shut down due to COVID-19, including the Berwyn nightclub at 6615 Roosevelt Road. The music venue asks residents to sign up for a Truck Concert visit to their block when the vehicle is slated to be in their neighborhood.

Based on the number of signups, a route is planned and those blocks with the most interest are paid a visit. In return, Fitzgeralds asks for a donation to support musicians and nightclub employees.

While Fitzgeralds was able to reopen its premises to outdoor entertainment for a while, Duncan feels that is no longer safe to do. The Truck Concerts were so popular that throughout the pandemic they have continued every Saturday night.

But, for December, a new twist was introduced.

It was time to trade up from their mobile pick-up truck stage to a bus to protect musicians from the winter chill. Enter Donnie Biggins, Fitzgeralds’ head of music, who suggested they work with the nonprofit Opportunity Knocks, which owns a bus that is not in use due to the pandemic.

According to Duncan, Fitzgeralds has a “mutually beneficial partnership” with the nonprofit since he took ownership of the nightclub in March. Opportunity Knocks supports teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they pursue educational, occupational and social interests within the community.

Now a portion of proceeds from donations for the Community Christmas Bus visits go to Opportunity Knocks.

“The support has been heartwarming,” Duncan said. “The money raised is outstanding. And people want to see their local music venue survive.”

IN THIS ISSUE

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

JAZZING UP THE HOLIDAYS: The Chicago Skyliners Holiday Trio, featuring singer/ saxophonist Vinson Johnson (right), Bobby Schiff on keys (left) and drummer Bill O’Connell (not pictured) helped Riverside swing into the holidays during a local stop by the Fitzgeralds Community Christmas Bus on Dec. 10. The bus made a return trip on Dec. 12, and more stops may be planned depending on demand.

The bus is also bringing some much-needed holiday cheer.

Duncan said switching to a holiday theme for December refreshed the concept.

“As far as energy, the response is spectacular,” he said. “People were so cheered up.”

Demand has also been “staggering,” according to Duncan, with 350 houses requesting a visit in North Oak Park alone early in the month. They typically visit 10 to 12 blocks in one evening.

While some dates are planned, such as a Dec. 18 ride through River Forest and Forest Park with Mama Roux, the New Orleans style jazz duo of Cole DeGenova and Quin Kirchner, others are still being booked.

Demand was high in Riverside, where the bus has made two appearances – the most recent on Dec. 12 -- drawing onlookers as the bus wound around the curving streets.

He said there is potential to add shows the week of Christmas based on demand, including making a first ever appearance in Brookfield. LaGrange is a possibility too.

All they need are enough emails – at booking@fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Besides booking the musicians, handling

correspondence with neighbors, plotting the route, and even putting on the Santa suit, Biggins drives the bus.

“He puts so much thought and effort into this and is committed to this project,” Duncan said. As Santa, Biggins poses for photos with the kids en route, too.

January will likely see more concerts, with a winterized bus making the rounds.

Instead of a holiday theme, it may be artistdriven, such as featuring “great original song writers.”

“We’d like to keep doing something, even if we’re going to have a tough winter,” Duncan said. “We want to bring joy to people. As long as we’re not losing money, we’ll keep doing it.”

Once COVID restrictions are lifted, Duncan expects the traveling concerts, which include private events, to continue because they represent a new revenue stream for Fitzgeralds, are still in demand and are so much fun.

See where future buses are scheduled to tour and sign up for a Community Christmas Concert on your block at fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

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The Landmark, December 16, 2020

BIG WEEK December 16-23

The Lyons Township High School Theatre Board presents “Gen Z(oom),” a virtual play, which can be watched on YouTube at tinyurl.com/y46ly2ca.

Authored by 25 student-writers in the school’s 2020 playwriting class, it shares their observations of dealing with a global pandemic, isolation and online learning.

By turns moving, shocking and funny, they seek normalcy in 2020 while hoping for a better future.

“Gen Z(oom)” features 28 members of the Classes of 2023 and 2024.

Librarians read ‘A Christmas Carol’

Join the librarians at Brookfield Public Library on Facebook Live on Dec. 17, 19, 21, 22 and 23 at 5 p.m. as they read Charles Dickens’ beloved novella “A Christmas Carol” one chapter at a time.

Tune in at the appointed time at facebook. com/BrookfieldPublicLibrary and follow Ebenezer Scrooge as he’s transported and transformed by three spirits during visits to past, present and future Christmases.

RAC celebrates the solstice

Tower Chorale performs Christmas classics

Curbside candy canes

The Tower Chorale performs a mini concert of uplifting Christmas music whenever it’s convenient for you, via YouTube, through the month of December.

Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, will host a socially distant holiday event on Saturday, Dec. 19 between 10 and 11 a.m. when they invite families to drive by for a curbside candy cane giveaway.

Swing past the library, open your trunk, pick a flavor and library staff will place a candy cane in your car. Kids of all ages welcome.

And more The 39th Annual Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St. in Brookfield, runs Wednesdays through Sundays through Dec. 20 and Saturday through Thursday, Dec. 26 to 31, from 3 to 9 p.m. The zoo is not open prior to 3 p.m. on Holiday Magic days. Advance admission and parking tickets are required. Buy tickets at czs.org/ tickets. Visit czs.org/holidaymagic for more info.

Santa’s Mailbox is back and ready to receive letters from local kids, courtesy of the Riverside Department of Parks and Recreation, just east of the historic water tower at 10 Pine Ave. in downtown Riverside. All letters received through Dec. 20 will get a letter back from Santa. Be sure to include a mailing address, so Santa knows where to send his reply.

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LTHS presents virtual play ‘Gen Z(oom)’

The program features five favorites: “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella,”“O Holy Night,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,”“Still, Still, Still” and “Hope for Resolution,” all sung by their 50-plus voice choir.

A link to the concert can be found at towerchorale.org and while “tickets” are free, donations are appreciated.

Riverside Arts Center invites you to bring art home with a Paint Your Own Pottery box. Choose either a platter or serving bowl and receive a box containing everything you’ll need to create a painted masterpiece. Kits are $50 (non-members $55) and you can order online at riversideartscenter.com/kidsart-classes-camps/bisque-box. RAC will arrange for delivery or pick up of your box on your specified day.

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., is offering the following virtual programs through Facebook Live, conference calls and the teleconferencing app Zoom. Programs include Makerspace Mondays on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. and Talented Tuesdays on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m. both via Facebook Live on North Riverside Public Library’s Facebook page; ■

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and Game Night Wednesdays every Wednesday at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

For adults, there’s the Writers Group Online Meeting via Zoom on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.; Stretching and Meditation via conference call (800-747-5150, code 1453322) on Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m.; and DIY Décor Tuesdays via Facebook Live and YouTube on Dec. 22 at 5:30 p.m.

RSVP to bodenl@northriversidelibrary.org or visit northriversidelibrary.org/events for adult Zoom meeting access info.

For kids, there are the following Zoom programs: ABCs and 123s on Mondays at 10:30, Stories and Sharing on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.; and Lego Builders Club on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.

Register by calling 708-447-0869, ext. 230.

Riverside Arts Center invites you to attend – virtually, of course – its 2020 Solstice Celebration which will be periodically livestreamed on their Instagram account (@riversideartscenter) on Dec. 20, beginning at dusk.

In the tradition of the Solstice Fire, RAC is letting go of the old and welcoming the new by inviting people to send them a message to be burned in the fire, something to release from this past challenging year, something to hope for in the coming year.

People are also invited to purchase a solstice vessel as a gift to themselves and/or others and send a message to be burned with the vessel in the fire.

Info on buying a vessel can be found at riversideartscenter.com/solstice-vessels/a-vessel-for-thesolstice.

Messages can be addressed to “Solstice” and mailed or dropped off at Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., Riverside, 60546 or email info@riversideartscenter. com (Include “Solstice” in the subject line).

Brookfield Public Library offers virtual classes and programs for patrons of all ages throughout the week. Most youth activities will be presented live on the library’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ BrookfieldPublicLibrary.

There’s also Chair Yoga via Zoom on Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. and Stories with Santa followed by a Q&A via Facebook Live on Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Email Santa questions ahead of time at youthservices@ brookfieldlibrary.info.

Register for Zoom access info by visiting brookfield. evanced.info/signup or calling 708-485-6917, ext. 130.

The Riverside Public Library presents Family Game Night via Zoom on Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. Visit riversidelibrary.evanced.info/signup for Zoom access info.

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The Landmark, December 16, 2020

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What to know as Illinois receives first COVID-19 vaccines Amid optimism, Pritzker warns, ‘the road ahead will be long’

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois

The first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration arrived in Illinois Monday, but officials said there’s still a need for social distancing, face coverings and other mitigations as a full rollout could take months.

While Gov. J.B. Pritzker hailed distribution of the vaccine, manufactured by the drug company Pfizer, as the “beginning of the end” of the pandemic, many questions are still unanswerable as to the timeline of distribution for future shipments and that of a second potential vaccine.

“Today marks only the beginning of the national vaccination rollout,” Pritzker said at his daily briefing Monday in Chicago. “This week the very first recipients of the very first phase will receive their first of two doses of this COVID-19 vaccine. To put it in perspective, in total, Illinois will be receiving about 109,000 doses this week. Nationally, there are

approximately 24 million people who the (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) classifies as Phase 1A. Our destination is clear, but the road ahead will be long.”

Phase 1A of vaccine distribution includes health care workers and long-term care facility residents. Future recipients will be based on recommendations of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP. On Tuesday, healthcare workers at Loretto Hospital in the city’s Austin neighborhood received he the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine administered in Chicago.

The governor was joined on Monday by Dr. Michael Olson, a member of the state’s independent vaccine review board, which analyzed trial data regarding the vaccine’s effectiveness and side effects.

Olson, an assistant professor of medical microbiology at Southern Illinois University’s School of Medicine, said the review board included experts in immunology, epidemiology and infectious disease among others.

“We have independently reviewed the available scientific data supporting the authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine,” he said. “We are in full agreement with the FDA authoriSee COVID-19 on page 15

P O L I C E

COVID-19 kills 2 more Brookfield residents

The most recent surge in the number of people with confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 appears to be leveling off at the local level, mirroring a trend seen statewide, but new cases remain at levels much higher than during the initial wave of the pandemic, and people continue to die from it.

Two more Brookfield residents, a 47-year-old woman and an 83-year-old woman, lost their lives from COVID-19 in the past week, dying on Dec. 12 and 13, respectively, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner.

That brings the number of people who have died from the virus in Brookfield to eight – half of that number coming since Nov. 26. It was also the first time since May that two Brookfield residents died from the disease within a one-week period.

For the week ending on the morning of Dec. 15, Brookfield saw 87 new cases of COVID-19. That number is identical to the prior week and represents the first time since late October that the village

saw fewer than 100 new cases two weeks in a row.

Since the pandemic swept into the area in March 1,139 Brookfield residents had contracted COVID-19 through of the morning of Dec. 15, according to data from the Cook County Department of Public Health.

In Riverside and North Riverside the number of new cases of COVID-19 also was largely flat week over week, with 42 new cases Riverside compared to 39 the prior week. In North Riverside for the week ending on the morning of Dec. 15, there were 32 new cases compared to 30 the week before.

In all, since the county began reporting data in March, 590 Riverside residents and 354 North Riverside residents have contracted the virus. Two Riverside residents have died, while three North Riverside residents have died.

The most recent deaths in Riverside and North Riverside came on May 7 and July 19, respectively.

— Bob Uphues

R E P O R T S

Man on parole for armed robbery faces felony DUI A Chicago man on parole for a 2011 armed robbery conviction now faces felony DUI charges – his second such offense – after being arrested in Riverside last week.

Eddie Rosado, 36, was charged with felony driving under the influence of alcohol, aggravated driving while revoked and numerous traffic offenses after being stopped by a Riverside police officer on Dec. 10 at about 4 a.m. for driving erratically while southbound in the 3300 block of Harlem Avenue.

The officer reported that Rosado’s 2014 Jeep Wrangler crossed the double yellow center line three times before the officer could curb the vehicle in the 4000 block of Harlem Avenue. According to police, Rosado “could barely stand” at the time he was arrested.

Police said Rosado has used false names, dates of birth, addresses and Social Security numbers to dodge the criminal justice system in the past couple of years, and even obtained an Illinois driver’s license with a Novi, Michigan address. Riverside police learned his real identity through a fingerprint check.

Police said Rosado has more than 40 prior arrests ranging from traffic offenses to domestic battery to aggravated vehicular hijacking and armed robbery.

The Illinois Department of Corrections website indicates that Rosado was convicted in August 2011 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for armed robbery. He was paroled in

January 2019.

He previously served time after being convicted in 2009 of aggravated DUI and failure to report an accident that involved an injury or death. That same year he was convicted of possession of a controlled substance.

Disturbance at the mall A 23-year-old Skokie man and a 20-year-old Chicago man were charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct and disorderly conduct after getting into a shouting match with another group of people near the food court of the North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, on Dec. 11 at about 6:30 p.m. and leading someone to call police to report a man with a gun.

The incident initiated a large police response, including multiple K-9 units looking for a weapon, which was not recovered.

An off-duty police officer apprehended the Chicago man after he fell down while running away near a bus shelter in the 7400 block of 25th Street. The off-duty officer reported that the man had dropped and then picked up a handgun during the pursuit.

However, police were unable to recover any weapon.

The Skokie man was arrested inside a boot store near the mall food court. He reportedly told police he and a friend had driven to the

mall in a pickup truck, which they’d parked near J.C. Penney.

The two had been drinking, the man reportedly told police, and the Chicago man was acting “foolish” when he began yelling and throwing gang signs at another group of people.

The Chicago man claimed he was unarmed and said the reason he had fallen down was that he’d just tested positive for COVID-19. He showed a text message to police indicating that he had, indeed, tested positive the day before.

A resident of the 9400 block of Lincoln Avenue called police on the morning of Dec. 11 to report that the catalytic converter had been cut from a 1998 Toyota 4Runner, while a resident of the 9300 block of Washington Avenue called that same day to report a catalytic converter cut from a 2005 Honda.

North Riverside police reported a pair of similar thefts in late November.

Jewelry missing from store inventory

A resident of the 4300 block of Eberly Avenue, Brookfield, went to police on Dec. 8 to report that a package delivered to his home at 7:30 a.m. that day had been stolen by the time he arrived home from work that evening.

The box, delivered by the U.S Postal Service, reportedly contained a human skull valued at $2,500. The victim told police he buys retired medical supplies.

North Riverside police responded to Kay Jewelers at North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, on Dec. 10 at about 5:25 p.m. after the store manager called to report a theft of jewelry.

The manager related that during an inventory conducted in late November she learned the store was missing five gold rings valued at about $8,000.

Catalytic converter thefts continue Brookfield police reported two more instances of catalytic converters being sawn from the undersides of vehicles last week, both of them in the same general neighborhood during the overnight hours of Dec. 10-11.

Box containing skull stolen

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Dec. 7-Dec. 13, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime.

These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

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The Landmark, December 16, 2020

Juniors launch online fundraiser during holidays Local businessman will match Riverside Gives’ goal of $2,500

By BOB UPHUES Editor

There’s been plenty written about the devastating impact of COVID-19 on local retail businesses, entertainment venues, restaurants and bars, but less attention has been given to charities, whose traditional fundraising events were thrown aside in 2020.

For organizations like the Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity, which donates thousands of dollars annually to about a dozen local groups, it’s meant reinventing the way they raise funds to support those causes.

The loss of this year’s Holiday Stroll, the Chamber of Commerce event that draws hundreds to Riverside’s downtown, was a real blow to the Juniors.

“We usually raise $1,000 before the Holiday Stroll and then about $2,000 the night of it,” said Carey Kogol, vice president of fun-

draising for the Juniors.

To make up for the loss of the Holiday Stroll, the Juniors have initiated an online holiday season fundraising drive called Riverside Gives, and in partnership with a couple of local business owners the effort has made some headway.

“It’s possible to be creative, even in the time of COVID, to find ways we can give back to nonprofits,” Kogol said.

You can donate by visiting my.cheddarup. com/c/riverside-gives-2020 online. The Juniors have chosen 12 organizations they’ll be donating money to next year when the charity’s fundraising efforts are completed.

Apart from the Juniors themselves, the groups include local organizations Riverside Township Food Pantry, Riverside Public Library and Riverside Girl Scouts; girls/ women’s organizations Sarah’s Inn, which serves victims of domestic violence, and Reclaim 13, devoted to combatting child sexual exploitation; mental health organizations Buddy’s House, a bereavement program for children and adults, and Still Missed, which serves parents who have lost a newborn; and veterans’ groups Hines V.A. Hospital

Merry Christmas!

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GIVING BACK: From left, Riverside businessman Brian Plain, Juniors President Kelly Rehmer and Scott Zimmer, chef/owner of The Chew Chew and Sawmilly, give a thumbs up to the Juniors’ holiday fundraising effort and to donors’ “giving hearts” (below) displayed on the window of Sawmilly in downtown Riverside. and Fisher House, which provides family members a place to stay while a loved one is hospitalized.

The Juniors have set an overall goal of $20,000 to distribute among the chosen beneficiaries, but the holiday fundraiser is typically the group’s largest single push.

The goal for this fundraiser is $2,500, and hitting that number is especially important because Brian Plain, a Riverside resident

and financial planner, has pledged to match that amount if the Juniors hit their goal by Dec. 31.

“When I saw Riverside Gives I thought [a match] would be a great way to increase the impact of giving back,” said Plain, who has been a Juniors sponsor for the past couple of years. “It gets people to dig a little deeper and do good in a year where a whole lot of people are struggling.”

Plain reached out to Scott Zimmer, the owner of The Chew Chew and Sawmilly Sandwich Shoppe in downtown Riverside, to see if he would assist by allowing the Juniors to display the fundraiser’s “giving hearts” – which include the name of the person or group making the donation and the organizations it the donation will benefit – in the windows of his restaurants.

Zimmer agreed to do that and the front window at Sawmilly is already filling up with giving hearts. Donors can choose which nonprofits to direct their dollars (along with the match).

The fundraiser has gotten some good traction, with almost $2,400 raised as of late last week. The fundraising won’t stop on Dec. 31, said Kogol.

“We’ll continue to fundraise through May when we will distribute all the funds,” she said.

The Landmark, December 16, 2020

7

Opposition slate to challenge in North Riverside Mandel running for mayor; Demopoulos is co-chair of new party

By BOB UPHUES Editor

What a difference four years makes. In 2017, Marybelle Mandel and H. Bob Demopoulos squared off against one another in a race for North Riverside mayor that saw them largely split the vote and hand an easy second term win to Hubert Hermanek Jr. On Dec. 10, the two filed papers with the Illinois Board of Elections indicating they are co-chairs of a new political organization called the People Before Politics Party, which will be fielding a full slate of candidates to run for mayor, clerk and trustee in the April 2021 Consolidated Election.

Mandel will head that slate of candidates in her second run for the mayor’s job after winning a seat on the village board as a trustee in 2019.

Running alongside her for the three trustee seats up for grabs next fall are Kevin Melvin, who ran unsuccessfully for trustee on a slate with Demopoulos in 2017, and first-time candidates Sandra Greicius and Richard Wagner.

While neither has run for office before, Wagner has been active behind the scenes with Mandel in the past and is an administrator of the North Riverside Open Forum community on Facebook, a private group of some

1,700 members where Mandel posts regularly.

Running with the People Before Politics Party for village clerk is Carmen Circelli, a friend of Mandel’s who attends village board meetings regularly.

Candidates for office may begin filing nominating petitions on Dec. 14 and must file them with the village clerk’s office no later than close of business on Dec. 21.

The appearance of the slate will put them directly up against a coalition of former VIP Party members who have formed a new group, North Riverside United Party.

Kathy Ranieri is running for a third term as village clerk, while Fernando Flores and Terri Sarro seek second terms as trustees.

The party’s third trustee candidate is Jason Bianco, who previously served in that capacity.

While the trustee and clerk races appear to be head-to-head affairs, the race for mayor in 2021 will be a three-way competition.

North Riverside United is running Joseph Mengoni for the post, while the incumbent, Hermanek, is running for his third term – this time as an independent.

In that way, the 2021 election will be something of a mirror image from the one four years ago. Conventional wisdom would suggest Hermanek and Mengoni splitting the

vote and providing an easier path to victory for Mandel.

The two men have said they are committed to running and will let voters decide who they feel is the best candidate.

The Landmark’s attempt to interview Mandel prior to the newspaper’s print deadline was unsuccessful.

Candidates begin filing for election Dec. 14 was the first day for candidates to file nominating petitions for the April 6, 2021 Consolidated Election, but The People Before Politics Party was not among those at village hall Monday morning to do so.

That was not unexpected, however, as Mandel has made it a practice in prior elections to file nominating petitions toward the end of the filing period, which this year is at 5 p.m. on Dec. 21.

Filing on Monday morning were Hermanek as independent for mayor and Jason Bianco on behalf of the North Riverside United Party slate of candidates. Bianco is running for trustee on that slate, along with Terri Sarro and Fernando Flores, both incumbents. Joseph Mengoni, now a trustee, is running for mayor on that slate, while in-

cumbent Village Clerk Kathy Ranieri seeks a third term in that post.

Hermanek also filed nominating petitions on Monday morning for Allan Pineda, who is running as an independent for village trustee. Pineda is presently treasurer of the North Riverside Public Library District Board of Trustees and has been both chairman and secretary of the North Riverside Civil Service Commission.

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By BOB UPHUES Editor

Brookfield Zoo employees who experienced months-long furloughs earlier this year when the park closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic have another work stoppage on the horizon as 2020 draws to a close.

On Dec. 9, the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates Brookfield Zoo on 216 acres of land at 8400 31st St. owned by the Cook County Forest Preserve District, announced that it will place 40 employees on layoff/furlough status, effective Jan. 1, 2021.

The announcement added that the Chicago Zoological Society planned to recall all of those placed on hiatus on or before March 1.

In October, officials announced that Brookfield Zoo would close for the months of January and February as the COVID-19 pandemic dragged on and that only essential staff would be employed during that time.

animal population, maintenance and protection of the buildings and grounds, and other critical operations,” the statement released on Nov. 9 read.

It has been a trying year for employees at Brookfield Zoo, who in addition to the unexpected furloughs and layoff during the pandemic have seen other significant changes as the Chicago Zoological Society attempts to contain costs.

In February, the zoo outsourced all of its foodservice and retail sales operations to Denver-based Service Systems Associates (SSA), a changed that impacted about 60 full-time and more than 300 seasonal employees.

COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY After Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statewide stay-at-home order as COVID-19 spread, Brookfield Zoo closed its “The lay-off/furloughed include staff doors to the public on March 19 and did not who are not considered critically essential open again until July 1. to support the minimum operations of the In addition to those employed by SSA, the organization during the zoo’s two-month Chicago Zoological Society in April laid off closure, while keeping staff employed who See ZOO on page 17 ensure the health and welfare of the zoo’s

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The Landmark, December 16, 2020

The Seed sprouts in downtown Riverside Artist’s botanically inspired gifts are one-of-a-kind rays of hope

By JACKIE PISANO

in Chicago and in Oak Park, and was just working from home in my studio … and I had no plans of opening a store,” she said.

For Shilin Hora, strolling through down- “But I thought that if I could just sell little town Riverside and enjoying the neigh- gifts, I could encourage people to not lose borhood’s quaint, friendly vibe provides hope — and not lose hope myself.”

From there, the seed was officially planta unique sense of neighborly cheer that ed into Hora’s mind — she was going to seems harder to come across these days.

But this fall, as the Berwyn resident and open her own art boutique.

Aptly named The Seed, Hora’s new store her daughter made one final stop at the at 38 East Ave. is one where cusvillage’s final farmer’s martomers can expect to find oneket of the season, two new, of-a-kind botanical arts, gifts diametrically opposed feeland home decor not found in ings came over Hora as she big-name stores or craft shops. walked around the market A botanical artist and selfnear the water tower — dedescribed nature enthusiast, pression and hope.

Hora’s background includes Because of the pandemic, extensive work bridging the diHora has not had many opvides between art, science and portunities this year to colnature. laborate with area artists, Following her studies in boteither creating art or teachany and fine arts at Michigan’s ing adults and children the Grand Valley State University, importance of incorporating Hora’s resume includes an art and nature into daily life.

SHILIN HORA abundance of public outreach And with that trip to the Owner, The Seed art projects, ranging from the farmers market being the founding of a tree study and last before winter, Hora was urban environment public art anticipating a cold, dark project in Montreal to hyperlowinter filled with continued cal collaborations including uncertainties about the panwith the Park District of Oak demic and more lost opporPark, where she launched the tunities for connecting with first ever nature preschool at the Austin others.

But while getting back into her car, a “for Gardens Environmental Center, focusing rent” sign posted in the window of a vacant on early childhood nature education.

At the start of 2020, Hora was partnering storefront along East Avenue caught her eye with Sugar Beet Schoolhouse in River Forand got her thinking.

“I’ve had to close [artist] collaborations est (same ownership as Oak Park’s Sugar Contributing Reporter

“[Botanical boxes] illustrate the importance of the seed as a miracle of nature.”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

UNIQUE ITEMS: Gifts at The Seed include botanical boxes, handcrafted cards, botanical pillows, tea towels handmade from organic fibers, sculptures and necklaces made from blue gem corn.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

WONDERFUL WORLD: Shilin Hora (above) has stocked her new store, The Seed, with products that show the importance of engaging with nature and getting in touch with the beauty of the world around us.

Beet Food Co-Op grocery store), developing children’s workshops around food literacy and studying the local environment and engaging in a monthly market, in addition to her work with various Chicago area public and private schools with programs helping students heal through working with nature.

Now, Hora’s goal with her own shop is to do the same — introduce local residents to the importance of engaging with nature and getting in touch with the beauty of the world around them.

“The reason I decided on ‘The Seed’ is that I make these beautiful art pieces called botanical boxes, and they basically illustrate the importance of the seed as a miracle of nature,” she said about both the naming of her store and inspiration behind the merchandise.

“I take these boxes and I house hundreds and sometimes thousands of seeds in these natural history arrangements, and so the focus of my artwork is the seed,” she said.

“I also want to be a seed in a time of all this happening and even afterwards — a seed of hope, a seed of hope, a seed of joy.”

About half of The Seed’s inventory is crafted by Hora herself, with everything else on consignment from printmakers, illustrators and other artists Hora has gotten to know and work with over the years.

Aside from her botanical boxes, the many unique pieces found in the store include handcrafted cards, botanical pillows, tea towels handmade from organic fibers,

sculptures and necklaces made from blue gem corn from a vendor in Mexico.

With price points ranging from $10-$150, Hora hopes that shoppers of all ages will be able to walk out the door with something they like.

“If you pick up our artwork, there’s literally nothing like it in the universe,” she said. “If you pick up some home decor, there’s something handcrafted about it, and no two are alike out there.”

For now, Hora plans on only selling her goods, but is hopeful that in the near future, she can begin starting workshops to support and give back to the community.

Ideas for future programming include seed quilting, paint-and-sip type events for adults and educational outreach with local children.

At the beginning of the month, Hora held a soft grand opening for the community.

Her main message?

She’s here to offer artistic experiences, nature education and a chance at growing a personal connection with each shopper.

“It’s the experience of knowing and getting to build a relationship with your boutique owner, so I hope to bring people back again and again and build a relationship with people,” she said.

The Seed, located at 38 East Ave. in Riverside, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 1-6 p.m.

For more information, visit the store online at Facebook.com/theseedriverside.

The Landmark, December 16, 2020

9

Small event venue pitched for 8 Corners storefront The Liven Room will need special use permit from the village

By BOB UPHUES

Ficco’s application at a meeting scheduled for Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. in the council chamber at the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 BrookYou might not think opening up a small- field Ave. COVID-19 regulations mean that only 10 event venue in the middle of a pandemic would appeal to many entrepreneurs, but people will be allowed in the council chamthat’s exactly what Michelle Ficco hopes to ber at any one time. Anyone wishing to prodo inside an Eight Corners district store- vide written comment for the record can email it to Village Planner Elyse front early next year.

Vukelich at evukelich@brookFicco envisions a sleek, flexfieldil.gov or mailing written ible boutique event venue that comments to Vukelich at Brookcan be rented for everything field Village Hall. from business meetings to small Any recommendation from the weddings to pop-up retail shops commission will be discussed at 9207 Broadway Ave., home and voted on by the village board since 2009 to For the Birds, whose in January. owner, Keith Brennan, is looking The Liven Room is meant for to retire. people who would like to host a “People are still looking for modest gathering, without havthat [human] connection,” said MICHELLE FICCO ing to rent space in a banquet Ficco in a phone interview last hall or restaurant. It would allow week. “Even if you have a meeting of six people who are socially spaced in parties to cater their own food and bevera venue, they’d rather do that than Zoom for ages – Ficco noted that there are a number two hours. … In some ways, I think it’s more of eateries within a stone’s throw of the of an advantage, because this is going to be storefront that could fit the bill for any of her clients. something people are going to look for.”

And she hopes to obtain a BYOB liquor Before she goes ahead and purchases the property, however, Ficco will need a special license, though she says it’s not critical for use permit from the village allowing indoor operating the business – and can be set up assembly in the Eight Corners business dis- to accommodate a variety of events. When built out, the space will have restrooms, a trict.

The Brookfield Planning and Zoning Com- built-in buffet area and small kitchenette.

While events most likely would take place mission has scheduled a public hearing on Editor

BOB UPHUES/Editor

CHANGE ON THE WAY? A plan is on the books to convert the storefront housing For the Birds into a boutique event space that will also feature an espresso bar. on weekends, the business will also feature an espresso bar that would be open during the week, although The Liven Room is not meant to operate as a coffee shop/café.

“The bar will blend in so it doesn’t look like a coffee bar,” said Ficco, a Niles resident whose professional background is in the commodities trading industry.

“It’s not a café and the espresso bar is not meant to be the main aspect of the location.”

If all goes well, Ficco said she hoped to have the property purchased and built out the end of March 2021.

“I’m already working with the lender, but it’s really dependent on the [special] use, so I can’t move way too fast.”

Aldi interest in North Riverside Mall site confirmed Budget grocery giant Aldi is, indeed, eyeing construction of a new, freestanding store in the north parking lot of the former Sears at North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road.

North Riverside Village Planner Bob Kallien confirmed to the Landmark that after the newspaper published a story in November about the apparent plan, he received a call from an attorney representing either Aldi or the property owner about the development process.

Subsequently, Kallien said, he also talked to an engineering firm about what was needed to develop an Aldi store in the mall outlot.

“I had some concerns about the site plan in the photo that was in the newspaper, and they said they’d like to talk about that,” Kallien said.

In addition to submitting an application to begin the planned development process,

the development would need to be reviewed by the village’s engineer and would need a permit from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

The property owner, Seritage Growth Properties, is understood to have already started the MWRD review process. The agency has shared with the village Seritage’s application to build a flood-control system at the site.

Kallien said that once a developer submits a planned development applications to the village, it would take about three months to go through the approval process. However, according to Kallien, “They’re not near ready to do so.”

If a new Aldi ends up being constructed in the North Riverside Park Mall outlot, the company would close the store it currently operates at 2000 Harlem Ave. in North Riverside, Kallien said.

Last month, the Landmark learned that a

COURTESY OF CBRE

IN THE WORKS: Marketing materials online from the real estate brokerage firm CBRE (above) indicate that Aldi is “coming soon” to an outlot at North Riverside Park Mall. (we’ve highlighted the proposed location with an arrow to make it clear on the map). real estate brokerage firm courting developers at the mall property had produced marketing materials indicating an Aldi store was “coming soon.”

Neither village nor mall officials could

confirm those plans at the time. After the Landmark piece ran, the attorney called Kallien confirming Aldi’s interest in the site.

— Bob Uphues

10

The Landmark, December 16, 2020

Strong Minds | Strong Faith | Future Leaders

Thank You St. Mary Teachers and Staff When all other doors were closed, you kept yours open. We are forever grateful for your dedication to the academic, social and spiritual needs of our children when they needed it the most. #returntolearn

Love,

The Parents and Students of St. Mary School

The Landmark, December 16, 2020

11

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Properties conveyed to Cook County Forest Preserve District PROVIDED

GIFTED: The Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners was slated to vote Dec. 15 to accept a gift of 5.84 acres of Riverside Lawn land from the Cook County Land Bank Authority.

Forest Preserves acquire 5.84 acres of Riverside Lawn Cook County Land Bank conveys 27 parcels purchased in buyout

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Cook County Forest Preserves District Board of Commissioners was scheduled to vote Dec. 15 to accept a donation of 5.84 acres of property in Riverside Lawn from the Cook County Land Bank Authority, which acquired the land in 2017.

The action largely caps a years’ long effort by both the Cook County Land Bank and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to buy out homeowners who live in the flood-prone slice of unincorporated Riverside Township wedged between a V-shaped bend in the Des Plaines River and 39th Street.

Last month, the real estate committee of the forest preserve district board voted 15-0 to refer to the full board an ordinance authorizing the transfer of the properties from the land bank.

The transfer involves 20 properties comprising 27 separate parcels, including nearly all of the property most impacted by flooding. The homes that once stood on those parcels have been demolished, and the plan is for the land simply to revert to its natural

forest state.

A handful of properties the land bank has also purchased either along or near 39th Street were not part of this particular conveyance of property to the forest preserve district.

The Cook County Land Bank Authority first pitched the Riverside Lawn buyout plan to homeowners in the area back in the summer of 2015, after a rapid succession of flood events in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

In partnership with MWRD, the land bank was able to secure $12 million in federal funds to buy the properties, and the agency began acquiring the parcels in 2016. That effort continued into the following year, with the land bank systematically demolishing the homes they purchased.

A few of the buildings bought by the land bank still stand vacant and boarded up. It’s unclear what the immediate plan is for those properties or whether the land bank intends to keep attempting to buy more homes in the neighborhood.

Rob Rose, executive director of the Cook County Land Bank Authority, did not respond to an email from the Landmark seeking additional information.

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The Landmark, December 16, 2020

Woman charged with Riverside home invasion, robbery Alleged accomplice still being sought by police

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Riverside police have arrested one of two people suspected of an armed home invasion and robbery at a residence in the 100 block of East Quincy Street last week, and detectives say they have identified the second suspect, although the search is still on for him.

Arianna Maglalena Douchand, 28, of Melrose Park was charged with home invasion and armed robbery, both Class X felonies that carry prison sentences of between six and 30 years, if convicted.

According to police, at about 8:10 p.m. on Dec. 9, Douchand and a male acARIANNA MAGLALENA complice drove an older DOUCHAND white sedan to the East Quincy Street residence, where they reportedly knew the occupants possessed medical cannabis.

When a man inside the residence answered a knock at the door, Douchand and an armed man allegedly forced their way in and robbed the occupants of cannabis. They then reportedly got into the white sedan and drove away eastbound on East Quincy Street.

According to police, the victims, a 29-year-old woman and 30-year-old man, waited about 15 minutes to call police because they feared retaliation. Neither was injured.

Surveillance video from the village-owned camera at the corner of Harlem Avenue and East Quincy Street reportedly provided police with a clear image of the offenders’ vehicle and license plate number.

Detectives traced the vehicle to an address in Melrose Park and on Dec. 10, police arrested Douchand without incident at her place of employment in the 7800 block of Industrial Drive in Forest Park. Police also recovered the vehicle believed to have been involved in the incident.

“The house was targeted for home invasion and armed robbery,” said Police Chief Thomas Weitzel in a press release. “These violent offenders knew there was medical cannabis there and came looking to steal the cannabis from someone who’s legally licensed to carry and grow it.”

Weitzel also called Douchand’s arrest direct proof that the surveillance camera system installed by the village is working.

“This is a prime example of how the Riverside street camera program is a success,” Weitzel said.

“Within 20 minutes of the initial call, officers already had the car identified.”

Weitzel said the village’s camera system has been instrumental in solving 12 cases.

Two incumbents eye second terms on RBHS school board

Smithing, Towner in the race while Sierra will step aside

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Two of the three incumbent members of the Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208 Board of Education whose terms expire next year will run for re-election in next April’s elections.

Board President Wes Smithing and board Vice President Ramona Towner are running for their second four-year terms, but incumbent Gina Sierra has decided that one term on the school board is enough and will not run again.

Sierra said her son is a senior at RBHS and noted that she had served previously for four years on the Komarek School District 94 Board of Education.

“I think it’s time for me to move on,” Sierra said.

Smithing and Towner, however, have decided to seek another term.

“I think we really need some continuity on the board,” Smithing said, noting that six of the seven members of the District 208 school board have served for fewer than four years, with three new board members being elected in both 2017 and 2019.

Among current board members, only Laura Hruska has served on the board for more than one term.

Smithing said that with the school navigating the coronavirus pandemic, experience is a valuable.

“This is when we need all hands on deck,” Smithing said.

Towner also stressed the need for experience.

“If we want to keep RB moving in the right direction, some consistency in the board members and the leadership would be a good idea,” Towner said.

The nominating petition filing period for candidates began Dec. 14. Anyone who wants to run for the school board must get at least 50 signatures on nominating petitions that must be filed by no later than the end of the day on Dec. 21.

The only candidate filing nominating petitions for the RBHS school board race on the Dec. 14 was Towner. The timing of filing influences where a candidate will be listed on the ballot, with those filing first appearing at the top.

Quiet first day as village candidates begin filing papers Uncontested races, so far, for president and trustee in Brookfield, Riverside

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The first day for candidates filing nominating petitions for municipal offices at village halls in Riverside and Brookfield was a quiet one, with just one slate of candidates dropping off packets in each location.

In Brookfield, waiting at village hall at 8 a.m. when the doors opened to prospective candidates, was Kit Ketchmark who filed nominating petitions for the PEP Party’s slate of candidates for president, clerk and trustee.

Michael Garvey, who is wrapping up his second consecutive term as a trustee and who previously served two terms as president, will run again for village president.

Ketchmark, who is wrapping up his second term as president after serving two terms as trustee, will run again as a trustee candidate, joined by incumbent Trustee Edward Cote and Jennifer Hendricks, a member of the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission.

Brigid Weber, the incumbent village clerk, will seek re-election to that post. She served as clerk from 2006-13 and from 2015 to the present.

There’s still time for challengers to file nominating petitions, which must be in the hands of the village clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Dec. 21.

For the last election for village president in 2017, a slate of candidates filed petitions with just an hour to spare on the final day of filing. A slate of three trustee candidates who ran in the 2019 election also filed petitions on the final day.

Brookfield has not held an uncontested election since 1988.

Riverside Caucus-endorsed slate submits petitions The story was similar in Riverside, where contested elections for village offices have been the exception during the past decade-plus.

Candidates endorsed in October by the Riverside Community Caucus have formed a slate running under the banner Riverside 2021. Joseph Ballerine, a former two-term trustee, is the slate’s candidate for president while the trustee candidates include incumbent Doug Pollock, Riverside Preservation Commission member Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga and attorney Megan Claucherty.

Incumbent Trustee Wendell Jisa, who was not endorsed by the caucus, did not file nominating petitions on Monday, but he has previously said he will seek reelection.

Brookfield Library candidates file Also filing nominating petitions on Monday were three incumbent Brookfield Public Library trustees, who will seek another term in office. There are three four-year terms up for election in 2021.

Running for a remarkable 11th term on the library board is Carol Vaughan Kissane, who is finishing up her 40th year as a trustee. Also running for re-election are Jeanne McTeague, who seeks her second consecutive term, as well as Adam Burghgraef, who won election to a fouryear term in 2017 after serving out two years as an appointee following the resignation of Judith Sweet in 2015.

In Riverside, where there are also three four-year library terms up for election, just one candidate filed nominating petitions on the first day, Dec. 14. Filing for a seat on the library board was first-time candidate Christine Long.

Among those up for re-election are three incumbents, including library board President Joan Wiaduck and board Treasurer Michael Flight.

The seat of another incumbent, Michael Hagins, who won election to a twoyear term in 2019, is also up for election.

Hagins was appointed to the position in 2017, after only two candidates ran that year for three open seats.

The Landmark, December 16, 2020

13

RBHS

LT resumes hybrid learning from page 1 Dominick, the mother of a freshman. “I believe they should be in school right now.”

Dominick told the school board that students are suffering from social isolation, which is impacting their mental health.

“These kids are isolated, they are alone and they are sad, and we are teetering on a depression pandemic,” Dominick said. “The return to in-person learning is crucial.”

Dominick and others who spoke in favor of resuming in-person learning said they believe attending school is safe.

Cathy Daun, the mother of two students, said other schools have been open for inperson student attendance since RBHS has switched to full remote on Nov. 13 after only three weeks of a one-day-a-week hybrid option during the first semester.

“We need our teachers to get back on campus and teach children how they were taught pre-COVID,” Daun said. “Millions of students and tens of thousands of teachers are safely back in schools in the country already. Why should our district be expected to behave differently?”

Lyons Township High School also switched to remote learning on Nov. 13, but it resumed its twice-a-week hybrid schedule on Dec. 7.

Only 42 percent of LTHS students chose to attend class in person during the week of Dec. 7, said Jennifer Bialobok, the community relations coordinator for LTHS.

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Ready for Snow Season? We Are! ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

NEW NORMAL: Students wear masks while walking the halls during a passing period at Riverside Brookfield High School on the first day of in-person instruction in October.

“I would anticipate that participation in inperson learning will go up again after the winter break,” Bialobok said.

Julie Stack, the mother of an RBHS student, works as a paraprofessional at Brook Park Elementary School in La Grange Park and said the hybrid plan there has worked well, with most students attending school in person for half days, five days a week.

“The hybrid model can be successful,” Stack said. “And for many remote students, they returned in October to be in hybrid at Brook Park. We all feel safe, we feel supported, we’re wearing masks. … We’re doing what we need to do to be in school because it makes us

D208 schoolboard president apologizes for ‘intimidating’ remarks

citizens that we encourage to Riverside-Brookfield District participate. It was never my 208 Board of Education Presiintention to intimidate or disdent Wes Smithing apologized courage participation. For this, last week for aggressively I apologize. Lesson’s learned. questioning music teacher and This is the time and venue for band director James Baum at a transparent government, in the Nov. 10 school board meetthis case the business of the ing. school district.”

After Baum made a stateIn a public comment to the ment during the public comschool board, junior Claire Harment portion of the meeting WES SMITHING rison, a member of the RBHS praising the work of the fine band, criticized the board and arts community at the school, Smithing and fellow board members Lau- some members of the community for the ra Hruska and Ramona Towner peppered way they have been talking about teachers.

“The treatment of the teachers by the Baum with questions about returning to board and the overall community is, in in-person instruction.

Normally board members do not re- my opinion, unacceptable,” Harrison said. spond to people making public comment at “Teachers absolutely deserve a learning curve this year. No one in history has a school board meeting.

At the Dec. 8 school board meeting, taught or learned liked this, so expecting Smithing inserted an apology into his rou- perfection and efficiency immediately is tine reading of the standard guidelines for unfair to everyone involved. public comment.

“Every single one of my teachers is do“I want to stop for a second and say that ing everything in their power to make I have personally engaged citizens in the these difficult times easier and I, a successpast at this juncture,” said Smithing. “In ful student in the remote setting, am a reretrospect, I believe that may have created flection of their efforts.” an environment that intimidated the very Bob Skolnik

happy, it gives us purpose. I see it every day. It brings me joy.”

Daun criticized the school board for not insisting on more in-person instruction.

“The only people truly letting us down are you guys,” Daun told the school board.

“You’ve been bullied by the teachers union and it’s time for you, our elected officials, to stand up and advocate for our children to get them back on campus full time.”

Not everyone who spoke at the school board favored a return to in-person learning in the midst of a raging pandemic. During the first week of December, 10 RBHS students tested positive for COVID-19 and another 12 students were told to quarantine. One staff member also tested positive for COVID-19.

RBHS junior Claire Harrison said she has done well with remote learning and doesn’t feel it is safe to return to school yet.

“The coronavirus is very much real and is not going away,” Harrison told the school board. “In Illinois, deaths and new cases are at an all-time high. As much as I would love to attend normal school, there is nothing normal about getting a ‘Hunger Games’ style list of how many new people have COVID nearly every night. I understand that we are living in unprecedented times. However, my life is not something I am willing to gamble to reach milestones in in-person instruction.”

District 208 Superintendent Kevin Skinkis and Freytas said they are working with teachers to make instruction during the second semester more interactive and traditional than it was during the three weeks this fall when RBHS students could attend class in person once a week.

Many students complained then that it was not worth it to go to school to just be on Zoom.

Few students attended classes in person.

“The goal is to increase student and teacher interaction second semester,” Skinkis said.

Freytas admitted that trying to teach to students in a classroom and at home at the same time has been challenging for teachers.

“This is new for everybody,” Freytas said.

“We’re only going to get better at this, so I just ask that you continue to give us time and patience to prepare and execute.”

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The Landmark, December 16, 2020

THE LANDMARK VIEW

Nine shopping days

W

e are a week-plus away from Christmas.

Time enough to make a plan to ease up on those Amazon delivery drivers and put some local into these weird 2020 holidays.

Shops across Brookfield, Riverside and North Riverside are open for your business. They need your business. We need these small retailers (and many of those big ones in North Riverside, too) to survive until spring. And it is pretty much in your hands because, as we have all learned, Christmas sales are critical to independent small businesses.

Throughout the months we’ve reported on businesses hit hard by the pandemic – the restaurants and bars, niche businesses like Higgins Glass, Aunt Diana’s and Quincy Street Distillery and Riverside Arts Center in Riverside and Galloping Ghost, Brennan Massage and Spa in Brookfield and local florists, where canceled events and prolonged closures earlier this year depressed foot traffic and walk-in sales.

The doors of the local retail and service businesses are open for walk-in business, but if you’re still queasy about in-person shopping, they all offer online sales.

In Brookfield, as we reported last week, one family has even a compiled a handy online gift guide with links to the websites of local businesses. You can find it at sites. google.com/view/holiday-gift-guide-brookfield.

During the next nine days, let’s show them some love.

Time to remember the genuine warmth of shopping in a store where the proprietors are present and they actually love what they sell.

The easiest thing would be to fire up the laptop and order more stuff from national retailers and digital-only vendors who have figured out a lot of logistics to survive the pandemic.

But, the best thing to do, though, is to head to East Burlington Street and East Quincy Street, to Harlem Avenue and Cermak Road, to Grand Boulevard, Ogden Avenue and Broadway Avenue and invest in the shopkeepers who make these villages special places to live.

They need us now.

Hope, tempered

In Illinois, Dec. 15 was a big day in the battle against COVID-19. The first doses of vaccine were administered just a couple miles away to healthcare workers at Loretto Hospital in Austin, and more doses of the vaccine will be on the way in the coming weeks and months.

There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel stretches for some distance before us. Two more people in Brookfield died from COVID-19 in recent days – four of the village’s eight deaths have come since Thanksgiving Day – a clear warning that we’re not out of the woods yet.

While we seem to be flattening the latest surge, we have another holiday ahead, one we must be sure to celebrate responsibly to avoid a repeat of October and November.

We can do this.

Opinion KOSEY CORNER

Riverside postmaster bids farewell after 41 years with USPS

H

is file contains commendations and thanks for his years of service, and when Dan Litton departs the Riverside Post Office at the end of December 2020, there will be more of them to add to his personnel file.

Litton is retiring after 41 years with the U.S. Postal Service. Throughout his career, Litton has worked in every department -from letter carrier to the guy who took out the garbage. When a position opened in Riverside, he was trained by Mel Jirik, who he laughingly referred to as his “Postal Daddy.”

Through the years, he’s seen thousands of packages and letters routed through the post office and feels he is a part of a huge operation that makes it easy for people to keep in contact.

He has led children’s groups on tours of the Riverside Post Office, explaining how packages are sent and even how the Riverside Post Office once was in jeopardy of being closed, and how the late Dr. Bob Novak campaigned to have it to stay open.

While you might not think of a post office as a retail operation, there’s plenty to purchase, and Litton is very proud of his “salesmanship,” having sold the many

items that are available for sale there. This year, our little post office was No. 1 in sales across the nation for post offices of its size.

Litton enjoys Riverside and says, “I am thankful I was hired by the Postal Service and have enjoyed the people I have worked with. I appreciate the kindness and conversations with the customers and have developed friendships with many.”

Going over his file, I was surprised to find a congratulatory letter for helping apprehend members of a bad check writing ring (Super Dan, the Postal Man). Another letter refers to him as “Bulk Mailer Dan” for assisting with bulk mailing from RiversideBrookfield High School. His volunteer spirit is also evident through his participation with campaigns such as Operation Stars and Stripes, which delivered care packages to troops overseas.

There won’t be any party for Dan, but stop in to wish him the best and maybe do some last-minute shopping.

Yes, Dan Litton will be missed by his customers and friends, and we hope he will come back to Riverside to visit or maybe mail a letter or package. Thanks for everything you have done, Dan, the Post Office Man.

JOANNE KOSEY

OBITUARIES

Joan M. Dvorak, 88 Retired secretary Joan M. Dvorak, 88, of Riverside, died Dec. 8, 2020.

Ms. Dvorak was retired from her career as a secretary at Loyola University Medical Center. She enjoyed spending time with her family and traveling, especially to their home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

She was the wife of the late Donald; the mother of Dan, Ken JOAN M. DVORAK (Carolyn), Jeanne (Charlie) VandenBosch, Nancy (Joel) Seiboldt, Mary Ellen, Don (Mary Beth) and Chris (Maureen) Dvorak; the grandmother of David, Danny, Steve (Andrea), Scott, Kristine, Allie, Megan (Mark), Matt (Caitlin), Chris, Grace, John, Katie, Luke, Ellie, Thomas, Lauren and Abby; the great grandmother of Bryce, Jace and Leo; and the sister of Graham (Kate) McNamee and the late George, late Don, late Roger McNamee and late

Kathleen (late Ralph) Russell.

A funeral Mass was held at St. Mary Church, Riverside. Interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.

Mary N. Anderson, 97 North Riverside homemaker Mary N. Anderson, 97, of North Riverside and formerly Cicero, died Dec.12, 2020. She was a homemaker.

Ms. Anderson was the wife of the late Robert R.; the mother of Robert (Gayle); the grandmother of Amy Dombrowski and Sean (Stephanie) Anderson; the great grandmother of Amanda, Robert, Jennifer and Marian; the great-great grandmother of Oliver Jeffrey and the late Zaid; and the sister and aunt of many.

Services have been held. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.

The Landmark, December 16, 2020

COVID19

15

zation and CDC recommendation of the vaccine.”

The two-dose vaccine had an effectiveness rate of 95 percent among a study of 30,000 volunteers.

“Typically, local side effects were mild for redness in the arm,” he said. “Other side effects that were more systemic involved fatigue and headache, and those are most common in the younger subset of the population that was vaccinated, and they were a little bit stronger upon receiving the second dose.”

Olson said not all would have those side effects, which constitute an immune response to the vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine – unlike the seasonal flu shot – does not contain the virus or viral material. Rather, it is an mRNA, or messenger RNA vaccine, which creates a piece

of genetic code that instructs the cells to create proteins which trigger an immune response.

The immune response produces antibodies that work to prevent infection, according to the CDC. Per the CDC, the mRNA “never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept,” and the body breaks down mRNA soon after the material triggers the necessary immune reaction.

“Long-term side effects are unknown at this point in time, given the length of time that is available to study the vaccine,” Olson said. “The report was very careful to state that we have watched this for two months post-second vaccination and so the data at this point in time reflects what is currently known.”

Olson said the vaccine development was expedited because research has long been underway for mRNA vaccines in flu studies and other studies, which had yielded promising results.

“But then there became a large need and demand, an influx of money, they were able to use trial sites that were already existing,

and last but not least, there were volunteers and a pandemic going on,” he said.

The effectiveness of the vaccine could be judged because those in the study who were given a placebo came down with COVID-19 at a higher rate than those who were given the actual vaccine.

“So a question we often get is ‘will you get the vaccine?’” he said. “And as an advisory committee, or as a workgroup, we would say, ‘Yes we will.’ And we will get that when it’s our turn.”

He added recipients cannot be infected with COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine and cannot spread the virus because they have received the vaccine. It is not known if a vaccinated person can spread the virus if they are exposed to it in the community.

“This vaccine only provides a very small subset, or a small piece of one protein or just a part of the virus. And so as your body responds to it, there’s no way for a new virus to form, there’s no way for that to be passed on,” he said.

He said it is not yet clear how long the vaccine will be able to protect the recipient, as trials have only been ongoing for

two months post-second dose.

The state announced earlier Monday approximately 43,000 doses of the vaccine were delivered to the state’s Strategic National Stockpile. Chicago also received a direct shipment from the federal government, while health departments in Cook, Lake, Madison and St. Clair counties will receive shipments this week as well, according to the governor’s office.

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said the state will track each dose of the vaccine in an existing state immunization registry, which vaccine providers must update in a timely manner.

The system will allow the state to target the vaccine to underserved communities, according to Ezike.

Another vaccine, manufactured by the drug company Moderna, has also been submitted for FDA Emergency Use Authorization, but Pritzker said it is unclear how many of those doses would be received once it is authorized. Pritzker said he was hopeful the Moderna vaccine could be approved by next week.

OBITUARIES

Alexandria Hand, 72

Dorothy L. Francis, 90

Longtime Buresh’s Lobster House waitress

You may express condolences online at HitzemanFuneral.com. If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o Alexandria Hand family.

All are encouraged to pay respects or share a fond memory, photo or video through the online guestbook at conboywestchesterfh.com.

Moderna approval pending from page 5

North Riverside homemaker Dorothy L. Francis (nee Kasper), 90, of North Riverside, died Dec. 10, 2020.

Born Nov. 17, 1930 in Chicago, Ms. Francis was a homemaker.

She enjoyed shopping, singing in the choir and having coffee with friends.

DOROTHY L. FRANCIS Ms. Francis was the wife of the late Keith A. Francis; the mother of the late Christine (late Brian) Patterson, Margery (Pete) Newell and Becky (Bob) Lelingis; the daughter of the late John and Mathilda (nee Kuhs) Kasper; the grandmother of David Newell, Michael Patterson and Adam (Kimber) Newell; great grandmother of Lauren and Dylan Newell; and the sister of Robert (Sandra) Kasper.

A funeral service was held Dec. 15 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillside, followed by interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorial donations to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2317 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, 60162 would be appreciated.

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

Online condolences may be offered at KuratkoNosek.com.

Alexandria Hand (nee James), 72, of Brookfield and formerly of LaGrange Park and Mukwonago, Wisconsin, died Dec. 5, 2020.

Ms. Hand was a longtime waitress at the Buresh’s Lobster House, a ALEXANDRIA HAND popular Brookfield restaurant, now demolished, at 31st Street and Prairie Avenue.

She was the wife of the late Gary Michael Hand; the mother of Michelle (Dean) Maggos and Denise (Ed) Hovorka; the grandmother of John (Meghan) Maggos, Michael Maggos and Alex Maggos; the sister of Tommy (Nancy) James, the late Molly (the late Tom) Curry, Elizabeth James, Wallace James and her halfbrothers, the late Walter James and William James; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at a later date, after larger gatherings can take place. Interment is private.

Memorials are appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.

Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Edward Vitous, 99

David A. Thurn, 73 North Riverside resident David A. Thurn, 73, of North Riverside, died peacefully on Dec. 2, 2020.

Mr. Thurn was born July 22, 1947.

He wanted everyone to know how grateful he was to have been fortunate in life, both with the people he DAVID A. THURN knew and the things he was able to do. He understood that in the current environment that it would not be safe to gather. He left the guidance to “do the best [we] can.”

He was the father of Emily (Steve Grujich) Thurn and Travis (Paula) Thurn; the grandfather of Isabelle, Margaret and Tristan; and the special friend of Sue Matulionis.

A virtual service is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated to one of the following organizations: Lyric Opera, University of Chicago, Catnap of the Heart or your local food bank.

Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, Westchester, handled arrangements.

Retired machinist Edward Vitous, 99, of Yorkville and formerly of North Riverside and Berwyn, died Dec. 12, 2020.

Mr. Vitous was born Sept. 8, 1921 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked as a machinEDWARD VITOUS ist for Ford Motor Company and Boyar-Shultz.

He was the husband of the late Shirley M. (nee Emms); the father of Diane (Ronald) Deuter; and the grandfather of Stephany.

Visitation is Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. until the time of a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Mater Christi Church in North Riverside. Interment is at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Stickney.

Memorial donations are appreciated to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, 60607.

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

Online condolences may be offered at KuratkoNosek.com.

Read it online at www.rblandmark.com

16

The Landmark, December 16, 2020

PEOPLE

Brookfield police officer earns leadership award

B

rookfield police Lt. James Mihalik, a 17-year veteran of the department, will receive the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Executive Leadership Award for his “commitment to delivering the best, most professional service to [his] agency and [his] community.”

According to announcement from the school, Mihalik will receive the award at a date to be determined in 2021.

JAMES MIHALIK Mihalik was nominated for the award

by Police Chief Edward Petrak this summer.

“He continues to strive for excellence in himself and expects nothing less from those that work beside him,” Petrak said in his recommendation letter.

Mihalik started with the department in 2003 and was appointed to the juvenile division. He was promoted to sergeant in 2008 and was responsible for Taser training and mentoring patrol officers. As a lieutenant, Mihalik initiated a change in scheduling software and developed new scheduling and payroll procedures.

Recently, Mihalik became an active shooter response instructor and has conducted training village-wide.

Brookfield author publishes autobiography In November, Brookfield resident Angelise Tomasino announced the release of her autobiography, “I Am Me: Inside the Mind of and Addict,” a 74-page paperback she hopes will be helpful to others facing similar struggles.

The book was published by Dorrance Publishing Co. and is available by visiting bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/i-amme-inside-the-mind-of-an-addict.

ANGELISE TOMASINO

Featured speaker Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel was one of three featured speakers during the presentation “Pandemic in the Prairies” hosted Dec. 3 by the National Sheriffs’ Association in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Weitzel’s talk was titled “No Boundaries Policing” and THOMAS WEITZEL focused on agreements inked during the COVID-19 pandemic in Riverside, Brookfield, North Riverside and McCook which allow officers from any of the communities to respond directly to incidents in any of the villages.

On campus

JOSH MUKITE

NATHAN VEGA

■ Three students from Brookfield were named the November 2020 Students of the Month at Lyons Township High School. The students were nominated by their teachers and selected by the various departments as the most MORGAN WIECZOREK exemplary students in each subject.

Among those honored last month were senior Josh Mukite in Algebra 2, junior Nathan Vega in U.S. History and junior Morgan Wieczorek in Advanced Culinary Studies.

■ Several local students were named to the honor rolls at Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park for the first quarter of the 202021 school year.

ALL DRESSED UP

PROVIDED

For the first time ever in 2020, the Brookfield Beautification Commission recognized a local resident for outstanding Halloween home decorating. In October, the commission delivered a certificate and a flower arrangement to Mark Infusio, who in recent years has pulled out all the stops decorating the exterior of his home in the 4400 block of Elm Avenue. This year, he added a boat scene with a literal skeleton crew. Infusio also lit the display at night to give it an extra spooky flair.

Named to the A Honor Roll (3.84.0 GPA) were Brookfield residents Greta Nelson, Sarah Newmann, Kevin Prosen and Jannelle Steger; North Riverside resident Gianina Montoro; and Riverside residents Alice Buchman, Ana Kanatas and Elizabeth Selover.

Named to the B Honor Roll (3.33-3.79 GPA) were Brookfield residents Andrew Buenrostro and Trea Notz and Riverside residents Nina Gatto, John O’Meara and Everardo Torres.

■ Brookfield resident Anna Pimentel-Saavedra, a senior at Lyons Township High School, earned an honorable mention award for her computer-generated artwork at the annual Chicago Area 4 X 5 Art Exhibit.

The regional exhibit featured student artwork from 62 schools with more than 2,000 pieces entered, all measuring 4-by-5 inches, in a variety of media. Just 154 works of art received awards.

Artwork by Anna Pimentel-Saavedra

The Landmark, December 16, 2020

MADIGAN

Opposition holding firm from page 1 19 House Democrats, 13 of whom are women, have declared that they want new leadership and will not vote for Madigan next year leaving the speaker at least six votes short of the 60 he needs.

But local state representatives are backing Madigan for now while keeping their options open and calling for unity in the House Democratic caucus.

State Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) was one of six state representatives, all considered Madigan allies, who sent a letter last week asking for unity to their 19 anti-Madigan colleagues.

Zalewski’s 23rd District includes Riverside north of the BNSF tracks and much of Brookfield.

Although the letter did not specifically endorse Madigan, it noted that many members of the House caucus do not agree with the 19 and painted a grim scenario implying that the House needs an experienced leader at the helm.

Zalewski told the Landmark last week that while he is committed to voting for Madigan for now, he is also keeping an open mind as the process plays out.

“I have privately told the speaker that if he’s a candidate for re-election I plan to support him, but as I write in the letter, I’m very cognizant of the fact that very many of my colleagues have indicated that they’re not ready

MICHAEL MADIGAN

MICHAEL ZALEWSKI

to support him,” Zalewski said. “The future of the caucus is very important to me, regardless of who the speaker is. There’s no predisposition here and we’re going to work through what we can do to fix this. I’ll abide by whatever the caucus decides, I’ll put it that way.”

Two days after receiving the letter from Zalewski and the five other Madigan allies, the 19 issued a response, stating that they are holding firm in their opposition to Madigan.

“While we may have come to this place in different ways and for different reasons, we are unified in our belief that our caucus needs new leadership and that we will be voting for a new speaker in the 102nd General Assembly,” said the letter signed by all 19 Democratic opponents of Madigan.

Opposition to Madigan has snowballed since Commonwealth Edison entered into a deferred prosecution agreement last summer, admitting that the company engaged in a near decade-long scheme to influence Madigan by giving contracts and jobs, often requiring little or no work, to associates and allies of Madigan.

One of those contracts, according to court

PEOPLE

filings, went to Zalewski’s father, also named Michael Zalewski, who allegedly was awarded a $5,000 a month lobbying contract through an intermediary after the elder Zalewski resigned as Chicago’s 23rd Ward alderman, LASHAWN FORD allowing a Madigan ally to be appointed to the post. The Zalewskis and Madigan have been longtime allies.

Many Democrats believe that Madigan, who also serves as the chairman of Illinois Democratic Party, has become a political liability, pointing to the defeat of the constitutional amendment that would have allowed Illinois to enact a graduated state income tax and other disappointing results in the November election for Democrats.

The only House Democrat other than Madigan who has announced a run for speaker is three-term incumbent Stephanie Kifowit (DAurora), but few observers think that Kifowit has a realistic shot at becoming speaker.

“I just don’t think she has the institutional knowledge nor the relationships in Springfield to help get things done,” said state Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) whose 8th District includes all of North Riverside and a fraction of northwest Brookfield.

Last week the House Black Caucus endorsed Madigan for another term as speaker.

“The choice between the two is clear and that’s where I stand. That’s where all the other members who are not part of the 19 stand at this point,” said Ford, a member of the Black Caucus.

Ford says the state faces daunting challenges and this might not be the right time for a new speaker, noting that Madigan has a record of getting things done and has strong relationships with powerful interest groups such as labor unions.

“There’s no doubt his days are numbered, but we’re in a pandemic right now,” Ford said. “We’ve got a pandemic going on, we’ve got a budget crisis, we have remapping going on in the state.”

Still, said Ford, there are other House Democrats who have the ability to be speaker.

“There are multiple people in the House

right now who can do it,” Ford said. “Mike Madigan is not the only one that has the ability to convene the House of Representatives and help get an agenda through the House.”

But no strong challenger to Madigan has emerged, and Ford predicted that some of the 19 Madigan opponents would rethink their positions if there’s a stalemate.

“I predict that some of the 19 will flip if there are no other people stepping up to run for speaker that’s viable,” Ford said. “They won’t be happy about it, but as I’ve long I’ve been in session I’ve voted for things that I’ve had to hold my nose for many times, and that could very well happen with this.”

Two other legislators who represent the Landmark coverage area in the Illinois House, Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero) and Edgar Gonzalez (D-Chicago) are neither part of the anti-Madigan 19 nor signatories to the unity letter.

Hernandez’s 24th District includes a narrow corridor through Riverside along the BNSF tracks, Hollywood and central Brookfield. Gonzalez’s 21st District includes Riverside south of the BNSF tracks.

Attempts to obtain comment from both Hernandez and Gonzalez prior to the Landmarks’ print deadline were unsuccessful.

Zalewski says he is hoping for unity as the process plays out. He said he hopes House Democrats can come to consensus about who should be speaker before the new General Assembly convenes on Jan. 13.

“We just have to get together and talk and start a dialogue and the sooner we do that the better it is for the state,” said Zalewski, noting that the entire House Democratic caucus has not met since May. “I think there is a lot of inherent danger in not having this resolved by the time we return to Springfield [on] Jan 13.”

Zalewski said there is no chance he will be elected speaker as a compromise choice.

“I will not be speaker,” Zalewski said. “The Democratic caucus is not going to put in another guy named Mike from the Southwest Side.”

Ford said that even if the 78-year-old Madigan wins another term as speaker, he hopes Madigan will realize that his days are numbered.

“It’s my hope that Mike Madigan is able to see the tea leaves and make this his hurrah,” Ford said.

Z00

zoo’s Dec. 9 announcement said. “However, like so many other employers across the nation who depend on customers, these difficult decisions were necessary. We continue to assure the continued care and welfare of the animals in our care, as well as the safety of our guests, staff, volunteers, and members.”

The extended closure resulting from the 2020 pandemic has wreaked havoc on Brookfield Zoo’s bottom line. As of Dec. 10, just 720,000 people had walked through the gates, according to zoo spokeswoman Sondra Katzen.

As a result, Brookfield Zoo will end 2020 with less than half the number of visitors it normally sees in any given year.

In 2019, Brookfield Zoo drew 1,999,144 visitors.

from page 7

GOT IT COVERED

PROVIDED

In November, Zeigler Ford of North Riverside distributed about 9,000 facemasks – about 2,200 each – to the following agencies: the North Riverside Fire Department (above), the Cicero Police Department, the Berwyn Fire Department, the Berwyn Police Department and the city of Blue Island.

17

or furloughed about one-third of its employees and then in June laid off 50 more employees.

Some, but not all of those employees returned to work when the zoo reopened its doors as the governor eased restrictions during the summer. But in September, SSA announced it would be letting go more than 200 of its employees in a mass-layoff notice submitted to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

“We value the commitment and hard work of every one of our talented employees,” the

18

The Landmark, December 16, 2020 New local ads this week

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PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY Request of Simone Michele Bartlett Paul Case Number 20206007305 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Simone Michele Bartlett Paul to the new name of: Simone Michele Bartlett.

The court date will be held: On January 11, 2021 at 9:00 AM at 16501 S. Kedzie Parkway, Markham, Cook Count, Illinois] in Courtroom # 207 Published in Wednesday Journal 12/9, 12/16, 12/23/2020

Attention! Homeimprovement pros!

Reach the people making the decisions.

Place an ad in Wednesday Classifieds!

Call 708/613-3342

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING DATE: January 6, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 16-20-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Wellie Partners, LLC, seeking variances from the following sections of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance relative to an increase in density, a reduction of the required side setback and a reduction of a required rear yard setback, to permit a three-story addition with parking on the ground floor and two levels of residential above consisting of two residential units at the premises commonly known as 420 N. Marion Street, Oak Park, IL, Property Index Number 16-07102-031-0000 in the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District: 1. Section 5.3 (Table 5-1: Commercial District Dimensional Standards) allows one dwelling unit for each 1500 square feet of land. The subject property is 8,125 square feet and thus 8,125/1500 yields 5 dwellings units. In this case, the proposed number of dwelling units is six (6) rather than five (5) units. The property currently has a total of four (4) dwelling units; 2. Section 5.3 (Table 5-1: Commercial District Dimensional Standards) requires a five (5’) foot interior setback for multiple-family buildings. In this case, the interior lot line at issue is the north lot line. The proposed setback is 0 feet, a reduction of 5 feet from the above requirement.

3. Section 5.3 (Table 5-1: Commercial District Dimensional Standards) requires a 15-foot setback from the rear lot line when then is no alley. In this case, the rear lot line is the east lot line. The proposed setback is 5 feet, a reduction of 10 feet from the above requirement.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., by contacting the Zoning Administrator at Zoning@oak-park.us.

The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video.

The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oakpark.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 6, 2021. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone.

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 16, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive electronicallysubmitted bids for overhead door maintenance and repair services until 9:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 for the following: Village of Oak Park Overhead Door Maintenance and Repair Services Proposal Number: 21-100 Bid forms may be obtained by

calling 708-358-5700 or by e-mailing vics@oak-park.us between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

M-F. Proposals must be e-mailed to vics@oak-park.us . 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 16, 2020

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PB

The Landmark, December 16, 2020

CLASSIFIED

19

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@RBLANDMARK.COM

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Public Notice: Your right to know

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

The Landmark, December 16, 2020

RBLANDMARK.COM

Notice is hereby given that on the 5th day of January, 2021 at 6:00 pm, Petitioner, Village Trustee Sam Savopoulos, will appear before the Village of Stickney Planning and Zoning Board requesting the following relief: (a) a text amendment to Section 6 of Appendix A-Zoning of the Village of Stickney Municipal Code to create the “B-2 Harlem Avenue and Cicero Avenue Business District” and to create Section 9 titled “B-2 Harlem Avenue and Cicero Avenue Business District” and to define and determine the uses permitted, prohibited or allowed by special use therein; and (b) to amend the Village of Stickney Zoning Map to reflect the new B-2 zoning district. Legal descriptions for the affected properties are detailed below. These requests will be heard at a public hearing held at the Village of Stickney, Village Court Room, located at 6533 W. Pershing Road, Stickney, IL 60804. A copy of the application and exhibits to the application will be available on the Village’s website at least forty-eight (48) hours before the hearing. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing will also be broadcast via Zoom. The information for the Zoom Hearing is as follows: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/89190057609?pwd=S0gyUDdwd1BhcTlsY3U1bzhPbk1Edz09 Meeting ID: 891 9005 7609 Passcode: 185539 All persons in attendance (in-person or virtually) at the foregoing hearing shall have an opportunity to give testimony, be heard and ask questions about the above requests. Further information regarding the applications are available through the Zoning Administrator, Josh Brniak (708-749-4490), whose office is located at Village of Stickney Village Hall located at 6533 West Pershing Road, Stickney, Illinois 60402.

LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS HARLEM AVENUE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONING DISTRICT ARE LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: PARTS OF SECTION 6 IN TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN INCLUDING: LOTS 1 THROUGH 12 AND LOTS 14 THROUGH 18 IN BLOCK GROUP 6 OF WALTER G. MCINTOSH & CO.’S FOREST VIEW GARDENS, A SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23. AND 28 IN CIRCUIT COURT PARTITION OF PART OF SECTIONS 31, & 32-3913, A PART OF SEC. 6-38-13, AND PART OF SEC. 1-38-12 AND PART OF THE N.E. ¼ OF SEC. 12-38-12; LOTS 1 THROUGH 3 OF SMUDA’S RESUBDIVISION OF LOTS 19 AND 20 IN SAID WALTER G. MCINTOSH & CO.’S FOREST VIEW GARDENS SUBDIVISION; LOTS 1 AND 2 OF MAPLE ES-

PUBLIC NOTICES TATES RESUBDIVISION OF LOT 13 IN SAID WALTER G. MCINTOSH & CO.’S FOREST VIEW GARDENS SUBDIVISION; LOTS 1 THROUGH 32 IN PREROST EDGEWOOD HOMES SECOND ADDITION A SUBDIVISION OF BLOCK 29 (EXCEPT EAST 375 FT.) IN SAID CIRCUIT COURT PARTITION SECTION 6-38-13; LOTS 1 THROUGH 40 IN BLOCK 4 OF GOSS, JUDD, & SHERMAN’S FIRST ADDITION TO FOREST MANOR, A SUBDIVISION OF BLOCKS 30 AND 31 IN SAID CIRCUIT COURT PARTITION; LOTS 1 THROUGH 40 IN BLOCK 4 OF GOSS, JUDD, & SHERMAN’S FOREST MANOR, A SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 32 AND 33 IN SAID CIRCUIT COURT PARTITION; LOTS 17 THROUGH 26 IN BLOCK 3 OF NEW BOHEMIA HOME ADDITION, A SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 34 AND 35 OF SAID CIRCUIT COURT PARTITION; LOTS 17 THROUGH 26 IN BLOCK 2 OF NEW BOHEMIA HOME ADDITION, A SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 34 AND 35 OF SAID CIRCUIT COURT PARTITION; ALL THAT PART OF THE WEST ½ OF BLOCK 37, AND THE WEST ½ OF THE EAST ½ OF BLOCK 37 (INCLUDING ALL SUBDIVIDED LANDS) IN CIRCUIT COURT PARTITION OF PART OF SECTIONS 31, & 32-39-13, A PART OF SEC. 6-38-13, AND PART OF SEC. 1-3812 AND PART OF THE N.E. ¼ OF SEC. 12-38-12, EXCEPT FOR LOT 1 IN PREROST & SVATEK SUBDIVISION OF THE NORTH 150 FEET OF THE SOUTH 183 FEET OF PART OF THE WEST ½ OF THE EAST ½ OF BLOCK 37 IN SAID CIRCUIT COURT PARTITION; AND ALSO FOR PARTS OF PERSHING ROAD, HARLEM AVENUE AND 40TH STREET LOCATED IN BLOCK 37 THAT ARE IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT AND BORDER THE DESCRIBED PORTIONS OF BLOCK 37.

ALL IN THE VILLAGE OF STICKNEY, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. CICERO AVENUE/ PERSHING ROAD PARCEL 1: 3501 SOUTH LARAMIE AVENUE, STICKNEY, IL 60402 16-33-400-005-0000 THAT PORTION OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 33, WHICH IS 1174.48 FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SECTION AND RUNNING THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER A DISTANCE OF 38.70 FEET TO A POINT 1213.18 FEET NORTH OF SAID SOUTHEAST CORNER; THENCE WEST PERPENDICULAR TO

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

SAID EAST LINE OF SOUTHEAST QUARTER A DISTANCE OF 40 FEET; THENCE SOUTHWESTERLY ON A LINE WITH AN ANGLE OF 164 DEGREES 24 MINUTES, MEASURED FROM EAST TO SOUTHWEST FROM LAST DESCRIBED LINE, A DISTANCE OF 259.98 FEET TO A POINT WHICH IS 290.41 FEET (MEASURED PERPENDICULAR) WEST OF SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER AND THENCE EASTERLY A DISTANCE OF 292.08 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; EXCEPTING FROM THE ABOVE DESCRIBED LAND THE EAST 50 FEET THEREOF FALLING IN CICERO AVENUE, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

SAID TRACT SO CONVEYED; THENCE NORTHEASTWARDLY ALONG THE NORTHWESTERLY LINE OF SAID TRACT, SO CONVEYED, A DISTANCE OF 374.46 FEET TO AN ANGLE IN SAID NORTHERLY LINE WHICH IS 290.41 FEET (MEASURED PERPENDICULARLY) WEST OF SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4; THENCE EASTWARDLY ALONG SAID NORTHERLY LINE AND ITS EASTWARD EXTENSION OF SAID TRACT SO CONVEYED A DISTANCE OF 292.08 FEET TO A POINT ON SAID EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST CORNER THAT IS 1,174.48 FEET NORTH OF SAID SOUTHEAST CORNER THEREOF; AND THENCE SOUTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE A DISTANCE OF 30.17 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, EXCEPTING FROM SAID PARCEL THAT PART THEREOF WHICH LIES WITHIN THE EAST 50 FEET (TAKEN FOR STREET SOUTH CICERO AVENUE) OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

OF 140.41 FEET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH A LINE 150 FEET WEST FROM AND PARALLEL WITH SAID EAST LINE OF SOUTHEAST QUARTER; THENCE SOUTH, PARALLEL WITH SAID EAST LINE, A DISTANCE OF 100 FEET; THENCE EAST PERPENDICULAR TO THE LAST ABOVE DESCRIBED COURSE, A DISTANCE OF 150 FEET TO A POINT ON SAID EAST LINE OF SOUTHEAST QUARTER THAT IS 752.11 FEET NORTH FROM SAID SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SOUTHEAST QUARTER; AND THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF SOUTHEAST QUARTER A DISTANCE OF 392.20 FEET OF THE POINT OF BEGINNING EXCEPTING FROM THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PROPERTY THE EAST 50 FEET THEREOF TAKEN FOR SOUTH CICERO AVENUE, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

PARCEL 3: 3740 SOUTH CICERO AVENUE, STICKNEY, IL 60402

ALL OF THAT PART OF THE EAST 650 FEET OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

PARCEL 2: 3740 SOUTH CICERO AVENUE, STICKNEY, IL 60402 16-33-400-011 A PARCEL OF LAND IN THE EAST 650 FEET OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, SAID PARCEL BEING A PART OF THE TRACT OF LAND CONVEYED

BY JOHN J. BURKE AND OTHERS, TO CARTAGE SERVICE, INCORPORATED, BY WARRANTY DEED RECORDED IN THE RECORDER’S OFFICE OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS ON SEPTEMBER 21, 1950 AS DOCUMENT 14907917 AND WHICH PARCEL IS PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE POINT OF INTERSECTION OF A LINE 30 FEET (MEASURED PERPENDICULARLY) SOUTHERLY FROM A PARALLEL TO THE NORTHERLY LINE AND ITS EASTWARD EXTENSION OF SAID TRACT OF LAND SO CONVEYED WITH THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4; WHICH INTERSECTION IS 1,144.31 FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4; THENCE WESTWARDLY ALONG THE ABOVE MENTIONED PARALLEL LINE A DISTANCE OF 292.08 FEET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH A LINE 290.41 FEET (MEASURED PERPENDICULARLY) WEST OF AND PARALLEL TO SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼; THENCE SOUTH ALONG THE LAST ABOVE MENTIONED PARALLEL LINE A DISTANCE OF 260.99 FEET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED TRACT OF LAND CONVEYED BY DOCUMENT 14907917 WHICH SOUTH LINE IS A LINE EXTENDING WEST PERPENDICULAR TO SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 FROM A POINT THEREON THAT IS 852.1 FEET NORTH OF SAID SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 ; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE OF SAID TRACT, SO CONVEYED, A DISTANCE OF 359.59 FEET TO THE WEST LINE OF SAID EAST 650 FEET OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4; THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF EAST 650 FEET A DISTANCE OF 186.69 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF

PUBLIC NOTICE

16-33-400-012 A PARCEL OF LAND IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE POINT OF INTERSECTION OF THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER WITH A LINE 30 FEET (MEASURED PERPENDICULARLY) SOUTHERLY FROM AND PARALLEL WITH THE NORTHERLY LINE, AND ITS EASTWARD EXTENSION, OF THE TRACT OF LAND CONVEYED BY JOHN J. BURKE ET AL, TO CARTAGE SERVICE, INCORPORATED,

BY WARRANTY DEED RECORDED IN THE RECORDER’S OFFICE OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS ON SEPTEMBER 21, 1950 AS DOCUMENT 14907917, WHICH POINT IS 1,144.31 FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER, AND RUNNING; THENCE WESTWARDLY ALONG THE ABOVE MENTIONED PARALLEL LINE A DISTANCE OF 292.08 FEET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH A LINE A DISTANCE OF 290.41 FEET (MEASURED PERPENDICULARLY) WEST FROM AND PARALLEL WITH SAID EAST LINE OF SOUTHEAST QUARTER, THENCE SOUTH ALONG THE LAST ABOVE MENTIONED PARALLEL LINE A DISTANCE OF 260.99 FEET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED TRACT OF LAND CONVEYED BY DOCUMENT NO. 14907917; THENCE EAST ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE, BEING A LINE EXTENDING WEST, PERPENDICULAR TO SAID EAST LINE OF SOUTHEAST QUARTER FROM A POINT THEREON THAT IS 852.11 FEET NORTH OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER, A DISTANCE Published in Landmark December 16, 2020

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PUBLIC NOTICES

PARCEL 4: 3756 SOUTH CICERO AVENUE, STICKNEY, IL 60402 16-33-400-007-0000

BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 33 WHICH IS 752.11 FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SECTION AND RUNNING THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 A DISTANCE OF 100 FEET; THENCE WEST PERPENDICULAR TO SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 A DISTANCE OF 650 FEET; THENCE SOUTH PARALLEL TO SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 A DISTANCE OF 100 FEET; THENCE EAST A DISTANCE OF 650 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING (EXCEPTING FROM ABOVE DESCRIBED PROPERTY THE EAST 150 FEET THEREOF), IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PARCEL 5: 3756 SOUTH CICERO AVENUE, STICKNEY, IL 60402 16-33-400-008-0000 ALL OF THAT PART OF THE EAST 650 FEET OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 33 WHICH IS 552.11 FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SECTION AND RUNNING THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 A DISTANCE OF 200 FEET ; THENCE WEST PERPENDICULAR TO SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 A DISTANCE OF 650 FEET; THENCE SOUTH PARALLEL TO SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 A DISTANCE OF 200 FEET; THENCE EAST, A DISTANCE

PUBLIC NOTICES OF 650 FEET, TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, (EXCEPTING FROM THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PROPERTY THE EAST 50 FEET TAKEN FOR CICERO AVENUE) IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PARCEL 6A: 4950 WEST 39TH STREET, STICKNEY, IL 60402 16-33-400-037 THAT PART OF THE WEST 130 FEET OF THE EAST 780.0 FEET OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, WHICH LIES NORTH OF A LINE DRAWN AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 AT A POINT WHICH IS 552.11 FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 33 AND SOUTH OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED LINE: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 33 WHICH IS 1,213.18 FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER THEREOF; THENCE WEST A RIGHT ANGLES TO THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 33, A DISTANCE OF 40 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE SOUTHWESTERLY ON A LINE WITH AN ANGLE OF 164 DEGREES 24 MINUTES 00 SECONDS MEASURED FROM EAST TO SOUTHWEST FROM LAST DESCRIBED LINE, A DISTANCE OF 259.98 FEET; THENCE SOUTHWESTERLY ON A LINE WITH A DEFLECTION OF 00 DEGREES 36 MINUTES TO THE LEFT FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED LINE TO THE POINT OF INTERSECTION OF SAID LAST DESCRIBED LINE WITH THE WEST LINE OF SAID EAST 780.0 FEET OF SAID SOUTHEAST ¼ OF SAID SECTION 33, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PARCEL 6B: 4950 WEST 39TH STREET, STICKNEY, IL 60402 16-33-400-037 THAT PART OF THE WEST 397 FEET OF THE EAST 780 FEET OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, WHICH LIES SOUTH OF A LINE DRAWN AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 AT A POINT WHICH IS 552.11 FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 33, EXCEPT THE SOUTH 34 FEET TAKEN FOR PERSHING ROAD, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PARCEL 7: 3800 SOUTH CICERO AVENUE, STICKNEY, IL 60402 16-33-400-038-0000 THAT PART OF THE EAST 383 FEET OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE

PUBLIC NOTICES THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, WHICH LIES SOUTH OF A LINE DRAWN AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE EAST LINE OF AFORESAID SOUTHEAST 1/4THROUGH A POINT IN SAID EAST LINE WHICH IS 552.11 FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER THEREOF AFORESAID SOUTHEAST 1/4.

EXCEPT THE EAST 50 FEET THEREOF TAKEN FOR CICERO AVENUE AND THE SOUTH 34 FEET THEREOF TAKEN FOR PERSHING ROAD, AND ALSO EXCEPTING THAT PART DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS COMMENCING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE WEST LINE OF AFORESAID CICERO AVENUE AND THE NORTH LINE OF AFORESAID PERSHING ROAD, THENCE NORTH IN THE WEST LINE OF AFORESAID CICERO AVENUE, A DISTANCE OF 50 FEET TO A POINT, THENCE SOUTHWEST IN A LINE TO A POINT IN THE NORTH LINE OF AFORESAID PERSHING ROAD THAT IS 50 FEET WEST OF THE POINT OF BEGINNING, THENCE EAST IN THE NORTH LINE OF AFORESAID PERSHING ROAD THAT IS 50 FEET TO POINT OF BEGINNING, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ALSO EXCEPTING THAT PART TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS IN CASE 87L50570 DESCRIBED AS COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 33 TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN THENCE ON AN ASSUMED BEARING OF SOUTH 89 DEGREES, 49 MINUTES 53 SECONDS WEST ON SOUTH LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 A DISTANCE OF 50.00 FEET TO THE SOUTHERLY PROLONGATION OF THE WEST LINE OF CICERO AVENUE; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS EAST ON LAST DESCRIBED LINE 84.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 44 DEGREES 54 MINUTES 57 SECONDS WEST ON A LINE WHICH INTERSECTS THE NORTH LINE OF THE SOUTH 34.00 FEET OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 AT A POINT DISTANT 50.00 WEST OF THE WEST LINE OF SAID CICERO AVENUE, A DISTANCE OF 39.66 FEET TO A LINE 28,00 FEET WEST OF AND PARALLEL WITH THE WEST LINE OF SAID CICERO AVENUE, THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS EAST ON THE LAST DESCRIBED LINE 101.08 FEET; THENCE NORTH 06 DEGREES 08 MINUTES 48 SECONDS EAST 261.50 FEET TO A POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF CICERO AVENUE SAID POINT BEING 417.00 FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST ON THE WEST LINE OF SAID CICERO AVENUE 333.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. ALL IN THE VILLAGE OF STICKNEY, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

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The Landmark, December 16, 2020

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815 N May St, #3, Chicago $599,000

4441 Wolf Rd, #401, Western Springs $699,000

195 Lawton Rd, Riverside $515,000

112.5 Lincoln Ave, 2H, Riverside $109,900

444 Washington Blvd, #204, Oak Park $195,000

3608 Wenonah Ave, Berwyn $289,900

112 Burlington St, Riverside $339,500

2034 73rd Ct, Elmwood Park $374,900

56 N Cowley Rd, Riverside $385,000

7240 Ogden Ave, Riverside $485,000

192 Waubansee Rd, Riverside $539,000

293 Gage Rd, Riverside $548,000

178 Maplewood Rd, Riverside $645,000

144 Scottswood Rd, Riverside $799,000

45 Longcommon Rd, Riverside $975,000

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