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Vol. 36, No. 52
@riversidebrookfieldlandmark @riversidebrookfield_landmark
December 29, 2021
Refer PAGE XX village clerk announces retirement PAGE 3 Riverside
Also serving North Riverside
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RBHS diver eyes program’s first state title since 1964 PAGE 11
Cook County 2021 mandates vax proof as COVID-19 spikes YEAR IN REVIEW
New rule applies to restaurants, bars, gyms, entertainment venues and more; measure takes effect Jan. 3 By ANDY VIANO Staff Reporter
Beginning Jan. 3, anyone age 5 and older looking to dine, drink, work out or gather indoors in large groups in suburban Cook County must first show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, per a new order issued by the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) on Dec. 23. The order goes into effect the same day as a nearly identical order covering the city of Chicago. Four suburban Cook County townships with their own health departments — including Oak Park — are not impacted by the CCDPH order. Oak Park, however, indicated on Wednesday that it was likely to follow suit if the CCDPH took this action. The new order comes amid a dramatic increase in newly detected COVID-19 cases believed to be related to the arrival of the omicron variant, which has caused what CCDPH Co-Lead and Senior Medical Officer Dr. Kiran Joshi called “a surge on top See VAX PROOF on page 6
Do you believe in miracles? COVID-19, re-emergent after appearing in retreat, drags into year three By BOB UPHUES
T
Editor
he year started with a modern miracle. After a bleak 2020 that saw COVID-19 tear through communities in the fall after a brief reprieve that summer, vaccines were finally being rolled out in earnest. The feature headline on the front page
of Landmark’s first edition of 2021 was the kind a pandemic-weary public had been waiting for: “Cantata administers first vaccines to residents, employees.” While the rollout of vaccines – at first to senior citizens and essential workers – was not flawless, case rates, hospitalizations and fatality rates plummeted
BOB UPHUES/Editor
About 450 senior citizens and caregivers were able to get vaccinated at the pop-up clinic organized at the North Riverside Village Commons on Feb. 21. The event was a collaboration between village officials and several senior services agencies serving residents of the western suburbs.
See YEAR IN REVIEW on page 4
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The Landmark, December 29, 2021
Friends, WE NEED YOU NOW. As 2021 is about to close, we are $10,426 away from our ambitious NewsMatch goal of $125,000. If you are reading this note and have yet to become a member of this independent nonprofit newsroom this is your moment. We are closing strong and we need you to take us to goal. Do this. Right now. Become part of something that is good for our seven communities, good for small town democracy and which will connect you to this powerful new model of community journalism that we are building. Your donation goes straight into our newsroom. How straight? Well this Friday, the same day our NewsMatch drive ends, a salary floor for our reporters, photographer, designers will take effect, resulting in notable pay raises for many of them. This is a step in the right direction and your donation will allow us to continue on this path toward greater equity and inclusiveness within the newsroom and in our news coverage. This is only possible because of your direct support. So please – today – join 2,000 of your neighbors who are actively investing in Growing Community Media. Any amount counts. Every new donation comes with our gratitude and our hopes for the year to come. With thanks.
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The Landmark, December 29, 2021
Longtime Riverside clerk retires, moving out of state
Cathy Haley, appointed to the post in 2012, served under three presidents By BOB UPHUES Editor
As the calendar turns the page to a new year, one of the first things Riverside President Joseph Ballerine will need to do is appoint a new village clerk. On Dec. 12, Village Clerk Cathy Haley submitted a resignation letter to Village Manager Jessica Frances confirming that her last day on the job in Riverside would be Dec. 30. Haley, who has accepted an out-of-state job offer, informed Frances of her decision on Dec. 10, according to the letter, which the Landmark obtained through a public records request. Her final week on the job will focus on organizing the clerk’s files, sending out business license renewal letters, updating the village website and putting the final touches on the minutes from what turned out to be her final village board meeting as clerk on Dec. 2. “My offer to assist remotely with meeting minutes, website updates, proofreading documents or other projects stands,” Haley wrote in her email to Frances. “I regret that I cannot give you more time in the office to facilitate a smoother transition. I wish you, the village board and all my wonderful coworkers well.” While Haley served as Frances’ secretary and village clerk, she was involved in many more ways. A former resident of the village for 11 years, Haley has been an enthusiastic volunteer at local schools and helped establish Riverside Arts Weekend and the Riverside Farmers Markets as the annual staples they are today. She also assisted during the village’s July 3-4 celebrations. “She very passionate about public service and helping others generally,” said Frances, who has worked alongside Haley since being hired as the village’s finance director in 2012. “She’s an amazing human being and she leaves very big shoes to fill. “I’m going to miss her terribly. I’ve worked with her the entire time I’ve been here, and she has so much knowledge, is so willing to share, brainstorm and come up with solutions.” Frances said that while Haley’s email referenced her resignation, Haley officially will be retiring from the clerk’s post, which
Cathy Haley she has held since September 2012. Haley qualifies for retirement, according to the rules of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) to which Riverside belongs and provides pensions for village employees who are not police officers. Employees must be at least 55 years old and have worked for the village at least eight years to be eligible to draw a pension through IMRF.
Replacement identified According to the Riverside Municipal Code, the job of appointing the village clerk falls to the village president, along with the advice and consent of the village board. However, a replacement already has been identified. At the village board’s Jan. 6 meeting, which will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m., the village board is expected to concur with a recommendation to appoint Ethan Sowl as clerk. Since June, Sowl has worked at village hall as an intern while pursuing his master’s degree in public administration at Northern Illinois University. Effective Jan. 1, Frances is hiring Sowl as a full-time staffer with the title of management ana-
lyst. After he’s appointed clerk on Jan. 6, Sowl will serve in a dual role as clerk and as Frances’ administrative secretary. The job of village clerk is not a glamorous one, but it is important. In addition to attending and taking minutes for all meetings of the village board, the clerk is also responsible for filing election records and referendum information with the county and must maintain records on Open Meetings Act training and compliance for elected and appointed officials. The clerk signs off on resolutions and ordinances passed by the village board and also maintains records for business and liquor licenses. “Cathy provided skilled and heartfelt service to Riverside for many years,” said Ben Sells, who served as village trustee from 2007-13 and as president from 2013-21. “She was a true jack of all trades, from being village clerk, to writing the bimonthly Riverside Review, to keeping the village board minutes, to being the village manager’s right hand. Her dedication to Riverside was sincere and her many talents will be missed.” In all, Haley served as clerk under three village presidents, Michael Gorman, Sells and Joseph Ballerine. Riverside’s clerk has been appointed since 2004, when Riverside voters passed a referendum that ended the practice of electing a village clerk. At the time, it had become very difficult to attract candidates to run for the office. Between 1999 and 2004, Riverside employed five different village clerks. When she was appointed to the post of village clerk in 2012, Haley already was employed as the village manager’s administrative assistant and as deputy village clerk. She was hired by Village Manager Kathleen Rush as an administrative assistant in 2008. Following her appointment, Haley’s position eventually was defined as executive secretary/village clerk, with the village paying her a straight hourly salary for the two positions combined. The village manager now serves deputy clerk. Prior to Haley’s appointment, the village clerk worked part time and performed no other administrative duties inside village hall.
Read it online at www.rblandmark.com
IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Digital Publishing & Technology Manager Briana Higgins Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf 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@rblandmark.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 $36 within Cook County and $46 outside the county. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2021 Growing Community Media NFP.
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The Landmark, December 29, 2021
YEAR IN REVIEW from page 1 throughout the spring as more and more people were vaccinated. In June and July, new cases of COVID-19 in Brookfield, Riverside and Riverside had flat lined. From June 15 through July 13, there were a grand total of three new cases in the three villages combined. On June 11, Gov. J.B. Pritzker moved the state into Phase 5 of the Reopen Illinois plan. Indoor mask mandates disappeared. We’d made it through. If only that were the case. While there was an initial rush for vaccines early in the year, an astounding number of people resisted – misled by an entire media ecosphere pushing quack cures, conspiracies and misinformation – and as the COVID-19 delta variant began its spread through the area, cases began rising again. Vaccines, mercifully, had the effect of limiting the impact of the disease on those who’d gotten the shots – and, IN later, boosters – but the inabil-
health officials across the nation, the solution to mitigating COVID-19 is being vaccinated and getting a booster when eligible. Will we finally learn the lesson in 2022? If last year is any guide, there may be dark days ahead. Refusing miracles in 2021 was another symptom of the pandemic.
A Grand (Blvd.) mess When Paulette Delcourt bought her cozy bungalow in the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard in late 2019, she said she had no idea a three-story mixed-use development had been approved for the lot next door. When the south wall of the development – delayed by design revisions and the COVID-19 pandemic --began going up in spring 2021, she was horrified. Not only was the new building just inches away from her home, it also wrapped around the rear of her property, windows looming over her backyard patio. The development had been approved in 2018, almost a year before Delcourt bought her home, and was no secret. How Delcourt was either not informed of the development or missed the warning signs, and whether others might bear some responsibility, still remains to be seen. Delcourt filed a lawsuit against the property owner, the concrete company that poured the new building’s foundation – a portion of which, Delcourt contends, is on her property -- the former owner and their realtor. The matter is still winding its way through Cook County Circuit Court, but that hasn’t stopped construction of the new building, which is in its final stages, according to developer Michael Gatto. He said the plan is to begin leasing the 17 one-bedroom units next spring, adding he also has a prospective tenant for the firstfloor commercial storefront on Grand Boulevard.
2021 YEAR REVIEW
ity of the nation at large to accept modern science as the salvation to the pandemic took its toll. As the days ticked into fall and yet another variant, omicron, reared its head, you could just feel the clock turning back. By mid-December new weekly COVID case numbers in Riverside and Riverside had matched their 2020 levels, with Brookfield’s not quite there, but still pushing 100. While infection by the omicron variant did not appear to result in serious symptoms for the vaccinated, it’s still early. Its effect on the unvaccinated has not been so benign. As it had been in January, according to
BOB UPHUES/Editor
Joseph Mengoni (center) receives congratulations on his election as North Riverside mayor from well wishers during a victory celebration at Tipster’s Village Pub on April 6.
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Paulette Delcourt sued unsuccessfully to halt construction of a mixed-use building next door to her Grand Boulevard home, but the suit is still pending. She also seeks damages from the sellers and their realtor for allegedly not informing her of the development.
Political brawl in North Riverside Politics in North Riverside is a contact sport. Hard fouls are part of the game, and that certainly was true of the village’s election campaigns for mayor, trustee and clerk in early 2021. Following the implosion of the VIP Party, which had dominated local politics for more than three decades, an air of uncertainty hung over the 2021 election. From the moment 2021 dawned, candidates from the new North Riverside United Party (formed from the remnants of VIP) and mayoral hopeful Marybelle Mandel’s People Before Politics Party pulled no punches. Mandel faced allegations that she had been involved, though never charged with any crime, in a mortgage fraud scheme that landed her husband a federal prison sentence two decades ago. Mandel’s camp responded quickly by accusing Sue Scarpiniti, who’d been appointed interim village administrator in early 2020, of being “illegally” paid an additional stipend for the new duties in addition to her job as finance director. As the April election drew nearer, the attacks continued, including an allegation that Mandel’s husband was “harassing” an executive from the village’s waste hauling firm and village employee, including Scarpiniti, accusing Mandel herself of harassing them. Lost in the drama was incumbent Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr.’s attempt at winning a third consecutive term. When the smoke cleared on April 7, North Riverside United swept every seat in the election in landslide fashion, with voters turning out Hermanek and administering a loud rebuke to Mandel, who remains on the village board as a trustee.
BOB UPHUES/Editor
Protestors hold signs outside the Riverside home of Ronald Kafka, who tenants of the Tower Apartments in the village’s downtown blamed for the building losing heat for a week after the boiler failed in February.
East Avenue freeze-out On Feb. 7, temperatures in the Chicago area fell below freezing, the beginning of a 10-day stretch where daily low temperatures plunged into the single digits. That very day, the central heating plant at the Tower Apartments, a 50-unit mixed-use building that wraps around East and Forest avenues in downtown Riverside, failed completely. Tenants boiled water, turned on ovens, cranked space heaters or just sought refuge elsewhere as apartment temperatures dipped below 50 degrees. Building management was notified early on Feb. 8 by tenants but did not take any action for another day, after village officials started asking questions. Even then, it took until Feb. 12 for a new boiler to be installed and that system oper-
The Landmark, December 29, 2021 Also in July, Brookfield Police Chief Edward Petrak retired after two years in the role. Petrak would go on to land a role on the security staff at Riverside-Brookfield High School. Petrak’s replacement was his deputy chief, Michael Kuruvilla.
ated for about two hours before switching off for the night and then working intermittently for days thereafter. On Feb. 14, about 20 people protested outside the Riverside home of Ron Kafka, who tenants identified as their landlord and who they held responsible. The heating system finally appeared to be working fully again on Feb. 15. In April, Riverside moved to institute a registry for all rental buildings and units, with provisions for regular inspections to prevent such incidents in the future. The registry goes into effect in 2022.
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EDWARD PETRAK
Plague of gun violence
A bridge too far Replacing a small bridge over a minor stream can be so hard, can it? Turns out it can. After years of planning, Brookfield awarded a contract in spring 2021 for the replacement of the Brookfield Avenue bridge over Salt Creek, just west of the village hall. Sure, the demolition of the old bridge and supports and replacing it with a new, larger cast concrete bridge would shut down Brookfield Avenue to traffic for a few months, but the project would be over by October. No it would not. First the project was delayed for two weeks in July over the location of a ComEd power line, but it was stopped in its IN tracks at the beginning of September when attempts to bore a hole under Salt Creek to reroute a water main were upended by some unknown obstruction. On hold for three full months, work is supposed to resume early in January, but it could still be some months before the bridge is in place and Brookfield Avenue back open to traffic. Keep your fingers crossed it’ll be done before the Fourth of July parade.
BOB UPHUES/Editor
Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library Park Ave. A new public library had been planned, scrapped and re-planned for more than a decade before construction on the bold design broke ground in early 2020. This past summer, the work on the new building wrapped up and the old, cramped library across the street was demolished and turned into a parking lot and small park area. Next summer, residents ought to get the full picture of the campus, with its gardens, flowering shrubs and trees in full bloom.
2021 YEAR REVIEW
New library finally a reality Another major construction project in Brookfield went more smoothly in 2021. In July, the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library opened its doors to the public at 3541
New-look Komarek School breaks ground Speaking of construction projects, Komarek School District 94 broke ground in June on a massive overhaul of that campus that will bring the school fully into the 21st century. Funded through approval of a $20.8 million referendum in 2020, school district of-
BOB UPHUES/Editor
Komarek School District 94 Superintendent Todd Fitzgerald (center), flanked by coprincipals Caitlin DiLallo (left) and Diane Michelini, turns over a spade of earth during the groundbreaking ceremony for the school’s renovation and expansion on June 8.
ficials won approval of their plans by the village board in 2021 and work commenced almost immediately on the new addition to the west building. That construction, the first phase of the project, is expected to be complete in spring 2022 when the old west building will undergo a complete renovation.
So long, chiefs We’re not exactly sure what was in the water in 2021, but whatever it was sure got to the police chiefs in Riverside, Brookfield and North Riverside – all of whom retired within weeks of one another. Riverside Police THOMAS WEITZEL Chief Thomas Weitzel, who’d been at that job for 13 years, first announced he would retire effective May 20. His deputy chief, William Gutschick, followed suit the following month. Village Manager Jessica Frances took the opportunity to reorganize both the police and fire departments upon Weitzel’s retirement. Matthew Buckley, formerly Riverside’s fire chief, was named director of public safety, overseeing both emergency services. Meanwhile, North Riverside Police Chief Carlos Garcia, who was named to that post in 2019, CARLOS GARCIA confirmed he was retiring Sept. 30 after an extended medical leave, which led to him being replaced in May, when Christian Ehrenberg was named acting chief. Ehrenberg was installed in that role permanently in July.
While 2020 was a particularly complicated year for police, between peaceful protests targeting the institution of policing itself and civil unrest accompanied and in some cases made worse by gun violence, local police had plenty on their plates in 2021. Gun violence plagued the nation in 2021, and Chicago and its suburbs were not immune to that epidemic. For the third time in the last four years, someone was shot dead in North Riverside. David Garcia, 26, of Downers Grove, was fatally shot inside a vehicle, allegedly by 23-yearold Oak Lawn resident Hussein Ali Matari during the early morning hours of June 14. Later that day, Matari was arrested after crashing his vehicle into a Burbank home while trying to elude police during a highspeed chase. He was charged with first-degree murder and ordered held on $1 million bond. On Sept. 10, Matari posted $100,000 bail and was freed from custody. He is due back in court Jan. 7, 2022 at the Maybrook courthouse. Riverside police, meanwhile, are still waiting to charge Carl Curry, 33, with the Nov. 13 shooting deaths of 38-year-old Jeremy Lane and 31-year-old Tiata Johnson inside Lane’s downtown Riverside apartment. It was the first homicide case for Riverside police in nearly 30 years, but detectives quickly identified Curry as a suspect from security camera video, license plate reader technology and social media posts. Working with the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, police tracked Curry to a relative’s home in Hyannis, Massachusetts, where he was taken into custody on Dec. 9. Curry remains in custody at Barnstable County Jail, awaiting extradition to Illinois. Brookfield police, on the other hand, closed the book on a senseless shooting that took the life of 33-year-old Michael Smith outside his Forest Avenue home in January 2016. Three men were charged with the murder late in 2016, but their cases had been pending until 2021. Two of the men, Comfort Robinson and DeJuyon Johnican, were convicted of plotting the murder of Smith, a security guard who had been slated to testify against Robinson in criminal court. They each were given eight-year sentences and were paroled almost immediately due to having served four years while awaiting trial. In July, a jury convicted the gunman, Jermaine Douglas, of first-degree murder, and in October a judge sentenced him to 65 years in prison.
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The Landmark, December 29, 2021
New weekly COVID cases hit pandemic highs Brookfield man, 85, is village’s 17th fatality from the disease
By BOB UPHUES Editor
The village of Brookfield and the ZIP code encompassing both Riverside and North Riverside saw the number of new COVID-19 cases within a one-week period hit new pandemic records for the seven-day window ending Dec. 27. Overall, the number of cases surged past 2,700 in Brookfield, which recorded 188 new cases for the week ending Dec. 27, shattering the previous one-week record of 152 set in mid-November 2020. One more Brookfield resident, an 85-yearold man, died from COVID-19 on Dec. 20, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner, bringing the total number of fatalities from the disease in the village to 17. Meanwhile, there were 130 new COVID-19 cases in the 60546 ZIP code of Riverside and North Riverside for the week ending on Dec. 27, surpassing the previous weekly high of 106 for the ZIP code, set last week. The data out of the three villages in the past couple of weeks mirrors what has been taking place throughout the state and much of the nation, where the new omicron variant of the disease is beginning to supplant
VAX PROOF
Vaccines widely available from page 1 of a surge” that began with the arrival of the delta variant earlier this year and never fully receded. A staggering increase in infections in the last week includes 3,236 new cases reported by the CCDPH on Dec. 21, the highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic. “These numbers are beginning to mirror what we were seeing a year ago,” Joshi said, referencing what had been the virus’ peak of prevalence in November and December 2020. “We really are in the midst of a surge that compares to that last winter surge.” The rolling seven-day average for new cases recorded by the CCPDH was 2,179 as of Dec. 22, just off last winter’s peak of 2,228 on Nov. 11, 2020, and the county actually recorded a pandemic-high average by that metric on Dec. 18 of this year (2,290). Joshi also said there was concern about how the surge in cases could impact hospital capacity, and a CCDPH press release said as of Dec. 23, just 10.8% of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds were available. Vaccinated individuals, however, continue to enjoy robust protection against all variants of the virus. Omicron now represents more than 73% of new cases nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but there is no evidence that vaccinated individuals are any more susceptible
the still rampant delta variant that pushed up numbers this summer after seeing new cases crash in spring after the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in early 2021. The rolling seven-day number of new cases in Illinois spiked to 14,889 on Dec. 26, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, outpacing the previous rolling sevenday pandemic high of about 12,600 cases seen in November 2020. On Dec. 24, according to the state, there were a reported 21,131 new COVID-19 cases in Illinois, the highest single-day total reported since the pandemic began in March 2020. The previous one-day high was 17,608 on Nov. 5, 2020. On Dec. 27, Gov. J.B. Pritzker addressed the surge in new cases throughout the state at a press conference, urging those who still have not been vaccinated or boosted to do so and outlining efforts the state is taking to expand vaccine availability and COVID testing. He also called on those who have chosen to remain unvaccinated to “change your mind” and consider the impact of that decision on others, including their own loved ones and family. “If you are unvaccinated and you get very sick, you’ll be filling a bed that would have
As COVID-19 continues its rapid spread, likely via the omicron variant, through the area, some public bodies are moving to cancel in-person events and programs or move
them online. The Riverside Village Board will meet virtually when it convenes next on Jan. 6, according to Village Manager Jessica Frances. If the board also decides to meet on Jan. 20 that will also be conducted virtually. While the tentative plan is to resume inperson village board meetings in February, village officials plan to remain flexible depending on COVID case numbers at that time. Riverside Village Board meetings can be watched live on Comcast Channel 6 or AT&T/ U-verse Channel 99 or online at the Riverside TV Commission’s website at riversidetv.us. All village board meetings, as well as those of the Riverside Township Board of Trustees, Riverside School District 96 and the Riverside Planning and Zoning Commission are also archived for later viewing on the TV Commission website. Riverside Public Library announced last week that it was pausing its weekly MiniMovers Storytime program due to the rise in COVID cases and because the programs youngest participants can’t wear masks. The Friday Storytime program is still open for registration, but the library is asking that if your child is too young to wear a mask to not attend the Friday Storytime.
to serious health complications caused by the shot as of Dec. 23, but Rubin said that if CDC new variant. CDC data continues to show that, guidance changes to require a booster, the looverall, vaccinated individuals are five times cal measure would change as well. less likely to become seriously ill due to COThere are some facility exceptions to the VID-19 and 14 times less likely to die. new rule, including houses of worship, schools All three of the approved COVID-19 vaccines (which set their own mitigation policies) and are widely available through pharmacies and charitable locations like soup kitchens. Carrymedical providers in Cook County, and the out and delivery dining establishments are vaccine is available free to anyone who wants also not included in the new measure. The rule will take effect Jan. 3 one throughout the United States. to allow businesses time to orgaAll individuals age 5 and older are nize their enforcement efforts. currently eligible for the vaccine. Employees of those establishThe new mitigation measures, ments should also be vaccinated, which were announced by Cook according to the CCDPH, but any County Board President Toni employee who is unvaccinated Preckwinkle and the CCDPH’s two lead officials at a press confercan continue to work provided ence, Joshi and Dr. Rachel Rubin, they show proof of a negative apply to “customers of indoor COVID-19 test on at least a weekly settings where food or drink are basis. served for on-premises consumpAnd while the order does not DR. KIRAN JOSHI tion, like restaurants, bars, and take effect until after the ChristCCDPH co-lead and senior entertainment venues, and in fitmas and New Year’s holidays, medical officer ness facilities.” Joshi said businesses could put Rubin read off a litany of locatheir own rules in place sooner tions where proof of full vaccinaand “we encourage businesses to tion rules will apply, but in general do that.” the rule applies to any indoor space where “We are definitely encouraging businesses people would be unmasked for anything other to reconsider large New Year’s Eve and other than a very brief period of time. events during the holiday season,” Rubin A person is fully vaccinated, as defined by added. “We do not encourage large gatherings the CDC, when they are at least two weeks be- over the holidays, especially with unvaccinatyond the date they received the second dose of ed individuals.” the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or In order to comply with the new rule, cusone dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. tomers do not necessarily need to show their Full vaccination does not include a booster physical CDC COVID-19 vaccine card. Digital
photos of the card, a copy of another immunization record or an app that shows proof of vaccination are all acceptable. All forms of proof of the vaccine must be accompanied by a second form of identification, however, to verify the person’s identity. Businesses, for their part, must post signage at every entrance informing customers of the policy. Those businesses are also mandated to create a written policy for how they will enforce the new rules. The CCDPH will enforce the new policy using its on-staff health inspectors, called sanitarians, for routine compliance checks, and by responding to complaints. As the CCDPH is doing to enforce the statewide mask mandate, Rubin said businesses would first be contacted directly and given guidance on how to comply, but that information on repeat offenders would be shared with the state attorney’s office. Asked if she was concerned that businesses would be reluctant to comply with the new measures, Preckwinkle said it was in everyone’s best interest to do their part to push through the latest surge in cases. “We’re in the midst of a healthcare crisis and everyone has to row,” she said, adding that the county did not want to force businesses to close temporarily, as it had during pre-vaccine spikes. “We hope that people will comply,” she added later. “It’s in their interest, it’s in the interest of their customers … I’m hopeful that the overwhelming majority of those businesses that are in these categories will comply.”
been available to your ailing spouse, or your parent, or your child, or someone else’s child, someone with cancer or a heart attack, or seriously injured in a car accident,” Pritzker said. “If we are forced to move to a crisis standard of care in our hospitals, it will be because massive numbers of unvaccinated people chose to let others go without quality care, and even more people will die.” While there was one new fatality in Brookfield, there have been fewer local deaths from COVID-19 in 2021 (six) compared to 2020, when there were 11. In Brookfield, the highest concentration of fatalities in 2020 came between Nov. 26 and Dec. 31, when there were six deaths. During that period so far this year, there has been just one death. In Riverside and North Riverside, where the Landmark has identified four deaths in each village since the pandemic began, only one of those fatalities in each village happened in 2021.
Riverside Village Board going remote
“We really are in the midst of a surge that compares to that last winter surge.”
The Landmark, December 29, 2021
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Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., invites visitors to the final days of three exhibits in the Freeark, FlexSpace and Sculpture Garden galleries. “Messengers”featuring the art of Liz Chilsen and “Obstacles and Intimacies”by Stephanie Brooks are part of the RAC Spotlight Exhibition series, which highlight artists who are part of the RAC community. The shows continue through Jan. 8. An artist talk with Liz Chilsen will take place Jan. 8 at 2 p.m., followed from 3 to 6 p.m. by a closing reception. There’s also “Vessels,”which continues through Dec. 31 and features the art of Tulika Ladsariya, Melissa Zeigler Monroe and Shawn Vincent. All are ceramic artists exploring multiple meanings of the vessel form. Special holiday gallery hours are Dec. 29 and Dec. 30 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Dec. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit riversideartscenter.com for more.
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North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., will offer Ancestry Library Edition for in-house use only after Dec. 31. Make an appointment to visit the Ancestry Help Desk on Fridays between 2 and 6 p.m. and learn how to use the genealogical resource, find out more about your family history and print/ email your findings for free. Call the library at 708-447-0869 and ask for the reference desk. Someone will get back to you within 48 hours.
Brookfield Zoo wraps up Holiday Magic Make your own custom tote bag
Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., will host its final days of the 40th Annual Holiday Magic festival of lights on Dec. 29-31 from 3 to 9 p.m. each day. Walk through the 600-foot tunnel of lights, pose for photos in the illuminated gingerbread house or luminous 20-foot orb. The West Mall is a Sea of Lights measuring 1-mile long. A 41-foot-tall tree “dancing” to choreographed music is just inside the North Gate. All visitors must purchase reserved-time admission (available in 20-minute increments) and parking tickets prior to arrival. Visit CZS.org/OnlineTicketing to buy tickets. Visit CZS.org/Events for more information.
And more North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites you to swing by Jan. 1-8 for a Take & Make Mini-Canvas with Easel. Supplies and instructions included. Registration encouraged. There’s also Crafterdarks: Pine Cone Trees in-person on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.; Pajama Storytime via Zoom on Jan. 3 at 6:30 p.m. and Stretching and Meditation via conference call (800747-5150, code 1453322) on Jan. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Kids ages 4-up can choose either in-person or Zoom attendance for ABCs & 123s on Jan. 3 at 10:30 a.m.; Story Safari on Jan. 5 at 3:30 p.m.; and Silly Science, Crazy Construction & Stuff (in-person only) on Jan. 5 at 4 p.m. Register for programs at northriversidelibrary.org/ events-new. ■
The Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., invites you to come on up to the Maker Studio in Adult and Teen Services and create your own custom tote bag on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. All materials will be provided. Register to attend by calling 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or visiting brookfield.evanced.info/signup.
CZS/Brookfield Zoo
Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., invites you to Chair Yoga via Zoom on Dec. 30 at 11 a.m.; the Friends of the Library Writers’ Workshop (new members welcome) in Meeting Room 2 on Jan. 3 at 7 p.m.; a meeting of the BrookfieldRiverside Kiwanis Club in Meeting Room 2 on Jan. 4 at 6:30 p.m.; Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club which will discuss “Leviathan”by Scott Westerfeld. Copies available for pickup or digitally in Meeting Room 2 on Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. Visit brookfield.evanced.info/signup to register for programs. Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, invites kids to After School DIY on Jan. 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. Just drop by and see what this week’s project is. Visit riversidelibrary.libcal.com/calendar to register for programs. ■
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(708) 447-2261 | www.ivinsfh.com Riverside Chess Club, open to anyone age 5 through adult, meets in person each Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Room 30 of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road. Players of all levels welcome. Children under 7 require caregiver over 13. Email sean@riversidechessclub.org for more info. Through March 25, 2022 the Lyons Township High School South Campus Fieldhouse indoor track, 4900 S. Willow Springs Road in Western Springs, will be open to the public from 6 to 7 a.m. on days LTHS is in session. There is no admission charge or fee to use the track. Please bring an ID and be prepared to sign in. The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo the second Sunday of every month. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games start at 2 p.m. with cash payouts. ■
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The Landmark, December 29, 2021
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YEAR IN REVIEW 2021
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Courtesy Melissa Elsmo
Looking back on 2021’s delicious moments
o doubt about it, 2021 was a year of resilience and perseverance for our collection of local eateries. Despite rising food costs, significant labor shortages and customer hesitancy, restaurants in our Eats communities have proven to be adaptive and nimble in the face of extended challenges. Thanks to passionate community members, resourceful owners and collaborative efforts we have rallied around our restaurants. In response they have kept thing things downright delicious in our little food-focused alcove. We know the struggles are not over for our independent eateries, but showing our support is the best way to help them through the long winter. Let’s look ahead with anticipation as we enjoy this look back at eight of our favorite bites this year.
double-breaded and fried to golden brown. Topped with mayonnaise, tomato, lettuce and onion, this sandwich proved to be a notch above most chicken sandwich offerings.
2) Duck Confit from Babygold Barbecue, Berwyn Popular pork belly, smoked turkey and brisket are always on the menu at Babygold Barbecue, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road in Berwyn, but plated specials are only available in the dining room. The smoked duck confit over dirty couscous we savored during the restaurant’s soft opening brought a refined energy to the regular offerings and was easily a top three dish of 2021. Dine in at the music venue and the menu is sure to take you by surprise.
MELISSA ELSMO Food Editor
1) Fried Chicken Sandwich from Tom and Lou’s Drive In, Brookfield Tom-n-Lou’s Drive In, which opened Feb. 4 at 8819 Ogden Ave. in Brookfield, is currently closed for renovations, but that doesn’t change the fact that we thoroughly enjoyed our fried chicken sandwich there earlier this year. The boneless chicken is buttermilk-brined,
3) Assorted barks from Fill My Jar, Brookfield If you are looking for a sweet spin on custom packaging look no further than Fill My Jar, 3726 Prairie Ave. in Brookfield. The shop features a rotating line of 11 handmade barks made from all-natural ingredients. Standouts in the “FMJ line” include peanut butter crunch, lemon and coffee bark as well as best-selling English toffee and peppermint barks. All products are made from all-natural ingredients and flavored with top-quality
100-percent natural oils.
4) Coconut cocktail from Catrina Tequila Bar, Riverside Eager to share her Latin culture with the community, bar owner Gisela Muñoz, brings distinctive Día de los Muertos spirt to Riverside. The bar is known for serving an array a craft tequila cocktails, but a small yet mighty offering caught our attention. No matter if you sip it or shoot it, coconut, lime and tequila packed a delicious punch in this diminutive drink at Catrina Tequila Bar, 34 East Ave.
5) An Old Fashioned from Burger Antics, Brookfield We are huge fans of the entire menu at Burger Antics (I mean, the Midland Burger is a thing of beauty), but this year we wanted to give a shout out to their cocktail program. After reopening the dining room with strict COVID protocols in place, we paid a visit to the restaurant at 3470 Grand Blvd. in Brookfield Dan Velcich whipped up a memorable Old Fashioned. This classic cocktail was expertly prepared with Buffalo Trace, branded ice and Luxardo cherries -- practically perfect.
6) Microgreens from Old Gaffer’s Garden, Berwyn and Riverside Berwyn resident Holden Wilson helms a garden collective and microgreen farm designed to increase greenspaces in populous areas and making fresh produce more readily available within urban communities.
Old Gaffers Garden harvests in Riverside in the summer and delivers locally. Their flavorful greens were available at the Oak Park and Riverside farmers markets in 2021 and we are looking forward to enjoying fresh from the garden flavors in 2022.
7) Prohibition style cocktails and spirit flights at Quincy Street Distillery, Riverside A longtime favorite of ours, Quincy Street Distillery, 39 E. Quincy Street in Riverside, is known for serving cocktails brimming with vintage charm. After the pandemic put a pause on pouring in the tasting room, the bartenders are back in action. Take a moment to slow down and savor a thoughtfully crafted cocktail or spirit flight in their speakeasy.
8) Dr. Fong, appetizers and a show at Chef Shangri-la, North Riverside The Fong family has been serving Tiki drinks alongside an expansive menu of Chinese fusion creations in a quirky retro atmosphere since 1976. No meal is complete at Chef Shangri-la, 7930 26th St. in North Riverside, without Dr. Fong by your side. The recipe for the family namesake cocktail is a closely guarded secret, but it is a “safe” choice because of its lower alcohol content. A whimsical ceramic glass can be purchased to hold the rum-based umbrella drink prized for its citrus and peach flavor.
The Landmark, December 29, 2021
9
Man tossed out by LTHS board for public comment Free speech advocates question district policy banning ‘disparaging’ remarks
By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
After calling Lyons Township High School District 204 Superintendent Brian Waterman and LTHS school board members “bobbleheads” for continuing to support COVID-19 mitigation efforts inside school buildings, a strident anti-masker was interrupted and removed from the North Campus Reber Center by two LaGrange police officers during the public comment period of the Dec. 20 LTHS school board meeting. Bill See, a retired quality assurance engineer from Justice, has been a vocal presence at most LTHS school board meetings since August, arguing against masks mandates. See has likened forcing students to wear masks to torture and claims without providing evidence that suicides have increased among school children, including at LTHS, because of mask requirements. Waterman told the Landmark there have been no student deaths this school year. See was a little more than a minute into his public comment on Dec. 20 when he described Waterman and school board members as “bobbleheads” for following Pritzker’s mask mandates. LTHS generally limits each individual’s public comment to three minutes. LTHS school board President Kari Dillon interrupted See, saying that he was violating the district’s public comment rules. “Mr. See, I’m going to stop you, you’re making some disparaging comments,” said Dillon. See facetiously apologized and then referred to “Emperor Pritzker” and again called Waterman a “bobblehead,” turning to the audience to show them a bobblehead doll. That’s when Waterman got up and told See he had to leave. “Mr. See your time is up and I’m going to ask you to leave the auditorium now,” Waterman said. “If you don’t leave in 10 seconds you’ll be in violation of trespassing,” Waterman said to applause from most of the audience of about 30 people. Two LaGrange police officers assigned to the meeting told See he had to leave and threatened to handcuff him if he didn’t. Police did not arrest See. While Dillon and Waterman cited the board’s rules for public comment for giving See the boot, civil liberties advocates, including the Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, questioned whether See should have been stopped from talking and removed from the meeting, saying that his First Amendment right to free speech may have been violated. “There is sometimes a fine line between criticizing an official’s government work – speech at the core of the First Amendment – and attacking them as a person,” said Ed Yohnka, the director of communications and public policy for the ACLU of Illinois, in an email after reviewing video of the incident.
BOB SKOLNIK/Contributor
Two LaGrange police offi cers ask William See to leave the North Campus Reber Center after LTHS board President Kari Dillon and Superintendent Brian Waterman ordered him out for making ‘disparaging’ comments. “The speaker here stayed on the right side of the line, and the board should have allowed him to finish his comment. His removal was unnecessary.” Jason Han, the executive director of Elmhurst-based Citizen Advocacy Center, agreed after reviewing the video of the meeting. “It’s always problematic to the Citizen Advocacy Center when government officials exercise First Amendment restrictions when they chill speech under claims of what we call niceness policies,” Han told the Landmark in a telephone interview. “Certainly, nobody would have been harmed had Mr. See had been given his full three minutes to call people bobbleheads.” Geoffrey Stone, the Edward H. Levi distinguished professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School and an expert in First Amendment law and free speech, said it was a close case. “I would have let him have his three minutes as long as he did not go beyond what he actually said,” Stone said in an email after reviewing video of the incident. “But whether the [school board president] did violate the First Amendment is a matter of judgement.” Dillon defended cutting See off and kicking him out of the meeting. “I think it’s pretty obvious when someone’s belligerent,” Dillon said. “They’re continuing to go at somebody about something when we’ve clearly stated our positions on a lot of the issues that he comes to speak about. That information is made public on our website.” Public comment at LTHS school board meetings has been particularly lively, some would say confrontational, since August when See and others vehemently opposed the district’s face mask requirement. Other speakers, including two at the Dec, 20 meeting who were allowed to speak without interruption, have criticized the district for including books with sexual content on a summer reading list for freshman and sophomores, and for allegedly discriminat-
ing against conservative students. Police have begun attending LTHS school board meetings this fall and in December the police presence has been increased to two officers at LTHS’s request. Dillon has also begun to read statements before the public comment period, stating, “We will not allow disparaging, ignorant,
racist, homophobic or hateful comments … [and] shall not use vulgar or obscene language or impede, delay, disrupt or interfere with the board meeting.” Han said the policy is likely overbroad and that the ban on “disparaging” comments likely would not survive a court challenge. He also questioned whether the school board can prohibit “ignorant, racist, homophobic or hateful comments.” “Those other adjectives might not pass muster as well,” Han said. “Certainly, the one that I believe doesn’t pass enough muster is that first one, disparaging.” Courts have ruled that when speech is permitted in public places, government bodies may impose time, place, and manner restrictions on the speech but cannot regulate the content of the speech. Dillon defended the school board’s policy, saying that racist, homophobic and hateful comments hurts students. “I don’t think name calling is ever really appreciated, for anybody,” Dillon said. “I will reiterate that these are volunteer positions, they’re elected volunteer positions, but people don’t need to be subjected to abuse.” Dillon said that the public comment policy was approved by the school’s law firm.
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The Landmark, December 29, 2021
THE LANDMARK VIEW
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Holding out hope in 2022
t’s been a mixed bag, 2021. While we are clearly still mired in a pandemic, vaccines have shown they can limit the damage. While national politics are still characterized by extreme division, the daily circus acts have ended, at least for now and we’re slowly working toward accountability for an insurrection that kicked off the year in ominous fashion. At the local level, elections in Riverside and Brookfield were much calmer – well, to be frank, somnambulant – due to a lack of challengers for president and trustee. North Riverside voters pushed the button for change, but not too much change. School districts all navigated the pandemic as safely as possible and in different fashions during the spring before charting a more uniform course in the fall. Even with the reemergent pandemic as 2021 ends, there seems little appetite to usher students out of the classroom as in 2020. We’ve long given up predicting the future, so we have no idea what 2022 holds for us. But here are a few things we’d like to see: ■ The emergence of the delta and omicron variants of COVID-19 this summer and fall were warnings that pandemics don’t simply go away because people tire of them. After nearly two years of masks and social distancing and canceled events, it’s easy to throw up your hands and say, “Well, we’re just going to have to live with this.” But there are tangible solutions right in front of us, if only we rally the collective will to act. Vaccines are widely and easily available – at no cost. With all of the evidence of their efficacy and with nearly 1 million fatalities from the disease in less than two years, there is no reason, beyond an actual medical one, not to be vaccinated. If the solution is making it even harder for the unvaccinated to participate in everyday activities – by imposing vaccine mandates to visit restaurants and bars or to fly on planes – then we hope those measures are part of Pandemic Mitigation 2022. The vaccinated are doing their part to end this thing and make life better for all. It’s time for the unvaccinated to do their part. ■ The Brookfield Avenue bridge project has been, shall we say, not exactly smooth. But the biggest hurdle – getting a water main rerouted under Salt Creek – appears to have been cleared, and that work ought to recommence as the calendar flips the page. Here’s hoping there are no more bumps in the road and we can be crossing the new, improved bridge as we pass the reviewing stand on July 4 at the end of the Brookfield parade. ■ Speaking of unending projects, will 2022 be the year Riverside pulls the trigger or decides to blowup completely the idea of building a floodwall along the Des Plaines from Park Place to the BNSF tracks? To say the Army Corps of Engineers is taking its time letting everyone know the exact impact would be an understatement. Those who live in the floodplain and those whose properties would be directly affected should not have this matter hanging over their heads indefinitely. Let’s get an answer in 2022.
Opinion KOSEY CORNER
Sweet treats made another unusual Christmas palatable
W
ell, here it is, the last column of 2021 and aren’t we all glad this year is over? Let’s see what 2022 will bring. I suggest we go into it with a positive outlook, which will make it easier. So let’s recap a few things from the Christmas holiday. Admittedly, it was not like the Christmases of yore – yore being 2019. One thing I noticed that not even COVID-19 can stop are the food traditions. Bless all you bakers and cooks. You know for us Italians the food is essential. Beginning with Christmas Eve there is the seven fishes dinner, which is seven different fish or you can cook fish seven different ways, just so seven is a factor. We have cut back on that, and for Husband Joe and I shrimp sufficed. I ate more than seven, so I guess that counts. We also were blessed with cousin Josephine’s pizzelles and biscotti, which are Nona’s recipe. We particularly like panettone. I call it Italian houska, which when toasted and lightly buttered is great. Houska, by the way, is a Czech specialty and can be purchased year round. Italians also have what is called panforte, thin and sweet, slightly resembling a fruitcake of sorts. We are
also the lucky recipients of a paper-thin dessert of Eastern European origin made and given to us by friend Pam Talancon. It is labor intensive and we are grateful to Pam for her effort. To add to that neighbor Nancy gave us a bottle of Christian Brothers eggnog with brandy, which helped wash it all down. Bless those monks. Now here is the mystery. Who gave us the beautiful holiday box filled with homemade Christmas cookies? I tried my baker buddy Teresa Hall: nope. Daughter-in-law Pam: nope. To whoever, thank you, I will continue to search the identity of the cookie giftgiver so I can give a proper thank you. So as unpleasant things were, they could have been worse. Nothing like a Christmas goodie to help us find ease the stress. Thanks to all who care. The Riverside Township Lions truck should have arrived in Kentucky to help the tornado victims. Thank you to all who so generously gave items the Riverside Lions members, to Lions President Andy Sitkiewicz for organizing the event with Alex Gallegos, Lions International and Riverside Foods. To all, I will see you in 2022. Have a happy and healthy New Year, and eat another cookie.
JOANNE KOSEY
LETTERS
Riverside clerk bids adieu, thanks community The Village in the Forest first captured my heart the day I set foot on the Swinging Bridge as a child. I have had the great honor and good fortune to serve the residents of the village of Riverside for almost 14 years, and I was blessed to live in Riverside for 11 years. I have enjoyed working and volunteering alongside many amazing individuals who have demonstrated enormous dedication, creativity and kindness day after day. The work has been challenging, rewarding and ever changing. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities my employment with the village of Riverside has
Send letters to the Editor Bob Uphues, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 include name, address and daytime phone number for verification
afforded me. Riverside is truly a special place, and as the year and my career with the village come to a close, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who took the time to share a kind word or extend a hand in friendship over the years. Riverside will always hold a special place in my heart, as will all of you.
Cathy Haley, village clerk Riverside
Sports
@RBLandmark
The Landmark, December 29, 2021
11
RBHS diver seeks springboard to state title
Harrison Nolan a favorite to win program’s first swimming/diving championship since 1964
through to get all of my reps, all of my weight training done, just making sure I’m doing everything I can to stay on top,” Nolan said. “That would be pretty cool, being the first.” “He’s very motivated. It’s definitely one of his goals. And he’s really good in competition,” RBHS diving coach Amy Phillips said. “When the stakes are high, he just really focuses on what he needs to do each dive, does the best he By BILL STONE can, and then moves on to the next one. And he Contributing Reporter has fun with it.” Nolan was named to the U.S. Junior NationEven at age 8, Riverside-Brookfield High al Team as a sophomore and junior. COVID School senior Harrison Nolan realized quickly restrictions, however, canceled opportunities that diving was his passion. to represent the U.S. at the junior His ability to learn and refine Pan American Games. Nolan will dives continues just as rapidly. continue pursuing those opportu“I loved [diving] right away. I nities while he competes for the think I loved the fact that I was University of Kentucky. able to pick it up super quickly,” At first, it seemed that soccer Nolan said. “I just had a really might be Nolan’s primary sport. good time learning what I was doHis father, Mark, was born in Enging. I liked the coaches I was workland and played professionally for ing with. Just a great experience Chester F.C. He also coaches tramall around.” poline and used that in teaching Already with two top-five IHSA HARRISON NOLAN Harrison his first somersault for state finishes and roughly 10 years diving. of Windy City Diving club training While playing youth soccer, Nolan began under coach Susan Bromberg, Nolan should contend for the Bulldogs’ first boys diving state diving for the Riverside Golf Club team, findchampionship and only the second in the sport ing immediate success. A coach suggested along with John Scheda’s 50-yard freestyle Windy City Diving to Nolan. “I joined at 8 years old, which happened swimming title in 1964. Nolan was second at the 2020 state meet to be the best decision I’ve ever made. Ever (522.95 points) to then Homewood-Flossmoor since I started working with Susan, it just senior and two-time champion Jack Williams completely changed my career,” Nolan said. “Diving is one of the most mentally chal(544.20) after taking fifth as a freshman (480.25). COVID-19 meant no 2021 state series, but Nolan lenging sports out there. It can be terrifying, had the second-highest score among confer- and just being able to push yourself through that but keep your composure is a huge part ence meets. “I’ve got the target on my back. It keeps that you can carry on to a lot of aspects of me going and motivated to keep on pushing life.”
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Harrison Nolan placed second as a sophomore at the 2020 swimming and diving state finals after a fifth-place finish his freshman year. COVID washed out the 2021 state finals, but Nolan is a favorite to win in 2022. Nolan continues striving for his best. This summer marked his first national competition in platform besides springboard since his first nationals in 2014. In IHSA competition, Nolan enjoyed his 2020 battle with good friend Williams much more than his fifth-place freshman finish. “As a freshman, I’ve got to say I wasn’t really satisfied. It wasn’t necessarily the place that mattered. I just wanted to go in there and have a good performance,” Nolan said. “Sophomore season was awesome. [Williams] was one of my best buds. It was awesome to dive with him, have meets with him,
seeing both of us succeed.” Nolan’s college signing also came about quickly and turned out for the best. In early April, Nolan verbally committed to Alabama. He reconsidered when the coaching situation remained unresolved by the Nov. 10 signing day. Searching for options, he visited Kentucky in November and verbally committed on the spot after meeting and observing diving coach Ted Hautau. “I can just tell we’re going to be able to do great things together. It’s very similar to what Coach Bromberg does,” Nolan said.
COVID throws holiday hoops tourneys for a loop RBHS boys withdraw from York; varsity girls cancel, switch to Sandburg
By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
The rampaging omicron variant of the coronavirus has played havoc with holiday basketball tournaments. The Riverside-Brookfield High School varsity boys basketball team had to withdraw from the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic at York High School after a number of RBHS players and coaches tested positive for COVID. “There were multiple cases in the varsity program among players and coaches,” RBHS coach Mike Reingruber said. “It’s
kind of spread like wildfire.” The Bulldogs (9-1) were seeded third in the 32-team tournament and scheduled to start Dec. 27. “Obviously we would love to be playing today and the rest of this week,” Reingruber said. “We felt we had put ourselves in position to hopefully make a pretty good run, but unfortunately with everything going on that’s put on hold for a while, but we’ll be ready to go once we’re fully cleared.” The Bulldogs’ Dec. 22 game against St. Edward was abruptly canceled after the first positive test in the Bulldogs’ program. They
are scheduled to resume Jan. 7 against Von Steuben, which had to pull out of the Rich South Big Dipper Tournament. The varsity portion of the annual RBHS Holiday Classic girls basketball tournament was canceled after multiple teams dropped out of the five-team, round-robin tournament due to COVID. The junior varsity tournament continues with the Bulldogs, Morton, Niles North at St. Ignatius. The RBHS varsity girls joined the Sandburg Holiday Tournament and lost to Lincoln-Way Central 72-16 and Plainfield East 71-40 on Monday’s opening day. The Bull-
dogs (6-9) replaced Downers Grove South, which had to drop out due to COVID.
LTHS boys, girls both advance The Lyons Township High School boys won their opener at York’s Tosh Classic 67-34 over Wheaton North on Dec. 27. Tavari Johnson (8 assists) and Billy Bach each scored 12 points and Aidan Sullivan and Nik Polonowski each had 11 points for the Lions (8-2). The LTHS girls advanced to the Dec. 28 quarterfinals of the Montini Christmas Tournament after receiving a first-round bye Monday.
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The Landmark, December 29, 2021
P O L I C E
R E P O R T S
Car heist at dealership leads to high-speed chase, arrest A man accused of stealing a car from a North Riverside dealership on Dec. 23 and leading police on a high-speed chase that ended after he crashed on I-290 reportedly said he took the vehicle because he didn’t want to take the train home and it was too cold to walk. Officers responded to Zeigler Ford, 2100 Harlem Ave. on Dec. 23 at 11:20 p.m. after the dealership’s burglar alarm activated indicating a break-in to the west garage doors. Police arrived to find a window on an overhead door broken out and a black Cadillac with no plates and displaying the dealership logo driving through the lot, as if the driver were looking for an exit. The Cadillac then drove through a chainlink fence on the west side of the dealership and into the Jewish Waldheim Cemetery before exiting through the closed cemetery gate onto Harlem Avenue at 19th Street. North Riverside police pursued the Cadillac as it headed north on Harlem Avenue at speeds topping 100 mph, according to the police report. The car continued east onto I-290 with police still pursuing, topping out at 119 mph before the driver lost control, hit the right concrete retaining wall and spun several times before careening across all lanes of traffic into the center median wall. The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Victor W. Nunnery, of Chicago, allegedly exited the crashed vehicle and jumped two concrete barriers, ran across the westbound lanes of I-290 into the grassy area north of
the expressway. North Riverside police pursued him on foot, reportedly ordering Nunnery to stop multiple times before using a Taser to subdue him, with probes hitting him in the arm and buttocks. Nunnery was not seriously injured, according to police, and was released into their custody after being evaluated at the hospital. Police reported recovering six key fobs from other Zeigler vehicles either on Nunnery or in the stolen Cadillac, where they also found two Microsoft tablets taken from the dealership. The Cook County State’s Attorney charged Nunnery with burglary causing damage, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and aggravated fleeing and eluding. He was also charged with resisting arrest, aggravated speeding and reckless driving and cited for having no valid driver’s license or proof of insurance. As of Dec. 27, Nunnery remained held at Cook County Jail on $250,000 bond.
Speeding stop ends with Class X felony charge A 56-year-old Chicago man on parole for a serious weapons offense is back behind bars after being pulled over in North Riverside for speeding while driving a 2007 Saturn Aura at 70 mph in a 35 mph zone while westbound in the 7200 block of Cermak Road on
Jan. 21 at 1:10 a.m. The driver, Robert Padilla, had been paroled from Pinckneyville Correctional Center in February 2020, where he had served seven years of an eight-year sentence for being an armed habitual criminal. Padilla in 1983 had been convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He later was convicted of a drug offense in 2008 and of burglary in 2013, when he was also convicted of being an armed habitual criminal. According to the police report, after being arrested for misdemeanor speeding, police searched Padilla and found a loaded 9 mm pistol in his coat pocket. He does not possess a firearm owner’s ID or a concealed carry permit, said police. Padilla reportedly told police he’d bought the gun for $250 six months ago from a person who said the pistol came from Indiana. The Cook County State’s Attorney approved charging Padilla with being an armed habitual criminal, which is a Class X felony punishable for between six and 30 years in prison, if convicted. The Illinois Department of Corrections informed North Riverside police that it would be issuing a no-bond warrant for Padilla for violating the terms of his parole. Padilla remains held at Cook County Jail after a Cook County Circuit Court judge ordered him to be placed in custody on $700,000 bond. Padilla has a Jan. 11 hearing date at the Maybrook courthouse.
Catalytic converter theft A resident of the 2400 block of 5th Avenue, North Riverside, contacted police on Dec. 21 to report that someone had removed the catalytic converter from the undercarriage of his van sometime during the prior three days.
Drag racing down Cermak Two juvenile males, both residents of North Riverside, were charged with aggravated speeding, reckless driving and street racing after an officer on patrol reported observing a white Dodge Charger and a black Toyota Camry weaving in and out of traffic while traveling at speeds reaching 77 mph while westbound on Cermak Road from First Avenue on Dec. 22 at about 9:05 p.m. Both drivers pulled over when the police officer directed them to stop at 7th Avenue, according to the police report, where they were arrested and their vehicles impounded. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Dec. 2026, 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
OBITUARIES
Charles F. Davison, 82
Mary E. Durec, 92
Self-taught engineer held several patents
Retired executive secretary
and, more recently, the Packers. While living in Crivitz, Wisconsin, he could equally support both teams and enjoy a few cold ones at Dockside Bar. A world traveler, some of the places he visited included Japan, Costa Rica and much of Europe. He loved speaking Charles Foster Davison, 82, of Brookfield, died Dec. 21, Spanish and tried it wherever he went with 2021. mixed reviews, most notably Germany and Mr. Davison was born the only child to Nepal. He visited most of the 50 states, but parents who, unusual for the time, were both his favorites were Wisconsin and Colorado. over 40 years old. Miraculously, he survived Mr. Davison had a voracious appetite for childhood polio relatively unscathed. He was reading and it was difficult to keep enough a smart cookie, so much so that he skipped books on hand for him. Chuck had quirky two grades at St John Lutheran School. eating habits and enjoyed escargot as much He went to University of Illinois for a year, as Ramen noodles or Spam. but decided it wasn’t for him. A self-taught While he might have been frugal with trivmechanical engineer, he proudly held several ial things, he was extremely generous with patents from which he received the generous money and his time with family and friends. sum of $1 each. Mr. Davison and his wife, His grandkids Jacob and Prapti (Bhandary) Sondra, also owned and operated two UPS Fitzpatrick, Christopher Pitelka, Dana (FitzStores. CHARLES .F DAVISON patrick) and Robert Fiandra, Jonathan PitelIn his early 20s he drove the streets of Lake ka, Taylor (Pitelka) and Zack Burse, and RaGeneva in his hot rod where he met the love chel Fitzpatrick were all taught gun safety and respect and of his life, Sondra Kjenstad Davison. They had two daughalways felt loved by him. ters, Julie (William) Davison Fitzpatrick and Kathy (DougKuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, hanlas) Davison Pitelka. dled arrangements. Mr. Davison loved the outdoors and instilled this love in Online condolences may be shared at KuratkoNosek. his daughters. He was a keen fisherman, gun enthusiast com. and camper. He really loved football, especially the Bears
Mary E. Durec (nee Vrabli), 92, of North Riverside, died Dec. 16, 2021 in Brookfield. Ms. Durec was born Nov.29, 1929 in Chicago. She was an executive secretary for Campbell’s Soup Company. She was the wife of the late John E.; the mother of Donna (late James) Jandak and Edward (Elizabeth) Durec; the grandmother of Kathy Jandak, John MARY E. DUREC (Christine) Jandak, Alison Alvarado, Rebecca (Brian) Barth; the great grandmother of Adeline, Sydney, John Jr., Liam and Callum; and the sister of the late Frank Vrablic and the late Joe (late Rose) Vrablic. Services have been held. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park. Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at KuratkoNosek.com.
The Landmark, December 29, 2021
Growing Community Media
13
HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. DEFINITION To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES: Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential duties and responsibilities 1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture. 2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays. 3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers. 4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management. 5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software. 6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system. 7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review. 8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning. 9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs. 10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,
software and other forms of systems and data. 11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training. 12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling. 13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions. Other important responsibilities and duties 1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures. 2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports. 3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies. 4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems. 5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations. 6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner. 7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis. Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android. Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology. Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down. Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant. Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and
VB scripts. Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment. Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages. Ability to: Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following: - Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time - Operating assigned equipment - Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance - Working in and around computer equipped vehicles Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for: - Making observations - Communicating with others - Reading and writing - Operating assigned equipment and vehicles Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others. Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require. Experience and Training Guidelines Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking. Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred. WORKING CONDITIONS Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HR AND RACIAL EQUITY The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Assistant Director of HR and Racial Equity in the Human Resources Department. This newly created position supports the management of activities and operations of the Human Resources Department and collaboratively develops and drives an organization-wide racial equity and social justice strategy, ensuring timely execution of objectives, and continuously monitoring the progress towards reaching milestones. The incumbent will lead and provide subject matter expertise to the leadership team in the development and implementation of equity initiatives, both internal and external. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs. Position opened until filled. MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST Part time or Fulltime Medical Receptionist for an OB Gyne Office in River Forest Nye Partners in Women’s Health Please email resume to: yvonne@ nyepartners.com POLICE RECORDS CLERK The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. This position will perform a wide variety of specialized clerical duties in support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. SANITARIAN The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Sanitarian in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak- park.us/jobs.
Seasonal Farmers’ Market Manager The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Manager in the Health Department. This position manages the Oak Park Farmer’s Market including the vendors that sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This is a part-time seasonal position with work from January-mid November and work required on Saturday’s from May through October. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.
River Forest Public Schools District 90 River Forest Public Schools District 90 is seeking to hire a School Psychologist for a full-time position for grades PreK-4th starting in December 2021. To qualify, candidates must have a valid Illinois Professional Education License with endorsement in School Psychology (PreK-4). A Master’s Degree is preferred as well as 5 years of successful educational experience in both general and special education; and at least five years of successful experience in evaluating students, collaborating, and problem-solving with school and District teams. The right candidate will facilitate MTSS meetings, including individual and grade-level planning meetings. Integrate D90 practices around equity and inclusivity into daily work and relationships with students, families and colleagues. PART-TIME COMMUNITY SERVICE COORDINATOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Part-Time Community Service Coordinator (up to 10-15 hrs./week) in the Adjudication Department. Thisperson monitors individuals who have been ordered to provide community service in the Village, coordinates with organizations that provide community service opportunities, etc. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park. us/jobs. Open until filled. Civil Engineer 2 - TranSystems, Chicago, IL. Work as a Senior Drainage Engineer in roadway, highway, structural, and transit engineering projects. Professional Engineer License required. Travel required 10% of the time. Apply at www.transystems.com, Job Code# 1155. EOE
Duties include: Completing appropriate psychoeducational assessments for children who have or are suspected of having a disability. Identifying and assessing the learning, development, and adjustment characteristics and needs of individuals and groups, as well as, the environmental factors that affect learning and adjustment. Using assessment data about the student and his/her environment(s) in developing appropriate interventions and programs. Responding to parent and teacher requests for evaluations in accordance with Illinois law and maintaining compliance in accordance with Illinois special education law. Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application availableat district90.org.
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal-opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.
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The Landmark, December 29, 2021
CLASSIFIED
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG RENTALS & REAL ESTATE
MARKETPLACE CARS WANTED
WANTED TO BUY
CLASSICS WANTED CLASSICS
SUBURBAN RENTALS
WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400
STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR Best Selection & Service
708-386-7355
MMpropMgmt.com CICERO 3724 S 53RD CT
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A beautiful 2 flat in South Cicero off 35th st. Features include 3 bedrooms, central air, garage parking. Modern appliances include dishwasher. Utilities separate. $1,700 per month plus security. Lease with option to buy possible. 708-383-9223 or 773-676-6805
Cars Motorcycles Cars & & Vintage Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Import Cars: Cars: Mercedes, Corvette, Mercedes,Porsche, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, MuscleCars, Cars, Ferrari’s,Jaguars, Jaguars, Muscle Mustang && Mopars Mopars Mustang
OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT
Top $$ Etc. $$$$Top $$allallmakes, makes, Etc.
Collector James Collector James 630-201-8122 630-201-8122
RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft. OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011
CLASSICS WANTED
Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles HOME SERVICES Domestic / Import Cars: HANDYMAN LANDSCAPING ELECTRICAL Mercedes, Porsche,ELECTRICAL Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, A&A ELECTRIC Mopars Let anMustang American & Veteran do your work
Ceiling Fans Installed
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We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.
Collector James
630-201-8122
708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area
FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.
New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com
HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates
773-637-0692 Ask for John
HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING
HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do
708-296-2060
Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404
OAK PARK & FOREST PARK
BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Fall Yard Clean-Up Slit Seeding Bush Trimming Fall Leaf Clean-Up Senior Discount Snow Removal
brucelawns.com
708-243-0571
PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/ Plaster Repair Low Cost 708.749.0011
PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.
ROOMS FOR RENT
Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $125.00. New Mgmt. 312-212-1212
A 1,635 Sq. Ft. Retail Space for Lease (END CAP) Recently Updated/remodeled. Heavy traffic area. **Discounted Rate-Limited Time! If Leave message, Include: Your Name, Number & Type of Business. TEXT or CALL: (708)828-6491
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Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years
WOODWORK Terry's
Woodwork Restoration On-site refinishing of wood
and fiberglass since 1977. Includes doors, woodwork, windows, staircases and new woodwork etc. All work done by hand. NO sanders. Your unfinished project my specialty! References available. Contact Terry Seamans at 630-379-7148 or terryseamans@yahoo.com
Reach the people making the decisions. Place an ad in GCM Classified! Call 773/626-6332
The Landmark, December 29, 2021
CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21008380 on December 16, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of LOFTON SNOW REMOVAL with the business located at: 6127 S. UNIVERSITY SUITE 1058 CHICAGO, IL 60637. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: DARRONTE LOFTON 6947 S. NORMAL AVE CHICAGO, IL 60621, USA Published in Wednesday Journal December 22, 29 2021, January 5 2022
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: Y21008331 on December 10, 2021. Under the Assumed Business Name of WORLD TRAVELER EXPERT with the business located at: 1009 FLORENCE AVE, EVANSTON, IL 60202. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CHAN RICHARDSON 1009 FLORENCE AVE EVANSTON, IL 60202, USA. Published in Wednesday Journal December 22, 29, 2021, January 5, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICE BID NOTICE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP Youth Services Electronic Health Records System The Township of Oak Park does hereby invite bids for the furnishing of (1) Electronic Health Records System for the Youth Services Department that is HIPPA compliant For details and specifications, please see www.oakparktownship. org or call Megan Traficano, Youth Services Director at 708-445-2727 ext. 130. Published in Wednesday Journal December 29, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following projects: 2022 SEWER CLEANING AND TELEVISING PROGRAM The services for this contract shall consist of work necessary to thoroughly clean and televise approximately 110,000’ of the sewer system in various locations throughout the Village of Brookfield. The services shall include sewer cleaning, television inspection, removal of waste and other necessary work to properly complete this project in accordance with the specifications and bidding documents. Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, the 12th day of January, 2022, in the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 10:00 A.M. on the same day,
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
PUBLIC NOTICES Wednesday, the 12th day of January, 2022, at the Village Hall. All bid proposals offered must be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not be less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid or a cashier’s check or certified check, made payable to the Order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield and in an amount not less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a guarantee that if the bid proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. No bid proposal shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid bond or check. Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village. The bidder requesting the interpretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery. At the request of the bidder, or in the event that the Village deems the interpretation to be substantive, the interpretation will be made by written addendum duly issued by the Village. In the event that a written addendum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be mailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume responsibility for receipt of such addendum. In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued. The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards. The Village of Brookfield reserves the rights to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals. BY ORDER THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS Published in RB Landmark December 29, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICE BINA Notice The President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois will hold a public hearing on January 10, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. The hearing will be held in the Community Room of the Municipal Center, 400 Park Avenue, in River Forest, Illinois. The purpose of the hearing will be to receive public comments on the proposal to sell general obligation limited tax bonds, in an amount not to exceed $550,000, to pay for public infrastructure projects within the Village, payable from non referendum bond proceeds in accordance with provisions of Section 8-5-16 of the Municipal Code, which will not exceed one half of one percent of the assessed value of all taxable property located within the Village. By: /s/ Jonathan Keller Title: Village Clerk Published in Wednesday Journal December 29, 2021
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF CSMC 2019-RPL11 TRUST Plaintiff, -v.THOMAS P. QUINN, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF VANESSA FUDGE (DECEASED), JOSEPH BERNARDI, VILLA OAKS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF VANESSA FUDGE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2021 CH 00225 426 N. HARVEY AVENUE, UNIT #1SE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 18, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 20, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 030R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 426 N. HARVEY AVENUE, UNIT #1SE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-102-0201008 The real estate is improved with a condominium. The judgment amount was $29,183.68. 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 taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in or-
der 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 313858. 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. 313858 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 2021 CH 00225 TJSC#: 41-2661 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 # 2021 CH 00225 I3183852
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. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 2005419IL_615363 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 12 CH 25204 TJSC#: 41-3006 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 # 12 CH 25204 I3184301
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.RASHINDA PLUMP, WAVERLY CLARK, JR, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, WAVERLY CLARK, JR., INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR Defendants 12 CH 25204 1187 SOUTH HIGHLAND PARK OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 11, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 28, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 030R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1187 SOUTH HIGHLAND PARK, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-325-0470000 The real estate is improved with a one story two unit brick building with no garage. 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 taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.
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The Landmark, December 29, 2021
Have a Safe & Happy New year! When it comes to selling and buying homes... experience, results and ties to the community make all the difference. Curious about the current real estate market and the impact on your home’s value? Thinking about selling, but need to find your next home first? Can’t find your dream home in this competitive market? Contact one of our local market experts for a free, confidential consultation.
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Visit us at www.atproperties.com/agents/Burlington to view all of our properties and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates on the local real estate market.