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Vol. 35, No. 52

@riversidebrookfieldlandmark

December 23, 2020

Local nursing homes just a week or so from getting vaccine PAGE 7

Riverside board gives green light to design floodwall PAGE 8

RBHS principal calls failure rate ‘alarming’

Dressed in holiday style North Riverside’s answer to the North Pole is on 8th Avenue

35% of students on track in Nov. for at least one failing 2Q grade By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The pandemic and remote learning took a toll on area high school students’ grades this semester, which ended Dec. 18. As of mid-November, 35 percent of RiversideBrookfield High School students were on track to receive at least one F in the second quarter, which is more than double the failure rate of one year ago. “I know that this is alarming,” RBHS Principal Hector Freytas told the school board at its Dec. 8 meeting. “I’m not happy with it.” Older students are doing the worst, with 41 percent of seniors at RBHS having at least one class with a grade of F as of mid- November compared to just 18 percent one year ago. Thirty-eight percent of juniors had at least one failing grade compared to 19 percent last year, 34 percent of sophomores had at least one F compared to 16 percent last year and 27 percent of freshmen had at least one F compared to just 12 percent last year. Freytas said many students might have assumed that a state-mandated policy last spring that performance during remote learning could

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

THE MAN WITH THE BAG: Nothing was going to put a damper on the 2020 Christmas season for Brian Przybylski, who turned the front of his in the 2500 block of 8th Avenue into festival of lights and decor, a place where every weekend this month he has greeted kids and families dressed as Santa Claus. By JACKIE PISANO

Contributing Reporter

or as long as he can recall, Brian Przybylski has always loved the magic of the holidays. From the first time he helped his father decorate the house as a child, to leading his own family in their annual effort stringing together lights and

strategically placing dozens of whimsical Christmas figurines on the front lawn, Christmastime is truly near and dear to Przybylski’s heart. And despite the social distancing, anxiety and uncertainty of in 2020 disrupting the normality and traditions of the holidays for most, nothing was going to get in the way of Przybylski and his yuletide spirit.

In fact, it made him realize he had to kick things up a notch. As soon as the Halloween decorations came down, the Christmas decorations began to go up. In early November, the North Riverside resident and his family worked tirelessly to bring the spirit of the season and create See HOLIDAY on page 12

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The Landmark, December 23, 2020

IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

PROVIDED

CLOSER LOOK: The Brookfield Comprehensive Plan called out the Ogden Avenue sub-area (above) as a corridor worth closer examination. Next year, local officials will do just that.

Brookfield picks firm to lead Ogden Ave. study Trustees poised to ink agreement for planning effort next month By BOB UPHUES Editor

Brookfield is poised to launch its long-anticipated Ogden Avenue Corridor Study early next year now that officials have selected a consulting firm to lead the effort. At their meeting on Jan. 11, 2021, Brookfield trustees are expected to approve a roughly $75,000 professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn, a national planning firm with local offices in Chicago and Lisle. Kimley-Horn was chosen from a field of 16 planning firms that responded to a request for proposals in March. Representatives from a field of five finalists were interviewed in November by an ad hoc committee of Village Trustee Katie Kaluzny, Planning and Zoning Commissioner Karen Miller, Village Manager Timothy Wiberg, Village Planner Elyse Vukelich and Community Development Director Michael Schwarz. The selection process was delayed by a combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, which struck just as RFPs were sought and the departure of Ross Klicker, the village’s former community development director, in June. According to Schwarz, Kimley-Horn was an attractive candidate to lead the study, not only because they submitted the lowest price for the job, but because they have planning

experience in Brookfield. Kimley-Horn was one of the consulting firms used by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for the Brookfield Comprehensive Plan, which the village board adopted in 2018. In addition, two of the Kimley-Horn planners selected as part of the firm’s five-person team for the Ogden Avenue Corridor Study worked directly on aspects of Brookfield’s comprehensive plan. The team also includes a market analyst from the firm S.B Friedman. It will be that person who will look at trends and make sure whatever plan is adopted will work from a market standpoint, said Schwarz. Project Manager Daniel Grove, who appeared via Zoom before the village board at its Dec. 14 meeting, said he was “a fan” of the village and quite familiar with that stretch of Ogden Avenue in particular. “We see this corridor as having tremendous attributes, tremendous amenities, just like the rest of the village,” Grove told trustees. “We are approaching this not coming in to redo the whole corridor. We’re looking for solutions that are going to provide the village and staff flexibility and adaptability in how you implement this as you move forward into the future.” According to Kimley-Horn’s proposal, the firm will create a project website where all plans, graphics, reports and surveys will be compiled. The team will interact with Ogden Avenue stakeholders, assess the corridor for redevelopment opportunities, create a vision for Ogden Avenue and apply urban design

principles to help achieve it. The firm will seek public input at points during the study, which is expected to take between six and nine months to complete. The pandemic, particularly early on, will make interaction with the public a little more challenging, but Grove said Kimley-Horn has online tools that can replicate workshop and open house formats. The end product, Grove said, will include a “toolbox” to help village staff and elected officials implement the vision laid out in the final study document. “We want to go through the corridor and come up with a rubric that we’re going to apply to help us develop a series of priority sites,” Grove said. “Those might be adjacent to the Metra station, they might be sites all along the corridor. We know the corridor has some challenges in terms of the depth of the sites and the size of parcels and ownership, so we really want to go through and understand what’s going to have the best opportunity to be redeveloped.” Schwarz said that once the village board approves the professional services agreement next month, staff and Kimley-Horn will start working out a project timeline. “While the comprehensive plan is great at presenting the big-picture situation, looking at a specific corridor is going to be fun. It will get into what types of businesses will be attracted to some of these parcels,” said Schwarz, who pointed to the Congress Park Metra station area as a particular focus for redevelopment. “As planners, this is the kind of stuff we love to do.”

Editor Bob Uphues Sports Editor James Kay Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Javier Govea, Mark Moroney Debbie Becker Sales and Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich

Growing Community Media BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 E-MAIL buphues@wjinc.com ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $34 within Cook County

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 23, 2020

BIG WEEK

December 23-30 Tower Chorale performs Christmas classics

‘Wonderful Life’ goes digital Theatre of Western Springs presents “It’s a Wonderful Western Springs Life,” a digital play for the holidays by the Actives of the TWS and the young actors of the Children’s Theatre of Western Springs. Tickets are on sale now at theatreofwesternsprings.com and the performance can be seen through noon Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. Subscribers will receive the code; a $10 donation is suggested for non-subscribers. The digital Vimeo link will be emailed to patrons. “It’s A Wonderful Western Springs Life” features a cast of more than 100 adults and children and was filmed on the streets and in the parks and businesses of Western Springs.

Ring in the holidays

It’s been a difficult year and that’s not going to change during the festive period beginning this week. Still, North Riverside Parks and Recreation invites residents of the village to join their neighbors in spreading joy by stepping outside at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24 and ringing a bell for two minutes. Big bells, small bells – it doesn’t matter. Imagine how many angels will get their wings this Christmas!

Christmas during Radio’s Golden Age

Riverside Township Radio Players can’t bring you their annual recreations of old-time radio Christmas shows in person this year, but they can transport you back to the Golden Age of Radio via YouTube instead. Visit the troupe’s website at riversidetownshipradioplayers.com and click the link taking you to a video featuring recreations of two classic holiday shows, “The Magic Christmas Tree” from “Our Miss Brooks” and “Christmas Story” from the western drama “Gunsmoke.”

Last week of Holiday Magic

The final week of the 39th Annual Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St. in Brookfield, runs Saturday through Thursday, Dec. 26 to 31, from 3 to 9 p.m. Stroll along the many pathways lit with more than one million twinkling LED lights, including through the 600-foot-long Tunnel of Lights. Other dazzling displays include a giant 20-foot lit orb where guests can stand inside to take photos, a 41-foot tree and larger-than-life illuminated animal sculptures of a bison, bear and giraffe. 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.

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

The Landmark, December 23, 2020

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Man stabbed with spike during robbery attempt A man who allegedly stabbed a North Riverside gas station owner several times with a 7-inch long railroad spike during a robbery attempt last week remains in Cook County Jail awaiting trial. The victim, who declined transport to the hospital, sustained what police termed about 10 “superficial” stab wounds to his chest, back and left knee during what a witness described as a fight that spilled out from the gas station minimart into the outside lot. Michael Plata, 29, of Chicago has been charged with armed robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery to an elderly person. A Cook County judge set Plata’s bond at $150,000. He has a preliminary court date of Dec. 28 at the Maybrook courthouse in Maywood. According to the police report, at about 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 14, Plata attempted to steal a six-pack of beer and two glass bottles of malt liquor from Citgo Community Food and Gas, 8545 Cermak Road, after attempts to charge the items were declined. A man who was standing in line behind Plata reportedly told police that after the store owner attempted to set aside the items and asked Plata to leave, Plata pulled out a railroad spike and threatened the owner with it. When the victim attempted to grab the beer from Plata’s hands, a physical altercation started, with Plata stabbing the victim repeatedly. As the victim fought back, the scuffle quickly moved outside. As the two men fell to the ground east of the gas pumps, Plata reportedly got on top of the victim and began stabbing at his lower legs. At that time, the witness approached Plata from behind, pulled him off the owner and then sat on him while yelling for help. At that time, a Cook County Sheriff ’s Police officer, who had pulled his squad car into the station to gas up, intervened and took Plata into custody.

Garage burglary A resident of the 2300 block of Forest Avenue, North Riverside, went to police on the morning of Dec. 17 to report that her detached garage had been burglarized overnight. The victim told police she noticed the side service door to the garage was ajar and observed that two pressure washers, a bicycle and a lawnmower had been removed from the inside. Police said there were no signs of forced entry to the garage.

Vehicle break-ins A Brookfield police officer responding to a report of a suspicious person in the 3800 block of Woodside Avenue was flagged down

by a resident in the 3700 block who reported that someone had rummaged through two of their vehicles. The victim called police after observing one of doors to her vehicle ajar and noticing items shuffled around in another car parked nearby. No items of value were reported missing.

Grinch strikes in Brookfield Brookfield police reported three incidents last week in which someone damaged inflatable Christmas decorations during the overnight hours on Dec. 13-14. The incidents all happened in the same general vicinity as well, with two in the 4200 block of Grove Avenue and one in the 4100 block of Forest Avenue. Security video reportedly showed one of the incidents in the 4200 block of Grove Avenue. A person who appeared to be a juvenile wearing a gray hoodie can be seen approaching southbound on the sidewalk, damaging the inflatable on the front lawn and then running back northbound.

DUI after two warnings Brookfield police charged a 41-year-old Chicago man with driving under the influence of alcohol after he allegedly got behind the wheel of his car despite being told twice not to do so by a police officer just before 2 a.m. in the 3600 block of Woodside Avenue. An officer had been dispatched to Zubar and Grill, 8436 Brookfield Ave., to respond to a complaint about vehicles being parked illegally. The officer saw the alleged offender walking unsteadily in the area, holding his key fob in the air, trying to locate his vehicle. The man was about to get into the vehicle when the officer told him he looked impaired and probably should call for a ride. The officer drove away, but parked within sight of the vehicle. When the man approached the car again, the officer asked him what he was doing, to which the man allegedly replied, “You’re not gonna get me.” The officer drove away and parked in a different area near the vehicle. A short time later the man entered his car, did a three-point turn and drove off before being stopped about a block away by the same officer. The man reportedly failed field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Dec. 1420, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

Maybe it’s just too much. This year has been one shock after another. If you’re looking at your finances, and you just don’t see the way out, maybe it’s time to think about how you can get a fresh start through bankruptcy or Chapter 13. • You can get out from under a mountain of debt, or stretch out your car payments, or catch up on your mortgage so you can stay in your home. • If you have a business, and business is picking up, but the last few months have left you with more debt than the company can carry, maybe a Chapter 11 reorganization is what will get you through these tough time. • We are open and working to help our clients during this crisis. I’m meeting with clients by phone or video, and we can meet, discuss your case, and file for bankruptcy relief, all electronically. I’ve lived in Brookfield for 30+ years, and worked in LaGrange for 8; if there’s a way I can help my neighbors, I will.

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The Landmark, December 23, 2020

Riverside, Brookfield suffer more COVID-19 deaths Cases in Brookfield push past 1,200 – more than half in the past 6 weeks

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The number of people either confirmed or probable for COVID-19 infection in Brookfield pushed past 1,200 last week with two more residents dying from the disease, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner. A total of 10 Brookfield residents have died from COVID-19, six of those coming since Nov. 26 amid a spike in cases that has leveled off in the past three weeks but remains far

higher than the number of weekly cases seen during the first months of the pandemic. Another 92 residents of Brookfield were confirmed or probable for COVID-19 during the week-long period ending on the morning of Dec. 22, bringing the village’s total number of cases since the county began publishing that data in March to 1,231. More than half of the total cases seen in Brookfield – 624 -- have come since Nov. 11, a period of six weeks. It took the village 32 weeks to reach its first 607 cases.

Among those Brookfield residents dying from COVID-19 last week were a 65-year-old woman, who died Dec. 17 and an 80-year-old woman, who died Dec. 20. The village of Riverside last week also experienced the first death of a resident from COVID-19 since May 4. On Dec. 17, a 71-year-old man who lived in Riverside died from the disease – the third village resident since the pandemic swept through, according to county records. While there were 29 more Riverside resi-

dents and 27 North Riverside residents either confirmed or probable for COVID-19 in the past week, those numbers remain lower than they were last month, when Riverside’s weekly high neared 70 and North Riverside’s hit 36. As of the morning of Dec. 22, a total of 619 Riverside residents and 381 North Riverside residents have contracted COVID-19 since that data first began being published by the Cook County Department of Public Health See COVID-19 on page 17

IDPH looking for COVID-19 prevention ambassadors Illinois residents who are interested in peer-to-peer communication of COVID-19 prevention measures and outreach are invited to apply to become a COVID-19 prevention ambassador through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). According to an information sheet from the IDPH, ambassadors are Illinois residents “who play a vital role in supporting current state efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 by promoting and sharing information among their friends, family, peers

and neighbors on prevention measures, testing resources and other relevant information.” The goal of the program is to empower every citizen to be part of outreach and prevention of COVID-19. The estimated monthly time commitment is about one to two hours, according to the state’s information guide on the topic. Volunteers will participate in virtual orientation and training and in the program launch meeting. They will also be part of

regular virtual meetings for ongoing training, including “peer to peer problem solving as well as the sharing of new guidance and resources.” They will be asked to provide input into outreach materials related to COVID-19 and to organize virtual outreach activities, such as Facebook events or live streams. According to the IDPH, there are multiple benefits to participation, including being empowered in the face of concerns and fears by being able to help with solutions

and “contributing to a culture of health and prevention among your friends, family, peers and community.” To sign up, visit surveymonkey.com/r/ VNFZQRC. Questions include your name, county of residence and work, social groups with which you interact (such as college students), phone number and email address. There’s also an optional field where you can talk about why you wish to participate in the program. — Maria Maxham

Olmsted Society Stewards of the land and Olmsted’s Plan

Thank You Olmsted Members The 2021 Olmsted Membership Drive has just begun. Thank you to our members who have already renewed, joined, donated and volunteered your time. Your support and generosity is appreciated! As a non-profit, your tax deductible donation is used responsibly on activities that directly benefit Riverside. Funds are utilized to purchase trees, plants, and supplies for Riverside parks, educational programs and community outreach. If you haven’t already, we hope you will join us in preserving Frederick Law Olmsted’s legacy. To learn more, please visit our website or Facebook page.

You are invited to join us for our Annual Meeting via Zoom on January 15, 2021, at 7:00 pm After the highlights of 2020 activities and election of Officers, our guest speaker, Riverside Village Forester Mike Collins will present, “A Tree Guy in Shanghai: A Forester in a Foreign Land.” Please check our website for more details.

We Wish You a Joyous Holiday Season and a Very Happy New Year! Visit olmstedsociety.org or facebook.com/RiversideFLOS for details

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The Landmark, December 23, 2020

Local nursing homes eagerly await vaccine arrival Cantata, Caledonia residents set to receive first doses in January

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Local assisted living facilities and nursing homes, whose residents have lived under various states of lockdown for the past nine months, will be able to vaccinate residents and employees against COVID-19 during the first two weeks of 2021. Leaders at both Cantata Adult Life Services in Brookfield and Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care in North Riverside both received firm dates from their pharmacy partners on Dec. 21 that the vaccine would soon be on the way. On Monday, Cantata’s pharmacy partner CVS informed officials there that residents and employees would be getting their first doses of the vaccine on Saturday, Jan. 2. Meanwhile, Walgreens informed Caledonia Senior Living that vaccines would be administered there on Jan. 12. “We got the news about the vaccine on the winter solstice, the shortest, darkest day of the year,” said Gus Noble, president of Chicago Scots, which operates Caledonia, in a text message. “From here days get longer and lighter. They say the darkest

VID-19 during the pandemic, although 12 hour is right before the dawn.” The scheduling process, of course, staff employees and three agency employdoesn’t end with the first round of shots. ees have tested positive and were required The COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses, to isolate and test negative before returnwith the second required within 21 to 28 ing to work. As of late last week, Candays, depending on which tata also had no resident vaccine is being administest positive for COVID-19 tered. since Nov. 22, although So far, the U.S. Food and since the pandemic beDrug Administration has gan in March nine resiapproved vaccines from dents have contracted the the manufacturers Pfizer disease, according to a and Moderna. resident/staff case dashPriority for vaccine disboard on Cantata’s webtribution is being given to site. None of the cases has counties in Illinois that GUS NOBLE been fatal. have been hardest hit, President, Caledonia Senior Living According to that dataper capita, by COVID-19. and Memory Care base, 34 employees have Suburban Cook County is tested positive for COVsomewhere in the middle ID-19 at Cantata since the of that list. pandemic swept through The lockdowns at both the area, but just two emCantata and Caledonia have been fairly strict throughout the ployees have tested positive since Nov. 22. Noble said he meets weekly with staff to pandemic, even as the spread of the virus eased during the summer months. Noble reinforce a common commitment to safe confirmed that as of late last week, no practices both at work and at home. “The whole point is to make sure everyresidents at Caledonia had contracted CO-

“We’re not going to be able to rest until well beyond this.”

Riverside fire chief, lieutenant among the first to receive vaccines Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. 1st Ave. in Maywood, administered the first of its vaccine doses on Dec. 18, and a couple of Riverside first responders were among those inoculated against COVID-19. Loyola officials said they received 2,925 Pfizer vaccines on Dec. 17. Those will be distributed evenly between three Loyola Medicine hospitals: Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park and MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. “Today, having these vaccines is our first step in making sure that our Loyola Medicine community, the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois will be safer going into 2021,” said Dr. Neil Gupta, Loyola Medicine’s chief medical officer, during a press conference Friday morning. Riverside Fire Chief Matthew Buckley and Lt. Dan Tabb, who also serves as Riverside’s public works director, were among the first responders who received Loyola’s initial doses on Friday. “We’re on the front lines every day responding to houses and helping our resi-

dents, and lately the numbers have been steadily increasing, so it’s very important for us to get vaccinated also, so we can respond appropriately and safely,” Buckley said. SHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor “There’s a lot of apprehension about re- SHOT IN THE ARM: Riverside Fire Chief Matthew Buckley receives ceiving the vaccine, so his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Loyola University Medical I’m here to tell people Center in Maywood on Dec. 18. “I’m here to tell people it’s safe,” it’s safe.” Cheri Finke, a regis- Buckley said. tered nurse at Loyola who heads up what became the hospital’s Illinois Department of Public Health. According to federal guidelines, frontline first COVID-19 unit, also took the vaccine. “I’m really excited to be part of this,” Fine workers, health care providers and people said. “I was in charge the day we were told who live and work in long-term care faciliwe were going to be a COVID unit. [I still re- ties will receive the vaccine first. “Immunization will require two doses, member] the fear everyone had. It was palpable. This is kind of coming full circle, now spaced three-to-four weeks apart depending on the specific vaccine,” Loyola officials that we’re the first to get the vaccine.” Loyola officials said they’ll receive the said in a statement. — Michael Romain vaccines as they become available from the

one knows we’re all in this together, and let them know I’m making a personal commitment to them to do everything I can,” Noble said. “I ask in return for the same commitment. … Those conversations have helped us all bond with one another.” Naturally, employees are eager to find out more about when vaccines will be administered locally and Noble said it’s been positive that the “flicker of hope” for a vaccine during the early months of the pandemic is brighter now. But, Noble cautioned that just because the vaccine is being rolled out, Caledonia will not simply fling the doors back open soon. “We’re not going to be able to rest until well beyond this,” Noble said. “We’re going to be in some form of lockdown until there’s herd immunity.” Health experts have said that herd immunity won’t be reached until about 80 percent of all residents are vaccinated. In Illinois alone, that’s about 8 million people. “I don’t see us fully opening up [soon],” Noble said. “It’s going to take months for us to be more open in our operation.”

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The Landmark, December 23, 2020

Riverside trustees give OK to design floodwall Elected officials say project is not a done deal, despite potential costs

By BOB UPHUES

eral agencies to “identify historic properties, assess effects to historic properties, consider alternatives to avoid, minimize, or mitigate Riverside trustees voted unanimously on any adverse effects, and document their resoDec. 17 to give the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- lution,” according to the Advisory Council on neers the go-ahead to begin designing a pro- Historic Preservation’s website. When the Riverside Preservation Commisposed floodwall that would extend along Park Place from Woodside Road to Groveland Av- sion discussed the floodwall project at its Dec. enue and then south along the riverbank to 10 meeting, according to Marsh-Ozga, the the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad commission’s chairman stated that a Section 106 review was needed. embankment. “Yet there has been [no review],” said In doing so, however, trustees moved to assure opponents of the project that unless the Marsh-Ozga, who recommended that trustees Army Corps demonstrates that the resulting defer a vote on moving ahead with the design floodwall won’t negatively impact the vil- phase of the project. However, Village President Ben Sells said a lage’s national historic landmark status and meets high standards of design, it would not Section 106 evaluation “will be” done. The Army Corps has stated that Section 106 move forward. “For me, a linear wall along the riverbank had been considered in its decision to recomis a non-starter,” said Trustee Doug Pollock. mend a floodwall for Riverside, but local of“I can’t imagine a circumstance where any ficials are not convinced. “If we cannot find clear and village board would approve just convincing evidence of that, the a blank concrete wall extending village will request a separate along the river bank. … I’ll be the and thorough [Section] 106 refirst to pull the plug on this if we view, and the Army Corps has can’t get it right.” agreed to do that,” Sells said. The roughly $7.2 million projSells also said that the village ect is being funded via a partand Army Corps would solicit nership between the federal more public input on design durgovernment and the Metropoliing that process and Zuercher tan Water Reclamation District. said the Army Corps was open to While the village’s out-of-pocket add special features to the design costs are expected to be miniof the floodwall – such as allowmal, if Riverside kills the project ing river access to West Avenue once the design is complete, the property owners – although that village would be on the hook for would likely increase the cost of preliminary and final design exthe project for the village. penses, which could be several In contrast to the Dec. 3 village hundred thousand dollars. CRISTIN EVANS board meeting where residents of Last week’s decision by vilRiverside trustee Groveland, Lincoln, Forest and lage trustees permits the Army West avenues predominantly exCorps of Engineers to begin depressed support for the floodwall, signing the floodwall, a process those residents providing public expected to take more than a year. By next spring, local and Army Corps comment on Dec. 17 were either against the officials will determine the exact alignment wall outright or had serious concerns about of the proposed floodwall, particularly as it how the wall would impact their properties. Nearly all of the 13 members of the public pertains to residential properties along West commenting on Dec. 17 live on Maplewood Avenue. For the next 12 months or so after that de- Road, immediately north of the project area, termination, a number of tasks will be in mo- and reiterated their fears that the wall would tion at the same time, including negotiations increase flooding on their properties. Some for property acquisition and a formal review residents living on the south leg of Mapleby the Army Corps of Engineers on the im- wood Road, adjacent to Park Place worried pact a floodwall would have on Riverside’s the floodwall would result in the removal of trees and shrubs in their backyards and historic landmark designation. Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga, a member of the would be an eyesore. Sells disputed the claim that the wall would Riverside Preservation Commission and a candidate for trustee in next April’s election, increase flooding for Maplewood Road resisaid that the Upper Des Plaines River Water- dents and tried to alleviate fears of those shed Study, where a Riverside floodwall was along the Park Place frontage. “The project will not increase flooding anyjustified, ignores the village’s historic status. The construction of such a wall in a nation- where. The ACE is not allowed to construct al landmark community, said Marsh-Ozga, re- a project that will increase flooding in any quires the Army Corps to review its impact. other location.” Sells reiterated the conclusion of both the She pointed to the National Historic Preservation Act’s Section 106, which requires fed- Army Corps and the village’s engineer that Editor

“The real challenge will be designing something that fits in with the charm and natural beauty of Riverside.”

PROVIDED

PROJECT AREA: The proposed Army Corps of Engineers floodwall would stretch along Park Park (at the top of the map) from Woodside to Groveland and then south along the river bank to the BNSF Railroad embankment, shown at the south end of the map. while the amount of water inundating Riverside during flood events seems large, it is minuscule in comparison to the volume of water rushing downstream during flood events and that a wall directing water downstream will not push it to other residential areas upstream, downstream or west of the Des Plaines River. “It will have no impact on flooding whatsoever,” Sells said. As for the wall’s impact on properties next to Park Place, Sells said the wall’s location and the 15-foot easement to the north would not intrude onto private property at all, and that any rear yard fence would either completely or mostly obscure the view of the wall. He also said that the village would mark off the easement area along Park Place to give residents a sense of exactly where a floodwall would be and what trees and shrubs on public land would have to removed. Sells also said the village could use cardboard or string to demonstrate the height of the wall in that area. As for the argument that it wasn’t worth building the floodwall if FEMA would still require property owners in the Groveland Avenue area flood basin to obtain flood insurance, Sells said that was no reason to kill the project outright. “That does not change the fact that this project would protect 111 structures … and that comprises 273 households,” Sells said. While many questions remain regard-

ing the final “look” of the floodwall, exactly how it will appear from the west and exactly where two pump stations will be located, Trustee Patricia Collins said that in order to answer those questions, the project had to be designed. “I don’t see how we can answer people’s questions without moving into the design phase,” Collins said. “ But if the design doesn’t measure up, trustees said they would not hesitate killing the project and eating possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars expended during the design phase. “The real challenge will be designing something that fits in with the charm and natural beauty of Riverside,” Evans said. “It has to look nice or I’m going to be a ‘no’ vote also. It’s going to be very important for us to get that right.” Trustee Edward Hannon echoed that view, saying he would not hesitate to vote down construction and eat the cost of design if the floodwall design falls short of the village’s expectations. “If these objectives aren’t being met, there’s a ‘no’ vote coming from me,” Hannon said. Trustee Wendell Jisa, like Collins, viewed the design phase as a necessary investment. “I look at this as a consulting fee. A couple hundred thousand dollar investment to determine whether or not it’s the right choice? I think it’s worthy of that,” said Jisa.

The Landmark, December 23, 2020

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Visually appealing site integrated with social media, easier for staff to update By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

This month a new and vastly improved website for Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District 95 made its debut at district95.org. The new website is much more visually compelling than the cramped old website which was 10 years old. The old website was very text-heavy while large, sharp photos of students are prominent on the new website, which debuted on Dec 4. Information is easier to find and the visual experience is much better. Tina Corradino, the mother of two sixthgraders, is impressed with the new website. “It’s nice,” Corradino. “Very clean and user-friendly.” The new website is easier to navigate and is easier for staff to use and post items on. The website also is integrated with the district’s social media accounts, so items posted on the website can be posted simultaneously to the district’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. “We’re excited to have the integration of social media and we think [it] will be a better communication tool and a better way for us to showcase all the great things that we’re doing in District 95,” said Superintendent Mark Kuzniewski. The website was designed and will be

maintained by Edlio, a company that specializes in designing websites for schools. Edlio is also used by Riverside Elementary School District 96. The old District 95 website was designed and maintained by Schoolpointe. The district will pay Edlio $4,200 a year to maintain the website. District officials first began looking in earnest at changing websites about one year ago. They examined bids from four companies and chose Edlio. The district’s contract with Schoolpointe expired at the end of June. District officials had hoped to have the new website up and running by the start of the school year in August, but the demands of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic delayed things. “COVID kind of pushed all the timelines back,” said Amanda Pelsor, the district’s director of technology and innovation. In addition to being much more colorful and visually appealing, the new website is easier for the staff to use. Pelsor said the previous website was cumbersome to work with. Pelsor loves that the new website is easier to work with and has a modern, upto-date look. “We are very excited about it,” Pelsor said. Kuzniewski is even trying to post more things on Twitter. “I’m not a regular Twitter user, but I am getting a little better,” Kuzniewski said.

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The Landmark, December 23, 2020

Thank you to all of our readers Dear Readers, We’re excited to share that we met our NewsMatch goal, our Board Match goal, and now our Match Maker goal! These funds are absolutely critical to maintaining our Independent community newsrooms and will enable us to continue reporting across our seven neighborhoods. To all of you who have already contributed: YOU made this happen and we are so grateful. To those who have not yet given: There is still time to help out -- we’re not done yet! We’re introducing a stretch goal of $10,000, which will: • Cover costs of reporting this spring’s local elections, school and business re-openings, vaccine rollouts, and more across our Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest • Sustain our hyperlocal reporting as our local businesses recover from the effects of COVID-19 • Help us launch in early 2021 new, reader-friendly websites and newsletters to better serve readers in our seven communities We’re excited about our 2021 plans and know that, with your help, we can make them happen. Here’s how: We challenge you to ask just one friend — someone who values journalism like ours — to match the donation you made to the Weekly, the Journal, the Review and the Landmark! Ask them to go to [flag specific donation link] or give them the donation envelope in this week’s paper. But don’t delay: we have until Dec. 31 to meet this goal! We thank all of you. We wish you all safe and joyful holidays. And join us with hope and optimism for the New Year! With deep gratitude, Dan Haley Editor and Publisher Growing Community Media

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The Landmark, December 23, 2020

Brookfield Zoo dolphin dies from aggressive lung disease Test for COVID-19 was negative, officials say By BOB UPHUES Editor

A 7-year-old bottlenose dolphin at Brookfield Zoo has died after contracting an illness that caused acute respiratory failure, zoo officials announced Friday. Magic, one of seven dolphins in the zoo’s collection, died Dec. 16 “despite immediate intervention” by zoo veterinarians, according to a press release. “Preliminary necropsy (animal autopsy) findings confirmed that an illness had rapidly affected Magic’s lungs,” the press release stated. “Additional diagnostic testing for specific infectious diseases is underway.” The veterinary staff at Brookfield Zoo did administer a COVID-19 test, but the result was negative. Magic had a history of lung and airway ailments, according to the press release, and

in 2018 was diagnosed with pulmonary mucormycosis. “This disease is caused by a common environmental fungus that can lead to rare opportunistic infections in a variety of animals, including people, when it enters the body through the lungs or a break in the skin,” the zoo press release stated. “Effective treatment of the disease can be very difficult.” Treatments had resulted in the disease regressing dramatically over the past year, and Magic reportedly had been “in great health until he deteriorated acutely on December 16.” “We are all just devastated by the loss of Magic. From his birth, he has held a special place in the hearts of our marine mammal and veterinary staff who cared for him,” said Bill Zeigler, senior vice president of animal programs for CZS. Born in 2013 at Brookfield Zoo, Magic was hand-raised by zoo staff after his first-time

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

mother did not provide adequate care. It was the first time Brookfield Zoo staff had successfully hand-reared a dolphin calf, according to the press release. “The dedication and attentiveness that staff have provided to Magic since his birth demonstrate the commitment and passion

they have for the animals in their care,” said Zeigler. “Magic’s death has been very difficult for all of the Chicago Zoological Society family and he will be greatly missed.” According to the press release, the six dolphins remaining in the zoo’s collection remain in good health.

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The Landmark, December 23, 2020

HOLIDAY

Family affair from page 1 a home that even the North Pole’s most famous resident would be envious of, illuminating the front of their home with a mix of all the major themes of the holidays, from religious reflections to storybook images. With the front parkway dedicated to a complete nativity scene, neat rows of homemade multicolored milk jugs and a stringlight Christmas tree brightening the home’s perimeter, Rudolph and friends on the Island of Misfit Toys, watchful elves and topped off with Santa and his reindeer up on the roof, 2524 8th Avenue is arguably the jolliest residence in the area. To Przybylski, decorating isn’t just something he does out of family tradition; it’s something he does to be a good neighbor. “I enjoy decorating for the reaction of everybody else,” he said. “It’s just the reactions that I get from other people, and the joy and the smiles it brings to people’s faces.” This year, especially, continuing to share the holiday goodwill as in years past was important for the whole family. “We’re just trying to give joy and happiness to kids who’ve been cooped up -- something they can look forward to, something that people can drive by at night and not have to worry about [the pandemic],” he said. Going big with the decorations is always something Przybylski aims for, although this year, he’s sure the home has the most decorations on display than it has ever had before. “We try to add a new piece every year or a couple of new pieces, depending on what happened in the years past with items that have gone bad due to snow and storage,” he explained about his decorating strategy. Another festive piece Przybylski made sure to include this year were providing kids with a way to get a photo with Santa Claus and drop off their letters to him. From noon to 7 p.m. every Saturday through Christmas, Przybylski dresses up as Santa, while his wife, Sherry, plays Mrs. Claus, and their children, Jesse and Angela, dress up as elves for photo ops and safely mingle with passersby.

After meeting Santa, children are invited to drop off their letters and wish lists for him in a festive mailbox next to Santa’s sleigh, and they can expect a delivery back before Christmas Eve, thanks to Przybylski’s help as Santa’s assistant. “We have a special stamp from the post

office from the North Pole and put those on the letters, and we even made reindeer food with oatmeal and sparkles for delivery,” he said. In addition to catching the attention of his North Riverside neighbors, thanks to his sharing of the festivities on local neigh-

borhood Facebook community pages, the home has also attracted audiences from Riverside, Brookfield, LaGrange Park and other suburbs. “People from around the area have come to stop by, and a lot of people are just saying how nice it is,” Przybylski said.

WINTER WONDERLAND: The Pryzybylski home in the 2500 block of 8th Avenue, North Riverside, positively glows with holiday spirit (top), where Brian Pryzybylski (middle left) dresses as Santa to greet visitors like 3-year-old twins Maggie and Carolina Rotolo, of Clarendon Hills (middle right), who came by to visit Santa and his elves, Jesse Pryzybylski and Angela Pryzybylski (far left, with Brian) and wander among the lighted decorations (left). PHOTOS BY ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

The Landmark, December 23, 2020

DNA match leads to arrest of Brookfield robbery suspect Same man arrested in 2014 for allegedly burglarizing local hobby shop

By BOB UPHUES

tion, an offense for which he was sentenced to 10 years. In January of that year, Brookfield police had arrested Simmons for alBrookfield police say DNA legedly breaking into an Ogden evidence was the key to directly Avenue hobby shop with another connecting a second suspect to man and stealing the cash regan armed robbery at a local anister, running across the street tiques store in July 2019. And, on with it to the motel where they Dec. 17 detectives took the man was staying. It is unclear whethinto custody without incident at er Simmons was ever tried for his residence in southwest subthat offense. urban Montgomery, closing out Simmons has a long criminal the case. record that stretches back to 1990 The Cook County State’s AttorMILO SIMMONS when he received a four year ney has charged Milo Simmons, sentence for residential burglary 50, with attempted armed robbery, a Class 1 felony that carries a prison and theft. According to police, Simmons and Brisentence of between four and 15 years, if an A. Shive, 46, tried to rob the owner of convicted. At the time of his arrest, Simmons was on Knight’s Antiques, 9046 31st St., Brookfield, parole for a 2014 residential burglary convic- on the afternoon of July 25, 2019. Both men Editor

allegedly wore bandannas over their faces and were armed with handguns when they confronted the owner. However, the duo aborted the robbery and fled the store after an employee who witnessed the incident caused a distraction by running out the back door of the business and calling police. The employee later identified Shive as one of the offenders after police took him into custody as he exited the backyard of a house on 30th Street just west of Sunnyside Avenue. Shive, of Venice, Florida, pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery in September 2019 and is in the midst of serving a sixyear sentence at Shawnee Correctional Center. Simmons reportedly eluded capture despite a large police search that included using dogs and a helicopter. But a resident of

the 9000 block of Bartlett Avenue reported finding a black bandanna, a silver handgun and other articles of clothing under a bush in a side yard. Brookfield police turned over that evidence to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab. Based on a description of the second offender police believed Simmons, whose face, neck and bald head are heavily tattooed, was a suspect. But it wasn’t until Nov. 23 that state police notified Brookfield detectives that DNA recovered from the black bandanna found at the scene was a match with Simmons. Local detectives, accompanied by officers from other agencies, arrested Simmons at home on Dec. 17. His bond has been set at $500,000 and the Illinois Department of Corrections has also issued a parole violation warrant, police said.

District 96 students will return to classrooms Jan. 4 Nearly 60% of faculty oppose quick return, want 2-week wait after break

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Schools in Riverside Elementary School District 96 will open their doors to students as planned on Jan. 4 despite a plea from its teachers union to delay a return to classrooms for two weeks. Nearly 60 percent of teachers oppose students returning to school in person on Jan. 4, according to a union survey. All District 96 students, except for a handful of special education students, have been attending classes remotely since Nov. 30 to guard against a possible surge in COVID cases after Thanksgiving. Superintendent Marth Ryan-Toye said it is important for the schools to reopen for those who want to send their kids to school. This fall, approximately 70 percent of District 96 students had been attending school in person on a hybrid schedule. “We’ve made a commitment to our students and to our families that January 4 is the date, and we really believe our schools are safe,” Ryan Toye said. “I know there are varying viewpoints on that, but it’s important, I think, for our children to get back to school and families to get back to that structure and that opportunity, at least for those,

that he listened to what the REC leaders who want it.” At the Dec. 16 school board meeting, which said with great interest. The union co-presidents said that only was held virtually on Zoom, the co-presidents of the teachers’ union, the Riverside 21.8 percent of teachers favored returning Education Council, asked the school board to in-person instruction on Jan. 4, with another 19.9 percent uncertain to consider delaying the reabout returning on that date. turn to in-person instruction Meanwhile, 58.3 percent opto guard against an increase posed returning to in-person in cases following Christmas. instruction on Jan. 4, with 80 “The official position of the percent of teachers favoring Riverside Education Council a return to in-person instrucis to delay the return from tion after a two-week delay at our adaptive pause until 10 the start of the month. to 14 days into the New Year,” The co-presidents read said co-president Katie Kaystatements by two teachers, astha, who is student servicHauser teacher Jennie Popoes coordinator at Hauser Jr. vic and Central and HollyHigh School. “We appeal to MARTHA RYANTOYE wood School teacher Patty the board to consider this opD96 superintendent Dost, explaining why they tion for the health and safety favor a delay in returning to of students and staff.” in-person instruction. The school board did not “As long as there are such discuss the request, at least high numbers of COVID in the community, during open session, during its meeting. “Under the return-to-learn plan that we are unable to provide a guarantee that was passed in the summer, the authority it is being kept out of the schools,” Popovic to have schools in session or to close them wrote in her statement. “I worry about my rests with the superintendent, at least students, their families and all of the Disuntil the board decides otherwise,” said trict 96 staff. At this point, I would guess school board President Dan Hunt, adding that most of us know someone who has suf-

“I know there are varying viewpoints on that, but it’s important, I think, for our children to get back to school.”

fered illness or death because of COVID. If we can help decrease these numbers, why wouldn’t we?” District 96 will start offering saliva screening tests to students and staff beginning on Jan. 4. To date, about 583 students or nearly 60 percent of those attending school in person have signed up for the voluntary COVID-19 screening. About 70 percent of district staff have also signed up for the saliva tests. “We’d really like those numbers to increase,” Ryan-Toye said. Some staff members have already started the saliva screening tests. On Dec. 17, two staff members, one at Ames School and one at Central School, had clinically significant test results indicating the presence of the novel coronavirus in their system. Ryan-Toye sent a holiday message to families on Dec. 18 asking that they quarantine for 14 days if they travel out of state or out of the country during the winter break. Hunt said he believes it is safe for students to return to school in person on Jan. 4. “With the saliva screening combined with the protocols that are in place right now and that there’s been no in-school transmission, I personally feel very comfortable with the schools opening on [Jan. 4] and I believe that they can be safe,” Hunt said.

Read it online at www.rblandmark.com

The Landmark, December 23, 2020

Opinion KOSEY CORNER

THE LANDMARK VIEW

From dark to light

t’s human nature to put frames around everything, even time, as if each rotation of the Earth around the sun was a discrete occurrence and not just perpetual motion spinning the cycle of seasons around us. Yet, that’s just what we do. As the calendar ticks off its final day, we take stock of what’s transpired during the past 365 days – this year it’s 366, as if we needed to prolong 2020 any longer than necessary. Dec. 21 was the winter solstice, the shortest day in one of the darkest years we’ve experienced in a century. No, the nation is not at war, though from the body count you might not be able to tell the difference. More than 300,000 dead from a virus that we as a nation failed to control. The principal reason for that failure got voted out of the White House in November, a clear victory in a year marked with losses, and yet we are all left to watch in a sort of fascinated horror as Donald Trump continues to chip away at the foundations of our democracy in his tantrum of defeat. No matter. Come Jan. 20, Trump will vacate the White House in disgrace, taking his coterie of toadies with him. Then we get to the hard work of repairing the damage done over the past four years. We’re left with a mountain to climb, but we’ve scaled heights before. As in those past triumphs – against colonial masters, traitors plunging the nation into civil war, European fascists who sought to dominate the globe – we’ll do it through the collective action of the people, by putting the common good above selfish interest. That’s for next year and the years beyond. We have no illusions about the difficulty of rallying the citizenry around a common cause, not after the debilitating and most likely ongoing future attempts to factionalize it irreparably. Back to this year, to Monday, the shortest day of 2020. There is light on the horizon. As the days grow longer, more and more of us, starting with those so impacted by the pandemic – the elderly in long-term care homes and their caregivers, those toiling in hospital emergency rooms and intensive care units – will receive vaccinations against COVID-19. As the first quarter of 2021 moves apace, more vaccinations will follow. Through a collective effort by the scientific and medical communities there is great hope for a way out of this pandemic within a matter of months. By this time next year, we picture reunions with our friends and loved ones, a restoration of a time when we can be together to celebrate and to grieve, to support one another. But, that doesn’t mean going back to “normal.” If the last several years were “normal,” we need new model for that term. We must never go back to the “normal” conditions that brought us to where we are on Dec. 23, 2020. Here’s hoping for that redemption as a society, as a nation. It will take all of us.

Making the season merry and bright, regardless

o how are we going to write about Christmas 2020 in our memory book? It will be quite different, but then so has most of 2020. So let’s look back and find some of the good in what has been bad. As a start, last Saturday there was a small wreath ceremony outside at the Riverside United Methodist Church for those Riverside residents who have died while serving in the Armed Forces. It was a small group, fewer than 10. Tom Sisulak read the names of the 54 Riverside residents who died while serving in 20th century wars and American Legion member Greg Saganich presented a wreath, which is now displayed outside the church. One of the attendees who took pictures and said, “Smile.” Of course, we all were wearing masks but, yes, we did smile. I know I did. How I could tell the others were smiling? Why, it was the gleam in their eyes. I like to think that behind our masks there are many smiles. OK, there was no going to see Santa and sit on his lap, this year, but we did see him as he drove past our

homes in a truck on Saturday and waved. Don’t know who it was – well, other than it being Santa, of course – but it was very nice. While it may seem like much has been taken away from us this holiday season, I have detected an effort by many to not let the goings on of 2020 get us down. Good for you people who have stepped up in one way or another. The creative ways people have come up with to assist others shows what we and do when called upon. We must teach children to continue to believe, because Santa Claus will always be there only in many different ways. I know I continued to believe, even when my parents closed up the fireplace in the living room. How was Santa going to get in? Mom taught me to believe and it did happen. O little towns of Riverside, Brookfield, North Riverside how still we see thee lie, but in our hearts we are together, believing and hoping to be together as once before. So light a candle and imagine better Christmases to come. Peace!

JOANNE KOSEY

LETTERS

Brookfield police went above and beyond

Time to move on from Madigan as speaker

So often we hear nothing but bad news lately, especially about the police. But I have some really good news to write about. Last week, my teenage granddaughter took her dog for a walk at Ehlert Park in Brookfield. It has lots of paths and is quite large. My daughter and I also took a walk there. My granddaughter dropped her phone from her pocket and didn’t realize it until she was home. We all went back to the park with flashlights, but by then it was too dark. I suggested to my daughter that she call the Brookfield Police non-emergency number. She did. I guess I expected them to just take notes about the phone and put it down as missing. But no, they went to the park and found the phone. Then they took it by my daughter’s home to return it to them. Wow! I was amazed. The thought of it brings tears to my eyes. The Brookfield police really went above and beyond what they had to do in my opinion, and I want to thank them and let others know.

State Rep. Kathleen Willis said it best when she became one of the 19 current Democrats in the Illinois House to oppose giving Rep. Madigan another term as speaker. She said he had become a distraction. The situation in Springfield is financially dire. Lots of new bills will be proposed in the spring session. Any good ideas that Rep. Madigan supports will have a corrupt taint deserved or not. Look what happened to the Fair Tax. A good idea to change one word in the constitution from “flat” to “graduated” was soundly defeated as people thought it was tied to Madigan or was a tax hike. It was neither. Ironically Madigan was part of the 1970 Constitutional Convention that put the flat tax in place. But in politics, perceptions are more important than realities. During the 2nd Continental Congress of 1776, John Adams wanted to propose independence for the 13 colonies. His good friend Ben Franklin told him not to do so, because most of the delegates thought John was arrogant and overbearing. Any idea he proposed would be defeated. Franklin suggested giving this idea to another delegate to propose. This is what happened and the rest is history. It is time for new leadership in order to propose new ideas that will bring Illinois forward. Illinois representatives who still support Madigan say that they do so in order to get his support and money for re-election campaigns. But with so many gerrymandered districts, most reps have no opponents. Why do they need him? Illinois does not.

Lyons

Riverside

Carol S. Walker

Jan Goldberg

The Landmark, December 23, 2020

Unemployment insurance fraud reports skyrocketed in 2020 Attempts the result of identity theft by computer hackers, says state agency

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Local police departments have reported an avalanche of fraud complaints in 2020, with most related to fake unemployment compensation award notices being sent to gainfully employed residents. The scheme comes at a time when, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, state unemployment agencies across the nation saw a surge in claims as businesses, particularly in the restaurant and personal service industries, shut down and laid off staff due to stay-at-home orders issued in March. Despite the easing of those restrictions during the summer, the fraud complaints have continued unabated, with local police responding to a skyrocketing number of incidents.

Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel said Dec. 15 that in the prior 60 days his department had fielded 66 unemployment fraud complaints. In all of 2019, he said, Riverside police handed just 30 fraud complaints of any kind. He described the situation as “out of control.” Brookfield police, meanwhile, had taken 158 fraud reports in 2020 through Dec. 20. While those might not all be related to unemployment insurance cases, it likely accounts for most of them. In 2019, Brookfield police handled 77 total fraud reports and just 47 the year before. “It’s gotten to the point where we have a standard template to use now for these reports,” said Detective Sgt. Nicholas Hahn, who urged anyone receiving a suspected fraudulent notice of unemployment benefits from the Illinois Department of Employment Secu-

rity (IDES) to report it to police. The problem has become so prevalent that on Dec. 21, the Brookfield Police Department announced it had developed a pamphlet on financial identity theft that was available to residents reporting fraud incidents. According to the IDES website, the fraudulent claims are the result of computer hackers stealing identities and using them to create bank accounts where any proceeds they receive can quickly be moved off shore. If you are the victim of unemployment insurance fraud, you are not responsible for repaying any proceeds paid out under your name. The IDES says you can spot unemployment insurance fraud in a number of ways: ■ You receive a debit card or an unemployment insurance letter but have not filed for any benefits.

■ Your employer notifies you that a claim for benefits has been filed, but you are still employed. ■ You attempt to file a claim and one under your name already exists. ■ The IRS sends you a letter about you receiving unreported unemployment insurance benefits. ■ You get a notice of a state or federal tax offset. In addition to contacting local police, if you suspect you are a victim of unemployment insurance fraud, you should contact IDES at 800-814-0513 to report it. If you receive a debit card in the mail, do not activate it and do not contact the bank listed with that correspondence. You should also request free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com to see if they contain any fraudulent activity.

OBITUARIES

Mary Barnette, 80 Retired Hines V.A. Hospital secretary Mary “Maureen” Barnette (nee Taylor), 80, of Brookfield, died Dec, 20, 2020. She loved her family and had a way of making each person feel special. Ms. Barnette was a retired secretary in the nuclear medicine department at Hines V.A. Hospital. A devout Catholic, she was a Eucharist minister MARY BARNETTE and religious education teacher for many years at St. Barbara Church in Brookfield. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends, baking, going to musicals and was up to joining into any adventure she was invited to. She was a kind and caring friend who helped others in any way she was able. Some of her favorite things included banana bread, ice cream, chocolate milk and Jell-O shots (not!). She adored her two furbaby kittens, Tara and Midge. Ms. Barnette was the mother of Elizabeth (Edward) Spoeri, Denise Barnette, Janice (Thomas) Skrip and Mary (Tiger)

Smith; the grandmother of Megan and Emily Spoeri, Brandon Skrip, Taylor (Drew) Moore, MaryKate and the late A.J. (Cassie) Smith; the great grandmother of Mikey and Raelynn Moore and Tori Sauleiko-Smith; the daughter of the late James and late Mary Taylor; the sister of the late James (Shirley) and late Robert Taylor; and a caring friend to her former spouse, Ken Barnette. She was an aunt and dear friend to many. Visitation will be Saturday, Dec. 26 from 9 a.m. till time of prayers at 10:30 a.m. at Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Barbara Church, Brookfield. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the St. Barbara Food Pantry, Attn: Aida Gatch, 4008 Prairie Ave. Brookfield, 60513.

Joan P. Branecki, 84 Western Electric retiree Joan Pauline Branecki (nee Halik), 84, of Harvard and formerly of Brookfield, died Dec. 20, 2020 at Shepherd Premier Senior Living in Harvard. Ms. Branecki was born June 30, 1936 in Cicero and worked as a secretary at the

Western Electric Company prior to retirement. She was a member of St. Mary Church in Riverside and the Women of the Moose. She enjoyed bowling, ceramics, gardening and bingo. She was the wife of the late Walter J.; the mother of Patti (Andy) Mazil, David (Sherry) Branecki and Sherri (Dave) Vohaska; the grandmother of Alyssa, Nic, Brian, Dylan, JOAN P. BRANECKI Jake and Maddie; the sister of the late Geraldine Rada; and the aunt of Dr. Robert Rada, Michael Rada and many other nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 126 Herrick Road, Riverside. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the church by 9:45 a.m. Entombment is at Resurrection Cemetery Garden Mausoleum. Memorials to St. Mary Church would be appreciated. Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at JohnsonNosek.com.

Joseph V. Rizzi, 71 Riverside resident Joseph Vito Rizzi Sr., 71, of Riverside, died peacefully on Dec. 17, 2020. Mr. Rizzi was the husband of Candace (nee Kunz) Rizzi for 48 years; the father of Jennifer (Joe) Schurer, Joseph (Linda) Rizzi Jr. and Samantha Rizzi; the Papa of James and Juliette Schurer; the son of the late Joseph and JOSEPH V. RIZZI Mary (nee Mancini) Rizzi; the brother of Louis (Valorie) Rizzi; the son-in-law of the late Robert and Valerie (nee Melius) Kunz; the brother-in-law to Erik (Maureen) Kunz and the late Jeffrey (Lawren) Kunz; and an uncle, great uncle, cousin and friend of many. He will be greatly missed. Due to COVID-19, the family has chosen to postpone a private memorial until summer 2021. You may sign his book or leave condolences by visiting online at moravecek. com and clicking on the “Guestbook” page. Ivins-Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.

To run an obituary Please contact Bob Uphues by e-mail: buphues@rblandmark.com, or fax: 708/524-9066 before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

The Landmark, December 23, 2020

Riverside to offer businesses cash for COVID projects Village board signals waiver of business license fees in 2021

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Riverside trustees on Dec. 17 voted unanimously to allow the Riverside Economic Development Commission to offer local businesses cash incentives to undertake projects that can help them navigate the COVID-19 crisis as the pandemic drags into its 10th month. Meanwhile, elected officials also appeared interested in helping out businesses, albeit symbolically, by possibly waiving 2021 business license fees. And if the pandemic’s grip on the region continues into spring, officials may also consider extending its waiver of liquor license fees for local restaurants and bars. The Riverside Economic Development Commission’s incentive program is being funded by postponing the installation of a village gateway sign at First and Forest avenues and using those dollars to help businesses instead. Unless the village board decides to appropriate more money for the program, it’ll be somewhat modest – the gateway sign was expected to cost $8,000 – but officials say that even a small amount of money might be the difference between a business moving ahead with a project or postponing it. And unlike past village incentive programs, which focused on physical improvements to facades, windows and signs, the

types of initiatives qualifying for an incenThe incentive is open to any retail, pertive in 2021 are pretty broad. sonal service or foodservice business in the “We’re looking for them to come to us and downtown or Harlem Avenue districts. And we’ll see which projects will give us the most the incentive is for new initiatives, not ones bang for our buck,” said Riverside Commu- that have already been paid for. nity Development Director Sonya Abt, who Those businesses applying for the incenserves as the staff liaison to tive can receive a reimbursethe Economic Development ment of up to 50 percent of the Commission. total project budget. ApplicaThe money can’t be used for tions, the first round of which personnel operating a business will be due in to the village by or utility expenses, but apart Jan. 15, must indicate how the from those kinds of ongoing project will help the business expenses, the village is open, operate during the COVID-19 Abt said. pandemic and how it will help Implementing online orthe business succeed after it’s dering and payment systems, over. improving business websites, If funds remain available purchasing outdoor dining after the first round, the vilequipment or installing plastic lage will continue to accept SONYA ABT barriers between seating arapplications and review them Riverside community eas are some examples of the bimonthly. development director types of initiatives that might Applications will also be qualify. judged on any aesthetic im“Sometimes small [amount pact the project will make and of financial help] can make a difference,” how well it fits with the goals of Riverside’s Abt said. “Maybe balanced with PPP loans downtown comprehensive plan. or Small Business Administration loans “After discussing it with [Economic Devela business may have gotten, maybe this is opment] Commissioners, we decided to put something that can help them with the next it out there and see if there’s assistance we step. can provide,” Abt said. “We didn’t want to “We want to help them make it through pigeonhole businesses too much.” the rest of the pandemic and position them Abt said the applications would be reto be even stronger in the future.” viewed and participants chosen by the

“We want to help them make it through the rest of the pandemic and position them to be even stronger in the future.”

Economic Development Commission, probably during a special meeting called for that purpose in late January or early February. As for waiving business license fees for 2021, village trustees appeared amenable to that suggestion at their Dec. 3 meeting. At $100 annually, the fee would be a minor savings for local businesses, which must renew licenses by Jan. 1. Trustees did not address the issue at their meeting on Dec. 17, but Village President Ben Sells told the Landmark afterward that he would recommend the waiver. A more substantial benefit for some businesses would be a continuation of the liquor license fee waiver adopted by the village board during the early weeks of the pandemic this spring. Liquor licenses don’t have to be renewed until May 1, 2021, so there’s still time to see how the pandemic plays out. “As long as we’re under the [state imposed] mitigations that we’re under, I would like to do everything we can to help our businesses and especially our restaurants, because they’re really struggling right now,” said Village President Ben Sells. “Let’s hope that some of the good news we’re starting to hear about the vaccines might take effect by then. And then maybe, God willing, by April or May, maybe we’ll all be going out to eat again.”

District 103 school board OK’s hiring resource officer School board likely to pass agreement with Lyons to pay cop

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

For the first time in about six years, there will be a police officer assigned to George Washington Middle School in Lyons-Brookfield School District 103. The school board voted 4 to 3 to last week to create a new position of school resource officer at GWMS, which serves the southeast section of Brookfield, at a cost not to exceed $65,000 a year. The school resource officer is likely to be a Lyons police officer, and the school board will likely work out an intergovernmental agreement with the village of Lyons to pay for the position. “They have a vested interest in being com-

munity partners,” District 103 Superintendent Kristopher Rivera told school board members at their Dec. 15 meeting. But the village of Lyons was not always so interested in being a partner with the school district. In 2018, when the board majority was controlled by board members not elected with the help of Lyons Village President Christopher Getty, the Lyons Police Department refused to sign a routine information sharing agreement with the school district. The vote to approve the school resource officer position followed the now familiar split with the usual board majority of Vito Campanile, Oliva Quintero, Winfred Rodriguez and school President Jorge Torres voting in favor of creating the position,

while the board minority bloc of Sharon Anderson, Marge Hubacek and Shannon Johnson voted against creating the position. “We shouldn’t be paying the village of Lyons $65,000 for this,” Johnson said. “They should be sharing the cost as they’ve done in the past.” But Campanile disagreed. “If we hired direct it could cost a lot more,” Campanile said. Hubacek wanted more information about the responsibilities of the officer and wondered if the officer would serve district schools that are not located in Lyons. “I’m not against an SRO, but I have questions that I’m not getting answers to,” Hubacek said. “I can’t support this as it is now,

because we don’t have enough information and every student in our district should be protected.” Rivera said that the Lyons Police Department has an officer in mind for the position who has already gone through the required training. The new school resource officer will probably start working in early 2021, even though students in District 103 are still attending school remotely. “It will give us a little jump start,” Rivera said, adding that that the new school resource officer could do a safety audit even without students in the building. Rivera also said that small groups of special educations students are likely to be attending school in person soon.

Read it online at www.rblandmark.com

The Landmark, December 23, 2020

RBHS

Steps taken to bring up grades from page 1 not harm a student’s grade may have misled students into thinking that grades would not count this academic year either. “I believe last year’s message of grades can do no harm, which was the right thing to do during the beginning of this pandemic, has given students a false sense of hope, because some students believe that it also applies for this semester,” Freytas said. Freytas said the school had taken steps to help students bring up their grades, including encouraging teachers to give students

the ability to make up missed work. He said administrators and teachers reached out to students with telephone calls and home visits, encouraging them to become more engaged and complete their assignments. Freytas said the school building has been open for students who need a quiet place to work or a reliable internet connection, noting that some students have done work in his office. Neither RBHS nor Lyons Township High School gave final exams this semester. “We’ve eliminated final exams to give students more time to continue learning,” Freytas said. Many teachers were flexible in helping students boost their grades. With the encouragement of the administration, some

teachers in some classes allowed students to do work to improve their first quarter grade. And many teachers eased off on the volume of homework near the end of the semester to allow students time to make up missed work. They also created extra credit opportunities for students trying to boost their grades. “Teachers are being really lenient this year,” said senior Lily Adlesick, a student representative to the school board. “They’re just really understanding our situation this year.” However, without direct in-person contact with teachers and the routine of coming to school every day, many students have found it difficult to stay engaged in their classes. There are many distractions at home, from video games to siblings, and many students have found it hard to focus on school work.

Students have been isolated and some, despite the efforts of the school to keep them engaged, have drifted away from a focus on school. Grades are also down at LTHS in the first quarter. “We noticed that the percentage of A’s, C’s and D’s were the same or 1 percent higher than the previous year whereas B’s were lower by 6 percent and F’s were higher by 4 percent,” said LTHS Director of Curriculum and Instruction Scott Eggerding in an email. “Since this was quarter grade information, and since we have never used quarter grade info to predict anything at the semester, I don’t believe there can by many conclusions that can be drawn from quarter grades that were recorded in October.”

COVID19

Infections down statewide from page 6 in March. Statewide infection rates and hospitalizations from the disease have continued to decline. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported Monday that 4,699 new confirmed and probable cases of the disease had been recorded over the previous 24 hours out of 86,454 tests performed. That brought the seven-day rolling average case positivity rate down to 7.5 percent, the lowest it has been since Oct. 31 and the second consecutive day that number has been below 8 percent. For the seven-day period that ended Sunday, the average number of people being hospitalized was 4,675 per day, an 8-percent decline from the previous week. The average daily ICU count was down 17 percent from the prior week, while average daily ventilator use was down 8 percent. IDPH also reported Monday that 98 individuals had died of the disease over the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities in Illinois since the pandemic began to 15,299 out of 905,069 recorded cases. For the seven-day period that ended Sunday, the disease claimed an average of 130 lives per day, down from the previous week’s average of 149. Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report.

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Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Monday December 28th, at 4:00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals or at www. questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 7441108 for a non-refundable charge of $30.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening. All prospective bidders must prove they are pre-qualified by the Illinois Department of Transportation before receiving bid documents. 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 23, 2020

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LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Monday January 18, 2021 for Project: 21-20, Oak Park Avenue Water and Sewer Main Improvements- North Contract. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements consist of the installation of ductile iron water main, including valves, domestic service lines, fire hydrants, a private lead water service replacement option, and precast valve vaults; installation of sewer main, precast manholes, drainage structures, and sewer services; pavement patches at utility excavations, curb and gutter, sidewalks, restoration of landscaped parkway areas, implementation of a detour; and all appurtenant work thereto. Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Monday December 28th, at 4:00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals or at www. questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 7441090 for a non-refundable charge of $30.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening. All prospective bidders must prove they are pre-qualified by the Illinois Department of Transportation before receiving bid documents. 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 23, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certiﬁcation was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20005443 on December 14, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of ARISE LIFESTYLE & FITNESS with the business located at: 1135 HANNAH AVE 2, FOREST PARK, IL 60130. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: IYIOLA ADEBAJO 1135 HANNAH AVE 2 FORST PARK, IL 60130, USA Published Forest Park Review 12/23, 12/30/2020, 1/6/2021

The Landmark, December 23, 2020

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oak-park.us. SUBJECT PROPERTY ADDRESSES: 640 - 728 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 ZONING DISTRICT: MS Madison Street Zoning District LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Parcel 1: LOTS 13 TO 27 IN BLOCK 4 IN OGDEN AND JONES’ SUBDIVISION OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Parcel 2: LOTS 1 TO 14, BOTH INCLUSIVE, IN JAMES B. MUIR’S RESUBDIVISION OF LOTS 1 TO 14, BOTH INCLUSIVE, IN THE RESUBDIVISION OF LOTS 8 TO 15, BOTH INCLUSIVE IN F. E. BALLARDS SUBDIVISION OF BLOCK 5 IN ODGEN AND JONES’ SUBDIVISION OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39, NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PINs: 16-07-418-014, 16-07-418017, 16-07-418-018, 16-07-418020, 16-07-419-017, 16-07-419018, 16-07-419-019, 16-07-419020, 16-07-419-021, 16-07-419-022 and 16-07-419-023. PROPERTY OWNER: JD Real Estate, Inc., 4333 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60632 and Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 PETITIONER: Pete’s Market, Inc. – Stephanie Dremonas, 4333 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60632 REQUEST: The Petitioner is requesting a planned development for an approximately 50,000 square feet retail grocery and related parking, landscaping and other improvements, with the following Zoning Ordinance allowances: Article 5: Commercial Districts -Table 5-1: Required Setbacks – Street Setback which states that a build-to zone of 5-15 feet setback along Oak Park Avenue is required, while the application proposes a distance of 408 feet; Article 5: Commercial Districts -Table 5-1: Required Setbacks – Rear Setback states that a rear yard setback along the north side of the abutting alley is required to be 25 feet (inclusive of any alley), the application requests a reduction to 15 feet (the width of the alley); Article 10: Off-Street Parking and Loading, Subsection 10.2: Location of OffStreet Parking Spaces (B)(4) states that parking areas shall be located to

the rear of the principal structure, the application proposes a surface parking in the front of the principal structure, not the rear; Article 7: Design Guidelines, Subsection 7.4 Building Design Standards (A)(1) states that a building wall that faces a street must not have a blank uninterrupted length exceeding 30 feet, while the application proposes an eastern building wall does not comply, with a proposed blank uninterrupted length of approximately 200 feet; Article 7: Design Guidelines, Subsection 7.4 Building Design Standards (A) (4)(b) states all ground floor front building facades must include display windows at ground level and must cover 60% of the ground floor building façade facing the public way (except alleys), while the application proposes a ground floor front building façade having approximately 0% of display windows; Article 11: Landscaping, Subsection 11.7 Required Parking Lot Interior Landscape (A) states that one parking lot island must be provided between every 10 parking spaces, while the application proposes a reduction of 8 islands, resulting in 4 parking lot islands, and Subsection 11.7 Parking Lot Interior Landscape (B) states that the minimum total landscape area of a parking lot must be 10% of the total parking lot area, while the application proposes a total landscape area of the parking lot at 6.2%.

In addition, the applicant is requesting a Street Vacation for a portion of Euclid Avenue between Madison Street and the northern abutting east-west alley. They are also requesting a partial Street Vacation for a five-foot-wide strip of Madison Street between Oak Park Avenue and Wesley Avenue. A copy of the application and each of the applicable documents are on the Village Website at www. oak-park.us and also on file and available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during current business hours, Monday through Thursday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal December 23, 2020

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

Wednesday Classified 3 Great Papers, 6 Communities To Place Your Ad, Call: 708/613-3333

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES TRUST 2007-1, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 Plaintiff, -v.ELLEN M. RAVITZ, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 03457 123 S. EUCLID AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 13, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 11, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the follow-

ing described real estate: Commonly known as 123 S. EUCLID AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-400-0160000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $657,505.06. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate tax-

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 20-04 HEARING DATE: January 7, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: The Plan Commission will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT Uverse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7 (e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an inperson public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 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. Written testimony or comments regarding the application may be provided prior to the public hearing by email to planning@oak-park.us. The individual’s name and a reasonable part of 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. If email is not an option, written testimony or comment can be dropped off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the south entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 7, 2021. All written testimony and comments will be distributed to the Plan Commission and made a part of the official hearing record. Those wishing to provide public testimony at the hearing shall contact the Village Planner at planning@oakpark.us for instructions on attending the live Zoom meeting by 5:00 PM the day of the hearing. Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by emailing the cross-examination form to clerk@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. Questions regarding written testimony or comment can be directed to 708-358.5420 or email to planning@

DOCKET NUMBER: PC 20-03 HEARING DATE: January 7, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: The Plan Commission will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT Uverse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7 (e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an inperson public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 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. Written testimony or comments regarding the application may be provided prior to the public hearing by email to planning@oak-park. us. The individual’s name and a reasonable part of 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. If email is not an option, written testimony or comment can be dropped off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the south entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 7, 2021. All written testimony and comments will be distributed to the Plan Commission and made a part of the official hearing record. Those wishing to provide public testimony at the hearing shall contact the Village Planner at planning@oak-park.us for instructions on attending the live Zoom meeting by 5:00 PM the day of the hearing. Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant

and its witnesses by emailing the cross-examination form to clerk@ 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 webconference means or by phone. Questions regarding written testimony or comment can be directed to 708-358.5420 or email to planning@oak-park.us. SUBJECT PROPERTY ADDRESSES: 601-603 Maple Avenue, 605 Maple Avenue, 609 Maple Avenue, and 613-615 Maple Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois SUBJECT PROPERTY LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 613-615 MAPLE AVENUE: LOT 4 IN BLOCK 5 IN WILSON’S ADDITION TO OAK PARK, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF LOT 1 EXCEPT THE EAST 40 ACRES THEREOF IN THE SUBDIVISION OF SECTION 18, (EXCEPT THE WEST HALF OF THE SOUTH WEST QUARTER THEREOF) IN SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 601-603 MAPLE AVENUE: LOT 1 IN BLOCK 5 IN W.J. WILSON’S ADDITION TO OAK PARK, A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF LOT 1 IN B.F. JERVIS SUBDIVISION OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE NORTH WEST 1/4 OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, EXCEPTING THEREFROM THAT PART DEEDED TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BY INSTRUMENT RECORDED AS DOCUMENT 95403125, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 605 MAPLE AVENUE: THE NORTH 40 FEET OF LOT 2 IN BLOCK 5 IN W.J. WILSON’S ADDIDON TO OAK PARK, A SUBDMSION OF PART OF LOT 1IN B.F. JERVIS’ SUBDIVISION OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 39

NORTH, RANGE 13, (EXCEPT THE WEST HALF OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER), EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILUNOIS. 609 MAPLE AVENUE: LOT 3 AND LOT 2 (EXCEPT THE NORTH 40 FEET THEREOF) IN BLOCK 5 IN W.J. WILSON’S ADDITION TO OAK PARK, BEING A SUBDIVION OF LOT 1 (EXCEPT THE EAST 40 ACRES THEREOF) IN THE SUBDIVION OF SECTION 18 (EXCEPT THE WEST ONE-HALF OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER THEREOF) IN TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. SUBJECT PROPERTY PIN’S: 1618-109-001, 16-18-109-002, 16-18109-003, and 16-18-109-004 SUBJECT PROPERTY OWNER/ PETITIONER: Rush Oak Park Hospital, an Illinois Corporation, 520 South Maple Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois 60304 REQUEST: The Petitioner is requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to reclassify the subject property from the R-7 Multiple Family Residential Zoning District to the H Hospital Zoning District. A copy of the application and each of the applicable documents are on the Village Website at www. oak-park.us and also on file and available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during current business hours, Monday through Thursday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal December 23, 2020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

es, 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. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium

unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003. Please refer to file number 109484. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606

312-263-0003 E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw. com Attorney File No. 109484 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 18 CH 03457 TJSC#: 40-924 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 # 18 CH 03457 I3155622 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR HIS ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2007OPT1, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OPT1; Plaintiff, vs. CHARLES T. GRANT; JUANITA J. GRANT AKA JUANITA LACOURT; PRAIRIE PLACE AT 6436 ROOSEVELT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 14415 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty

Public Notice: Your right to know • In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365

PublicNotice Illinois.com REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-18-428-043-1019 & 16-18428-043-1064. Commonly known as 6436 Roosevelt Road, Unit 311, Oak Park, IL 60304. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. W18-0641 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3161076

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

The Landmark, December 23, 2020

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3489 N Elston, Chicago $350,000

58 Lincoln #1, Riverside $1,350/mo

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

3608 Wenonah Ave, Berwyn $289,900

112 Burlington St, Riverside $339,500

336 Nuttall Rd, Riverside $345,000

56 N Cowley Rd, Riverside $385,000

195 Lawton Rd, Riverside $515,000

192 Waubansee Rd, Riverside $539,000

178 Maplewood Rd, Riverside $645,000 AL NT E R

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

144 Scottswood Rd, Riverside $799,000

45 Longcommon Rd, Riverside $975,000

1301 W Nelson St, Chicago $990,000

622 Robinhood Ln, LaGrange Park $2,200/mo

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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