Administrators say they weren’t aware of plans for the sealing until the work had started
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
A teacher at Riverside Brookfield High School accused school administrators of violating district policy and state law after he said he became sick two days in a row due to exposure to fumes from floor sealant products
David Monti, a science teacher at RB, told RBHS District 208 administrators he fell sick on Thursday, Nov. 14 and Friday, Nov. 15, after he was exposed to fumes from floor sealing work being done in the high school’s east gymnasium. He claimed Superintendent Kevin Skinkis, Assistant Superintendent Kristin Smetana and Princi-
STORY BY GREGG VOSS, PAGE 6
Jon Tutaj (right), ow ner of Tutaj Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in North Riverside, demonstrates
Jimenez of Ber wy n.
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SEALANT
pal Héctor Freytas violated board and state policy by not warning staf f of the potential exposure. Monti has not filed any for mal complaints against the district.
Smetana told the Landmark the work was done after the gym floor sustained water damage over the summer and was not originally planned for the school year. She said the district’s contractor did not inform administrators when the floor sealing would take place or what products it would use and the school took immediate ef for ts to mitigate the exposure of fumes to staf f.
with hazardous materials.”
Mitigating fumes from page 1 “The company didn’t give us advanced notice of when the sealing was going to occur, nor did they give us information about the product and the safety precautions or warnings that were associated with the product.”
Chemical fumes
At the school board’s Dec. 10 meeting, Monti, who has worked at the high school since 1990, publicly commented he developed a “severe headache and my eyes were burning” after noticing “an odor that smelled like very strong spray paint” the afternoon of Nov. 14. That afternoon, students in his Ecology Club complained about the odor. He said he left the school around 4:30 p.m. after reporting his symptoms to the administration over email and did not feel better until 7 p.m.
T he next day, Monti said he noticed the odor again; he said he infor med administration at 6:42 a.m. and be g an experiencing the same symptoms by 7:15 a.m. At about 9:15 a.m., he said, Smetana infor med him that the second coat of sealant planned for that afternoon had been pushed to the next morning, a Saturday, while another administrator of fered teachers the option to move their classroom for the day. Monti said he left the school around 10:15 a.m. due to his symptoms and did not feel better until 1:30 p.m.
Monti said he spoke to other school staf f members on Nov. 15 about the odor, but when he asked them to speak up, none did and some staffers told him they feared possible repercussions
In his public comment, Monti told administrators they had violated both D208 policy and the law by failing to warn teachers and staf f about the chemicals used to seal the gym’s floor.
He pointed to district policy 4:160, which says “the superintendent shall take all reasonable measures to protect the safety of district personnel, students and visitors on district premises from risks associated
Monti also named the Illinois Toxic Substances Disclosure to Employees Act, which gives workers “an inherent right to know about the known and suspected health hazards which may result from working with toxic substances.” While that act has been inoperative in state law since June 2022, the Illinois General Assembly re placed it with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration Hazardous Communication Standards, which “requires … all employers to provide information to their employees about the hazardous chemicals to which they are exposed.”
Monti said he was disappointed in the district’s handling of the incident.
“This administration did something that completely impacted the learning for the day in a ne gative way,” he said. “That’s not acceptable in my eyes and shouldn’t be acceptable in anybody’s eyes.”
Administrators respond
Smetana, the assistant superintendent, said the administration infor med teachers of the work involving sealant as soon as they learned about it — on the day it took place.
In an interview, she told the Landmark the district had to re pair the east gym floor during the school year due to damage sustained over the summer.
“We had some water damage in our east gym. It was from our rooftop HVAC unit leaking. When the leak happened in July, we thought we got all the water up, and little did we know the water had gotten under the wood floor,” she said. “As it started to get humid in August and into September, the floor started to buckle.”
Around mid-September, she said, administrators realized they would need to replace the floor and sought a contractor. She said work on the gym began in late October or early November and involved ripping up the floor, re placing the wood, sanding it down and resealing it.
She said the timing of the leak pushed the district to complete the work during the school year so the gym would be usable when winter struck and outside temperatures dropped.
“I found out on the day that the floor was being sealed that they were sealing the floor that day,” she said. “The company didn’t give us advanced notice of when the sealing was going to occur, nor did they give us information about the product and the safety precautions or warnings that were associated with the product.”
KRISTIN SMETANA Assistant superintendent
Once the contractors applied the sealant on Nov. 14, Smetana said, “There was a noticeable odor, and so that’s when we started to take precautions to mitigate the odor. Right away, we opened the doors to the gym and the outdoors, and we brought in f ans and ventilated the space to improve air circulation.”
She said she canceled the second coat of sealant work planned for Nov. 15 once she learned of it and got it moved to the next day, paying the contractors overtime to finish their work on the weekend.
When asked why RB staff may not have felt comfortable bringing up exposure to the sealant fumes to administration, Smetana said she disagreed with Monti’s “assessment.”
“I don’t ag ree with his perspective. I’ll also go back and say he chose not to move his classroom, which was an option that certainly would have assisted in the situation,” she said. “We had … two teachers, because they share the classroom, that came forward and expressed concern, and we moved their classroom, and those teachers were able to complete the rest of the day without any issues.”
Smetana emphasized the work was originally unplanned by the school district and D208 administration aims to complete similar work during summer break to avoid situations like these.
“I think it was really an unfortunate, isolated incident, and as soon as the administration was aware that there was a noticeable odor, we immediately took action to mitigate it and keep the students’ safety and staf f’s safety at the forefront,” she said. “Unfortunately, we can’ t go back and change what happened, but we certainly will address issues like this proactively in the future when we’re hiring a third-par ty contractor.”
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The start of a new year is a perfect time for seniors to embrace fresh beginnings and focus on staying motivated and engaged. Here are some simple tips to help make 2025 a year of growth and joy.
Set Meaningful Goals: Start with small, achievable resolutions like walking daily, reading a book each month, or trying a new recipe. Every success boosts confidence and adds purpose to your day.
Explore New Interests: Learning something new can stimulate your mind and spark creativity. Try painting, knitting, playing an instrument, or even joining a class on a topic that interests you.
Stay Connected: Building social connections enhances mood and supports emotional well-being. Attend community events, join clubs, or simply spend more time with friends and family.
Focus on Wellness: Gentle exercises like yoga or walking paired with nutritious meals and staying hydrated can greatly improve your energy and overall health.
At Cantata, we’re dedicated to supporting residents in making the most of every moment. Let’s make 2025 a year filled with opportunities to grow, connect, and thrive together!
Visit Cantata.org for more senior living advice or call (708) 387-1030.
Brook eld approves change orders for extra lead lines
e IEPA authorized about $700K in no-interest loan funding
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
Brookfield has updated its contracts for lead service line replacement to include additional lead lines that weren’ t discovered until work was already under way.
Village trustees approved the four change orders at their Jan. 13 meeting. One change order corresponds to Brookfield’s contract with Suburban General Construction, Inc., a LaGrange Parkbased firm, for water main re placements last year, which included a small number of lead service line re placements.
The other three change orders are for Brookfield’s three contracts with Five Star Energy Services, a firm based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, which handled the majority of the village’s lead line re placements last year.
At the meeting, Village Engineer Derek Treichel explained the need for about $920,000 in extra work that was not originally planned.
“The next four items are one change order each for each of these projects for additional lead water services that were observed out in the field,” he told trustees before they approved the first change order. “In general, when they are excavating a pit, it’s usually about seven foot by seven foot. They’ve encountered another tap on the water main, previously identified as copper, but it shows up as lead, so we’re taking care of those and adding those as we go.”
The change order for the contract with Suburban General Contruction is worth about $150,000, while the three for Five Star Energy Services are worth increasing amounts: about $145,000, roughly $266,000 and nearly $360,000 for a total of about $771,000.
Treichel said the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which lent Brookfield about $7 million without interest last year for lead service line replacements, had authorized about $700,000 in extra nointerest loan funding for the unforeseen work That extra funding, alongside 3% contingency funding included with the IEPA’s initial loan, will cover all of the costs for the extra work, he said.
Treichel said the change orders were based on the total projected extra work through the end of the lead service line re placements rather than “where we’re at today” with the work that has already
is illustration shows how a home’s water
to the village’s water mains.
been completed. So far, he said, about 3% — “21 out of 700” — of lines that had been identified as copper pipes were actually made mostly with lead and needed to be replaced.
Village President Michael Garvey said approving the change orders is the best way for Brookfield to handle the unexpected additional lead lines.
“The benefit of doing it this way is the contractor is holding the original excellent price that we got,” he said. “Because we have the funding available, we’ll be able to do this without starting over, opening the ground and doing it again.”
When trustees approved the original contracts in May, Suburban General Construction and Five Star Energy Services were the lowest bidders for each contract they won. Suburban General’s bid for the water main re placement came in at about $5.1 million, which was about $350,000 lower than the engineer’s estimate. Five Star bid about $7.3 million across its three contracts, which were estimated at a total price of $10.1 million altogether.
Orland Park man charged in Brook eld shooting
e shooter turned himself in ursday a ernoon, police say
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
Brookfield police have charged an Orland Park man as the shooter who injured one person around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 on the 4600 block of Custer Avenue.
Isaiah Montanez, 22, of Orland Park turned himself in to the Brookfield Police Department “at midday” Thursday, Jan. 9, after a Cook County judge signed an ar rest warrant for him, Police Chief
Michael Kuruvilla said in a news release.
Police charged Montanez with one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, which is a Class X felony, and a judge ordered Friday he be held without bond at Cook County Jail .
In the statement, police said the victim, a 24-year-old man, was shot multiple times but remains in the hospital and is expected to recover. They said he is the brother of Montanez’s ex-girlfriend and that the shooting took place after “a confrontation” between Montanez and the victim outside his sister’s residence. Montanez then fled on foot into Lyons
In Illinois, people who are found guilty of a Class X felony must serve six to 30 years in prison based on the severity of their sentence and cannot be placed on probation.
COURTESY
Brook eld wants your feedback on its community center
e village will host an info session for residents Jan. 22
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
After village trustees previewed potential locations in October, Brookfield is continuing to pursue a potential indoor community center in town, and village officials would like your feedback on where it goes and which amenities are available.
On Jan. 22, the village is set to host an open house workshop for residents “to discuss and discover the possibilities” of what a community center could provide. At 6 p.m., representatives from Williams Architects and Hitchcock Design Group, the two firms Brookfield has hired for the project, will give a 15- to 20-minute presentation reviewing the process so far, including the results of a feasibility study.
At 6:30 p.m., residents will be able to travel between interactive stations where they can learn about and give feedback on specific potential sites, core elements of programming and ideas for the building’s layout.
In October, while presenting to the village board, representatives from Williams named
five potential sites in Brookfield that were under consideration to host the site: Madlin Park, Ehlert Park, the St. Barbara Parish Center, St. Nikola Serbian Orthodox Church and the parking lot behind Brookfield Village Hall.
Parks and Recreation Director Luke Gundersen said residents will get the chance to review each potential site, including the hypothetical layout for the center in each location, at the workshop
“The community open house is going to be more of a narrow focus on some of the locations,” he said. “It’s going to be very interactive We’re looking for a lot of feedback and preferences on the potential sites.”
He said each layout will include gym space and a multi-purpose room alongside space that could be used for whatever programming residents are interested in Brookfield hosted a similar open house in October. Gundersen said all kinds of feedback are welcome at the upcoming open house, as they were at the previous one.
“With any kind of public meeting, you always g et either positive or ne gative [responses], and we encourage both because we want to hear what the residents are saying,” he said. “We do encourage everyone to come out and help. This is a great opportunity for them to help guide the process and also provide their feedback.”
District 96 board OKs tax hike
By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter
T he Rive rside School District 96 b oar d voted Dec. 18 in favo r of a 3.4% property tax increase for 2024 to correct for inflation and cover costs for multiple spending areas
The measure now proceeds to Cook County, which should decide by summer what the total tax increase will be
No residents spoke at a public comment session at the board meeting regarding the measure, according to Jim Fitton, the district business manager.
“It happens every year and in every district,” Fitton said. “The increase isn’t as much as last year.”
The tax hike is smaller than the 5% increase requested in 2023, the virtual entirety of which was approved by the county, Fitton added.
The federal gover nment sets the inflation rate, he said, and the district can’t ask for a tax increase that’s greater than that rate
To do so, as in the case of funding for a new building, for example, would require a public referendum.
“The funds are for everything we spend,” Fitton said, “funds for education, one for buildings and operations, one for transportation, and several others.”
The districts spans five schools in Riverside and Brookfield, including Hauser Junior High in Riverside.
Strategies to stay t in 2025 abound
Local options abound, but experts say to start slowly
By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter
Ah, it’s a new year. Time to break out those resolutions –save more, eat less, get in shape.
About that last one. It might seem like a great idea to in crease your personal fitness, but how do you stick with it over the long haul? And better yet, how do you avoid injury?
Luckily, there are plenty of experts in many fitness pu suits in the Riverside and Brookfield areas who can lend a hand
Fo r Grace Roman, recreation supervisor at the Riverside Parks and Re creation Department, 43 E. Quinc St., taking c lasses makes a lot of sense for one impo tant reason:
“You have an instructor that can help you, kee ping interested and eng aged and making it a permanent de cision,” she said, adding the department has a gaggle of fitness-based classes, like yo ga, tai chi and taekwondo.
But that’s not all.
Consider its Abdominal Assault class on Mondays, which targets abs, the back and legs. Right after that is Cardio Kickboxing, so residents and non-residents alike can take them back-to-back for maximum effect. Cardio kickboxing is a full bo dy workout class, focusing on muscle endurance, strengthening and toning
That’ ll g et the blood flowing. But so will another martial art – Brazilian jiu jitsu, which is a lot like wrestling, with the goal to g et your opponent to submit to one of do z ens of holds.
Jon Tutaj is the owner of Tutaj Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, 1770 S. Harlem Ave. in North Riverside, which offers a free introductory class to those who want to give it a shot. Onc e on the mat, he said, they’re usually hooked
T he focus of his progr am is n’ t only on physical wellbeing. It ’s the mental aspect of d ealing with the pressures of life.
“When you come in here, you have all these things going through your head – work, kids, job,” Tutaj said. “Everything bouncing around. When you’re on the mats, you can’t be thinking about that stuff. You have to be in the moment, and you have to be paying attention.”
He added, “You forget about that other stuff while you’re here, and when you leave, you’re not focusing on that stuff.”
Lots of people swam as kids, and perhaps that’s some-
thing you’d like to dive back into (pardon the pun). Mike Laurich, the Riverside-Brookfield High School boys and girls swim coach and head coach for the Academy Bullets Swim Club, provides counsel.
The first lesson: If you have swum before, in high school or even colle ge, take it easy. You might have swum 500 yards back in the day, but now, try swimming 10 times from one end of the pool to the other. Then build from there.
“Each day I’m going to go a little further and faster, but not put the pedal to the metal, so to speak,” he said.
The hardest part, even for Laurich, is to actually get into the pool.
“It’s just getting in the water, the shock you have when you jump in,” he said. “But when you’re in the water, it’s awesome. It’s also almost meditative.”
What about hiring a personal trainer? That’s a good route for someone who wants either in-home or facilitybased training.
Matthew Kornblatt is the founder and owner of RightFit Personal Training, which is based in Chicago but has trainers and clients in both Riverside and Brookfield. Fitness, Kornblatt said, isn’t cookie cutter. That’s to say one size doesn’t fit all. It’s important for a person to work
with a trainer who understands their unique goals and physical capabilities and limitations, in order to structure a personalized program.
“Another benefit is when you’re working with a personal trainer, that creates an extra level of accountability,” he said. “You’re going to set a schedule, once a week or three times a week, and you’re committing to exercising.”
You also don’t need a home gym and lots of exercise equipment. A trainer can bring exercise bands and medicine balls to your residence, for example.
But maybe all you want to do is just get out and simply run. Sarah Sexton Martinez is treasurer of Best Foot Forward Road Runners Club, a women’s club based in Oak Park but counts residents from this area as members. Since we’re in the dead of winter, it’s obvious that stretching profusely and starting slow is the way to go. Consulting with your doctor beforehand also isn’t a bad idea.
But consider what you wear, too.
“A good base layer that will wick away the moisture from your skin,” she said, “and then another layer, [like a] fleece. Gloves or mittens so you don’t lose the sensation in your fingers. A good hat, and depending on how cold it is, a facemask would be a good choice.”
GREGG VOSS
Jon Tutaj, ow ner of Tutaj Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in North Riverside, demonstrates a submission hold on stude nt Francisco Jimenez of Ber wy n.
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Berwyn man arrested for erratic, drunk driving in Lyons
Riverside police ar rested a Berwyn man Jan. 3 in Lyons for driving under the influence after an officer observed him driving slowly and drifting into the oncoming traf fic lane.
Around 7:37 p.m., an officer on patrol was driving east on Ogden Avenue near Joliet Avenue when they saw a dark blue car heading in the opposite direction while travelling noticeably slowly. The officer U-turned to get behind the car and matched its pace at 12 mph in a 25-mph zone. While driving behind the car, the officer noticed its taillights were out and watched the car “drift into oncoming traffic” by crossing the double yellow lines with the driver’s side tires before starting to brake suddenly.
The officer activated their squad car’s emergency lights near the intersection with Lawndale Avenue to start a traffic stop, but the car continued for about five blocks until it came to a stop at the Mobil gas station near Anna Avenue. After the car stopped, the officer saw the driver get out of his car and walk toward the squad care “while staggering and pulling his pants up,” police said. After patting the man down for weapons
and finding none, the officer asked the man where he was going; the man “slurred his speech” as he responded that he was heading from Chicago to “Chicago and First Avenue.”
After the officer checked the man’s driver’s license, which came back clear and valid, they asked the man to take field sobriety tests, which he agreed to do inside the gas station out of the cold.
During the gaze nystagmus tests, the officer noticed multiple indicators of impairment in the man’s eye movement, and during a balance test, the man swayed and stopped after only eight seconds when he had been instructed to stop after 30 seconds. The man told the officer he thought he had balanced for about 20 seconds. The man also appeared impaired during alphabet and backwards counting tests
After the tests, the officer asked the man how many alcoholic beverages he had drunk. The man said he had two and a half beers. The officer placed the man under ar rest for driving drunk based on his behavior. After handcuffing the man and placing him in the squad car, the officer searched the man’s car and found an open, full bottle of
beer in the front seat.
Before the officer could transport the man to be booked, he started hyperventilating and said he was having chest pain and breathing problems, so the officer called Lyons paramedics to take the man to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn.
While there, the man refused to sign his warning to motorist form and requested an attorney after being Mirandized. After he was released from the hospital, police took the man to be booked; while police sought potential felony aggravated DUI charges because the man having more than two previous DUI arrests, they were denied, as the man had only one prior DUI conviction. The man was booked and released with a Feb. 21 court date before police drove him to his home in Berwyn.
Cited for speeding
Brookfield police ticketed a 25-year-old Brookfield man Jan. 6 for speeding.
Around 10:18 p.m., an officer was on patrol on the 8700 block of West 31st Street when they saw a gray car heading west
at 69 mph in a 35-mph zone using their incar traffic radar. The officer pulled the car over and spoke with the driver and sole occupant.
After the officer explained the reason for the stop, the driver said he understood and admitted he had been speeding. The man provided his driver’s license and proof of insurance before the officer issued him a citation for speeding, police said. The man was given a Feb. 11 court date and sent on his way from the scene of the traffic stop. These items were obtained from the Riverside Police Department re ports dated Jan. 3-8 and the Brookfield Police Department re ports dated Jan. 6-13; th present a portion of the incidents to ich police responded. Anyone named in these ports has only been charged with a crime, and cases have not yet been adjudicated. port the race of a suspect only en a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.
here,rightacrossfromtheBrookfieldZoo,formorethan a centurypassionatelyservingtheneedsoflocalseniors.
Tour our 10-acre campus today! (708) 387- 1030
Opinion
THE L ANDMARK VIEW
Fumes and questions at RB
An interesting discussion of motives and responsibilities at Riverside Brookfield High School as 2024 came to a close:
A contractor hired to re pair a water-damaged wood gy m floor in the east gy mnasium had been wo rk ing through the fall semester to re p lace the wooden floor, sand it, and then inevitably to seal it. Th e sealing process, wh ich includes strong chemical odors, took place on a school day during November and impacted a good number of classrooms, teacher s and students.
What has been interesting is the response. One teacher, veteran science teacher David Monti, came to the school board in December to lodge his complaint that the fumes left him ill for two days. He asserted that the school district and i ts top administrators violated both district policy related to the use of hazardous materials and also state law specifying how employe rs must communicate with staf f if exposure to hazards is anticipated.
District administrators in a for thright interview with the Landmark sai d they did not know the sealant was going to be applied on a school day, that they responded when the first complaints we re mad e, and that they delaye d a second day of sealing from a Friday to a Saturday to prevent further impact on staf f and students
A mong the immediate steps taken we re of fering classroom teachers the oppor tunity to move to another space for the day, opening outside doors to the gy m, and firing up fans to miti gate the odor s.
We ’ve got no reason to doubt the sincerity of the district’s response. That said, someone in the school admin, perhaps a building operations person, should have understood the contractor ’s calendar in advance and headed of f this unnecessary problem. A contractor would move quickly from laying a floor to sanding a floor to sealing a floor. If they have installed other school gy m floor s, you’d think they ’d be aware of the fume hazards
In any case, the school says it has learned its lesson and will not have a re peat of wh at was an unusual mid-school year re pair of this type
Noise, climate worries on leaf blowers
Riverside appears ready to move toward banning the use of gas-powered leaf ers. We applaud this step even as we support the village’s slow-go approach to implementing a ban.
The high-decibel din of these devices is certainly one reason to move toward a ban. However, we are as motivated by the climate-damaging aspects of these machines as much as the noise Taken together, gas-powered leaf blowers need to go.
The board is seemingly planning to use 2025 as a year to gather information on the landscaping firms that do business in town and begin educating residents on tual restrictions. This is similar to the steady approach taken in Oak Park, Glencoe and Evanston.
We’re sympathetic to the worries of landscapers that the battery-powered alternatives are still too limiting. But no progress will be made until pressure is applied, one village at a time.
Richard O’Keefe, 93, Auditor
Richard O’Keefe, 93, of erside, has died.
U.S. Ar my veteran, he graduated with a Bachelor of ence de gree from Loyola Universit of Chicago in 1954. He worked in estate and then as an auditor for state of Illinois.
Richard was the husband of Mar ret “Peggy” (nee Doherty) O’Keefe; the brother of the late John (the late Andrea) O’Keefe; the brother-in-law of Marie (Thomas) Sloan, the late Patrick (the late Coletta) Doherty, the late Rosanne (the late Frank) O’Keefe and the late Helen (the late William) Lyons; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and ne phew s.
Rober t Butler Sr., 93 Plumber
Robert E. Butler Sr., 93 of Brookfield, died on Jan. 8, 2025. He was known for his love plumbing, hard rk and dedication to keep working. A longtime owner of Allan E. Power Plumbing in LaGrange, he enyed his lake house and car shows.
Family and friends will be received at St. Mary Church (St. Paul VI Parish), 105 Herrick Road in Riverside on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. until time of funeral Mass, 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of your choice in Dick’s memory are appreciated.
Ar rangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko-Director.
Bob was the husband of the late Joan Butler (nee Pechous); the father of Diane Butler, William (the late Susan) Butler, Edward Butler and the late Robert L. (Nancy) Butler, and Susan Butler; the grandfather of Joshua (Ashley) Butler, Brian Butler, Billy (Marianne) Butler, Julie (Mike) Tr nka, Elizabeth (Daniel) Robins, Jessica Butler, Lyle Butler, Melissa (Nate) McFeters, Mary Jennings and the late Phillip Butler; and the great-grandfather of 10; the uncle and great-uncle of many; and longtime friend Maureen Smetana. He was predeceased by all of his siblings, Joseph F. Butler, Genevieve Butler, and Catherine (Edward) McNamara
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 from 3 till the time of service, 8 p.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513.
Interment Private, Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Hillside.
Locations
Sports
Return of Mercer, Perez brings success for Bulldogs
LTHS girls remain atop WSC Silver, LTHS boys lose at York in 3OT
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Riverside Brookfield High School junior Cameron Mercer spent most of his winter break waiting for his return to playing basketball from a high ankle sprain With an energized Mercer back the past two g ames, the Bulldogs extended their winning streak to three by beating rival Nazareth Academy 78-65, Saturday, and West Chicago 52-35, F riday, in Upstate Eight Conference East Division action.
“It’s good to be back playing with the team and hopefully we get more wins from here,” Mercer said. “I could be playing better, but at least the team is getting the wins. That’s all that matters.”
Mercer certainly helped RBHS (11-7, 6-0 in UEC East), which be gan last week by beating Ridg ewood 65-51, Jan. 7. Mercer had 38 points in the next two victories to resume his scoring tandem with senior guard Danny Loftus. Loftus (31 points, 3 assists) and Mercer (23 points with 6 threes, 6 rebounds) helped the Bulldogs outscore the Roadrunners 22-9 in second quar ter to lead 40-26 at halftime Vince Dockendorf (8 points with 2 threes, 8 assists), Mantas Sleinys (6 points, 7 rebounds) and Brycen Grove (4 points) also contributed.
Mercer was injured landing after his driving shot along the right baseline early in the second quarter against Glenbard West at York’s Jack Tosh Tournament, Dec 27. He then missed the last two tournament g ames with RBHS going 1-1 to finish 1-3 overall. He returned to practice Jan. 8 and is playing with tape and a brace protecting his ankle.
“It’s always a different feeling, something in your head you might hurt your ankle again, but you’ve just got to g et past those thoughts and focus on g etting the win,” Mercer said.
Loftus (16 points, 9 rebounds), Mercer (15 points with 3 threes, 7 deflections), Dockendorf (6 points on 2 threes), Liam Enright (5 points), Ben Biskupic (5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) and Sleinys (5 points, 5 rebounds) fueled Friday’s victory and another strong second quar ter. RBHS outscored West Chicago 14-6 for a 26-17 halftime advantage.
Against Ridg ewood, Loftus had 30 points on 10-for-15 shooting from the field and free-throw line. Dockendorf (9 points, 5 assists), Enright (8 points, 5 assists) and Biskupic (8 points, 6 rebounds) also contributed
T he Bulldogs played Glenbard East (9-6, 6-0), Tuesday, for the UEC East lead and play host to Glenbard South at 5:30 p.m., F riday, for Pack the Place, then rival Lyons Township at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
STEVE JOHNSTON
RBHS’s Cameron Mercer (5) lays up a shot against Fenw ick’s Ty Macariola (21) dur ing the Bill VandeMerkt Boys Basketball Tournament Nov. 29, in Riverside
this season. Suffering a season-ending right knee as a junior in the Bulld gr
I feel like I’m still new to the team and I’m in the same boat as [the new juniors],” Pere z said. “But now I feel like I’m getting the hang of it.”
Pere z had 16 points, Jan. 7, as the Bulldogs (5-17, 4-5 in UEC East) defeated Ridgewood 45-32.
Alyssa Morris had a double-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and six steals. Claire Evans (7 points, 12 rebounds) and Gaby Graupera (6 points, 6 rebounds) also had big outings.
After undergoing surgery, Pere z was cleared to return for summer basketball.
“I feel like now I’m more eager to prove myself. I try to set standards for myself, just trying to prove myself from sophomore year on JV,” she said.
Pere z made 8 of 10 shots. Known for her perimeter shooting, Pere z said she and teammates had trouble at Ridgewood. Instead, she scored mostly on drives or by converting fast breaks.
“When she’s struggling [shooting], she’s aggressive, goes to the basket, which is awesome, especially with her hav-
ing a major knee injury,” RBHS coach Jordan Mack said. “She’s tiny but ferocious, she goes to the basket. If she’s struggling in one thing, she goes after it somewhere else.”
In other UEC East action, the Bulldogs lost to Glenbard East 60-55, Friday, and West Chicago 55-51, Jan. 9, both games where they once again held leads.
Morris had 20 points against Glenbard East with 2 threes, six rebounds and four assists. Other contributors were Graupera (10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals), Addie Vaia (8 points, 5 steals) and Evans (8 points, 6 rebounds, 9 deflections). Graupera (19 points), Morris (11 points), Evans (9 points) and Abby Weinert (8 points) were leading scorers against West Chicago.
“We’ve just got to figure out how to finish,” Mack said.
The Bulldogs play host to Elmwood Park at 7 p.m., Friday for Pack the Plac e.
LTHS girls basketball
The Lions continued their quest toward 20 wins and the West Suburban Conference Silver Division title by beating Downers Grove North 43-35, Saturday; York 63-47, Friday; and Oak Park and River Forest 64-33, Jan. 7. LTHS (19-1, 6-0 in Silver) visits second-place Glenbard West (12-7, 5-1) Thursday in their first of two meetings.
Emma O’Brien (19 points, 8 rebounds), Nora Ezike (13 points, 9 rebounds), Gwen Smith (9 points), Tess Bernson (6 rebounds) led the victory over Downers North (13-6, 4-3), last year’s Silver champions.
Top players against OPRF included Ezike (17 points, 5 rebounds), O’Brien (15 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists), Smith (14 points, 4 steals), Harper Carroll (6 points, 7 rebounds), Sydney Munson (4 points, 4 assists), Avery Mezan (4 rebounds) and sophomore Sinclair Zieba (5 points).
LTHS boys basketball
During York’s Jack Tosh Tournament over the holidays, the Lions were impressive with a 3-1 record in four tight games. They had another thriller at York Friday but a disappointing 59-57 triple-overtime loss to the Dukes after leading throughout the fourth quarter.
Senior Ian Polonowski had a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds for LTHS (7-8, 1-3 in Silver). Josh Gutier re z (9 points, 4 assists), Bobby Vespa and Timmy Sloan (6 points each) and Owen Carroll (5 points, 4 assists) also contributed.
LTHS lost to Crete-Monee 41-32 Saturday. Dylan Hall (12 points), Marshaun Russell (5 points, 7 rebounds), Sloan (5 points) and Danny Janiszewski and Carroll (5 rebounds each) led the Lions.
PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notice is hereby given that the Board of Education of Riverside School District 96 in Riverside, Illinois will receive sealed bids for:
Hauser Jr High School Masonry Repair Project
Copies of the Bid Documents including plans and specifications will be available starting January 13, 2025. Bidders can download electronic Drawings and Specifications from the BHFX Plan Room, www.bhfxplanroom.com. Printed sets may be ordered and paid for by the contractor.
All bids offered must be accompanied by bid security in the form of certified check or bid bond made payable to the Owner in the amount of not less than ten percent �10%� of the amount of the aggregate of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. The successful bidder for the project is required to furnish Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds in an amount equal to one hundred percent �100%� of the bid amount, with sureties to be approved by the Owner, and in the form required by the Bidding Documents.
The successful bidder is required to pay the general prevailing wage for work under this Contract as ascertained by the Illinois Department of Labor, and shall submit certified payroll records, in compliance with the Prevailing Wage Act �820 ILCS 130� and the requirements of the Bidding Documents.
A pre-bid meeting will be held on January 20, 2025 at 8�30 AM at Hauser Jr. High School, 61 Woodside Road, Riverside, IL 60546. Bidders must allow sufficient time to register at the building prior to being permitted to proceed to the meeting location.
Bids will be received until 1�00 PM, January 27, 2025, at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546. A public bid opening will take place afterwards at 1�00 PM, January 27, 2025 at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546.
The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any part thereof.
Published in RBLandmark
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield will hold a public hearing at 6�30 P.M. on January 27, 2025, at the Village Board Room in the Municipal Building of the Village of Brookfield, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 on the Village’s proposed appropriation ordinance, which will serve as the basis for the Village’s 2025 Annual Appropriation Ordinance.
The proposed appropriation ordinance will be on file in the Village Clerk’s Office for at least ten �10� days prior to January 27, 2025, and copies thereof will be conveniently available for public examination and copying.
Brigid Weber, Village Clerk
Published in RB Landmark January 15, 2025
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.
e Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notice is hereby given that the Board of Education of Riverside School District 96 in Riverside, Illinois will receive sealed bids for:
Hollywood Elementary School Roof Replacement Project
Copies of the Bid Documents including plans and specifications will be available starting January 13, 2025. Bidders can download electronic Drawings and Specifications from the BHFX Plan Room, www.bhfxplanroom.com. Printed sets may be ordered and paid for by the contractor.
All bids offered must be accompanied by bid security in the form of certified check or bid bond made payable to the Owner in the amount of not less than ten percent �10%� of the amount of the aggregate of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. The successful bidder for the project is required to furnish Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds in an amount equal to one hundred percent �100%� of the bid amount, with sureties to be approved by the Owner, and in the form required by the Bidding Documents.
The successful bidder is required to pay the general prevailing wage for work under this Contract as ascertained by the Illinois Department of Labor, and shall submit certified payroll records, in compliance with the Prevailing Wage Act �820 ILCS 130� and the requirements of the Bidding Documents.
A pre-bid meeting will be held on January 20, 2025 at 8�30 AM at Hauser Jr. High School, 61 Woodside Road, Riverside, IL 60546. Bidders must allow sufficient time to register at the building prior to being permitted to proceed to the meeting location.
Bids will be received until 1�00 PM, January 27, 2025, at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546. A public bid opening will take place afterwards at 1�30 PM, January 27, 2025 at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546.
Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.
To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777
GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA
The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any part thereof.
Published in RBLandmark January 15, 2025
CANDLELIGHT CONCERTS
Candlelight Concer t Series to Illuminate Oak Park with a mesmerizing Coldplay tribute, fusing classical masterpieces and iconic pop hits
returns to Oak Park with Coldplay Tribute
By: Hector Cervantes Contributing Reporter
Fever’s enchanting Candlelight Concert series returns to the Arts Center of Oak Park from Jan. 11 to Feb. 26, featuring a Coldplay tribute performed by the Metropolis String Quartet.
The tentative program for the Coldplay tribute includes hits like “Clocks,” “Fix You,” “Paradise,” and “Yellow,” along with “Something Just Like This,” “My Universe,” and more.
Candlelight is a series of live concerts produced by Fever since 2019 to democratize the access to classical music. This innovative format offers a unique musical experience through a diverse selection of programs, catering to all tastes.
Performed by talented local musicians in iconic venues illuminated by thousands of candles, Candlelight creates an immersive and intimate atmosphere. The Candlelight brand is present in over 150 cities worldwide and has delighted millions of guests since its launch.
“Candlelight draws in a broad audience, including those who may have never considered attending a classical music concert. Audiences can connect with the masterpieces of composers like Vivaldi, Mozart and Chopin, while also enjoying fresh interpretations of popular hits from artists like Queen, ABBA, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran,” Fever spokesperson Amanda Boucault said.
not only a testament to Chicago’s rich artistic heritage but also offers an intimate and visually stunning setting that enhances the audience’s connection to the music,” Boucault said.
Boucalt explains that a crucial aspect of Candlelight’s charm lies in venue selection, which plays a central role in creating the intimate and enchanting atmosphere that defines the experience.
“When selecting venues for Candlelight, we consider several factors: the venue’s historical significance and what it represents for the city, its accessibility to ensure convenience for attendees, and technical aspects such as the acoustics and lighting quality. The venues are deliberately chosen to transcend traditional performance spaces, providing extraordinary settings that enhance the appeal of classical music,” Boucault said.
When engaging with the community to promote these events, Fever believes engaging with the community is a cornerstone of Candlelight’s success.
“Our approach is centered on adapting the global concept to resonate with local audiences. In each city, including Chicago, we work to understand local tastes by leveraging data analysis and community feedback. This insight helps us design events that pay tribute to locally acclaimed musicians, fostering a deeper connection with the audience,” Boucalt said.
Thousands of candles illuminate the space, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere that enhances the listening experience. This visually stunning setup has captivated and amazed millions of people worldwide, proving that the uniqueness of Candlelight lies in the ambiance it creates
When asked why was the Arts Center of Oak Park chosen as the venue for this specific concert, Boucault responded with because it exemplifies the perfect blend of cultural significance and architectural beauty that Candlelight seeks to highlight with its performances.
“This magnificent Neoclassical gem is
In order to balance Coldplay’s older and newer works to create a cohesive experience, Fever’s curation team regularly reviews feedback from attendees, local musicians and data analytics to update setlists, aligning with audience preferences and incorporating the latest artist releases
“Staying attuned to both audience expectations and the evolution of the artists’ music, we create dynamic and relevant programs that resonate across generations and keep each performance fresh and memorable,” Boucault said.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.feverup.com/m/185955.
Love and Laughs with Michelle Buteau
Star t the year with humor and romance from the comfor t of your own home.
By
Dalal Or fali Vibe Assistant Editor
Illinois Libraries Present is bringing Love and Laughs with Michelle Buteau to the Forest Park Public Library this January. The show will be streamed online, with Michelle Buteau delivering her signature relationship humor—perfectly timed as the new year begins and Valentine’s Day proaches.
statewide collaboration of 213 braries, coordinates bringing nationally acclaimed speakers, authors, journalists, chef novelists, and pe for audiences. These ev for nities, make highprofile cultural and educational experiences accessible.
communities may not otherwise have an opportunity to hear them speak.”
“This is the first time Forest Park is hosting Michelle Buteau, and it’s also a first for Illinois Libraries Present,” Lavin noted.
bring in fabulous, really outstanding speakers who are beyond the ken of what any individual library could do because of speaker fees and the desirability of the speakers. So, together, we have more power,” said Skye Lavin, manager of adult services at Forest Park Public Library. Lavin explained that participating libraries sign up for a season or annual subscription to ILP’s programming.
“It’s Forest Park Public Library’s fourth season with ILP, a collaboration that has been going on for four years,” Lavin added. “They are brilliant and really popular folks that have nationwide prestige, and our patrons, our
Buteau is an actress, producer, and the creator, writer, and star of Survival of the Thickest, a Netflix series inspired by her autobio graphical book of essays with the same title. The New Jersey-born comedian, whose parents are of Caribbean descent, won the Critics’ Choice Best Comedy Special Welcome to BuAccording to the on the Public Michelle Buteau will Greta Johnsen, an interr and podcast for her 11-year tenure Nerdette podcast. Johnsen is also a contributor to podcasts such as Pop Culture Happy Hour and City Cast.
Keep an eye on ILP and Forest Park Public Library’s calendars for more events like this.
When you re gister for Love and Laughs with Michelle Buteau, you’ll receive a Zoom link to attend the show. If you’re re gistered but unable to attend live, you’ll gain access to a recording of the event, available for 30 days, offering added flexibility. This event takes place Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. You can re gister at Forest Park Public Library’s Event Calendar or directly at bit.ly/ILP_MichelleButeau.
Michelle Butea u Provided
Dry January Done Right:
By DALAL ORFALI Vibe assistant editor
Dry January is a challenge to kick off the new year away from alcohol. The behaviorchanging trend has been around since 2012, and depending on how much you used to drink before, studies have shown improvement in overall health within these first four weeks of the year if you join the challenge.
Interested in joining but still want to hold a cool drink in your hand? Here is a collection of spots serving special hand-crafted mocktails.
BERWYN
Autre Monde Café
Their mocktail menu won’t let you miss out on the fun. Try Virgin Blood Orange Gimlet, N/A Gin and Tonic, and N/A Spritz.
■ 6727 W Roosevelt Rd., 708-775-8122
■ Visit www.autremondecafe.net
Fitzgerald’s
The old standby offers three spirit-free cocktails on its menu that include intriguing ingredients such as gochujang shrub and turmeric.
■ 6615 Roosevelt Rd., 708-788-2118
■ Visit www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com
BROADVIE W
The View Restaurant
There is something for everyone in this restaurant. Take It Easy and Bad Sisters are among their mocktail collection.
■ 1701 Roosevelt Rd., 708-540-8439
■ Visit theview1701.com
FOREST PARK
Shanahan’s
Shanahan’s has the most impressi of non-alcoholic beverages that fits all tastes including N/A wine, beer and mocktails, so make sure you try the Hurricane and Hot Toddy once you’re in.
■ 7353 Madison St., 708-366-0775
■ Visit shanahans.net
Rober t’s West Side
The live music venue and neighborhood bar is offering a spicy N/A mar Travels, a drink made of lemon juic
beer, hibiscus and grenadine juice. It also offers hot cocoa.
■ 7321 Madison St., 708-689-0486
■ Visit robertswestside.com
GARFIELD PARK , CHIC AG O
Gar eld Park Conser vator y O.k. we concede that you can’t drink here. But if you need something fun to do, the
LAGRANGE
Kama Bistro
Enjoy a traditional Mango Lassi, or go wild with the Golden Elixir made of fresh ginger and turmeric root and sweetened with agave and a hint of mint and lemon.
■ 9 LaGrange Rd., 708-352-3300
■ Visit www.kamabistro.com
K PARK
estaurant offers delicious mocktail creations with a Latin flair that our Dry January exciting. Ave., 708-358-9800 adelsol.com
rs in Oak Park are no strangers to this bright spot on Lake Street. Coueat selection of hand-craft-
Park Ave., 708-894-2253 sit www.ordercourageous.com
