Landmark 010423

Riverside Library pushes back

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The Riverside Public Library Board of Trustees will place a request from two local residents to remove a book from their collection on its Jan. 10 agenda following a discussion in December of staf f’s decision to keep the book available to the public

At the library board’s Dec. 13 meeting, trustees expressed support for the decision made by a committee of Library Director Janice Foley, Information Services Manager Diane Silva and Children and Youth Services Manager Nora Durbin to keep the 2019 book “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe in circulation. That decision included moving the book to the library’s adult collection.

Where advanced care meets hope

Our patients never stop showing us the resilience and determination of the human spirit. That’s why our team of specialists works closely together to take on the toughest cancers with personalized cancer care and treatment support.

The AdventHealth Cancer Institute Hinsdale is the centerpiece of our care with all services in one easy to navigate place, with a friendly, healing environment. We offer the latest treatment options in radiation oncology, medical oncology and hematology services.

With leading-edge technology in our hands and compassion in our hearts, we’re moving cancer care forward in the western suburbs.

To find a cancer specialist or to schedule a cancer screening, call 855-206-1444 or visit ChicagolandCancerExperts.com

Group seeks approval to acquire First National Bank of Brookfield

Investors apply to Fed to create holding company and buy all shares

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A group of five investors, four of whom are already an of ficer or board members of First National Bank of Brookfield, has applied to the Federal Reserve System to form a bank holding company in order to control the bank, whose lone branch and headquar ters is at 9136 Washington Ave. in Brookfield.

It will take anywhere from 90 to 120 days for the application to be processed by the Federal Reserve, said Phil Richard, president of the bank and one of the five seeking to form the holding company, which is called Brookfield HoldCo Inc.

The other principals listed in the holding company’s application to the Fed are First National Bank of Brookfield board Chairman Michael J. Ryan and directors Jeremy Levy and James P. Grusecki

The chair man of Brookfield HoldCo Inc. is listed as Edward C. Fitzpatrick, a retired lawyer who assisted in a similar bank holding company application in 2015 and is the for mer executive vice president of FBOP Cor poration.

“At the bank level, there will be no change; nothing will be dif ferent,” said Richard of the impact the change of ownership will have if the application is approved. “A holding company allows for greater flexibility.”

First National Bank of Brookfield was owned by a holding company called 1st Brookfield Inc. until 2015, when it was dissolved after another group of investors applied to form a holding company to purchase the bank’s stock from a creditor who’d planned to foreclose on a $10 million debt owned by the bank.

The creditor was unnamed in that 2015 application to the Fed as were the principals of the proposed holding company, which had been dubbed Brookfield Financial Holdings Inc. The only publicly available principal of the proposed holding

First National Bank of Br ook eld, 9136 Washington Ave.

company was its president, Jeremy Levy.

Shor tly after submitting its applicatio n to the Fed, Brookfield Financial Holdings Inc. withdrew it. It’s unclear exactly how the debt issue was resolved, but soon after the application withdrawal, Levy was named to First National Bank of Brookfield ’s board of directors along with Ryan, who was named chair man.

That board reshuf fling, however, did end what had been a turbulent several years for First National Bank of Brookfield .

T he 2008 real estate crash had left the bank with $25 million in loans that were not being paid back and the bank’s re gulatory agency, the Of fice of the Comptroller of the Currency, entered into what was known as a “for mal ag reement” to remedy the institution’s “unsafe and unsound banking practices.”

Richard said he expected the Federal Reserve would look favorably on this latest application to form a bank holding company to acquire First National Bank of Brookfield

Holding companies are common in banking, Richard said, and allow the in-

stitutions greater flexibility in raisin g capital, issuing debt and addressing problem assets.

“It lends more strength to the bank,” Richard said.

While Brookfield HoldCo Inc. would own the bank if the application were approved, Richard said the bank’s board of directors would remain the same

“We have a good bank board and we didn’t want to change it,” Richard said. “And this was an oppor tunity to bring Ed [Fitzpatrick] back into the banking world with experience in banking transactions and liti gation.”

If there will be any noticeable change to First National Bank of Brookfield in 2023, said Richard, it may be its name

“There is one thing we are considering,” he said. “Par t of it might be changing the name to Brookfield Bank.”

But, he said, the institution is committed to community banking

“A bank like ours is able to apply lo gic and commonsense,” Richard said. “We talk to our customers; we know our customers well. We know what we’re good at and stick to that.”

IN THIS ISSUE

Editor Bob Uphues

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Michael Romain

Digital Publishing & Technology Manager Briana Higgins

Staff Photographers Alex Rogals, Shanel Romain

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey

S ales and Marketing Representatives

Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Donor Relations Manager/Food Editor Melissa Elsmo

Sales & Digital Development Manager Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com

Publisher Dan Haley Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

BOARD OF DIREC TORS

Chair Judy Gre n Treasurer Nile Wendor f

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 $41 within Cook County and $51 outside the county. Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address correc tions to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302.

© 2023 Growing Community Media NFP

FILE

January 4-11

Inciting Joy: A Conversation with Ross Gay

Kick o the New Year with a conversation about joy with essayist and poet Ross Gay courtesy of the Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library, 3541 Park Ave., in concert with Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries

Held in Meeting Room 1 on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m., Gay will discuss his most recent collection of essays “Inciting Joy,” which explore the joy we incite when we turn our attention to what brings us together and what we love

To register for the program, call 708-485- 6917, ext. 130 or visit brook eld.evanced.info/signup

Librar y Mini- Golf

Going a little stir crazy from all the crazy weather?

Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, invites the entire family to enjoy a round of Library Mini-Golf all day on Jan. 6, 7, and 8 in the library’s lower level.

No need to register, just drop-in and play.

And more

■ North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents After School Art Escape (child with adult) on Jan. 5 at 4 p.m., Lego Club on Jan. 6 at 4 p.m., Movies in the Teen Spot (grades 6-12) on Jan. 7 at 1 p.m., Stretching and Meditation on Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m., Story Safari (child with adult) on Jan. 11 at 10:30 a.m. and Preschool Yoga &

What ’s in the cards for 2023?

Will you have a good year or not? North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., may have some answers for you if you attend their New Year’s Tarot Card Reading event on Jan. 7 from noon to 3 p.m.

See what’s in store for 2023 and nd out how to do your own tarot card readings. A free tarot card deck will be given to ever y attendee.

Bobbi Meier, “Sunday Dinners (girly-girl),” 2022. Pantyhose, shnet stockings, ber ll, thri ed needlepoint, various accoutrement, on stretched canvas, 13.5-by-13.5 inches

RAC unveils two new shows

Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quinc y St., unveils two new exhibitions this week.

Chicago ar tist Bobbi Meier’s show “Imper fect Rituals” will be on display at RAC from Jan. 8 through Feb. 18. An opening reception is at RAC on Jan. 8 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Meier’s abstract sculptures, drawings and installations, through the provocative use of materials, express life’s frustrations, joys and fears. Galler y hours are Thursday-Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Another exhibition, “Mujer Quetzalcoatl” featuring the work of Alex Velazquez Brightbill, will be on display through March 30 in the lobby of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road in Riverside. An opening reception will be held Jan. 8 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the township hall.

Works in the show utilize traditions and symbols from Velazquez Brightbill’s heritage and illustrate her journey from infertility to motherhood through in vitro fertilization. Viewing hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

RAC will host a private happy hour following the Jan. 8 receptions at Quincy Street Distiller y.

Storytime on Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. Register for programs online at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new.

■ Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Librar y, 3541 Park Ave., presents Chair Zumba on Jan. 6 at 1:30 p.m., Open Board Gaming - BYOG in the Maker Studio on Jan. 7 from 3 to 5 p.m., Chair Yoga (vir tual) on Jan. 9 at 11 a.m., Star t the New Year with Meditation with Umesh Bhatia on Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m., Genealogy Club: Finding

Your Voice, Telling Your Story on Jan. 10 at 4 p.m. and a Film Discussion Series screening of the Taiwanese lm “Pushing Hands” at 6:30 p.m. Call 708-485-6917 or visit online at brook eld evanced.info/signup to register for programs

■ Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents Read to the Dogs with PAWsitive Therapy Troupe for kids in grades 1-5 on Jan. 5 at 2 p.m.; First Saturday Storytime (all ages) on Jan. 7 at

10 a.m.; Mini-Movers Storytime (up to age 3 with caregiver) on Jan. 9 at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m.; and Knitting, Crochet and Needlework Group on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. To register for programs, visit online at riversidelibrary.org/events

■ The Brook eld 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.

D96 awards contract for Blythe Park auditorium redo

Historic feature will become music room/library multipurpose space

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Next summer, the Blythe Park School auditorium, part of the local landmark building’s original 1948 Perkins & Will design, will be tur ned into a multipurpose room as part of a larger renovation project that will also including redoing the school’s parking lots and replacing the school’s boiler.

At their Dec 21 meeting, the Riverside Elementary School District 96 Board of Education voted unanimously to award a $3,535,800 construction contract to Willowbrook-based Troop Contracting to do the work Troop submitted the second lowest of the seven bids the school district received for the Blythe Park project. The low bidder, Romeoville-based Integral Construction, reportedly did not have good references. Ramesh Nair, the district’s construction consultant, said that a reference check indicated that in some past projects, Integral had issues with completing projects on time, paying liqui-

dated damages and labor issues

Even though Integral’s bid was nearly $200,000 less than Troop’s, Nair recommended that the district choose Troop, which provided good references. The Blythe Park project must be done on a tight timeline next summer. Nair noted that Troop’s bid was less than his estimate of $3,650,000 for the project.

“This was an excellent bid,” Nair told the school board. “We’re getting a contractor whose references panned out, and it’s still below our budget.”

State law requires school districts to choose the lowest responsible bidder, not simply the lowest bidder.

Work done last summer at L.J. Hauser Junior High School was marred by problems and came in over budget.

“We’ve had issues with contractors in the fairly recent past,” said District 96 school board President Dan Hunt in agreeing with going with a company that had good references.

The Blythe Park School’s auditorium will become a multipurpose space with a movable wall separating a music room from the library The current first-floor library will become an art room.

Both the north and south parking lots at Blythe Park School will be redone as pa rt of the work next summer. The parking lots will get new asphalt pavement, new roadway/ driveway pavement, new sidewalks, new concrete pavement, new per meable pavers and new striping.

Two new boilers will replace the existing boiler, which is approximately 15 years old. The new boilers will be approximately 10 to 15 more efficient than the existing boiler.

Tuckpointing for Hollywood School

The school board also on Dec 21 unanimously approved awarding a $36,400 contract to its architectural fir m, DLA Architects, for design work and construction documents related to tuckpointing work

Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight

Palacky Lodge #630

Independent Order of Odd Fellows

9234 Broadway, Brookfield, IL 60513

Contact: Kim Kalousek 630-697-7892

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is one of the oldest and largest fraternities in the world. We are non-political and nonsectarian. Membership is open to all regardless of sex, race, religion, political affiliation and social status -all bound by the desire to improve ourselves and the calling to live and promote the principles of Friendship, Love, and Truth which transcends labels. We believe that by developing close friendships among each other and by working together in our communities, we can make a difference in the world and among ourselves! Discussing political, sectarian or any other debate is forbidden in the Lodge, so it breaks down the social walls and labels used to view others and opens hearts and minds to start seeing people as Brothers and Sisters.

An Odd Fellows lodge is a place for fellowship in all its forms, from hanging out and just having fun,

to discussion, to networking, to collaboration on creative and constructive projects, all with an eye not only on our own satisfaction but on what we might offer to the community at large. An ideal lodge is a great venue for a lot of positive energy and all members are encouraged to contribute their share. People often ask why the name Odd Fellows. During its founding “odd” frequently referred to items that did not match & “fellow” to a person who belonged to a particular profession. Therefore, Odd Fellowship is an assortment of individuals from more than one profession or walk of life. An Odd Fellow is a person who unites with others across the boundaries of demographic or social class in order to form a far greater whole.

The Odd Fellows are the only fraternal organization permitted to conduct a Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and given the honor of bestowing a Grand Decoration of Chivalry Award upon an Unknown Soldier. This honor was bestowed upon us in 1934 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The best part about being in Brookfield, as well as a personal favorite of one of the members is

the many diverse people who are enthusiastic about helping neighbors and the community. The lodge has been experiencing a real growth spurt. It is inspiring how many people are actively seeking a way to become involved in the community & give back to those who may need a little boost to get back on their feet. The more the lodge grows the more it can do to help others. The members of the lodge are not relied upon to support our philanthropic endeavors. Fundraisers are run almost continually. If you the lodge members selling raffle tickets for items to win, know that any money you spend with them goes directly towards a person our family or group that has found itself in hard times & in need of assistance. The Odd Fellows are now a 501c3 organization, so if you would like to make a monetary donation a receipt can be provided to

that will be done at Hollywood School in Brookfield next summer

The tuckpointing work at Hollywood may have to done working around the large butterfly murals that were attached to the brick exterior on the southwest part of the school’s in 2019 as part of an ar tist-in-residence project.

“Some people like it, some people don’t,” Nair said of the butterfly mural. “But we’ ll definitely save it. I mean, our plan is not to take it down as such. We will work around it.”

The school board’s facilities committee chair man, Joel Marhoul, said that the architect will weigh in on how to handle the butterfly art.

“It will be something for the architect to think about and give recommendations to, and then they have to call masons they know for ideal ways to address it in a way that’s cost-ef ficient and doesn’t remove them or wreck them,” Marhoul said. “It’s par t of the design process, essentially.”

you to claim on your taxes.

For more information on the Odd Fellows membership or upcoming fundraisers and projects, please contact:

Palacky Lodge #630 Independent Order of Odd Fellows

9234 Broadway, Brookfield, IL 60513

Contact: Kim Kalousek 630-697-7892

Presented by

Degree Day at Palacky Lodge. Back row from left to right, Dale Anselmo, Chuck Mallo, Tom Howe, Chuck Murphy, Al Niemiec, Br. Turner, Tom Ungaro, Middle Row, Bill Hudecek, Steve Mrizek, Evie Mrizek, Rich Mrizek, Norene Stimburis, Lauren Ungaro, Bottom Row, Jeff Hamerman, Wayne Wolf, Jim Turner

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

SOME EDUCATOR EXPENSES MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

The educator expense deduction allows eligible teachers and administrators to deduct part of the cost of technology, supplies and training from their taxes. They can only claim this deduction for expenses that were not reimbursed by their employer, a grant or other source.

Who is an eligible educator?

The taxpayer must be a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide. They must also work at least 900 hours a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined under state law. Things to know about this deduction

Educators can deduct up to $250 of trade or business expenses that were not reimbursed. As taxpayers prepare to file, they should remember to keep receipts after making any purchase to support claiming this deduction with their tax records. The deduction is $500 if both taxpayers are eligible educators and file their return using the

status married filing jointly. These taxpayers cannot deduct more than $250 each. Qualified expenses are the amounts the taxpayer paid with their own funds during the tax year. Deductible expenses include: professional development course fees; books; supplies; computer equipment, including related software and services; other equipment and materials used in the classroom; personal protective equipment, disinfectant, and other supplies used for the prevention of the spread of corona virus This deduction is for unreimbursed expenses paid or incurred during the 2022 tax year. Taxpayers should keep records, such as receipts and other documents that support the deduction with other tax documents. Eligible taxpayers will claim the deduction on Form 1040, Form 1040-SR or Form 1040-NR, attaching Schedule 1, Additional Income and Adjustments to Income.

PO LICE REPO RT S

Motorist hurt in First Avenue crash

A woman driving a Nissan Rogue had to be extricated from her vehicle and was taken to the hospital for treatment after a Toyota Camry driven by another woman crashed into it as it reportedly attempted to make a U-tur n in front of her while northbound on First Avenue near Forest Avenue on Dec 28 at about 10:40 a.m.

According to the police report, the Nissan was in the right lane of traffic ahead of the Toyota, which was in the left lane As the Nissan began making the U-tur n, the driver of the Toyota could not stop in time and crashed into the driver’s side of the Nissan.

Riverside firefighters extricated the Nissan’s driver, who complained of chest pain and was taken to Loyola University Medical Center. The other driver was not injured.

Package stolen from porch

A resident of the 3200 block of Grand Boulevard, Brookfield, called police on Dec. 28 to report that someone stole a package from her front porch earlier in the day.

The victim received a message at 4:30 p.m. notifying her that the package had been delivered. At 6:30 p.m., the victim received a Ring doorbell activation aler t including video of someone removing the package, placing it under his sweatshirt and walking away with it nor th on Grand Boulevard

DUI

■ A 37-year-old Darien man who re portedly had been war ned multiple times by Brookfield police not to get behind the wheel of his car due to his level of intoxication was charged with drunken driving for doing just that on Dec. 26 at about 11:50 p.m.

Police had been called to Phil’s Spor ts Bar & Grill, 8901 Burlington Ave., at about 11:30 p.m. for an unrelated incident and at the time the man was advised not to drive. But about 20 minutes later, the same police of ficer re por ted seeing the man get behind the wheel of his car and drive away west on Burlington Avenue, rolling through the stop sign at Maple Avenue before heading south to Ogden Avenue, crossing the

white dotted line at least twice before he was pulled over in the 4100 block of East Avenue

The driver re por tedly refused all sobriety tests and was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and cited for four traf fic of fenses

■ Brookfield police charged a 30-yearold Chicago woman with drunken driving after another motorist called 911 to re port that the woman was driving a black Toyota into oncoming traf fic and er ratically braked and accelerated while nor th on First Avenue from I-55 and then west on 31st Street to Har rison Avenue

Police stopped the vehicl e, which repor tedly drove through a stop sign, at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Grand Boulevard and spoke to the driver who appeared to be intoxicated. A breath test later revealed her blood-alcohol content to be 15, or nearly twice the le gal limit of .08.

Hit and run

A resident of the first block of Forest Avenue, Riverside, called police on Dec 27 at about 12:50 a.m. after someone crashed a van into her vehicle, which was parked on the nor th side of the street, causing heavy rear-end damage

The victim told police she heard a “bang” and looked out the window to see a man get out of a white van, look at the damage and yell an expletive before picking up some pieces from the crash and putting them into the van, which was last seen driving away toward First Avenue

Surveillance cameras last showed the van crossing First Avenue and continuing west on Ridgewood Road toward Brookfield.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Dec. 26, 2022-Jan. 2, 2023, 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

Linda Sokol Francis, E.A.

Lyons Township School Treasur

A er losing LTHS District 204, agency signs village of Bridgeview

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The village of Bridgeview has agreed to invest up to $10 million of village money with the Lyons Township School Treasurer’s of fice, known as the TTO, in an attempt to mitig ate the impact of the withdrawal of Lyons Township High School District 204 from the agency in 2021.

This will apparently be a first time the TTO has invested money for a municipality. TTOs, which now exist only in Cook County, were for med in the 19th century to invest the reserve funds of school districts District 204 withdrew from the Lyons TTO in 2021 after the verdict in a protracted lawsuit between the two entities LTHS is by far the largest school district in Lyons Township, so when it withdrew, LTHS took

nearly $46 million, about 23 to 25 percent of the money the TTO managed for school districts, with it.

LTHS and the TTO are still in cour t. In a new lawsuit, LTHS alle ges the TTO still owes it at least $1.2 million. A ruling in that case is expected in February.

The village of Bridgeview will pay the Lyons TTO an annual management fee of 25 basis points, 0.25 percent, of the money it invests with the TTO That fee will help the TTO re place some of the fees it lost when LTHS left.

The TTO has no money of its own. Its expenses are bor ne by the school districts the agency serves. The more money the TTO manages, the better it is for the remaining school districts because the TTO’s expenses are spread over more assets

“We’ re doing this to mitigate the oblig ations to the other school districts,” Mike Thiessen, the president of the board of trustees of the Lyons TTO, said of the ag reement to invest Bridgeview’s money “And we don’t think Bridgeview will be the last. It’s just simply the first.”

Retiring state Sen. Steve Landek (D-Bridgeview) is also the longtime village presi-

dent of Bridgeview who has long been the primary defender and protector of the Lyons TTO in Springfield.

Landek says investing the village’s funds with the TTO instead of the Illinois Funds, a state-run local gover nment investment pool that Bridgeview has previously invested in, makes sense for Bridgeview. As of Dec 27, the Illinois Funds was paying its investors a 4.091% interest rate

of 2-0. Thiessen abstained from the vote because he has had extensive private business dealings in and with the village of Bridgeview.

“Ten-plus years doing work at Seat Geek Stadium and then on Menard’s development, some other economic development projects within the village,” Thiessen said.

Kenneth Getty, the township schools treasurer for Lyons Township, has received a two-year contract extension that goes into effect on July 1, 2023.

At a special meeting on Nov. 30, the board of the Township Trustees of Schools, known at the TTO, voted 2-0 to give Getty the extension. Trustee Shakana KirkseyMiller did not attend the special meeting Trustee Jessica Doherty and TTO board President Mike Thiessen voted to approve the contract extension. Thiessen and Doherty met in closed session for four minutes before voting. State law limits contracts for TTO treasurers to no more than two years.

For the 2023-24 fiscal year, Getty will be paid a salary of $185,000. On July 1, 2024 Getty’s salary will increase to $188,000. When Getty was hired as the TTO treasurer in 2018, his salary was $140,000.

The new contract gives Getty, who was appointed treasurer in 2018, paid vacation amounting to 35 days each year. In addition to the seven weeks of paid time off, Getty

will get 11 holidays off with pay.

Thiessen said that he thought Getty’s paid time of f might be increasing by a couple of days in the new contract.

“I think we’re at 30 plus, 32 for our re gular employees,” Thiessen said.

The TTO, which invests money for school districts in Lyons Township other than Lyons Township High School District 204, has six emplo yees As treasurer, Getty is responsible for investing approximately $200 million in school districts’ money.

The contract requires the TTO to also pay Getty’s contributions to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. The TTO will also make a one-time contribution of $2,500 to Getty’s 401(a) account and annually contribute an amount equal to 5% of Getty’s base salary to his 401(a) account.

The TTO will also pay for Getty’s health insurance and dental and vision coverage as well as provide him with the equivalent of a $500,000 ter m life insurance policy. — Bob Skolnik

“We have it in the Illinois State Treasurer’s Fund, but the schools treasurer can give us a bigger rate of retur n,” Landek said. “It’s a quick and convenient way to manage your money without having to go to a downtown bank. We find this to be the most logical way to quickly invest our money and it’s liquid enough for us. Within 48 hours we could have the money back if we need it.”

The three-person TTO board approved the intergover nmental ag reement with Bridgeview at its Nov. 15 meeting by a vote

“The Pilot development, the Pete’s Fresh Market, a bunch of stuf f. I’ve worked with the village probably longer than I’ve been on the TTO board.”

Thiessen and Landek were once business partners in the Southwest Community News Group, a chain of local community newspapers. Landek, in his capacity as the liquor commissioner in Bridgeview, also has granted at least two liquor licenses to Blackhawk Restaurant Group, a company that Thiessen has an ownership stake in. Blackhawk owns and operates video gambling parlors.

BOB SKOLNIK/Contributor

e Lyons Tow nship T TO board and sta at their meeting in November.

North Riversider named zoo’s Volunteer of the Year

Earlier this fall, the Chicago Zoolo gical Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, celebrated its volunteers, including a number of Brookfield, Nor th Riverside and Riverside residents for their dedicated service

Retur ning after the pandemic, the zoo’s 400 adult volunteers contributed nearly 28,000 hours in 2021.

An awards dinner featured the presentation of service and special awards to those who have generously contributed their time to Brookfield Zoo. Docent Frank Veselak, of North Riverside, who has been a zoo volunteer for 34 years, was honored with the Volunteer of the Year award.

CZS President and CEO Dr Michael Adkesson also reco gnized Brookfield resident Betsy Snyder for her 40 years of volunteer service to Brookfield Zoo Also among those reco gnized for their years of volunteer service were Riverside residents Nancy Schulze (25 years), Kathy Schaeflein (20), Frank Oles (10) and Nancy Hencke (5).

Anyone interested in volunteer opportunities at Brookfield Zoo can visit czs.org/ volunteer for updated information be ginning in February 2023.

On campus

■ Brookfield resident Katherine Geisert, a senior student-artist at Lyons Township High School, received an honorable mention award for her drawing submitted in the annual Chicagoland 4 X 5 art exhibit, which included more than 1,000 entries from 49 high schools, all measuring 4-by-5 inches

Of the artwork submitted just over 100 received awards

■ The Nor th and South campus administrations at Lyons Township High School have announced their November Students of the Month, nominated by their teachers and then selected by various de par tments as the most exemplary students in each subject.

At South Campus, Brookfield resident Clarisa Gonzalez, a sophomore, was named Student of the Month in French II.

At Nor th Campus, Brookfield seniors Isabella Forero-Cadena and Michael Guzman as well as junior Briana Gonzale z were each named Student of the Month.

■ Three student-musicians from Brookfield were among the 41 Lyons Township High School students selected to be part of the Illinois Music Educators Association District 1 Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band and

Choir after a competitive audition process featuring more than 2,000 students from 80 high schools from Chicago and the suburbs

Being chosen is the first ste p on the way to being selected an all-state musician and par ticipating in the ILMEA state music convention in January.

Among those selected for the District 1 ensemble were Brookfield residents Anthony Galvez (orchestra), Rachel O’Riley (band) and Nate Scalzo (band).

■ Brookfield resident Greta Nelson was among the 34 students from Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park named 2023 Illinois State Scholars, an award given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission

to approximately the top 10 percent of high school seniors across the state

PROVIDED

Riverside residents (from le ) Kathy Schae ein, Nanc y Hencke, Nanc y Schulze and Frank Oles were honored for their years of volunteer ser vice at Brook eld Zoo.

PROVIDED

Frank Veselak (le ), of North Riverside, received the Chicago Zoological Society’s Volunteer of the Year Award from CZS President and CEO Dr. Michael Adkesson earlier this fall.

CLARISA GONZALEZ

MICHAEL GUZMAN BRIANA GONZALEZ

ISABELLA FORERO-C ADEN

Brook eld resident Betsy Snyder (center) displays a certi cate honoring her 40 years of volunteer ser vice at Brook eld Zoo. She’s anked by Jennifer Baader (le ), CZS senior vice president of government a airs, and Dr. Michael Adkesson, CZS president and CEO PROVIDED

BOOK BAN

Targeted title

“We do not practice censoring and we follow our collection development policies, and we felt this book fulfilled all of the criteria, but that we were going to take it out of the teen collection and put in the adult graphic novel collection,” Foley told library trustees last month.

The book, which is in the form of a graphic novel, had been part of the Young Adult graphic novel collection in the new Teen Room, where middle and high school students tend to cong re gate.

“Gender Queer,” Kobabe’s memoir of coming out as nonbinary, has been a particular target of conservatives who have lobbied to get it banned from both school and public libraries throughout the nation.

A New York Times story in May 2022 about “Gender Queer” and its author called it “the most banned book in the country, with those objecting to it contending that it contains sexually explicit images that are inappropriate for children.

Riverside resident Maria Hawk, who was the first to contact Foley about removing “Gender Queer” from the library’s collection, claimed the book was inappropriate for children due to “porno graphic/obscene images” while Dawn Burda, the other objector, in her request to remove the book called it “blatant pornog raphy” and said, “In conversations with several police officers, this resource as a whole is pornographic material. And this should not be made available to children in a public library.”

In their requests to the library, both Hawk and Burda said they had not read Kobabe’s entire book, which is more than 200 pages long.

“I’ve seen enough of the book to know that the book format as a graphic novel contains porno graphic and obscene images,” Hawk wrote in her request for removal. “The ‘context’ of the storyline is immaterial in this case as this book is housed within the Youth Services Department.”

Hawk objected specifically to four pages of the book, whose content she described as a “full-frontal nudity image,” two “explicit sexual acts” and “promotion of sex toys.”

Hawk, who teaches at a Catholic elementary school in Oak Park, argued that as an educator, she was a mandated re porter obligated to re port suspected abuse “including sexually explicit material that has been supplied to an underaged child” and argued that the “Riverside Public Library is now the willing supplier of pornog raphic material that might lead to the abuse of a child.”

In an April 2022 interview with the National Public Radio station KBIA in Missouri, Kobabe, whose pronouns are e/em/ eir said “Gender Queer” was “a story of my own life – of being a very shy, dyslexic child who was questioning gender and sexuality, and a lot of facets of my own identity into growing up into an adult who came out as non-binary to my f amily and friends and community.”

“Writing it was a process of examining my own identity and figuring out how to articulate – in like the clearest, most concise form – what I was trying to say, when I was talking about gender.

“And a way to get across – specifically to my own parents, and aunts and uncles – what I meant when I was talking about gender, and why nonbinary pronouns are so important to me.”

Riverside Library Board President Ken Circo said he supported the staf f committee’s decision re garding “Gender Queer.”

“We’ re not in the business of censoring,” Circo said. “Our responsibility is education, providing the materials and for our community and our patrons. To limit what people have access to, especially something that could be helpful to a marginalized community, in my personal opinion, is something that should never [happen].”

Kobabe addressed just that issue in an op-ed published in the Washington Post in October 2021 amid a wave of “gender Queer” bans in school and public libraries in Virginia, Texas, Ohio, New Jersey, Washington and other states.

“Queer youth are often forced to look outside their own homes, and outside the education system, to find information on who they are,” Kobabe wrote. “Removing or restricting queer books in libraries and schools is like cutting a lifeline for queer youth, who might not yet even know what terms to ask Goo gle to find out more about their own identities, bodies and health.”

Foley said the staf f committee’s deci-

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

MAIA KOBABE

A safe & smart choice.

sion to maintain “Gender Queer’ in the library’s collection conformed with the American Library Association’s “Freedom to Read” statement which argues against suppression and censorship, stating, “These ef for ts at suppression are related to a larger pattern of pressures being brought against education, the press, art and images, films, broadcast media and the inter net.”

The book’s inclusion in the collection, Foley told library trustees, also reflects the library’s collection development policy, which seeks to “provide a well-balanced and broad collection of materials for all age groups.”

In addition, that policy sets out three general principles: That the library doesn’t practice censorship, that it doesn’t promote

“Gender Queer,” written in the form of a graphic novel, has been the target of conser vative activists across the nation and has been pulled from the shelves at dozens of school and public libraries in several states.

particular views or beliefs and that “supervision of a minor’s access to materials rests solely with his or her parents or guardians.”

Library board Vice President Courtney Greve Hack said the requests to pull “Gender Queer” from the library’s shelves were not just about that particular book.

“This is not about one particular title, it’s about somebody thinking they should have control over what is in our library and thinking that they are the experts,” Greve Hack said. “Everyone should have the freedom to access the information that they want, period.”

The book “Gender Queer” is widely available at public libraries throughout the System Wide Automated Network (SWAN) across the Chicago area, including at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, North Riverside Public Library, Berwyn Public Library, Forest Park Public Library, LaGrange Public Library and LaGrange Park Public

Maia Kobabe

Brookfield manager names new recreation director

Following two-month search, Luke Gundersen set to begin on Jan. 9

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Following a two-month search that attracted more than 50 applicants, the village of Brookfield will have a new recreation director come Jan. 9. Late last month, Village Manager Timothy Wiberg announced he had hired Luke Gundersen, who for the past seven years has served as recreation event coordinator for the village of Shorewood.

Gundersen, who graduated from the University of St. Francis with a bachelor’s degree in recreation, sport and tourism management, worked for two years as athletic coordinator for the Manhattan Park District in that far south suburb before moving on to Shorewood.

“I am impressed with Luke’s municipal recreation experience, and throughout his interview process here he articulated how

passionate he was about public service and fiscal responsibility,” Wiberg said in a press release.

Gundersen will report directly to Assistant Village Manager Stevie Ferrari, who served as Brookfield’s recreation director from 2018 until October 2022, when she was elevated to her present position following the departure of George Issakoo.

During her four years as recreation director, Ferrari oversaw a department that dramatically expanded programming, including the creation of the before- and after-school STARS program.

Revenue generated by the Department of Parks & Recreation in 2018 amounted to a little more than $150,000. In four years, the department projected revenues of nearly $730,000.

While the village board did ear mark more funding for recreation staff after Ferrari’s arrival, it has just three full-time employees,

including the director, Recreation Supervisor Cindy Yelich and Early Childhood Recreation Supervisor Kelly Picton.

Since being promoted to assistant village manager last October, Ferrari has also continued to oversee the recreation department. Her input was instrumental in hiring Gundersen.

“His municipal experience was well-received by us,” said Ferrari in a phone interview. “Within a park district’s revenue structure, there’s a lot more resources for facilities and revenues. With a municipal department you’re working through the [village’s] general [operating] fund, so you do tend to be more creative when it comes to using resources and you work side by side with other departments.”

In Shorewood, Gundersen also worked in a small municipal department of two people and had no director.

“We did everything,” said Gundersen in a phone interview. “We planned all of the events – about 35 to 40 per year – and I ran the summer camp.”

The summer camp operation required Gundersen to work out intergover nmental agreements with school districts to gain use of their facilities for program – like Brookfield does He also has experience applying for open space grants and overseeing park redevelopment projects in addition to coordinating dozens of special events annually.

While his job title in Shorewood might not have indicated it, said Ferrari, “He was doing all of the duties of a supervisor without the title.”

As director of Brookfield’s recreation department, Gundersen will be focusing on beefing up its marketing and sponsorship efforts, providing more in-house sports league programming and senior programming

The village is also wrapping up the first phase of its community rec center feasibility study, an initiative it launched in September.

“What we did find is that Brookfield’s demographic is really primed for utilizing a community center,” Ferrari said.

Gundersen’s starting annual salary is $90,000.

Riverside’s Navarro named Illinois Appellate Court judge

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Riverside resident David Navarro, who has served as a judge in the Circuit Cour t of Cook County in 2017, is getting a promotion. He will soon become a judge on the Illinois Court of Appeals

The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Navarro, who is currently the acting director of the pre-trial division in Cook County, to the appellate court. Navarro will assume his new position as an appellate judge on Feb. 6, replacing Judge Maureen Connors who is retiring.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve in this new role,” Navarro told the Landmark.

Navarro has spent all his time on the bench in Cook County bond cour t or overseeing bond cour t. He was appointed to the bench in 2017 and was elected in the 4th Judicial Subcircuit in 2018.

He was appointed chief judge in the pretrial division in 2021. In his role as acting director of the pre-trial division, Navarro has played a significant role in the preparations for eliminating cash bail under the provisions of the Safe-T Act, which was to have gone into ef fect in Cook County on Jan. 1,

before an Illinois Supreme Court ruling temporarily halted its implementation.

Navarro, who grew up in Riverside, was a prosecutor before becoming a judge. He served as an assistant Cook County state’s attor ney for 16 years and then served for eight years as the chief of the Public Integ rity Bureau of the Illinois State Attor ney General’s of fice.

He graduated from Riverside-Brookfield High School and ear ned his undergraduate de gree from the University of Chicago before getting his law de gree from the University of Iowa Colle ge of Law.

LUKE GUNDERSEN

DAVID NAVARRO

Has led Cook County Circuit Court’s pre-trial division since 2021

THE L ANDMARK VIEW

KOSEY CORNER

Holidays were just fun and games Rolling in dough

Hey, did you hear the one about the gover nment agency created in the 19th century to invest the money of township school districts and then in the 21st century decided it was high time to also do the same thing for municipalities?

Well, that’s what’s going on now in Lyons Township, where the Township School Treasurer’s Office Board of Trustees voted recently to take on the village of Bridgeview as a client. We hope the citizens of Bridgeview are ready to see their hard-earned assets going to fund a gover nment agency that was chloroformed for every county in the state – save for Cook County, naturally – 60 years ago.

The Lyons Township School Treasurer’s Office has a long and notorious history as a place where political connections make sure friends and family are well cared for. Heck for more than 100 years, the office was run by a member of the Vial family, one of LaGrange’s founding families.

An article in the Aug. 23, 1953 Chicago Tribune reported that the then-township school treasurer, Jennie Vial, had held the post since 1940. She succeeded her father, Joseph Vial, who had been the township school treasurer from 1900 to 1940. Jennie apparently took over the job due to her dad’s ailing health. He died in 1941.

Before Joseph, the office was led by Joseph’s uncle, Robert Vial, who assumed the role of township school treasurer way back in 1857.

It’s not clear when Jennie Vial gave way or to whom, the Chicago press never gave the agency much ink, a tradition that continues today

But every once in a while, we like to remind folks what their property tax payments to Lyons Township school districts – except for Lyons Township high School, they were finally able to free themselves in 2021 – helps support.

Take for example the salary and benefits enjoyed by Lyons Township School Treasurer Kenneth Getty Director-level employees of municipalities are often very well paid and enjoy handsome benefits, which reflect the responsibility they take on and the public scrutiny they often face from a public not always appreciative of those efforts.

But the two-year contract extension for Getty approved by the TTO board in November – which doesn’t even go into effect until July 1 – really takes the cake.

Getty was appointed to the job in 2018 at a salary of $140,000. His new salary after five years on the job will be $185,000, a total increase of 32 percent during that time. Anyone else out there get 6-percent raises in each of the past five years?

But wait, there’s more.

Getty will get 35 paid days off in addition to 11 paid holidays for a total of 46 paid days off each year, amounting to more than two months of paid time off each year. And 100% of his health insurance premiums. And 100% of his pension contributions And an amount equal to 5% of his salary paid annually into a 401k plan of Getty’s choosing

That’s what you’re paying for.

While on a semi hiber nation over the holidays I took to the tube as my form of entertainment and watched some channels I ordinarily do not watch but will watch in the future.

On the History Channel, which had some very interesting programs, I lear ned about what could be ter med “chocolate wars” between the Hershey and Mars families. At one time Chicago was a very large producer of candy. Leaf Confection, Brach’s, Tootsie Roll, Ferrara Pan, Mars all called Chicago home

JOANNE KOSE Y

I also lear ned about car makers and the different problems and competitions between car makers, but my favorite series was about games.

Now, as a child, we used to play board games a lot, nothing electronic. It was interesting to see how the ideas for games developed as well as the competition between the bigger makers of games

We even had a cabinet that housed our games and at any time you could pull out checkers or Chinese checkers, which had a backgammon board on the back. Most

OBITUARIES

Richard B. Blake, 75

North Riverside resident

Richard Benedict Blake, 75, of North Riverside and for merly of Brookfield, died Dec. 30, 2022.

Mr. Blake was a U.S. Navy veteran and worked in retail sales. He graduated grade school from St. Francis of Rome in Cicero, high school from St. Phillips Basilica in Chicago and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Elmhurst College in 1987.

He was the son of the late Richard Francis Blake and Helen Rose Blake (nee Bombeck), the brother of Terence (Christine) Blake and the uncle of William (Emily) Blake, Jacqueline Blake and Rebecca Blake.

Visitation is Thursday, Jan. 5 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st Str., Brookfield, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St Barbara Church, 4008 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. Inter ment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside

of the games took at least two people but some could be played alone. Parcheesi was one we played quite often.

Probably the first board game for any kid was Candyland; I loved that game. As I grew older and games became more sophisticated, there was Clue -- they even have a Junior version. I also liked Go to the Head of the Class, which is not a very well-known game, but fun nonetheless and very educational. Who didn’t squeal while playing Operation when you didn’t remove the object carefully enough?

Probably the most popular games now are the various trivia games, which can be geared for large groups and even tailored for fundraisers.

Check out our local libraries, which often host board game events for people to get together, have a fun time and socialize

Parents may want to introduce their children to some old-fashioned games -- no batteries required and don’t need to make sure everything is charged. Of course, simpler yet are Tic-Tac-Toe or Hangman -- just have paper and pencil and you can play them anywhere.

And now you know what I did over the holiday. Anybody game for a game?

Express condolences online at HitzemanFuneral. com. Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Richard Benedict Blake family.

Thomas G. McHugh, 60

Brook eld resident

Thomas G. McHugh, 60, of Brookfield and a longtime for mer resident of Oak Park and Forest Park, died Dec. 23, 2022.

Mr McHugh was the brother of Mary (late Greg) Schneider, Jo Ann (Pat) Considine, Patricia (Mark) Dobner, Peter (Liz), Patrick (Ella) and Nora (late Steve) Sobol and an uncle of many. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Tess McHugh, and his siblings, Robert (June) and Timothy McHugh.

Services have been held. Inter ment was private

Memorials donations to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) are appreciated

Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, Westchester, handled arrangements

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.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Administrative Assistant in the Public Health Department. This position provides a variety of responsible administrative and analytical functions; records and monitors department budget and fiscal requirements of grant-funded programs; oversight of Accounts Payable process; prepares reports and serves as a resource for computerized office applications. 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.

PARKING ENFORCEMENT

OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

FINANCE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Finance Coordinator. The ideal candidate will perform a wide variety of responsible and complex administrative, secretarial and clerical duties for the Finance department; and will provide information and assistance to the public regarding department to which assigned. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled.

COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Community Health Advisor. The professional in this position is responsible for a variety of tasks including; promoting a safe health care environment; including health education, outreach and promotion which includes disseminating information, making referrals, and counseling as well as managing caseloads, and performing a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications December 19, 2022.

Shipping Manager

FULL-TIME POLICE RECORDS CLERK FOREST PARK, IL

The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Full-Time Civilian Information Management Records Clerk reporting to the Lieutenant of the Criminal Investigations Division. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include excellent organizational skills, computer skills, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, good knowledge of English language, and adherence to all police department policies and procedures. Responsibilities and duties include subpoena fulfilment, evidence room duties, data entries, general office functions, report creation, and other duties as needed our assigned. Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark. net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net

Trade Consultant – Chicago, IL: Research & consult on product imports from China, incl procedures, tariffs & taxes, & product research; conduct due diligence on potential trading partners in China; review & negotiate terms for trade contracts w/ companies in China; assess legal & fin’l risks pertaining to trade deals & advise re: alternative solutions; & liaise w/ outside counsel in both U.S. & China for contract prep’n & closing, import/export compliance, & registering int’l trademarks. Must have a bachelor’s deg in business or legal studies & be fluent in Chinese. Salary: $70,000/yr. Mail resume to: Talard Thai Inc.; ATTN: HR; 5353 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60640.

HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS)

COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, County Division.

In re Nicholas J. Russo and Isui Dawn Russo, Petitioner and JeanCarlo Munoz-Ordaz, Respondent, Case No. 2022COAD000505.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Adoption and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appea he Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before January 20, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Adoption entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal

December 21, 28, 2022, January 4, 2023

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: Y22009963 on December 16, 2022. Under the Assumed Business Name of SLOAN COFFEE ROASTING with the business located at: 261 HERRICK RD, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: MATT SLOAN 261 HERRICK RD RIVERSIDE, IL 60546, USA.

Published in RB Landmark

December 21, 28, 2022, January 4, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing

Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission January 26, 2023, at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from Jeremy Camancho for a special use permit to operate a warehouse for vehicles associated with a transportation company at 8939 Ogden Avenue.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kportillo@brookfieldil.gov. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark January 4, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday January 18, 2023 for the following:

Village of Oak Park 2023 Irrigation Maintenance Bid Number: 23-107

Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708-3585700 or by stopping by the office located at 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Information is also available from the Forestry Superintendent, Grant Jones, gjones@oak-park. us and the Village’s website http://www.oak-park.us/bid

The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening. For more information call the Public Works Service Center at 708.358.5700.

Published in Wednesday Journal January 4, 2023

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION SELENE FINANCE LP Plaintiff, -v.-

LARSENIA HORTON, NEIL SMITH, ASSURANCE RESTORATION & CONSTRUTION, INC., PRAIRIE HOUSES OWNERS ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 12736

14 DIVISION STREET, # 14 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 December 16, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 9, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 14 DIVISION STREET, # 14, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-127-0480000

The real estate is improved with a brown brick, three story townhouse, attached one car 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.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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

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

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

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) 236SALE

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. 20-04687IL_613739 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 18 CH 12736 TJSC#: 42-1079

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 18 CH 12736 I3208765

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAA HOME EQUITY TRUST 2006-14, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-14 Plaintiff, -v.-

ELIZABETH SMITH, LARRY E. SMITH Defendants 2018 CH 03138 646 LYMAN AVE 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 July 27, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 19, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 646 LYMAN AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-114-0150000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. 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 order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

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. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-18-00602 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 03138

TJSC#: 42-4547

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 # 2018 CH 03138 I3209538

Happy Holidays!