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Vol. 40, No. 50

Riverside’s roots Page 9

December 17, 2025

Ride Riverside founder wins Advocate of the Year

Brookfield seeks a new recreation director

The Active Transportation Alliance named Valerie Kramer as one of several standouts in 2025

Assistant Village Manager Stevie Ferrari has done double duty as interim department head since October

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

When Riverside resident Valerie Kramer applied for an internship at the Chicagoland nonprofit Active Transportation Alliance in 2011, she wasn’t expecting to be named one of the organization’s Advocates of the Year 14 years later. “I didn’t even know this was a thing. I was surprised that I could have won something that I didn’t even know existed,” See ADVOCATE on page 6

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter PROVIDED BY VALERIE KRAMER

Valerie Kramer holds her Advocate of the Year award from the Active Transportation Alliance.

Brookfield officials expect to hire a new fulltime director of parks and recreation in the See DIRECTOR on page 4

HappyHolidays!

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

2 1 E . B U R L I N GTO N R OA D, R I V E R S I D E | 70 8 . 4 47.72 07 LD O S

LD O S

10 E Burlington St, 3C, North Riverside $715,000

475 Shenstone Rd, #3S Riverside $210,000

LD O S

128 Forest Ave, Riverside $412,000

247 Addison Rd, Riverside $450,000

LD O S

567 Byrd Rd, Riverside $475,626

LD O S

432 Selbourne Rd, Riverside $525,000

129 Barrypoint Rd, Riverside $775,000

130 Michaux Rd, Riverside $947,500

177 Michaux Rd, Riverside $950,000

273 Desplaines Ave, Riverside $410,000

LD O S

8041 W 29th Ct, North Riverside $296,500

601 Selbourne Rd, Riverside $473,000

2522 S 6th Ave, North Riverside $455,000

284 Addison Rd, Riverside $455,000

50 Forest Ave, $3S, Riverside $146,000

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

Future teachers thrive in RBHS Educators Rising Club

IN THIS ISSUE Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Students fare well at team-based education challenge at Triton College

Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf Staff Reporter Stella Brown

By GREGG VOSS

Senior Audience Manager Stacy Coleman

Contributing Reporter

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

The future teachers of the Chicagoland area, or perhaps even America, exist within the walls of Riverside-Brookfield High School. That’s thanks to the Educators Rising Club that launched this school year, headed by Kendra Cagle, a family and consumer science teacher and division head for career and technology education. It’s proving to be a rich experience for the students, who participated in the Education Pathway Team-based Challenge last month at Triton College. The challenge drew 15 schools and about 350 students. In that competition, the team of seniors Emma Hlavaty, Ella Giampietro and Isabel Marrello took first place in Group B in the Elementary Education division by designing a lesson plan about the lifecycle of a butterfly. That included an innovative way to catch the judges’ attention, which just may have sealed their victory: a group dance that explained the stages – egg, caterpillar and chrysalis, before the birth of the butterfly. “These judges are seeing 15 or 20 students, so we needed something that would put us above them,” Giampietro said. “What can we do? We just demonstrated the activity. It was a gametime decision, we didn’t know if we were going to do it or not.” They did, and left Cagle more than impressed. “For the age level, it was appropriate,” she said. “I was shocked they were willing to do this in front of complete strangers. Sometimes you have to be a little bit of an entertainer to get students’ attention.” Consider RB Principal Dr. Hector Freytas impressed as well. “I am extremely proud of the three students who won the education-team-based challenge held at Triton in the elementary school division,” Freytas said. “Their lesson was voted the most viable and complete. Their success is due to their efforts in learning what it takes to be a good edu-

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls Marketing & Advertising Associate Emma Cullnan Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan PROVIDED

From left, Riverside-Brookfield High School Educators Rising Club head Kendra Cagle prepares Nov. 7 with seniors Emma Hlavaty, Ella Giampietro and Isabel Marrello in the Education Pathway Team-based Challenge at Triton College. cator, applying those principles, and the support they receive from Mrs. Cagle.” The other RB group, featuring junior Eleanor McCormick and sophomore Molly Curtin, took second in the Elementary Education division’s Group A. They focused on how and why plants grow, tailored toward first graders. It was a true one-two punch, so to speak, which bodes well for their future students. But it all ties back to the Educators Rising, which is a nationally affiliated program, Cagle said. “We have a teacher shortage in the U.S., so we have students who want to do it,” she said. “Why not start this program?” Curtin, who wants to study special education or possibly science education in college, loves it. “I’ve learned both the structure of teaching and the daily life of how a teacher goes about their day and how they are inspiring the next generation of students,” she said, adding she wants to teach because she was heavily influenced by her sixth-grade science teacher at Hauser Junior High. McCormick said she wants to study elementary education in college, though where is TBD. “I like elementary education because I get to be in one classroom all day,” she said.

“It seems more hands on and ever-changing compared to other jobs.” The three winning seniors have welldefined goals, seeing as a year from now, they will be finishing their first freshman semesters in college. Hlavaty is going to major in elementary and special education at the University of Nebraska. “My stepmom is a kindergarten teacher,” she said of her reasoning for going the education route, which also coincides with her work every day after school at a daycare. “I’ve always wanted to be with little kids and helping them.” Marrello will be off to Northern Arizona University, because she has family in Flagstaff. She’ll study secondary education with a focus on social sciences. “All the way back to first grade, I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. As for Giampietro, she hasn’t quite decided on a college yet, but wherever that is, she’ll major in family and consumer science. She’s was inspired to teach by her fourth-grade teacher at Brook Park Elementary School. “When I got to high school, I discovered that you can teach stuff like human development, child development, fashion design, the kind of fun classes,” she said.

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com Operations Associate Susan Babin Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera Special Projects Manager Susan Walker Senior Advisor Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Eric Weinheimer Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane, Steve Edwards, Judy Greffin, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

HOW TO REACH US PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305 PHONE: (708) 442-6739 E-MAIL: dhaley@wjinc.com ONLINE: www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $57 within Cook County and $95 outside the county. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305. © 2025 Growing Community Media NFP.

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

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Stevie Ferrari, Brookfield’s assistant village manager, told the Landmark she has been filling in as interim recreation director since the start of October, when former director Luke Gundersen resigned from his role after nearly three years with the village.

DIRECTOR

Ferrari fills in from page 1

first quarter of 2026. Stevie Ferrari, Brookfield’s assistant village manager, told the Landmark she has been filling in as interim recreation director since the start of October, when former Director Luke Gundersen resigned from his role after nearly three years with the village. “He wants to find the community that is the best fit for his talents, and we want a director who’s going to fit our Brookfield community,” she said. Ferrari said first-round candidate interviews for a full-time director will begin in January with the goal of hiring one by the end of March. “I need a passionate public servant. I need somebody who is going to be an advocate for the department and the work that’s done there. I need them to represent and provide for the community,” Ferrari said of finding the next recreation chief. “Some of the more formal requirements we are looking for [include] somebody who has performance measures that speak to their capital planning specific to parks maintenance and facility management experience, who can elevate the leadership within

the department and supplement that to our staff.” In the meantime, Ferrari said her return to the parks and recreation department, where she started as director in 2018 before being promoted in 2022, has been “seamless” due to the “rockstars” who work there. “We have, now, three full-time recreation supervisors. Since Luke’s departure, we have hired a full-time rec supervisor who will be taking over the administration of the STARS program and a lot of our youth programming. My staff there, they do the heavy lifting,” she said. “I’m not stepping into a role where I have programming under my belt, which I did previously. It really is leadership of the department: making sure that our capital projects and park maintenance [get done], making sure that we’re attentive to staff and their needs.” Ferrari said she was excited as soon as the opportunity to return to her “true passion” of recreation services came to light. “I missed serving the community that way, where you’re with the families, and you see the kids. You really see the benefits of your work pretty rapidly,” she said. “It’s a challenge, because it’s still a lot of work that goes into that position and that department, but [my reaction] was mostly excitement. I do love parks and recreation, and I’m getting to tap back into that, so it wasn’t a difficult decision.”

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

Brookfield Zoo is the backdrop to a Christmas romance movie

YOUR

BEST

LIFE

Officials expect ‘Christmas at the Zoo’ to drop next holiday season

withLisaCapone Holiday Warmth Wishes

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield Zoo Chicago has quietly been the site of filming for a new Christmas romance movie. Filming for “Christmas at the Zoo” took place from Thursday, Dec. 4, through Saturday, Dec. 13, Julianne Olivo, the zoo’s director of public relations, confirmed to the Landmark. The film is directed by Danny Buday, with production and a story from Very Merry Entertainment, a holiday film production house, Olivo said in an email. It stars Matt Cohen as Shane, an animal care expert working at the zoo, and Brittany Underwood as Dana, Shane’s love interest. Olivo said the production filmed scenes out of order to work around the zoo’s holiday operating hours so that guests wouldn’t have their visits impacted by unexpected habitat closures. On days when the zoo was open during the day, film crews took their

STELLA BROWN

Extras, crews and actor Matt Cohen take a moment to reset between takes of the penguin encounter scene. places to get scenes that will take place in the evening, and vice versa, she said. Olivo said the production deal to film at the zoo was reached about two years ago. Many iconic locations at the zoo, including its dolphin show, will be featured in

STELLA BROWN

A member of the film crew pays close attention to a monitor as a take is being recorded.

the film. She said the writers and producers may have had the zoo in mind for the movie due to growing up and attending college nearby. Olivo invited the Landmark behind the scenes during the filming of a dramatic scene toward the end of the movie, when Underwood as Dana searches the zoo for Cohen’s Shane while he leads a penguin encounter, a real offering where guests can learn about — and get to meet — some of the zoo’s Humboldt penguins. Some of the zoo’s actual penguins were featured in the scene, swapped out oneby-one to simulate the encounter over the long course of filming. Extras, including Dr. Michael Adkesson, the zoo’s CEO and president, sat in place of real guests. “They’re the stars of the show,” Underwood said of her avian scene partners, which she and Cohen got to interact with more directly in another part of the film. “I’ve never been so happy to be upstaged in my life.” According to Patch, filming for other portions of the movie will take place in Libertyville through Sunday, Dec. 21, inside businesses and private residences and on the street.

As the holiday season arrives, Cantata is filled with the spirit of togetherness as residents craft decorations, sing carols, and enjoy festive meals. Winter brings its charm, but it’s also a time to focus on safety and well-being. Seniors should dress warmly in layers, wear shoes with good traction, and keep walkways clear to prevent falls. Staying hydrated and checking on friends and neighbors helps everyone stay well throughout the season. For families traveling this holiday season, Cantata offers respite stays —a perfect solution to ensure loved ones are cared for while you’re away. These short-term stays provide professional support, nutritious meals, and opportunities for holiday activities in a welcoming environment. The holidays are about connection, joy, and peace of mind, and Cantata invites you to embrace the season safely while creating special memories. Happy Holidays! For more info, visit Cantata.org or call (708) 387-1030

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The Landmark, December 17, 2025

ADVOCATE A safer path from page 1

she told the Landmark. “I was first like, ‘Oh, that’s a cool thing to have,’ and also, ‘Am I really doing more than other people? Out of everybody in the whole Chicagoland area?’ It was kind of disbelief, but also excitement.” While she didn’t get the internship, she described herself as a longtime fan of the group, whose suburban active transportation community she is a member of. Kramer is one of the minds behind Ride Riverside, the village’s slow roll biking group that has met the second Friday of each month from April to November since 2024, and one of the voices behind a petition that garnered nearly 200 resident signatures this year to implement Vision Zero, a multi-pronged framework for eliminating traffic fatalities and injuries. “She’s blown me away with everything she’s been getting involved in,” said Maggie Czerwinski, the Active Transportation Alliance’s director of community building and leadership. “She’s very dedicated, and she’s persistent. She’s warm. She’s personable. I think she’s really good at building relationships with a lot of people and focused on getting to know elected officials and village staff and being a resource to people, which I think is important, rather than telling people what to do.” While Kramer has built up a community of around 100 riders who regularly come out to Ride Riverside’s monthly events — “1% of Riverside’s population, which I’m proud of,” she said — she attributed the group’s success to a bit of luck and her efforts to make the group open to everyone, alongside institutional support from the village’s board of trustees and police department. “People afterwards told me they were very impressed by those numbers, and I feel like those numbers are kind of out of my control. I just do my best to get people to come and

spread the word,” she said. “I think what has made it so successful is that we keep it really accessible. We go slowly. We don’t have major streets to cross, keeping it safe and easy.” Kramer said she’s proud of what she and her group — including other leaders like Lisa Peters, Charles Wiegand, Shari Klyber and Kramer’s husband David Oppenheimer — have accomplished in 2025. “When I first started doing this, I didn’t have any direction in terms of the advocacy. I wanted things to improve, but I didn’t know how or what, and the lightbulb moment came when I saw the aftermath of a crash in Riverside with a mangled bike and a bunch of kids standing around,” she said. “That’s when I decided to look into Vision Zero, which is something we could adopt and work towards: having zero serious injuries and zero fatalities in Riverside.” Due in part to Ride Riverside’s activism, the village has budgeted $55,000 for the first quarter of 2026 toward a bike and pedestrian plan that will improve safety and freedom of movement to those who walk or ride. Having gotten the village on board, Kramer said she hopes to partner with more businesses and community members in 2026 to elevate the group’s slow roll rides, which will return in April. She said she has a soft goal of raising attendance at the events to 150 people. “I’d like to make it even more fun, where we have music and bubbles, make it more of a block party atmosphere as opposed to a serious group. I like the idea of a rolling block party, where everyone is enjoying themselves and hanging out with their neighbors and meeting people,” she said. “I think we need more of that in our very digital world,” she added. “We need more real-life things that happen on a consistent basis, and what I really love about Riverside is that we are very much a village. People know one another and say hi. There is a really friendly vibe here, and I think capitalizing on that and encouraging that has been a great thing for our village, and I want to make it even better.”

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P R O P E R T Y

T R A N S F E R S

The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Clerk from September 2025. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the clerk’s office.

BROOKFIELD ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

8856 Plainfield Rd 3619 Prairie Ave 3601 Forest Ave 3132 Morton Ave 3237 Sunnyside Ave 4424 Maple Ave 3101 Maple Ave 3335 Madison Ave 8625 Washington Ave 3717 Cleveland Ave 3710 Prairie Ave 3730 Blanchan Ave 3628 Sunnyside Ave 4017 Park Ave 3725 Raymond Ave 3504 Cleveland Ave 3328 Oak Ave 9524 Jefferson Ave 4132 Blanchan Ave 4614 Prairie Ave 3222 Sunnyside Ave 4518 Village Square Ln 9521 Garfield Ave 4230 Maple Ave 9140 Broadway Ave 8822 Brookfield Ave 3127 Oak Ave 4012 Madison Ave 8812 W 45th Pl

$711,000 $670,000 $637,500 $600,000 $560,000 $490,000 $455,000 $440,000 $425,000 $422,000 $415,000 $393,000 $385,000 $382,500 $365,000 $360,000 $350,000 $345,000 $345,000 $338,000 $335,000 $330,000 $325,000 $325,000 $304,000 $295,000 $280,000 $181,000 $153,000

Fugarino Rosalia Tinnirello Carper Dustin T Witkowski Nicholas T Tr Davis Matthew Fahey Richard P Parikh Manda U Kuchipudi Rlty Llc - Brookfield Fryman Jason David Hayes Keith Buzzelli Susan K Wehner Bradley Busky Rosemary J Ward Michelle Wyles Elizabeth Lange Diane Trust Childs Karin A Olson Spencer Hammerschmitt Carolyn Trust Kielminski Laura Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr Duchateau Robert Repac Roberto Matz Jennifer Sharp Susan Dena Agent Fin Llc Lewandowski Henry G Granado-Destefano Ann Marie Judicial Sales Corp Peterson Mark E

Melody Kenneth Raymond Hejducek Stephen Wilkens Bruce Rasmussen Aaron J Olson Spencer Au Assets Llc Series 7 Good Golly Miss Mollie Llc Anderson Toni Marie Sanchez Vincent M Gara Daniel Schwaller Julian Mathy Christopher Wayne Klein Caryn Shirk Jeremiah Cook Angela G Wanka Marisa Marilyn Bahena David Ramos Alejandra Thurman Arthur R Episcopo Anna I Tr De Los Santos Alejandro Armic Kristijan Quattrocchi Donald Anthony Castellanos Felipe 9140 Broadway Ave Llc Morford William Jankowski Piotr Moran Gen Temporary Housing Co Towner Patrick D

RIVERSIDE 177 Scottswood Rd 580 Selborne Rd 228 Olmsted Rd 327 Southcote Rd 400 Selborne Rd 530 Byrd Rd 200 S Delaplaine Rd 184 Gage Rd 247 Addison Rd 96 E Quincy St 29 E Burlington St

$780,000 $715,000 $690,000 $660,000 $560,000 $510,000 $460,000 $450,000 $450,000 $381,500 $75,000

Gatermann Lara Kalnes Timothy Kemper Elaine D M&R Enterprises Grp Llc Kalamaras Deanne Dawn Tr Maleski Robert Fischer Family Investments Llc Zydek Kathleen Tr Novak Robert L Danicek Billie Jo Casper Erik

Arega Robel Tr Lapointe Danielle Kocheny Steven John Trevisano Trust Fay Mary Murphy Schwartz Joanne Mc C Emerson Isaac Schultz Christopher Pernoud Flavius G Ramirez Julyssa O Aktiv Prop One Llc

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

Expenditures are budgeted around $35M, up roughly $676K from 2025

Riverside passes 2026 budget

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Riverside trustees approved the village’s operating budget for 2026 on Thursday, Dec. 4. The total budget for funds to be spent amounts to $35,458,968, an increase of about $676,000, or 1.9%, over the projected final total for 2025. Total revenues and financing sources for the village are budgeted at $29,899,746, a drop of nearly $8 million from the projected total for 2025, with most of the drop accounted for in the village’s water and sewer funds. In the general fund, which accounts for Riverside’s available funds for operations, revenues are budgeted at $12,593,864 while expenditures are budgeted at $12,570,660,

meaning the village will be up by about $23,000 if the forecast is accurate. According to an overview of the budget, nearly 73% of general fund expenditures will be related to personnel, which includes paying out salaries and benefits and contributing to pensions, while 46% of general fund revenues, about $7 million, will come from the village’s portion of property taxes, which accounts for about 15% of what landowners pay on their property tax bills. In 2026, Riverside will for the first time collect a 5% amusement tax on streaming services and digital game purchases, which is budgeted to bring in about $40,000. Trustees approved an ordinance to adopt the tax at the Dec. 4 meeting. The new tax was created to offset the loss of $45,000 that the village previously received from the state’s 1% grocery tax that trustees are allowing to sunset without implementing it locally. The village is also newly dedicating $55,000 toward the creation of a bike and

You Make us Shine! Enjoy

25%

pedestrian plan to make Riverside’s streets safer and more accessible for people who choose to walk or ride rather than drive for transportation. The move comes after activist leaders with Ride Riverside earned nearly 200 signatures on a petition this year to implement Vision Zero policies, which have a goal of ending all traffic fatalities and injuries. “I wanted to thank the village board and village staff for another successful budget year,” said Village Manager Jessica Frances at the top of the meeting. “It’s always an intense, heavy lift as we go through all of our planning processes, but staff is very pleased with the outcome, as I hope the board is as well.” Trustees on Dec. 4 also authorized the village to issue $12 million in bonds in order to apply for three zero-interest loans from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency worth $4 million each in 2026, 2027 and 2028 in order to continue to replace leaded water service lines in the village. Each of the loans will have a 30-year repay-

ment term. All municipalities are required to begin replacing the service lines by 2027 and maintain annual progress to complete them all by 2044 due to a state mandate from 2022. “A final ordinance will be presented to the board each year in order to accept the loans from the state and receive the funding,” said Finance Director Yvette Zavala.

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The Landmark, December 17, 2025

2025 holiday services at

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation 875 Lake Street, Oak Park IL

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Winter Solstice Celebration Sunday, December 21

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2025_holiday_schedule_wed_journal.indd 1

12/11/25 10:58 AM

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

Riverside is recognized with historical plaque

The plate was unveiled Friday, Dec. 12 By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Riverside now has its own marker as a site of significance to the state of Illinois. Village officials, Olmsted Society volunteers and Riverside residents came together on Friday, Dec. 12, for the unveiling of a plaque from the Illinois State Historical Society that is dedicated to Riverside and explains its history as one of the first planned suburbs in the country. The plaque is situated next to the west well house in Centennial Park. Over two paragraphs, it describes the origins of Riverside’s design at the hands of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and lauds the village’s aesthetic focus on nature and other “unique” features, stating the “curving streets” and “abundant greenery” promote a more mellow way of life.

Cathy Maloney, a member of the Olmsted Society board, told the Landmark she had the idea for the plaque in the course of researching for her most recent nonfiction book, “Olmsted’s Riverside,” which was published last December. “I was thinking about the [National Historic] Landmark status of Riverside and noticing, obviously, we have the national landmark stone, which, frankly, I didn’t know until I started looking for it where it was,” she said. “Then, I thought, ‘Isn’t there an Illinois equivalent?’ and looked it up, and, lo and behold, there is, and they’ve been doing it since the 1930s. I guess we just never did it, so I thought, ‘Why not?’ I brought it up to the Olmsted board, and they were appreciative of the idea to do so and very encouraging. That’s where we started.” Maloney presented the plan, including the Olmsted Society taking on the $5,000 in costs to get the plaque to Riverside’s village board on April 17, and trustees and staff were supportive. The village has agreed to maintain the plaque now

STELLA BROWN

Village officials, Olmsted Society members and residents gather for a group photo with the newly unveiled plaque. that it’s been installed. In the spring, Maloney said she expected it to take “at least two months” for the plaque to be created and sent to the village. That process took a bit longer in reality,

which Maloney attributed to a change in the creation process on the State HistoriSee PLAQUE on page 12

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

529 PLANS: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: PART III

Q. Who controls the funds in a 529 plan? A. Whoever purchases the 529 plan is the custodian and controls the funds until they are withdrawn. Q. Are there contribution limits? A. Yes. Contributions can not exceed the amount necessary to provide for the qualified education expenses of the beneficiary. If you No Entrance Fee, Amazing Amenities, Utilities contribute Included, to a 529 plan, however, be aware that a Full Social Program, and Short-Term Stays there may be gift tax consequences if your contributions, plus any other gifts, to a particular Call (708) 386-4040 to schedule an appointment. beneficiary exceed $14,000 during the year. For A Sensible Approach to Maintenance-Free Senior Living A Sensible Approach to Maintenance-Free Senior Living information on a special rule that applies to 408 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302 • www.oakparkarms.com contributions to 529 plans, see the instructions Rent starts at just $2,000 a month for Form 709 PDF, United States Gift (and OPA_Ad_10x525.indd 1 7:18 AM Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax3/22/24 Return. No Entrance Fee, Amazing Amenities, Utilities Included, Entrance Fee, Amazing Amenities, Included, Q. Are there different types of 529 plans? a No Full Social Program, and Short-Term StaysUtilities No Entrance Fee, Amazing Amenities, Utilities Included, a Full Social Program, and Short-Term Stays A. There are two basic types: prepaid tuition a Full 386-4040 Social Program, and Short-Term Stays Call (708) to schedule an appointment. Fee, Amazing Amenities, Utilities Included, plans and savings plans. And each state has its Call (708) 386-4040 to schedule an appointment. own plan. Each is somewhat unique. States are 408 S. Oak 386-4040 Park Avenue, Oak to Park,schedule IL 60302 • www.oakparkarms.com ocial Program, and Short-Term Stays Call (708) an appointment.

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permitted to off er both types. A qualified education institution can only offer a prepaid tuition type 529 plan. Q. Each 529 plan account has one designated beneficiary. What does that mean? A. A designated beneficiary is usually the student or future student for whom the plan is intended to provide benefits. The beneficiary is generally not limited to attending schools in the state that sponsors their 529 plan. But to be sure, check with a plan before setting up an account. Q. Where can I find more information about 529 plans? A. A good source is IRS Publication 970 PDF, Tax Benefits for Education.

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The Landmark, December 17, 2025

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The Landmark, December 17, 2025

D208 board OKs intention to issue up to $4.5M in bonds Funds will be used for improvements between RBHS and Brookfield Zoo By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

The District 208 Board of Education unanimously gave approval on Dec. 9 to a plan to issue up to $4.5 million in taxexempt working cash bonds for capital improvements on the property between Riverside-Brookfield High School and Brookfield Zoo. Those improvements will include handicapped accessibility to the school as well as accessibility to the school’s parking lot and Brookfield Zoo’s overflow parking, along with improvements to extracurricular facilities, according

to Superintendent Dr. Kevin Skinkis. “The zoo and the high school have reached a tentative agreement on terms for a sublease agreement,” Skinkis said. “The next step is for the tentative agreement to be reviewed at the county level.” The bonds will most likely get final approval, with a final interest rate set, at the board’s next meeting on Jan. 20, according to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kristin Smetana. “(Bonds) are a way to borrow money for capital improvements, which means it can’t be used for operating funds,” Smetana said. “It’s specifically for building and improving capital projects.” The issuance of these bonds provides a decrease in the debt service portion of tax bills, as bonds for older projects have been paid off. “We have some other debt coming off, so we’re going to be issuing some more debt, but not as much for the taxpayers,” Smetana added. That includes the expiration of referendum bonds in levy year 2027.

At its Nov. 11 meeting, the board was presented three bond issuance options – for $3.5 million, $4 million and $4.5 million. Smetana said the board will decide the total amount in January, but is leaning toward $4.5 million due to project scope. The matter was subject to a public hearing, but there were no citizen comments.

Board unanimously approves tax levy The board also unanimously approved on Dec. 9 the 2025 proposed tax levy increase of 4.95%. The district’s tax levy is capped to whichever is lower – 5% or the consumer price index for 2025, which is 2.9%. That means the tax levy increase will be 4.95% for new properties, both residential and commercial, to account for the CGI increase, and 2.9% for existing properties. The tax levy increase was also subject to a public hearing, but there were also no citizen comments.

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The Landmark, December 17, 2025

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Help set the table for change

he expression, “putting food on the table”, has taken on a deeper meaning this holiday season. Our food pantry is facing an unexpected challenge. The food bank that supplies the majority of our food has put us on notice: We will not receive the usual volume of holiday food supplies this year, due to federal cuts in funding. We’re all neighbors here. That’s how it’s been since we started out 10 years ago in a local church basement. It wasn’t long before we became an independent, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. And when the church went out of business, the sale of the church property was donated to the pantry. That assured the launch of the pantry, helping to pay for the 7,000 square foot former factory building we

now occupy. The Share Food Share Love food pantry is a place where everyone can truly “make a difference”. Our two-fold mission is to help reduce hunger in our area and the causes of that hunger. We have set out to do this by “connecting the four corners of community”. Bringing together all who are shareholders in a shared cause: Neighbors in need, volunteers, donors, and strategic partners. Back in 2015, our small food pantry was visited by 860 neighbors. Last year, the pantry was visited nearly 5,000 times. Along the way, we’ve learned that setting the table for community driven change really is possible, when enough of us come together to uplift all of us.

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Riverside Parks and Recreation Director Ron Malchiodi (left) and Olmsted Society board member Cathy Maloney unveil the plaque on Friday, Dec. 12.

PLAQUE

Honoring Riverside’s roots from page 9 cal Society’s end. “It was either the foundry or the type center … they changed the ones that the Illinois State was using. They changed the people who do this,” she said. “There were two different entities that are involved in doing that, and as part of that process, it took a little bit longer.” She also took some of the blame due to the back-and-forth nature of finalizing the plaque’s text. “Every time I’d submit a minor change or something, five more things would pop up, and that’s so typical of the proofreading process. You notice something here, you notice something there, and we had a bunch of eyes on it,” she said. “I’m sure the state was tearing their hair out with me saying, ‘Just one more thing that we have

to fix,’ and they were very gracious.” The unveiling, which drew a crowd of nearly 30 residents, Olmsted Society members and village officials alike, felt like a moment of unity, Maloney said. “Last minute, I realized, ‘Oh, I really can’t have [the reception] outdoors because it’s freezing out,’ and [Parks and Recreation Director] Ron Malchiodi was so helpful in offering the reception area” at the west well house, she said. “Then, there I am, the shortest person in the group, and I suddenly realized, ‘I don’t think I can take this thing off [the plaque],’ and he came up with the idea of those little pincers.” Maloney said she hopes the placement and content of the plaque will help more people, be they residents or visitors, understand the history of Riverside as its 150th anniversary year draws to a close. “This is in a nice, central place where a lot of our known monuments are, and the two paragraphs say why Riverside is so important historically and so relevant today,” she said. “It’s nice to know that it will be there for a very long time.”

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

2025 Special Advertising Section

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

Dominican U. joins ‘education constellation’ CHARISM comprises four Catholic, Hispanic- and minority-serving schools By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Dominican University’s new partnership with three other Catholic universities is being hailed as an “education constellation” that will provide new opportunities for students from each institution. CHARISM, which stands for Catholic Higher Education Alliance of Rising Institutions in Service and Mission, comprises Dominican, University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, University of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City and Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in San Juan, Puerto Rico. All are Catholic, Hispanicand minority-serving institutions in major metropolitan areas and were founded by women religious. The partnership will foster academic pathways that allow students to conduct part of their program at one institution and transfer to another for completion. It will also offer joint degree programs, where a student can earn a degree or certificate at more than one school. Additionally, faculty and staff will be able to pursue professional development, faculty exchange and collaboration for discussion and sharing ideas. It’s a unique approach, but innovative as well, according to Dominican provost Mia Hardy. “It’s uncommon, but all of our institutions realize we need to meet this moment in higher education to serve students better,” Hardy said. “A lot of different people have come together to work on this collaboration, and it all comes together for the benefit of our students, which benefits all of us.” CHARISM became official Dec. 8 at a special ceremony at the University of the Incarnate Word. Dominican president Dr. Glena Temple and the presidents of the other institutions were in attendance, along with Archbishop Gustavo GarciaSiller of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The ceremony was “centered on what we

JERSTAD PHOTOGRAPHICS LP

Dominican president Dr. Glena Temple at the podium speaking at the Dec. 8 ceremony. hold in common,” Temple said. “The overwhelming theme is hope. “We will expand opportunities for students and find ways to grow together to better meet the students in our community.” For example, Temple said, Dominican has a PhD program in information studies and is the only school in the foursome with that program. Thus, the opportunity to bring in students from the other institutions is now possible. Additionally, the University of the Incarnate Word operates two campuses in Mexico and one in Strasbourg, France, so that will provide Dominican students opportunities to travel abroad. That’s the real value-add for all four schools, according to Genaro A. Balcazar, Dominican chief operating officer and se-

nior vice president. “The limit is our imagination,” he said. “We want to make sure we are adding more value, finding collaborative partnerships and even our faculty exchanges.” Temple said the collaboration discussions between the four universities started in November 2024. “It’s a little over a year, and that’s record speed, so it’s exciting,” she said. “The senior leaders and faculties have been working diligently. We all bring different strengths and ideas to sense ways we can work collaboratively. “Some students will take courses online, and we expect exchanges for semesters for students to travel between institutions. Technically, a student could do coursework at all four institutions

throughout the course of their educational journey.” Margaret Garcia, associate vice president for communications and marketing at University of the Incarnate Word said the constellation may expand. “We’re happy to have four strong collaborations, (and) down the road, we might look at adding other Catholic institutions,” she said. Balcazar said that could include “maybe a West Coast institution that’s Catholic and has a regional reach like we have with the other four. “I think a large part of the future of higher education will be these types of partnerships and collaborations to add value not only to the students but the communities they operate in,” he said.

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

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The Landmark, December 17, 2025

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Brookfield police charge delinquent drivers Brookfield police ticketed a 26-year-old Chicago woman on Dec. 3 for illegally impeding traffic. Around 9:12 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a car heading west on the 9100 block of Ogden Avenue that came to a stop on the road without the hazard lights activated, unlawfully blocking the traffic behind them. The driver exited the vehicle and went into the CarStar auto body repair shop. The officer made a U-turn to get behind the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. As the officer was providing information about the car’s registration to dispatchers, the driver exited the shop and approached the officer, who requested that she provide a valid driver’s license. The woman said she had never been issued one. The officer cited the woman for operating a car without a valid license and placed her under “custodial arrest” before releasing her on pre-trial conditions, police said. The woman gave the officer her keys to move the vehicle somewhere it could be legally parked, and the officer cleared the scene.

Expired plates and license Brookfield police on Dec. 4 ticketed a 45-year-old Chicago man after they discov-

ered his vehicle’s registration had expired. Around 5:17 p.m., an officer on patrol on the 9300 block of Ogden Avenue observed a car with an expired registration tag. The officer ran the license plates through the police database and learned they were, in fact, expired. The search also showed that the registered owner’s driver’s license had expired in September 2024. The officer pulled the car over and spoke with the driver, who provided his license but could not provide proof of insurance. The officer checked again and confirmed the man’s license had expired. The officer cited the man for driving an uninsured vehicle, driving with expired registration and driving with an expired license. The officer relocated the car with the man’s consent and legally parked it before setting a Dec. 23 court date and sending him on his way.

Sleeping driver arrested Brookfield police arrested a 70-yearold Maywood man after they found him asleep behind the wheel on Dec. 5. Around 7:09 p.m., an officer responded to the corner of 31st Street and Kemman Avenue on a report of a sleeping driver. Upon arrival, the officer saw the car in question and initiated a traffic stop,

making contact with the driver after waking him. The man said he was “extremely tired” and explained he had just dropped his girlfriend off at a party in Dalton, police said. When asked, the man provided his driver’s license, which the officer ran and learned had expired in 1985. The officer relayed this information to the man, who said he knew as much and was going to court due to recently receiving a citation for it. The officwer asked the man to step out of his car and placed him under arrest. He legally parked the man’s car in a nearby parking lot for his girlfriend to pick up later before transporting him to the police station. The officer processed the man without incident, police said, and charged him with illegally stopping in the roadway and driving on a revoked license. The officer set a court date of Jan. 13, 2026, for the man and sent him on his way.

Driving in the dark without lights Brookfield police cited a 65-year-old woman on Dec. 7 after she failed to use her car’s headlights and taillights when required. Around 9:40 p.m., an officer was driving south on the 4200 block of Eberly

Avenue behind a black Mazda that was not using its lights in the dark. The officer also ran the car’s license plates and learned the registration had expired. The officer pulled the car over at the intersection with Cossitt Avenue in LaGrange. The driver provided a Texas driver’s license, which the officer found to be expired. She also provided an expired Illinois ID. The woman could not provide proof of insurance, though she said the car was insured. The officer had the woman’s car towed and cited her for driving an uninsured vehicle with expired registration on an expired driver’s license. The officer set a Dec. 23 court date and sent the woman on her way after dropping her off at a nearby Dunkin Donuts. These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department reports dated Dec. 1-8; they represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stella Brown

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

Home Alone fans flock to Grace Episcopal Church for on-location screening One scene from 1990 classic was filmed at the Oak Park church By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing Reporter

Film fans gathered Saturday evening at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park for a sold-out, on-location screening of Home Alone, an immersive holiday event hosted by On Set Cinema that brought viewers inside the church where one of the movie’s most memorable scenes was shot. The 1990 holiday classic follows 8-yearold Kevin McCallister after he is accidentally left behind when his family travels to Paris for the holidays. One of the most unforgettable moments unfolds quietly inside a church, where Kevin sits in on a choir rehearsal and strikes up an unexpected conversation with Old Man Marley about family, fear and forgiveness. This scene was filmed at Grace Episcopal Church. On Set Cinema is a traveling film series that hosts screenings of cult favorites and classics at the exact locations where they were filmed. The project was created by filmmaker and superfan Kenny Caperton, who has spent more than two decades visiting movie locations around the world and is known for living in a life-size replica of Michael Myers’ house from Halloween. “Home Alone is a little unique since it’s more of a family film and more accessible. I’m working with the church that serves as a central part of the community and I absolutely love it when locals come to my events, that’s always amazing. There’s also something special about someone who is truly passionate about a film,” Caperton said. Caperton explained that while Home Alone drew more local families because of its accessibility, his screenings generally attract passionate fans who travel from across the country to experience films at their original locations. These

TODD BANNOR

35th anniversary screening of Home Alone at Grace Episcopal Church, used for interior church scenes in the movie, on Saturday December 13, 2025. devoted viewers often return to movies they’ve seen countless times to create lasting memories. “This is a movie that people watch with their families every year at one of the most meaningful times of the year. It brings back memories of opening presents, sharing meals and gathering together to laugh and watch Home Alone. Watching the film with other fans adds to that sense of connection and makes the experience meaningful in its own right,” Caperton said. Watching the film on location, particularly inside a historic and visually striking church, takes the experience to another level, Caperton said. The setting features one of the film’s most meaningful scenes, when Kevin meets

Old Man Marley and the two share a moment of understanding just before the final showdown. Experiencing that scene in the space where it was filmed adds a deeper sense of emotional weight. Caperton said his goal is for audiences to leave feeling more connected to both the film and their families. The evening also featured guided tours of the church, holiday decorations and a choir performance prior to the screening, adding to the immersive experience beyond the film itself. There also was a cardboard cutout of Kevin McCallister placed where he sits in the film. “It’s an opportunity to fully lean into the fandom and enjoy the space, whether that’s through a walking tour, sitting in the pews or taking a picture with Kevin.

Then we listen to the choir and watch the movie inside the church. I think it encapsulates everything and gives people different ways to experience the event,” Caperton said. Caperton believes Home Alone endures because of its heart, memorable music and iconic characters, which elevate its simple premise into something timeless. Its humor and universal themes continue to resonate with audiences of all ages, just as they did when the film was first released 35 years ago. “If you’re watching it on location, especially inside a historic and beautiful church, I think that just takes it over the top. It just so happens that the scene in Home Alone is one of the most meaningful moments in the film,” Caperton said.

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

OBITUARIES

Kathleen Chase, 69 Secretary Kathleen (Kathy to many) Ann Chase, 69, formerly of Chicago and Brookfield, died quietly and comfortably in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. She worked as a secretary for a manufacturing company. Kathy is survived by her son, Phil Chase; her stepdaughter, Charity (Tom) Gjersoe; her grandchildren, PJ, Payton, Brandon, and Carter (auntie grandma to Eli, Addie, and Ezra); her sister, Kris (Steve) Kahn; her brothers, Tom (Karen) Rafac and John Rafac; her goddaughters Becca (Joe) Lillig and Sarah (Brett) Eriksen; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; her daughter, Paulette (Mark) Healy; her mother, Florence Rafac (Locke); her father, Joseph Rafac; most recently her uncle, Tom Banasiak and aunt, Ruth Banasiak (Locke), as well as a number of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, family, and her great-nephew, Nolan Ross. Visitation will be held on Wednesday,

Dec. 17, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 31st St., Brookfield. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Cletus Catholic Church, 600 W. 55th St., La Grange at 10 a.m. Interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

Tom Corgiat, 83 Former North Riverside trustee Thomas A. Corgiat, 83, of North Riverside, died peacefully on Dec. 5, 2025. Born on Aug. 7, 1942, he was a proud U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, who served his country with honor and was rarely seen without his Vietnam Veteran cap. For 20 years he served as a trustee for the village of North Riverside, chaired the Civil Service Commission and was president of North Riverside Little League for a number of years. He was also

a former commissioner for the Proviso Township Mental Health Commission. After decades in the lumber business with Big Bay Lumber in Chicago, he retired, proud of the fact that he sold all of the lumber that built the original American Eagle roller coaster at Six Flags Great America. Tom enjoyed golfing, bowling and boating, and was a lifelong, die-hard fan of the Chicago Bears and White Sox. Above all, he was a friend to everyone he met and never missed a chance to thank a fellow veteran. Tom was the husband of Annette (nee Russell) for over 60 years; the father of Michael Anthony (Sherry) Corgiat and Jeffrey Thomas (Angela) Corgiat; Gramps to Anthony, Dominic, Nicholas and Gianna Corgiat and Madeline and Grace Greve; brother of Judith (late Tony) Pacelli and the late Frank (late Jacqueline) Corgiat; and the uncle of Paul, Christopher, Patrick and Jim Pacelli. Visitation will be held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, on Sunday, Dec. 28, from 3 to 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Mater Christi Church, 2401 S. 10th Ave., North Riverside, with visitation beginning at 9:30

a.m., followed by the Mass at 10 a.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org) are greatly appreciated. Tom will be missed and forever remembered.

No RiversideBrookfield Landmark on Dec. 31 Dear readers, An early heads up that the RiversideBrookfield Landmark will not publish a print edition on Wednesday, Dec. 31. We’re giving our hard-working colleagues a week off for the holidays. We’ll be closed from Dec. 24 through New Year’s Day. You’ll find us back on newsstands Wednesday, Jan. 7. Meanwhile, if major news breaks find us at rblandmark.com.

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

Sports

Seniors set the tone for young RBHS swim team All-staters Ferguson, Hannon fuel LTHS hopes for top-10 state finish By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

The Riverside Brookfield High School boys swimming and diving team’s season opener at Homewood-Flossmoor, Dec. 8, initially ended in a tie. Upon further review, some of the Bulldogs’ results were not included. “We had a little mix-up, but we ended up winning [comfortably],” senior Henry Manning said. The Bulldogs are hoping for continued success behind a solid core of seniors Jake Kocourek, Manning, Aidan Diaz and Michael Kallas – all four-year program members – and a primarily young roster with eight freshmen. “I would call ourselves family,” Kocourek said. “We’re very well connected. We can joke with each other. Everyone gets along with each other. It really helps us when we’re doing our sets in the pool when we’re with people who we can connect with easily.” Other contributors include juniors Marcello George and Emerson Lacey, sophomores Ryan Meschke and Frank Savaglio and freshmen Cameron Cimino and T.J. Wood. Junior Zachary Willie, a secondyear swimmer, is also in diving. The Bulldogs had just three seniors in last year’s sectional lineup but they were strong ones – diver Nate Kissel and Aiden Pankros, both individual state qualifiers, and Avi Ponnappan. “We’re young. A lot of question marks, lots of opportunities for people to claim spots and hopefully they’ll step up to the challenge,” RBHS swim coach Mike Laurich said. “Jake and Henry, if things roll right, have a shot [at state].”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brookfield’s Henry Manning competes in the 200 Yard Freestyle against St. Charles East, Dec. 11, 2025 in Riverside. Kallas, one of the team’s top sprinters, remains sidelined after injuring his knee during football. Kallas returns to pool workouts soon but competing is uncertain. “That’s a huge loss,” Laurich said. At last season’s sectional, Kocourek (500-yard free in 5:05.53) and the 200 free relay with Manning and Kallas (1:30.80) were fourth. The 200 medley relay with Kocourek and Kallas (1:44.11) was fifth. Kocourek may have challenged the 500 cut of 4:46.28 if not for wisdom teeth surgery that sidelined him for a week. This time, the 200 free or 100 butterfly could be his best state opportunities. “State would be awesome, but I just want to know that I improved myself in the pool from my practices,” Kocourek said. “I think this team, if we all put in the effort in practice, that 100 percent every day, we are going to do great things.”

A freestyler, Manning hopes to contend especially in the 50 free. “I spent a lot of time in the gym this offseason, trying to get those sprints down a little faster,” Manning said. “Just getting power off the walls and block really helps me.” Last season, the Bulldogs finished second at their first Upstate Eight Conference Meet to West Chicago. The 200 free and medley relays finished second.

LTHS boys swimming and diving The Lions had a great state meet last season, finishing 11th (81 points), just two points from 10th, after tying for 27th in 2024. They still wanted more. A strong senior class led by returning senior all-staters Matthew Ferguson and Jack Hannon intends to do that. “We wanted to get top 10. The boys

were upset, as was I, but they really committed themselves this last offseson,” Rodriguez said. “We have a very seniorheavy sectional and state team so they know this is kind of their last chance to do something special.” Last season, Ferguson went 4 for 4 as an all-stater. Individually, he was fifth in the 200 free (lifetime-best 1:39.35) and eighth in the 500 free (4:37.82) after a then-best 4:34.60 in prelims. In relays, Ferguson and Hannon were sixth in the 400 free relay (3:05.49) and seventh in the 200 free relay (1:24.57) with graduated Lachlan Gantt and Jake Thorell. Juniors Jovan Mijailovic and diver Owen Kachmarik and senior Andy Deditz also were state qualifiers, and senior CJ Bass was a 2024 qualifier. Senior Patrick Rhatigan, a transfer from Fenwick, was honorable mention all-state last season in the 200 and 500 free. Hannon will swim at Eastern Illinois. Earlier this month, Ferguson cut his 500 free best to 4:31 at the Speedo Winter Junior Championships West Section in Austin, Texas, where Mijailovic also had personal bests. “I think [Ferguson will] have a phenomenal state again this year,” Rodriguez said. At 2025 state, the 200 medley relay with Mijailovic and Deditz was 20th (1:35.86), Mijailovic was 39th in the 100 back (53.81) and had a false start in the 200 free and Kachmarik was 46th (171.55 points for 5 dives). In 2024, Hannon and Ferguson were part of the honorable mention all-state 200 free relay (10th in 1:24.57). Bass qualified for state in the 200 individual medley (35th, 1:57.35). At Fenwick, Rhatigan was 15th at state last season in the 200 free (1:42.71) and 500 free (4:42.62) after five more honorable mention all-state honors his previous two seasons with the 500 free and four relays. “He should make a quick impact,” Rodriguez said.

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

S P O R T S

Cameron sets new standards for RBHS girls volleyball Four-year standout breaks records for career and single-match assists By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School senior setter Claire Cameron often found herself in the corner of the school’s main gymnasium staring at the girls volleyball record board. “I always just looked at it and studied the numbers in gym class,” Cameron said. “I just never thought I’d actually be able to get there and do it.” Cameron has done just that. Twice. With her final match, Cameron’s 1,720 career varsity assists broke the mark of 1,711 by 1991 graduate Kary Law. Her late push included a single-match school-record 41 assists in a three-set loss to Fenwick, Oct. 14. That broke Law’s record of 40 in 1988. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a freshman,” said the 5-foot-7 Cameron, whose college volleyball plans are a club team at a larger school. “It means a lot because, even though I’m done with volleyball, I’m still a part of it in some way. Hopefully my name stays up there for a while, unless somebody beats me, but I think it’s just cool. It feels like I’m still in the sport because my name’s up there.” Both records came as surprises, especially the career mark after the Bulldogs lost a 25-21, 21-25, 25-21 heartbreaker to York in the Class 3A York Regional semifinals, Oct. 28. Cameron had 36 assists. The achievements also were gratifying for RBHS coach Caitlin Staib-Lipinski, who began as head coach in Cameron’s freshman year. She promoted her out of necessity midway through her freshman season but then immediately saw her ability to handle varsity competition. “Claire has set the bar very high for a setter,” Staib-Lipinski said. “I think all of our players stepped up [against York]. They knew that Claire was close to that record and the team wanted to play better for her.” Cameron was the first to acknowledge the hitting and passing of her teammates in achieving the records. This season, junior Mackenzie Sloger (259 kills) and senior Lucy Boyle (169 kills) and senior libero Ashlee Wudi (273 digs) were tops in those categories. Cameron finished with 560 assists after a

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brookfield’s Claire Cameron (8) plays the ball at the net against Geneva during the Downers Grove South Denise Kavanaugh Invitational Sept. 12, 2025 in Downers Grove. personal-best 624 in 2024. Law’s 755 assists for the 1988 Class AA state quarterfinalist remains the single-season school record. Sloger helped Cameron keep track of her career assist total. “I was like, ‘I don’t think I’m going to get (the record),’ Cameron recalled, and then, “‘I’m not going to get it.’ After our second to last game, we realized I only needed like 28 more. That’s when I realized maybe I could.” The previous three seasons, she had fouryear standout hitter Sofia Owens, now playing for the U. of Illinois club team, and liberos Aimee Di Battista, Kelley Tyler and Kira Conroy, who set single-match (34) and season (386) school records for digs in 2022. “You can’t get an assist without a kill and that starts with a pass, so it all comes down to my teammates getting this with me,” Cameron said. For the single-match record against 2A sectional champion Fenwick, the Bulldogs collected 44 team kills with a .304 attack percentage. Staib-Lipinski personally calculates the

individual statistics from match recordings. She kept the single-match record secret until practice the next day but admitted her excitement that night while watching the replay. “I came into practice and I wasn’t expecting anything,” Cameron said. “[Staib-Lipinski] said that I did beat the record. That was pretty cool, even though we lost.” Cameron has played setter since her second-grade days of fall league with her mother as coach. Next was club volleyball at 1st Alliance. As a freshman, she began on junior varsity. Because of an injury on varsity, she was promoted as backup for a weekend tournament. When Cameron played well during a testrun victory at Aurora Central Catholic, StaibLipinski asked her about staying on varsity during the bus ride back to RBHS. “I remember getting scared because she was like, ‘Claire, get up here,’” Cameron recalled. “Deep down I didn’t want to leave the girls on JV but I knew it was a great opportunity to be varsity. I’m really glad I was on

JV that small bit because I met a ton of girls.” RBHS has won two straight Upstate Eight Conference East Division titles with a 6-0 record. Even as Staib-Lipinski increased the strength of the Bulldogs’ schedule, Cameron rose to the occasion in terms of decision making. “That was one thing Claire was really good at from a setter’s perspective; there is no time to think,” Staib-Lipinski said. Cameron laughed. “I think it’s ironic because outside of volleyball I cannot make decisions,” Cameron said. “I’m looking at 19 schools and I have to narrow it down.” Whichever Cameron chooses, most likely to study nursing, volleyball will never be the same. “[I’ll miss] intense games in general. The feeling is euphoric in a way. I don’t know how I’m going to get my adrenaline that high again,” she said. “I could have played [college volleyball] if I wanted to, but when it comes down to it, I’d rather go to a larger school.”

S P O R T S

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

High-percentage shooting helps RBHS boys basketball Bulldogs remain unbeaten in UEC East; LTHS boys edge Hinsdale Central By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School guard Noah VanTholen already is finding his shot as a sophomore starting on varsity. He’s also making them. VanTholen had 19 points on 11-for-13 shooting, NOAH VANTHOLEN including 3-for-3 on three-pointers, as the Bulldogs defeated Glenbard South 63-46, Friday, to remain unbeaten in the Upstate Eight Conference East Division. “I kind of just got into a groove. My teammates really helped set me up, put me in a good position,” VanTholen said. “Just good preparation. I listened to good music (Rod Wave), made sure I was in the right head space.” Senior Cameron Mercer (17 points with 2 threes, 9 rebounds) also contributed, followed by seniors Colin Cimino (9 points, 6 assists) and Ben Biskupic (8 points, 8 rebounds). The Bulldogs (6-2, 3-0 in UEC East) made 26 of 56 shots (46 percent) with 6 threes. In the 60-48 victory over Ridgewood, Dec. 9, the Bulldogs made 21 of 45 shots (47 percent) with 3 threes and 15 of 16 free throws. On Friday, the Bulldogs visit Glenbard East in the first meeting of last season’s co-UEC East champions. “It’ll be a good challenge, one I think our guys are up for,” RBHS coach Mike Reingruber said. “Our shooting percentage has been pretty good throughout this season. I feel we’re doing a better job moving the basketball and sharing it, and when you share it, percentages go up.” Against Ridgewood, Mercer had 24 points on 7-for-15 shooting and 10-for-

10 from the free-throw line with six rebounds. Cimino (11 points with 2 threes, 8 rebounds, 4 assists), Biskupic (10 points, 3 steals, 3 blocks), Liam Enright (5 points) and Anthony Tyler and Walker Burns (4 points each) also contributed. The RBHS girls (3-6, 2-2) defeated Ridgewood 58-19, Dec. 9, and lost to Glenbard South 57-23 Friday. Senior Arianna Hudson scored a personal-best 22 points against Ridgewood. Claire Evans (12 points, 6 steals, 4 assists), Abby Weinert and Kennedy Holakovsky (5 rebounds each) also excelled. Evans (6 points), Kate Hamilton (5 points) and Hudson (4 points, 7 rebounds) were top players against Glenbard South.

LTHS basketball Last season, Lyons Township junior boys guard Timmy Sloan scored a personal-best 24 points in the huge home upset over West Suburban Conference Silver Division rival Hinsdale Central. Sloan had just five points in Friday’s showdown, but they were among the Lions’ final seven points in their 39-33 victory in La Grange. He finished 4-for-4 from the line, first giving the Lions (6-1, 2-0 in Silver) a 35-31 lead with 1:16 left. His final two, with 19.1 seconds left, were the game’s final points. “I just stepped up to the line and kind of blocked out the crowd and shot them, just like I do in practice. Obviously I didn’t have the type of performance I wanted this year, but we still won the game so it doesn’t really matter to me,” Sloan said. “We didn’t play great but coming out with a win is always great against Hinsdale. They were holding the ball, but we still found a way to win.” Sophomore Grant Smith had 17 points, five rebounds with one block and an impressive dunk. Owen Carroll (5 points, 5 rebounds) and Nate Woods, Blake Ragsdale and Tommy Blyth (4 points each) also contributed. The Lions (6-1, 2-0 in Silver) led 33-26 after Sloan converted 1 of 2 free throws but the Red Devils closed to 33-31 on a three with 2:26 left. In their previous victories, the Lions scored at least 65 points. “It was a grinder for sure,” LTHS coach Tom Sloan said.

STEVE JOHNSTON

Lyons Township’s Timmy Sloan (15) drives to the basket against Maine South’s Ian Smucker (10) during the Downers Grove Hoopsgiving Basketball Tournament, Nov. 24, in Downers Grove. Behind 12 three-pointers, Neuqua Valley (7-1) handed the visiting Lions their first loss 71-61, Saturday. Nate Woods (25 points) and Bryon Walton and Grant Smith (11 points each) finished in double figures. Sloan did not play to rest a left ankle injury. The LTHS girls (10-1, 3-1 in Silver) had their first loss 51-46 at Downers Grove North, Dec. 9, and beat Proviso West 79-8, Friday, and Phillips 65-31, Saturday. Emma O’Brien had 12 points and seven rebounds against Downers North (8-1, 2-1), followed by Kennedy Moore (9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals), Gwen Smith (8 points, 7 rebounds), Avery Mezan (7 points. 4 assists) and Evie Riopell (7 points, 5 rebounds). The Lions trailed Downers North 47-33

early in the fourth quarter but closed to 49-46 on Riopell’s basket with 32.0 seconds. The Trojans held on by making 1 of 2 free throws twice. LTHS trailed 27-12 in the second quarter before closing to 28-22 at halftime. “A lot of missed bunnies, fouls. We kind of dug ourselves a hole we couldn’t climb out of but [our players] didn’t give up,” LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens said. “They pressed well and put the pressure on them. We could have kept fighting if we had a little bit more time.” The Lions return to the 16-team Montini Christmas Tournament with their opener against the Merrillville (Ind.) Pirates (2-9) at 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22.

22 The Landmark, December 17, 2025 HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI • Deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST Plaintiff vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF WILLIE G. HENRY; FLORENCETTA HENRY; TCF NATIONAL BANK; ANITA HENRY; COURTNEY HENRY; EBONEE HENRY; MERCEDES HENRY; TIARA HENRY; JACK LYDON, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF WILLIE G. HENRY; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF FLORENCETTA HENRY, IF ANY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendant 17 CH 13529 Calendar 61 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on January 13, 2026, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell, in person, to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-09-315-063-0000. Commonly known as 635 Rice Avenue, Bellwood, IL 60104. The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition. IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER THE ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701¬© OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Codilis

& Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527. (630) 794-5300. 14-23-01315 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3277542

of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) (4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, contact HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 601 E. William St., DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 4221719. Please refer to file number 2044189. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc. com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC 601 E. William St. DECATUR IL, 62523 217-422-1719 Fax #: 217-422-1754 E-Mail: CookPleadings@hsbattys. com Attorney File No. 2044189 Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 25 CH 04295 TJSC#: 45-2279 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 25 CH 04295 I3277709

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.CHARLES S TRNKA, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF GEORGIANA M. TRNKA, DECEASED, UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS AND LIENHOLDERS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF GEORGIANA M. TRNKA, DECEASED, UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS AND LIENHOLDERS AGAINST THE UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF GEORGIANA M. TRNKA, DECEASED, SUSAN R WEAVER, SHERYL L TRNKA, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, CARY ROSENTHAL, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF GEORGIANA M. TRNKA, DECEASED Defendants 25 CH 04295 1811 DOWNING AVE. WESTCHESTER, IL 60154 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 5, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 6, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1811 DOWNING AVE., WESTCHESTER, IL 60154 Property Index No. 15-20-403016-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $206,676.20. Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified vendors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7�30 a.m. to 3�00 p.m. local time until 3�00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2026 Street Lighting & Traffic Control Materials Pricing Bid Number: 26�104 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at �708� 358�5700 during the above hours. Published in Wednesday Journal December 17, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CALENDAR NUMBER� 01�26�Z HEARING DATE� January 7, 2026 TIME� 7�00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING� Room 201 �Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302 APPLICATION� The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Azim Hemani, seeking a variance from Section 7�7�15�E��2� of the Oak Park Sign Code, in order to allow a canopy above the entrance to be one foot from the curb line, rather than the required two feet, at 1140 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16�07�119�014� 0000 �“Subject Property”), in the DT�1 Downtown Zoning District �Downtown Central SubDistrict).

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8�30 a.m. and 5�00 p.m. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@ oak-park.us before 5�00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. 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 17, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park ��Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302�� will receive electronic proposals until 11�00 A.M. on Friday, January 2, 2026, for the following: 25�10 Sewer Cleaning and Inspection. Proposals can be sent electronically to eavgoustakis@oak-park.us. In general, the contract will require the following work: light cleaning of sewer segments to be inspected, inspecting sewer segments by means of closed-circuit television �CCTV�, and providing reports of CCTV inspections at locations shown, and all appurtenant work thereto. All CCTV inspections shall be performed in accordance with NASSCO’s pipeline assessment certification program �PACP� standards. Proposal forms may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/bid starting on Thursday, Decemeber 18. For questions, please call or email Elaine Avgoustakis, �708� 358� 5726, eavgoustakis@oak-park. us The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq. THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer Published in Wednesday Journal December 17, 2025

The Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District #97 will receive sealed copier equipment and the installation of said equipment RFPs at the Administrative Office located at 260 Madison Street – Oak Park, IL, 60302, until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Copies of specifications may be secured at the Oak Park Elementary School District #97 District Office, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, but only able to be picked up by emailing Michael Arensdorff (marensdorff@ op97.org), to schedule a time. Responses mailed or delivered shall be marked to the attention of: Oak Park School District 97 Attn. Mr. Michael Arensdorff 260 Madison Street Oak Park, Illinois 60302 The front of the envelope should be clearly marked “District 97 Copier RFP”. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Mr. Michael Arensdorff at (708) 5243015 or marensdorff@op97.org. Faxed or electronically submitted RFPs will not be accepted. Responses Due Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. Only those responses complying with the provision and specification of the response will be considered. The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities, qualification or irregularities and/or reject any or all responses, when in its opinion, such action will serve the best interest of the Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District 97. Lonya Boose, Board Secretary Published in Wednesday Journal December 17, 2025

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All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777. GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

The Landmark, December 17, 2025

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The Landmark, December 17, 2025

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